Mustang Weekly, January 23, 2026

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principal's message

Hello Mustangs,

We had an exciting time this week inducting our newest members into the National Junior Honor Society, and we would like to thank everyone involved in our students' lives for helping them achieve this honor. As we prepare for the end of the quarter, please encourage students to stay focused and finish the quarter strong. With the impending snowstorm, grades may be delayed. However, we will receive more guidance once we see how the snowstorm impacts us. Lastly, I will be on paternity leave in February and March. Ms. Jamey Chianetta, former principal of Halley Elementary School, has graciously agreed to serve in my absence. Therefore, let us welcome her back to the South County Pyramid, as her official first day will be February 2, 2026. Thank you, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, feedback, or concerns. We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday (unless the snowstorm changes that)!

Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School


Calendar Reminders

Quarter Ends

Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and an early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 29, for a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.

SIS ParentVUE will be unavailable for students and parents during end-of-quarter updates from Wednesday, January 28, at 4 p.m. until Thursday, February 5, at 6 a.m.


Tissue Donation

Cold and flu season is here. We are asking each family to send in two boxes of tissues to help our school during this time. We have already used most of the tissues that were brought in at the start of the school year. Thank you for helping keep our school healthy.


Prepare for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any 

Winter Resources for Families

A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.


seussical

Seussical The Musical

Seussical Jr., our after-school musical, is coming on February 20, 21, and 22!

Come watch Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and many of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life on stage in this fun and exciting musical.

Be sure to buy your tickets early! All shows sold out last year. Once a show is sold out, no more tickets will be available. Buy your tickets as soon as possible so you don’t miss it 🙂

If you have any questions, please email Ms. Israel at jrisrael@fcps.edu


High School College Partnership Program 

The FCPS College Partnership Program (CPP) focuses on closing the opportunity gap by preparing students for college readiness and success through academic advising, college visits, family engagement and preparation beyond high school. CPP’s goal is to ensure that students capable of completing a college preparatory path will: succeed in rigorous curriculum, actively participate in the school community, enroll in a four-year college or another post-secondary program, and become responsible participants and leaders of society.

Will you be in high school next year and benefit from the following elements?

  • Monthly meetings to learn about colleges, careers, and a variety of pathways to postsecondary success
  • Field trips to visit colleges and universities
  • Additional encouragement to stay motivated to succeed in school

Do you fit into ONE or more of the following categories?

  • Will be the first in your family to attend a four-year college in the U.S.
  • Need financial support to attend college
  • Earn mostly As and Bs in your classes
  • Are determined to go to college and willing to take some advanced courses 
  • Maintain a good attendance record

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above, then CPP might be a good fit! 

Additional information about CPP is on the FCPS website.

Students must be logged into their fcpsschools accounts to use this link and access the application. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 on February 20, 2026. 


track & field

2026 Track & Field

Registration is now open for our 2026 Track & Field season. Students must register using this Google form. Before students can participate and practice, they must have a valid 2025-2026 physical examination on file. Meet practice schedule will be provided at the Parent Info meeting (to be posted at a later date). Students should register by 5 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Practice will start the week of April 6.


community

More News and Updates — on the go — With the FCPS App 

Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here is how it makes life easier:

  •     Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) different schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events specific to your family.
  •     No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.
  •     Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates — including weather announcements! — ensuring you never miss an important announcement from the district or your school.
  •     Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.

To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app, or download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.