Weekly News From South County High School

From the Principal   

Family,

I hope that this message finds all of you well and ready for the, “Used to be a holiday for everyone” weekend! If you sense a little "tude" in that statement, well give yourself a gold star.  The staff and I will be here at school hard at work planning and preparing to make this world a better place.  Actually, we will be working and learning together about how we can continue to teach and learn with an equity lens, and bring in more student voice into our instructional practices.  It should and will be a really great day of adult learning.

Thank you for those of you who were able to come out to the parent coffee on Friday.  I always enjoy spending time with you and hearing your perspectives about how things are going in the building.  This is a team effort and your voice counts.  For those of you who weren't able to make it, you missed my "Soapbox moment".  You'll have to ask around for the synopsis of the event.  I hope to see you next time though. 

Wanna help out the PTSO?  Well the PTSO can win $1000 if we get the most number of parents to sign up for MySchoolBucks (MSB) before October 15th.  We use MSB to help easily monitor and make payments for student meals, paying fees, dues, PE uniforms, etc.  If you do not already have an account, please create one at https://www.myschoolbucks.com. Please know that the South County PTSO does so many things to support the students and teachers in the school, so this would be another way to not only support the school, but also to provide you the best way to keep an eye on and manage financial transactions for your student.  Oh yeah, and become a PTSO member! Remember, all the cool kids are doing it!

Looking for something to do the evening of Wednesday, October 23rd?  Well come and join me and many of your Lorton community Family at the Casa T. Bar & Grill in Lorton.  We will be in the place from 7pm – 9pm for a parent social.  It will be a great time to get to know one another better and re-enforce the Family theme that we have going on in the school.  This is not about business, just an opportunity to relax and enjoy one another’s company.    

Now for a little school news.  I am so happy to announce that the communication in the school among our teaching staff has increased many times over compared to last year.  This increased communication has allowed teachers to work much better with students because we have so much more information about our students versus going at it alone within our own silos.  It seems like common sense to talk to one another, but sometimes this doesn’t happen, and we are working hard to break down the barriers of classroom doors and walls to share our successes and struggles in an effort to provide each student with the best learning opportunity possible. 

 I have been able to witness the awesome implementation of FCPSOn and the use of the student laptops in classrooms since the beginning of the year. Teachers are using the laptops as a tool to allow students to research, collaborate, and be leaders in their own learning.  It has been impressive to observe our students and teachers learn together, as students share their expertise with teachers and one another, as well as the doors of creativity and learning open up every day.  Ask your students about how they are using technology in some of their classes and have them show you a thing or two.  They have been willing to share with me!

I shared at the parent coffee that on Friday that I had a close call with a vehicle coming in contact with my vehicle in the parking lot.  I am asking again that we all be very careful and mindful of the signage and traffic rules in the parking lot as we come and go.  I will also ask that you speak with your students about finding safe areas to walk in the parking lot.  I haven’t bumped into any of them to test their structural integrity and I don't want to.  In all seriousness, I want them to be safe and allow for traffic to be able to move about orderly and continually. 

On Friday, we had our school PINK -OUT as Stallions supported “More P.I.N.K” (Prevention, Immediate Diagnosis, New Technology, and Knowledge) sponsored by DECA!  This is an effort to support fighting breast cancer.  It is always nice to see our students engaged in efforts together, and even more exciting when they rally behind causes like this one.  The DECA students are using their passion for the cause and their marketing skills to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.  Even though our official PINK-OUT day is over, you can still participate and support the cause and our students by following the link to the donation page https://give.bcrf.org.fundraiser/2420670.

Well Family, that is all that I have for you this week.  I am very happy in this place, and this is due in part to you and your support, and the wonderful children you share with us.  Have a great weekend! #OneStallion

Gary


PSAT/ NMSQT

The PSAT NMSQT will be given on Wednesday October 16 to all 10th and 11th graders. Students should report directly to their testing rooms -  we have asked Advisory teachers to share these locations with the students.

October 16th will be an early release day with a dismissal time of 12:55 PM. A grab’n’go lunch will be available for purchase in the cafeteria prior to departure. Students receiving College Board Approved Accommodations will finish after the dismissal and will need to ensure their own transportation home. If students wish to waive their accommodations, a letter signed by parent/guardian must be received in Student Services by Tuesday October 15th.

For the Day of the Test

  • Please ensure that students get a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast the day of the test.
  • Students will need to bring their own pencils and calculators. These will NOT be provided on the day of the test. Students will NOT be able to get one from their math teacher that day. It is recommended that students check their calculator batteries and bring extras.
  • Students will have to make sure that their cell phone is off and put away in their backpacks, not in a pocket.
  • There will be breaks throughout the test during which students may eat snacks if they bring them, but they will not be provided.

