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A Note From Principal Seward
Dear Seahawk Families,
September is School Attendance Awareness Month.
I would like to highlight the crucial importance of school attendance; not just for academic success, but for the well-being of our students and the strength of our community.
Missing just 10 percent of school days, roughly 18 days in a typical 180-day school year, can significantly undermine a student’s academic performance. This is known as chronic absence, and it can begin early: students missing just 2–4 days in September are more likely to miss nearly a full month over the course of an entire school year.
We need our students here everyday, on time to school, and on time to every class. Being engaged in learning exponentially increases the chances of students graduating on time and achieving their post-secondary school goals. Partner with us in this important work.
I am also thrilled to share that student clubs and organizations are up and running again! Over the coming weeks, I look forward to popping into a few meetings to witness firsthand the variety of engaging extracurricular experiences our students are enjoying.
If your student hasn’t yet joined a club or organization, please encourage them to stop by the Student Activities Office, located near Door 4. We currently offer over 85 clubs and organizations, and we’d be happy to help each student find their community.
Our teachers are working tirelessly planning lessons, nurturing curiosity, and fostering a high-quality learning environment for every student. Their dedication underscores just how vital regular attendance is: every day your child is present is a day of learning, growth, and connection.
Lastly, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, we will be closed and serving as a polling site for the Special Election. It is a student holiday and a teacher workday. The South Lakes High School office will also be closed.
With Gratitude,
Carlos Seward
We value your feedback. Share your observations, suggestions, questions and celebrations with me here.
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Important Dates
- September 9 - School Holiday for Voting Day
- September 10 - Back to School Night (6:30pm-8:30pm)
- September 23 - School Holiday for Rosh Hashanah
- October 2 - School Holiday for Yom Kippur
- October 6-11 - Homecoming Week
- October 8 - PSAT and SAT School Day (2-Hour early release)
- October 10 - Homecoming Parade/Game
- October 11 - Homecoming Dance
- October 13 - Student Holiday for Indigenous People's Day
- October 20 - School Holiday for Diwali
- October 31 - End of 1st Quarter
FCPS School Year Calendar
Table of Contents
Back-to-School Night, Wednesday, September 10, 2025
We are looking forward to hosting you for our 2025 Back-to-School Night (BTSN) this Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. The evening will start off with an Information Fair from 5:45 PM to 6:15 PM in the main hallway. Below is the schedule for the evening.
Please remember to bring a copy of your student(s) schedule(s). You can access your students schedule via your ParentVUE. If you have not yet set up your ParentVue, here is a link to information on the FCPS website so you can begin your setup process ParentVUE Account Overview. You can also ask your student for a copy of their schedule. They can access their schedule via their StudentVUE/SIS account. To make this night successful, you must have a copy of your student’s schedule.
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Every Day Counts: Setting your Child Up for Success
September is Attendance Awareness Month. There are many ways parents and caregivers can help their children create healthy routines and make a habit of getting to school on time every day. Some examples include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit the FCPS website for more attendance tips and resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
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Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school.
Know Our Security Terms
FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.
Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.
If students, staff, or families have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
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PSAT/SAT Testing Day, October 8, 2025
South Lakes High School, along with all other FCPS High Schools, are administering the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day on October 8, 2025. On this day school staff will be supporting the administration of these tests for our tenth through twelfth grade students.
Therefore, on Wednesday October 8, 2025, most ninth grade students will have an unscheduled school day and not attend school. On this day ninth grade students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Please note that ninth grade students with disabilities taught on an adapted curriculum (students receiving low incidence special education services) will continue to receive in-person instruction with a 2-hour early release on October 8.
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Report FULL DAY Absences & LATE ARRIVALS/Request EARLY CHECKOUTS
FULL DAY ABSENCES
Reporting full day absences can be done via ParentVUE, our attendance line (703-715-4545) or by sending an email to SouthLakesHigh.Attendance@fcps.edu.
LATE ARRIVALS and EARLY CHECK OUTS
To report a late arrival or request an early checkout, parents/guardians can choose from the following options:
*NOTE – When requesting EARLY CHECK OUT, we ask that you provide the school a minimum notice of 2-hours. This will help us ensure that the student is ready to checkout based on your requested time, your wait time is minimized, and most importantly, there is minimal disruption to classroom instruction.
