Winter Break (Student Holiday)
As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.
Important Upcoming Dates
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12/23-01/03- Winter Break (No School)
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12/25/24- Christmas
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12/25/24- Chanukah
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01/01/25- New Year's Day
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01/06/25- Three Kings Day/Epiphany
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01/07/25- Orthodox Christmas
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01/09/25- 7:00pm- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
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01/19/25- Orthodox Epiphany
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01/20/25- Martin Luther King Day Holiday/ Inauguration Day (Holiday)
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01/28/25- Quarter End
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01/29/25- Lunar New Year (Teacher Work Day)- Student Holiday
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02/11/25- 7:00pm- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
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02/17/25- Washington’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day (Holiday)
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04/07/25 7:00pm- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
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06/04/25- 7:00pm- Class of 2025 Graduation (Eagle Bank)
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Warm Greetings, SoCo Nation!
As we prepare to close the doors on 2024 and head into the well-deserved Winter Break, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible first half of this school year. From academic achievements to unforgettable performances, athletic victories, and meaningful community connections, our Stallion family has so much to be proud of. Thank you for your unwavering support, partnership, and dedication to making South County High a place where students thrive. As we step into this season of rest and renewal, I wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday and a bright start to the New Year!
Student and Staff Belonging
Congratulations to our five staff award winners, as voted on by students, parents, and staff:
Outstanding Leader – Jeremiah Caven Jeremiah demonstrates dedication, decisiveness, and a dynamic vision that inspires everyone he leads. With Jeremiah at the helm, our school is always "Caven" the way for progress and excellence.
Outstanding Operational Staff – Brandon Cameron Brandon brings boldness, brilliance, and boundless energy to every task, ensuring our school runs smoothly day in and day out. Brandon's work keeps our operations on track—he’s truly the "Cam" that powers our engine!
Professional of the Year – Allison Omohundro Allison exudes enthusiasm, expertise, and excellence, setting a shining example for professionalism in every interaction. With Allison, we know the sky’s the limit—she’s the “All” we could ever ask for!
Teacher of the Year – Erin Ruddy Erin brings energy, empathy, and enlightenment to every yoga session, creating a serene space for students to grow in both mind and body. With Erin, our students find their flow—she’s truly a pose above the rest!
New Teacher of the Year – Renjini Dipukumar Renjini is a force of nature, using precision, passion, and creativity to make physics come alive for her students. In Renjini’s class, it’s not just physics—it’s fizz-ics, as she electrifies learning every day!
Hoops and Glory: Stallions Triumph!
The energy was electric in Friday night's thrilling basketball showdown against Lake Braddock! It was a battle of grit and determination, with every play showcasing the physicality and heart of the game. Our Stallions rose to the occasion, displaying impeccable teamwork, refined technique, and relentless effort to clinch a hard-fought victory. With a final score of 53-44, the Stallions proved their mettle and made us all proud. Way to go, Stallions—what a performance!
School Culture
PAC to Go: Flexibility for Families:
Our next PAC meeting is Jan. 15 and will be asynchronous. I’ve heard from several parents that they’d like to participate but have scheduling conflicts with the days of the week and times of our meetings. This is the first time we are trying this format, so I hope it’s a method that works well for the majority of parents interested in giving and receiving feedback. A sign-up sheet will be provided in the first January newsletter.
Dancing to Victory: SoCo Shines with Placing Wins!
Our incredible SoCo Dance Team hit the stage last weekend and made history at the Dance Team Union Regional Competition! They brought home 2nd place in Jazz, 3rd in Pom, and 2nd in GameDay—the highest placements in our program's history! Way to shine, SoCo Dancers!
Stallions Supporting Stallions
Our DECA students are determined to make SoCo a welcoming and wonderful home for all Stallions! This week, the Mentality of Athletes subcommittee stepped up with passion and purpose, creating interactive and inspiring posters for their peers. Each poster invites Stallions to grab a "post-it pick-me-up," offering positivity and encouragement for any challenge they face. With student leaders like these lighting the way, isn’t it great to be part of the SoCo sensation?
Choice, Cheer, and Champions: A Day of SoCo Fun!
This past week, our students had a blast on Advisory Choice Day, where they were given a variety of exciting and fun-filled options to choose from! Whether they were getting their hands messy making slime, competing in an epic basketball game against our amazing staff, or dancing to Hispanic music, the day was all about choice, creativity, and community. It was a fantastic way to let our Stallions explore new interests and bond with one another—proving once again that at SoCo, there’s always something for everyone to enjoy! Go Stallions!
Deck the Halls, Stallion Style!
This year, our SoCo students and staff came together for a festive and creative holiday tradition—decorating doors! From winter wonderlands to vibrant holiday themes, the hallways were transformed into a dazzling display of holiday cheer. It was incredible to see the teamwork, creativity, and school spirit as everyone chipped in to make our school feel even more festive. Whether they were crafting, coloring, or adding their personal touches, it was clear that SoCo knows how to spread holiday joy in style! Happy holidays, Stallions!
Step Team, Stallions: Hard Work Pays Off!
