Stallion P.R.I.D.E.
Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence
From the Principal
Family,
What a week! If you have never lived through a Senior Week as a principal of a high school, you have never lived! I have grown approximately 47 new gray hairs on a head that has very little. But in the end, it turns out that our Seniors are an outstanding group of young adults. It culminated in a very spirited Seniors versus staff basketball game. Of course I carried the staff team with 4 of our 62 points. I was truly a great time. I thank you parents for sharing this group of folks with us. It will surely be a moving day when we say goodbye to them for the last time. We are Family.
We are through the initial round of testing and pretty much, all that remains is makeups and a few select AP’s. I am proud to say that our initial data shows that we have made some significant gains in our Mathematics courses. The highlight is a 22.86 percentage bump in our Algebra I scores! That is amazing. Our Students With Disabilities scores also increased by over 10%. These are huge gains, and I am blessed to be working with teachers and students who have bought into what we are trying to do with respect to developing strong relationships, and engaging in the learning. As we continue to work on creating more systematic approaches to identifying areas of concern, we will see further gains in the future. I hope you all come along for this ride!
I would like to thank everyone who came out to the Choral Concert after the crazy storm on Thursday. The Choral group is…. How do I say this,…. phenomenal. Mic Drop! A big shout out to Mr. Rodriguez for his work with the students, as well as the students who trust him to provide an environment that pushes them to their creative limits. I continue to see talent come out of the woodwork in this building, and I was not let down Thursday evening. Keep encouraging them to explore their talents, and we will continue to challenge them.
Let’s take a moment to give props to the sports teams who are still in playoff contention! Men’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, women’s softball, women’s tennis, and track! The make for late nights, but they are worth it.
I was about to leave the school Wednesday night after the Women’s Soccer game (yeah they kicked butt), and I ran into two students who were bringing food into the building. I asked them what event they were here for, and they responded that they were coming for the Muslim Student Association (MSA) Club meeting. It dawned on me that another student asked me to attend this meeting, and I said I would try but wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it. So, I reversed course and walked around the cafeteria where I saw about 40 students and one adult. That adult was Mr. Dennis Bennett who sponsors the Inter-Faith Club here. I walked in and one of the students approached me and asked me if I wanted to come in and have some food with them. I initially said no thank you because if I ate then, and then didn’t eat what the wife cooked at home, I would be dead meat. But eventually, I said yes.
The event was put on totally by students, with only the assistance of Mr. Bennett to reserve the space. The food (all home cooked) was delicious! But the truly impressive part was the fact that we had so many students of so many different faiths come together to celebrate and break bread together after fasting. I was literally moved to tears as I spoke to them about how proud I was of them; as I am as I write this. What a remarkable showing that I was able to be a part of, and that I almost missed out on.
I was meant to run into those students, and I was meant to be in this school. Call it Faith, Fate, Karma, or Dumb Luck. I call it, RIGHT! Have the best Memorial Day Weekend ever! #OneStallion
Gary
Early Checkouts From School
The Attendance Office will not be able to accept calls for early checkouts thru the end of the year. This is due to AP, SOL, and final exam testing and staff not being able to interrupt those testing sessions. All students MUST present a note from a parent to the Attendance Office at the beginning of the day to receive a checkout pass at that time.
Testing Calendar/Exams/Awards Ceremonies
Testing calendar for South County High School can be found here.
Exams and Awards Ceremonies Schedule can be found here.
Important Library News
All library materials checked out to seniors are overdue. Students have to return all materials before receiving their cap and gown. Library materials are due for all underclassman by May 31st. All overdue books remain on the student’s financial record until returned or paid for as per FCPS regulation R5922.18. Notices for overdue books are sent to students via their English teacher, and students also receive pop-up reminders on school computers of overdue library books and fines. Please note: These notices are separate from finance and textbook notices, as they are through the library circulation system. If your student(s) have questions about their library account, please ask them to stop by the library to have their account checked. Thank you!
From the Student Activities Office
Track Resurfacing
Attention ALL Community Members: Starting on May 28, 2019, South County High School’s track will be resurfaced and the upper turf field complex will be out of commission until mid August. Please do not enter into the construction zone during this time period. We truly appreciate your compliance and we are looking forward to a beautifully renovated track for the 2019 school year! Please help us by passing the word.
Fall Meet the Coach Night – May 30, 2019 @ 7pm in the Gymnasium
Interested in participating in Fall Sports? If so, it is highly encouraged that your family attend our annual Fall Meet the Coach Night. This event will start in the gym were you will hear from the Principal, DSA and ATC, followed by individual breakout sessions for each sport.
