Dates to Note |
Monday, October 5th - Thursday, October 8th - Frozen Auditions (permission slip and sign-up required)
Thursday, October 8th - 6th Grade Field Trip to Maymont
Thursday/Friday, October 15th/16th - Pocahontas Fall Picture Day
Thursday, October 21st - Mission Tomorrow Field Trip, 8th Grade
Thursday, October 21st - Unity Day (wear orange)
Thursday, October 22nd - Wednesday, November 11th - Gifted Referral Window Open
Wednesday, October 28th - End of Q1; Student Half Day (Dismissal at 12:15 PM)
End of Quarter 1 |
The first nine weeks ends on Wednesday, October 28th. Between now and then, students will demonstrate their knowledge of content material through a variety of class projects and/or assessments. Check out the Hawk Boards for details about what is occurring in each class.
Now is a great time to check in with your student and discuss their grades. Parents are encouraged to use PowerSchool Parent Portal to review their student's grades. If you have questions about scores or comments in the gradebook, please reach out to the teacher.
Advisory is a great time for students to check their grades, complete assignments, and study for assessments. Please encourage your student to use Advisory time in a manner that increases their academic performance in their classes.
Support to Succeed |
Included in the syllabi is the revised HCPS Support to Succeed. Teachers will be in communication with families of students who qualify for remediation/retesting.
Support to Succeed Policy
The School Board of Henrico County is committed to ensuring the success of all students in grades PK-12. The Board recognizes circumstances may arise that prohibit students from functioning at their highest level. Therefore, Support to Succeed has been created to help students understand the impact of failure and how to correct mistakes.
1. Retest for Success
Any student in grades 2-12 who earns a D or an F on a test can remediate with the teacher and opt to be reassessed one time per test. The reassessment can be done in a multitude of developmentally appropriate ways as determined by the teacher. Reassessment methods may include, but are not limited to, taking a different test, submitting a project/alternative assignment or a writing sample, conducting a formalized test correction procedure, etc. This re-test procedure does not apply to diagnostic assessments (which are not counted as part of a student grade), semester and/or final exams.
2. Marking Period Success: Middle and High School
In an effort to keep students from becoming discouraged and succumbing to failure, students who approach the end of the marking period with an overall grade of less than 65% will have the option to raise their marking period grade based on the remediation plan that is established by the teacher. Students transferring within and into HCPS schools and programs mid-course are eligible for this opportunity.
There are limits on how many marking periods students may avail themselves of this option, which are as follows:
a. In high school credit-bearing courses in middle or high schools, students successfully completing remediation requirements may raise their course grade to 65% in one marking period per course.
b. In non-high school credit-bearing courses in middle school, students successfully completing remediation requirements may raise their course grade to 65% in up to two marking periods per course.
Fall Picture Day |
Students will take their school picture during their HPE class on October 15th or 16th. Ordering information was sent home last week. Prepay School Picture Envelopes will be sent home with your child. Advisory teachers will pass out the forms. To order online, go to strawbridge.net and click "Order pictures and yearbooks." Enter the code PX517674 and click "Find" to order.
Pictures will be taken during students' HPE class. Any students absent these days, will be able to have their picture made on Picture Makeup/Retake Day, December 4th.
*8th graders who are on the Mission Tomorrow Field Trip on October 15th during their HPE block will take their picture upon return.
Mission Tomorrow |
8th Grade students are schedule to attend Mission Tomorrow on Wednesday, October 21st from 9:45 AM - 12:45 PM. Mission Tomorrow is a career exploration expo at the Richmond Raceway presented by Chamber RVA and Junior Achievement. October 21st is a Day 2, and students will miss all or some of their 5th block, 6th block, and 7th block classes. All 8th grade students are eligible to attend. Students will be back at school in time for lunch.
Prior to the field trip, students will complete four career interest lessons in Advisory before the trip.
We will need a handful of parent chaperones, and the trip is free of charge. If interested in chaperoning, please fill out the bottom portion of the permission slip, and we will reach out to you ASAP if you have been chosen to attend the trip.
Permission slips must be returned on or before Friday, October 16th; the earlier, the better. Please reach out to Ms. Lassiter, our 8th grade team leader, at snlassiter@henrico.k12.va.us if you have questions.
Watch Dogs Interest
Last year, we reintroduced WatchD.O.G.S. at Pocahontas. We look forward to continuing this community and school partnership again this year.
