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A Note From Principal Seward
Dear South Lakes Students, Families, and Community,
Thank you to all of the students, families, and staff who joined us for Curriculum Night last week.
As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, students will begin meeting individually with their school counselors this week to finalize course selections. These conversations are an important opportunity for students to reflect on their academic goals, ensure they remain on track for graduation, and make intentional choices for the year ahead. I encourage all students to challenge themselves academically while also maintaining a healthy and manageable balance in their overall workload.
In addition to strong instruction during the school day, we remain committed to providing targeted academic support through our ASAAP (After-School Academic Assistance Program). ASAAP offers students structured time after school to receive help from teachers, complete assignments, and strengthen key skills.
As we move through the winter months, good attendance continues to matter. Being present in class every day supports learning, builds consistency, and helps students stay connected to their teachers and peers. Families are encouraged to communicate with the school when absences are unavoidable and to help students prioritize arriving to school on time each day.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of South Lakes High School.
With gratitude,
Carlos Seward
We value your feedback. Share your observations, suggestions, questions and celebrations with me here.
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 Important Dates
- January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
- January 28, 2026 - End of 2nd Quarter - 2-Hour Early Release
- January 29 - 30, 2026 - Student Holidays
- February 2, 2026 - First day of 3rd Quarter
- February 16, 2026 - President's Day - No School
- February 17, 2026 - Teacher Work-Day - No School for students
FCPS School Year Calendar
Table of Contents
 #AttendanceMatters
We have hit the ground running with instruction as the end of the second quarter will be here in 2 weeks. We have had conversations with students who are “locked in” to get their assignments turned in and to finalize their grades for the semester.
Our students are also having the conversations as well for the importance of attendance. The SLHS Leadership classes have posted various videos and messages on social media around attendance, have created visuals around school to highlight the importance of attendance, and are working on a second semester “pop up” celebrations for classes with great attendance!
Daily attendance is critical in finalizing the semester for both the students and the teachers. We understand that illnesses are a normal part of the season. In those cases (and other absences), we have the After School Academic/Attendance Program (ASAAP) in the library on Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays every week from 3:00-4:30 in the library. The students can attend to make up their absences and get caught up on their work.
The transition from the winter break and/or illnesses have impacted our schoolwide attendance numbers.
As of January 9 (the 82nd day of the school year), SLHS is at 16.7% or 405 students identified as chronically absent.
(The 82nd day of school in 2025 was at 15.9%)
Thank you for your partnership in helping the students understand that attendance is a key factor in academic success! Here are the messages to help the students connect the two:
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Get to school on time. This is an important habit for students to stay on top of their schoolwork.
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Check SIS/StudentVue weekly for tardies/absences to have a conversation with your student around attendance and goals.
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Communicate and plan the instructional and attendance recovery dates for planned/unplanned absences through the ASAAP (After School Attendance and Academic Program). Planning a family trip? College visits? Feeling under the weather unexpectedly? ASAAP is held every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 3:00-4:30pm in the library.
Thank you to all the families who have contributed through donations. We want to keep the incentives going for the students as we are seeing the difference in our ASAAP attendance thanks to your help.
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Donate gift cards ($5 each)! Our students love them and it is such a positive incentive. Chipotle, Subway, Starbucks, and Chick-Fil-A are popular! (Contact Person: Mie Devers)
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Donate Amazon gift cards (in any amount) to purchase snacks, planners, and other supplies for ASAAP students. (Contact Person: Mie Devers)
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Donate food and snacks! Our students LOVE the snacks during ASAAP! We would appreciate snack bags of chips, pretzels, drinks, and other goodies, including full size candy bars! (Contact Person: Mie Devers)
The first semester is concluding and showing up each day will reflect on their academic and social success for the rest of the year. #AttendanceMatters is a message for every student as we build the community of our school as they are important members….just by showing up.
 Shape Your Story: Course Selection For High School Students
Beginning with rising seniors, students will meet with their counselors, starting this week, to discuss course selection for next year. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in this important process.
As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:
- Current academic strengths and habits.
- Graduation requirements (high school students.
- Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
- Personal well-being.
- Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.
School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success. Families may contact their student’s school counselor with questions.
The timeline for South Lakes High School course selection, also referred to as Academic Advising, will begin at the end of January, 2026. See the Timeline above for our schedule.
