From the Principal
Family,
I would like to express my sincere thanks to every one of you for the support that you have provided this school. I appreciate the praises, the perspective and even the criticism. I was told once, “If you are making everyone happy, you aren’t doing enough to improve.” I hope that while we know that everything is not always perfect, that you feel as though you are being heard as a community. I am committed to this work, and ensuring that the teachers who are before your children every day, are committed to this work. And finally, I am committed working in concert to build strong, competitive, and motivated young people. I appreciate you being a part of this Family; regardless of whether or not you are here in the building once a week, or if you are not able to make it at all and are just reading the weekly messages. Continue to do your part, and I will be happy to do mine.
This week has been a short week, but a busy one. With PSAT’s, the Senior meeting, and the work being done with the Freshmen group on Wednesday, we had a run for our money. Our staff banned together to see through a plan to ensure everyone received what they needed that day. And for that I ask that you thank them when you see them.
We got a big win in overtime from our ladies in Field Hockey to open the post season! To those of you who were able to come out and cheer the ladies on to victory, I wanted to say thank you. And then we had another great showing of support at the District Cheer Competition at Lake Braddock the night before. We didn’t finish where we wanted to, but those young ladies rocked! And last weekend, we had three young men to compete on the It’s Academic Show. They competed well, and they shared that the experience was fantastic!
Our students are doing a great job in classes, and are using our many resources to seek out help when needed. Please let your child know that we will always work with them to get to the point of mastery of their content. We have put in place additional resources like the Writing Lab and the Math Lab to assist students on any level to become more confident in the content. If your student is looking for these or other resources, please have him/her contact his content teacher, or counselor for more information.
Lastly, as the weather begins to turn, please ensure that your children are leaving the house dressed for the weather. I know that they believe they are invincible to the “common cold” and any other ailments for that matter, but those germs can truly impact the building and the learning that takes place here. I know how difficult it can be to monitor these types of things, but I just ask that you try. My teenager still hates the mittens I have tied to her jacket, so we are in this one together.
Take care Family and do your best to stay warm, and thank you once again for sharing your children with us. #OneStallion
Gary
Federal Impact Aid Forms
On Wednesday, October 23rd, your child will receive the annual Federal Impact Aid Form from their Advisory teacher. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned as soon as possible to your child’s Advisory teacher. All results are CONFIDENTIAL.
Video link - https://youtu.be/uPqC3BLf3Ow
Thank you for your prompt return of Federal Impact Aid forms as the county requests a 100% participation rate.
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.
Fairfax Connector Bus Passes
Our new Connector Bus Passes have arrived!
Please come by the front office to get your new card.
- You MUST bring in your old card before you will be issued a new one.
- If you have had a card before and have lost it, PLEASE just let us know. A new form may not be needed.
- If you bring in your old card first thing in the morning, we will try to have the new card ready by the end of the day.
- The above also applies to those that are receiving bus passes for the first time. Please drop off the form in the front office first thing in the morning.
Thank-you for your patience as we distribute the new cards.
Science Olympiad
Students who want to participate in Science Olympiad this year are asked to attend a second information meeting after school Thursday, Oct. 24. Sponsors ask that students pay the $50 dues by this date. Only students who have paid the dues by this date will be officially placed on event teams. Please consult the Google Classroom (participants have access to this) or email the club sponsors with questions: Maerna Kauffman: mckauffman@fcps.edu or Kristina Brody: kbbrody@fcps.edu
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 two 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.
From the PTSO
Parent Social
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 23! We will be hosting 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
Volunteer Opportunities
We have several volunteer opportunities coming up, including for the homecoming dance, hearing/vision screenings, and publicity for the annual craft show. The craft show is offering many opportunities for student service hours, but we also do need adult help. Please check our website at https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/ (or the Membership Toolkit app) 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.
Holiday Extravaganza and Craft Show Meeting next week
We are still looking for a few helping hands on the Extravaganza Committee. Our next meeting is this Monday, Oct 21 at 7pm in the Library.
Teen Driver Safety Week
Next week (October 20-26) is National Teen Driver Safety Week. This week - and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. 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!—Last chance for fall installation
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.
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. To arrange for an alternate pickup or drop-off contact Terry Dover at sococrewbookemporium@gmail.com
Have you installed the PTSO app yet?
Look for “Membership Toolkit” in the Apple Store or Google Play and download it today! This is the best way to keep on top of all PTSO activities and buy things from us.
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.
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
2019 FCPS College Fair and College Night Events
The 44th annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, at Fair Oaks Mall from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The following evening, Monday, October 21, College Night will be held at Hayfield Secondary School from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
These two events provide FCPS students and families with an opportunity to meet with representatives from approximately 300 colleges and universities. Students and parents have found the College Fair and College Night events beneficial for obtaining information about college admissions, standardized testing, financial aid, and college life.
For more information, visit: College Fair and College Night
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.
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 your calendar.
Holiday Wreath Fundraiser
Who couldn't use a jump start on holiday shopping and gift giving? South County Crew Club is making it easy for you this year! All you have to do is go to: https://ThreeRiversFundraising.com/fund/sccrew-wreath2019
Support your crew team & have wreaths, garland, swags and more delivered to your door! These also make beautiful gifts to send to your friends, neighbors, and family too! It really doesn't get any easier than this!
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!
SoCo Choral Boosters
From Student Activities
Interested in keeping up with Patriot District Playoff Brackets. You can access live brackets through the *NEW* Patriot District Website. Please use the following link: https://www.district4va.org/
Important Upcoming Dates:
October 23 PTSO Parent Social 7:00pm
October 25 Academic Letter Awards 8:20am
October 28 Homecoming Week
October 28 PTSO Meeting 7:00pm
October 31 Homecoming Parade 4:30pm
November 1 1st Qtr. Ends
November 2 Homecoming Dance 8pm-11pm
November 4 Student Holiday No School
November 5 Student Holiday No School
November 27-December 1 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 23-January 5 Winter Break
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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. |
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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