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Important Dates:
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Feb 15- National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
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Feb 16- Presidents Day
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Feb 17- Lunar New Year / Ramadan begins at Sundown (Teacher work day)
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Feb 18- Ash Wednesday and First Full Day of Ramadan
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Feb 19, 20 & 21-7:00pm Student-Directed One-Acts
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Feb 24-28- Public Schools Week
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March 1-7- National School Social Work Week
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March 2- Read Across America Day
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March- 7- AIA Drumline and Winterguard
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March 8- Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring Forward)
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March 17-6-8pm Community Basketball Competition
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March 20- Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr
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March 27- Quarter End/Early Release
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Mar 30 to Apr 6- Spring Break / Teacher Workday
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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
Report a Full-Day Absence-The fastest way is to use ParentVUE.
Alternative Methods
Required Details
Provide the student's full name, ID, and date(s) of absence, along with your name, relationship, and contact number, and the specific reason. (Student-reported absences will not be excused.)
Key Reminders
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Greetings SoCo families,
As we head into Valentine’s Day, we’re reminded that love is more than a holiday; it’s a daily choice to see, value, and uplift one another. At SoCo, that love shows up in the small moments: a teacher staying after to help, a student inviting someone to sit with them, a teammate encouraging another to keep going. It lives in our commitment to belonging, respect, and pride in this community we call home. This week let’s lean into what makes South County special: the way we show up for each other and celebrate not just with cards and candy, but with gratitude, kindness, and the unmistakable SoCo spirit that binds us together.
With that said, let’s get to this week’s reflections and news …
Student and Staff Belonging
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Present
Our Black History Month celebration continues to shine, highlighted by beautiful new decorations created by Mrs. Sargeant and her students that bring both meaning and vibrancy to our space. Their thoughtful work is reflected in these photos and serves as a powerful tribute to the stories and contributions we honor this month. We also want to extend a belated thank you to Justyne Fischer for her help in displaying last week’s BHM posters and ensuring they were showcased so thoughtfully for our community.
A Night to Remember
Last Saturday’s International Night was a powerful celebration of culture, connection, and unmistakable SoCo pride, as our community came together to honor the rich traditions that make us who we are. New this year, the option for audience members to purchase specific seats rather than general admission helped us welcome even more families into the festivities, maximizing participation and filling the auditorium with energy and excitement. With precision, poise, and phenomenal planning, Mrs. Gostel, our event coordinator, kept the performances moving at a brisk pace, seamlessly guiding more than 20 groups on and off the stage in under three hours. It was a breathtaking display of the very best of SoCo: the most vibrant, most unified, and most joyfully diverse representation of cultures that makes our school community truly extraordinary.
Students vs. Staff: The SoCo Showdown
SoCo, the countdown is on! Our inaugural Community Basketball Game is shaping up to be an unforgettable night of school spirit and friendly competition. Silverbrook students will tip things off with an exciting opening quarter, followed by a spotlight quarter featuring our Inclusive Learning Program students showcasing their talents, before the main event: two high-energy quarters of students versus staff in a can’t-miss showdown. Every segment will have its own dedicated cheer squad (including some very enthusiastic faculty members) ready to fire up the crowd and keep the energy sky-high. Be sure to join us on March 17, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m.; it’s going to be an evening full of pride, laughter, and classic SoCo memories in the making!
Flying High: SoCo Track Rockets Out of the Gate
Track Day one was a whirlwind of speed and skill, with our athletes leaping and sprinting like arrows hitting their marks. Regional champions Amiyah Curry in the long jump and Charles Brown IV in the 55m dash soared to the top, while Mykal Mason earned a strong showing as regional runner-up in the long jump. With even more events scheduled for Day two (on Friday), let’s celebrate our Stallion stars. Go SoCo Track!
