From The Principal
Family,
I want you to please pass on to your students this message:
“Thank you for continuing to be committed to making the best of this virtual learning thing-a-ma-bob! It isn’t easy to have to make the change. Last year, you at least knew where the finish line was. But this year you don’t and so you plow forward. So thank you, and know that your efforts are appreciated.”
I have had some tough conversations with families about how this experience and how taxing it has been on students. Students have been doubting themselves and feeling in some cases overwhelmed because for some, the learning hasn’t been as productive due to a number of different circumstances. But what has been the same for them is the desire to be successful and that has truly been a double-edged sword. We want our students to set a high standard for themselves and yet we don’t want that standard to be what drives them into the ground. They need to breathe and know that this is a long year, and things will improve as we continue to talk to them about what will make the experience better.
At every level of learning, I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish. I am proud of the lessons we have learned and how we have capitalized and apply a great deal of what we have learned. I am also proud of how we have admitted that there are still lessons to be learned and that the teachers are still committed to learn more and share that learning with our students. And I am further proud of the comments and notes to teachers that have come from students and families that do nothing less than support and encourage our staff to be the best they can be for our students during this time. “It ain’t perfect”, but we ain’t quitting either. I say all this to say that we are all in this together, and we will make it through.
Okay, now on to some news type stuff …
The diligent operational staff at South County has done it again! This group of talented staff members bagged the last 100+ students’ schedules book by book to ensure those students who had not been able to make it by to pick up textbooks to still pick them up. So now a student can come by and let a staff member know their name, and we can retrieve all of that student's books from a pre-packed bag. What an impressive group of professionals!
We have heard from a few of our students that they would like to have a single place to at least be able to visit to see what is coming during that week. This resource is what we are calling The Hub. (I think that’s a cool name.) Students are able to logon to this site. Unfortunately it is behind the FCPS wall, so in order for parents to view it, you will need to logon as your child. I am strongly suggesting that you have that logon information so that you too can be a potential additional level of support in the realm of organization.
In an attempt to create opportunities for students to have a voice on a large scale, we are only a few steps away from having our first student-run online news site. I met with the founding members of the this new news media and was thoroughly impressed with the progress and the plans moving forward. The news source will feature our students from every perspective associated with South County High School. I am so excited for what is to come
Another way that we are providing our students with a voice is through the creation of chat opportunities for students. Some opportunities will be for all of them to meet with any of the administration team (yeah, even me) to share their thoughts, as well as opportunities for the students to chat with one another and to connect.
Please ensure that your child is reaching out for resources in the event he/she is having issues with virtual learning. Those resources could be academic related, technology related, clinically related, or even reaching out to me. Even in this environment we are trying to ensure that students have a confident trusted adult they can turn to if needed. We thank you for sharing your children with us daily and for trusting that we will create learning environments that are safe and academically valuable for your children. Have a safe and restful weekend and please take care. #OneStallion
Gary
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
If you submitted an application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals last school year for your child(ren), please remember to submit a new application for this school year. The current eligibility status will expire on October 20, 2020.
Apply for free and reduced-price meals by visiting www.MySchoolApps.com. Eligibility may also provide your child(ren) other important benefits. Be sure your child(ren) are approved for the 20-21 school year.
The online application is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Tagalog, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. Paper applications are available to complete and submit in English upon request at FCPS food distribution sites.
Advanced Placement Test Opt-Out Forms
Parents will receive an Advanced Placement Test Opt-Out Form in the mail this week listing the number of AP tests for which their student is currently registered, as well as the total number of tests their student has taken. Students have the opportunity to opt out of any test(s) using this opt out form. This year, the opt out process will be implements via a Google form. Students will need to be logged into their @fcpsschools.net account to access this form. The letter sent home includes the form address, which can also be found on the SCHS web site by going to Student Services-> Testing Information-> AP Testing. After this date students will be expected to sit for any test for which they are registered. Please contact Chris Bird, AP Test Coordinator, at cwbird@fcps.edu with any questions.
