From The Principal
Dear Family,
So another week, and another week of adjusting. This week we learned that our new return date for students will be March 3rd. This pushes back our return of course and makes it so that I am again left to my own devices in a building with a lot of toys.. I mean resources. While I did enjoy creating the video, I would much rather spend my time working with the students and staff. So here is hoping that we can rely on the new timeline.
This week I felt a little bit closer to the students as we had a lot going on. Not only did I get into classrooms to see and interact with students, I had the fortunate opportunity to sign off on a number of applications for students to attend Governor’s School this summer. Their continued work is paying off in major ways. On Friday night I was able to drop in on three different events. I was physically in the building as our Lady Stallions battled it out with the young ladies from West Springfield. I was also able to take advantage of the live streaming opportunities that have been established and watched our swim team and the outstanding choral department perform along with the developing talent from the middle school. It was a powerful evening that led to an inspirational morning as I celebrated with our four gymnastics seniors for their Senior Night/Day (I guess that is what you would call it). I have to say that while I enjoyed the ceremony, I miss the handshakes and hugs.
That got me to thinking. What am I going to do when it comes time for graduation? A hug right now is out. A handshake is out. A fist bump may even be out. Could I be forced to only wave to each graduate from 6 feet away? Someone wake me up from this nightmare!
Okay, back to business. Our online newspaper (schsnews.com) has been a huge hit since it’s inception. I’d love to be able to take credit for the success, but it was surely a student driven initiative that has grown legs and next, wings! One of the creators of the online media source sent me an email with the following message:
My team and I at SNN News have been really proactive, and we have seen immense growth and interest in the website! We have been getting numerous requests for guest writers, so we wanted to make a form that we could have sent to teachers to try and reach more people in the school for stories. I have already contacted Ms. Delinski to put it in as an announcement, but I was wondering if there was any way you could send the link to teachers, parents, or staff so that they can show the students.
What can I say? I do as I am told! This is an outstanding opportunity for our students to share their voice and it is literally open to ANY South County student to be able to share their story with not only our South County HS community, but the world. Furthermore, I have discussed with you over the past two weeks how important it is to me and for the school community for every student to be heard. This fits right in line with that discussion. So please encourage your students to participate. They will also be receiving the link from me this weekend.
The district has developed some protocols around health and safety. One of the areas that we all know to be very important is the use of the mask. This link has a visual that shows what is acceptable and what is not acceptable as it relates to the appropriateness of masks. This visual is based on what the CDC has provided to us. For the safety of everyone, regardless of where you are outside of your home, I strongly suggest that you adhere to these guidelines.
For those Families who have students who will be returning to school with us, we will be reaching out to you to remind you to complete the Health Commitment Form which basically is an agreement that you will take responsible steps to ensure that if your child is coming to school, that he or she is safe and healthy. This is an honor agreement that we truly need you to be accountable for. Your understanding and compliance will be appreciated.
Related to the Health Related Form, the CDC has also recently published that due to some inaccurate data that the thermometers can provide for people who are coming in from the cold, we will no longer be taking temperatures of students or our guests as they enter our school.
Lastly, I know that it seems like a little ways off, but I will be sharing information in the coming weeks about summer options for students. Just as it was the case last year, due to the issues the pandemic has created, the district is going to do as much as it can to provide options for students who either may need to recover grades or remediate. Keep a lookout for more information.
Thanks again for another great week of work with your students and for the continued support. Each of you is extremely appreciated for all that you do to help us make it through this year successfully. Please enjoy the rest of your weekend and continue to be safe. #OneStallion
Gary
From the Testing Office
From: South County High School High School
Sent to: Parents/Guardians of All Tenth Grade Students
Subject: PSAT Accommodations and EL Supports in Grade 10
In April, South County High School tenth graders will have the opportunity to take the Preliminary SAT 10 (PSAT 10). General information about the test is available on the PSAT 10 testing update webpage, and we will share more specifics about PSAT 10 testing in the coming weeks. Final testing decisions will be based on health department guidance.
Students with disabilities who have testing accommodations documented in a 504 Plan or an individualized education program (IEP) may be eligible for testing accommodations on the PSAT 10; however, the College Board must approve a formal request for each student. If the student already has College Board accommodations approved from a previous PSAT 10, SAT, or AP test, then no further action is needed. The PSAT Accommodations Process webpage provides additional information, including accommodations input and consent forms.
