Weekly News From South County High School


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Important Upcoming Dates

 

2022-2023 School Year

September 14 - 6:00 - Back to School Night

September 17- TAG DAY

September 21 6:30-7:30pm- Dr. Reid visiting SCHS

September 30- Sign & Return SR&R

October 3- Underclassman Picture Make up Date

October 6- Senior Panoramic Picture

October 12-  SAT School Day 

October 12 6:00pm - PAC Meeting

November 14 and 15- Senior Make Up Picture Dates



important information


Message from Dr. Khoshaba

SoCo family,

Despite this being a four-day work week, I feel like there's been SO MUCH going on! All of it is positive, but there's no doubt that SoCo has an action-packed calendar. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind in the coming days.

Stallion Singers

I missed a shout out to our Stallion Singers at the first home football game, and they matched their outstanding performance in last week's game vs. Hayfield. Way to go, SoCo! We're VERY proud of your singing talents! 

Tardy Stations Start Soon!

Our Tardy Stations begin this Monday, Sept. 12. As a reminder, we've given students three weeks to get used to their schedules, as well as train our staff on using this process. Other high schools in the area have used this same model with a lot of success in getting students to class. As a reminder, the first five times that students are tardy to classes, there is no consequence because we understand that "life happens." Beginning with the sixth tardy, after-school detention is issued. Subsequent tardies will result in additional consequences, so please encourage your student to make it to class on time. Our goal is simply to help our students be on-time to all of their classes. 

BTSN

Our Back to School Night is this Wednesday, Sept. 16. Starting at 5:30, you will have access to our PTSO, purchase spirit wear, and other services.  Parents will rotate to all of their students' classes that evening, and we'll begin promptly at 6:00pm.  For more information, please visit our website at https://southcountyhs.fcps.edu/announcements/schs-back-school-night

Remembering 9/11

Service Learning Opportunity:  Volunteer Fairfax will be facilitating VolunteerFest 2022, a countywide day of service, on September 17, 2022.  This is a great way for students and families who want to engage with local nonprofits and volunteer.  The event will officially kick-off on September 11, 2022, Patriot’s Day, with Volunteer Fairfax sharing donation needs and upcoming volunteer opportunities. More information about VolunteerFest 2022 can be found at Volunteer Fairfax’s website.

Additional 9/11 Day of Service information can be found at 911Day.org and FCPS Service Learning information can be accessed by joining the Schoology Group (access code: QGQR-N77P-Z2ZFX).  Please contact Steven Meyers (sjmyers@fcps.edu) for more information. 

Parent Advisory Council

We have our first PAC meeting on October 12 at 6:00pm. If you are interested in participating, please contact Mrs. Connie Gibson at ccgibson@fcps.edu.

I look forward to seeing all of you at school or at our after-school events.

Kambar

#OneStallion 



b2sn

 

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

09/14/2022 at 6:00PM

 

We invite you to join us for our 2022-2023 Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 14th.  This program provides an opportunity for you to meet your student's teachers and learn more about specific course curriculum, class expectations, and procedures.  Please access your student's class schedule from your SIS Parent Account or your student’s SIS account and bring their schedule with you.  First period will begin promptly at 6:00PM!

Other opportunities during the evening include:

  • School Based Technology Specialist Support and Digital Consent (Main Lobby 5:30 – 8:15PM)
  • Library Presentation Library Database and Ebook Access (Library 5:30PM – 6:00PM)
  • Join the PTSO and other school-related organizations (Main Lobby 5:30PM – 8:15PM) 
  • Purchase spirit wear and learn about school-related activities (Auditorium Hallway: 5:30PM – 8:15PM)

Please keep in mind that this is not an opportunity to discuss individual student progress.  All staff contact information is available on our website at https://southcountyhs.fcps.edu/staff-directory



SCHS [performing arts

September 17th is Tag Day!!

 

Tag Day is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the South County Performing Arts Department.  It takes thousands of dollars more than the fees that are charged for each group to run a complete band, orchestra, choir, or theater program.  To keep our fees low and keep the performing arts in our schools, we depend on contributions from our incredible community.

Student teams will be coming to your door next Saturday asking for tax-deductible contributions to “Support the Arts.”  Thank you in advance to everyone who donates to our Performing Arts department!  We look forward to seeing you at all of our performing arts productions here at SCHS.



attendance

 

Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow! The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies.  



SRR

 

We are extremely happy to have your child in our school with us this year!

