In this issue:
- From The Principal
- Masks
- Attendance Office
- Academic Advising
- Senior News
- From the Yearbook Staff
- Edison Academy Open House RESCHEDULED
-
Stallion Spirit Store
- Learner's Permit Testing
From the Principal
Family,
It seems like it has been an eternity since we have been in the school and with all that has been going on in the world of COVID, it is likely a good thing. I will tell you that while this is an unsettling time for most of us, I am confident that as long as we are following the protocols designed to keep us safe (proper masking, distancing, and hand washing) we are pretty safe while in school. So having your children and our staff in a space where there are consistent rules about the implementation of these protocols makes me feel good about returning following our brief hiatus from school.
I shared a short but deliberate message with your children about the importance of keeping themselves and one another safe when we return to school. That along with our staff assisting our phenomenal custodial staff in maintaining a clean and healthy environment, I am hoping to return to school so that we are able to continue the great academic success we experienced during the first quarter. With a week of school lost due to the weather, and the 2nd quarter coming to an end, we are telling both staff and Families not to panic. With the rolling gradebook, we don’t have to necessarily be concerned about whether or not we get that quarter/unit assessment in prior to the end of the quarter.
This latest iteration of the COVID virus has impacted us all. Students and staff are both feeling the impacts and we are doing our best to work through this. Students may notice an uptick in absences among teachers due to either staff having tested positive, or an immediate Family member having tested positive causing them to have to stay at home. Teachers who are impacted in this way will continue to work from home to ensure that the content is still being delivered. Our teachers have been, and will continue to do a phenomenal job of covering classes when the teacher of record is out to ensure students have qualified professionals in front of them as much as possible.
I received an email from one of our parents asking about the possibility of the school system moving toward going virtual due to the recent spikes in COVID cases. I would like to share my response with you.
At this time, there are no current discussions being had that have been shared with principals about going to a virtual format. Based on the data that we have been able to collect across the school division, while there has been an increase in the spread of COVID across the Fairfax County communities, the transmission has not been found to exist in schools when the proper mitigation protocols are being followed.
I know that my response sounds like one that might come from a script, but to be totally honest, we have not had a single incident of transmission within South County HS outside of our student athletes who may have been unmasked during their activity.
Parents do have the right to keep their children home due to concerns related to COVID, but we have been advised to share with parents that due to the fact that school is currently in an "in-person" status, children who do not come to school due to concerns around COVID are to be marked unexcused and after 15 consecutive days of absences, they would be automatically withdrawn from school and would have to be re-enrolled.
I fully understand your concern and want you to know that if we (principals, and me personally) were to see an uptick in transmission in schools ,we would immediately take our concerns to the superintendent and the school board for immediate action. I also carry a high degree of concern for transmitting the virus at my home so please know that I am watching and taking note of changes in the data daily and as I stated will advocate for change if I believe it is warranted.
I would also like to refer you to the message Dr. Brabrand shared with the community around how we will be dealing with the surge.
Before I go, I have a huge favor to ask of you. If your child is showing any symptoms that could be associated with COVID, please keep them at home. If we observe a student displaying symptoms, we will have to have them return home. This process can be very time consuming which takes resources away from other responsibilities. We can save a great deal of time if you can catch these matters as you assess your children daily prior to them leaving home in the mornings.
That is all that I have to share at this time. I am looking forward to the return of our students to the building. Enjoy the remainder of your weekend. Take care and continue to be safe! #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
Thank you for your patience! 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, or 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:
Upon Return To School — 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.
-
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
South County Student Services
Senior News
Attention Class of 2022 Parents/Guardians!
Senior Dues have been approved by the county. They are $75 and can be paid using MySchoolBucks. Senior Dues are used to pay for the graduation venue, caps and gowns, diploma covers, and other senior class expenses. If you have any questions, please contact Kaitlyn Price at kaprice1@fcps.edu.
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.***
Edison Academy Open House
RESCHEDULED TO JANUARY 29
10 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
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.
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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