Weekly News From South County High School

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Attendance


Student Attendance Reporting Procedures

To ensure accurate attendance records and minimize disruptions, please adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Full-Day Absences:

    • Report all full-day absences through ParentVue.
    • Please provide a detailed reason for the absence in the notes section.
  • Late Arrivals, Absences Exceeding Two (2) Days:

    • Contact the attendance office directly via phone or email.
  • Early Release:

    • Contact the attendance office via phone or email.
    • A minimum of two (2) hours' notice is required for early release requests.
    • Failure to provide adequate notice may result in delays.

Important Reminders:

  • All absence reports (calls, emails, and notes) must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian. Student reports will not be accepted.
  • Handwritten notes from parents/guardians are also acceptable.
  • Please leave a detailed message if calling; all messages are checked frequently.

Attendance Office Contact Information:

  • Email: southcountyhigh.attendance@fcps.edu
  • Phone: 703-446-1625
    • OPTION 1- ALL DAY ABSENCE
    • OPTION 2- LATE ARRIVAL
    • OPTION 3- EARLY RELEASE


Important Upcoming Dates

  • 05/20/25- South County Athletic Booster Club's 18th Annual Golf Classic
  • 05/26/25- Memorial Day (Holiday)
  • 06/04/25- 7:00pm- Class of 2025 Graduation (Eagle Bank)


Message from Dr. Khoshaba



Greetings, SoCo family,

As we wrap up the second week of May, we’re officially entering that magical time of year when students (and let’s be honest—staff and parents, too) start counting Mondays instead of weeks. Good news: there are only three left! That’s right—just three more chances to hit snooze, forget it’s your day for carpool, or pack a lunch only to realize it's actually pizza day. The finish line is in sight, and our Stallions are galloping strong! Let’s keep the momentum going as we close out the year with purpose, positivity, and maybe just a little caffeine.

If you would like to hear the (five and half minute) audio version of this newsletter, simply click here.

Student and Staff Belonging:

Oar-some Achievements! SoCo Crew Rows to Victory

Congratulations to our Boys and Girls Crew teams for making serious waves at the State Championship last weekend! SoCo entered four boats and brought home some impressive results.

Boy’s Varsity 4 – 1st Place! Luke Kurz (Cox), Todd Benton (4), Alex Dieffenbacher (3), Benjamin Brady (2), and Jae Rin (Bow) rowed their way to gold.

Boy’s 2nd Varsity 4 – 1st Place! Annabelle Yates (Cox), Brendan Brady (4), Andrew Huntington (3), Nicholas Bierstine (2), and Daniel Olson (Bow) also secured a first-place finish.

Girl’s Varsity 4 – 3rd Place! Hannah Tan (Cox), Shiloh Hicks (4), Sophia Speidell (3), Carleigh LaChanse (2), and Sadie Ward (Bow) powered to the podium.

Boy’s JV 8 didn’t advance to the finals, but had a strong season with regular-season wins. Hats off to Adelaide Falkofske (Cox), John Dahm (8), Trevor Williams (7), Nikhil Railan (6), Dylan Johns (5), Adam Pinsky (4), Sebastian Martin (3), Jackson Sinon (2), and Aden Saleh (Bow).

Next up: the Stotesbury Cup in Philadelphia this weekend and Nationals in New Jersey next week. Go SoCo Crew—keep pulling strong!

Crew

Tech Talk, Big Impact

A huge shoutout to our TSA (Technology Student Association) student leaders who presented at this month’s faculty meeting! Speaking confidently in front of over 100 adults is no easy task—something that challenges even the most seasoned speakers. This impressive group shared their accomplishments from the year and outlined exciting goals for next year with poise, clarity, and professionalism. We’re incredibly proud of their leadership, courage, and the bright future they’re building—one innovative idea at a time!

Staff Meeting performance

Standing Ovation: SoCo Shines in the Spotlight

Bravo to our talented Stallions who brought A Chorus Line: Teen Edition to life and earned 7 Cappies nominations and 2 Brandon Victor Dixon Award nominations for their outstanding work both on stage and behind the scenes! From spot-on stage management to show-stopping performances, these students showcased skill, heart, and harmony. Congratulations to this dazzling and dedicated group—your passion and performance truly lit up the stage!

Cappies

South County High School, A Chorus Line: Teen Edition

  • Lighting - William Waugh, Kareena Kasperowski, Natalie Mitchell
  • Orchestra - South County A Chorus Line Pit Orchestra
  • Stage Management - Jasmine Downing, Evan Slider, Natalie Lanter, Maya Wade
  • Ensemble in a Musical - The Final 17
  • Featured Actor in a Female Role in a Musical - Amaris Stokes
  • Dancer in a Female Role - Cassie DellaVedova
  • Vocalist in a Female Role - Lea Ahrens

Brandon Victor Dixon

  • Outstanding Achievement in Technical Theatre - William Waugh
  • Best Actress - Lea Ahrens

School Culture:

Marching Toward More Moments

This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with our dedicated JROTC students, whose passion for service and school spirit is truly inspiring. Like a well-trained unit preparing for a new mission, they shared their strong desire for more opportunities to perform and represent South County throughout the coming year. Together, we’re planning new ways to spotlight their talents and deepen our appreciation for those who serve—or aspire to serve—in our military. Big things are on the horizon, and this group is ready to lead the charge.

