 Hello, Mustangs,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year
I am humbled and honored to be the principal of South County Middle School, and I look forward to offering my support to your student(s) and family. Below are items you should be aware of as we have adjusted our daily operations to ensure excellence in student and staff safety, instruction, and building community. Thank you for entrusting us with your student, and we look forward to working together to provide your student with the best middle school experience possible.
Justin Simmons
Principal
South County Middle School
Kiss and Ride Procedures
Please make sure to read the kiss and ride information provided in the link below. It will give you the instructions on what to expect during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
Kiss and Ride Information
Morning Waiting Areas
Doors to South County Middle School will open at 7:10 a.m., and students who enter the building between 7:10 a.m. - 7:20 a.m. will report to either the cafeteria for breakfast or the gymnasium. Please note that staff members will direct students to either location and monitor them while they are there. Additionally, students must sit in the designated area until they are released at 7:20 a.m., allowing them to report to class by 7:25 a.m. Classes will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m., and students entering the building after 7:40 a.m. must check in at the main office.
Away for The Day
As a reminder, FCPS's Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) requires students to keep their phones silenced and put away for the school day (7:25 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.). Students are also prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms unless there is a medical necessity or emergency. Students can keep these items, as well as airpods/earbuds, in their backpacks. However, if a student uses a phone/device or airpods/earbuds during the school day, that student will receive a verbal reminder about the policy. If multiple verbal reminders are needed, the student will give the item (phone, device, airpod, earbud) to a Safety & Security or Admin team member and retrieve it at the end of the day. Lastly, if a student continuously uses one of these items, a parent/guardian must pick it up at their earliest convenience.
More information can be found at the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/news/student-rights-and-responsibilities-srr-updates-cell-phone-use-schools
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Gradebook
We have heard your feedback on a traditional gradebook versus a rolling (cumulative) one. Therefore, we have adjusted to ensure your student has the best characteristics of each one. South County Middle School will utilize a hybrid gradebook, allowing multiple reassessment opportunities while giving students a "fresh start" at the semester mark. Final grades are the average of semester 1 and 2 grades, similar to a traditional gradebook.
Another FCPS update (guideline) is that teachers may now assign zeroes for assignments not turned in. Nevertheless, a minimum grade of 50 will be entered for assignments students reasonably attempted to complete. Additionally, the definition of a reasonable attempt is on the teacher's syllabus.
Lockers
Lockers will not be distributed for the 1st Quarter, as complications emerged while adjusting the locks. Students can request lockers during the 2nd Quarter (starting November 8) if they still need one.
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Two-Way Traffic (Inside)
We are instituting "two-way traffic" in the halls to improve student and staff safety. Students will walk on the right side of the hall and follow the flow of "traffic" for the main staircase. We ask that students use appropriate language and voice level in the halls, be on time for class, and follow the directions of staff members.
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Dismissal
We are implementing a staggered dismissal with afternoon announcements beginning at 2:10 p.m. Halls will be released in sequential order: A, B, C, and D. We ask that students follow the directions of staff members and exit the building promptly. Our objective is to release buses at 2:25 p.m.
2023 Football Season
South County High School
We aim to have a safe and orderly environment for audience members to enjoy. For middle school students who wish to attend, the safety protocol requires that they arrive with their parents and that their parents remain for the time their students are there. Students who are left unattended and either display misconduct or are not picked up immediately after the game is over will not be permitted to return to future games.
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