Important Upcoming Dates
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01/15/2024- Martin Luther King Day (Holiday) No school
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01/15/24-01/21/24- Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week
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01/25/24- End of Second Quarter- Early Release (two-hour)
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01/26/24- Student holiday/Teacher Work Day
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02/05/24-02/09/24- National School Counseling Week
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02/07/2024- Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
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02/15/2024- School Resource Office Appreciation Day
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02/19/2024- Presidents Day (No School)
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02/22/2024- School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
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03/05/2024- Student Holiday- School Planning Day for staff
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03/22/2024- Deadline for Senior Dues
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03/25-03/29- Spring Break
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Dear Amazing SoCo families,
Happy New Year! It’s amazing to write that we are in the year 2024. It’s here, and so are we! I hope this message finds you in high spirits. I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement for what’s coming. In just our first week back, I have so many wonderful Stallion pieces of information to share with you.
School Culture:
On Sunday, December 17, we had 15 students, 4 staff members and three staff spouses/kids attend Wreaths Across America. They were part of 30,000 volunteers to lay 200,000 wreaths. This was an incredible experience and an awesome display volunteerism at its best. Way to go, Stallions!
It’s official! SCHS has earned the 2023 Silver Distinction College Board Advanced Placement Honor Roll. We are one of 17 FCPS high schools to receive this award for our students outstanding performance in AP courses. Our AP program enables students to achieve college credit through access to these college level courses and exams, maximizing their college readiness. I am so proud of our students and staff for reaching this level of recognition.
Congratulations to one of our seniors, Ivan Balakersky, who made the All-Virginia Jazz Band. His hard work and dedication, along with his numerous other outstanding qualities, contributed to him earning this prestigious recognition. While Ivan earned this recognition several weeks ago, we received his official letter of congratulations this week. Way to go, Ivan!
This past week, we also held our second Principal’s Student Advisory Council. Approximately 20 students (not all pictured below) arrived to discuss some very timely topics, including their feedback about recognizing staff for exceptional work, Pep Rallies, and our cell phone and tardy policies. Our students were insightful as they brainstormed solutions to concerns and helped promote positive recognition ideas for both students and staff. Thank you to everyone who attended.
Finally, this week I needed to reschedule our Parent Advisory Council meeting. If you are interested in learning about more details of our overall school operation or have specific questions, please sign up to attend our next meeting on Thursday, Jan. 25. Please sign up here.
Classroom Observations:
I had the pleasure of observing three classes this week. They were from different departments, but they had several things in common: engaging lessons, students worked in teams, and students had fun! Here are more details.
- Ms. Terry’s Sports Entertainment class worked on group projects to create new fantasy football teams. They had to include details about such things as the stadium design, security plan for the stadium, a team store, and justification statement for why someone should invest in their team. Wow! What a great project! It’s great to see students working in teams as they stretch their creativity. I can’t wait to see the presentations, which are scheduled in later in the middle of this month.
- Mr. Mason had a wonderful class about the Haitian revolution. As he delivered his presentation, I found myself so enthralled that I felt like one of his students. I was truly learning THAT much! In groups, students worked on interpreting Haitian artwork that represented this slave revolution. I sat with three of our brightest students, and we had rich discussions about different pieces of art and what they meant to us. Students worked collaboratively as they answered questions that were posted on a Google doc. I left this class with a huge smile on my face, as I was very proud of how the students responded to this very engaging lesson. Way to go, Mr. Mason!
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- Ms. Veiga-Nielsen and her English 10 students participated in a great lesson that worked on their academic vocabulary. Through a variety of academic exercises, students were able to learn various terms and apply them in personal stories that they wrote about.
Also, while it wasn’t a typical classroom lesson, I had the joy of stumbling upon a very unique project that Mr. Crichton and his students were engaged with in the hallway. Students were learning about gravity by testing foam projectiles being sent out at varying angles. I love this level of creativity and energy that this class of students and Mr. Crichton brought to learning!
Special Opportunity for Parents and Students:
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Conversation to Raise Awareness of Fentanyl and Other Drugs In this video, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid interviews the Fosters, a family who tragically lost their son Cayden to a half pill of fentanyl mistaken for Percocet. This heart-wrenching yet eye-opening video of their experience is essential to raise awareness among parents/caregivers and students about the dangers of fake painkillers.
Please join Dr. Reid on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Edison High School for a community conversation about opioid awareness. You may register to attend. However, registration is not required; it is simply for space considerations.
The evening’s program is appropriate for parents/caregivers and students in grades 6-12. All attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
FCPS’ website also has resources to help you to start the conversation and additional support for families struggling with substance misuse.
I’d like to close by reiterating how proud I am to serve as your principal. The true joy of my day is having the opportunity to work with and help our students. As parents, your ongoing support and involvement are the heartbeat of our school community. Here’s to a year filled with shared successes, joyful moments, and the continued growth of our incredible Stallion students!
Warm regards,
Kambar
#OneStallion
Together As One!
Senior Dues are $100 and help to cover the costs of Graduation and are due by March 22.
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.
A New Year to Reset & Restart
In December, many people will begin to reflect on the year that has passed and begin planning differences for the upcoming year. The fresh feeling of a new year to make changes that may improve our lives can be exciting, scary, and necessary. When thinking of your goals consider making them SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound), this method breaks goals down and makes it easier to track progress. It is helpful to share your goals with your child to show them examples of healthy adult actions. Demonstrating how to look within and figure out how to make things better teaches children how to manage stress in a healthy manner. What regular coping skills can be implemented into your daily/weekly routine? Common categories are physical, career, spiritual, financial, or emotional. Think about creating normal times to have important conversations such as during a family dinner. Set time dedicated to bonding, sharing, and securing connection is often missing in the busyness of life.
Research has shown that family therapy is the best treatment option for young people who misuse drugs and alcohol (SAMHSA). Many people use drugs to manage life’s hardships when they feel disconnected from themselves or others. The opposite of addiction is connection, and young people benefit from connection within their families. Families with a mission based on openness, growth, and collective health instead of secrecy and silence thrive. Families teach young people how to navigate challenges when members are open, honest, and approachable. Learning how to manage stress early in life may be a major factor in whether or not a young person decides to use drugs.
For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.
Sources & Resources
Why Small Conversations Make a Big Difference
SMART Goals Quick Overview
Knowing the Signs: Substance Abuse & Today’s Youth
For further information & support:
Catric W. Marshall, MS., LPC., CCC
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
cwhaleymarsh@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.
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
 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*
Awareness Month
Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.
Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.
All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.
FCPS’ MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Please contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at mmacdonald@fcps.edu.
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Orthodox Christmas
Many Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the son of God. Learn more facts about Christmas from National Geographic Kids.
Quarter End, Early Release and Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day
Quarter End, Early Release, and Student Holiday Thursday, January 25,is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Friday, January 26, for a teacher work day. See the complete school year calendar.
South County ATHLETICS
Important SoCo and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
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