If you are interested in learning more about WatchDOGS or would like to be added to our list of WatchDOG volunteers, please complete this Watch Dogs Forms Interest Survey
Additionally, we have a need for volunteers at some October events. If you are a WatchDOG and would like to volunteer, sign up here - October Sign Up Genius
From WATCH DOGS:
The Dads of Great Students, WATCH D.O.G.S.®, program is one of the nation’s largest and most respected school-based, family, and community engagement organizations designed and developed by educators, experts, and parent & guardian volunteers over more than two decades.
Our programs for Elementary and Secondary School campuses help provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important. Meanwhile, we provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security, reduce bullying and provide a greater sense of campus safety allowing students and teachers to focus on learning and instruction.
Gifted Identification Window |
The gifted identification process will run from October 22 through November 11. In order to help families decide if a referral should be made, the county has produced a video with additional information including how to make a referral. That video can be found here: 26-27 Gifted Identification Information.
After watching the video, please contact Ms. Catherine Kelly, Divisional Gifted Coordinator—Middle School Programs, via email at cekelly@henrico.k12.va.us with any additional questions. You may also reach out to hcpsgifted@henrico.k12.va.us
Fundraiser Incentives
Thank you again to everyone who registered, shared, and donated to our fundraiser. Students will receive their prizes and the incentive events throughout October/November
Kona Ice Truck - October 29th
Glow Party - November 5th
Specialty Center Open House Dates
Oct. 6 @ 6:30 - Center for Communications & Media Relations and Center for Environmental Studies & Sustainability @ Auditorium, Varina HS
Oct. 7 @ 6:30 - Advance College Academy, Social Sciences @ Tucker HS
Oct. 8 @ 6:30 - Center for the Arts @ Henrico HS
Oct. 13 @ 6:00 - Center for Engineering @ Highland Springs HS
Oct. 13 @ 6:00 - CodeRVA - repeated on Dec. 8
Oct. 14 @ 6:30 - Center for Information Technology @ Deep Run HS
Oct. 15 @ 6:30 - Center for Spanish Language & Global Citizenship @ Auditorium, Tucker HS
Oct. 17 @ 1:00 - Maggie Walker Governor's School
Oct. 20 @ 6:30 - Center Leadership, Government & Global Economics @ Freeman HS
Oct. 21 @ 6:30 - Center for Education & Human Development @ Glen Allen HS
Oct. 22 @ 6:30 - International Baccalaureate @ Henrico HS
Oct. 27 @ 6:30 - Center for Cybersecurity @ Henrico HS
Oct. 29 @ 6:00 - Todd A. Phillips Center for Medical Sciences @ Godwin HS
Nov. 4 @ 6:00 - Center for the Humanities & Civic Engagement @ Hermitage HS
Nov. 5 between 6:30-8:00 - ACE Centers (all campuses) @ ACE Hermitage
Dec. 8 @ 6:00 - CodeRVA - same content as 10/13
October is National Bullying Prevention Month |
Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) recognizes October as National Bullying Prevention Month. This observance underscores our commitment to ensuring that every student has access to a safe and supportive learning environment. Bullying can cause lasting impacts on those who
experience it, those who witness it, and those who engage in it, which often results in
diminished self-esteem, heightened anxiety, depression, and other adverse effects on overall well-being.
Save the Date
SAVE THE DATE - Our annual Pocahontas Veterans Day Assembly will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 11th. We are inviting veterans who are family members of our students and staff to attend the event. Details will be shared soon!
Hispanic Heritage Month |
In celebration of Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), we are excited to announce this year’s districtwide virtual Reflections Showcase, allowing HCPS students, families, and staff to celebrate the historic and cultural contributions made by the
Hispanic/Latine community that continue to shape and strengthen our county, our country, and our world. HCPS students from all grade levels are invited to share their voices and creativity around the theme of “Roots & Routes,” exploring where we come from and where we are going.
Students may submit a reflection in a creative medium of their choice, including but not limited to written expression (i.e., poetry, essay, short fiction), visual arts (i.e., drawing, painting,
photography, multimedia design/infographic), performing arts (i.e., music, dance, spoken word, film, etc.), or other related thematic expressions.
Showcase submissions will be accepted from September 15, 2026 through October 11, 2026. Click here to submit! Upon review, qualified submissions may be selected for the districtwide virtual showcase. The virtual showcase will be shared with schools by October 15, 2026.