FCPS’ updated Student Rights & Responsibility booklet is now available online and in the ParentVue section of the Student Information System (SIS). The SR&R booklet explains expectations for student behavior, and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. 

Each year, we ask parents to review, sign, and return the SR&R to their child’s school. In ParentVue, you may now download and digitally sign the SR&R. Every parent/guardian with a ParentVUE account will see the SR&R upon login to ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgement has been completed.

Once you log on, you will see the following message:

SRR

Your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted.

Please take a moment to log into ParentVue in your child’s SIS account to access the SR&R. Signatures are due by September 30, 2022.

Please contact us if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet. 



consent

 

Digital Resources at South County High School - Parent Consent

 

This has been a busy week of getting technology to our students, laptops have now been distributed to the majority of our students at this time. As students begin using their laptops in classes and accessing various digital tools, it is important that we share that some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. We now need every family to complete and submit the Digital Resource Parental Consent Form.

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.



Dr. Reid visiting SCHS

09/21/2022

 

dr. reid

Please join us for a Superintendent Community Conversation at South County High School on 09/21/2022, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Learn more about Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS superintendent, and help her get to know our school community. Language interpretation will be provided, as available, as well as child care and light refreshments. Please register to attend. https://forms.gle/dcesq3A4eke3pSAq6

 



testing

 

FCPS will be running the PSAT/ NMSQT and the SAT School Day test on Wednesday, October 12.  October 12 is a 2-hour early release day for high schools and secondary schools.

  • Students receiving Category B special education services receive a normal instructional program. 
  • Grade 9 students do not attend school this day
  • The PSAT/NMSQT will be offered  to all students in grades 10 and 11 at no cost. No additional registration is necessary. The PSAT/NMSQT provides an opportunity to measure student readiness for college and provides practice for the SAT college entrance exam.
  • Grade 12 students interested in taking the SAT School Day were required to fill out the Intent to Participate Google form sent to families in August and September. Students who completed the form will receive a confirmation email the week of September 12th.
  • Grade 12 students choosing not to take the SAT do not attend school this day.
  • The administration of both exams begins in the morning, according to regular school start times.
  • High school academy courses are not held on October 12; high school academy staff will support base school activities, and all high school shuttles are canceled on this date.

If you have questions about the SAT School Day or PSAT/ NMSQT administration at South County High School, please contact Chris Bird, SAT School Day Coordinator, at cwbird@fcps.edu



Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener

 

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). The School Board has approved a screener to review students’ skills and experiences in these areas. FCPS staff will use the screener to identify strengths and needs for students in grades K-12. The screener provides information regarding students’ experiences and how staff can support their needs.

SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The screener will review these skills, as well as students’ relationships, feelings of belonging, feelings about their school environment, and mood. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success.

All students in grades K-12 will participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. For students in grades K-2, teachers will complete a survey on their observations of students' skills and experiences. Students in grades 3-12 will reflect and report on their own skills and experiences. Screener data will only be accessible to teachers, administrators, and staff with legitimate educational interests. Results will be maintained in secure files and databases accessible only to these individuals. Screener results will be used with other data to inform practices for SEL skill development and mental wellness. Screener data will also help staff plan interventions for students with identified needs. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window in SIS ParentVUE. School staff will be available to discuss results with families on planned support.

Schools will set specific dates for testing in each class. If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, please return the opt-out form below to the school or complete the opt-out via your SIS ParentVUE account.

More information, including a short video about the SEL screener in FCPS and the screener questions, can be found on the SEL Screener webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43892).

Please contact your student's school counselor or the school's test coordinator with questions.

Fairfax County Social Emotional Learning Screener- OPT-OUT REQUEST FORM

If you wish to opt your child out of participating in the SEL Screener, please complete this form and return it to your child’s teacher by ______________.

PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to return this form unless you do not want your child to participate in the SEL screener this year.

CHILD’S NAME__________________________________TEACHER____________________

Parent/Guardian Signature____________________________________ Date_____________

 



free and rduce


 

Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application Available

Families will need to apply for Free and Reduced-price meals, which they have not had to do since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. 

  • The application is now available on the webpage.
  • Paper applications will be available at schools (except ones designated as a CEP school) at a date to be determined.
  • Approved FRM eligibility letters may also be used to provide additional benefits. 

Please know that we will not share your data or personal information with anyone else. See FCPS’ Trust Policy.

For the past two years, the federal government has provided no-cost meals to all public school students without the need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. The extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students is expected to expire at the end of this school year, meaning families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals for the 2022-23 school year. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online.




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