Graduation Requirements and Planning
FCPS’ Graduation Requirements and Course Planning page provides information that students and families can preview to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond. For additional support in tracking these requirements, families can now log into ParentVUE to monitor their student's progress toward graduation.
Reviewing the Program of Studies may also be helpful. Be sure to refer to our course catalog and course selection information.
Annual AVID Alumni Day, 2026
 More than 30 South Lakes AVID Alumni from the Classes of 2018-2025 joined us for our third annual AVID Alumni Day to share their experiences since high school with our current students. Their generosity, honesty, and continued dedication to AVID inspire our current students to persevere in pursuing their goals.
You can hear some of their inspiring stories on the new SLHS podcast "The Lakes" - available on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon Podcasts.
Robotics Team Inspires!
 At the West Virginia Qualifier, our Seahawks robotics team did amazing, getting the third place inspire award, the most coveted and challenging-to-receive award in Robotics.
Inspire is awarded to teams that performed best in every major category, and was awarded to us for our community outreach, creative design, and creative fundraising.
With this award we closed out the season with a bang!
"The Lakes -- Podcast"
 Billy Watts, our Assessment Coach, and resident genius, has created the first ever South Lakes High School Podcast, entitled "The Lakes!" The podcast will feature stories, interviews, and advice for students, parents, educators, and community about all things South Lakes High School.
Check out what's new this week on the first ever SLHS podcast "The Lakes" - available on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon Podcasts.
Graduation Status Now Available in ParentVUE & StudentVUE
A new Graduation Status section is now available in ParentVUE and StudentVUE. The Graduation Status is a tool that helps parents and students monitor and track their progress in meeting graduation requirements. This feature includes progress towards the Standard or Advanced Studies diploma for high school students and middle school students who have enrolled in one or more high school courses. This new graduation status section is available in addition to the course history and unofficial transcript options in ParentVUE and StudentVUE. To view the graduation status section, please take the following steps:
- Login to your SIS ParentVUE Account
- Go to “Course History” for your middle or high school student
- Go to “Graduation Status” and toggle “on”
For questions about graduation requirements, please contact your school counselor. Additional information about ParentVUE is available on the following website: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/student-information-system-sis-fcps/sis-parent-account-overview
Additionally, a resource guide with frequently asked questions (FAQ) for the Graduation Status section is available for school counseling professionals on the Graduation Requirements site.
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2026 SLHS All Night Grad Party (ANGP)
Sign up to receive emails about the 2026 All Night Grad Party (ANGP). You'll get updates about ANGP tickets, lawn signs, planning meetings, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, party reveals, and more... Sign up here!
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Superintendent Presents Recommendation for Boundary Changes
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid recommended proposed boundary changes to the School Board at its January 8 board meeting. Meeting materials include:
The School Board will hold a public hearing on the Proposed FY 2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) on Tuesday, January 13, at 6 p.m., in the Jackson Middle School auditorium. Speakers may address the FY 2027 CIP or the proposed school boundary adjustments. If you would like to testify regarding the proposed school boundary adjustments, you may arrive 45 minutes before the hearing begins (5:15 p.m.) to sign up to speak in person. You will be placed at the end of the speaker queue.
The School Board will vote on the superintendent’s recommendation for boundary changes and implementation on Thursday, January 22. Learn more about the comprehensive boundary review.
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Follow Our Budget Process
Encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process and look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education. Key decision dates and engagement opportunities are coming up in the next few weeks:
- The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2026 session on Saturday, January 10, at 9 a.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Fairfax County residents can sign up in advance to speak at the hearing online or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by Thursday, January 8, at noon.
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Thursday, January 22, Dr. Reid will present the proposed budget to the School Board.
Visit the FCPS budget webpage for more information.
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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. |
Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs
Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.
Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.
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Become Unskippable: Talking to Teens About Fentanyl
Are you planning on spending more time with your teen over winter break? Or are they planning to spend time away from you with friends? Now may be a good time to talk to them about fentanyl and overdose.
Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging, no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:
- Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving the car, taking a walk, or doing chores together.
- Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions.
- Stay patient, and reserve judgment.
- Check in with your child early and often.
Learn how to start an unskippable conversation, and find resources to share with your teen on how to spot an overdose and how to respond.
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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
Participation is voluntary. Additional Immunization Resources are available online. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student.️
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No Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.
Free and Reduced Meals - Apply Today!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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