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September 14th, 2020
The Mustang Newsletter
Dear SCMS families,
We had a fantastic first week of school at South County MS. Students demonstrated outstanding attendance and engagement in classes. Teachers provided engaging activities focused on building community and generating excitement around content. Despite some connectivity issues on Friday, classes continued, and great learning happened. I continue to be proud of the flexibility, resilience and positivity of our students and staff in the virtual learning environment. Thank you for your ongoing partnership, collaboration, and positive support.
Thank you to all the families that attended the South County Pyramid listening forum on race this past Wednesday. It was powerful to collaborate with the community about the important issues that effect the learning experiences of our K-12 students. As a principal group, we pledge to continue the conversation as the year progresses.
Monday Procedures:
All SCMS students will have a live check-in with their 3rd period Learning Seminar/Advisory period teacher every Monday morning. This is a required activity for all students! Teachers will share important school announcements and check in with students to support their learning for the week.
Individual teachers will hold additional office hours for student support Mondays. Students should check their teachers' schedules and procedures for attending office hours.
Back to School Night, September 21, 2020
The SCMS staff is very excited to connect with families to build relationships and share curriculum next week. Look for a mailed invitation to BTSN coming soon! You may also “meet” the teacher through asynchronous videos beginning at noon using this link: https://bit.ly/35urkQm
You will be able to access live, synchronous Q&A sessions with administrators and staff using this link: https://bit.ly/3klVeuv Last names A-K 6:30 to 7:15 PM. Last names L-Z 7:30 to 8:15 PM.
If you have questions you’d like to have answered at BTSN please submit them in advance at: https://bit.ly/2ZtLPZv.
I welcome your feedback, suggestions and questions. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki, Principal
@pakownacki
Upcoming Dates:
- September 17th. Alpha Academy Mentoring Program Kickoff. See below.
- September 21st. Elective class packet distribution and instrument rental. Be sure to watch for an email from your electives teachers! Students in electives courses who need specialized supplies or instruments to complete first semester coursework will be notified by their individual teachers about SCMS distribution on this date.
- September 21st Back to School Night – virtual. See Principal Kownacki’s message at the beginning of this newsletter for links.
SCMS Library Offering Curbside Pickup:
Readers rejoice! Students can now check out books to take home from the South County Library. We're offering curbside pickup every Monday from 7:30-10:30 AM and 3:30-6:30 PM. Requests are made in advance: books selected by Thursday night will be ready the following Monday. Students must log into our library catalog (instructions here) with their fcpsschools account to place a hold.
All pickups will take place at the school, so be sure students can get a ride or can get there independently. Curbside will take place behind the school at Entrance 6, and we'll have signs out to help direct you. Books can also be returned to the school during curbside hours.
Alpha Academy Mentoring Program Kickoff:
Parents and Students - Welcome to school year 2020-21 and another year of Alpha Academy. Alpha Academy is the mentoring program for middle school boys at SCMS sponsored by the gentlemen of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The program is moving into its 3rd year at SCMS and is open to all interested middle school young men. The program focuses on the principles of leadership, character development, community service and scholarship. Please access the information below to join the virtual kickoff meeting and find out how to register your student for participation in this wonderful program. Point of Contact: Kathy Reese, SCMS Director of Student Services, kareese@fcps.edu or Mr. Stan Wright, Alpha Academy Coordinator, stan4himnow@gmail.com
Topic: Alpha Academy - SCMS Parent/Student Kick-Off
Time: Sep 17, 2020 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97143307964?pwd=TUdCY2c3d3duS3VXemYwazlIWTBDdz09
Meeting ID: 971 4330 7964
Passcode: 802154
Grab and Go Food Sites and Breakfast Bus Routes:
All FCPS students (regardless of age) are eligible for free grab and go breakfast and lunch, as well as other county children, under the age of 18. Adults picking up meals for children should let staff know how many children meals they need. Adults may pay $2 for the meals as well. The service will be available Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM only.
New for this fall: breakfast and lunch meals for Saturdays will be distributed at all sites and bus routes each Friday.
South County area Grab and Go centers are Burke School, Lorton Station ES, Oak View ES, South County High School.
In addition, FCPS has some breakfast bus routes set up for students in some areas. Please click on this link to see bus routes for the South County Community Service time for buses are between 6:00 and 8:30 AM.
https://www.fcps.edu/return-school/food/bus
Beginning of Year Forms:
As we do each school year, we ask that all parents and/or guardians update the annual mandatory school forms. Updates to the following forms are all necessary for your students to begin school every year. Please note, all links should be accessed in Google Chrome.
Parent and Student Technology Support Portal:
To support families who are working with their children during distance learning, FCPS has launched a Parent Technology Help Desk. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7:00 AM and 11 PM seven days a week.
FCPS has also set up a Parent and Student Technology Portal at https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/ to allow older students and parents/guardians to request technology help directly. When a support ticket is entered through the portal, it is auto-routed to the Tech Team at the appropriate site to expedite service.
Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology
APPLICATION DATE CHANGE: Thomas Jefferson’s application availability will move from August 31st to September 14th, 2020. The window will be open for three weeks until October 2nd instead of September 25th. This change reflects the shift of school opening on September 8. As any other changes become available, we will advise you on our school website and other news email to families. You may always check TJ’s website, https://www.fcps.edu/registration/thomas-jefferson-admissions for current information.
SCMS Thomas Jefferson HS Liaison: Jennice Johnson: JLJohnson2@fcps.edu
QUICK LINKS:
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/
For further information on planning and events sponsored by the PTSO, please visit their website at http://www.scmsptso.org/
Parents of FCPS students may update contact information online through weCare@School http://www.fcps.edu/news/wecare.shtml, a feature of FCPS 24-7 Learning (Blackboard) or by contacting the student information officer at their child’s school to have the contact information updated in the student information system.
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