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Important Dates:
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Sept 6- 10am-2pm- SCHS Crew Team- Fall Open House
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Sept 9- Special Election (No School)
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Sept 11- Commemoration/Patriot Day
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Sept 13- Tag Day SCHS Performing Arts Department
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Sept 15- Oct 15- National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Sept 17- Constitution Day
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Sept 22-23- Rosh Hashanah
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Sept 23- Rosh Hashanah - Holiday (No School)
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Sept 27- Oct 5 - Blue Star Welcome Week
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Oct 8- SAT School Day for 12th Graders
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Oct 15- 7:00pm (Auditorium)- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
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Jan 7- 7:00pm (Auditorium)- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
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Feb12- 7:00pm (Auditorium)- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
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Apr 27- 7:00pm (Auditorium)- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
- Jun 5- 2:00pm- Class of 2026 Graduation- Eagle Arena
SCHS ATTENDANCE INFORMATION 2025-26
How to Report an Absence
The fastest and most preferred way to report a FULL DAY absence is by using ParentVUE. This method is the most efficient and will ensure your student's attendance is updated quickly.
You can also use one of the alternative options below, but please note that the response time may be slower than using ParentVUE.
Email:
Students with last names A-Dh: southcountyhs.attendanceA-Dh@fcps.edu
Students with last names Di-K: southcountyhs.attendanceDi-K@fcps.edu
Students with last names L-Raj: southcountyhs.attendanceL-Raj@fcps.edu
Students with last names Rak-Z: southcountyhs.attendanceRak-Z@fcps.edu
Attendance Line:
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Students with last names A-Dh: 703-446-1890
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Students with last names Di-K: 703-446-1891
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Students with last names L-Raj: 703-446-1892
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Students with last names Rak-Z: 703-446-1893
When reporting an absence, please provide:
- Student's full name and ID number
- Your name, relationship to the student, and a contact phone number
- The specific reason for the absence (e.g., illness, doctor's appointment, family emergency)
- The date(s) of the absence
Please remember: Absences reported by students will not be excused. If a phone message or email is received from a number or address not listed in SIS, we will contact you to verify the absence.
Note:
Students leaving in the last 30 minutes: ONLY students with prearranged absences or calls received prior to 12noon may check out in the last 30 minutes of the day. (Through the main office)
No Student Pick- Up after 2:15 PM.
ALL LATE ARRIVALS must check through Door 1 in the Main Office
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Greetings, SoCo family,
Hello September! We’ve made it to the first week of the month, and just like the season, our school spirit is really starting to fall into place. The hallways are buzzing with energy, classes are in full swing, and we’re already seeing students harvest the rewards of their hard work. As we dive deeper into the school year, let’s also remember this: “Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.” Whether it’s a quick walk, a deep breath, or simply giving yourself a moment of kindness, let’s keep our mental well-being at the top of the list this season.
Here’s what’s happening in our Stallion Nation …
School Culture
Last Friday marked our first home football game of the season, and while the scoreboard didn’t tip in our favor, the night was still a victory in so many ways. Our players showed tremendous heart and determination, fighting for every yard with the grit of a team that refuses to give up. Just as a spark lights the way for a campfire, their effort ignited a sense of pride that spread through the stands. It was inspiring to see our students, parents, and community members come together, cheering as one family and creating an atmosphere that truly embodies what it means to be SoCo.
SoCo Comes Together
Back to School Night was a spectacular success, drawing one of the highest parent turnouts in recent memory! We kicked things off with “pre-BTSN” sessions—first with parents of seniors and then with parents of soon-to-be drivers—setting the stage for an evening full of learning and connection. From there, parents dove into the exciting world of their students’ classrooms, exploring the rich variety of courses and experiences South County offers. The energy in the building was electric, buzzing like a stadium full of cheering fans, as families engaged with teachers and discovered all the ways their students will grow this year. Nights like this remind us why the South County community shines so brightly!
