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

Week 31 - Pocahontas Middle School Updates/Reminders

Pocahontas Middle School

April 13, 2026

Dates to Note

April 13th - April 17th - Spirit Week

Wednesday, April 15th - Spring Sports Pictures

Friday, April 17th - Rally Day (alternative bell schedule)

Friday, April 17th - Spring Fling Dance

Tuesday, April 21st - No School for students/staff

Wednesday, April 29th - Reading SOL Test Administration

Wednesday, May 6th - Math SOL Test Administration

Friday, May 8th - IRW SOL Test Administration (8th Grade Only)

Tuesday, May 12th - Science SOL Administration (Physical Science and Earth Science Only)

Spring Fling Dance

Friday 4/17/2026, 6:00-8:00 PM
Pocahontas Cafeteria
$10 Cash
Pocahontas students only (no visitors)
Recommended attire: Dress pants, dresses (not required)
Tickets on sale during advisory starting Monday, April 13th in the cafeteria

SOL Testing Information

Per VDOE requirements, we will administer several SOL tests this spring. Please see the visual below for details about testing dates and who is required to take the specific SOL.

Additionally, on Thursday, April 9th, all students (except those in Geometry) will participate in a Math SOL simulation. We will follow a testing schedule on Thursday morning. Teachers will use simulation data to build reviews and small groups for students, to ensure they are prepared for the Math SOL.

Wed Apr 29 - Reading SOL (all students)

Wed May 6 - Math SOL (all students)

Fri May 8 - Integrated Reading & Writing Test (8th grade only)

Tue May 12 - Science SOL (Physical Science, Adv. Physical Science, Earth Science only)

May 14-22 - Expedited Retakes (parent permission required)

If a student misses their SOL test, the make up test will be given upon the student's return. All test will run approximately 9:00AM - 12:00PM. Please be on time to school and avoid early dismissals during testing.

SOL Details from VDOE

We are reaching out to provide information about Virginia's state assessment program, which includes the Standards of Learning Tests (SOL) for students in grades 3 through 8, and specific high school credit courses. These assessments, aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning, will be given to students from April 29th through May 12th. All SOL tests will be taken in-person at school with trained test examiners.

Prior to testing:

  • Students are encouraged to practice using the SOL Practice Items at https://va8.testnav.com/client/index.html to become familiar with the test items and tools they'll see on their SOL tests.

  • On testing days, students should bring their fully charged laptop and charger to school.

  • Students should not have access to a personal electronic device, such as a smartwatch or cell phone, during SOL testing. If a student is found to be in possession of any of these devices during testing, disciplinary consequences may be given and the student will not be allowed to retake the test. Please remind your child to leave these devices at home or follow the examiner’s storage directions. The full testing and electronics policy is here: https://tinyurl.com/HCPSElectronicsPolicy

More information about Standards of Learning tests is available at https://www.doe.virginia.gov/parents-students/parent-resources/assessment. 

If you have questions about the federal, state or division assessment policies, please contact Angela Bell at ambell@henrico.k12.va.us or Kelli Brown at kcbrown@henrico.k12.va.us. If you have questions related to your school’s testing processes and options, please contact your school’s principal or school test coordinator at 804-364-0830.

Career Day - May 20th - Speakers Needed

Pocahontas Career Day

When: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Time: 8:30 am - 11 am

We are looking for parents to share their career experiences with our 7th grade students. 

Did you pick a career/job you love and would be willing to talk to our students in a classroom? All grade level parents are welcome.

If interested, please send us your information via this link - https://tinyurl.com/HawkCareerDay

Our contact is Joan Ozolins at 804-364-0847 or jmozolins@henrico.k12.va.us for more information.  

Please note: All Career Day participants will need to complete a volunteer form to present.

8th Grade End-Of-Year Field Trip Info

Dear 8th Grade Families,

Get ready to celebrate! 🎉 On Tuesday, May 27, 2026, our 8th grade students will wrap up their middle school journey with an unforgettable end-of-year field trip aboard the Spirit of Norfolk! This exciting cruise is a perfect way to celebrate all their hard work and create lasting memories together.

🚌 Departure & Return

  • Depart School: 8:30 AM

  • Return: Approximately 4:00 PM

🚢 Cruise Details

  • Boarding Begins: 10:30 AM

  • Cruise Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

  • Location: Otter Berth

  • 173 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA

🌊 What will we be doing?!?

Students will enjoy:

  • A scenic two-hour cruise along the Elizabeth River

  • A delicious buffet lunch with entrées, salads, and desserts

  • Incredible views of the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet

  • Fun entertainment with a live DJ, dancing, and games

The ship also features climate-controlled dining areas and outdoor decks for sightseeing!

📝 Permission Slips

  • Permission slips are attached below

  • Paper copies will be sent home today with your student

  • ⚠️ Please return permission slips ASAP — we need an accurate headcount, and spots will fill quickly!

💲 Cost & Payment

Important:

🚫 Behavior Expectations

To attend, students must remain in good standing:

  • Students assigned ISS or OSS prior to the trip will not be eligible to attend

  • No refunds will be provided due to disciplinary removal

8th Grade Event Reminders

8th Grade Dates to Note:

  • 8th Grade Celebration - Friday, May 15th from 7PM - 9PM at Pocahontas - dance and fun hosted by the PTA - invitation and permission slips coming this week!

  • 8th Grade SOAR Ceremony Practice - Thursday, May 28th in the morning at Pocahontas. 8th graders MUST participate in the practice.

