Important Upcoming Dates
2022-2023 School Year
September 21 6:30-7:30pm- Dr. Reid visiting SCHS
September 21 5:00-9:00pm- Chipotle Fundraiser SCHS Seniors
September 26- Student Holiday/Teacher Workday/Rosh Hashanah
September 30- Sign & Return SR&R
October 3- Underclassman Picture Make up Date
October 5- No school, Yum Kippur
October 6- Senior Panoramic Picture
October 10- Student Holiday/Staff Development Day-Indigenous People’s Day
October 12- PSAT/SAT Day (10th-12th grades)
October 12 6:00pm- PAC Meeting- Library
October 13 7:00pm- PTSO Meeting- Library
October 13- Homecoming Parade
October 14- Homecoming Football Game (vs. West Springfield)
October 15- Homecoming Dance
October 24- No school, Diwali
October 28- End of 1st Quarter, 2-hour Early Release
October 31- Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
November 14 and 15- Senior Make Up Picture Dates
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
SoCo family,
I have lots to share with you this week, so let’s get to it.
Feedback from BTSN
Our Back to School Night was a HUGE hit! I want to thank EVERY parent who was able to attend. As a parent, I know our schedules can become very hectic, so we're not able to make every event at our children's schools. That's what made this night so special. The halls were packed with smiling parents. I especially want to thank our staff who stayed late to host this evening. Teachers had a full day of work, rushed home to take care of their families, and returned for two-hour event. Do we have the very best teachers at SoCo? ABSOLUTELY YES!
Safety Request
I know many parents are dropping students off on their way to work, so finding the most efficient way to do so is important; however, we're finding a problem on Laurel Crest that is becoming a significant concern. Please refrain from dropping your student at the street, as it's causing a significant traffic back-up and putting students at risk for getting hit by traffic. For everyone's safety, please use our designated drop offs at the Kiss and Ride or the front of the building. There will be a police presence starting this week to ensure the safety of all students.
Calendar Adjustment
The standard-school-year-calendar has been slightly updated for this school year. April 13, the last day of Passover, should have been marked as a Religious and Cultural Observance day from the beginning of the year. This remains a school day for students, however we will follow protocols for religious and cultural observance days.
Caught Being Creative
Here’s a shout out to one of our most creative teachers, Mrs. Tracy Birrell. Feeling that her Smartboard was large enough for all students to see, Mrs. Birrell took it upon herself to find a solution. The answer? She purchased a HUGE screen to hang on a connecting wall, which enlarged her viewing space three times over! Way to go, Mrs. Birrell! Now her students can “see” her creativity every day!
Proud of Our Stallions
I’ve been thrilled to see how well our students have responded to the Tardy Stations. Each class period, it’s difficult to find a student in the hallways, as they are getting to classes on time and prepared to learn. Of course, we have a half dozen to a dozen students that need to access a Station each bell, but that’s a very small percent based on our overall enrollment of 2325 students. As the days progress, I’m confident that the number will decrease even more.
SoCo Partners with NASSP
Students from the Leadership class and SGA partnered with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to have school backpacks stuffed with school supplies and delivered to SoCo students in need. NASSP is a wonderful business partner, and we are grateful to be the recipients of their generosity.
Parent Advisory Council
This is a friendly reminder that our first (of four) PAC meetings will be on 10/12/2022. This meeting will provide me with your perspective about what is going well and what needs to be improved at SoCo. If you are interested in attending, please register here. If you have questions that you would like addressed, please post them here so we can do our best to have a response at the meeting: https://forms.gle/oPstQ8dj8YMWSZcM6.
The council will meet in person four times during the school year from 6:00pm-7:00pm.
- 10/12/2022
- 11/22/2022
- 02/02/2023
- 05/25/2023
Hoods in School
We have been fairly lenient with our dress code policy at SoCo, but I do need all of your help with one aspect we need to address. Sweatshirt hoods are not allowed to be worn in school. It's a safety issue because we want to be able to see the faces of every student to ensure they are our students. Please talk with your student to ensure they understand this. As always, if they have any questions, we're happy to have conversations with them.
A Special Meeting
I met with the first SoCo Principal, Mr. Rumberger, last Friday and had a fantastic conversation with him. Mr. Rumberger is as funny as he is enlightening! I enjoyed hearing his perspective on the history of SoCo, and his humor left me in stitches!
In closing, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@SoCohs) and Instagram (@Southcountyhs) to stay informed and see our SoCo spirit at various events.
Have a great week!
Kambar
#OneStallion
Dr. Reid visiting SCHS
09/21/2022
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
SOUTH COUNTY HS SENIORS
Chipotle Fundraiser 09/21/2022
5-9:00pm
Click here to open Flyer
Ever imagine yourself helping out behind the scenes in theatre? Want to know more about props, costumes, lights, sound, and more? Then come to the Tech Crew Interest Meeting for SCHS Theatre Department’s production of She Kills Monsters. You don’t need to sign up to attend and no experience is required. The meeting will be from 3:05-4 pm on Wednesday, September 21 in the Black Box Theatre (room G139). Questions? Please contact Mrs. Rumberger atmdrumberger@fcps.edu.
Love to think on your feet? Are you a natural comedian? Then consider auditioning for the Theatre Sports team! This is a student-driven improvisation team that competes in tournaments throughout the year. Auditions are on Friday, September 23 from 3:05-5 pm in the Black Box Theatre (room G139). Please fill out an audition form at this link before attending auditions: https://bit.ly/3wY4M7C. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Rumberger atmdrumberger@fcps.edu.
