Important Upcoming Dates
-
January 24th 6:00-7:30pm : Curriculum Night
-
Jan 25: End of the Quarter 2 hour Early release
-
Jan 26: Staff Development Day- Student Holiday
-
Jan 27: Teacher Workday- Student Holiday
-
Feb 2 6:00pm: PAC Meeting- Library
-
Feb 2, 3 & 4 7:00pm: Student-Directed One-Acts
-
Feb 16- May 4- 3:00pm-4:15pm: Mastering the Algebra 1 SOL
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Dear SoCo family,
I have a lot of information to share with you this month, so let’s jump right into it.
We have a student organization, the Laurel Hill Glass Recycling Club, that is looking to see who needs glass to be picked up for recycling, as well as volunteers to assist them. I'm very proud of these students for caring so much about the environment. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
We have our Student Advisory and Parent Advisory meetings coming up in February. These meetings are designed to allow each stakeholder group to share areas of praise and needs for improvement. The Student Advisory Council meets on February 1 during Advisory class (10:15-11:15), while the Parent Advisory Council meets February 2 at 6:00pm in the library. To rsvp, please email Connie Gibson at ccgibson@fcps.edu.
We had two FANTASTIC senior nights in sports recently. On January 13, we celebrated 26 swimmers and on January 18, we recognized three wrestlers who are seniors. Both events were very special, as families were invited to not only attend but participate with their sons and daughters. These were two special events that left me smiling as I left.
I want to give a special shout out to the wrestling team for their participation in the multi-day team tournament last weekend. I was able to watch our team wrestle against Forest Park, and all of our wrestlers did a super job with competing. In all, they had nine matches in just a few days, which is unbelievable wear and tear on the body. It’s a great reflection of the type of athletes that comprise this year’s team.
I’d like to recognize our Government classes that facilitated a mock Senate and Congress bill writing activity. Students from three different classes came together as they heard each other present bills that they wrote. I played the part of President, and I was impressed with the maturity of topics and rationale that each student presented.
Last but not least, I want to thank each of you for your support of our school community this past week. We are all doing the best we can to handle the circumstances thrown our way, and I couldn’t be any prouder of the strong community feel and connections that reside in SoCo. I’m honored to be part of this family.
Take care,
Kambar
#OneStallion
Unexcused Tardy Policy Reminders
- As we approach the beginning of third quarter, we wanted to remind you of the school’s tardy policy.
- Students are expected to be in class by the time the bell rings for the start of class.
- Tardies do reset at the beginning of each quarter so all students will start at 0 on January 30th (the first day of the third quarter)
- Students who have five or more unexcused tardies in that quarter will have a conference with the Dean of Students and consequences are as follows. Parents will be contacted via email regarding the conference.
- Conference #1: Warning
- Conference #2: Afterschool Detention (3-4:30pm)
- Conference #3: Saturday School (8am-12pm)
- Conference #4: AIA (Partial Day In School Suspension)
- Conference #5: Discipline Referral to Administrator.
- Consequences from there could include: Full day in school suspension, Parent/Student Meeting, loss of school privilege (could include parking privileges, Stallions in Good Standing cafeteria privileges, activities/events, etc.)
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Dean of Students, Kaitlyn Price (kaprice1@fcps.edu).
Quick reminder about our upcoming curriculum programs
January 24th — Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30pm
Informational session for rising 9th grade families in the auditorium. Content area teachers will be available in the cafeteria to discuss core class and elective course offerings.
Grade Level Curriculum Orientations — Recent modifications below
School counselors will meet with students in large groups to present information about course offerings, sequencing, prerequisites for specific courses, and graduation requirements.
-
Rising 11th grade on January 20th Student last names A-K @ 9:50; Student last names L-Z @ 10:40 in the Auditorium
-
Rising 9th grade @ South County Middle School on January 31st @ 9:15am
-
Rising 12th grade on February 3rd Student last names A-K @ 9:50; Student last names L-Z @ 10:40
- Rising 10th grade on February 16th & 17th during PE Classes
Academic Advising Conferences — Recent modifications below
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.
-
January 23rd through February 2nd - Rising 11th grade through PE classes
-
February 6th through February 15th - Rising 12th grade through USVA History classes
-
February 21st through February 27th - Rising 10th grade through PE classes
Students with an FCPS login can access our electives information here.
South County Student Services
SEL Screener Spring Notification and Opt-Out
NOTIFICATION OF TESTING
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 02/17/2023.
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_____________
SEE ATTACHED FORM
The SCHS Theatre Arts Department is proud to present the annual student-directed one-acts! This year’s performances feature over ten short plays all directed by junior and senior theatre students. We have over 100 students participating in these performances and you don’t want to miss out! Performances are on February 2, 3, and 4 at 7 pm! But remember there will be different plays on each night so you’ll want to catch all three evenings! Tickets are $8 per night and can be purchased at schstheatre.com, directly at this link, or at the door. If you have any questions, please contact Molly Rumberger at mdrumberger@fcps.edu.
 |
 |
The South County High School Math in Action Team will be hosting: Mastering the Algebra 1 SOL: Thursday After School Program from 3:00 to 4:15. All Algebra 1 Students will be taking their End of Course SOL Exam on May 10, 2023. Teachers will work with small groups of students reviewing skills and concepts to help prepare students for the SOL Exam. This is a great opportunity for Students to reinforce their Algebra 1 Skills. Late busses are available on Thursdays and leave the school at 4:30.
Dates: Thursday, February 16, 2023 - Thursday, May 4, 2023.
