From the Principal
Family,
Let me start out this message by saying that as the leader of the school you send your students to every day, I was very proud of a lot of our work this week, and at the same time, I did not do so great in others. I have the responsibility of owning the behavior and the environment that our students live in every day. And as I have reflected throughout the course of the week on our/my performance, I know that there is work to be done. But I am confident that we will be better. I know that hearing from me a few times during the week might be annoying, and sometimes scary. Trust me, I was annoyed having to write to you. But at the same time, I want to say that as we iron out those kinks and straighten out that crooked road that has found a way into our world this week, you can trust that we are still loving your kids as if they are our own, maintaining an overall safe environment, and learning as a community. Keep sending them, and we will keep working to make them the best they can be.
On Tuesday I was invited to speak with our leadership class students about my “Why” as a part of the class’ 3rd Quarter “Exploring Your Why Project”. The “why” is why I choose to do what I do in life. I will share that with you at some other time. But I shared mine with them and I am looking forward to witnessing what this group produces in this project. I have a feeling that something big is going to come of this. So stay tuned!
Thursday I had a chance to sit down with our Student Council. The Student Council is the group of students who work with me and the rest of the administration to discuss items that are on their minds around ways we can continue to make South County better. I absolutely LOVED the conversation. The conviction in what these students shared with me was present, the fact that they were representing all students was obvious, and we were able to come to understanding on just about every topic we discussed (Real World). What I was excited about the most was the growth these young people have displayed over the course of the year, and it is most evident when we have moments like this to really talk. You know, they really aren’t so bad after all. I wanted to hug a few of them for bringing all of themselves to our meeting, but they might begin to see me as a softy; and we can’t have that right?!
Thursday evening I was able to get a sneak peek along with a number of our South County MS and HS parents at the fantastic work our orchestra students have been putting in as well as some of the songs they will be performing at their upcoming county assessment. These students really sounded good. I shared via Tweet that the future is so bright for our orchestra program and it was so awesome to see such diversity on the stage. Many Bows…. One Sound! Beautiful. Thanks to those who were able to come out and join me. It was a great evening.
We have a couple of groups who are traveling this weekend. The first is our DECA group. These are our future business leaders and we are so proud of the commitment they have made to being those future CEO’s and trend makers of tomorrow. The other group that is traveling are the members of our outstanding track team on both the men’s and women’s sides. Not only do we wish both of these groups much success this weekend, but we wish them safe travels both to and from their competitions. Good Luck Stallions!
Is your child interested in serving as the Student Representative to the School Board? Don’t know? Ask them, and then if so, share this information with them. Each year, in accordance with FCPS Policy 1802, FCPS students have the opportunity to apply for the position of the student representative to the School Board. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students of Fairfax County Public Schools. Students who are currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply, and they do not need to be current members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC). Applications are due March 24, 2020. The application and related details can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/blog/application-2020-student-representative-school-board.
We are in that long stretch where there are no breaks for quite some time after Super Tuesday, and unfortunately I think our students can feel it. And even though we are riding many waves of successes both inside and outside of the classroom, we are seeing a few more instances of short fuses that we have to get a handle on. Some, “I ain’t your friend no more, so there!”, and some “Guess what she said about you”, as well as a few, “I don’t have to listen to you.” And to be quite honest, it is what happens every year in just about every school. But it can be a little unnerving nonetheless. We have seen it and have dealt with it, and solved it before. But I still could use your help. Talk to your child about nothing but them. Make it a safe space. And if there is something that might be weighing heavy on their minds that we might be able to help with, or should really know about, please don’t hesitate to let us know. It could be the difference between a rough day/week/month, and a great one. As much as I hate the drama, I will deal with it to make our home a happy one, and I know our staff has my back on this. So, please be a resource for us so that we may be a resource for them.
Lastly, I want to share that I have been approached by a couple of parents over the last week about a comment I made about hugging your child for absolutely no reason at all. I said it with two intended outcomes. The first was just that we all need that “out of the blue” moment of positive attention that just reassures us that there is someone in our corner (trust me I do, and I am accepting hugs today!). The second reason was intended to be lighthearted to throw our minions off a little, and make them think for a moment, “What does he/she know?” If you missed out on the opportunity to get that hug in last time, here is another chance at it. Just call them into the room and slap one on them real tight. And then walk away with a grin. Get that little win whenever you can. Have a great weekend and take care of yourselves. #OneStallion
Gary
From The Testing Office
March Writing SOL for 11th Graders
The Writing SOL for English 11 and English 11 Honors students will take place on March 11th and 12th. We will be operating on a modified bell schedule on those days. Please be sure to avoid scheduling any appointments on those days. Please remind your student to bring their fully-charged school-issued laptop and charger to school on those days. Students will test first thing in the morning, so it is important to get a good night’s sleep prior to the test and eat breakfast the mornings of the tests. I encourage you to discuss the testing with your student. Best wishes to you and your student.
Families of Advanced Placement Students
This week, your student should have received the Bulletin for AP Students and Parents as well as a letter from the SCHS Testing Office regarding the upcoming AP exams in May. The bulletin and letter contain valuable information regarding scheduling, deadlines, and how to get their AP scores. Please review this information over with your AP student. If you know now that your student has a conflict with one of their AP exams, please see Chris Bird in the Student Services Office (D107-06) by Monday, March 9th or email him at cwbird@fcps.edu. Arrangements can be made to schedule a later exam date, if the request is made to College Board in a timely fashion. However, there may be a fee associated.