School Culture
Spreading Smiles: SoCo’s “PS I Love You” Week Hits the Right Note
A big thank you to Mrs. Peck and our amazing Student Leaders for making “PS I Love You” Week so special! From thoughtful gestures to the new addition of singing telegrams, they spread smiles, laughter, and SoCo spirit throughout the school. Your creativity and heart made this week one to remember!
Along similar lines, a heartfelt thank you to our PTSO for showing staff some love with their Valentine’s Day Cart. Your thoughtfulness and support bring a little extra joy to our SoCo community this week!
Morning Kiss & Ride Addition
To help ease morning traffic, please remember the three Kiss & Ride drop-off locations at South County High School (see attached map):
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Silverbrook Rd. Entrance: Enter past the bus loop gate, follow cones to the first two lanes on the right, and drop students at the green-marked area. Exit via Stallion Dr. onto Laurel Crest Dr.
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Laurel Crest/Stallion Dr. Entrance: Turn toward “The Bubble” near the softball field and tennis courts, drop students at the green-marked area, then U-turn and exit via Stallion Dr. onto Laurel Crest Dr.
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Door 12 Loop: Approach from the back of the school, drop students at the green-marked area, and exit the loop.
For questions or clarification, please contact Safety & Security Specialist Tom Champ.
SoCo Scientists Shine: A “Medal”-lous Moment!
Our South County Science Olympiad team is beaming with SoCo pride as they finally unwrap the medals and trophy from the January 24th Langley Regional Tournament! After a snow-delayed virtual awards ceremony, Ayman Ouair, Joshua Kim, Isabelle Ky, and Sophia Alora posed for a picture to represent their team, and they can now proudly display the rewards of their hard work, teamwork, and STEM smarts. Placing 2nd overall at Regionals, they earned medals in events ranging from forensics to engineering design, proving that SoCo students don’t just experiment: they STEM to the top! Next stop: the State Tournament at UVA on March 21st. Let’s go, SoCo Scientists!
Lead the Way: Be SoCo’s Principal for a Day!
Calling all SoCo students! Our second edition of Principal for the Day is your chance to dive into the heart of school leadership, learning the ins and outs of running a high school while spending the day alongside me. Spots are limited, so bring your SoCo spirit and sign up early to be considered: Principal for the Day.
Your Voice, Your SoCo: Join the PAC!
We invite all South County parents to join our Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting on March 18, a great opportunity to share your ideas and questions about our school. To ensure we have enough parents to have a meaningful conversation, please sign up in advance; this is another way for me to hear your voice and help shape the SoCo experience!
Seize the Moment: SoCo’s Student AI Challenge Winners!
We are excited to announce the results of our school-level Seize the Moment: Student AI Challenge! Nine talented teams submitted innovative projects, highlighting the creativity, problem-solving, and ingenuity of our students. A special thank you to our club sponsors, Mr. Velazquez and Mrs. Lewis, and our faculty judges for their guidance and time; your support made this competition possible.
School Winners:
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1st Place: Physical Therapy With Stan App – Minh Tran, Khoi Nguyen, Michael Cabrera (Advancing to District Challenge Night)
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2nd Place: Career Simulator App – Karan Amat, Ethan Mekonnen, Christian Million
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3rd Place: Novachrono App – Kenny Le, Abdul Rafie, Rian Lemarche
Join Us for District Challenge Night: Support our first-place team as they represent SoCo at the county-wide event!
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When: February 17, 6:00–8:00 PM
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Where: Herndon High School
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What to Expect: A science-fair-style showcase of 20 projects, followed by “Shark Tank-style” pitches from the top five finalists.
Coach's Corner
Our goal with instruction is to increase student development of critical thinking skills, encouraging students to analyze information, evaluate evidence, and form reasoned judgments. At home, you can foster this by discussing current events, encouraging healthy debate on topics, and asking "why" and "how" questions that go beyond surface-level understanding. This helps students think deeply and independently, preparing them to navigate a complex world.
