In this issue:
- From The Principal
- FLE Opt-Out
- School Photo Updates
- TAG Day
- Post-Secondary Planning Q&A
- Select Digital Resources
- Schoology
- PSAT/NMSQT Testing
- Activity Office News
- From The PTSO
- SOCO Gold Out
- Stallion Spirit Store
- Emergency Care Information
- FCPS Cares
From the Principal
Family,
As I told the staff, finally a short week that had the semblance of a short week. Take away the mask wearing, the attempts at social distancing, and the pandemic, it was pretty much normal! While I am being a bit silly, it actually was a pretty decent week of work from our learning community stakeholders.
As the administrative team continues to wrap our heads around logistics as they relate to having our entire student body back in the building full time in the midst of the COVID environment, I am pleased to say that our teaching, counseling, and support staff have been leading the way in every other area ensuring that our student needs are being met. I hope that everyone can appreciate the amount of collaboration and work that is going on every day. Our students and staff are creating pathways to success and I am honored to be a part of their efforts.
Yesterday, Mr. Warren Carrington and Mrs. Kat Ohlmeyer worked along with students and parents to help beautify our school grounds as a Military Connected Youth project and Patriot Day! Together, this group of awesome volunteers worked to make South County HS a great place to call a second home!
Speaking of our second home, I had to send a message to students yesterday discouraging some poor behavior because we have had some instances of vandalism in our building. Some preliminary research and investigation has led us to believe it is tied to a new Tik Tok challenge. Most recently they have involved the removal of soap dispensers in our student bathrooms. This is particularly concerning due to the need for our students to be able to wash and sanitize their hands on a regular basis. I am bringing this to you to ask for your support in having conversations about the importance of us maintaining a safe and healthy learning space. I thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
This year we will continue to have our safety protocols monitored by visiting school safety teams. Last year we were commended for our efforts and this work has continued into this year. This past week we again received high marks for our efforts to support the mitigation strategies to keep our building clean and safe. Huge kudos to our phenomenal custodial team who lead this charge with continual sanitizing of the building throughout the day. If you happen to come across one of these dedicated staff members in your travels, please let them know how much you appreciate their efforts.
Keeping on the health and safety line, I would like to also report that we have begun to see a trend of fewer students having to go to the Cares Room as well as the number of cases that we have seen leading toward the end of the week. Please continue to monitor the health of your students prior to sending them to school as well as having those important conversations around safe practices. Kudos to you all!
This week we have our first PTSO General Meeting. You can find more details on the meeting further down in this week’s newsletter. We are looking for more quality members to serve in various capacities. I have asked our staff to also be engaged in the PTSO this year and many have already stepped up to take on that challenge. Your voice is an important one and I hope that you will use the PTSO as a method of sharing your voice.
At the end of the week I will be hosting our Freshman Parent Principal’s Coffee on this Friday at 9:00am. I look forward to our conversation as these talks always open my eyes to some things that I may not have had my attention on. As I have stated earlier, your voice is very important to the development of our building culture.
Well that is all I have for this edition. I hope that you enjoy the remainder of this weekend. Please take care and continue to be safe. #OneStallion
Gary
Family Life Education (FLE) Opt-Out Forms
If you wish to opt your student out of FLE, please fill out the appropriate form and return it to the subschool 1/2 at South County High School.
School Photo Updates
Seniors- the yearbook is aware of the scheduling issues for senior photos and is currently working with Lifetouch to secure more dates and make the process less frustrating. We apologize for issues so far. We will put out an announcement on Monday with updated information.
Underclassmen-- Picture retakes will be on October 28 during advisory.
TAG Day
Next Saturday, September 18th, the SOCO Fine and Performing Arts Department will be hosting their annual tag day event! Students will canvas the community asking for donations to help support our programs. Money donated goes towards equipment, uniforms, instruction, music, and supporting students with financial needs in our programs.
Last year we did not have the ability to fundraise due to COVID-19, so our programs will be working hard to raise funds, and your support would be greatly appreciated. All donations are tax deductible, and if you are not home when the students come knocking, you can mail in your check. Please consider donating to help support our programs and our hard-working students.
Post-Secondary Planning Q&A Session
Reminder: Senior Parent/Guardian Q&A coming up 9/15/21
Student Services will be hosting a post-secondary planning Q&A session on Wednesday, 9/15/21 at 9 a.m. in the cafeteria for senior parents or guardians. This is an informal event meant to address follow-up questions you may have after participating in our Class of 2022 post-secondary planning information program held on 9/9/21. If you missed it, a recording is available at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re8DOMLVCCcThis Please note the Q&A session is intended to address general questions, while specific questions regarding an individual student should be directed to their school counselor.