If you have any questions please call Chris Bird, PSAT Supervisor in Student Services at 703-446-1643.

   


Partners for Safe Teen Driving Program

Presented by SC High School Driver’s ED Program

Auditorium

October 16th (Wednesday)

November 11th (Monday) 

February 13th (Thursday)      

April 21st (Tuesday)

As a part of classroom driver education instruction, students and their parent/guardian are required to attend a 90-minute traffic safety program. This requirement must be met before a student will receive a Classroom Driver Education Certificate of Completion (DEC-District 8).

These programs will be held at South County High School four (4) times during this school year. Parents and students should attend the program during the quarter in which they are enrolled in driver’s education, but may attend other programs. Please be aware that you and your student only need to attend this program one time.

Programs will take place on the following dates: October 16th, November 11th, February 13th, and April 21st. The doors will open at 6:45PM with the programs beginning promptly at 7:00PM in the Auditorium. No registration is required for SCHS students currently enrolled in 10th grade Health & Physical Education (H&PE).

The legislative requirement is for a 90-minute program; therefore, doors will be shut at 7:00PM. No one will be admitted after the doors have been closed. If you are unable to attend any of these programs, additional program dates and locations can be found on the Fairfax County Public Schools website at www.fcps.edu.

If you have any questions, please contact Erich Gunderman, H&PE Department Chair, via email at Erich.Gunderman@fcps.edu. Thank you for your attention to this important requirement.

 


Advanced Placement Test Opt-Out Forms

Parents will receive an Advanced Placement Test Opt-Out Form in the mail this week listing the number of AP tests for which their student is currently registered, as well as the total number of tests their student has taken. Students have the opportunity to opt out of any test(s) using this opt out form. These opt out forms must be returned to Kelli Watkins in Student Services by October 25th. After this date students will be expected to sit for any test for which they are registered and will be responsible for paying any fees owed. Please contact Chris Bird, AP Test Coordinator, at cwbird@fcps.edu with any questions.

   


VA Governor’s School Opportunities

Attention Sophomores and Juniors:

Governor’s School is a Virginia summer enrichment program designed for highly motivated 10th and 11th grade students who are seeking a challenging summer experience. Programs are offered in Visual and Performing Arts (Dance, Theatre, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Visual Art), Humanities, Math/Science/Tech, Agriculture, Life Science/Medicine, and Mentorships in Engineering and Life Sciences. The selection process is extremely competitive. For the academic programs, most students selected rank in the top 10% of their class and have scored in the 90th percentile on standardized measures of ability or achievement tests. Visual and Performing Arts candidates must compete in a regional adjudication where they are evaluated on their performance or portfolio. These residential programs are located at various universities around the state and run from late June to late July, so students need to be available during this time.

Interested students should plan to attend one of the four information sessions offered during Advisory on the following dates:

Monday, 10/21 in the Cafeteria

Friday, 10/25 in the Choral Room (G131)

Students should obtain an advisory pass from any of the school counselors prior to the information session they want to attend.

If a student is unable to attend one of the above sessions, they should contact Erica Mack (edmack@fcps.edu) or Becky Freeman (bkfreeman@fcps.edu) for more information.

   


NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Sophomores, juniors and seniors eligible to join or continue membership in the South County HS chapter of NHS will receive invitation letters during their Advisory classes next week (Oct. 8 and 10). Students new to NHS who want to be inducted should plan to attend the induction ceremony November 14, 2019, at 7 pm in the auditorium. More details will be included in the letters that eligible students receive. Aside from freshmen, students who maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher as of the end of the 2018-2019 academic year will receive a letter. Faculty Sponsor: Kristina Brody, kbbrody@fcps.edu

  


From the PTSO

Volunteer Opportunities

We have several volunteer opportunities coming up, including for the homecoming dance. Please check our website at https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/ to take a look and sign up. If you don’t have an active account set up on that site, it is very easy to get it going.

Car magnets

Do you have a new driver? The PTSO is now selling “Student Driver” magnets for cars. The magnets are bright yellow, 3” x 12” rectangles, and are only $6 each (delivered). Order now at https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/dashboard/form_edit/92900.   Class magnets are available at the same website.

Become a part of the Stallion Brick Wall of Fame!

This is a great opportunity to honor and celebrate your child’s SCHS experience—especially if you have a graduating senior!  Engraved bricks make up the "Walk of Fame," located inside the SCHS Football Stadium, surrounding the Stallion statues by the concession stand. Funds raised from the brick sales support the PTSO.  

