The Mustang Weekly - October 7th, 2019

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/07/2019 06:15 PM EDT

THE MUSTANG WEEKLY

October 7th, 2019

 

A note from Principal Kownacki:

Dear Mustang Community:

I hope I’m not the only one eagerly anticipating the transition to fall weather! Even with the unexpected heat wave, we had a great week at South County Middle School, highlighted by our annual “pink out” on Wednesday to support breast cancer awareness. Over 1,000 students and staff formed the shape of a giant pink heart on one of our outdoor fields last Thursday. The schoolwide activity highlighted the spirit of the SCMS community.

Finally, each year schools are charged with establishing goals for continuous growth and innovation. Please review the SCMS School Improvement and Innovation Plan (SIIP) At A Glance on our website. 

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I look forward to seeing you at SCMS soon.

 

Sincerely,

Peter Kownacki

pakownacki@fcps.edu

@PAKownacki

703-690-5500

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • 10/14/19 – Columbus Day – No school for students.
  • 10/22/19 – Screenagers – 7:00 showing. Interested in learning more about social media, the internet and how it affects our students? See more details below in the PTSO section.
  • 10/23/19 – Unity Day – see below

 

UNITY DAY: UNITY DAY: Orange is the Color

Unity Day is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month which has been recognized in the US since 2011. To participate in Unity Day, schools, communities, and businesses wear or display orange to raise awareness and show support for students who have been bullied. SCMS will hold an Orange Out on Wednesday, October 23rd.

 

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

 

 

FAIRFAX COUNTY YOUTH SURVEY:

The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The results of this survey are published each year on https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health-humanservices/fairfax-county-youth-survey and are used by school officials, youth leadership classes, youth-serving county agencies, and local non-profits to determine the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs offered in schools and communities. It is also used to identify changing trends and areas of need. The survey is anonymous and no individual information is reported. The survey will be given to middle school students during Learning Seminar.

The Fairfax County Youth Survey asks questions about risky behavior, mental health, physical health, and safety. There are questions about behaviors related to alcohol, illegal drugs, or misuse of prescription drugs. Additional questions about depression, student stress, bullying and harassment, and questions about personal health, and for students in eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade only, sexual behavior, will be included in the survey. Students are also asked about specific protective factors concerning health and safety.

You have the right to preview the survey and may deny permission for your child to participate if you desire. If a student is uncomfortable with any question on the survey, the student does not have to answer that question or may elect to discontinue the survey. While it is hoped that as many students as possible will participate, you have the option of completing the attached form if you wish to opt out your child. The survey will be administered on November 7, 2019.

A copy of the survey will be available to parents and/or guardians online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/youthsurvey and in the school counseling office of your child's school beginning October 4, 2019. If you do not wish for your child to take part in the survey, please complete the attached form and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 5, 2019. If you have questions about the survey, contact Stefan Mascall, coordinator, Student Safety and Wellness Office, at 571-423-4270.

 

 

MINORITY ACHIEVEMENT COMMITTEE (MAC):

Accelerate your academic success this year by becoming a MAC Scholar. Join fellow SoCo MS and HS students for FREE one-on-one and group tutoring on select Saturdays in the South County High School library from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. MAC Scholars promotes academic enrichment by offering workshops on study habits, time management, learning styles, self-advocacy, college application prep, financial aid awareness, and other life skills to help your student succeed.

The next South County MAC Scholar sessions are October 12 and 26th from 10 am to 1 pm in the SCHS Library.  The October 12th session will include a presentation on Learning Styles for all students. We will have a representative from NOVA Community College to discuss the NOVA Pathways Program at the October 26th session. We welcome all students and parents to attend these sessions. We want to encourage you to register your student to participate by completing the registration form. For additional information regarding the MAC or the MAC Scholars Program, please contact us at SouthCountyMAC@gmail.com.

 

South County MAC events are open to ALL SCHS and SCMS students and parents. We welcome all to attend. For additional information regarding MAC or the MAC Scholars Program please contact us at SouthCountyMAC@gmail.com.

 

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.