Important Upcoming Dates
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April 23-29: National Library Week
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April 26: Administrative Professionals Day
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April 25: SCHS Theatre Arts Department- Community Night Five Guys
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May 5, 6, 12 & 13 7:00PM: Theatre Arts Department-The Lightning Thief
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May 29-Holiday/Memorial Day-Schools closed
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June 9th- 9:30AM: Graduation Eagle Bank Arena
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June 16-Last Day of School (Early Release)
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Good afternoon, SoCo famly,
We had another exceptional week this past week of school, as well as some very special and unique events coming in the days and weeks ahead.
Last weekend, one of our students, Savannah, competed in the FCCLA state competition in Virginia Beach and took home 1st place and gold in her Sports Nutrition STAR event. This is the first time in South County’s history that we have placed in this category. She has qualified for nationals in Denver. She is planning to attend and take home another 1st place win! Way to go, Savannah!
The winter sports are having their end of season banquets on various days, and on Thursday night I was fortunate to attend the Wrestling team ceremony. As some of you may know, I use to wrestle in high school and coached high school wrestling for five years, so this sport is always close to my heart. Coaches Anderson and Payne did a remarkable job with creating a classy ceremony to celebrate this year’s athletes and their successes.
Finally, for this week, we had an incredibly positive and successful Pep Rally on Thursday, April 20. We saw a wonderful performance from our Step Team, introductions of all our Winter and Spring sports teams, a dance off with students and staff, a basketball dunk contest, and a fun musical chairs competition. We were able to also excite the crowd by tossing glow rings out to the students who were sitting in the bleachers! I’ve told so many staff that this was the best Pep Rally I’ve ever seen, so a special thanks goes out to Mrs. Peck and all her leadership students for creating this ultra-fun memory for all of us!
On Monday, April 24, there is a county-wide Opioid Awareness meeting at Woodson High School from 6:30-8:00pm. Principals will discuss the impact of opioids/fentanyl in schools.
All attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
Childcare will be available, as will transportation from select schools throughout the county. View the registration page for details.
Lastly, next week we are celebrating Stress Less Week. On Wednesday April 26 MY PET ALPACA will be visiting SCHS, students will have the opportunity to pet alpacas, a goat and bunnies. This will be a great way to destress before the height of testing begins.
I hope all of you have enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Kambar
#OneStallion
From The Testing Office
AP Testing Parent Volunteers Needed
The Testing Office need parent volunteers to help support Advanced Placement (AP) Testing from May 1 through May 12. Volunteers would support the Student Services staff in checking in students, distributing tests, and supporting test security during the exams. To avoid conflicts of interest, we ask that parents do not volunteer during their own student’s exam. Please go to the Sign-Up Genius linked below to volunteer:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0a4faba82fa0fe3-aptesting#/
If you have any additional questions, please contact Chris Bird, AP Test Coordinator, and cwbird@fcps.edu or at 703-446-1643.
Senior Dues:
- $100 – pays for graduation, cap and gown, diploma cover, etc.
- Can be paid through My School Bucks or cash or check to Ms. Straughn (C240) and Ms. Storer (C231)
- Checks will not be accepted after May 1st
Prom:
- May 20th 8pm-11pm at Westwood Country Club, Vienna
- $60 – ticket sales begin May 8th during lunches
- If you your student has overdue fees on their account, they will need to resolve those first before buying a prom ticket
Senior Class Trip:
- Wednesday, June 7th Kings Dominion
- More info to come
Graduation:
- Friday, June 9th at 9:30AM Eagle Bank Arena
- Students must arrive to Eagle Bank by 8:30 AM with only a car key in hand (no phones, no wallets, etc.)
- No tickets required for graduation – unlimited seating
- Required Graduation Rehearsals: Tuesday, June 6th 10AM and Thursday, June 8th 10AM in the bubble
Caps and Gowns:
- Make sure your senior completes the Senior Caps and Gowns form to have the correct size ordered ASAP. Students will need to be logged into their FCPS google account to complete this form.
- Caps and gowns will be distributed during graduation rehearsals.
- If your student owes fees (textbooks, senior dues, missing chargers/laptops, etc.) they will not be able to collect their cap and gown until their fees are resolved.
Graduation Pictures:
- Graduation will be photographed by Victor O’Neill Studios
- You can create an account before graduation in order to view pictures after graduation.
SAVE THE DATE
The Junior/Senior Prom will be held on May 20 from 8-11 pm at Westwood Country Club.
There will be more information coming shortly!
South County Leadership and PTSO are celebrating the SCHS teachers May 1-5! Leadership is selling Balloon Bouquets to thank teachers during this week.
You can purchase a balloon bouquet via myschoolbucks for $5. After purchasing, be sure to email Kelley Peck (kapeck@fcps.edu) with the name of the teacher and the message you would like to be included on the card. Leadership students will be creating and delivering the bouquets throughout the week!
SCHS Theatre Arts Department
Please come support the SCHS Theatre Arts Department by going to Five Guys in the Shoppes of Lorton Valley next week on Tuesday, April 25 anytime between 4-8 pm. Mention the Theatre Department at checkout and up to 25% of the proceeds will go back to us! Your support is greatly appreciated.
Check out the trailer for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical!
South County High School Theatre Arts Department is proud to present The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. With over 100 students involved in the production process, you don’t want to miss this one! Tickets are available at schstheatre.com or directly at this link. Performances are on May 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 7 pm. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is based on the 2005 novel by Rick Riordan. Follow Percy Jackson who newly discovers that he is a demigod and goes on a quest to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war between the gods. If you have any questions, please reach out to Molly Rumberger at mdrumberger@fcps.edu.
