Dear South Lakes High School Community,

As we wrap up the first quarter, I want to pause and say something simple and important: "I am proud of us."

I am proud of our students for showing up, working hard, supporting each other, and representing South Lakes with Seahawk pride in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, and in the community. I am proud of our staff for planning strong instruction and building relationships. And I am proud of our families for partnering with us, reaching out, asking questions, encouraging your students, and holding them to high expectations. South Lakes is special because we are doing this work together.

The first quarter officially ends this Friday, October 31, 2025. That day is also a two-hour early release for students. End of quarter grades are not the finish line; they are feedback. If your student is happy with their progress, let us build on it. If your student is not where they want to be yet, this is the moment to reset habits, get organized, ask for help, and take advantage of the support that is here for them.

Monday, November 3, 2025, is a School Planning Day for staff. Students do not report to school.

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 is a Teacher Workday and Election Day. Again, students do not report to school. 

I encourage students to use those two days to recharge in healthy ways and get organized for a strong start to the second quarter.

Lastly, I want to mention two things that directly impacts learning every single day: 

1. We care deeply about your student’s social and emotional health. Strong mental wellness is not “extra,” it is part of learning. A student who feels safe, seen, and supported is a student who can take academic risks, advocate for themselves, and grow. Please check in with your student this weekend and during the student holidays on November 3–4. Ask them: How are you feeling? What’s stressing you out? Who school can you go to when you need something? If you or your student ever needs support academic, social, or emotional, reach out. We are here.  
2. As we move into Quarter 2, our message is simple: Show up. Do the work. Take care of yourself and each other. 

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for being true partners in this work. 

With Gratitude,

Carlos Seward

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

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.  

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or submitting the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type “Federal Impact Aid Survey” in the Issue Description section. You may also call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

SIS ParentVUE/StudentVUE Gradebook End-of-Quarter Closure

The Gradebook in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed for the end of the first quarter from Friday, October 31, 4 p.m. to Monday, November 10, 6 a.m.

Activate your ParentVUE account to easily access grade reports.

As we close out Quarter 1, we will be emailing each family the Q1 Attendance Progress Report for their student(s) early next week. 

We are making gains in improving the schoolwide attendance and we want to thank you for your continued partnership. 

We will also be sending a communication to let you know about the current state of the South Lakes HS attendance in the next few days.

Changes to Middle and High School Report Card Feedback

With the first quarter of the school year ending on Friday, October 31st, families can expect student report cards to be available the week of November 10. 

FCPS has revised the way teachers provide feedback on report cards, so you may notice some new comments. Specifically, comments have been revised to provide more detailed feedback for students and families.

Also, teachers will now include a Work Habits mark each quarter for each student. This scale provides feedback on students’ time management, organization, assignment completion, and overall effort in class. This is meant as feedback to families and will not appear on a student’s transcript. 

View the Middle and High School Grading and Reporting webpage for more information.

We’re excited to offer you a more convenient option for receiving your student’s report cards: Go Paperless!

By choosing to go paperless, you'll be able to:

1. Access report cards directly in ParentVUE with just a few clicks.
2. Reduce wait time in seeing your student’s report card.

Here's how you can OPT-IN:

1. Log into ParentVUE, click on "My Account," and select “Go Paperless.”
2. All parents/guardians living with the student at the same address must have an active SIS ParentVUE account to opt-in.
3. Once selected, the “Go Paperless” option will apply to all associated students, no matter their grade level.
4. If you’ve already opted for paperless for your secondary students, it will automatically apply to any younger siblings at the elementary level too!

As in previous years, the fees for the first six IB and AP tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s). 

FCPS expects all students to take IB and AP tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt-out of the test(s) during this opt-out window.

If you would like to opt-out of an IB exam, please fill out this form while logged in to your fcpsschools.net account and you will receive an opt out form to sign and return to the school. 

If you would like to opt-out of an AP exam, contact Patrick Tubbins at petubbins@fcps.edu.  

Students must make opt-out decisions by October 31, 2025.

Parents will be billed a non-refundable test fee in December 2025 through MySchoolBucks for tests that exceed the six FCPS funded tests.

Reference the IB exam dates site for the schedule of IB Exams. IB exam slots are fixed, and students cannot take exams at alternate times.            

School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 4

How Bond Projects Are Selected

Each year, the School Board and FCPS staff members work with the community to develop an updated, five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for school building and renovation projects. To develop the CIP, the school system assesses changes in expected enrollments, academic programs, and facility conditions to determine priorities for new construction, renovations, and other capital facility projects. The School Board then evaluates the affordability of these school needs against other countywide requirements to determine the bond proposal. 

Because of this, while FCPS and the School Board generally try to follow the CIP, changes can be made year-over-year depending on the evolving needs of the school division.

The School Board is committed to protecting the community’s investment in schools and other buildings, which have a combined present value approaching $9 billion. Not only do these facilities wear out over time, but they also become outdated, both technologically and instructionally. FCPS renovates its schools to ensure that students, countywide, have effective and efficient learning environments to thrive and grow.

Read more about the FCPS 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote. Make a voting plan and vote on Tuesday, November 4. 

Fairfax County Youth Survey on Physical and Mental Well-Being

The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The survey is given each fall to all students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12. It provides information about a variety of topics related to our students that influence their physical and mental well-being, from sleep, physical activity, and nutritional habits to protective factors, substance use behaviors, and symptoms of depression. 

The 2025 Fairfax County Youth Survey will be taken by students between Monday, November 10, and Friday, November 21. Parents and caregivers can opt their student out of participating in the survey if they so choose. 

Visit the Fairfax County Youth Survey webpage for more information and to review the opt-out forms.

Providing students with access to the necessary emotional, behavioral, mental, and physical health services to support their successful engagement in school is part of the FCPS Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

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 

Immunization Clinics 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.