 Dear South County Middle School Families,
In the blink of an eye, a quarter of the school year has flown by! We hope all of our families enjoy the long weekend, rest and recharge for the second quarter. The beginning of a new quarter is a great time to reflect on the practices of SCMS and make adjustments. As such, be on the look out for communication regarding a re-vamped cell phone and electronic device policy. We are also using the new quarter to kick off our re-commitment to HORSE (Honesty, Ownership, Respect, Service and Effort) traits. Students will be participating in lessons during learning seminars and assemblies with administrators to learn about the new policy initiatives.
As a community, we will be celebrating two different cultural observances next week. November 1 and 2 are the observance of Dia De Los Muertos. This holiday originated in Mexico, but has spread throughout the world. It is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Additionally, November 4 is the observance of Diwali. Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists.
We look forward to seeing our mustangs back at school for a Blue (even period) day on Wednesday, November 3. Enjoy the long weekend!
Sincerely,
Peter Kownacki
Principal
South County Middle School
Twitter @pakownacki
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DATES TO REMEMBER
- TJHSST Application Opens, October 25
- Student Holiday, November 1 & 2
- Report Cards Sent Home, November 8
- Veteran’s Day, 2 Hour Early Release, November 11
- Youth Survey, 8th Grade, November 18
- Deadline to submit nominations for Outstanding Employee, November 19
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Your Photos Are Ready
Good news! JostensPIX was recently at our school to photograph picture day and your student’s photos are now available for viewing and ordering! Click on the buttons below to get started.
VIEW AND ORDER PHOTOS HERE
https://shop.jostenspix.com
Photos not appearing in your gallery? Find your student using Event Code FE156021
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Impact Aid Forms
Your student should have brought home the annual impact aid form today. FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid by November 5. Returning this form is really important, because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grant funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all FCPS schools and centers—but only if you complete the form.
If you need another form printed please contact Maureen Carlstrom, mcarlstrom@fcps.edu, with your child’s name and she will send a new form home with your child.
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the boxes in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 5. All results are confidential.
Watch this video to learn more about the Federal Impact Aid Form.
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Outstanding Employee Awards
It is that time of year again!
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! This year, as always, our goal is to choose South County Middle School winners in each category to submit for consideration at the pyramid, region and division levels. We know our staff is truly unparalleled, and that the work we do for our students deserves celebration beyond our building!
To submit a nomination for a South County Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the google link for each category found below. You may nominate an employee for each category, but please only submit one nomination per category. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Outstanding Teacher
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category. Link to nomination form.
Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category. Link to nomination form.
Outstanding New Principal
Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a building principal (in any school/school district). Link to nomination form.
Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal). Link to nomination form. Link to nomination form.
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Outstanding Professional Employee
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership. Link to nomination form.
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school
Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee. Link to nomination form.
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons
Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 19, 2021
If you have any questions, please contact Miranda Hendershot at mehendershot@fcps.edu
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Covid Testing for Students
In support of our commitment to safety, SCMS will begin optional COVID-19 screening testing students the week of November 15.
Routine testing is a highly recommended strategy to reduce COVID-19 transmission and keep our schools safe. Following recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 10% of students who are not fully vaccinated and have parent/guardian consent will be randomly selected for weekly testing.
Parent/guardian consent is required for students to be part of the testing pool. We will share more information about how to submit your child(ren)’s vaccination status and opt-in to testing soon.
Test results will be kept confidential. Parents/guardians will be able to review results through the secure vendor portal. Parents/guardians may select an option to share their child’s test results with FCPS. Sharing results with FCPS is optional.
More information about COVID-19 testing in FCPS can be found on the FCPS website. As always, I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
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Applications for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Open for Class of 2026
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), a Governor's School within Fairfax County Public Schools that is regularly ranked as one of the top public schools in the country, has opened its application process for admissions for the Class of 2026.
This will be the second year that applications for the school’s 550 freshmen seats will be reviewed using the new admissions process which eliminated the standardized admissions test and the $100 application fee, while continuing to maintain the school’s high academic standards. Students offered admission to the Class of 2025--the first to apply using the new admissions process--averaged a 3.95 Grade Point Average (GPA), which is in line with previous years.
The application process for the Class of 2026 continues to be merit-based, race-neutral, and designed to ensure broader access to the school for all students. Admissions evaluators do not know the race, ethnicity, or gender of any applicant and students are identified using a number during the process.
The application process for the Class of 2026 includes a holistic review. Applicants are required to have a minimum 3.5 GPA. They will also be asked to submit a STEM problem-solving essay and an essay that details their life-experience factors.
FCPS students who are interested in applying to TJHSST must be currently enrolled in honors classes or identified as a Young Scholar, while students applying from other participating school divisions, private schools, or who are homeschooled, and do not have access to honors classes, must be able to show they are taking the highest level of courses available to them.
Details can be found on the TJHSST Admissions webpage. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 17, with a deadline to complete the final application by Friday, November 19, at 4 p.m. For more information, please visit the TJHSST Admissions webpage.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology was established in 1985. The school’s mission is to provide students with a challenging learning environment focused on math, science, and technology; to inspire joy at the prospect of discovery; and to foster a culture of innovation based on ethical behavior and the shared interests of humanity.
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COVID Vaccination
The Fairfax Community Vaccination Clinic is operating a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the former Lord & Taylor store at Tysons Corner Center. Operating hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.
Read more about the Fairfax CVC online. To find an appointment visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA.
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