Mustang Weekly, March 28, 2025

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principal's message

Hello Mustangs,

We have just finished the 3rd quarter, and the school year has flown by. As we enter the 4th quarter, we are excited to announce our new assistant principal. Ms. Jordan Black, current Special Education Co-Department Chair at South County High School, will join our team on April 7, 2025. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Black and thanking Mr. Jones and Ms. Moore for their service as interim assistant principals. As a reminder, principal evaluation feedback is being collected online from March 24 to April 4. Staff and parents/guardians have received unique, single-use email links from @fcpssurvey to provide input on performance standards. Your participation is highly valued. 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 Wednesday.

Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School


jordan

Let's Welcome - 

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Jordan Black to South County Middle School as our new Assistant Principal. Her official start date is April 7, 2025.

Ms. Jordan Black is excited to bring her experience and passion for fostering success and support for both students and staff to South County Middle School as Assistant Principal. Growing up in a military family and living in various locations, Ms. Black developed a profound appreciation for various cultures and backgrounds. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Christopher Newport University and completed a Master of Arts in Education in Special Education and Transition Services from The George Washington University. Additionally, Ms. Black holds a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia.

Ms. Black began her career as a special education teacher at Woodson High School, where she quickly took on various leadership roles. She later continued her work at South County High School, serving as a Special Education Resource Teacher, Special Education Department Co-Chair, and Equity Lead. Additionally, Ms. Black has served as a Great Beginnings Mentor for new teachers in Fairfax County. Through these roles, she has developed a strong commitment to empathetic, transformative leadership, ensuring that students and staff receive the support and resources necessary to succeed and thrive.

With a deep dedication to fostering positive learning environments, Ms. Black is committed to supporting the unique needs of all individuals, collaborating with the community, and cultivating an environment where students and staff alike can reach their fullest potential.

Again, please join me in welcoming Ms. Jordan Black, and we look forward to working with her soon.


Mark Your Calendar

Calendar Reminders

Friday, March 28, is the last day of the third quarter. It is a full day of school. 

Monday, March 31, All FCPS schools and offices are closed for Eid al-Fitr. 

Tuesday, April 1, is a teacher workday and there is no school for students.

🌷 Spring Break

Monday, April 14, to Friday, April 18, is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. 


SIS ParentVUE End-of-Quarter Closure

The gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed for the end of the quarter from Friday, March 28, at 4 p.m. to Monday, April 7, at 6 a.m.

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.

See the complete school year calendar.


Steam

STEAM NIGHT 

Tuesday, April 29

Our family STEAM Night will take place on Tuesday, April 29 from 6 - 7:30 PM where you and your family can participate in stations that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. If you are interested in attending, please complete the form below, so that we can provide the appropriate number of materials for our participants. Click HERE to RSVP for STEAM Night.


SoCo Summer Strings

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 7-18, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (weekdays only). Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day.

You can find more information and register for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Register early to save money and reserve your student’s spot!


 Updated Costs for Chromebook and Chargers

If your students breaks or loses a chromebook or charger the prices have increased from the beginning of the school year.  Here are the NEW Prices effective immediately:

Chromebook: $481

Charger: $25


PTSO Logo

Save the date for our annual Staff VS. Student Volleyball game.  Join us on April 25th!   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


community

Coming Soon: School Start Times Survey

Last year, FCPS held community forums and surveyed middle school families regarding middle school start times. Now, we would like to hear from all staff and families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. The goal remains to begin middle school at 8 a.m. or later at the start of the 2026-27 school year.

On April 1, a survey link will be sent by email to staff, parents/caregivers, and students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open for two weeks and will be available in multiple languages.

⏰ Pronto: Encuesta sobre el Horario de Inicio a la Escuela

El año pasado, las FCPS realizaron reuniones con la comunidad y encuestaron a las familias de estudiantes en escuela intermedia acerca de las horas de inicio de clases.

Ahora, nos gustaría saber qué piensa todo el personal y las familias acerca de la posibilidad de ajustar la hora de inicio de clases, ¡para toda la división! Mantenemos en pie la meta de comenzar las clases de las escuelas intermedias a las 8 a.m. o más tarde, a partir del año escolar 2026-2027.

El 1 de abril se enviará por correo electrónico un enlace a la encuesta al personal, a los padres/cuidadores y a los estudiantes de los grados 5º a 12º. La encuesta confidencial estará abierta durante dos semanas.

 

Our Schools, Our Future – Spring Series 2025: Community and Employee Conversations

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community and Employee Conversations across the school division this spring. These events are a valuable opportunity for you and your communities to share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage directly with Dr. Reid. Your input matters, and we encourage you to participate.

Employee Conversations

These employee conversations are to be regularly shared with your school staff until the last one is complete on May 7, 2025.

Community Conversations – Open to all families from all regions

  • Tuesday, April 1 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Lorton Station Elementary School - Registration coming soon.
  • Monday, April 7 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Greenbriar West Elementary School - Registration coming soon.
  • Monday, April 21 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Mount Eagle Elementary School - Registration coming soon.
  • Wednesday, April 23 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Mason Crest Elementary School - Registration coming soon.

Interpreter services will be provided for all events.

These community conversations are to be regularly promoted in your weekly newsletters, social media, and other communication channels to your families until the last one is complete on April 23, 2025.  Dr. Reid values your communities' input, and we look forward to seeing you at the community conversations.

 

Next Steps in the Budget Process

The next steps in the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process include the School Board presenting the budget to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 22. The Board of Supervisors will then conduct public hearings Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24. Community members can submit testimony or sign up to speak

Visit the county government website to view the Fairfax County FY 2026 Advertised Budget. The community is also invited to complete an online survey to provide feedback on the county’s FY 2026 Advertised Budget. 

Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Budget process

 

☀️ Save the Date for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza

Discover summer learning and activities available in Fairfax County! 

Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning. At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth. 

Activities will include student performances, story time, a moon bounce, and face painting. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage

☀️ Anote en su calendario nuestra “Summer Extravaganza” de las FCPS

¡Descubra cuáles cursos y actividades de verano están disponibles en el Condado de Fairfax!

Acompáñenos en nuestro evento “Summer Extravaganza” o Fiesta de Verano, el sábado 10 de mayo de 10 a.m. a 2:30 p.m., en la Escuela Secundaria Woodson, y salte adelante de las clases de verano. Este evento es gratuito y los asistentes podrán participar en actividades educacionales y enriquecedoras, diseñadas para despertar la curiosidad y propiciar el crecimiento personal.

Entre las actividades planeadas están presentaciones de propios estudiantes, cuentacuentos, castillos inflables y pintacaritas. Para encontrar más información, visite la página web de la Summer Extravaganza

 

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

  • School Start Times Survey
  • Science Fair Winners
  • Celebrating Champion Students and Staff

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

En caso de que se lo haya perdido en FCPS This Week, la división escolar compartió actualizaciones sobre los siguientes temas y otros: 

  • Encuesta sobre las horas de Inicio de Clases
  • Ganadores de la Exposición de Ciencias del Invierno
  • Celebrando a Nuestros Estudiantes y Empleados que salieron Campeones

Lea FCPS Esta Semana para aprender más sobre estos temas. Si aún no recibe este boletín semanal, suscríbase hoy mismo