From the Principal
Family,
This has been a short week for the students, but we are still getting the work in to ensure students are progressing along efficiently in the classroom. I wanted to spotlight that we are also progressing along outside of the classroom. Recently, we had our students to take a survey during the advisory period so that we could get some data on student connectedness in our building. I am proud to say that students responded 8.2% higher than what they did in the beginning of the year when asked if they had a trusted adult in the building. We still have some work to do with our freshmen as they are at 66.3%, but that number is 20.3% higher than the survey results showed at the beginning of the year. 72.7% of our students are involved in a club, activity, or sport and that is an increase of 9.1% from the beginning of the year.
We will continue to pull our students closer and find ways for them to be involved. To boast just a little more, the High School Principals Association was asked to report out on ways that we support student voice in our schools. I spoke about our Student Council and the Town Hall Meetings that we hold each month to provide students the opportunity to work with one another and the administration to improve the school community here at South County. The student representative on the School Board used to be a student here and had to transfer to another high school in the district. She was so disappointed that her high school did not have a forum like our Student Council, that she took the issue to the School Board to request that all schools have a forum similar to ours. I am proud of the work that our students are doing and the fact that they are taking advantage of the opportunity to be heard. We will continue to provide them with vehicles to improve their experiences here.
We are at the point in the winter sports season when we celebrate the Seniors who are participating in their sports. I wanted to take a time to reiterate a message I tweeted out last week about the behind the scenes work that so many of our parents take part in to help make students’ time here at South County so awesome. Thank you to each of you who are able to find time in your busy days to add value to what we are trying to do here. I continue to extend the opportunities for all of you to be a part of something here in some form or fashion. It does not have to be sports related at all. You can reach out to your student’s club sponsor, performing or fine arts group, the PTSO, MAC Scholars board, or even their teachers. As I shared last week, you are a part of this team and Family. If you can find the time, please be a part.
Now for some business. For those who may not have received information the school district is sharing about the Coronavirus, here is a link to that information that is housed on the FCPS website. Please take a moment to read this information. While it has been shared that we are at low risk, the preventative factors that are shared are just good common sense strategies that we should be following anyway.
Next week is suppose to bring some temperatures that will make us think summer is on its way. Please be sure to remind your students to not get carried away with their attire, and to understand that it is actually still winter. I do plan to ride the motorcycle in on one of those days, but I will warm when I do it. It is when the weather flip-flops on us like it is projected to do that we find that students come down with colds and then it just spreads. So again, please have them dress for the season, and remember to keep up with the hands washing and such. The cooties are just waiting to jump out on us!
National School Counseling Week 2020, "School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans," will be celebrated from Feb. 3-7, 2020, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Fairfax County Public Schools employs close to 700 school counseling professionals, including school counselors, directors of student services, and career center specialists, and though I might be a little biased when I say this, I am still pretty sure employ the best of the bunch. If you get a moment, drop your child’s counselor a note next week wishing them a Happy Professional School Counselors’ Week!
Thank you all once again for your continued support of our efforts. It surely means a great deal to us to hear from you and to know that we have you as a member of the team and Family. Have a great weekend, and hug your child for absolutely no reason today! Make them wonder what you are thinking and just walk away with a smirk! It will be our secret. #OneStallion
Yearbooks
Buy your YEARBOOK today. Yearbooks cost $75 until the end of March. Get yours now before the price goes up. All sales are online at www.yearbookforever.com
SENIOR ADS FOR YEARBOOK
Senior ads for yearbook are on sale at www.yearbookforever.com until March. Space is limited. Get yours today to congratulate your senior on a job well done. (Ads can be bought for individuals, best friends, or school group of seniors- friends, seniors on teams, clubs, etc.).
Attention Senior Parents:
To order the official 2020 South County High School graduation announcements please go to http://www.balfour.com. Balfour is our vendor for those products.
Please contact Balfour with any questions 703-941-1436 or balfournova@yahoo.com.
