Dates to Note
Monday, January 5th - Monday, January 19th - Course Selection Window (information above)
Wednesday, January 14th - End of Quarter Two - Half Day for Students (Dismissal at 12:15).
Monday, January 19th - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Schools Closed
Thursday, January 22nd - Rising 7th Grade Immunization Clinic
Thursday, January 22nd - Parent Teacher Conferences
Monday, January 26th - Gymnastics Tryouts Begin
Wednesday/Thursday, February 4th and 5th - Winter Growth Assessment Testing
Details for Wednesday's Half Day
On Wednesday, we will dismiss at 12:15 PM.
Grab-and-go lunches will be available for interested students.
As a reminder, if students will be walking home, we need to know ahead of time so we can identify those students. If your student will be walking home on Wednesday, please either write a note and have your student turn it into the main office by the end of advisory on Tuesday OR complete this electronic permission form. If you completed the form earlier this year, you do not need to do it again. Only students who have been given parental/guardian permission will be allowed to walk home on Wednesday.
Course Selection for 2026-2027 School Year
Planning for next school year is underway! Families will be able to choose courses for the 2026-2027 school year from January 5th-January 19th via the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you do NOT have a parent portal account yet, you can find the directions to set up an account here.
Teacher Recommendations:
Teachers provided recommendations for core classes as well as some electives. Students and families should select the option recommended by their teacher. If you have questions or disagree with a recommendation, please contact the teacher directly.
Throughout the course selection window, School Counselors will continue working with students to assist them in selecting appropriate courses for next year.
Follow these directions to review recommendations and assist your student in making their selections.
Our school counselors are available to assist with questions.
Rising 7th Grade Immunization Opportunity
If you are the parent or guardian of a current 6th grader (rising 7th grader), Henrico County Public Schools, in partnership with the Richmond/Henrico Health District, will be hosting an immunization clinic at Pocahontas Middle on Thursday, January 22nd from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
These immunization events will provide the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and the MenACWY (meningococcal conjugate) vaccines for rising seventh graders. A full list of required vaccinations is available at the Virginia Department of Health website.
You may register for our school’s clinic using the link provided here: POCAHONTAS IMMUNIZATION CLINIC LINK. Please note that each link is unique to the school, so be sure to sign up only for your child’s school clinic.
Important registration details:
Students are eligible to receive their vaccines at these in‑school immunization clinics without the need for a parent or guardian to be present.
The online form must be completed in its entirety and signed by the student’s parent or guardian before vaccines can be administered.
Please be sure to complete all demographic information and insurance sections in entirety, to include uploading a photo of your insurance card if applicable.
Please select BOTH the Tdap and MenACWY vaccines on the consent page, unless there is a specific reason your student cannot receive one of these vaccines.
Registration will close at 8:30 a.m. 2 business days prior to the event to allow for staff to prepare for the clinic, so please sign up as soon as possible.
For more information about the Tdap Vaccine VIS: https://www.immunize.org/vaccines/vis/tdap/
For more information about the Meningococcal-ACWY Vaccine VIS: https://www.immunize.org/vaccines/vis/menacwy/
Once your form is completed and submitted, you will receive a confirmation email with additional details.
If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse.
Winter Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, January 22nd from 4:00-7:00 PM.
Parents/Guardians can sign-up for a 10-minute conference slot with as many of their student's teachers as they wish. Each conference will be individual, just the parents/guardians and the content teacher. If you wish to meet with multiple teachers, you will need to schedule multiple conference times. When they register for a slot, parents/guardians will be able to choose an in-person or virtual option for the conference.
On Wednesday, January 14th, we will release a sign-up link through Bookings.* Specific sign-up instructions will be included in that message. Additionally, teachers will share their individual links after the 14th. Sign-ups will be closed on Wednesday, January 21st.
