SLHS News & Announcements 12-2019

12/20/19

 

Dear Seahawk Families:

This is the last News You Choose of 2019!  We send well wishes for all those celebrating holidays during this time off and for those who are traveling, including some of our teams, please be safe. 

 

Academic Advising

Yesterday, students had the opportunity to visit three different sessions to learn about course options for next year. Please talk with your student about what sessions they visited and begin conversing about options for classes for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

We encourage parents and students of all grade levels to attend Curriculum Night on Wednesday, Jan. 8th, 2020 together as another opportunity to learn about courses. South Lakes is offering some brand-new courses so again this is a night we encourage all grade levels (rising 9th graders and current students) to attend. The PTSA meeting has been cancelled for Jan. 8th to encourage families to attend Curriculum Night.

 

Counselors will begin meeting with students at the end of January to select classes for the next school year. Based on these selections we will determine what classes will be held next year and then make staffing decisions based on that. Those decisions take place in March.

 

Winter Break Office Hours (revised from previous publication)

This year winter break starts on December 23 and ends on January 3, 2020. The main office at South Lakes will be open on the Dec. 23rd, 30th and January 2nd, 3rd.   Only select 12-month employees, who do not take leave, work on these days. Teachers and counselors do not report to work during the winter break.

If there is an emergency situation over winter break, please call FCPS School Security at 571-423-2000.  They can connect you with resources and they have contact information for administration if needed.

 

Food Panty

The South Lakes PTSA Food Pantry will be open over winter break on Monday, Dec. 30th from 3:30- 5:30 for families who are in need. This is the only day they will be open over break. Regular Pantry hours will resume on January 9th.

 

Winter Break

Teachers and staff work extremely hard and spend a great deal of time to ensure that learning remains the core of our work. Our students work hard too! This includes efforts outside of regular school hours to complete assignments and engage in school activities essential to a well-rounded education. In an effort to give everyone a true break, we have asked our teachers to not assign projects or homework this week to be done specifically over break with due dates immediately upon return and that major assessments not be held the first blue or green day back (6th or 7th). Students may need to use their own time management skills to determine if they need to work during their holiday on long-range assignments that were given in the weeks before break and/or to maintain their skills in certain areas.

We hope that this break is filled with time for rest and relaxation for our students and staff alike.

 

Looking for a present for your student?

Order your students a 2020 yearbook online at www.yearbookordercenter.com with school code 13550. The deadline for yearbook personalization is also December 20.

 

Athletic Website

(see the site for dates of athletic events)

The South Lakes Athletics/Activities site migrated to a new website!  The new site is www.southlakesathletics.net . Please bookmark this site and delete the old site.

When you visit the site please sign up for the NOTIFY ME option on the front page. This will send you information regarding game updates and cancellations for your specific sport.

 

 

FCPS Gap Year Information Session

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are hosting the 9th annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m.  This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the variety of experiences available and growing array of gap year opportunities. 

The evening will begin with an informational presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m.  Immediately following, the program fair, with representatives from over 40 programs offering gap year opportunities, will take place in the school cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m.  Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event.  For more information, visit USA Gap Year Fairs.

In the event of inclement weather, the snow date and location will be Friday, February 7, 2020, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m

 

Dates to Note

12/20 – Home basketball game; ring presentation for 2019 Boys State Soccer Team

12/23 - Winter Break begins, offices open select days

01/06 - Students return to school, Green Day

01/08 - Curriculum Night, 6:30PM (No PTSA meeting)

02/04 - FCPS Gap Year Info Night (see above for details)

04/18 - FCPS Special Education Conference, Hayfield Secondary

 

 

Crisis Resources

While for many this is a joyous time for the year, we also recognize that the holidays can be difficult and stressful for some. Should you need crisis information for a friend or loved one please reach out to:

Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information, Local & National: 

Call 911 in case of a life-threatening emergency; TTY dial 711

  • CrisisLink Regional Hotline: 703-527-4077 CrisisLink is a hotline for individuals in crisis or family/friends seeking guidance for how to help a loved one
  • CrisisText:  Text NEEDHELP to 85511
  • Dominion Hospital Emergency Room: 703-536-2000
  • Inova Emergency Services: 703-289-7560
  • Mobile Crisis Unit: 1-844-627-4747
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-SUICIDE
  • Merrifield Center Emergency Services: 703-573-5679 The Merrifield Center, of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board, offers a range of clinical programming. Emergency Services are staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to work with people in psychiatric crisis who need immediate attention.