Don't wait!
Order your copy of 2022-2023 Yearbook here!
PTSO
Interested in pursuing a trade after high school?
If you are thinking about getting into a trade after graduation, stop by the Trademasters' booth at the Lorton Spring Fling on Saturday, April 29 between 9a-2p. Professional HVAC and Plumbers will be on hand to talk about how to get into the business. Looking for a job in the industry? Talk to the professionals at the Trademasters' booth on April 29!
C'mon Stallions!
Someone is in need of blood every 2 seconds. Although almost 40% of the population is eligible to donate, less than 10% actually do each year. Blood cannot be manufactured & relies solely on generous donors. The South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, a frequent supporter and sponsor of #StallionNaiton is teaming up with Inova Blood Services to sponsor a much-needed blood drive.
Please consider signing up to donate on Saturday, April 29 between 9a-1:30p at South County High School. Click here to register: https://buff.ly/3zrvZ3t
Trademasters Stallion Caring for Community Fundraiser!
Trademasters has long been a HUGE South County supporter from sponsoring the South county Athletic Boosters, the Marching Stallions to the Holiday Extravaganza, Trademasters has always given back to our school community and they are continuing that tradition!
Each time you call Trademasters and mention South County, Trademasters Service, Inc. will make a donation back to the school whenever a qualifying service is purchased! Just call 703-644-6400 for a heating, air conditioning or plumbing service call and tell them you are from South County!
Spring has sprung, and that can mean a rise in airborne allergens, like pollen and mold spores. Now is a good time to change the filter on your home’s HVAC system. Trademasters is also offering some great rebates on equipment. Just mention South County when you call!
Tickets for All Night Grad Party (ANGP)
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)
Price: $60. Get your ticket now!
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.
************ BE PART OF THE FUN *******
*********HELP is needed for the 2023 ANGP ****(Sign-Up Here)
Class of 2023: Class of 2023: ANGP Sign-Up (signupgenius.com)
Popcorn Fundraiser to support the 2023 ANGP
Calling all of Stallion Nation to help the Class of 2023 with their popcorn fundraiser. It’s yummy and gets delivered right to your home! Thanks for your support!
Please use this information to place your order:
https://poppinpopcornonline.com/store
Enter This Information:
SELLER ID: JHPBQB
Group Name: SOUTH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL - CLASS OF 2023 ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
LAST CALL for Graduation Lawn Signs!!
Online orders accepted only through Tuesday, April 25 at
https://southcountyptso.membershiptoolkit.com
Signs will be available for pickup at SCHS Senior Parking Lot -
Dates TBD (Approx May 8)
Drug Additives to Be Aware of: Xylazine “Tranq”
In our continuing efforts to educate the community, we have been tracking a new trend in the region known as Xylazine or Tranq. Tranq, a non-opioid tranquilizer, is often mixed with other drugs giving the user a fentanyl-like high for an extended period of time. Considering the rise in opioid-related overdoses, it is important to know about various additives such as fentanyl and tranq that can be mixed in, unbeknownst to the user. Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer which is not approved by the FDA for human consumption; it affects the central nervous system by suppressing breathing and slowing down vital functions in the body. Tranq has recently been detected in several fatal overdoses related to cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in unsuspecting users. Narcan/Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, will not reverse the overdose in a person who has taken Tranq thus resulting in potential death. Continued use has resulted in lesions, ulcers, and other health related issues resulting in loss of limbs from untreated abscesses.
While alarming, education is key to keep our communities safe. Here is some recent data showing the trend in our region. Xylazine was present in 19% of drug overdoses in Maryland in 2020 alone; with trends increasing in Pennsylvania by 26% and in Connecticut by 10%. In areas of higher populations Xylazine has been present in 1 of every 5 deaths that have been reported. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Xylazine was present in 64.3 % of deaths when it was detected. 38 states including the District of Columbia have seen a rise in “Tranq” in and around their communities.
For more information please, contact me or the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at (571) 423-4270. Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @FCPSSAPS.
Sources & Resources:
NIH: Xylazine
DEA: Xylazine
DEA: Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine
CDC: Xylazine
Overdoses in Philadelphia
FCPS Webinar: Everything You Need To Know About Opioids
For further information & support:
Catric Marshall, MS., LPC., CCC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
cwhaleymarsh@fcps.edu
You are cordially invited to The Newington Forest Elementary
40th Anniversary Picnic
Newington Forest Elementary is thrilled to be able to connect with classmates, teachers, students and administrators from today and years past. Please join us on Thursday, June 1, 2023 for a fun filled evening of activities, food, and fun.
Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Newington Forest Elementary
Spread the word far and wide and RSVP here by Friday, May 26.
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South County Middle School Presents
Where: South County Middle School
Dates/time: April 26-29 at 7pm
Tickets: $7 each.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/15617/south-county-middle-school-theatre OR on the day of the show.
April is School Library Month and it's a great time to celebrate the essential role that school librarians play in the lives of students. School librarians ensure students have access to a wide variety of high-quality books and resources that connect them to the world and build a culture of literacy. Librarians develop lessons that are meaningful to students and help them develop critical thinking, inquiry, and information literacy skills. They support learning across all subject areas by teaching students the skills to be independent problem-solvers and creative thinkers. By creating a safe environment for all students to be engaged and curious learners, FCPS libraries are places where everyone belongs.
National Library Week is April 23-29. Take a moment to learn more about FCPS Library Programs and share your appreciation of your school librarian!
April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.
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FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the remarkable history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.
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South County ATHLETICS
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