SAVE THE DATE - Winter Growth Assessment Testing
Winter growth assessment testing is right around the corner. The reading test will take place on Wednesday, February 4th, followed by the math test on Thursday, February 5th. All students will be testing in the morning on these days, so please make sure your child is present and on time.
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!
Our final yearbook count will be submitted to the company on January 30th. To guarantee your student receives a yearbook, purchases must be made by January 30th.
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!
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!
8th Grade Summer Academy Hybrid-Online Health and Physical Education Information
Attention 8th Grade HCPS students & families,
We invite you to review the 2026 Summer Academy Hybrid-Online Health & Physical Education information site: https://tinyurl.com/hcps-SA26-ohpe
Attend the optional Q&A sessions, which provide an opportunity for families to explore the course framework and requirements, meet our coordinator, and learn more about the tentative Summer 2026 calendar:
JANUARY 20, 2026 at 7:00pm - TEAMS Meeting Link
JANUARY 28, 2026 at 7:00pm - TEAMS Meeting Link
The Lottery Application opens after the January 20 Q&A session and closes on February 13. Application links are available on the information site, linked above.
8th Grade Field Trip Details
Dear 8th Grade Families,
We are excited to share that our 8th grade students will be heading on a field trip to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (Udvar-Hazy Center) on Thursday, January 29, 2026!
Destination:
Air and Space Museum (Udvar-Hazy Center)
14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151
Schedule for the Day:
Depart Pocahontas MS: 9:00 AM
Return to School: Approximately 2:45 PM
Transportation: Chartered bus via Victory Travel
Cost & Payment Information:
$32 per student (non-refundable)
Payment is due Friday prior to the trip
Payments can be made online through OPS: https://osp.osmsinc.com/HenricoVA/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Bvc2013/Product.aspx?productid=EH280-57
Cash or checks (made payable to the school) are also accepted
Permission Slips:
Permission slips are located on parent square for your convenience and will also be sent home with students in paper form. Please be sure all forms are completed and returned by the due date.
Chaperone Information:
We welcome parent chaperones! All chaperones must:
Have an approved HCPS Volunteer/Mentor Application on file
Submit all paperwork at least 48 hours prior to the trip
If selected, the chaperone cost is $32 (non-refundable).
Food and Drink Reminders
As a reminder, students should only be eating in the classrooms if the teacher has granted permission. Additionally, students must use the garbage cans to dispose of trash. Crumbs and leftovers should not be left on the floor of the classroom.
Additionally, students are welcome and encouraged to carry water bottles. Please use water bottles with lids that prevent spilling. Additionally, sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, milkshakes, etc, can cause disruptions when they spill. We ask that these drinks be consumed before the student enters school in the morning.
Winter Sports Information
Winter sports move into post-season play this week! We are excited for our compatible games!
Be sure to come checkout the teams.
Boys Basketball (tip off at 5 PM*):
Tuesday, January 13th vs. Bell Creek @ Bell Creek
Wrestling (start time - 5 PM*):
Tuesday, January 13th vs. Bell Creek @ Pocahontas
*Game/Match times may be altered due to transportation and team arrival.
Gymnastics Tryout Information
Gymnastics tryouts will begin Monday, January 26th. The gymnastics season will run from the end of Jnuary until March 11th.
Any student trying out for the gymnastics team must have the FIVE required forms completed. Check out our Pocahontas Athletic website for access to the forms. Hard copies are also available in our main office.
Goodwin High School Football Conditioning Information
Attention Rising 9th graders! Godwin High School JV Football will be holding morning workouts beginning January 5th from 7-8 AM. They will be scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the weight room.
This is a great opportunity to meet the coaches and current players and get stronger for the upcoming season!
*Workouts will take place as long as school is in session. Email questions to JV Coach Ryan Bierlair at rabierlair@henrico.k12.va.us
Middle School Night - Godwin Basketball
The Godwin Boys Basketball team is hosting a Middle School Night on Wednesday, January 21st. Any Pocahontas Middle School student can attend the game for free if they have their student ID and a paying adult with them.