Senior Photo Update
All South County High School seniors who had confirmed appointments that were canceled for 8/18 or 8/20 will have an opportunity to be photographed at the Lifetouch Virginia studio location on 10/20 or 10/21. Seniors can use the Lifetouch supplied drape, tux, and cap and gowns for these appointments IF THEY CHOOSE TO. Lifetouch steams items between all student uses. Students who do not feel comfortable sharing Lifetouch clothing can bring a neutral top of their choice, preferably black.
Notifications will be sent by mail in early October directing students to set and confirm an appointment time on the prestigeportraits.com website. If the August appointment was canceled and a sitting fee was paid online for that appointment, there will be no sitting fee due when scheduling for October. Please do not pay online when scheduling. Our Virginia studio is located at the John G. Fox Memorial Hall, 7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003.
If you are unable to attend on either of those dates, or if you did NOT have an appointment scheduled over the summer, Lifetouch/Prestige Portraits will be having another session of senior portraits in late November/early December. More specific details and notifications for those dates will be communicated in mid-November.
Should you have further questions, please contact Lifetouch Customer Service team at 800-445-1189
Underclassmen Yearbook Photos
Sign Up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4AA8AC2CA1F94-underclassmen
Lifetouch will be at South County to take school pictures for the yearbook. These photos can also be purchased through Lifetouch at a later time. Three dates have been chosen to start, but more may be added in the future.
Currently, the dates are as follows:
- Monday, October 26 (8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) during asynchronous learning.
- Wednesday, October 28 (3:30-8:30) after school.
- Saturday, November 7 (8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.) during the weekend time.
Per FCPS guidelines:
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Delinski at jldelinski@fcps.edu
From the Activities Office
Free NCAA Eligibility and Scholarship Seminar
South County Athletics has partnered with Dynamite Sports to offer a FREE virtual webinar to help student-athletes and families navigate the new NCAA recruiting and eligibility processes. The FREE webinar will be held on October 13 at 8:00pm. You must register in advance. To register, please use this link: save your spot for Tuesday, October 13th at 8:00 pm EST.
You will learn the following:
- How to get Noticed.
- How to make sure your Athlete will be ACADEMICALLY Eligible to play in College as a freshman.
- How to get an Athletic Scholarship or Grant.
- How to setup Recruiting Visits .
- Why you should start as early as 8th Grade!
- Why there are more opportunities at D-III, NAIA & Junior Colleges.
Stallion Spirit Store (Kiosk) goes Virtual!
South County’s Stallion Spirit Store is back and now open virtually! Items are available to order online through a Google Form with invoicing to follow after order is fulfilled. All items can be shipped directly to your home for a fee or pick up can be arranged at the school. To order items, please use this link - Stallion Spirit Store.
Thank you in advance for supporting the Entrepreneurship & Marketing program as well as the Work and Transition program here at South County. The students from these programs typically work the Spirit Kiosk at lunches to build customer service skills as well as count inventory and review financial records. These work-based learning opportunities allow students to connect classroom lessons to actual scenarios. This year, the students will still review the financial records and inventory while virtual as well as create promotions and research new merchandise options.
From the PTSO
Parent Coffee with the Principal
Join us on Thursday Evening, October 22nd from 7-8pm. Click here to join the meeting via Blackboard Collaborate. This is an informal discussion with Mr. Morris. All Parents are welcome to attend.
PTSO Membership
Please become a PTSO member! Our biggest source of financial support is membership dues. Login to https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/home to find out more. Plus we have some great items available for sale.
- White House ornaments
- Class Magnets
- Senior Yard Signs
- Flock a Friend
Finally, we use several methods to keep in touch. Please follow us or sign up with at least one of the following:
Our app: Look for "Membership Toolkit" in the Apple Store or Google Play Store
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoCoPTSO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthCountyHighSchoolPTSO
IMPORTANT REMINDER
(Only if you haven't submitted this for your child yet.)
Digital Resources Consent Form
At South County High School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. You can find our school’s list of the resources that require parental consent here: https://southcountyhs.fcps.edu/adopteddigitalresources
Included on this page is also a link to a form where the enrolling parent or guardian will need to indicate whether or not their student is allowed to use the list of digital resources this year. This page also provides more information about how FCPS carefully reviews digital resources for approval and why we must request your consent before using certain tools. We encourage you to complete the parental consent for digital resources form as soon as possible, as your child will not be able to use the digital resources until we have received your permission. Please reach out to your child’s teacher or our School Based Technology Specialist, Leslie Lewis, if you have questions or concerns about the digital resources, we’ve chosen to use this year.
