In this issue:
- From The Principal
-
Offices closed during winter break
- Academic Advising
- Attendance Office
- From the Yearbook Staff
- From the PTSO
- Winter Sports Program Ads
- Edison Academy Open House
- Stallion Spirit Store
- Masks
-
Food Deliveries
- Learner's Permit Testing
From the Principal
Family,
Well, it is officially the Winter Holiday Break and as long as it took for it to get here, time has flown at the same time. I am so happy to say that we have had minimal issues to this point, but we do still have some work to do. I am going to speak about a couple of them in hopes that during the break, we can al reflect, have some short but deliberate conversations to ensure that when we return, we are on the same page.
I would like to thank the parents who were able to make it out to the Principal’s Chat (Coffee) on Thursday evening. We had some very good conversations, and I was appreciative of the perspectives that were shared. The numbers were up for this chat and that was great, but I would still like to see more of your out if possible. They say I am pretty funny, so you don’t want to miss out on that part at least! So, hopefully more of us will be able to get together next time and we can all learn from one another.
Here are a few items I want to share with you as we get ready to return in 2022!
Please be mindful of your children’s activities. This includes social groups, social media, use of substances, etc. We have seen an uptick in the use of substances inside the building. I am asking for your help at home to just have that, “Tell me a little about your day today.” Conversation every now and then. While our children don’t want us in their business, they want to know we care. And besides, until they actually decide to no longer sleep under our roofs, their business IS our business! There were a number of minor threats made across numerous schools last week as we headed into break, and due to the recent issues in Michigan, we can’t take anything for granted in terms of the seriousness of these matters. So continual conversations really do help.
Our COVID cases really jumped last week. Luckily, there still have not been any reports of spread within the building. So it is imperative that while we are away for break, we stay vigilant about masking and hygiene. We want our students to be able to be in the building and this COVID stuff does not appear to be going away anytime soon. Therefore, we have to stay on top of this and ensure that we don’t let up on our deliberate efforts to apply any and all mitigation strategies.
I want everyone to know that we are all very aware of the struggle that school has been for all students for the most part. Teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff are very aware of the adjustment that even almost halfway through the year, students are still making. Trust me, because we are still adjusting too. But the reason for bringing this up is to remind you to continue to have those conversations with your children so they can be heard both at home and at school about what might be getting in the way of their academic progress. The more we all know, the better we are to be able to address issues more proactively.
I know that we have some very diligent students among our student body, but I am hoping that they all take time to put the books down and to focus on Family over the holiday break. I have instructed teachers that they are not to assign any homework over the course of the break. Also, there should not be any projects that are due the first two days returning from break. As I stated earlier, we all need this time away from school to breathe and relax. That being said, I only have one more item.
NOVA will offer select college courses this Spring 2022 with free tuition to Fairfax County high school juniors and seniors. Courses are twelve weeks, virtual, asynchronous classes and will begin February 1, 2022. Students must meet placement requirements and understand there may be textbooks or other material fees associated with courses. Students will need access to a computer and the internet. The online courses are not intended to replace any 2021-22 classes for which students are already registered at their high school. The program provides an accelerated opportunity to earn transferable college only credits. Details about the Online Early College Program can be found here.
Additionally, NOVA will be offering Early Online College courses for juniors and seniors during the 2022-23 school year. We will be advertising these opportunities during our academic advising period which you have received some preliminary information about recently.
Family, I wish each of you a very safe, warm, and enjoyable holiday break. If you are traveling, please be safe, patient, and please use all five fingers to wave to others while driving. As you spend time with your Families, please be thoughtful of those who may not be as fortunate as you, and to be thankful for all that we have. I am thankful that I have you and your support. Happy Holidays to you. #OneStallion
Gary
School Offices Closed For Winter Break
Offices will re-open on Monday, January 3rd
Have a safe and relaxing Winter Break!
