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THE MUSTANG WEEKLY
September 30th, 2019
A note from Principal Kownacki:
Dear Mustang Community:
We have had a fantastic week at South County MS! As September transitions to October, it’s amazing to think that we are already at the midway point through the first quarter. Our students have really settled into the new school year. It has been a pleasure visiting classrooms this week and seeing students in action collaborating, communicating, problem solving across subject areas, and exhibiting “Portrait of a Graduate” skills. This past week, we also had a great kick-off to our After School program. Over 200 students stayed after on the very first day. We expect attendance will continue to be high and increase as we offer additional activities to engage students in meaningful, productive, and fun activities at the end of the day.
I welcome your feedback, questions and suggestions. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time. I hope to see you at South County Middle School very soon.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
pakownacki@fcps.edu
@PAKownacki
703-690-5500
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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10/14/19 – Columbus Day – No school for students.
THE MUSTANG 3 X 4 CHALLENGE:
The Mustang 3x4 Reading Challenge is underway! Students are challenged to read three books between September 30th and November 1st. Read three books, turn in a book log, and celebrate your accomplishment at the exclusive Mustang 3x4 Celebration. To learn more about the challenge, click here.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY FOR 8TH GRADE PARENTS – FINANCE PARK:
South County Middle School students will be attending their Finance Park trip on Tuesday, October 8th, through Friday, October 12th. We are looking for parent volunteers. If you are able to volunteer on the day that your 8th grade student will be attending, we would greatly appreciate it. The total time commitment is 5 hours (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.), including a 1-hour training the morning of your scheduled volunteer day. You will use your training knowledge to guide students through different phases of the day, which simulate real-world budgeting decisions, spending research, and bill payment. As you guide students through the digital simulation, you’ll share your own life experiences and help them walk a day in your shoes. You bring the program to life.
Volunteers who do not complete the Registration ahead of time will be required to do so when they arrive at Finance Park. Also, please be sure to bring a government issued ID.
Here's the link to register!
PTSO INFORMATION:
Please consider joining the PTSO. Memberships can be purchased at www.scmsptso.org. All funds go directly back into programs at the school, teacher appreciation, instructional grants, and more!
- To kick off the Fall season and thank our teachers for the hard work they have put in so far this year, the PTSO is hosting a luncheon on Monday, 10/14/19 (Columbus Day). Please sign up to volunteer or bring items at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0e4caba72aa13-20195
- On Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00 p.m., the PTSO is proud to present a screening of the acclaimed film "Screenagers". Tickets are only $5 and pizza is available for pre-order. For more information on the film, visit https://www.screenagersmovie.com/. To purchase tickets and dinner, visit www.scmsptso.org. This film is brought to you by the generous sponsorship of Reem Trahan and the team at Compass.
- Unity Day is October 23rd! Wear orange and show your support for anti-bullying! More information to come from your school counselors, but custom orange shirts are available for purchase until October 7th at www.scmsptso.org.
CAREER DAY:
If you are interested in being part of SCMS's 2019-20 Career Day, please fill out the form below and tell us about your career. We are looking for presenters from a wide variety of fields to expose our Mustangs to the world of work. Whether you're involved in real estate, architecture, engineering, photography, computer science, marketing, technology, or something wildly different, we want to hear from you! SAVE THE DATE- Wednesday, December 4, 2019. More details will follow from Ms. Brodie!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0tHAWAvvyKhuMCCfqNKSmIbIpSW7q25AD7LF9CzcWudJaug/viewform?usp=sf_link
FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS:
The Free and Reduced Meals application is now online. Families must re-apply every year to receive this service. More information and a link to the application can be found at: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals. Please also complete the consent to share information (section 4 of the application) as this can allow the school to waive course fees and receive reduced fees for other activities. If families do not re-apply their number will be inactivated in early October.
E-CIGARETTE (VAPE) HEALTH ADVISORY:
In light of recent cases of severe respiratory illnesses associated with the use of e-cigarettes and “vaping” among youth and young adults, the Fairfax County Health Department has posted a health advisory. The advisory can be found here: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/severe-lung-illness-associated-vaping-what-you-need-know. FCPS substance abuse prevention specialists are available to provide additional information in the form of presentations to students, parents, and staff. Please contact your substance abuse prevention specialist or the Student Safety and Wellness Office to schedule a presentation. Additional information on vaping can be found at the links below.
https://www.fcps.edu/vaping/parents https://www.fcps.edu/vaping
We encourage you to visit our school website frequently for updates and announcements. For more detailed information on all school matters, please visit our website at http://www.fcps.edu/southcountyms/
For further information on planning and events sponsored by the PTSO, please visit their website at http://www.scmsptso.org/
Parents of FCPS students may update contact information online through weCare@School http://www.fcps.edu/news/wecare.shtml, a feature of FCPS 24-7 Learning (Blackboard) or by contacting the student information officer at their child’s school to have the contact information updated in the student information system.
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