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Important Dates:
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Sept 15- Oct 15- National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Sept 20- SCHS Marching Band Invitational
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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 13, 14 &15- Senior Portrait
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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 Nation!
SoCo is truly “on course” for greatness this week! Our Stallions have been leaping over hurdles of every kind — from earning top marks in academics, to wowing audiences with artistic flair, to setting personal bests in athletics and service. Everywhere you look, students are raising the bar and cheering one another on, proving that success is even sweeter when shared. Let’s keep celebrating the drive, talent, and teamwork that make South County shine!
Student and Staff Belonging
Advisory All-Stars: Your Voice Matters!:
At South County, we want to hear from all of you — our students and families — to help our school culture continue to grow and improve. That can only happen when everyone has a seat at the table, and we’re excited to offer two opportunities for meaningful dialogue on Tuesday, October 1:
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Student Advisory Council: 10:15–11:15 a.m. — Students are invited to share their ideas and help shape the SoCo experience. Sign up by scanning the QR code in the cafeteria during lunches.
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Parent Advisory Council: 5:00 p.m. — Parents can connect, learn, and provide feedback to help guide our school’s future. Reserve your spot here: PAC Sign-Up Form.
Your voices power our progress — let’s work together to keep South County shining!
School Culture
Game, Set, Stallions!
Congratulations to our Stallions Girls Volleyball team for setting the bar high in this week’s thrilling match against West Potomac! Although the final score didn’t tip our way, the team delivered powerful serves, sharp digs, and unshakable grit from the first whistle to match point. Their resilience and teamwork proved that SoCo is ready to keep spiking forward — we can’t wait to see this momentum carry through the rest of the season. Go Stallions!
SoCo’s Got Talent: Take Center Stage!
Please share this news with your student. Get ready, Stallions — the spotlight is waiting just for you! Whether you sing, dance, act, juggle, or have a one-of-a-kind skill, now’s your chance to shine in SoCo’s Got Talent.
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Sign-up Deadline: September 30
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Showcase: October 17
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Competition: October 16
Fill out the Google Form or scan the QR code on posters around school to secure your spot. Want to be the MC? There’s a place for you too! Show us what makes you stand out and claim your moment under the lights.
Murals in Motion: Kaylee Makes a Splash!
We are thrilled to unveil the new digital mural outside the library, showcasing the incredible artwork of student artist Kaylee. With Kaylee’s permission, our Art teacher, Ms. Fischer, transformed her recent colored pencil drawings into a vibrant digital collage, allowing her talent to shine on the school walls without the lengthy process of traditional painting. The mural features a playful dolphin being warmly welcomed by a host of tropical land animals—a delightful addition to our school’s artistic landscape. Many thanks to Kaylee for sharing her creativity and dedication with the South County community!
SoCo’s Stellar Scholars: Commended and Celebrated!
South County is beaming with pride for our students who earned National Merit Commended Status, ranking among the top 50,000 highest-achieving students nationwide! Their commitment, curiosity, and cleverness continue to set a shining example for our school community. Congratulations on these Stallions for their outstanding achievement!
Alexis (AJ) Amparo, Elizabeth Spencer, Nathan Pham,
Nicholas Patel, William Lavender, Shazi Hanania,
Nicole Engle, Jason Ha, Ryan Horn
Trusted Faces, Lasting Connections
I had a chance to conduct another Walk and Talk session this week, where I spend about 15 minutes talking with a few students about what’s going well at school, and what we can improve. We always end conversations discussing our students’ most trusted adults at school, staff they can go to when times are tough. This week, we had several Stallion staff members identified for various reasons, and I’m proud to celebrate these inspirational adults with each of you. These educators are making a real difference through patience, understanding, and care:
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Mr. Hazard – relatable and easy to like
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Mr. Otani – patient and always willing to help
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Ms. Naghmi – listens and supports without judgment
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Mrs. Giblin – kind, attentive, and always there for students
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Mrs. Gunderman – a consistent advocate and source of support
Their dedication is helping build meaningful relationships that make our school a place where every student feels seen and supported.
Staff Spotlight
Ariel Jaime “AJ” Rodriguez is excited to join the Stallion family as South County High School’s new Safety and Security Assistant. With over 22 years in public safety—as a firefighter, EMT, and school security professional—he is committed to keeping our school safe, welcoming, and supportive. In his role, Mr. Rodriguez focuses on building positive relationships with students, families, and staff, believing that safety is strongest when the community works together. Students and staff can expect to see him around campus, at events, and supporting daily operations, always approachable and ready to help. Outside of work, he enjoys running, hiking, biking, traveling, and spending time with family, and he looks forward to contributing to the success of the entire Stallion community.
