THE MUSTANG WEEKLY
APRIL 20th, 2020
While most of our communications will continue to be sent to our community via the eNotify system, we wanted to get back to sending out our Mustang Weekly with information specific to the SCMS community.
A Note from Principal Kownacki (this information was also sent 4/19/20 through eNotify)
Dear SCMS Students and Families,
I hope each of you are well and are taking care of yourselves and your families. As you know, FCPS faced several challenges rolling out synchronous or "live" online learning last week. I want to assure you that the SCMS staff is committed to continuing the learning for all our students. We ask for your partnership as we work through the challenges of Blackboard Collaborate.
SCMS teachers have been working hard to finish up 3rd quarter work and plan new lessons for the 4th quarter. We are ready to greet students when the technology allows, and we remain hopeful that we will see your child(ren) for synchronous learning sessions on Wednesday. Regardless of when synchronous learning resumes, students should be doing the following:
- Connect with teachers through email, Google classroom and other tools
- Complete all outstanding work for Quarter 3
- Work on any NEW assignments teachers have shared
- Work on learning packets from the previous weeks
- Read, watch an educational video, be active, help at home
Updates will be shared with our community should an alternative plan be needed.
Thanks for your continued patience and flexibility. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions.
Peter Kownacki
pakownacki@fcps.edu
@PAKownacki
SOME GOOD NEWS FROM SCMS:
This past month has been a learning experience for all of us. We have learned that our students, our families and our staff are resourceful, resilient and that we value the connections we have made with each other this year. Please enjoy the slide show below that was created by one of our teachers, Ms. Dawson, to let students know how much they are missed. Stay tuned for more creativity in future Mustang Weeklies.
SCMS Slide Show
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK STARTS MAY 5TH:
When teachers started back to work last August for the 2019-2020 school year our theme was “Superheroes” because we feel that our teachers ARE superheroes. We continue to see the amazing things our teachers are doing every day to connect with students. In past years our PTSO has sponsored some delicious teacher appreciation luncheons. Students and co-workers have put together posters, goodie bags and other tokens of appreciation. Since we will not be able to show our appreciation in the usual ways this year, we are asking for your words of appreciation to be shared with our teachers. Please click this link to add your comments:
https://forms.gle/CnEYmdGUoXYakhKP6
REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS:
- Students should be checking their FCPS Gmail account (that ends in @fcpsschools.net).
- Staff email addresses are on the SCMS web page
- There are MANY resources available on both the SCMS web page and the main FCPS web page.
YEARBOOKS:
Remember the old days when you could sit less than 6 feet away from your best friend? Share a bag of baked Doritos without reaching for the hand sanitizer? When pictures were of people and not of meeting screens? Well, don't you forget about...buying your yearbook! Cherish the memories of life before Covid 19/Social Distancing. The yearbook is an entire year of memories in one book! It celebrates the time students spent together and the activities during the year. Now, more than ever, is a great time to buy a yearbook at Jostens.com! The price is still $40. Please contact Ms. Bolton at jrbolton@fcps.edu with questions.
ARE YOU MOVING SOON?
Parents, if you know that your student will be moving before the end of the school year, please contact the registrar, Ms. Perper, to complete the withdrawal process. Students must be officially withdrawn in order to send records to their new school. You may contact Ms. Perper at slperper@fcps.edu.
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP LOCALLY?:
The Lorton Community Action Center helps families in our community. If you are interested in making a food or financial donation, please visit their website at
https://lortonaction.org/covid-19-update/
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES:
School-Based Social Emotional Learning and Wellness Resources During Distance Learning School Counselors, School Psychologists, and School Social Workers are available to support students, families and staff during distance learning. They are supporting students, families and staff in many of the same ways as they did prior to distance learning, but it may look different now. Students may continue to reach out to their counselors via email for support. Please check the SCMS website for counselors’ email addresses.
Numerous resources have been developed to support families, including the Healthy Minds Blog, Student Voice videos, and a Learning from Home webpage for families. Please click on this link to review resources for families regarding school-based social emotional learning and wellness resources during distance learning: Social-Emotional and Wellness Resources for Families.
CRISIS HOTLINE:
Students and families may use the PRS CrisisLink Phone Line: 800-273-TALK (8255), text “CONNECT” to 855-11, or use Lifeline Chat: SuicidePreventionLifeline.org/chat for after-hours assistance with mental health issues. The lines are safe, confidential and manned 24/7.
LORTON LIBRARY CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS:
The library anticipates being closed for approximately 21 months. All material checked out from Lorton Library at the time of closing will have an extended due date. All library materials may be returned to any Fairfax County Public Library branch.
We encourage you to visit our school website frequently for updates and announcements. For more detailed information on all school matters, please visit our website at http://www.fcps.edu/southcountyms/
To update or modify your News You Choose preferences, please visit https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/VAEDUFCPS/subscriber/new?qsp=VAEDUFCPS_1
Parents of FCPS students may update contact information online through weCare@School http://www.fcps.edu/news/wecare.shtml a feature of FCPS Learning (Blackboard) or by contacting the Student Information Office at SCMS to have the contact information updated in the student information system.
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