Staff Spotlight
We’re excited to welcome Mick Letcher as our new Assistant Director of Student Activities! Originally from Syracuse, NY, Coach Letcher wrestled at Ohio Northern University and has spent the past decade teaching and coaching a wide variety of sports in Stafford, Prince William, and most recently at Mount Vernon High School. He’s passionate about helping students get involved, take on leadership roles, and make the most of their high school experience. When he’s not at school, you’ll probably find him traveling, watching movies, cheering for the Nationals and Capitals, or spending time with his wife and their puppy. Be sure to say hello and introduce yourself when you see him around SoCo!
Coach's Corner (from our Instructional Coach, Dr. O!)
This year, we’re highlighting the importance of sharing learning intentions with students. These clear statements help students understand what they are expected to learn and why it’s important. At home, you can mirror this by encouraging students to explain what your student is working towards in different subjects. This helps students take ownership of their learning and understand the ‘why’ behind their schoolwork, connecting their daily tasks to bigger goals.
2 Things You Need to Know about Next Week
First, as a reminder, school will be closed on Tuesday for the special election. That makes it especially important for all students to be in school on Monday so we can make the most of our time together. Let’s start the week energized, support one another, and show what makes our community so strong—Standing Strong for 20 Years!
Second, please save the date of October 1. We’re excited to host our first Student Advisory Council that day from 10:15–11:15 AM! This is a chance for students to share their perspectives on selected topics and help guide us toward the areas that matter most to them. We value student voice and look forward to hearing your ideas and feedback.
 Kambar
@StandingStrongFor20Years!
SCHS National Honor Society
On Thursday, August 28, invitations to apply for membership in the SCHS chapter of the NHS were sent to eligible students.
They were sent by email to students’ FCPS account and a notification of this invitation was posted on Schoology.
To be eligible to apply, students must be enrolled in Grade 10, 11, or 12 and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50. The deadline to complete and submit applications is midnight on September 30.
Students can find more information about the SCHS chapter on their 2025 NHS Invites group page in Schoology.
National Book Festival - Saturday, September 6th
The 2025 National Book Festival will be held in the nation’s capital at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, September 6, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.)
The event is free and open to the public. A selection of programs will be livestreamed online, and videos of all programs will be available shortly after the Festival. The author schedule is posted on the website. It’s a great lineup this year!
All Current 10th grade HPE students are required to attend one of the 4 scheduled PSTD (Partners for Safe Teen Driving) sessions held here at South County. This is part of the completion of the classroom portion of the Drivers Education curriculum in 10th grade HPE.
Students and a parent/guardian are required to attend one of the 90 minute session on one of the 4 evenings.
Sessions begin promptly at 7:00 pm in the auditorium- doors will close at that time with no late admittance.
PSTD Dates:
- October 15, 2025
- January 7, 2026
- February 12, 2026
- April 27, 2026
SCHS Hype Squad is looking for help collecting items for a spirit bin. They have created a wish list of items to collect for all game dame themes throughout the year. Items on the wish list will be sent directly to SCHS. They are hoping to hand them out to students in the hype squads at sporting events and collect at the end (as best they can). The hype squad leaders would appreciate any help from our community to improve participation and school spirit!
Tag Day is Saturday, September 13!!
Tag Day is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the South County Performing Arts Department. It takes thousands of dollars more than the fees that are charged for each group to keep our band, orchestra, choir, and theater programs running at the high levels we are accustomed to. To keep our fees low and keep the performing arts in our schools, we depend on contributions from our incredible community.
Student teams will be coming to your door on Saturday, September 13 asking for tax-deductible contributions to “Support the Arts.” Thank you in advance to everyone who donates to our Performing Arts department! We look forward to seeing you at all of our performing arts productions here at SCHS. Check the SCHS website for upcoming events.
Volunteer FCPS
New Volunteer Management System – Volunteer FCPS
FCPS has launched a new system to help ensure student and staff safety. Effective immediately:
- If you plan to volunteer more than twice this school year, or chaperone a field trip, you must register in Volunteer FCPS.
- The process involves multiple steps and cannot be completed last minute, so we encourage you to start early.
Volunteer Levels
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Level 1 – Infrequent volunteers (monthly or less frequent) who are always supervised do not need a criminal background check. However, they do need a sex offender registry check, which is performed by signing in at the school's visitor kiosk.