Early Departure Requests Reminder:
For early dismissals, parents or guardians should provide at least two hours’ notice, including the reason and dismissal time. This advance notice allows us to issue electronic passes rather than calling into classrooms and interrupting instruction — an important step in a school of over 2,200 students. Only a parent, guardian, or adult listed on the Emergency Contact List (with written authorization) may sign a student out, and a photo ID is required. Students must check out and back in through the Main Office, and those who leave without doing so will be marked unexcused. If a student feels unwell, they should visit the clinic, which will contact a parent if an early release is needed. Early checkouts in the last 30 minutes of the day must be prearranged or requested before noon; there is no student pickup after 2:15 p.m. For more detailed information, please go to https://southcountyhs.fcps.edu/about/attendance.
Enjoy the weekend, and remember that we are not just SoCo, we’re SoCool!
 Kambar
#StandingStrongFor20Years!
Senior Class of 2026
Dear Parents/Guardians and the Senior Class of 2026: We at Victor O’Neill Studios, your school’s official photographer, are excited to see you on the following date(s) for your senior portraits at your school:
Session C: Monday October 13, Tuesday October 14, and Wednesday October 15, 2025
Don’t miss this opportunity to be photographed for the yearbook! The required attire for the school’s yearbook pose are traditional Tuxedos and Drapes; provided by us! In addition to the free yearbook session, we also offer sessions that include casual/personality portraits and Cap and Gown portraits.
Please follow the link below to choose your session type and appointment time: www.vosphoto.com/southcounty
As a friendly reminder, appointments are needed for Senior Portraits.
If you have any questions, please email our Senior Portraits Team: seniors@vosphoto.com
Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “South County Class of 2026” when emailing, for faster assistance.
Thank you! Your Senior Portraits Team
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.
World Languages Credit by Exam
This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school.
The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits. If that language is one of the languages listed below, consider registering your student for the World Languages Credit by Exam!
The 2025 World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at South County High School between November 13 and 25.
Registration opens on September 4 and closes on October 17. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam.
More information, including the list of languages offered on the exam, and how to register is available online. Students interested in taking the World Languages Credit by Exam will also need to complete the following Google form using their @fcpsschools.net email.
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
Dear Students,
Take the chance to join DECA and be part of one of the biggest clubs at SOCO!
DECA is more than just a club; it’s an opportunity to set yourself up for future success. As an international organization, DECA prepares high school students for careers in business through hands-on learning experiences.
By joining DECA, you’ll have the chance to:
- Develop critical business and leadership skills
- Network with industry professionals and peers
- Earn scholarships and community service hours to support your education
- Gain real-world experience that looks great on college applications
- Build lasting friendships and be part of a motivated, ambitious community
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in your future! Join DECA today and unlock your potential.
DECA MEMBERSHIP FORM https://bit.ly/membership26
Membership dues ($40) can be paid via cash, check, or myschoolbucks. Cash/checks can be brought to Ms. Huffman in RM A212.
SOCO'S GOT TALENT
Fill out the google form to sign up !
You’ve been Tagged!
This past Saturday was Tag Day, the biggest fundraiser for the year for the South County Performing Arts Department. To maintain the high level of our programs, and keep the performing arts in our schools, we depend on contributions from our incredible community.
Student teams came to your door this past Saturday asking for tax-deductible contributions to “Support the Arts.” Thank you to everyone who donated to our Performing Arts department! If you weren’t home, you were tagged! If you would still like the opportunity to donate to our Performing Arts programs, donations can be made at https://bit.ly/SOCOTAGDAY. If you prefer, you can mail in a check to SCHS BAND BOOSTERS 8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton 22079. Either way, don’t forget to keep the tag as the receipt for your tax deductible donation.
Thank you again for your support of our Performing Arts Department! We hope to see you at one of our many performances this year at SCHS. Check the school 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
ATHLETICS CORNER
GET YOUR GOLD ON FOR
CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS!
11th Annual Football - Friday, September 19th at 7 pm
7th Annual Field Hockey - Monday, September 29th at 6:15/7:30 pm
T-Shirts will be on sale at all lunches Tuesday - Friday! $10 (S-XL); $15 (2XL- 3XL)
Cash/ Venmo/ Cash App accepted
We are so grateful to the SoCo community for raising awareness for Childhood Cancer and the Emma Jordon Kidz Fighting Cancer Foundation!
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
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, September 22. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
Tuesday, September 23, is a holiday for all FCPS students and staff. Schools and offices will be closed.
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September 27 to October 5 - Blue Star Welcome Week
Blue Star Welcome Week is a nationwide initiative to ensure military families feel a sense of belonging to their school communities. Fairfax County Public Schools will be intentionally celebrating and acknowledging Blue Star Welcome Week.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity to empower military families to thrive as they serve. There are approximately 13,500 military-connected students enrolled in FCPS. Each year, one-third of our military families transition into or out of our district. Blue Star Welcome Week gives schools an opportunity to welcome and connect with their military families. The goal is to create a sense of belonging and ensure that our military families feel celebrated and welcomed into their school communities.
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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