Consent for Select Digital Resources
SCHS Families, We Need Your Consent for Select Digital Resources:
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: Digital Resources at South County High School. Additionally, you can find more information about approved digital resources in FCPS here: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/digital-resources.
Included on this page is the link to the Parental Consent 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. If you need support with filling out the parental consent web form, please access How to fill out the application permission form.
Schoology
We have distributed the majority of laptops to our students, many students are now beginning to access their Schoology accounts. Schoology is FCPS’ newly adopted learning management system which serves as a learning space that enhances face-to-face and distance learning through communication, collaboration, and personalized learning.
All students have a Schoology account where they will access classroom materials, assignments, class/school-based announcements, and much more. All parents/guardians must have a Parentvue account set up first and then the same username and password can be used to access their Schoology Account. Visit the Schoology Parent/Guardian Resource Kit , to learn how to log into your Schoology account and to access basic navigation features.
Below are some additional video resources to demonstrate what parents/guardians can see and do in Schoology – if you are able, please take a moment to view them:
Parents/Families Video: Welcome to Schoology
Schoology Support Video: What do Parents/Guardians See in Schoology
Testing Corner
From: South County High School
Sent to: All Parents of Rising Tenth and Eleventh Grade Students
Subject: PSAT/NMSQT Testing
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is pleased to announce plans to offer the Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) to students in grades 10-11 this fall. The test will be administered on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, and will be free of charge to enrolled FCPS students. A PSAT/NMSQT Testing Notification letter is posted online. The purpose of this letter is to provide general information about the PSAT/NMSQT School Day opportunity.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that measures mathematics and evidence-based reading and writing. The test focuses on reasoning skills, knowledge, and comprehension. It is designed to promote college readiness while preparing students for college entrance assessments. Information about test content and format can be found on the College Board PSAT/NMSQT webpage (https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/inside-the-test/key-features). The PSAT/NMSQT is co-sponsored by the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. While only students in grade 11 are eligible to compete for National Merit Scholarships, students in grade 10 who take the PSAT/NMSQT gain excellent practice for the PSAT/NMSQT in grade 11 and the SAT college entrance assessment.
- Students will NOT need to register for the test in advance – a test will be available to every 10th and 11th grader at South County High School on October 13.
- Information on activities for 9th graders for October 13th will be forthcoming.
- PSAT/NMSQT administration begins in the morning, according to regular school start times.
- High school academy courses are not held on October 13; high school academy staff will support base school activities, and all high school shuttles are cancelled on this date.
- FCPS transportation is available to all students who regularly use FCPS bus transportation.
We will share exam day schedules and additional details in the coming weeks. If you have questions about the PSAT/NMSQT administration at South County High School, please contact Chris Bird, SCHS School Test Coordinator, at cwbird@fcps.edu or at 703-446-1643.
Activity Office News
All Access Pass
The South County Athletic Booster Club (SCABC) is excited to share with you that we have merged what we formally called "Booster Passes" with the new digital ticketing system, E-Tickets. Now available online is our 2021 - 2022 All-Access passes for the upcoming school year! This pass(es) purchase will give you admission to ALL home regular season athletic events. Please click the link below to check out which package is right for you, your student(s), and family.
All-Access Passes: https://www.etix.com/ticket/m/5817/south-county-athletics
Once you purchase your pass(es), you will receive an eight-digit personalized code to redeem the number of purchased tickets to any scheduled home regular-season event for the upcoming school year. You may redeem your tickets by visiting South County's home E-tickets page - https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/18639/south-county-high-school-athletics
All this information and more is located on South County's Athletic Home Page - www.stallionnation.com.
Senior Ads in Fall Sports Program
Celebrate your Senior participating in Football, Field Hockey, Cross Country, Volleyball, Golf, Cheer, Dance, or Marching Band with a Senior Ad in the Fall Sports Program! The deadline has been extended to September 13th! Please contact Elena Jordon at 703-302-0197 or elenajordon@gmail.com for more information.
From the PTSO
We hope you are all healthy and well. We have a lot going on this week and would love to see you!
General membership meeting Monday, September 13 at 7pm in the school library.
All Night Grad Party (ANGP) meeting Wednesday, September 15 at 7 pm in the school library.
Parent Principal Chat (for freshmen parents & new parents) Friday, September 17 at 9 am in the Cafeteria.
*Per FCPS guidelines, masks are required for meetings.
If you would like to join the PTSO, please click here. Please email pres@southcountyptso.org for any questions.
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. This is an amazing app that allows you to look at any email the PTSO sends out plus their calendar of events.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoCoPTSO
PTSO general page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthCountyHighSchoolPTSO/
PTSO Military Connections on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2103122980014708/
All Night Grad Party (ANGP)
The ANGP planning has begun. We have several volunteer opportunities available. If you would like to get involved with ANGP or have any questions about the ANGP or a committee position please email the chairs at angp@southcountyptso.org. Click here to sign up for ANGP Committee or attend the ANGP meeting September 15 at 7 pm in the library.
