Greetings, South Lakes Families,

This is our first back-to-school newsletter for the 2025-2026 school year, and I am excited to kick off another year with our amazing Seahawks! There is an unmistakable buzz in the air as we gear up for a fresh chapter of learning, growth, and achievement.

Dr. Michelle Reid, our Superintendent of Schools,  reminded us at the FCPS Leadership Kickoff in July, “We must be a division known for our works and not simply for our words.” At South Lakes, this means turning our commitments into action by prioritizing relationships and support, delivering high-quality instruction, and strengthening collaboration. As we look ahead to the new school year, we are focused on doing the work that ensures every student is known, challenged, and supported.

One of our major goals this year is for every student to feel a sense of belonging at South Lakes. To do this, we encourage every student to join at least one club, sport, or music program – it’s the best way to expand their circle of friends and discover passions that make school exciting. After all, a connected Seahawk is a successful Seahawk! Check out your opportunities by going to our website, South Lakes Student Life & Activities. 

We have several new procedures in place, and it’s important that students and families are informed and ready. I would like to highlight our updated Cell Phone Policy and our Weapons Detection System.

Cell Phone Policy

Beginning this school year, students will not be permitted to use cell phones or accessories—including headphones—during the school day, except in designated areas. Below is an overview of the policy and what to expect:

Student Expectations:

• Phones and accessories must be stored away from the first bell at 8:10 AM until the final bell at 2:55 PM.
• Devices may not be accessed during class or passing periods, including in hallways, restrooms, locker rooms, or the library.
• Devices may only be used during lunch and only in the cafeteria, our designated phone-use area.

Policy Enforcement:

• If a student is found using a phone during the school day outside of approved times/locations, it will be confiscated by an administrator or security staff.
• Confiscated phones will be returned to the student at the end of the school day.
• Parents/guardians will be notified of each violation.
• After the second and third violations, detentions are assigned. Beginning with the fourth violation and any thereafter, students will receive a 20-day cell phone ban along with three days of detention.
• Additional sanctions may be given based on the Student Rights & Responsibilities (SR&R) and FCPS Regulation 2601.39.

We understand this is a significant change, and we appreciate your partnership in supporting students as they adjust to the new expectations. Together, we can create a learning environment that minimizes distractions and promotes student success.

Weapons Detection System (Open Gate)

As part of the ongoing commitment to strengthening layered safety and security programs, Fairfax County Public Schools will continue to phase in a weapons detection system at all secondary schools this fall. 

Please watch this video of the Superintendent’s conversation with students about the weapons screening system. The most important thing is to be sure that students have the right items removed from their bag before getting in line. 

Items to be removed include: 

• Three-ring binders
• Laptops
• Collapsible umbrellas 
• Metal lunch boxes
• Metal pencil cases
• Metal glass cases

These items can remain in a student’s bags:

• Non-metal lunch boxes
• Books
• Planners
• Spiral notebooks and folders
• Cell phones
• Keys
• Non-metal pencil cases

Once the items are removed, students should walk to the shortest line and proceed. If the light turns red, they will be directed to a secondary screening to determine what may have alerted the system. Experience shows that the process becomes easier and more efficient every day. You can learn more about the system by watching this video and reading the Frequently Asked Questions on FCPS’ website. If you have additional questions, you can submit them online to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support in our shared commitment to maintaining a safe learning environment for us all.

With Gratitude,

Carlos Seward

We value your feedback. Share your observations, suggestions, questions and celebrations with me here.

Welcome Michele Beard

SubSchool Assistant Principal

Michele has a proven track record of creating supportive and effective learning environments. Most recently, Michele supported South Lakes High School during the 2024-2025 school year in a one-year only administrative appointment. In that role,  she  supervised and led the Social Studies department, focusing on growth feedback and collective efficacy in teacher evaluations. She designed and implemented structured semester collaborative team data dialogues, leading teachers to implement targeted Tier 1 strategies for increased student academic success. She worked closely with sub-school staff, teachers, other staff members, and families to provide "wrap-around" services and tiered supports to students.

Prior to her current role, Michele served as Director of Student Services at Langston Hughes Middle School from 2017 to 2024. In this capacity, she supervised and led the Science, Social Studies, Electives, and Category B special education departments, conducting teacher evaluations focused on growth feedback and collective efficacy. She also supervised the Student Services department and developed protocols for supporting students' academic success and social-emotional wellness.  She led professional development on grading with equity and the shift to standards-based and skills-based grading categories, as well as school-wide mastery learning policies.

Michele's experience also includes serving as a teacher and teacher-leader in Prince William County Public Schools, an Instructional Coach, and later the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Coordinator at Langston Hughes Middle School. Michele's wealth of experience and knowledge of South Lakes and the Reston community will continue to be a great value to our school.

Michele holds an Administration and Supervision Certification PreK-12 from the University of Virginia, a Master of Arts in Education from Old Dominion University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of New Mexico.

Welcome Jennifer York

Special Education Assistant Principal

Jenny brings over two decades of dedicated experience in education, serving students with disabilities and fostering inclusive learning environments.  As an Assistant Principal at McLean High School since 2021, she led the Career and Technical Education, Science, and Special Education departments.  Her commitment to equitable access is evident in initiatives that include McLean's Saturday Support program, which aided over 200 students across two locations. She also led school-wide professional development in co-teaching, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and high-leverage vocabulary strategies.

Prior to her time at McLean, Jenny served as a Student Support Coordinator for Arlington Public Schools, where she guided families through special education eligibility and compliance, and as a Special Education Department Chair and teacher in Falls Church City Public Schools.  Her leadership is student-centered, relationship-driven, and focused on systems-level thinking.  Jenny's passion for building strong family-school partnerships ensures that all families feel heard, supported, and empowered in their child's educational journey.  She looks forward to bringing her knowledge and experience to the South Lakes community. 

Jenny holds a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia, a Special Education Certification in Specific Learning Disabilities K-12 from the University of Virginia, and a Master of Education in Secondary Education from Marymount University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Iowa.

Support Your Child’s Success by Checking SIS ParentVUE

Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents/caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child. Contact the school registrar Christina Khashnobish at 703-715-4500, if you need a code. 

Once you have activated a SIS ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same SIS ParentVUE account. You may also access SIS ParentVUE using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. 

Need help creating an account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE. 

SY2026 Required Immunizations for Rising Seniors

All students entering 12th grade are to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school.

To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 16 or older. 

Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and health care providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time. Additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and the Fairfax County Health Department.