Weekly News From South County High School


In this issue:

  • From The Principal
  • Masks
  • From the Attendance Office
  • Stallion Spirit Store
  • Learners Permit Testing
  • From the PTSO
  • Activity Office News
  • Yearbook News
  • From the Library
  • Choral Department
  • FCPS Cares
  • Lorton Community Action Center

From the Principal

Family,

We started off the week with a very successful Club Fair.  There were so many opportunities available for our students, and a quick assessment of the sign-up sheets at the many different tables told me that many students took advantage of the opportunities to become involved in something.  What really impressed me the most was the work of the students who were promoting their clubs.  They created activities for students to engage in, great conversations took place and dsplayed a true desire to pull in more students. I think that we will have a very active year and good outcomes from our club participants, and I am looking forward to seeing and hearing about the experiences our students have in the end.

I hope many of you took advantage of the opportunity to come up to school on either Thursday or Saturday to see South County’s production of the play "Puffs".  On Thursday I was able to watch an outstanding cast of students dive into their roles and I have to say they did a fantastic job. But I don’t want to stop at the thespians who were on stage, the entire production was amazing. The effects, stage design, and set management were also really on point!  Everyone involved in this production put in a phenomenal effort and I truly enjoyed every minute of it. And let me go one step further to say that I am also proud of our students who have worked through all of the obstacles the pandemic has put before them to still put on 3 great shows. Kudos to all of our participants as well as our incredible teachers, Mrs. Molly Rumberger and Mrs. Kathy McCormally for their direction and guidance!

I would also like to share that on this past Friday Mx. AJ Rodriguez, our choral director, accompanied our singers to the VMEA’s which is the Virginia Music Educators Association competition.  I have not heard the news just yet as to how we performed, but if you have heard them sing in the past, there is no reason to doubt that we were well represented. 

South County HS had a huge showing at the District Honors Orchestra auditions on Tuesday and had 21 students accepted! This is a fantastic showing and according to Mrs. Swift, our orchestra teacher, our 21 students will be roughly ¼ of the total participants!  We are so proud of our musicians!

In academic news, please remember that the rolling gradebook allows families to see submissions of work from previous grading periods in the gradebook.  These changes do not translate automatically to the SIS report, or a transcript/report card.  Quarter grades are also not reported to post-secondary institutions. A student/family need to request a formal grade change only when it impacts the honor roll (within a week of the closing of the quarter) or if a student is changing schools so that the receiving school will have the correct grades since the gradebook does not follow the student.

As we move further into the 2nd quarter, we are working to acknowledge the achievements of those students who have made the 1st Quarter Honor Roll.  We will be producing another virtual presentation of those who have achieved either All-A, or A/B Honor Roll status.  This presentation will be shared with families following the Thanksgiving holiday break.  And thanks to the PTSO, we will also be drawing student names form the list of these high achievers and 50 of those students will receive gift cards donated by our awesome parent support group!  Students will receive their certificates in their advisory classes after the holiday break as well. 

A short week is coming, and a much-needed break will follow.  But as much as I/we are in need of some down time, I am truly thankful for each of you and for your continued support.  I am also thankful for the outstanding cast of teachers, operational staff, counselors, and administrators who come to work every day to ensure that your children have what they need to be able to be successful tomorrow.  As I have shared before, if you have a moment, please take time to acknowledge your thanks for the work they do via some sort of correspondence with them.  Even though we are a quarter of the way done with this school year, the transition of returning to school continues. Even when things don’t go as planned, I can always feel comfortable that the drawing board begins with the heart of a staff who cares dearly about the young adults they serve.  As long as I know that that is where we start our new plans from, I am good with that, and I hope that you are too. 

Please give my best to your Families; my Family and share a hug from the boss.  If I don’t chat with you before the break, please have a safe, warm, and restful Thanksgiving break!  #OneStallion

Gary


Masks! Masks! Masks!

Please help your student adhere to our mask policy. Masks are still worn at all times by both staff and students indoors and on school buses, but are not required when eating or when outside during recess, PE, or other activities.

Students should be sure to leave home with a mask as they head out to school

and a spare back-up in their backpack would be a great idea.

Please help us keep all students and staff safe!

    


From the Attendance Office

Will your student be out or leaving early during Thanksgiving week? Please plan ahead and send a note, email or call the attendance line at 703-446-1625 as soon as possible so we can insure timely attendance and dismissals.

Also as a reminder, if you send a note, email or call, you do not need to come into the building. Your student will meet you at the curb.

  


SoCo Merchandise Available at the Stallion Spirit Store Website, Kiosk and Vending Machine!

Great Holiday Gift Ideas

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. 

Spirit

Learners Permit Testing at South County

 

Dec 7  ( 2022 dates will be announced at a later date)

Time:   3:15 p.m.

Location- SCHS- room F107

POC:  Ms. Saale      mgsaale@fcps.edu

How do I register:

Please register at both the DMV and ACE sites below.  YOU MUST REGISTER AT BOTH.   If you are having trouble with the ACE site it is recommended to call them at the number on the web site.

 

Registration links….

ACE: https://aceclasses.fcps.edu/SubjectListing.aspx?CategoryID=10643&ProgramID=28&ProgCatgName=DMV+Learner%27s+Permit+Test+(HS+students+only)&IsCourse=1&SubjectID=11088&AreaName=DMV+Learner%27s+Permit+Test+(HS+students+only)

 

DMV: https://vadmvexam.com/AT_Remote/ApplicantPortal/ApplicantPortal.aspx

You must register at BOTH sites. ( You may have to copy and paste the first link) 

Please bring parental consent form with you on the day of testing AND your school issued laptop.

