A Message from Our Principal
Dear Mustang Families-
We wrapped up another amazing week of learning at South County Middle School. This upcoming Monday (October 24) is a student holiday is observance of Diwali. Diwali is one of the most popular festival in Hinduism and symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. During the festival it is common to see Hindus, Sikhs and Jains illuminate their homes with candles and lanterns. The illumination metaphor is perfect timing, since next week is the final week of the 1st quarter of learning for the school year! To mark the end of the quarter, October 28 is a 2-hour early release. On that day, SCMS students will participate in our first Fall Fest Team games! We are excited to provide this opportunity to students to reward them for an amazing quarter of learning.
Lastly, You may have heard FCPS is developing a Strategic Plan that will serve as the school division’s roadmap for the future. We encourage every parent/caregiver, student, employee, and community member to participate in this important work. The first engagement opportunity will be an optional survey, which will be open to students in grades 3-12. Knowing what is important to students will be very helpful to Dr. Reid, as she leads the planning of FCPS’ future. All schools, including ours, will schedule a date and time during the school day to administer the survey between November 2-18. If you would prefer that your child not participate, you may opt your child out of taking the survey. Please visit FCPS’ website for more information.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and please reach out with any questions.
Peter Kownacki
Principal
South County Middle School
703-690-5507
@pakownacki
Dates to Remember:
October 24 – School Holiday, Diwali
October 25 - PTSO General Membership Meeting (see information)
October 26 & 27 - PICTURE DAYS!
October 27 - Choral Concert and 10 Year Recognition
October 28 – SOCO Games, End of 1st Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release at 12:15 PM
October 31 – Student Holiday, Teacher Work Day
November 8 – School Holiday, Election Day
November 11 – Student Holiday, Veteran’s Day
November 15 – 7th Grade SOS Screener/8th Grade Fairfax County Youth Survey – FLIPPED SCHEDULE
November 21-22 – Hidden In Plain Sight Presentation (see flyer)
November 23-25 – School Holidays
December 3 – Winter Craft Fair at SCHS (see Winter Craft Fair Flyer)
December 6 – Winter VGA, Reading
December 12 – Winter VGA, Math
Here is this week's news show:
News Show - October 20
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Choral Concert and 10 Year Recognition
Everyone is invited to our Fall Choral Concert on Thursday, October 27 at 7:00PM in the Gym. Ms. Glomb is excited for everyone to come and listen to the students sing.
In addition to the choral concert we will be joined by several members from the Board of Supervisors and the School Board to present to the school the resolutions that were passed over the summer commending SCMS on their 10 year anniversary.
I am writing to acknowledge one of your students, Cameron Williams (7th Grader), and her volunteer efforts at Stemology's Stem Fest 2022 on October 8, 2022. Cameron was the dedicated lead of the concession stand and took her activities very seriously. Concessions are an important part of our fundraising efforts to keep the Stem Fest free to the public. She priced and created signage for the items before the event. On the day of the event, she led every part from setup to cleanup. Also during the event, she served as the announcer to direct attendees to scheduled demonstrations and for the periodic raffles. Her willingness to serve in any way that was asked of her should be commended. We are thankful that Principal Kownacki advertised the event and one of your students heeded the call. Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck, Superintendent Reid, and the FCPS Ignite partnership director were in attendance and Cameron had an opportunity to speak with them and suggest ways to make STEM classes more engaging to students.
Thank you,
Shikha Dixit,
Founder STEAMOLOGY
www.STEAMOLOGYus.org
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CONGRATULATIONS
Our Horse Card Winners for week #8 are T. Cicala, Z. Cody, L. Drake, E. Baye,
Not pictured - J. Kaur & A. Harris
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Tardies/Arrival Reminders
We have noticed an increase in the number of students arriving late to school. Being on time is essential to creating a positive learning environment and minimizing distraction. School begins at 7:30 AM. If a student arrives any time after the bell rings, even at 7:31 AM, they must stop in the office to sign in late.
Please discuss with your student(s) the importance of arriving to school and each class on-time. Families can see students’ attendance through ParentVUE. If you do not have access, please request an account here: https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/parent/
Kiss and Ride Procedures
Please remember there is one entrance to the kiss and ride at South County, but cars come from both directions on Laurel Crest Drive. Please merge together into one line, turning right as you get into the parking lot. The line will go towards the turf fields then loop around to the front of the building.
The most important part of making the kiss-n-ride run smoothly is to pull your car as far forward as you possibly can. If you're the first car in a cycle pull your car all the way up to the sign at the end of the kiss and ride loop up to that sign and each car behind them will fall in line and pull as far forward as they can up to the rear bumper of the car in front of them once that line comes to a stop. Your student should be ready to exit your vehicle on the passenger side as soon as you pull up.
Once you have dropped off your student please follow the directions down the side of the parking lot and take a right turn onto Laurel Crest Drive. You’ll be able to turn around once you get to the traffic circle. Please do not make a u-turn on Laurel Crest Drive at any point.
