Important Upcoming Dates
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Happy October, SoCo family!
I hope all of you are looking forward to this Fall season as much as I am. We’re in a unique position of the year, as the weather continues to fluctuate. Wednesday morning, it was 60 degrees when I drove into work, and by the late morning when the senior class walked to the stadium to take their pictures, it was in the low- to mid-80’s. While the weather may be up and down, we had a steady “temperature” inside the building with tons of activities and recognitions. I’ll apologize now for the length of this week’s newsletter, but there’s so much going on and I wanted you to be informed. Believe it or not, there are still other events that I couldn’t get to! I’m writing this newsletter Friday afternoon before the game, so I’ll include information about that game and our Homecoming dance in next week’s letter. In any case, let’s get to it!
SoCo students participated in the 1000 Global Guitar Ensemble as part of the World Culture Festival on the National Mall in Washington DC last Friday, September 29. Seventeen students travelled to Washington, DC to take part in this unique opportunity, organized by the SCHS guitar teacher, Mr. Kieley. The students played two songs, “All You Need is Love” by the Beatles and “We are One” by Micki Free. The World Cultural Festival is one of the world's biggest celebrations with an audience from over 180 countries showcasing our shared humanity and rich cultural diversity. The 1000 Global Guitar Ensemble was one of several performances that happened during this 3-day festival and was featured as a headliner opening act. SCHS has a wonderful guitar program with many opportunities for students to learn to perform in different platforms. Here’s the link for those of you who want to see how well our students performed. Go to the 2:16:28 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syi95i_pLnA
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As many of you know, this was Homecoming week, and we had great celebrations each day. Here are just a few of the many ways our students and staff enjoyed the decorations and the various days.
We also enjoyed celebrating our Custodian Appreciation week. This team of Stallions are often working behind the scenes to ensure we have a clean, professional environment for our teachers to teach and our students to learn.
Monday morning, we held our first Principal’s Student Advisory Council of the year. They did a wonderful job of sharing ideas and solutions for how we can continue making the SoCo experience the very best it can be for students.
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At one point, we reviewed concerns they had, and one that we spent time on was the student parking lot and how adults drive in it. On behalf of that group, I want to give our parents some reminders about dropping students off in the student lot. First, please refrain from dropping students off in the middle of the lanes. We have two designated Kiss and Ride locations, so we appreciate you using them. Second, please refrain from either using student spaces as drop off locations or pulling through student spaces to turn into the next lane. Both situations cause traffic problems and potential accidents. Remember that our students are beginning drivers, so we need to model proper driving techniques to them and for them. Your cooperation with these guidelines are VERY appreciated.
A special shout-out goes to Ms. Hicks, who updated our front garden area on her own time. The area looks so much more colorful and beautiful. Way to go, Ms. Hicks!
At mid-week, I had a great classroom observation with Mr. Chiprut! His lesson on royal bloodlines was phenomenal! Mr. Chiprut is a master teacher with incorporating videos, collaborative learning opportunities for students, and giving students meaningful and positive feedback. It’s no wonder why so many students identify him as their trusted adult; he’s the kind of person students want to see when they’re struggling or need advice. We’re proud of you, Chip!
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One of my favorite things to do during the week is visit Collaborative Team meetings. These are meetings between teachers who teach the same subject. This week, I had the pleasure of attending the Biology and Algebra 2 Honors CT meetings. During our time together, the Biology teachers discussed the students’ grades from a recent test, including an analysis of each item of that assessment. They continued with a passionate and enlightening discussion about upcoming projects and the pace of the classes. The Algebra 2 CT worked hard on developing an upcoming test and discussing how the items would be graded. These CT’s have “class” in every sense of the term!
At mid-week, we held our Senior Class assembly. Who loves free spirit wear? I know our seniors do! Check out these pictures and notice the shirts inside the red circles! That must be some talented photographer to catch those action shots! 😉 The seniors also learned important information about class dues, dates for upcoming events, and even had a chance to take a class picture in the stadium.
Also, during mid-week, I had the chance to meet with our parents who attended our first Parent Advisory Councill meeting of the year. I shared information from our Student Advisory meeting, as well as getting their feedback on various topics about what makes SoCo such a special place for students and adults. It meant the world to me that these parents donated their time so generously to give back to our school. A special thanks to all of you who were able to attend!
Our Boys Volleyball Club played Wednesday night vs. Langley High School. To say that our team was dominating would be an understatement! They played nearly flawlessly! Their serves, passes, and spikes left the crowd “ohh-ing” throughout the night. My favorite part is when we served an ace, and three different sections yelled out “ACE!” in succession. I left that night thinking, “I can’t wait to see them again!” They were that inspiring!
