Important Upcoming Dates
-
11/12/2023- Diwali
-
11/13-11/17- American Education Week
-
11/13-11/17- Geography Awareness Week
-
11/16, 17, 18- 7:00 p.m: Much Ado About Nothing
-
11/18/2023 2:00 p.m- Much Ado About Nothing
-
11/22-11/24- Holiday(Thanksgiving Break) School and Office will be closed.
-
11/29/2023- Fairfax County Youth Survey
-
05/01/2024- Deadline for Senior Dues
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Happy Veteran’s Day Weekend!
Even though this was a shorten week (due to the Staff Development and Election days), we crammed a week’s worth of memories into three days! Let’s get to it.
The week with students started on Wednesday morning, as Avery Spinello-Branch and Lilly Barry signed athletic scholarships with their respective universities. It’s always a highlight to see our students earning such prestigious recognitions, and Avery and Lilly are the first two that I have attended this year. Way to go, Stallions!
Due to recent leaks we had in our building, I spent part of my morning on Wednesday on the roof. One of our most valued custodians, Flor, showed me around from atop the school building. In my 27-year career, I never had that experience! Flor is an exceptional teacher, and I truly have a new perspective, literally and figuratively, on leading SoCo.
I recently attended training that recommended for principals to have a “balcony view” of leadership, meaning that we need to see the big picture as we continue managing and leading the day-to-day activities. Flor, thank you for helping me understand the term, balcony view, in a whole new light!
This week I was able to spend some time with our English 12 Collaborative Team. They did a fantastic job of not only discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the writing samples they collected from students, but we had a great discussion about the need for us to have similar discussions with the earlier grade levels. In educational terms, we often refer to this as “vertical articulation”, whereby teachers within a department who teach different grade levels have the chance to discuss the needs of students as they progress from one grade level to another. More than the content, I was impressed with the amount of collaboration and “free flow” of ideas that I witnessed.
On Wednesday and Thursday, I also had the chance to run my first sessions of Cookies with Khoshaba. This is a time I set aside to have 15-minute conversations one-on-one with staff. During these meetings, staff can share something personal or professional that they want me to know. Our SoCo staff truly allow themselves to be vulnerable during these sessions, and we often create special bonds between us as we have conversations about topics that would be difficult to have in the hallways. I appreciate everyone who took the time and chance to share a cookie and a conversation with me!
Friday was a day packed with so many wonderful celebrations. We started the day with our Veteran’s Day salute. Mrs. Ohlmeyer organized a very dignified ceremony, which saw our JROTC students begin with the raising of our country’s flag, followed by a student-led prayer and singing of our national anthem by our Choral students. It was nice to see so many community members and parents join us for this event, and when each branch’s anthem was played, veterans were able to sing along with pride. During her speech, Mrs. Ohlmeyer referenced the Veteran’s Wall that is on display near our auditorium, so I’m including a picture of it in this section. I am proud of everyone in attendance for celebrating this most special of holidays in such a respectful and respectable manner.
 |
Friday morning, I had the chance to observe our current Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Baker. I know she was featured last week for her outstanding work with celebrating the National French Week, but this week’s instructional spotlight is more about her work as a French teacher. Madame Baker does an incredible job setting a nurturing classroom environment by greeting her students by name as they enter her class, using engaging instructional strategies to help students learn French, and showing true care for them. I took pictures of projects students completed that display their appreciation for the French culture. Way to go, Mrs. Baker!
 |
All day Friday, we trained over 50 students to become Peer Leaders in Sources of Strength, a best practice youth mental health promotion designed to harness the power of peer social networks to create healthy norms and culture. Led by our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Tolan, the mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent adverse outcomes by increasing wellbeing, help-seeking, resiliency, healthy coping, and belonging. Sources of Strength moves beyond the singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach for youth mental health. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support, or protective factors, for young people so that when times get hard, they have strengths to rely on. Stay tuned with what these Peer Leaders do this year!
 |
For those who attended, Friday night’s football game versus West Potomac was a real nail-biter until the very end of the game. With less than a minute left on the clock, we were winning 22-18 but West Potomac was at their five-yard line. Our defense was strong and fierce though, and there was no way they were letting anyone grab one more yard. Way to go, Stallion Football! This Friday, we are playing at home versus Fairfax High School starting at 7:00PM.
This week saw two great accomplishments occur for our Stallions. First, on Saturday afternoon, we crowned a new State Champion! Nayan Kasperowski broke the course record with a time of 15:09 on his way to capturing the 6A Cross Country State title. Being number one in the State is a rare feat, to say the least. Nayan has brought great honor to himself, his family, and our entire school community. Way to go, Nayan!
Secondly, special congratulations go out to the DECA team at SoCo, and in particular, the following students for placing at the District Competition on Monday! We had 19 qualify for our State Competition in March!