Bricks can be engraved with up to three lines of text and two emblems. For information on how to order bricks, go to https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/form/m/92901. We will accept orders for a fall installation until October 25. Questions? Email walkoffame@southcountyptso.org.

Parent Social

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 23! We will be hosing our first ever South County Parent Social from 7p-9p at Casa Tequila Bar & Grill in Lorton. The PTSO is providing appetizers. Please RSVP so we can plan for enough food at http://evite.me/J7b6Y1XUy6

Call for Gently Used Books for Santa’s Book Emporium at the Craft Show!

We are starting to collect gently used books of all genres, ribbons, tissue paper, and baskets for this year's Santa's Book Emporium—see the attached flier for more details. A collection box has been placed at the Main office door.

Lunch with Military Connected Parents

The Military Connections Group will be holding their monthly lunch get together on October 17 at Alli’s restaurant in Lorton.   If you are not already part of the Military Connections Facebook page, please join it to RSVP. (The group is called PTSO SCHS Military Connections.)

   

Books

South County High School Marching Band

South County High School Marching Band with host its first Marching Band Invitational on October 26th, 2019 from 3pm-11pm. Come out and enjoy the sights and sounds of several area marching bands to include West Springfield, Hayfield, Westfield and many more! We hope to see you there!

   


South County Minority Achievement Committee

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 session is October 26th from 10 am to 1 pm in the SCHS Library.  We will have a representative from NOVA Community College to discuss the NOVA Pathways Program. 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.

  


Chargers

Volleyball Fundraiser

CHRISTMAS/BIRTHDAY GIFT ALERT! Show your Stallion spirit while also avoiding a 5% battery with a custom engraved portable power charger! First round of orders are in and people are loving their SoCo portable chargers.  Take advantage of our second round of orders - we will be accepting orders until October 18th. $15 Stallion logo only $20 Stallion logo and personalized with your text

Please go to https://forms.gle/icyG2GxP2K9xNcck8 to order.

Thank you so much for your support of our program.  Go Stallions!

 


Homecoming Information

Homecoming Parade:

  • The Homecoming Parade will be held on Thursday, October 31st at 4:30pm.
  • It will go from South County High School through the Laurel Hill neighborhood.
  • We are in need of convertibles or other open topped cars (ie: Jeeps etc). If you are able to help out by driving in the parade, please send Kaitlyn Price an email at kaprice1@fcps.edu.

Homecoming Dance:

  • The Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday, November 2nd from 8-11pm.
  • Homecoming Tickets are currently being sold through Friday, November 1st.
    • Prior to the week of homecoming, they will be sold during green day lunches only and the cost is $15 a ticket.
    • The week of Homecoming they will be sold every day during lunches and the cost will be $20 a ticket, 2 tickets for $30.
    • Tickets can be purchased using cash or check (made out to SCHS)
  • We are in need of parent volunteers to help with the shoe check at the dance. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0f4eaba62aa2f94-homecoming1

South County Crew News

Come out and row for South County!  Thinking about trying a new sport? Cool fall mornings are the perfect time to try rowing! It's not too late to join us for Fall on the Water. Meet us at the boathouse at Sandy Run on Saturday mornings & see what we're all about. Email southcountycrew@gmail.com for more details and a registration packet. 

CAR WASH! Got a dirty car? South County Crew will get it sparkly clean! Saturday Oct. 12  9am - 3pm at the Sonoco in the Shoppes of Lorton Valley off Ox Road.  Donations appreciated!

Save the Date for Fall Kick Off!

South County Crew's Fall Kick off meeting will be at 6:30pm on Oct. 30 in the South County Media Center. Whether you are a returning crew family or thinking about joining our team, you'll want to put the meeting on the calendar. 

Santa's Book Emporium

South County Crew is collecting all genre of new and like new books for Santa's Book Emporium at the Lorton Holiday Extravaganza & Craft Show at South County High School. It's so easy to donate! Simply bring it to the Santa's Emporium drop off boxes located outside the main office at the high school.  We are also accepting donations of baskets and ribbon to use as packaging as well as coffee mugs, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, bookmarks etc. If you need to arrange for an alternate donation pick up, or have any other questions, please send an email to: 

sococrewbookemporium@gmail.com. Thank you for your support! 

  


South County Theatre Boosters

Theatre

SoCo Choral Boosters

Casa

FCPS Cares

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.


News You Choose Submission Deadline this next week will be Thursday at noon. Please send all submissions to DBoullianne@fcps.edu.