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You've been Tagged!
Saturday was Tag Day … the biggest fundraiser for 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 came to your door this Saturday asking for tax-deductible contributions to “Support the Arts.” Thank you to everyone who donated to our Performing Arts department! But … if you weren’t home, you were tagged, or a self-addressed envelope was left on your door. If you would still like the opportunity to donate to our Performing Arts programs, please either include a donation in the envelope and drop it off at the school or mail the it to us, or if you prefer PayPal, visit www.schsbands.org, scroll down and click DONATE in the left menu (please include a note that the donation is for Tag Day). Either way, don’t forget to keep the tag as the receipt for your tax deductible donation.
Thank you again for your support of our Performing Arts Department and we look forward to seeing you at our music and theater productions here at SCHS.
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Athletic All-Access Pass
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:
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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.
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.
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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
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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).
Click Here to view form.
Please contact your student's school counselor or the school's test coordinator with questions.
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Fairfax County Social Emotional Learning Screener- OPT-OUT REQUEST FORM
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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_____________
FCPS Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of the members of our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, la FCPS reconoce y celebra las historias, culturas y contribuciones de los miembros de nuestra comunidad cuyos antepasados vinieron de España, México, el Caribe y América Central y del Sur.
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LAST CHANCE TO ORDER YOUR FALL SPORTS PROGRAM SENIOR AD!
The deadline has been extended to Monday, September 19th!
Contact Elena Jordon today!
Email: elenajordon@gmail.com
If you have questions, please call 703-302-0197.
Senior Ad Form
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Graduation Date Announced!
Class of 2023, please save the date for graduation! We are excited to celebrate our senior class on Friday, June 9, 9:30am at Eagle Bank Arena. At various times throughout the year, we will send out senior newsletters with a great deal of information. The first one will come out in October.
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The DEA has issued a public warning educating the community about rainbow fentanyl. These particular pills are targeted to youth and young adults by its colorful candy-like appearance making them look harmless. Rainbow Fentanyl resembles playground chalk before it is pressed into pills and has been found in 18 states including West Virginia and New York and are sold as low as $17 (Hawaii) per pill making them affordable. In August of 2022 47,000 pills were confiscated at the Arizona border as well as 186,000 “Perc 30’s” or “Blues”, another popular synthetic opioid found in our county.
The trend, as reported by users, is to crush the pills, smoke it off of a piece of aluminum foil, with the theory that it is “safer” than snorting. When burned, it often gives off a distinct odor of burned rubber. While we have not seen Rainbow Fentynal yet, Perc 30’s or Blues are popular among adolescents and young adults in Fairfax County and the surrounding areas. Fentanyl is also found in counterfeit prescription pills, cocaine, Xanax, and other licit and illicit drugs.
The Medical Examiner from the Virginia Department of Health recently released its 1st quarter data for 2022 stating 483 people have died from fatal fentanyl overdoses in the state. For Fairfax County data and additional information on youth substance use, please see the Fairfax County Youth Substance Trends webinar linked below.
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists (SAPS) provide Tier 1 support throughout FCPS. Each high school pyramid is assigned a SAPS who conducts brief interventions, psychoeducation, and presentations to students, staff, families, and community members. Topics of discussion include alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) as well as current trends on substances. For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
For further Information & support:
Catric W. Marshall, MS., LRIC., CCC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
cwhaleymarsh@fcps.edu
Sources & Resources:
DEA Rainbow Fentanyl Press Release
DEA Fentanyl Gallery
Narcan Training (English & Spanish)
Fairfax County Youth Substance Use Trends
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International Overdose Day
Did you know that we are still in an opioid epidemic? Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others (NIH).
The opioid epidemic began with an increase of prescribing these highly addictive medications in the early 1990s.The increase of these medications in society created the issues of overuse and misuse that contributed to the ongoing opioid crisis. In 2010, there was a similar influx of continual problematic opioid use. As a result of the rising opioid overdoses in the community, Fairfax County developed the Opioid Task Force in 2017. Fairfax County created the Substance Abuse Prevention Program in response to the need for prevention education in the schools in 2018. This effort placed Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists in each pyramid.
Opioid abuse is now the leading cause of unnatural death in Fairfax County according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. It is in our community and often goes unnoticed. In 2017, over 100 deaths were attributed to opioid overdose in Fairfax County. Over 1,200 opioid overdose deaths were reported in the State of Virginia. The 2021 data from the first and second quarters indicate there has been a slight decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. How does this affect our families?
Prescriptions in the home are one of the primary ways children gain access to opioids (i.e. OxyContin), and other addictive and harmful medications, such as benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax). You can make a beneficial impact on this issue by not saving medication for future use, properly disposing of unused medication, and not giving your prescriptions to children. You can access drug disposal boxes at designated locations throughout the county. For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Resources:
Safe Disposal Medication Sites: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/drug-disposal.
Truth Initiative Student Opioid Story: https://youtu.be/gODuvhM0BsQ
Narcan Training (English & Spanish): https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/heroin-opioids/revive
Fairfax County Youth Substance Use Trends:https://youtu.be/FiqPh38dtd4
Rainbow Fentanyl: https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2022/08/30/dea-warns-brightly-colored-fentanyl-used-target-young-americans
For further Information & support:
Catric W. Marshall, MS., LRIC., CCC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
cwhaleymarsh@fcps.edu
Important SoCo and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
Quick Links
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