From the Attendance Office
Thank you for your patience these last few weeks! Please know we are working hard to answer all the calls as they come in. However, If you do receive an answering machine, please leave a message and it will be taken care of in the order it was received. To avoid delays in having your student check out, please plan ahead and send a note with your student first thing in the morning, email or call the attendance line at 703-446-1625 as soon as possible so we can insure timely attendance and dismissals. We try very hard not to interrupt instructional time to deliver messages.
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 at your requested time.
From Student Services
Academic Advising
South County Families,
Planning is well underway for the 2022-2023 school year! Academic Advising season begins upon our return in January.
Schoolwide programming will include the following:
January 6th and 7th — Academic Days of Emphasis
Teachers will meet individually with students during each class to discuss course level options.
January 27th — Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30pm
There will be an informational session for rising 9th grade families in the auditorium. Content area teachers will be available in the center hallway to discuss core class and elective course offerings.
Grade Level Curriculum Orientations
School counselors will meet with students in large groups to present information about course offerings, sequencing, prerequisites for specific courses, and graduation requirements.
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January 11th Student last names A-K during Advisory
Rising 12th grade
January 13th Student last names L-Z during Advisory
Rising 12th grade
Rising 9th grade (Middle School)
- February 3rd during PE Classes
Rising 11th grade
- February 17th during PE Classes
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.
- Friday, January 14th through Friday, January 28th
Rising 12th grade through USVA History classes
- Monday, February 7th through Wednesday, February 24th
Rising 11th grade through PE classes
- Thursday, February 24th through Thursday, March 3rd
Rising 10th grade through PE classes
We hope you enjoy a restful winter break!
South County Student Services
From The Yearbook Staff
Students who have not had their senior photos taken, have three more dates in which to do so at the Lifetouch studio in Annandale (studio is located at 7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003)
To schedule an appointment (you no longer need a code):
- Go online to prestigeportraits.com/studio or click here.
- Click the blue 'Book Appointment' button to get started (you do not need to log in).
- Select the Virginia – Northern Virginia location.
- Search for South County in the search bar.
- Select South County High School when it comes up
- Select the sitting level and appointment date and time from there. You can skip the sitting level if you are not sure.
- You do not have to buy photos or pay for a session if you just want them taken for the yearbook. Just choose the no charge sitting level.
***DO THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO PHOTOS TAKEN AFTER THE FEBRUARY 5 DATE WILL BE IN THE YEARBOOK.***
From the PTSO
All Night Grad Party Ticket Sale - $50/person Buy Your Ticket Here
Get your ticket by Dec. 31, 2021 and your student will receive 20 extra raffle tickets at the All Night Grad Party to win prizes!
The perfect gift for your Senior! Questions? Email angp@southcountyptso.org
Senior Ads in Winter Sports Program
Celebrate your Senior participating in Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Swim & Dive, and Wrestling with a Senior Ad in the Winter Sports Program! The deadline is December 31, 2021! Please contact Elena Jordon at elenajordon@gmail.com or 703-302-0197 for more information.
Edison Academy Open House
Edison Academy invites you to attend our in-person Open House event on Saturday, January 8, 2022 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. We are located at 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA. Our entrance is located at Door #13. You will have the opportunity to tour our state-of-the-art facilities, meet our instructors and current students, and learn more about our incredible courses! Please feel free to contact Cassandra Deedy at (703) 924-8101 or cjdeedy@fcps.edu if you need any additional information. Thank you and we’ll look forward to meeting you on January 8th.
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.
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!
Outside Food Deliveries
We have been experiencing an uptick in students ordering food and having it delivered to school via Uber Eats and other delivery means. We do not allow this as a part of our safety and security measures because we want to ensure we know who is coming to our building, and because students have been opening unauthorized doors to receive their deliveries. Please be sure to have the conversation with your student about this violation. With minimal numbers to secure our building as is, we really can’t afford to have access being granted to strangers by the student body. Please know that if students are found having food delivered, that food is confiscated until the end of the day and returned to the student at that time.
Learners Permit Testing at South County
Dates: January 13th, 2022, 2/17/22 and 3/9/22
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.
Parental Consent form:
https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/dts41.pdf
If you have any questions please contact Ms. Saale
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