Important Upcoming Dates
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09/18/2023 (5-9pm)- Fundraising SOCO Band Program
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09/18- 09/22- National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week
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09/20/2023- National Voter Registration Day
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09/23-10/01- Blue Star Welcome Week
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09/25/2023 - Yom Kippur (Holiday) (No School)
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09/28/2023 - Late Buses Starting
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09/29/2023 - SR&R Sign & Return Signature Sheet
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10/02/2023 - Make up Picture Date (Auditorium)
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10/07/2023 - Homecoming Dance @SCHS
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10/31-11/03- 3:15 pm (Cafeteria) Senior Portraits
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
SoCo Nation!
During this last week, we have continued riding the wave of positivity as we begin gearing up for two exciting celebrations. First, September 15 begins our celebration of Hispanic Heritage month. Our entire building is being decorated with interesting facts and historical figures of Hispanic descent. This effort, led by Mrs. Doris Straughn and her committee, has helped us focus and become more appreciative of the historical and current influencers from this culture. Here are just a few pictures that illustrate this celebration:
The pictures below are especially unique and attention-grabbing. This is a periodic table of Hispanic figures of importance. The first picture shows the entire table, and the second is a close-up of an individual picture so you can see an example of how much detail is included.
The second celebration we are gearing up for is Homecoming! Yes, it’s that time of the year already. Homecoming week is scheduled for Oct. 2-6. On Friday, Oct. 6, we will host a Pep Rally during the day for students, and after school we play Alexandria City that evening at home. On Saturday, Oct. 7, we will have our Homecoming Dance here at school beginning at 7:30pm. More information will be forthcoming. I want to thank our leadership students for not only planning but also marketing for this very special week. Way to go, Stallion leaders!
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Speaking of school spirit, we have a fun competition among our staff this year to see which departments are showing the most Stallion pride. For this past month, we recognized the department that had the most members completing boxes on our Professional Development Bingo board. As depicted below, the Social Studies department won for this first month of competition. They’re going to have to watch out for stiff competition from everyone else during this next round of competition, as the winning department will be the one who shows the most school pride by attending after school events and dressing up on themed days, including Homecoming week.
As we closed out this last week, we have shared with students that the grace period for parking on school property without a pass has now ended. Students who choose to park on property must have a parking pass or else they’ll be ticketed. Please reach out to Mr. Black if you have any questions. He can be reached at ahblack@fcps.edu.
This year I’ve been attending Collaborative Team (CT) meetings to provide more support to teachers and give them more access to me with questions or concerns. This week I visited Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Chemistry, and Honors Biology, and I was so impressed with the rich discussions taking place. Teachers kept students at their focus as they talked about pacing of content, developing meaningful assessments, test reviews, and sharing various resources with each other. I knew we had exceptional staff, but this degree of analysis and collaboration exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this family of educators. They spend so much time reflecting on their practices to ensure our students get their very best efforts.
My classroom spotlight this week goes out to Mr. Matt Lewis, one of our exceptional Math teachers. In his AP Statistics class, students designed their own taste-testing experiments and charted data in Excel or with paper and pencil. Students had a great time having visitors to their stations, which included topics such as Baked vs. Regular Layes chips, homemade vs. store-bought icing, and Oreo’s vs. generic cookies. What a creative way to make learning fun! Bravo, Mr. Lewis!
Have a great weekend!
Kambar
#OneStallion
Together As One
It’s Cookie Time! 🍪
Help Support South County DECA by ordering Frozen Cookie Dough from Mrs. Fields! All profits directly support student costs on field trips, competitions, and leadership conferences. Bit.ly/DECACOOKIES or the attached QR code.
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Family Life Education (FLE) Opt-Out Forms
If you wish to opt your student out of FLE, please fill out the appropriate form and return it to Mrs. deKanter in the SCHS Athletics Office.
Have You Completed These Important Forms?
During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
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Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
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Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
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Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.
🩹 The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations
Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. To access that form, click Online Packets in the top right of the screen after logging in to SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers can obtain an activation key letter to activate their SIS ParentVUE account by contacting [the main office].
Statewide Outbreak of Meningococcal
One of the required immunizations for students entering 7th and 12th grade is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). The Virginia Department of Health is currently tracking a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. MenACWY can provide protection against the bacteria responsible for this outbreak.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of immunization clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation.
😷 2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools
Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school.
🧪 STEAMOLOGY STEM Fest Offers Hands-On Activities for Students
Students are invited to participate in STEM FEST on Saturday, October 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South County High School. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and more. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information.
Students Are Learning Every Day
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during long breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
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PTSO
South County High School PTSO is partnering with Seasonal Roots, a local online farmers market, to bring healthy, delicious food to our community, to support local farmers and artisans, and to raise money to support the All Night Grad Party for our seniors!
Seasonal Roots is an online farmers market that delivers “dirt to doorstep” to families in Maryland and Virginia. Each week the market offers more than 150 items that are all grown and produced locally, sustainably, and ethically. Market items include fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, baked goods, prepared foods, vegan specialties and more.
As part of this fundraiser for ANGP - new customers can join Seasonal Roots for 50% off the membership fee (a $25 savings!)
PLUS for every new customer who signs up, a $20 donation will be made to South County PTSO! WIN-WIN for everyone! Be sure to use promotional code SOCOANGP at https://www.seasonalroots.com/socoangp.
How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com
All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fairfax Fiesta Fairfax County's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the Fairfax Fiesta, is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., at the PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). The free event, presented by the Fairfax County Government and Celebrate Fairfax!, aims to provide an extraordinary experience for all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about Fairfax Fiesta.
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Constitution Day
Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, is a holiday that recognizes the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and honors all of those who are citizens, as well as those who have become citizens of the United States. It is observed on September 17, the day on which the constitution was adopted in 1787.
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