Partners for Safe Teen Driving Program
Presented by SC High School Driver’s ED Program
Auditorium
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.
Do you have a child interested in the Arts? Don’t miss out on registering for Fairfax County’s Institute for the Arts starting on February 3rd! Classes are first come first serve!
Visit the FCPS IFTA website at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-institute-arts-ifta
or follow IFTA on social media!
South County MAC
South County MAC provides FREE tutoring on select Saturdays for all core subjects. Our next session is February 8th from 10 am- 1 pm in the SCHS library. During the session, MAC will have a Career & College Prep Workshop from 11: 30-12:30. Valarie Austin, LTC (Ret.) and author of "The Student's Comprehensive Guide For College & Other Life Lessons" will detail a framework of the knowledge, discipline, and financial goals needed to begin and graduate on time from college into a fulfilling career. The workshop is open to all South County 7th through 12th grade students and parents.
South County MAC events are open to all SCHS and SCMS students and parents! We invite parents and students of all backgrounds and demographics to join and attend MAC events. If you are interested or for additional information regarding MAC please contact us at SouthCountyMAC@gmail.com.
Attendance Office
Early Dismissals
Please send a note with your student in the morning to give to the Attendance Office first thing upon arrival. They will receive a pass for an early dismissal at that time.Phones calls should be reserved for sickness, late arrivals, and unscheduled events. Not only does this ensure your student will be dismissed on time but it also does not interrupt instructional time for other students as the pass is delivered.
Thank-you for your assistance!
Springs Sports Tryouts
February 24, 2020
The activities office would like to remind all families of those interested in trying out for a spring sport that their child must have:
- On file a VHSL physical form and concussion education signature page. This can be turned in to the activities office.
- An emergency care form turned in to the head coach of the program.
- The Activities Office
- We looking forward to your child’s participation!
- 2020 South County HS Spring Sports are as follows: Baseball, Softball, Crew, Outdoor Track & Field, Soccer (Boys & Girls), Lacrosse (Boys & Girls). Email address for all head coaches can be found here: https://southcountyhs.rschoolteams.com/page/3190.
- *All tryout information and forms can be found by clicking this link: https://southcountyhs.rschoolteams.com/page/3349
Mulch Sale/Spring Fundraiser
South County High School will be sponsoring a mulch sale with delivery scheduled for Saturday, March 28th, 2020.
For more information click 2020 SC Mulch Fundraiser
This Fundraiser benefits South County's Baseball, Boy's Soccer, and Wrestling Teams.
Golf Club Donations Needed
The Physical Education department is currently taking donations of your used golf clubs. We are looking to add a golf unit in the spring and are looking for your wedges, 9 irons and 8 irons only. Please contact Erich Gunderman @ cgunderman@fcps.edu to arrange a drop-off.
Thank you for supporting SCHS PE Department
Lorton Community Action Center
Get in the game for a great cause! 13th Annual Monopoly Tournament to benefit Lorton Community Action Center. GO and make a difference in your community! Saturday, March 7, 2020/9am-2pm/Moose Lodge-9612 Fernedge Lane/Lorton, VA 22079/703-339-6688. Table sponsorships available from $300, $500 and $1000.
To register or sponsor a table click here.
The 2020 Spring into Action Gala is LCAC's annual spring gala which is the biggest fundraiser of the year. This year, the gala will be held at the Harbour View event center on Saturday, April 18, 2020 from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM. The evening includes a silent auction, cocktail hour with an open bar and passed hors d'ouevres, plated dinner and dessert, live music and more.
To register or sponsor click here.
Important Upcoming Dates
February 17 Holiday/President's Day
March 3 Student Holiday/School Planning
April 3 Third Grading Period Ends
April 6-10 Spring Break
April 13 Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
May 25 Memorial Day
June 8 Graduation/No School
June 12 Last Day of School/ 2 hour school day
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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. |
Submission Deadline for February 8th News You Choose will be February 6th at noon. Please send all submissions to DBoullianne@fcps.edu.
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