As I was monitoring the halls Thursday afternoon before the parade, I lucked into finding the Elder’s Outreach Club preparing Halloween cards for our elderly community members. How cool is it to see today’s youth recognizing and honoring our most senior citizens? I couldn’t be any prouder of them!
Speaking of the parade, we had the BEST time! The SoCo spirit was alive and on full display, as you can see below! The parade started off with our ultra-talented Band, followed by 16 other organizations.
That evening I had the chance to see the entire Freshmen game and first few minutes of the JV Field Hockey games. I’m always impressed with the level of athleticism and toughness of field hockey players. They have very little safety gear on them as they run up and down the field and keep control of the ball. Admittedly, I cringe every time I see that ball hit a player. It’s has to be a massive amount of pain that these athletes endure. I hope ALL of our athletes remember that the numbers on the scoreboard don’t always reflect effort. We played hard Thursday night, and that’s why I’m so proud of these Stallions!
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Lastly, we had a fantastic Pep Rally on Friday afternoon! Approximately 2200 students brought their positive energy together as we celebrated this past week, while honoring all of our Fall athletes, musicians, and other talented Stallions. From the Cheerleader pyramid to Hungry-Hungry-Hippo to the Football players performing a dance routine with our SoCo Dance team to so much more, we had a FANTASTIC time!
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Kambar
#OneStallion
Together As One!
 Phone: 703-446-1625
OPTION 1- ALL DAY ABSENCE
OPTION 2- LATE ARRIVAL
OPTION 3- EARLY RELEASE
(CALL OR EMAIL FIRST THING IN THE MORNING TO REPORT EARLY RELEASE)
- Handwritten notes are acceptable*
- Call/email/note must come from parent/guardian, NOT the student*
- Please always leave a message, they are checked constantly*
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.
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.
The South County High School All Night Graduation Party (ANGP) Committee has secured a year long (school year) fundraiser with our local Papa John's! EVERY Thursday from now until June, if you use the coupon Code SCSS4010, you will get 40% off your order and the ANGP will get 10% of all sales. This is for our local Papa John's only (Off Silverbrook Rd).
So save this coupon code and use it every Thursday you are in the mood for Pizza! This is a great way to support our local Papa John's AND support the ANGP at the same time!
Enjoy!
Your ANGP Planning Committee
Fall Sports Concession Stand Sign-Up
Fall Sports are underway and we need your help! In order for us to keep our concession stand up and running we need volunteers to assist us on game nights. The revenue generated through concession serves as the SCHS Athletic Booster Club's primary source of funding. The money earned goes right back to the sports teams to cover the costs of equipment, uniforms, and field maintenance! Any family can volunteer! You do not need to have a student participating in Fall Sports to make an impact! Visit the link below or the QR code and consider helping us out one night! You're assistance is greatly appreciated.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B48ABAB22A5FD0-20231
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The South County Police Station and Animal Shelter (SCPSAS) will official open Saturday, October 28th.
To commemorate this day, we are planning an Open House Celebration in conjunction with the Building Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
In attendance at the Ribbon Cutting ceremony will be the Chief of Police, command level officers, the County Executive , the Board Supervisors, Senator(s), Congressmen, and other County Officials.
This event will be highly publicized and covered by both the County and Police Department Public Affairs Offices.
I also expect other various news organizations (Connection News Paper, Washington Post, etc.) to cover the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will begin at 10:00 AM; followed by the Police Department and Animal Shelter Open House from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
At that time, the Police Department and Animal Shelter will invite the Lorton Community into the new facility where we intend to stage the back station parking lot with a host of police, fire, and INOVA displays, along with the shelter pet adoption, therapy dogs, and many other vendors who will be provide entertainment, games, and food for the attending community parents and their children.
Awareness Month
National School Principals Month
Each October, National Principals Month recognizes the essential role that principals play in making a school great.
Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. Principals set the academic tone for their schools, and it is their vision, dedication, and determination that provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success. Each October, NASSP, NAESP, and AFSA seek to honor these unsung heroes for their tireless efforts in pursuit of excellence in education.
National Principals Month is a widely recognized celebration of the principalship, marked by national and state resolutions supporting the event, as well as acknowledgements from U.S. Senators and Representatives, and top government officials. However, the most important National Principals Month celebrations are the ones that take place in schools and communities across the country.
See National School Principals Month.
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Disability History and Awareness Month
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
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LGBTQIA+ History Month
LGBTQIA+ History Month is recognized in October nationwide. We acknowledge and celebrate that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are an integral component of our nation. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
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Free Covid-19 Tests
Every U.S. household can place an order for four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.
You can review the health and safety guidance for schools to stay up to date on the best ways to prevent the spread of disease.
South County ATHLETICS
Important SoCo and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
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