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Hello Mustangs,
It has been another exciting week at South County Middle School. Please note that we are getting closer to the end of the quarter after another week of school. In fact, 1st quarter ends on October 31, 2025, and we hope you have received progress reports from your student's teachers to see how your student has been doing in school. Additionally, as mentioned last week, students learned about our new weapons detection system in their Health and PE class. Next week, students can decide to test them during their lunchtime. Lastly, we will conduct a "dry run" of the system during the week of October 27 and fully implement it on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. As always, thank you for all you do for our school community, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, feedback, or concerns. We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday!
Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School
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UPCOMING DATES
October 20 - No School, Religious Holiday
October 21 - Federal Impact Aid Form available in ParentVue
October 22 - PTSO General Membership Meeting, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
October 31 - End of Quarter, Two-Hour Early Release
November 6-7 - Picture Days
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Friendly Reminder:
Let's Keep the Kiss and Ride Flowing!
Just a friendly reminder to everyone using the morning drop-off: courtesy makes all the difference!
For the smoothest and fastest drop-off possible, please remember to alternate cars entering the parking lot. This simple action helps keep traffic moving efficiently.
This keeps traffic moving, and we can avoid honking or blocking others. Thank you for your cooperation! Let's work together to make the start of the school day calm and respectful for everyone!
LEAP - Library Equity Access Pass
Did you know that every FCPS student has a Fairfax County Public Library card? The Library Equity Access Pass (LEAP) program, now in its sixth year, allows all FCPS students to check out up to three library books for six weeks at a time (print books only). Instead of showing a physical library card, students give their names to the public librarian (no student ID needed) to borrow their books. FCPS has added a new LEAP button to its website’s Library Resources page.
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Applications Open Monday, October 20, for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
Eighth graders who have an aptitude and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply for admission to the Class of 2030 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST).
The application will be available Monday, October 20, at 4 p.m. Applications must be started by 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, with a submission deadline of 4 p.m.
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Reading Plans and Your Student:
October 22, 10-11:30 a.m.
- This 1.5-hour webinar is designed to help parents and caregivers understand the new reading plans in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Parents will learn about:
- What a reading plan is: A reading plan is a support system for students who are not meeting literacy benchmarks. It outlines specific, evidence-based instruction and interventions to help them improve their reading skills.
- Who requires a reading plan: All students from kindergarten through eighth grade who are identified as needing additional support based on literacy assessments will receive a reading plan. This is part of a broader effort by FCPS to implement the Virginia Literacy Act.
- How schools will support students: The webinar will explain how FCPS is using a science-based reading approach and will discuss the role of reading specialists, the curriculum used, and the assessments to monitor student progress.
- Resources and tools for parents: Parents will leave with practical resources and tools they can use at home to support their child's literacy development. The webinar aims to empower families to be active partners in their child's reading journey.
- Register here
SCMS Mustang Market Canned Food Drive
This is a wonderful opportunity for our entire community to come together and help those in need by supporting local families.
Hunger is a challenge right here in our area, and a single donation can make a difference in someone’s life. We are asking for the following items to be donated:
- Canned vegetables and fruits
- Canned beans
- Canned pasta sauce
- Individual and unopened bag/box of rice
- Small box of unopened spaghetti
Donation Period: The food drive will run for one month, starting Tuesday, October 14th through Friday, November 14th.
Students are asked to bring their canned goods donations directly to their 3rd period teacher. The class that collects the most items will receive donuts for the entire class.
Our Blankets for Veterans program is underway!
Each week during Seminar, students make patriotic blankets to donate to Honor Flight veterans. In late spring, the students will meet and greet the veterans at the World War II Memorial and give each veteran a blanket, handmade card, and personalized poster welcoming them to Washington DC.
Here is a short video and article highlighting the program. Small donations through My School Bucks (Donations - Honor Flight Blankeets) are always appreciated in the continuation of the program. Anyone who wishes to donate to the program who does not have a student at South County can use this link.
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Membership Meeting
Join us for our first General Membership meeting of the year on October 22nd at 6pm. This is a hybrid meeting so you can join us in person in the Front Office conference room or online. Click here for the meeting link!
No Fuss Fundraiser
We are also sponsoring a NO FUSS FUNDRAISER. Please feel free to use this link to donate.
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 Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
- Thursday, November 6
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 20
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Participation is voluntary. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student. Learn more about immunization resources.
Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation
All Fairfax County middle and high school students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office.
Additionally, our students can ride Metrobus for free. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes and to access the application.
Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult.
Bus Discount Program for Adults
Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18-65. Learn more about the TRIP program and how to apply.
National School Lunch Week
This week is National School Lunch Week, which promotes the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. View menus for your child’s school to help you plan for the week ahead.
Did you know that families can apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits anytime during the school year?
If a family’s income changes at any point, they may become newly eligible according to federal income guidelines and can apply immediately. This includes income interruptions caused by furloughs, layoffs, or job losses. Once approved, benefits remain valid for the rest of the school year and for up to 30 school days into the following school year, even if the family’s income changes again. Read Superintendent Reid's October 1 letter regarding other resources available to families impacted by the government shutdown.
When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. So when should your child stay home? Visit the FCPS website for helpful ideas regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify our school and your child’s teachers so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with our public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and tell school staff why and for how long.
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