Tryouts for wrestling and boys’ basketball will begin on November 11th. Gymnastics season will begin in January. Please be sure to have your Physical and Concussion Forms on file in the office.

Boys’ Basketball: Please remember to wear a plain white or gray t-shirt for tryouts.

The Pocahontas Middle School library will be hosting the Scholastic Book Fair this fall from November 11^th through 15^th .

The Book Fair will be open 11/11-11/15 from 8:05 to 3:30 and special evening hours during parent/teacher conferences Thursday 11/14 from 4:00-6:30. Please stop by before or after your conferences to buy books for your child or for a teacher’s classroom library.

NEW In-School and Online Shopping Options! With Book Fair eWallet, a safe and convenient digital payment account, your student can shop the Fair cash-free! And if you’re not able to attend the Fair, try our new online shopping option. We’ve partnered with The Scholastic Store^™ to offer over 6,000 products that ship direct to your home (with free shipping on orders of $25 or more)! Visit our homepage to access eWallet or shop online through 11/16.

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/pocahontasmiddleschool2

If you have any questions, please contact Pocahontas’ librarian, Mrs. Walker.

Our Big Blast FUNdraiser kicks off October 29th!  This is a new and progressive fundraiser where there are no products to sell.  Students can win prizes and attend events if they register and send 10 emails to friends and family.  If you want to get started early, you can help us take action by clicking the link below.

www.gabigblast.com/POCAHONTASMS/welcome

This link will take you to our school fundraiser website where you can register and set up your child’s personal donation page. On this page, you can invite friends and family to join our efforts by sending them an email.

This entire fundraiser can be completed in less than 10 minutes!

By doing this, your child will qualify for the Golden Ticket prizes which include a popsocket, a cell phone gaming joystick, and a 10’ phone charging cord.  Have your student return their Golden ticket in their packet to school to be part of the fun! It’s very easy and a great way to support your student as they use their awesomeness to help our school.

Students acquiring donations via their emails will get to participate in the BIG BLAST, which will be a trip to Boomerang, the indoor air sports park in Short Pump, VA. Students will challenge themselves in different events and obstacles, win prizes. $75 in donations gets your student to this event. The more emails you send the more prizes you win!

Thank you for taking action to help your child help our school!

School pictures will take place during PE classes on November 12^th and 13^th.

Picture make-ups will be held on December 13^th.

Spring pictures will be held on April 15^th.

More information/picture form will come from your child’s PE teacher as the date draws closer.

Check out our Hawk Flyer (11/8), which includes all the latest news and information happening at Pocahontas Middle School.

This is an important message for families of students who use bus transportation:

First day of school is almost here! Our drivers have been working hard to rehearse their routes and make sure Sept. 3 is the beginning of a great week. With that in mind, we ask for your patience next week as some buses may experience delays. Here’s why, along with answers to some other frequently asked questions.

What can I expect during the first week of school?

Thousands of Kindergarten and preschool students are riding a school bus for the very first time. We take extra care with these students, such as requiring authorized adults to show ID in order to get them off the bus in the afternoon. Afternoon delays are inevitable as parents become accustomed to our process, and as our drivers meet many of these families for the first time. In limited instances, bus delays may become very lengthy on the first couple of days, but those delays should quickly shorten as everyone gets used to the new routine.

We also realize that the first week of school can often be filled with emotional moments and “must get” photo opportunities. Sometimes this will result in buses being behind schedule.

Where can I find bus information?

Bus stop information is now available on our website as well as through Rycor Online Forms and PowerSchool. We recommend students be at their morning bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Please review bus stop safety procedures and follow the direction of bus drivers.

Will you let me know if the bus is running 10-15 minutes late?

Pupil Transportation staff makes every effort to notify parents of significantly late buses through School Messenger text messages. For more information on our automated communication methods, click here to visit the Communications and Community Engagement page 

What if I need to call someone in the Transportation department?

If you would like to speak to someone in our Transportation department, you can do that too by calling one of our zone offices. Henrico is a big county that is served by several different transportation zones. To find the zone office that is responsible for your student’s school, click here.

How do I make a formal request regarding my student’s transportation?

Transportation staff receives hundreds of written requests from parents in September. Parents should complete the “School Bus Request Form,” also linked on the web page.  Priority will be placed on assigning new or recently moved students. Requests for changes to bus stop locations will be addressed as a lower priority.

Here’s to a great 2019-20 school year!

Josh Davis
Director, Pupil Transportation

What is Anonymous Alerts?

The Anonymous Alerts safety and anti-bullying reporting system helps combat negative activity in schools by empowering students to speak up. Social and peer pressure are some of the hardest obstacles for students to overcome.

The system allows for one-way or two-way anonymous encrypted communication between those submitting reports (students, parents or community members) and school division administration and staff members. System users have the option to remain anonymous or reveal their identity when submitting a report.

How does it work?

To use the new app, students, parents or others simply visit the Henrico County Public Schools website and click on the “Anonymous Alerts” button or the text link to submit a report expressing a concern. Anonymous Alerts apps can be downloaded directly from the Apple, Google Play or Chrome stores.

Users enter Henrico Schools’ Anonymous Alerts activation code – Henrico – and select the school to which the message should go. Informational posters explaining how to use the system will be displayed in HCPS schools and offices.

To send reports from the internet, go to: https://report.anonymousalerts.com/henrico.

To send a report from your phone:

• Download the free Anonymous Alerts app from the Apple Store, Google Play store or Chrome store.
• Launch the app and enter the activation code, Henrico.
• Send important reports to school officials.
• If desired, add a screenshot, photo or video about the incident.

To expedite morning drop off, please do not stop in front of our main doors to drop off your Hawk. Follow the directions of our staff member to fill the entire front circle before your child exits your vehicle.

For great information on how to navigate through PowerSchool and Schoology, please review our presentation that was presented to 6th grade parents during Tuesday’s Back-to-School Night.

PSchoolSchoology.ppt