Please click on the SLHS Attendance Website for more information. If you have any questions about attendance, please contact the school via email at SouthLakesHigh.Attendance@fcps.edu.
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Learning ON Cell Phones OFF
FCPS and South Lakes High School is fully implementing the no cellphone policy this school year. The protocols for violation our outlined in the SY2026 Student Rights & Responsibilities which is associated with Regulation 2601.39P and can be seen in the below chart.
Please take the time to begin the conversations with your student(s). It will help prepare your student for this significant change. Should you need to reach your student during the school day, please call the main office at 703-715-4500.
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Cellphone Policy Violation Consequences
Weapons Detection System
This school year, all students will continue to enter through Open Gate screening every morning. This means that only Doors 1, 2, and 4 will be open for student entry. To ensure a timely start to the school day, please plan your morning arrival routine to accommodate this change. After 8:10 AM, Doors 2 and 4 will close, and all daily arrivals will need to enter through Door 1.
Security Screening Reminders:
No-Cost Meals Available for Students on September 9
As a reminder, all FCPS schools will be closed for students and school staff on September 9 due to a special election in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District. FCPS will provide student meals at a select number of schools at no cost. Please keep in mind that:
- Lunch and a snack will be served together from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Meals must be eaten on site at participating schools.
- Enrichment activities will be available for children. Participation is encouraged but not required.
- Only children 18 and under may receive meals.
- Each child may receive one lunch and one snack.
View a list of school sites that will be providing meals for children on September 9. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services at 703-813-4800.
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Ensuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS
At South Lakes High School, our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.
Recent updates to our volunteer process focus on one primary goal: keeping students safe.
These updates — such as checks against the sex offender registry and, in some cases, criminal background checks — are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS. Create a profile, view an orientation video, and complete the volunteer application.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
We understand these changes may seem disruptive, especially for long-time volunteers. Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Apply Today for Free and Reduced Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost.
Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Access the application and view criteria on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage
Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
 The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they’re joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success.
See how Goal 1 is being put into practice.
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Do you know of a South Lakes High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone. |
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Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations
Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!
Starting Tuesday, November 18, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. Visit the How To Submit Immunization Documents webpage for step-by-step guidance on how to check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information
Please check with your health care provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2025-26 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!
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No Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students
- Virtual therapy sessions are available at no cost to FCPS high school students to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:
- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
- Anxiety, worry, fears.
- Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
- Academic stress.
- In order for students to participate, caregivers must give permission for FCPS to share basic demographic information with Hazel Health in ParentVUE. They must also provide consent for their student to access therapy services.
- Students may then be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. Refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services.
- Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
Family Academy
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Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child’s education. The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by the school division to help you support your child’s needs and learning at home.
The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help ensure your child has what they need to succeed. Check out some of the upcoming Family Academy sessions:
- Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (available in English and Spanish)
- Loving Solutions
- Military-Connected Youth Family Advisory Council
- Parent Project
- Family Resource Center Webinars on topics including: How to Prepare for School; Building Collaborative Relationships Between Caregivers and Educators; Worried Parents, Anxious Kids; and What Families Need to Know About Drugs for Their Students with Disabilities.
Visit the Family Academy catalog for more information on these sessions and to register to attend.
Parent Resource Center
- The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students. This includes monthly workshops and webinars. More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.
Varsity Tutors
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Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost
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.
School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 4
A $460 million School Bond Referendum will be on the Tuesday, November 4, general election ballot.
Bond-funded projects provide safe, welcoming, effective, and modern spaces for students to learn and staff to work.
The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through FCPS’ operating budget. Voter-approved bonds that allow payment for projects over time, while seeking to avoid an increase in property tax rates, fund building and renovation. Without bond funding, renovations would likely cease, delaying much needed repairs at many schools. Potential bond-funded projects are identified in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program, which was adopted by the School Board in February.
Voters have a direct role in shaping the future of FCPS schools. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote.
JOIN THE PTSA TODAY!
For more information please visit the South Lakes PTSA website.
Quick links to the South Lakes High School Website:
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Be sure to follow us on Instagram (@south_lakeshs) and X (@southlakeshs)!!
Follow South Lakes HS on Social Media: Stay connected with South Lakes High School by following us on social media! It's the best way to keep up with our latest news, celebrate student achievements, and keep up with everything going on at The Lakes! Links: X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
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