Varsity Letterman Night – June 3, 2019 @ 7pm in the Gymnasium
All South County students and families are welcome to join us as we remember and recognize the 2018 - 2019 individual and team athletic accomplishments!
South County Crew
Please congratulate South County Crew for its multiple Top-3 finishes at State Championships this month! The Men's JV Eight earned a bronze metal, and the Women's Second Four and Men's Senior Quad boats earned silver medals at the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association State Championship Regatta on May 4 and 11. Men's JV8 members: Kaitlyn Knowles, Tejas Jyothi, Remy Brettell, Connor Flanagan, Jack Ferlazzo, Sterling Truhlar, Jack McMahon, Craig Kalkwarf, Jake Eppard. Women's Second Four: Erika Ashley, Emily Chapman, Isha Patel, Shannon Gear, Kaitlyn Pastino. Men's Quad: Christopher Paine, Alex Allison, Brett Meincke, Santiago Casabianca.
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FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story so we can all acknowledge the good work of our South County HS Staff. Just click FCPS CARES. |
From the PTSO
All Night Grad Party Tickets—Financial Assistance
Students who need financial assistance to receive an ANGP ticket should talk to their counselor; the PTSO has funds available so that anyone who wants to go to the ANGP, but cannot afford it, can go. Financial assistance is only available through June 1, so do not wait until the last minute.
Volunteers needed on June 7, June 8
We still need many volunteers to pull off this year’s All Night Grad Party, which is on a Friday night (June 7)—so most of you will not have to get up and go to work in the morning the next day. We need not only senior parents, but parents of underclassmen. Please sign up for a volunteer shift; we are especially short in the 1am-4am timeframe. College students who graduated from high school in 2017 or earlier are also welcome to sign up for certain shifts. To sign up, go here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0545AEA723A3F58-angp
Online Auction Open
As part of the annual golf tournament fundraiser sponsored by Athletic Boosters and the PTSO, there is an online auction that is NOW OPEN! We have fabulous items available this year—anything from a gift certificate to IHOP to dancing lessons at Arthur Murray to tutoring and landscaping—even some great vacation packages! Who wants to go on an African safari? Proceeds of the auction benefit both athletics and academics here at South County. Go to https://www.biddingOwl.com/SoCoAthletic to look at what we have and place your bid. The auction ends on June 9.
Social Media Coordinator
The PTSO is looking for someone to manage its Facebook and Twitter accounts for next year. If interested, please contact Nannette Henderson at pres@southcountyptso.org.
SOCO 2018 Summer Basketball Camp
Two Sessions: June 24-28 and July 8-12
9am-3pm
South County HS Gym
Cost: $185 (Save $20 if you sign up for both sessions)
Who: Basketball Enthusiasts ages 7-15 What: Boys Basketball Camp
- Daily Skill Instruction from SC Coaches & Players
- 5 on 5 League Play & Championship Tournament
- 1 on 1 Tournament
- Hot Shot Contest
- Free Throw Contest
- Individual & Team Awards
- Free Camp T-Shirt
Registration Online at http://www.schscamps.com/
13th annual South County Golf Tournament
Attention All Community Members: The South County Athletic Booster Club and PSTO would like to invite you to participate in the 13th annual South County Golf Tournament fundraiser. This year’s tournament will be held on June 10th @ Laurel Hill Golf Club starting with lunch at 11am and a shotgun start promptly at 1pm golf. *NEW* The school-based team/club/organization with the most participation will be awarded a $2500 check towards their program! We look forwarding to seeing you out there.
https://scgolfclassic.com/
School Nutrition Account
Please remember to add money to your child’s school nutrition account. All accounts must be brought current before the end of the school year in June.
Calendar Reminder: Schools and Offices Closed on May 27 for Memorial Day Holiday
As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day Holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 28. See the complete 2018-19 school year calendar.
Heads Up: 2019-20 School Year Calendar Changes; Notable Dates
New Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. As a result, FCPS’ 2019-20 Standard School Year Calendar has changed and Friday, August 30, is now a holiday for students. In addition, the Board voted to move the March school planning day to Tuesday, March 3, 2020, to accommodate the 2020 presidential primary.
Other notable dates include the first day of school, August 26; Thanksgiving break, November 27-29; Winter break, December 23, 2019-January 3, 2020; Spring Break, April 6-10, 2020; and the last day of school, June 12, 2020. See the 2019-20 school year calendar.
Mark Your Calendars
Monday, May 27th - Holiday/Memorial Day
Friday, June 7th - Graduation
Thursday, June 13th - Last day of School/ 2 hour day
News You Choose Submission Deadline this next week will be Thursday at noon. Please send all submissions to DBoullianne@fcps.edu.
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