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Level 2 – Frequent, ongoing, or regular volunteers (daily, weekly, bi-weekly) who are also always supervised are subject to the same requirements as Level 1—no criminal background check, but a sex offender registry check via the kiosk is mandatory.
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Level 3- Volunteers with direct, unsupervised interaction with students must complete a criminal background check, including fingerprints and child abuse and neglect checks. This applies to roles like mentors, tutors, or field trip chaperones who are alone with students (not accompanied by an FCPS staff member) at any time during the activity.
How to Register as a Volunteer:
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Review FCPS Volunteer Guidelines – All volunteers must read the FCPS Volunteer Protocols before getting started.
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Register in the FCPS Volunteer Portal
- Select “Schools”
- Search for South County High School or click here
- Sign up for available opportunities (You can register as a general volunteer to start).
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Choose Your Volunteer Level (NEW) – If you might volunteer at a higher level later, we recommend registering as Level 3 now.
All volunteers (new or returning) must:
- Register in Volunteer FCPS
- Complete volunteer orientation
- Sign in through the visitor kiosk at each visit
- Complete a background check if required
For full details, visit the Volunteer FCPS website
Celebrate your Seniors participating in Cheer, Cross Country, Dance, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Marching Band, and Volleyball with an Individual or Group Senior Ad in the Fall Sports Program!
The Deadline is Sept. 5, 2025
Please order on the SCABC Square site: https://south-county-athletic-booster-club.square.site/athletic-programs or contact Elena Jordon at scabcsponsorship@gmail.com for more information.
ATHLETICS CORNER
South County’s Crew Team is hosting a fall open house on Saturday, September 6th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for interested athletes and their parents to come down to our boathouse (at Sandy Run Boathouse) and tour our facilities! Our crew team is the highest-performing athletic team at South County, with more state titles and national championship Top 6 appearances than any other sport.
The team consistently ranks highly in academic performance as well, showcasing excellence in these athletes both in the classroom and on the water. Crew is a spring-season varsity-level co-ed sport at South County with separate racing categories defined by gender and experience.
South County’s Crew Team does not have tryouts and accepts all student-athletes interested in joining the team and will place them at a level that matches their athletic ability, technique, and skill level–which can always change throughout the season.
If you’re interested in joining or would like more information, please visit sc-crew.org for more information and fill out our interest form to get updates on what's happening with the team and information on how to join.
More information on Fall on the Water, our fall learn-to-row program, and other information about the team can be found at sc-crew.org and on Instagram and Facebook at @rowsocorow.
South County Crew is hosting a car wash fundraiser from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, September 20th at the Sunoco on Ox Road in Lorton.
We look forward to seeing you there!
South County High School Athletic Booster
We’re excited to announce the official launch of the new South County High School Athletic Booster Club website:
👉Booster Club Website
This new platform is your central hub for all things from memberships to volunteering, spirit wear to event info — everything you need is just a click away.
🎟️ Annual Athletic Passes Are Now on Sale! Visit the Membership section of the website to purchase your Annual Passes for the upcoming school year.
These passes provide admission to all regular-season home games and are a great way to support our student-athletes while saving money!
We encourage every Stallion family to visit the site and get involved.
Your support helps ensure our athletes have the resources they need to succeed on and off the field.
Thank you for being part of the Stallion Nation! Go Stallions!
South County Athletic Booster Club
📧southcountyhsathleticboosters@gmail.com
🌐 Booster Club Website
Concession Stand Volunteers
We are excited for the Fall sports season 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 concessions 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 and consider helping us out one night! Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Sign Up Here for Outdoor Concessions
Sign Up Here for Indoor Concessions
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 $30 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.
AWARENESS
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies.
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📅 Calendar Adjustment: September Special Election
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has set Tuesday, September 9, as the date for a special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. Because more than half of our schools serve as polling locations, the Fairfax County Office of Elections asked us to consider closing for the day. Therefore, all FCPS schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s message about this change to the 2025-26 school year calendar.
September 11 National Day of Service
With the upcoming 24th anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
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Important SoCo and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
Quick Links
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