While it may be tempting, please do not pull into any other areas of the parking lot to drop off your mustang. With buses and staff members also trying to get to and from school, it is unsafe for students to exit anywhere other than the kiss and ride line. follow all signs and cones in the parking lot and always pay attention to the staff members who are directing you
In both the morning and the afternoon we ask that you stay in the kiss and ride loop and refrain from parking in any spots in the parking lot. Additionally to ensure student safety please do not allow your child to cross the parking lot or any traffic. We want pick up and drop off to be as easy and quick as possible. Remember to follow all staff members directions
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Picture Day - Save the Date
Wednesday, October 26th & Thursday, October 27th during PE
- Preview your pictures before you buy them
- Buy only what you want
- Personalize your photos
- Photos ship directly to you home
- High-res digital downloads
Order at JOSTENSPIX.COM
Event code: FE181322
Any questions please call 1-877-515-1447
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South County High School Football Games
We will begin new procedures starting at the next home football game. For safety and security reasons, beginning at our next home football game (vs. Lake Braddock) on November 4, all elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult. We will not permit children younger than high school age into the game without supervision. Many high schools in the district have already adopted this policy, and we're hopeful that this new procedure will make the game experience more enjoyable for everyone in attendance.
Here is a synopsis of what we expect at football games with audience behavior:
- Cheer for the Stallions, not against our opponent
- Students must be picked up within 30 minutes of the end of the game
- Students should be in the stands, not hanging around the concession stand
- Anyone who leaves must pay to re-enter
- Middle School students must be supervised by an adult at the game
- Anyone trying to enter the game without paying will be removed and can be banned from attending future games.
Prohibited Items
- Backpacks and large bags (students and adults)
- Outside Food and Drink
- Sporting equipment (balls, etc.)
- Artificial noisemakers
Student's Forgotten Items/Lunches
Please do not drop off a student's forgotten items such as lunch, cell phone, laptops, classroom assignments, instruments, water bottles, etc. to the main office. Due to the schedule and frequent class changes, we cannot interrupt class to notify a student that an item has been dropped off and students may not check their phones during the school day. Students can access loaner laptops if needed and lunch is available for purchase each day in the cafeteria. If you have a unique concern related to your student, please reach out to their school counselor. We appreciate your help and support.
Laptops & Chargers
Please remember to have your student bring their assigned laptop and charger to school every day. If you have lost your charger you will need to purchase another for $23. The preferred method of payment is via MySchoolBucks (link).
Impact Aid
Beginning October 18, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Our forms were sent home with students on Thursday, October 20.
Returning this form is important, because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If Sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by November 4. All responses are confidential.
Watch the Video to learn more about this process.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Applications Opening October 24
Middle school students who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2027 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available on the TJHSST Admissions Office webpage starting October 24, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, with a deadline to submit the application by Friday, November 18, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST registration website for more information.
Outstanding Employee Awards
It is that time of year again!
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! This year, as always, our goal is to choose South County Middle School winners in each category to submit for consideration at the pyramid, region and division levels. We know our staff is truly unparalleled, and that the work we do for our students deserves celebration beyond our building!
To submit a nomination for a South County Middle School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the google link for each category found below. You may nominate an employee for each category, but please only submit one nomination per category. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Please use this link for more information and to nominate your outstanding employee.
Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 11, 2022
If you have any questions, please contact Miranda Hendershot at mehendershot@fcps.edu
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PTSO General Membership Meeting
Please join us on Tuesday, October 25th at 7pm for our first General Membership Meeting of the year. We will highlight our planned events for the school year and discuss available volunteer opportunities. The virtual meeting call-in information is listed below.
We look forward to partnering with you for a successful year!
South County Middle School PTSO Board
Join Zoom Meeting
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/92189626932
Meeting ID: 921 8962 6932
One tap mobile
+16469313860,,92189626932# US
+19292056099,,92189626932# US (New York)
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Student Services
SOS Screener – For 7th Grade Families only
All 7th grade families should have received an email regarding SOS Screener that will be administered on Tuesday, November 15th. Please take the time to read the email and if you have any questions please reach out to your child’s counselor or Ms. Reese, our Director of Student Services.
Fairfax County Youth Survey - For 8th Grade Families Only
All 8th Grade families should have received an email regarding the Fairfax County Youth Survey that will be administered on Tuesday, November 15th. Please take the time to read the email and if you have any questions please reach out to your child’s counselor.
Career Fair- Friday, December 2nd
Calling all SCMS Parents and Guardians! SCMS will be hosting a Career Fair for our students on Friday, December 2nd and we would love to have you participate! The SCMS Career Fair is designed to expose our students to the world of work. We are looking for a wide-range of professionals to share their background, skills, and experiences.
Participants would be asked to have displays and/or items related to their industry/profession and come ready to share your professional experiences with students. Students will have the opportunity to walk around and speak with professionals from various industries to learn more about what types of careers they are interested in.
Participants are asked to arrive at SCMS by 8:30am. Students will attend the expo from 9:05-10:30.
If you are interested, please fill out this link to sign up.
If you would like more information, please contact Mr. Harris (mwharris1@fcps.edu) and Ms. Spingler (mmspingler@fcps.edu)
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