Club Corner
Do you love music, dance, movies, and vibrant culture? The Bollywood Dance Club is your space to move, laugh, and connect! They explore Bollywood dance, watch film clips, learn about South Asian culture, and perform at school events like International Night and Asia Night. No dance experience is needed; just curiosity, energy, and a willingness to jump in. Join the BDC to make new friends, discover new passions, and experience the joy of connecting with people you never expected to meet! Mrs. Scarbrough is the club sponsor, so feel free to reach out to her with any questions you have.
Keep in Mind …
This Monday is a school holiday (President’s Day) and Tuesday is a Teacher Workday, so we look forward to students returning to school on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
As we close this edition of our newsletter, we are reminded that for 20 years we have stood strong together; through challenges, celebrations, growth, and change. That strength comes from our students, our staff, our families, and the pride we share in being unapologetically SoCool!
Thank you for being part of a community that shows up for one another and continues to raise the bar year after year. I hope everyone enjoys the extended weekend; rest, recharge, and we’ll see you back ready to keep standing strong together!
 Kambar
#StandingStrongFor20Years!
Student-Directed One-Acts
SoCo is proud to present the annual Student-Directed One-Acts. Every night will feature different plays directed by our Theatre 3/4 students.
THU, FEB 19 @ 7 PM
FRI, FEB 20 @ 7 PM
SAT, FEB 21 @ 7 PM
Community Basketball Competition
Don’t miss the first Community Basketball Competition at South County High School! On March 17th from 6–8 PM, our local schools will face off for the win.
Wear green to show your support for our students!
Admission is $5 at the door. We will also be collecting non-perishable food items for LCAC.
Mark your calendars! On March 7th, the SOCO Bands will host an AIA Drumline and Winterguard show featuring 70 performances from schools across the state.
Doors open at 8:00 a.m., with incredible Winterguard performances in the morning, followed by an exciting afternoon of Drumline showcases. This event is open to the public—we hope to see you there!
College Partnership Program
College Partnership Program (CPP)
The College Partnership Program 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.
Would you benefit from the following elements?
- Attending monthly meetings during Stallion Time to learn about colleges, careers, and a variety of pathways to postsecondary success
- Going on field trips to visit colleges and universities
- Getting and staying motivated to succeed in school
Do you fit into ONE or more of the following categories?
- First in your family to attend a four-year college in the U.S.
- Need financial support to attend college
- Current GPA of 2.5 or above
- Determined to go to college
- Willing to take some advanced courses and put in the necessary work
- Good attendance record
If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above, then CPP might be for you!
Additional information about CPP is on the FCPS website, and students with questions are encouraged to speak with their school counselors or one of the South County program advocates: Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Mims, Mrs. Straughn, and Ms. Biehl.
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 20th.
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) - April 9th
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is for Juniors and Seniors interested in career exploration or with plans to enlist in the military after graduation. The ASVAB will be offered at South County on Thursday, April 9th. This is a GREEN day.
Students must be logged in to their school accounts for access to registration form here - https://forms.gle/CGqEjvYoov8LRLft8
Detailed information on the ASVAB can be found at: https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining/asvab-test
Practice questions are available at: https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining/asvab-test-sample-questions
Registration for the ASVAB will close at 11:59 PM on Friday, March 6, 2026.
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:
2026 CTE Summer Academy
CTE Summer Academy is a weekly enrichment program that allows students to dive deeper into CTE program areas, and encourages skill development and career exploration.
Students choose 4 classes each week they participate and learn new content, discover interests, and build their skills.
Details:
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Eligibility: Current 6 to 11 graders
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Time - 8:30 am to 2 pm* *Early drop off begins at 7:30 am; after care ends at 5 pm
New to 2026! We’re offering after care!
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Location - Robinson SS
- Transportation from select FCPS schools is provided!
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Cost - $300 per week Back for 2026 programs, we will be offering tuition assistance. More information on our webpages.
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New to 2026! We’re offering a 4th week of our programs!
- Different weekly offerings; weekly themes and class offerings can be found on our webpages!