Want to support ANGP fundraiser? Go to SCHS PTSO MembershipToolkit here and scroll down for our store. We currently have 2021 White House Ornaments, class and student driver magnets, graduation lawn signs, graduation seat raffle, and Flock a Friend available to purchase. You can also make an ANGP donation.
Join the SCHS Class of 2022 Facebook group to get information on upcoming events. This group is for parents of SOCO 2022 parents only.
LORTON FALL FESTIVAL & CRAFT SHOW
The PTSO hosted LORTON FALL FESTIVAL & CRAFT SHOW is fast approaching! Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 25th. Want to volunteer at the event? Watch for our Sign-Up Genius coming soon!
We will have something for everyone!
50+ vendors
Candy Cane Kids Fun Run-Hosted by the Swim & Dive Team-register kids here.
Santa’s Book Emporium-Hosted by the Crew Team
Photo op with Santa (Holiday Display Donated by My Yard Greetings)
Pumpkin Decorating
Military Connected Youth will have supplies to Create Greetings for our Troops
Food Trucks and more!!!!
We are still accepting vendors, school clubs, groups and teams. Send inquiries to SCHSCraftShow@gmail.com
RESERVE your table today at https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/forms
Help us spread the word by following, liking and sharing us on Facebook, Twitter @LortonSCHScraftor @SCHSCraftshow !
15th Annual South County Golf Classic
The South County High School Athletic Boosters and PTSO are hosting our 15th annual South County Golf Classic fundraiser. This year’s tournament will be held on October 4th at Laurel Hill Golf Club. There are many ways to be a part of this community event and have fun while supporting South County High School. We are looking for sponsors, golfers, and volunteers!
Please click here to be a sponsor and/or register to golf.
Please click here to volunteer.
We appreciate your support!
SOCO GOLD OUT
In support of Emma Jordon Kidz Fighting Cancer Foundation www.kidzfightingcancer.org
South County vs. Westfield
Friday- September 17, 2021
7:00 P.M.
South County High School Stadium
Adults: $6.00 Students: $5.00
SCAA Youth wearing their football jersey or cheer uniform are free with an adult paid admission!
DISCLAIMER: These materials are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or this school.
Childhood cancer FACTS: did you know …
-
Childhood Cancer is the #1 killer of American children by disease under the age of 19- more than all other childhood diseases combined.
- Every day 43 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer- over 15,000 per year.
- 1 in every 285 U.S. children will develop cancer before their 20th birthday; 1 in every 5 of these children will die at the average age of 8 years old.
- Childhood cancer rates have increased by 24% over the past 40 years.
- There are more than 12 major types of childhood cancer and over 100 subtypes.
- Only 4% of all Federal government cancer research funding goes to study pediatric cancer- childhood cancer non-profit organizations are critical.
- 96% of all Federal funding for cancer research goes to adults yet children makeup 20% of our population
- In the last 20 years, only 4 cancer treatments have been specifically developed and approved for children.
- Childhood treatments require very different drugs than adult protocols, yet most use a variation of adult drugs due to a lack of research and trials.
- Because of the treatments they had as children, more than 99% of childhood cancer survivors with have a chronic health problem and 96% will have severe or life-threatening conditions.
Awareness + Funding + Clinical Research +
New Drug Development + Trials =
Our Children’s Lives Saved
SoCo Merchandise Available at the Stallion Spirit Store Website, Kiosk and Vending Machine!
South County’s Stallion Spirit Store has a variety or ways you can purchase items for the school year. We have a website where you can browse our spirit wear and find a PDF Order Form for download; invoicing for payment on MySchoolBucks will be sent after your order is fulfilled. You can also find our kiosk in the cafeteria during lunches on odd days (5th period) as well as in the gym lobby by way of a retail vending machine!
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, review financial records and create promotional plans. These work-based learning opportunities allow students to connect classroom lessons to actual scenarios.
Update Your Emergency Care Information Through weCare@school
Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring that the climate in all FCPS facilities is safe and secure. In support of this goal, FCPS provides weCare@school (weCare), an emergency care information system, available to FCPS parents and guardians who have registered for their own Parent account.
weCare helps manage emergency medical information by enabling parents to enter and update their children’s medical data at their convenience online. Contact information provided automatically enrolls parents to receive eNotify communications from the district and their child’s school. eNotify is the communications tool for FCPS emergency, attendance, and essential outreach messages. Messages are sent via email, telephone, and text messages.
Get more information about updating your emergency care information.
FCPS Cares is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. See how you can acknowledge an FCPS employee who has gone above and beyond.
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