If you have any questions please contact Ms. Saale

 


From the PTSO

We are two weeks away from the 16th Annual Lorton Holiday Extravaganza, a major fundraiser for the PTSO, Class of 2022, SoCo Band, SCHS Athletic Boosters, and SoCo Chorus. We need everyone’s help promoting the event. Support us by following, liking, and sharing on social media. We are running vendor spotlights across all of our social media, and we need YOUR support!

Facebook: @LortonHolidayExtravaganza and @SCHSCraftShow

Twitter: @LortonSCHSCraft and @SCHSCraftShow

Instagram: lorton_holiday_extravaganza

 

Special thanks to our sponsor Casey Whitmarsh, State Farm Agent. We also need volunteers to help with the event. Look for the sign-up next week on the PTSO website.

Extravaganza

Lorton Holiday Extravaganza & Craft Show

Great Holiday Shopping!

70+ Vendors ~ Handcrafted Items

Photos with Santa 10a-12p

Silent Auction & Raffle Prizes!

Santa's Book Emporium

 

Saturday, Dec. 4

9a-3p

South County High School

 

Thank you to our Extravaganza Sponsor!

Casey Whitmarsh, State Farm Agent

Lorton, VA   703-372-1964

State Farm

 

$3 General Admission  $2 Senior Citizens/Students

FREE Admission Military/Veterans,

FCPS Teachers & Staff, Kids under 12

 

Follow Us! 

@LortonHolidayExtravaganza

SCHSCraftShow@gmail.com

 

Proceeds benefit the

SCHS PTSO/2022 Final Stampede/All Night Grad Party.


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 eleven-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.

 


Yearbook News

Senior Quotes

Senior quotes are due NO LATER than November 23.  Once submitted, they will be looked over by editors.  We will not accept links, time stamps, or any questionable material that is not school appropriate.  Students can only submit ONE time and cannot change their quotes once submitted. To submit your quote, use the google link below:

https://forms.gle/TgJwBSmRjeLnpso49

Senior Portraits- New Dates

We would like to apologize for the confusion regarding senior portraits.  Lifetouch has added more dates for portraits over the next three months.  The new dates to get portraits taken (for the yearbook and to buy) are as follows:

December 1, 2, 3, 11- Multipurpose Room- Door #13

To register, visit https://prestigeportraits.com.

Students will need an eight digit code they received in the mail to register (if you do not have your code, please email jldelinski@fcps.edu).

Students who have previously taken a photo and want to schedule a retake, should email crocca@lifetouch.com

Purchasing Senior Ads and/or

Yearbooks for 2021-2022

Yearbooks and senior ads can be purchased online at https://yearbookforever.com/

Yearbooks for 2020-2021

If you would like to buy a yearbook for the 2020-2021 year, you may bring $85 to Jennifer Delinski in room D108 to purchase a book.

If you pre-ordered a book last year but did not pick it up, please see Jennifer Delinski in room D108.

Summer Pics

The yearbook is looking for pictures for the summer section.  Specifically, we need pictures of students working summer jobs, going on summer trips, participating in summer camps or summer sports activities.  Please email any pictures you may have to Jennifer Delinski at jldelinski@fcps.edu

 

   


From the Library

In addition to our school’s library, all Fairfax County Public School students have accounts(LEAP accounts) with Fairfax County Public Library(FCPL) to checkout materials from their libraries also! A student only needs their name, not a physical library card, to check out materials at any of the Fairfax County Public Library branches. Just as our school doesn’t charge fines or fees, students will not be charged when checking out materials using their FCPL Leap account. These accounts are only for print books, and students would still need to register for a standard FCPL library card to access the public libraries’ databases.  Please see this LINK for more information and contact Ms. Strong erstrong@fcps.edu or Ms. Romney rromney@fcps.edu for more information.

  


From the Choral Department

Donations Needed for the

Book Emporium at the Holiday Craft Fair

Are you looking to clean out your closet? The South County High School Chorus Department is thrilled to be hosting the Book Emporium at the PTSO Craft Fair on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at South County High School and need several donations for this annual Holiday Book Sale.

Items sought include books on all subjects: cooking, baking, historical, military, political, self-help, exercise, teen, young adult, mystery, romance, children’s books, DVDs and Blu-Rays; board and video games; and puzzles. Donations can be dropped off at the Chorus donation box at Door 1 at SCHS during school hours.

Choral

FCPS Cares

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.

  


Lorton Community Action Center

 

Please see LCAC’s website for updates (ever changing information) regarding COVID-19 and our current donation needs.

Client Services

Have you heard Samira’s story? Samira needed help with two months’ rent after domestic violence & job loss left her family reeling. LCAC was able to help with rent, food, and other needs. Samira also participated in our computer class and was given a computer to practice her new skills and to aid in her job search. The ability to meet a large need like Samira’s is possible because of support like yours. Please consider giving to the fall appeal to ensure that families, children, and seniors in our community can continue to receive assistance. All donations will be matched by Suzanne and Bob Klein up to $7,000.

 

Upcoming Events

Lorton’s Attic

Lorton’s Attic hours:

Shop The Attic and support local families Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Donation drop-off hours are Mondays (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.), Wednesdays (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.), and Saturdays 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

We are in need of volunteers! Volunteers will be working modified hours and the store has been prepared, in accordance with CDC guidelines to protect the health and safety of all volunteers and shoppers. If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity with us, learn more here.

   


November  24-26     Thanksgiving Holiday 

December 20-31     Holiday (Winter Break)

Classes resume 1/3/2022