Powhatan School

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Boyce, VA
Powhatan School

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We learn not for school but for life. Serving students in grades PK-8.

10/09/2026

Over the past week, Mr. Stitcher has been bringing his 3rd and 4th grade classes out to Bert’s Knoll on the Crocker Conservancy for a drum circle ensemble lesson. Using 5-gallon buckets and Rhythm Lids, students have enjoyed a unique learning experience in nature.

“We drum in school for a number of reasons,” says Mr. Stitcher, our Lower School music teacher (aka CROCKERdile Survival Man). “Besides improving our drumming technique, students need to have a solid grasp of rhythmic concepts. Improvisation is an important skill for all musicians, as it allows you to fully unlock your musical creativity.” Lastly, a drum circle is an excellent way to experience an ensemble and be part of a community.

This activity utilized the Crocker Conservancy, the 47-acre wooded property on the south end of our campus that is an outdoor laboratory for learning. Special thanks to Mr. Schiavone, Lower School science teacher, for building the storage locker at Bert’s Knoll.

10/08/2026

Cross-curricular learning helps students make meaningful connections across subject areas to bring their learning to life! Our first graders have been exploring monarch butterflies through science, social studies and art! A final milkweed activity on the Crocker Conservancy added to the excitement!!! 🦋

10/07/2026

The Library was bustling with activity this morning with a fun BOB (Battle Of the Books) activity session! This morning our BOB students broke into teams and started working on building team identities. In closing, students and coaches dug into the question, “what does it mean to be part of a team?”

10/05/2026

Maker Week Fun!!!

10/01/2026

Everybody loves Buddy Lunch! ❤️

Buddy Activities are a favorite across campus. Building relationships with students of different ages creates a stronger school community and contributes to the social and emotional well-being of our students.

09/30/2026

A BIG Powhatan School thank you goes out to Mrs. Wooldridge and Mrs. Johnson for making the magic of Picture Day happen for all of our students!!! 📸

09/25/2026

Happy Friday!

Major traffic backup this morning on the sidewalk to Kindergarten as almost all the students stopped to see the chrysalis in the flowerbed!!! 🦋

09/23/2026

The Survival Trip is based on the book ‘Hatchet’ by author Gary Paulsen. It is the first book students read in sixth grade English class. It chronicles the path back to civilization by Brian, the main character of the book, after he survives a plane crash in the wilderness. Brian’s ability to make fire is a pivotal part of the book and the students learn how to make fire using items found in nature. While Brian remained alone in nature for 54 days, our students spend two beautiful days kayaking, canoeing, making arrowheads and blow darts, and practicing archery.

Cross-curricular learning is an educational approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of different subject areas and encourages students to integrate knowledge from various disciplines. In this case, the Survival Trip is a unique combination of English, Science, and Outdoor Education. Rather than viewing subjects in isolation, students can grasp how they relate and complement one another, fostering a deeper comprehension of the material. This approach prepares students for the interdisciplinary nature of many careers and helps them develop crucial skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. By intertwining these subjects in a real-world context, students gain a more profound appreciation of the interplay between disciplines, making their education not only more engaging but also more applicable to their future endeavors.

09/18/2026

Last week Powhatan School held its 44th annual Middle School Retreat.

Each year, we set aside two days for our Middle School Retreat, held in West Virginia at Tall TimbersCampground, as a chance to step away from the classroom, come together as a community, and begin the year with purpose.

This year’s theme, “Better Together,” could be seen in every tradition, conversation, and challenge.

At the heart of Retreat is the Full Value Contract. Soon after arriving at camp, students gather in their advisement groups to create shared expectations for the experience. Guided by Powhatan School’s five pillars—excellence, civility, integrity, respect, and service—students consider the personal responsibility each person has to contribute positively to the group. These advisement groups remain an important source of connection throughout the school year. Faculty mentors meet with small groups of students twice each week, supporting their social and emotional growth while strengthening relationships across the Middle School community.

Throughout the 2-day retreat, students take on problem-solving activities designed to bring students togher. Mr. Roy leads a hike through the forest, with an exploration of hopes for the new school year. At the same time, other groups are engaged in collaborative Challenge Activities such as the student-favotrite Spider Web, Flagpole, and Fire Drill. Success requires more than individual effort - hence Better Together. Challenge activities provide opportunities for students to work with fellow students of different grade levels, helping foster friendships and belonging. Students must listen carefully, communicate clearly, think creatively, and work together toward a common goal. Some of these Challenge Activities are not easy and require lots of effort.

There are moments of excitement, moments of frustration, and plenty of laughter—but each challenge helps students discover the value of trust, perseverance, and teamwork.

As Retreat comes to a close, students are reminded that the Full Value Contract is about much more than these two days. It represents a commitment to how we will learn, lead, support one another, and build community throughout the year.

Because at Powhatan, we truly are Better Together.

09/17/2026

Challenge Activities are a favorite part of the Middle School Retreat experience. These activities help students build trust, strengthen relationships, and discover what they can accomplish when everyone contributes. Guided by our experienced faculty, students took on a series of activities centered around problem-solving. Each challenge required them to listen closely, share ideas, think creatively, and adjust their approach when the first solution did not work. Students had to recognize one another’s strengths, communicate clearly, and collaborate toward a common goal. It’s a fun way to build these essential skills. Along the way, they practiced leadership, perseverance, and critical thinking—essential skills that extend far beyond Retreat.

SPIDER WEB: The entire group of students had to move from one side of the web to the other by carefully lifting and passing members through the openings. Once an opening was used, it was closed unless every opening had already been used. Students could not walk around the web or toss anyone through it. Anyone not lifting or being lifted served as an active spotter. If anyone—or their clothing or shoelaces—touched the web, the group started over.

FIRE DRILL: The group practiced a timed fire evacuation using one exit: a large rubber band. Students could touch the band only with their hands. If anything else touched it, the drill restarted. Once someone released the band, they could not touch it again. The group first attempted to evacuate in under 20 seconds and then in under 10 seconds. Additional challenges included no talking, no hands, hopping on one foot, or using blindfolds.

FLAG RAISING: The students worked together to construct the tallest possible flagpole. They could use only items they had with them or found in the immediate area. Each finished flagpole had to stand independently and display the advisory’s flag at the top. Afterward, all found materials were returned to where they had been found.

Challenge Activities reinforced that we are all Better Together!

Address

49 Powhatan Lane
Boyce, VA
22620

Telephone

+15408371009

Website

http://www.powhatanschool.org/

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