From the College and Career Center
Military Night at West Springfield High School
March 12th 7:00-8:30 PM
This event is a fair setting featuring U.S. service academies, ROTC programs, congressional representatives, senior military colleges, and enlistment recruiters. It is open to all FCPS students and their families interested in learning more about military education and service options. Registration is not required.
College Night at South County High School
March 18th 7:00-8:30 PM
A panel of college admission counselors will be sharing recommendations and insights on the college search process, community college options, admissions factors, affordability and financial aid, and managing the application process and making a final decision. The program is best suited for juniors and their families, and registration is not required.
South County MAC
South County MAC provides FREE tutoring on select Saturdays for all core subjects. Our next sessions are March 14 and 28 from 10 am- 1 pm in the SCHS library. 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.
Mental Health: 101
Come out to a free workshop on Mental Health:101, sponsored by The Ross Center and Fusion Academy on March 5, 2020 at 7pm in Tyson, VA. Purchase a sticker(s) from Stickers Speak while you're there, a student lead business - part of JA Company a Junior Achievement of Greater Washington program. Go to their table on March 5, 2020 to learn how this company is helping to support Mental Health Awareness. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mental-health-101-navigating-mental-health-services-for-your-child-registration-91656072781-
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.
From the PTSO
Teacher of the Year Reception
The PTSO is hosting a reception to honor the Teachers of the Year on the morning of Tuesday, March 3. We are looking for both food donations and people to help set up, serve and clean up. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044aaaac29a46-toyreception
From the Choral Boosters
Parents take a break! Put those Pots and Pans away!!
Mark your calendars to COME out and JOIN US for
SPIRIT NIGHT AT JERSEY MIKE’s
Tuesday, March 4th, 5pm-9pm
8971 Ox Road in Lorton
**Student Meal Deal Regular Sub/Chips/22oz. Fountain Drink $8.49
Must show valid student ID
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!
14th Annual Golf Classic
The South County High School Athletic Boosters (SCHSAB) announces the 14th Annual Golf Classic to be held on Monday, June 1, 2020 at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton, Virginia. Call your friends and rally a team to come together and enjoy an afternoon golfing at our hometown club, Laurel Hill Golf Club. To register, click here: https://birdease.com/scgolfclassic
The Golf Classic is an important event that funds and sustains our state of the art athletic programs and fields. The Boosters work hard to provide the best atmosphere for our athletes and competitors to excel. Help us lead the charge to be the best in Fairfax County Public Schools. Did you know that the Boosters are a huge part of keeping our fields in such pristine condition? The funds raised by the Boosters help maintain and sustain all the fields both turf and grass, as well as team uniform replacement and equipment. We can’t do it without YOU! Thank you for YOUR SUPPORT!
If you are unable to participate and wish to make a donation, this link also offers the opportunity for you to show your support through sponsorships. Do you own a business or know someone who does? Please consider supporting our efforts through a funding a Sponsorship. To Sponsor the SCHSAB, click here: https://birdease.com/scgolfclassic and follow the Sponsorship button for giving opportunities. Companies and corporate giving are welcome!
Come Golf with us at the 14th Annual Golf Classic! For more information about the tournament or to register to play please click here: https://birdease.com/scgolfclassic
For more information on playing golf at the Classic or a sponsorship opportunity, please contact Mike Hickman at michael_a_hickman@yahoo.com or Dan Clarke at danimalcl@aol.com
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.
South County Crew
Save the date! February 29, 2020
Ergathon 2020; Row Across the USA
ERGATHON 2020 - Row Across the USA Join South County Crew on February 29th, 2020 as we attempt to row across the roughly 4000 kilometers of the United States in celebration of the 2020 Olympics!
South County Crew Club members and CrossFit Lorton invite you to the Row Across the U.S.A challenge where every participant will have the opportunity to row up to 10,000 meters in an hour with an overall cumulative goal of 4000 KM.
The first 100 participants to register before February 17th, 2020 will receive a free t-shirt with the promo code EARLYBIRD. Registration fee is $35. Earlybird registrants will also have the opportunity to reserve their time slot. Please go to https://tinyurl.com/ergathon2020 to register. Walk-in registrants are also welcome.
South County Crew is a national award-winning club that is completely self-funded. We rely on South County Stallion families and our community to help support our program. Come out, have some fun in what we affectionately call The Pain Cave, on the ergs with us and help us raise funds for our Spring 2020 Season. If you are unable to come row with us, please consider making an in kind donation in lieu of rowing at
https://sc-crew.org/southcounty/fundraising/.
For additional information or sponsorship opportunities please contact: Terry Dover at sococrewfundraising@gmail.com
GLORY DAYS
Please save your itemized receipts when you dine with our friends at Glory Days from now through April 5, 2020. SoCo Crew will receive a donation when you send these receipts to our fundraising chair, Terry Dover. Please click here for details.
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
March 3 Student Holiday/School Planning
March 7 Teen Job Fair and Career Building Workshop
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 March 7th News You Choose will be March 5th at noon. Please send all submissions to DBoullianne@fcps.edu.
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