Kambar and students

 

Kicked It Up a Notch!

Our Boys Soccer team turned up the heat and delivered a heart-pounding 3-2 victory over a tough West Springfield squad in a match that felt straight out of a sports movie. With lightning-fast footwork, fearless defense, and a few goals that nearly defied the laws of physics, the Stallions left fans breathless. It was a turf battle of epic proportions, and SoCo rose to the occasion with grit, grind, and just the right amount of glory. This team isn’t just chasing wins—they’re kicking expectations to the curb!

Soccer

Enhanced Safety Measures Coming to SoCo:

In a message from Superintendent Reid on April 10, 2025, she wrote, “I am writing to share that there will be a new safety feature being tested across our schools. So many of you have shared your concerns about school safety with me - in a world where all you have known are yearly lockdown drills and incidents of violence in schools around the country.

In our latest effort to strengthen our safety and security programs, FCPS will be piloting a new weapons screening system across all high schools. Yesterday afternoon, several of your classmates joined me for a video discussion about school safety, and to test out the new system. You can learn more by reading the Frequently Asked Questions on our website. If you have additional questions after reading the FAQs, you can submit them online to our Chief of Safety and Security Office.”

 

The video embedded in this message will be shown to students this week during Advisory classes to help introduce them to this new layer of security for our school.

 

Staff Spotlight:

Bryan Hickman is a first-year teacher who spent 15 years working on Capitol Hill with the Senate Finance Committee. Teaching was always on his mind, so when the opportunity arose, he eagerly made the switch. Outside the classroom, he plays guitar and sings in a ‘90s cover band called Maggie Shot Burns, inspired by The Simpsons. When not teaching Government, Mr. Hickman enjoys time with his wife and two children, ages 12 and 14, and is an avid moviegoer—his most recent theater pick was Thunderbolts. We are grateful to have someone with Mr. Hickman’s talents and experience join our education family this year!

Hickman

 

 As we wrap up another busy week, don’t forget to visit our website for all the latest updates—including end-of-year exam schedules and important dates and events for our seniors. Staying informed is the best way to finish strong and celebrate all the amazing milestones ahead. Thanks for being part of our South County community!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kambar

#StandStrong

 

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SCHS Tech Team



With the end of the school year rapidly approaching we wanted to take a moment to remind you all of a few things prior to laptop turn in at the end of the school year. Any of the below items that are not followed may incur a charge on your account.

  1. Please be sure to remove all stickers from your laptop including any adhesive residue.
  2. Please clean off any and all writing that may be on your laptop.
  3. Please have your school issued charger with you it will have HP written on the back it all other chargers will not be accepted.


Library



All library books are due no later than May 28th, 2025. Students will have bills added to their library account on May 29th, 2025 for any books that haven’t been returned.

Library lost book fees need to be paid in the library. The bill will be deleted if the book is returned. Seniors need to clear library books and library fees in order to receive their cap and gown.



Senior Announcement


 

  • Seniors may not go on the senior trip or attend prom until all debts are cleared, and they will not receive their cap and gown until their senior dues are paid. 
  • The senior trip to Kings Dominion is June 2nd.  Tickets are on sale on MSB until May 9th, and they will be on sale during lunch for $60 cash May 5-9 in the cafeteria.
  • Kings Dominion forms (Emergency Care Form and Field Trip Permission Form) are due May 21st!  These forms can be picked up outside of B146 or in the cafeteria this week during lunch.  They can be turned in this week during lunch, in the cafeteria. 

  • The senior meeting covered all information pertaining to upcoming senior requirements and events.  There is a PDF attached of the slides, and they are also available in the Class of 2025 Schoology page.

Presentation Attached



Technology Collection for Seniors:

Tech return for seniors begins May 27th. All seniors must return their school-issued laptops and chargers in order to receive their cap & gown at graduation rehearsal. The laptop & charger must be clean and undamaged, with stickers, dirt, and other markings removed. If necessary, please pay any fees for lost or damaged items in the main office.

Fees associated with missing or damaged technology:

  • Replacement charger- $25
  • Replacement laptop- $444
  • Defaced top cover - $30
  • Defaced palmrest/keyboard - $52

Senior tech return dates/times:

  • Tuesday 5/27- LIBRARY
    • During Period 1 English 12 classes
    • After senior early release (11:20-11:50 am)
  • Wednesday 5/28- LIBRARY
    • During Period 2 English 12 classes
    • During Period 4 Advisory classes
  • Thursday 5/29- LIBRARY
    • As needed
    • NOTE: There is no school for seniors on 5/29. If your student still needs to return a laptop, they can come in to the library, return their laptop, and then leave the building

If your student has questions prior to tech collection, they should visit the tech office hours in the library during 5th or 6th period.



