blue gradient background with white background graphics of a hawk's profile and a wing behind the text "Pocahontas Middle School  Weekly Updates"

Dates to Note

Wednesday, November 26th - 28th - No School, Thanksgiving Holiday

Tuesday, December 2nd - Beginner Band/Chorus Concert

Friday, December 5th - Picture Make-Up/Retake Day

Friday, December 5th and Monday, December 8th - Specialty Center Testing

Monday, December 8th - Wednesday, December 17th - Pocahontas Book Fair

Monday, December 8th - Getting to Know Godwin (for rising 9th graders)

Tuesday, December 9th - Winter Chorus Concert

Wednesday, December 10th - Winter Sports Pictures

Wednesday, December 10th - Curriculum Carnival (for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders)

Wednesday, December 17th - Winter Band Concert

Thursday, December 18th - Winter Strings Concert

Friday, December 19th - Winter Pep Rally


School Pictures Arrival, Make-Up and Retake Info

The school pictures have arrived. If you ordered school pictures for your student, they have received them during their HPE class last week.

If you did not pre-purchase, it is not to late!

  1. Go to http://strawbridge.net/code-lookup and type "Pocahontas" into the search box, then select VA and click search.

  2. Click on our school, then click "Get Code" next to the fall picture event.

  3. Enter your child's last name and student ID, then click search.

  4. Click on the "Student Code" to access your child's image gallery.

Picture Make-Up/Retake Day Information:

Pocahontas's follow-up Fall Picture Day is Friday, December 5th. Make-up and retake pictures will be taken during Advisory and 1st Block.

No envelopes are sent home for make-up picture day

Who is eligible for make-up/retake pictures?

  • Any student who was absent on the original picture day

  •   Any new students since the original picture day

  • Any student who needs to get their picture retaken. Students retaking must bring their picture package back and give to the photographer.


Pocahontas Curriculum Carnival

On Wednesday, December 10th, Pocahontas is hosting our annual Curriculum Carnival. We will have students and staff hosting all sorts of activities as we welcome rising 5th graders and their families to visit and learn about our school and our courses.

Rising 6th and 7th grade families are encouraged to attend to learn more about our electives.

We will have student performances occurring throughout the evening. Approximate performance times are below!

Theatre/Chorus - 5:45 - 6:15

Band/Strings - 6:25 - 6:50

Lots will be going on and we invite you all to be a part of the excitement!


Pocahontas Student Publications - Purchase a Yearbook

We encourage everyone to purchase a 2025-2026 yearbook for your student. The yearbook is a great keepsake. Our student-led yearbook staff is working hard to capture moments that make this year special. Please visit the Online School Payment site to make the purchase! Our final yearbook order will be made at the end of January, so now is a great time to make your purchase!

Additionally, our Hawk Herald is an online publication with articles written by our Hawks about our Hawks. Check out the articles that have been published this year!

Great job to our yearbook and newspaper staff!


Celebrate our Staff

We need your help determining our teacher and staff of the month! Please take a moment to shout out a teacher or staff member who helps make Pocahontas a great place for your student! The recognitions will be shared with the individuals who are nominated! Your kind words will mean so much to staff!

Teacher Shoutouts


Specialty Center Testing

Save the date! Specialty center testing will take place in the morning of Friday, December 5 for the reading test and Monday, December 8 for the math test.


The Book Fair is COMING

We are thrilled to once again give students a chance to get excited about reading at the Scholastic Book Fair!

Students will be able to shop at the Book Fair from December 8th – 17th, before school from 8:00 AM to 8:35 AM & after school from 3:15 PM to 3:45 PM.

We hope you can join us at one of our evening shopping events:

  1. Tue. 12/9: 6:15-7:00 (before chorus concert)

  2. Wed. 12/10: 5:30-7:00 (Curriculum Carnival)

  3. Wed. 12/17: 6:15-7:00 (before band concert)

Visit www.scholastic.com/bf/pocahontasmiddleschool now to set up an eWallet, preview the books at the fair, and order online (starting 12/8).

 

Thank you for supporting your child's love of reading and the Pocahontas library at our Book Fair!


Winter Sports Information

Congratulations to everyone participating on the boys' basketball and wrestling teams!

Our boys' basketball team had an exciting first game against Wilder. They walked away with a victory and a great first showing!

Boys Basketball (tip off at 5 PM*):

Tuesday, December 2nd vs. Tuckahoe @ Pocahontas

Wednesday, December 3rd vs. Short Pump @ Short Pump

Wrestling (tip off at 5 PM*):

First Match - Tuesday, December 2nd vs. Rolfe @ Rolfe

*Game/Match times may be altered due to transportation and team arrival.


FCCLA Community Service Project - Coat Drive

FCCLA is now collecting gently used coats and gloves to support homeless children and teens in our community.

If you have any coats at home that are too snug or no longer worn, please consider donating.

Drop them off in Room 1511 when you arrive at school.

Donations will be collected until Next Tuesday 11/28

Let’s continue spreading warmth this season!


8th Graders - SAVE THE DATE - Getting to Know Godwin - December 8th at 7 PM

Current 8th graders (rising 9th graders) are invited to Godwin for information about courses and planning for high school.

7:00-7:40 p.m. - Academic and Extracurricular Fair Commons and Gym

We welcome rising 9th grade students and their parents to explore Godwin academic course offerings, school culture and extracurricular activities.

Our academic departments, team coaches, club sponsors, and student leaders will be available to provide information, share experiences and answer questions.

7:45-8:15 p.m. - Godwin School Counseling Presentation Auditorium

We welcome rising 9th grade students and their parents for a presentation from the Godwin school counseling team about the course selection process, course offerings, graduation requirements, and diploma types.

8:15-8:45 p.m. - Godwin AP and Honors Panel Auditorium

We welcome rising 9th grade students and their parents for a conversation about AP and honors classes to help students make sound decisions about course levels. Godwin teachers and students will share information and answer questions.