From The Principal
Well after having been back for all of 4 days, it felt like we didn't really have a break due to all of the movement and adjustments to the plan to return to school. I am sure that we all have been put through enough changes recently that we might trade every holiday gift for a direct path to the return to school. Having said that, I want to give a huge shout out to the South County teaching staff for all of the work they have been doing to stay upright for our students and each other throughout this ordeal. Our teachers continue to be flexible and fluid as 90 degree and 180 degree turns continue to be thrown at them. Our students are currently benefiting from their resolve and will continue to do so as we apply the valuable lessons and learning strategies from these experiences when we return to in-person instruction this year and beyond.
I would like to say congratulations to all of our DECA students who competed in the Emerging Leaders and Entrepreneurs Competition at the district level recently. DECA is a program that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Not only did we have a good showing, we had a large number of students who will be advancing to the state level competitions in the near future. There are way too many to list here, but I would like to congratulate our students for carrying on a strong tradition of representing South County HS in DECA competitions!
At South County we pride ourselves in developing a strong Student Leadership program. This is so important because our school is primarily driven by what our students need and want (they might not always think so, but we really are listening). But in order to truly have a leadership group that represents the entire student body that serves every child, it must be diverse and rich with that diversity at every level. Student voice is important and unless we hear from your children, we cannot say that we are addressing all of our students and their concerns.
This week past Friday, students learned that the next year of Student Leadership development is about to be under way. I am making a plea to you to help me ensure that every student is represented at some level by encouraging your child to at least attend either the interest meetings or to make contact with our Student Leadership teachers (Mrs. Kaitlyn Price and Mrs. Kelley Peck) to find out how they can contribute to the growth of our learning and social community within the walls of South County. I will continue to say that EVERY shared experience is valuable to the growth of every one of our students and staff members and without those shared experiences, we are all missing out on something. So please charge your children; active leaders or future leaders to be a part of this growth process for us all!
Our Math Lab and Writing Lab are both continuing to offer opportunities for students to work with their peers (Honor Society Members) to receive tutoring. These awesome opportunities are offered every Advisory Period and students get to work with someone that shares their student experience versus a teacher. Studies have shown that students learn better from their peers than teachers when the same information is shared. So if you have a student who is struggling in either mathematics or with any writing assignment, please encourage them to attend a Math or Writing Lab for assistance.
You should have heard that the phenomenal Food and Nutrition Services will be changing its processes from a daily pick up of grab and go meals to bulk meal pickup. Beginning Wednesday, January 27th, families will be able to pick up 7 days worth of meals on each Wednesday rather than making daily trips to receive meals. This group of dedicated individuals has been on the job since March ensuring that our neediest community members are served with meals daily. I am so grateful to be a part of a system that cares for Families the way FNS does!
If you are a Family who had a student who earned Honor Roll for the first quarter, or if your child earned an Academic Award Letter from last year, please see the information below from our PTSO.
I want to again thank each of you for hanging in there with us and your students as we work through this labyrinth caused by this pandemic. The stop and go has been tough, and as soon as we are able to truly move forward, the South County staff will be prepared, because we are "Pivot Ready". We are ensuring that we will operate at the highest levels as we apply the mitigation strategies to maintain the safest learning environment possible for our staff and students. What I ask of those of you who are sending students to school is that you do your part by mandating safe routines at home, and not sending your students to school when they are feeling less than well. We all have a responsibility in this and it is imperative that we all do our part. I am committed and need you to be in this with me. Besides, if a child comes to school sick and I in turn get sick, i will be too tired to send you these lovely messages. (Thanks again for letting me be me 😊.)
As we get closer to the return, I will share more information about what we will be asking of your students. Thank you once again for your continued support, the occasional funny email, and lastly for trusting your students with us. We all truly appreciate your efforts to help us through this because you do understand just how tough this job can be. Have a very safe and warm rest of the weekend and we will see you on the other side! #OneStallion
Gary
From Student Services
Week of January 4th — Academic Days of Emphasis
Teachers will meet individually with students during class to discuss course level options.
Friday, January 8th — Virtual Curriculum and Electives Fair goes live
Grade Level Curriculum Orientation
School counselors will meet with students in large groups to present information about course offerings, sequencing, prerequisites for specific courses, and graduation requirements.
Rising 9th grade (Middle School)
- January 8th virtually during Advisory
Rising 12th grade
- February 12th virtually during Advisory
Rising 11th grade
- February 26th virtually during Advisory
Rising 10thgrade
Academic Advising Conferences
School counselors meet individually with their students to assist them in exploring their academic and postsecondary/career goals. Students will review their transcripts and select their courses for next school year.
- Monday, January 11 through Friday, January 29
Rising 12th grade (by appointment)
Clean up week of February 1 through USVA
- Tuesday, February 16 through Wednesday, February 24
Rising 11th grade (PE)
- Tuesday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 10
Rising 10th grade (PE)
Yearbook and Picture Information
Students in 9-11 grade who ordered pictures but have not picked them up, can get them from the main office during school days between 9-2 in the main office..
Students who have had their school photo taken but forgot to order, can do so by calling 800-736-4753.
We are still in the process of scheduling retakes for 9-11 graders.
Senior Photo Sessions resume in January. Seniors should watch the mail for scheduled times.
Yearbooks and Senior ads are currently on sale at www.yearbookforever.com
South County Athletic Booster Club
The South County Athletic Booster Club (SCABC) has created some great ways for the community to show your STALLION PRIDE. Order now STALLION STRONG yard signs, car magnets, and HOLIDAY spirit wear clothing. You can access ordering these items via the athletics website: https://southcountyhs.rschoolteams.com/
Go Stallions!
South County Athletic Booster Club
From The Football Program
The Football program will be hosting a Chipotle fundraiser Monday 11 January 2021.
Elite programs deserve elite fundraising. We need EVERYONE’S support to help fund YOUR program for equipment, meals, swag etc. It does not get much easier than eating Chipotle.
Be sure to let the store know you are part of SCHS fundraising when ordering in-person or online so we get full credit! See the attachment to order online. Reminder — our online ordering code is: K972W8V
Please share with family and friends!!
From the PTSO
Academic Awards
Congratulations to all the 2019-2020 students who earned a GPA of 3.8 or higher. Please except our heartfelt appreciation and recognition for your student’s outstanding achievement! While we wish we could have a formal ceremony to recognize them for their hard work, you can find a full list of recipients here organized by grade. We will be having a pickup for all Academic Awards next Monday, January 11th from 12:30-4:30pm. Awards can be picked up at Door 14. At this time this is the only pickup we will be having and ask that if you are unable to pick up that day, you have a friend/family member pick up for you.
Honor Roll Certificates for the first quarter will also be available for pickup on this day.
Volunteer Help Needed
We need a few volunteers to help distribute Academic Awards next Monday. Click here for the link to sign up! We appreciate you taking the time to help out.
PTSO Board Meeting
PTSO will be hosting a board meeting on Monday, January 11th at 7pm. Click here for the Zoom link.
PTSO Membership
Consider becoming a PTSO member! Our biggest source of financial support is membership dues. This year dues are down almost 70%. These dues are important to help fund Academic Awards, Spirit class shirts, club support and much more.
Login to https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/home to find out more.
This same site has a calendar of PTSO/school events to which you can subscribe, lists volunteer opportunities, and lets you buy stallion walk of fame brick and car magnets.
Finally, we use several methods to keep in touch. Please follow us or sign up with at least one of the following:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoCoPTSO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthCountyHighSchoolPTSO
Time to order!
Graduation Items
Frames/T-Shirts/Portfolios
Order online at highschool.herffjones.com
|