From the Library
Curbside Pickup
Does your student need a print book for class or personal reading? South County HS Library is beginning curbside and contactless pickup of library books on Mondays 8am-4pm beginning September 28th. Please see the 24/7 Blackboard South County HS Library Course for details on how to request and pick up books. Masks must be worn when picking up books.
Virtual Librarian Support
Does your student need book recommendations, homework support, research help on assignments, or help proofreading their assignments? They can schedule a virtual meeting with one of the librarians for support. Please see the 24/7 Blackboard South County HS Library Course for details about how to schedule a time.
Please contact Emily Strong erstrong@fcps.edu or Lisa Muir lkmuir@fcps.edu with any questions.
Substance Abuse
&
Mental Health Moment for October
Stallion Family, October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and we want to highlight the importance of substance abuse prevention and promote healthy communities. Substance abuse of underage drinking, alcohol dependency, prescription and over-the-counter medication abuse, and illegal drug consumption affects millions of Americans each year (Youth.Gov). The current state of the world due to the COVID19 pandemic is affecting our children in seen and unseen ways. Without the normal extracurricular activities, school, and interactions with extended family and friends, our children are seeking other outlets (Drugfree.org).
The future is clouded with uncertainty and the opportunities to express thoughts and feelings may seem unavailable or uncomfortable to our children. Half of all mental health conditions begin during adolescence by the age of 14 but are often untreated due to lack of detection (World Health Organization). Around the globe depression is increasing in teens and suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people ages 15-19 (World Health Organization). Our current circumstances are difficult and provide an opportunity to learn new coping skills to adapt to new and familiar stressors. Here are some ways to help prevent substance use, promote self-care and mental health coping skills:
- Start the day with a good stretch and/or online workout session.
- Take mini breaks throughout the day to check-in on your mood. Take a few deep breaths and give yourself a few moments of silence.
- Create a daily schedule for your family. Remember homeschooling does not have to be perfect. Children flourish with routines that provide time together and privacy.
- Go outside (keeping distance from others) and take a walk to improve your mood, get sunlight, and fresh air.
- Share meals and have discussions or play games to increase shared experiences, laughs, and identify any concerns.
- Be kind to yourself and have compassion for your children’s emotions.
- Know your child/teens social media passwords and scan apps from time to time. Share with them that you will do this periodically to protect their health and safety.
- Stay informed about substances and how they may be encountered or obtained.
- Remember to have ongoing age-appropriate conversations about substance use and your expectations.
- Model healthy behaviors to help your child learn how to handle stress without turning to negative outlets.
Saturday, October 24th is Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout Day for more information go to: https://tinyurl.com/cleancabinet
Resources
Free Mental Health & Wellness Apps:
Mindful Gnats, Mind Shift, MoodGYM, SuperBetter, Mood Path, Sanvello and Calm Harm
Teen Crisis Chat Line: teenlineonline.org or 800.273.TALK (8255)
Mental Health/Substance Abuse Guides:
Vaping Guide for Families: https://tinyurl.com/talkvapingguide
World Health Organization: https://tinyurl.com/whoteens
Websites:
Drugfree.org
Teenmentalhealth.org
Youth.gov
Best Regards,
Catric Marshall, MSMHC., LRIC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
cwhaleymarsh@fcps.edu
14th Annual South County Golf Classic
The PSTO and South County Athletic Booster Club would like to invite you to register our 14 annual South County Golf Classic fundraiser. This year’s tournament will be held on October 19 @ Laurel Hill Golf Club. The practice facility will be open starting at 11:30am with a shotgun start promptly at 1:00pm. Your registration will include a golf cart, lunch, dinner and refreshments on the course. Please use this link to registration - https://birdease.com/scgolfclassic
Lorton Community Action Center
In Need of Help During These Difficult Times?
Do you know of someone in the area that may need help? Fairfax County has non-profits throughout the county that work in specific zip codes to help folks in need. In South County’s area, the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) provides food, emergency financial assistance and educational programs to help families and seniors in the community. You can learn more here: https://lortonaction.org/need-help/
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