Senior Week Celebrations

Senior Week


Hello Class of 2025- Victor O’Neill Studios will be present on Graduation day to take photos of our graduates receiving their diploma during the ceremony. Please scan the QR code using your phone to sign up for photo notifications before your event.  

You can also visit the link above before your event. 

Once photos are online after Graduation Day you will receive a notification to view and order.

If you have any questions about Graduation Day photos, please contact Victor O’Neill customer service directly: graduation@vosphoto.com

Register for event photo notifications: https://my.photoday.com/gallery/SCGRAD25

Access code : SCGRAD25

victor oneil


BASKETBALL SUMMER CAMP 2025



Basketball Summer Camp 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Session 1 (June 16, 17, 18 &20)

Session 2 (June 23-27)

Complete this form Here 

Register and Pay here

BASKETBALL


healthroom


Dear Parent or Guardian:

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time (10:00am) on the last day of school (6/11/25). Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student. However, with parent or guardian permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the school health room. If your student will be enrolled in a summer program sponsored by Fairfax County Public Schools, the existing medication authorization form(s) may be used for the summer program, but you will need to pick up the medication on the last day of school and deliver the medication and completed forms to the summer learning site on the first day of the summer program. Please let the health room know if you would like a copy of the form(s).

Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-academy/school-health-services. A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school. Please be sure medication orders are clear. All information on the form must be completed. Part I must be signed and dated by the parent or guardian. Part II must be signed and dated by your health care provider. Approved over-the-counter medications given for headaches, muscle aches, orthodontic pain, or menstrual cramps do not need a health care provider’s signature. Antibiotic or antiviral medications for 10 consecutive school days or less do not require a health care provider’s signature either. For all asthma medications, a Virginia Asthma Action Plan must be provided. More detailed information is available on the back of the medication authorization form(s).

Over-the-counter medication must be in the unopened original container and clearly labeled by the parent or guardian. No more than 100 pills/tablets of OTC medication should be brought to school at a time. All prescription medication, including samples, must be labeled by the pharmacist or health care provider. Please make sure that the label clearly states your student’s name, the name of the medication, the dosage of the medication, and the time to be given. Your cooperation will ensure that we can safely give your student, their medication. If you have any questions, please contact your school health room aide, 703-446-1610, or your school public health nurse, Grace Matthews at gmatthews@fcps.edu. Thank you for your cooperation and have a good summer.



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Spring Concession Stand Sign Up



Spring Sports are underway and we NEED your help! In order for us to keep our concession stand up and running we need volunteers to assist us on game nights. The revenue generated through concession serves as the SCHS Athletic Booster Club's primary source of funding. The money earned goes right back to the sports teams to cover the costs of equipment, uniforms, and more! Any family can volunteer! You do not need to have a student participating in Sports to make an impact! Visit the link below or the QR code and consider helping us out one night! Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B48ABAB22A5FD0-55500344-2025



SAVE THE DATE!!



The South County Athletic Booster Club's 18th Annual Golf Classic is Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at Laurel Hill Golf Club! 

Registration and sponsorship options can be found on our website: https://birdease.com/schsgolf 

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tickets  now

Buy your tickets today!

ANGP Ticket Sales



Your ANGP ticket ensures an evening packed with fun activities, including:

  • Volleyball and Pickleball
  • Basketball
  • Soccer and Football
  • Ice Rink
  • 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!

We are also looking for sponsors and gift cards.  Your generous donations will help us cover costs and provide a memorable event.  

ANGP Committee

angp@southcountyptso.org

Buy your tickets here

ANGP 2025: Class of 2025: ANGP Event Day Sign-Up

ANGP


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.



Tech Adventure Camp



Tech Adventure Camp (Grades K-5) and CTE Summer Academy (Grades 6-11) are open to all students. Code Up Grant funding enables participating Code Up schools to provide tuition-free access to 10 students per school this summer. Remaining spaces will be released on a first come, first served basis. If interested, complete this CTE Summer Program Interest Form as soon as possible. Paid registration continues to be available from the websites linked below. 

More information: 



AWARENESS



 

aaip

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.


mental health

jewish american month

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.


MEMORIAL

Memorial Day Holiday

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.


As FCPS explores the viability of Girls Flag Football and considers including it in our athletic offerings at the high school level we are pleased to partner with the Washington Commanders to bring a free Girls Flag Football clinic to C.G. Woodson High School, on June 7, 2025. The clinic will provide students with an opportunity to experience the game under the excellent direction of experienced flag coaches. Interested FCPS students can register for the event now! We also invite anyone interested in coaching to attend, observe, and ask questions!!! Please see information on the flyer attached.

Washington Commanders


South County ATHLETICS



 

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For the latest news, scores, and schedules

please visit our website.

Athletics & Activities Website: 

https://stallionnation.org/



Important SoCo and FCPS Resources



How to Stay In Touch


Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:



soco

South County High School



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