Please note, there will not be classes on Thursday, March 2 (early release day), Thursday, April 6 (spring break), and Thursday, April 13 (early release day).
Registration Dates: Friday, January 20 to Friday, February 2
Questions: Please contact Tracy Birrell, tabirrell@fcps.edu, or 703-446-1853 for questions.
Registration Link: Mastering the Algebra 1 SOL
See attached flyer
FAFSA Help
2023-24 College Financial Aid Forms Are Available; College Access Fairfax Is Here to Help
It’s time for high school seniors and their families to complete college financial aid forms. Most colleges require that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be completed by Wednesday, March 1, to receive the maximum financial aid possible in fall 2023. Some schools have even earlier priority deadlines, so check the individual college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and specific forms to complete. To begin the FAFSA, you will need to create a FSA ID.
A funding opportunity is available for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA; the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) program. Visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website for help in determining which aid option is right for you.
There are several College Access Fairfax recordings, virtual workshops, and resources available for viewing College Access Fairfax website. College Access Fairfax’s Financial Aid Champions also provide help completing the financial aid forms. To request a one-on-one appointment, please email appointments@collegeaccessfairfax.org.
Families can also contact their high school's college and career specialist or school counselor if they need additional help.
Lunar New Year -Jan 22
The Lunar New Year is a holiday that marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, which is the calendar traditionally used in many east Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea. In these and other Asian countries, it is one of the most important holidays of the year. The Lunar New Year is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family.Read more about Lunar New Year and its animal symbols in National Geographic Kids.
|
As a reminder, Wednesday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 26, for a staff development day and Friday, Jan. 27, for a teacher workday. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.FCPS Weekly Progress Reports will not be sent to parents Monday, January 23, through Monday, February 6, during second quarter grading and report card generation.
Additionally, the GradeBook and Report Card modules in ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed Wednesday, January 25, at 4 p.m. until Monday, February 6, at 6 a.m.
|
National Mentoring Month
Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.
#MentoringAmplifies #MentoringMonth
|
Tickets for All Night Grad Party (ANGP)
are on sale!
The night is meant to celebrate your student and their fellow classmates in a fun and positive environment. We can’t wait to celebrate the Class of 2023 at the All Night Grad Party!
Theme: Final Stampede
Date: Friday, 9 June
Location: St. James Sports Complex (Springfield)
$50 per child – prices go up next month
Follow the link to purchase a ticket, sign the waiver, and emergency contact form: https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/24432443
The following registration information MUST be completed and agreed to by a parent/guardian. This waiver and the purchase of a ticket allows entrance into the South County All Night Grad Party.
The ANGP is needs volunteers to make this a successful event for the students. Please use the link to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0545aea723a3f58-2023
Tutor.com Testimonials
Are you wondering what experience other FCPS families have had with Tutor.com? Read some comments below:
- “As a parent, I logged in for the first time to see what my student could expect here. The tutor I chatted with was very helpful with my questions and gave me some great tips to try with my child. Next time, I will log in with my child and hopefully match with a tutor that will help him realize learning can be done in different ways.” -Elementary school parent
- “My child used tutor.com last night and said her math tutor was EXCELLENT. She was happy and so now I'm happy, too, as she's been grinding it out solo in the hardest math.” -High school parent
Unless they have been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet students’ needs from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers.
Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage.
 How to Talk About Alcohol Safety
Stores have been packed with holiday savings, credit cards have been charged, and food has been consumed. The holidays are often a time for family and friends to come together and create lasting memories with one another. The matching holiday pajamas leave a lasting impression on social media, but what impression does your relationship with alcohol leave on your child? Although difficult, conversations about responsible alcohol consumption and safety are necessary. When consuming alcoholic beverages around young people, consider the message(s) you would like for them to receive. Without noticing you may find yourself saying any of the following: “ I need a drink,” “a drink would help me relax,” or “wine helps me sleep better at night”. These statements could inadvertently cause your child to believe that alcohol is a suitable replacement for other healthy coping strategies.
It’s never too early to have age-appropriate conversations with your child about alcohol. According to SAMHSA, about 10% of children have indicated they have tried alcohol before and that number increases to 50% by the time they are 15 years old. Early and frequent conversations about alcohol and other drugs tend are more effective than having “the talk” once. Avoiding the conversation with your child as a parent decreases the opportunity to ensure your position is understood. Our youth will still have the conversion with their peers. Silence communicates just as loudly as a verbal conversation. It’s up to you to decide what message is explicitly shared.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Sources & Resources
Why You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and
Other Drugs
Talk, They Hear You
FCPS SAPS Program
For further Information & support:
Catric Marshall, MSMHC., LRIC., CCC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
cwhaleymarsh@fcps.edu
Does Your Child Refuse to Go to School?
Each year, nearly 5% of youth experience school refusal. This refers to a child refusing to go to school on a regular basis or remain in school throughout the day due to significant emotional distress. School refusal includes kindergarten students with relatively mild separation anxiety and more severe cases where a student misses weeks or months of school because of debilitating anxiety or depression. Read how to get your child back to school in the Healthy Minds Blog or learn more about attendance policies.
 |
Edison Academy invites you to attend our in-person Open House event on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (snow date is Saturday, February 11). 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 February 4th.
See Attached Flyer
FCPS Academy Videos/Open Houses
- Marshall Academy
- Open House January 25, 1:30 to 3 p.m
- Falls Church Academy
- Open house: Virtual January 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Edison Academy
- Open house: February 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fairfax Academy
- Open House: February 7, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Athletic All-Access Pass
Graduation Date!
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.
|
Important SoCo and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
Quick Links
|