Our Step team has been putting in hours of hard work after school, perfecting their routines and pushing themselves to be the best they can be. In this picture, you can see them taking a well-earned break after giving their all in practice. These dedicated students pour their energy and passion into every move, ensuring they represent our SoCo community with pride and talent. Their commitment to excellence is truly inspiring, and we can't wait to see them shine! Keep stepping, Stallions!
Stallions Supporting Each Other’s Well-Being
This year, we're excited to introduce our new club, Mind Matters, where students are taking the lead in raising mental health awareness and providing valuable resources to support one another. These student leaders are carving new paths and creating a safe space for their peers, ensuring that everyone has the tools and support they need to thrive. We are so proud of their dedication to making a difference and fostering a culture of care and compassion here at SoCo! 🌟💙
A Sweet Exchange!
Our staff brought their best to the Cookie Exchange, creating a fun and positive environment where everyone could enjoy some sweet treats and great company. It’s always wonderful to see our team spending quality time together, and adding cookies to the mix really was the "cherry on top"—or should we say, the "chip off the old block"!
Holidays in Harmony: Latin Caroling for the Season!
Our Latin students brought extra holiday cheer to the office staff by serenading them with some classic holiday songs—sung in Latin! It was a festive and unique treat, spreading joy and culture through beautiful melodies. What a delightful way to celebrate the season and share the spirit of the holidays! A big thank you to Ms. Moshos and her talented Latin students for spreading holiday cheer with their beautiful performances!
Staff Spotlight:
Kim Sholtis has been a valued member of SoCo for many years, contributing to our community with her 22 years of teaching experience. Her path to education was unexpected—she discovered her passion for teaching while pursuing a Master's program that required classroom experience. As the current World Language Department Chair, Ms. Sholtis has shown remarkable leadership and dedication to her team. SoCo is truly special because of the heart and commitment that teachers like Ms. Sholtis bring to our school every day. Thank you for being an integral part of our amazing Stallion family, Ms. Sholtis!
Club Corner:
The Dungeons and Dragons Club provides a creative outlet for students to express themselves through engaging role-playing games. Club members enjoy playing and running a variety of games, including Dungeons and Dragons, Shadowrun, Pathfinder, and even original games they’ve designed themselves. If your student dreams of adventuring in worlds like Arcane, Vox Machina, Lord of the Rings, or any other fantasy or science fiction setting, this club might be a perfect fit!
The club meets every Tuesday from 3:00–4:00 PM in Room B-232. For more information, contact Sean McCormally at spmccormally@fcps.edu or Graham Beaber at grbeaber@fcps.edu.
Spotlight: Days of Joy.
Featured Artist of the Month: Kaylee This month’s Featured Artist is Kaylee, whose focus, talent, and creativity have set her apart. Her unique artistic process reflects both adaptability and determination, making her work truly exceptional. Kaylee’s outstanding artwork has earned a permanent place in our prestigious gold frame, reserved for remarkable and memorable student creations. You can admire her piece proudly displayed in the upstairs art gallery.
Featured Artists are chosen for their dedication, creativity, and inspiring contributions to our art program. Congratulations, Kaylee, on this well-deserved honor!
As we wrap up this year, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for being an essential part of our SoCo community. Your dedication, kindness, and support make our school truly special. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season filled with peace, laughter, and cherished memories. Here’s to a bright and successful New Year ahead—see you Standing Strong in 2025!
Kambar
#StandStrong
Parents of Current 10th graders,
South County will be hosting 4 sessions of PSTD - Partners for Safe Teen Driving this school year. If your student is currently enrolled in HPE 10 it is mandatory that they attend ONE of the sessions with a parent/guardian. The session dates are as follows: Jan 9, 2025, Feb. 11, 2025 and April 7, 2025. The presentations are held in the auditorium and begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:45 and lock at 7:00 p.m. – no late arrivals permitted.
Presentations last approximately 90 minutes.
Any questions please reach out to Maureen Saale- mgsaale@fcps.edu
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 (and places their first order), 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.
Get Your ANGP Ticket Today!
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a graduating senior? 🎁 Give them a night to remember!
Your ANGP ticket ensures an evening packed with fun activities, including:
Photo Booth 📸
Cash Giveaways 💵
Casino & DJ 🎶
Obstacle Course & Bull Riding 🐂
Video Games 🎮
Lots of Food 🍕🍔
Plus, it’s the Last Stampede with friends — the perfect way to celebrate and make lasting memories!
Purchase by December 20, 2024, to be entered into a raffle for a $300 gift card and Spa Basket from Dansk in Occoquan!
Don’t wait! Ticket prices increase in January 2025, so grab yours now and lock in the savings!
We are excited to announce that parents are now able to enter ONLY full day absences through ParentVue.
Please be sure to specify in the notes the reason for the absence. If you have to report a late arrival, early release or an absence longer than 2 days, please call or email the attendance office at 703-446-1625 or southcountyhigh.attendance@fcps.edu. Thank you!
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*
South County ATHLETICS
Important SoCo and FCPS Resources
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