|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
 Hello Mustangs,
It has been another great week at South County Middle School. This week, we want to remind our community about our Kiss & Ride protocols. Please follow our staff’s directions and pull forward in the Drop Off Zone. For quick drop-offs, have students ready to exit promptly. Remember, we maintain one continuous line, so please be patient as students unload. After, turn right onto Laurel Crest Drive and proceed to the traffic circle. Please do not make a U-turn, as this creates an unsafe situation for our students and drivers. Thank you for helping us ensure everyone’s safety. Our School Resource Officer, Officer Woodward, will be present to assist each morning as well. As always, thank you for all you do, and please contact us to share any feedback, questions, or concerns. Enjoy your weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.
Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School
Ramadan Prayer & Reflection Accommodations
As in previous years, students will need parent/guardian permission to use the prayer room during instructional time. During Ramadan (Feb. 28–March 29), the designated prayer space (B106 – Orchestra Room) will be available at the following times:
- March 3–7: 12:25–1:45 PM
- March 10–28: 1:20–1:40 PM
Additionally, families may request that their child spend lunch in the library as an alternative to the cafeteria. Parent/guardian permission is required, and teachers will be informed of participating students.
To sign up, please complete the form linked below. For any questions, contact Jenny Payne, Director of Student Services, at japayne2@fcps.edu.
Meditation and Silent Reflection Sign-up
Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28
Thanks to a new program from the Virginia Department of Education, students who are fasting during the school day between February 28 and March 28 can now take school meal kits home at the end of the day.Families will need to fill out a weekly Fasting Meals Request Form for their child or children to receive school meal kits. A separate form must be filled out for each week and each student.To receive meal kits for Friday, February 28, and the week of March 3, please submit the first request form by Monday, February 24. Visit the FNS webpage for more information, including weekly request forms and deadlines.
Middle School Transition Fair
Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services.
March 12, 2025 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Luther Jackson Middle School 3020 Gallows Road Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school!
It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. We want to help you start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult. Ensuring postsecondary success of our students with disabilities is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
You will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of representatives from CTS programs and services for students with disabilities, as well as learn about short and long-term postsecondary supports, employment, postsecondary education considerations, Supported Decision Making, and student self-determination as an evidence-based predictor of post school success.
This event also includes two speakers who will discuss IEP transition planning, special education services, and postsecondary options for younger students as they navigate FCPS and plan for their future. A questions/answer session will follow.
Click here to register
Summer 2025 Online Campus Courses
Registration for the Summer 2025 Online Campus courses started Friday, February 14, 2025, and ends Friday, June 6, 2025. Courses are open to middle and high school students who meet prerequisites.
Courses may be cancelled if they are under-enrolled. If a course is cancelled, students will be notified using the registration contact information and a full refund will be given.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s school counselor.
Weekly Math SOL Reviews
Students have recently started completing weekly SOL Review assignments for their math classes. Here is some key information:
- Students are permitted to use their notes, slides and information posted in Schoology, Mathspace textbook and practice questions, and other resources used in class. Students may also ask for teacher support in seminar or after school office hours. They may not collaborate with other students.
- Each review will count as a formative assignment. These assignments are in Mathspace and students should use retries before submitting their task.
Due dates and more detailed information is posted in your student’s Schoology course. Thanks for your support at home!
|
General Membership Meeting
Our next General Membership meeting will be held on February 26th at 7pm in the front office or you can also join us on Zoom with this link - . Membership Meeting
Staff vs Student Basketball Game
It is almost time for our annual Staff VS. Student Basketball game. Join us on March 7th! More details coming soon about tryouts. Doors open at 6PM, game starts at 6:30PM. Concessions will be available for purchase. Tickets purchased in advance will include a free drink. Tickets can be purchased here
Board Members for 2025/26 School Year
We are currently looking for volunteers to fill three board positions for next year. If this is something you are interested in, please contact us at info@mustangptso.org
Box Tops For Education
Remember to think of South County Middle School when you do your shopping. Remember all you have to do is scan your receipt in the app and select SCMS as your school of choice. Every little bit helps!
Pizza Tuesday
Help Support us on Tuesdays by ordering pizza from Papa Johns and you will get a discount too!
Order online from the Fairfax Station Papa Johns on Silverbrook and use promo code SCMS4010
 Breaking Down the Budget: Supporting Academic Growth and Algebra by Eighth Grade
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
Since the 2023-24 school year, FCPS has seen a 9.5% increase in eighth graders taking Algebra I or more advanced math and a 6.8% increase in fifth graders in advanced math.
Studies show that students who complete algebra in middle school have more opportunities to take advanced math and science courses in high school. This can open up new academic paths for students! Watch a video that shows why eighth grade algebra matters.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Proposed Budget.
Become Unskippable: Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens About Fentanyl
Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. But young people die from fentanyl overdoses in Fairfax County each year — so it's important to have short, impactful talks with your teen, whether or not you think they’re at risk.
As a parent or caregiver, you have the power to become “unskippable” and talk with your teen in a way they will listen.
See our tips for talking with your teen about fentanyl and other difficult subjects. Watch this video to learn more about becoming unskippable.
Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra learning resources. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
- In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Middle School Start Times
- New Lunch Items
- Talking to Teens About Tough Topics
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
|