Class Options:
Students will choose four (4) classes each week to build their own specialized summer learning program. Courses are available in all CTE program areas: Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical, Marketing, Technology and Engineering, and Trade and Industrial.
Classes offered through CTE Summer Academy are introductory and do not require previous knowledge of the content.
For the list and schedule of classes being offered, please visit our webpage!
Registration:
Registration is open from February 2 to June 5, 2026.
Students can register online by visiting the CTE Summer Academy webpage and clicking on the register button.
More Information:
Visit the CTE Summer Academy webpage: bit.ly/FCPS_CSA for more information!
See attached flyer
South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce
The South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce is offering Student Scholarships for college and trade school students.
Please apply using the link: Student Scholarship: https://forms.gle/QrV2v89EFMQVLqEB7
ATHLETICS CORNER
South County High School Athletic Booster
🎟️ Season Passes Now on Sale! 🎟️ Season passes for home sporting events are now available at adiscounted rate for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year! Thisis a great opportunity to enjoy all the action while saving money. Come out and show your school spirit by supporting our winter sportsteams—your energy in the stands makes a difference! For pass pricing and purchase details, please visithttps://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.stallionnationboosters.org__;!!Pwvz7ORF!J66ZTvp_-iNlXFHsaGmImDX27mtGHWb2F6jLkf68MZXnUFXsX784FdKBc6zIkCjPkDNShScHFy_ZdE3ey63VFWV2f8A$
Concession Stand Volunteers
Volunteers Needed — Support Our Sports Programs! Students and families are encouraged to sign up to volunteer at theconcession stands during our home sporting events. This is a greatopportunity for students to earn required volunteer hours whilegaining valuable experience, and for families to directly support ourathletic programs and student-athletes. Concessions play an important role in funding and sustaining oursports teams, and every shift makes a difference. Whether you can helpfor one game or multiple events, your time and support are greatlyappreciated.
👉 Please sign up at https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.stallionnationboosters.org__;!!Pwvz7ORF!J66ZTvp_-iNlXFHsaGmImDX27mtGHWb2F6jLkf68MZXnUFXsX784FdKBc6zIkCjPkDNShScHFy_ZdE3ey63VFWV2f8A$ Come be part of the game-day experience and help make our home events a success!
Trademasters Home Services - (20+) Facebook
Trademasters is offering a special promotion: purchase a home services membership for $249 and receive a $200 credit toward a home service repair or maintenance. Additionally, the South County PTSO receives a $20 donation for every membership purchased. Use promo code Extravaganza20 through March 31, 2026.
Check out this fabulous membership https://trademasters.com/how-membership-works
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
February Is Career and Technical Education Month
By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Since this is an elective, course offerings may vary by school. Learn more on the FCPS CTE webpage.
CTE also offers summer programs for students to explore their programs. Enroll now!
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VSBA School Board Appreciation Month
Thank you to the Fairfax County School Board for all they do throughout the year. Want to contact your school board representatives to share your appreciation? Visit their website to find your school board member and contact them.
02/17/2026- Lunar New Year / Ramadan begins at Sundown (Teacher work day)
🐎 새해 복 많이 받으세요! 新年快乐! Chúc mừng Năm Mới! Wishing good fortune to those in our community who celebrate Lunar New Year! For those in many East and Southeast Asian countries, including Pacific Islanders, the Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays of the year and is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family.
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Ash Wednesday and First Full Day of Ramadan
Ash Wednesday/First Full Day of RamadanWednesday, February 18, is Ash Wednesday and the first full day of Ramadan. FCPS has designated this day as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.Throughout the year, as we celebrate and recognize various cultural holidays and observances, families are encouraged to contact their child’s principal regarding accommodations, including but not limited to those around lunch, prayer/meditation and silent reflection spaces and times, and instruction.
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Important SoCo and FCPS Resources
How to Stay In Touch
Please stay in touch with us throughout the year by:
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