1st Place Overall
Peyton Tran - Selling
Samson Boyd - Entrepreneurship
Maya Martinos - Hotel & Lodging
Ava Ellis - Marketing Communications
Kate Stafford - Quick Service Restaurant
Eden Fikru- Retail Merchandising
Dominic Zakar - Sports & Entertainment
2nd Place Overall
Payton Boateng - Social Media
Shreya Soni - Principles of Hospitality/Tourism
Meera Jariwala - Food Services Marketing
Reese Brodrick- Hotel & Lodging
Hannah Diep - Marketing Communications
3rd Place Overall
Ian Lee - Automotive Services Marketing
Jada Wallace - Business Finance
Annabelle Logan - Business Services Marketing
Ayaan Shaikh - Entrepreneurship
Olivia Harris - Restaurant/Food Service Marketing
4th Place Overall
Akaysha Higdon - Principles of Business Management
Sofia Cook - Retail Merchandising
That’s it for this week. Have a relaxing weekend!
Kambar
#OneStallion
Together As One!
Due to our high volume of absences during the holiday season, we would like to encourage our families to submit any absence, early dismissal, and/or late arrival no later than Thursday Nov 16, 2023 by 2:00pm.
Requests submitted after Friday Nov 17, 2023 may delay early dismissal.
We highly encourage our families to submit these requests as soon as possible.
You may report attendance by:
Calling our attendance line: 703-446-1625
Option 1- All Day Absence
Option 2- Late Arrival
Option 3- Early Release
or Email: SouthCountyHigh.Attendance@fcps.edu
Note: Messages are checked constantly throughout the day. If you report your students absence ON that Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving, please know that our phone lines/emails will be extremely backed up and you may get the automatic robo call since we will not be able to get everything put in before 9am when that call goes out. However, be assured, we will get them put in the system as fast as we possibly can. Please DO NOT call/email again if you know you have already done so.
The Fairfax County Youth Survey will be administered to all 10th & 12th grade students during Advisory on Wednesday, November 29th. You may review the survey here. If you would like to opt-out your child, please return the opt-out form to the main office or email it to Raven Turner at rturner@fcps.edu.
See Attached Parent Letter
Senior Dues are $100 and help to cover the costs of Graduation and are due by May 1.
The easiest way to pay is through My School Bucks.
Cash or checks are also accepted and can be made out to South County High School and can be given to Mr. Kingston in A125 or Mrs. Hill in Room A119.
Senior Dues need to be paid in order for students to attend prom or the Senior trip to King’s Dominion, or Graduation.
From the Testing Office
10th and 11th grade students can now access their PSAT/ NMSQT scores in the College Board website. Students were presented a lesson in Advisory on Friday with details regarding scores and their meaning. Students can access the information from the PSAT Scores presentation via Schoology through this link. For additional questions, please contact Chris Bird, PSAT Coordinator, at cwbird@fcps.edu.
Theatre Arts Department
The South County High School Theatre Arts Department is proud to present Much Ado About Nothing.
Tickets are available at schstheatre.com or directly at this link. Young lovers Hero and Claudio and proud singletons Beatrice and Benedick have their limits tested like never before in a wild mix of games, pranks and mischievous plots. Set in a 1970's discotech, we guarantee this classic Shakespeare comedy will be a fun, new take that has you dancing in your seat!
Come get groovy with us on November 16, 17, 18 at 7 pm and November 18 at 2 pm.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Molly Rumberger at mdrumberger@fcps.edu.
FOOD FOR NEIGHBORS PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHS
This holiday season, let's come together to make a difference in the lives of food-insecure students in our community. Food For Neighbors plans to provide local families with Holiday Meals at Thanksgiving. Visit the FFN website today and learn how you can help students and their families experience the joy of gathering for a holiday meal. Every $50 donation provides a meal for a family. Your generosity can make a world of difference for local students!
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 Lorton Holiday Extravaganza & Craft Show
It’s time to spread the word…The South County PTSO is in of Student and Parent Volunteers to distribute flyers promoting the 18th Annual Lorton Holiday Extravaganza & Craft Show. Please, take a moment to check out our sign-up genius and see if you could spare an hour or two!
All students will receive volunteer credits. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0949ACAF2BAAFD0-45077117-publicity
The PTSO is collecting gently used books of all types for the Santa’s Book Emporium.
Books may be dropped off in the bins at Entrance 1 at SCHS or if are unable to get them to the school you may email SCHSCraftShow@gmail.com and arrange to pick them up!
Save this code SCSS4010
EVERY Thursday from now until Jun 2024 Papa John's is supporting a restaurant night to support the ANGP.
We raised $70+ in Sep. Let's keep the momentum
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
Diwali- Nov 12
Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate this day and the victory of light over darkness. This year's Diwali artwork was created by Chantilly High School student Rijuta D. as part of the FCPS Observance Design Challenge for Students.
|
American Education Week- Nov 13-17
For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our South County High School community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.
|
Awareness Month
National Career Development Month
By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.
|
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
|
National Family Engagement Month
This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success.
FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.
|
South County ATHLETICS
 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*
Important SoCo and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
Quick Links
|
Email: 