  • 8th Grade SOAR Ceremony - Thursday, May 28th at 7PM at Godwin High School. Families will be given four tickets for the event.

Online Economics & Personal Finance (EPF) through Longwood University

Who: Rising 9-12th grade students (Rising freshmen and sophomore students are required to have at least a 3.0 GPA and must have successfully completed Algebra I. Rising seniors and juniors do not have a minimum GPA requirement.) 

 

Summer Session June 22 - July 25, 2026. Registration will open in mid-March and close on June 6, 2025. Tuition: $50. If you're new to LU, click "Sign Up"—if you already have a profile, just sign in. * Students have the option to take their W!SE exam on Longwood.

Additional information about the course, cost, and enrollment requirements can be found at http://www.longwood.edu/personalfinance/.  

 

Economics and Personal Finance is a 4-week rigorous, mathematically intensive course covering economics and personal finance that may require students to spend up to 6 hours daily to succeed. The course satisfies the state’s economics and personal finance requirements as well as the online experience and certification requirements for high school graduation. The W!SE Financial Literacy Certification exam is administered in the course. Students will receive 3 hours of college credit for successfully completing this class. 

 

Required course text: Personal Finance, Turning Money Into Wealth, 7th edition (an earlier edition can be purchased for cost savings)  

Required course calculator: Any graphing or financial calculator (Texas Instruments BAII+ is recommended).

Keeping Toys at Home, Please

We have noticed an increase of students bringing toys from home and playing with them throughout the school day. To avoid distractions and classroom intruptions, unauthorized toys (such as stuffed animals, yo-yos, action figures, tennis balls, board games, and athletic equipment (unless needed for a Pocahontas sport)) should remain at home!

If objects are brought to school and cause a disruption, the teacher may ask for the object to be given to them for the duration of the class period and/or day.

Thank you for speaking with your student

Hawk Huddle Weather Information

Hawk Huddle does not occur when the weather does not allow for it. Students remain indoors when:

  • It is actively raining and/or snowing

  • Recent rain/snow has left the outside area too wet and/or muddy for activities

  • Temperatures are below 40 degrees

  • Spring Sports - Support out Teams!

    Our Spring Sports Teams are off to a great start!! It was fun seeing baseball, softball, soccer, and track and field competing this week!

    Join us in cheering on our Hawks at their games/matches this week:

    Soccer, Baseball, Softball, and Tennis - Monday, April 13th vs. Tuckahoe @ Pocahontas*

    Wednesday, April 15 vs. Short Pump @ Short Pump*

    Track - Thursday, April 16th - Quad Meet @ Varina High School

    *Games and matches are scheduled to begin at 5 PM. Start time depends on the visiting team and the officials arrival time.

    Spring Sports Pictures

    Spring Sports pictures will occur after school on Wednesday, April 15th. Coaches will provide students with details.

    Godwin Dance Team Tryouts

    Meet in the small gym from 4:15PM-7:00PM.

    • Monday, May 4th - Jazz/Pom

    • Tuesday, May 5th - Hip Hop

    • Wednesday, May 6th - Jazz/Pom

    • Thursday, May 7th - Hip Hop

    • Friday, May 8th - Review Day & Auditions

    Please plan to attend the entire week so you can fully learn the choreography and technique. Wear athletic, school-appropriate clothing (no jeans) and come with a positive attitude.

    Message from our PTA President

    Hi Hawk Families!

    How are we in the last quarter of the school year already? This year has zipped by for our family! 

    Our PTA hopes that you and your families are doing well and enjoying the Virginia Spring flowers, birds, and taking some time to go outside in the fresh, pollinated air. We have a few more things coming up for the end of the year and hopefully we can take a few things off your list of things to do!

    Spirit Night: Thursday, April 16th at Deep Run Roadhouse! We are hosting a Spirit Day at Deep Run and 30% of all sales for the day go toward offsetting the cost of our BBQ lunch we host for our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week! This is a popular lunch event for our teachers so take a night off of cooking and go to Deep Run Roadhouse! When you are finished picking up your order or eating, place your receipt in the Pocahontas box at the counter so our PTA will get credit for your purchase!

    SOL Testing is coming up on Wednesday April 29th, May 6th, and May 12th! Our Hospitality Team is treating our Teachers to Snacks on testing days so they can take a quick break and refuel! Please SIGN UP HERE to donate snacks! Drop off all snacks by Monday the 27th! Our Hospitality Team is also providing fresh fruit on each day of the testing, thank you for helping us Spoil our Teachers!

    This year's Teacher Appreciation week is May 4th-8th and we have some fun things planned for our teachers and we want to help you get your to-do list to-done! In addition to the barbeque lunch, we are also hosting a coffee breakfast for our teachers so they can be energized and caffeinated to greet the day, and our students! We are also offering our GIFT CARD DRIVE for our teachers, this year with a little bonus! There is an option to enter a gift message and we will hand write your messages! Write a message for the whole staff or one for an individual teacher that has made an impact on your student, help us cover the mailroom walls with words of affirmation for our teachers! Choose an amount, write a message, and the PTA will take care of the rest! The Gift Card and Message Drive runs through Midnight, May 3rd!

    Our next PTA meeting is Tuesday, April 14th at 6pm in the Pocahontas Library. This is a change due to the voting day on April 21st We would love to have your thoughts and input so please join us or send an email that I can share with the group!  Interested in becoming a board member?  You can join us at any of our meetings or send me an email, we encourage all Hawk Family Voices! How can the PTA make your student's middle school adventure amazing?