English learners (ELs), as defined by state or federal policy, are eligible for testing supports on the PSAT 10. Unlike accommodations for students with disabilities, EL supports are temporary and can only be used on the test date for which they have been requested. The PSAT EL Supports Process webpage provides additional information, including accommodations input and consent forms.
To request new College Board accommodations and/or temporary EL supports, parents and guardians should return the corresponding input and consent forms to the school by February 12, 2021.
If you have questions about PSAT accommodations or testing supports, please contact Telia Johnson, SSD Coordinator, at tmjohnson2@fcps.edu or Chris Bird, School Test Coordinator, at cwbird@fcps.edu. When returning input and consent forms for accommodations or EL supports, please email to Telia Johnson at the email above.
Yearbook News and Make-Up Pictures
Underclassmen (9-11) Make-up and Retake Photos
This is the final day for students in grades 9-11 to retake or make-up their photos and be in the yearbook People section.
Underclass Portraits – Make-Ups and Retakes
Monday, February 22
Start - 8:00 am
End - 3:00 pm
Location – Theater
All students must sign up for an appointment time in order to have their pictures taken. Use the form below to sign up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4AA8AC2CA1F94-underclassmen1
Visit mylifetouch.com to order pictures.
Enter your Picture Day ID EVTQSM9FD
Order your perfect pakage and don't worry about returning anything on Picture Day!
Senior Picture Sessions- FINAL
All seniors should have been scheduled for a photo session time (see attached list). These were communicated on the Senior page, on the student news, as well as in English classes. Students who were not included can schedule a time by following the directions below:
Call 410-644-7700 as soon as possible (like today) and Press 1. Then, tell them you want to schedule a photography session on February 16 between 2-8 p.m. They will ask you what kind of session you want (just a yearbook sitting, or do you want other photos taken as well?) These sessions are at Lifetouch's Annandale location, which is Fire Station 8, 7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale, Va 22003. All students will have the option to use Lifetouch clothing, or their own clothing, or both for photo sessions.
These sessions keep going fast because so many people are trying to coordinate this. If you cannot get a February 16th time, ask for the next available time, and please let Ms. Delinski (jldelinski@fcps.edu) know when you are scheduled so we can ensure your photo is in the yearbook.
Due to the large number of people trying to schedule photos and the constraints due to COVID, these time slots are incredibly difficult to schedule. Please try to attend at your scheduled time.
Ordering Yearbooks and Senior Ads
Yearbooks and Senior Ads are on sale at www.yearbookforever.com . The only way to guarantee you have a book is to pre-order it online. We may have extra books on sale at the end of the year, but can not guarantee it. Last year we sold out, so if you want a book, buy now.
Senior ads will continue to be sold until space runs out. We currently have filled about half the senior ad space. They can also be bought at www.yearbookforever.com
Sharing Pictures
The yearbook is relying heavily on pictures from the community this year, and we really want to represent as many people as possible. If you would like to share photos with the book (especially if you haven’t done so yet), you can email them to Ms. Delinski directly at jldelinski@fcps.edu. Or you can upload them at www.yearbookforever.com, go to South County’s page, and click “Community Upload.” Our access code is SOCO2021
From the PTSO
PTSO Scholarships
The South County High School PTSO is pleased to offer achievement-based scholarships to well-rounded graduating seniors pursuing full-time higher education at a two or four-year college or university or technical/vocational institute. These scholarships are available to PTSO members or children of PTSO members, and award amounts will be $500 each. Student and/or student’s parent/guardian must be a paid member of the South County High School PTSO by April 23 2021. To verify membership status, log in to your account using the “Membership Toolkit” app or go to https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/home. Any questions can be directed to Melinda Fortunato at melindafortunato@gmail.com.
Senior Yard Signs
Yard signs are for sale. Log into https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/home to buy your yard sign today! Orders will be accepted until the end of April.
Upcoming Events- All Are Welcome!
PTSO Membership Meeting: February 22nd at 7pm. Click on the here to join the meeting via Zoom.
ANGP meeting: February 24th at 7pm. Click here to join.
Principal Coffee: March 12th at 9am. Click here to join.
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