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 Hello Mustangs,
Happy End of February and Beginning of March, Mustang Families!
As we cross the midpoint of the third quarter, I am continually impressed by the dedication our students bring to the classroom and beyond. Whether they are performing their incredible theatre productions or fine-tuning their pieces for upcoming state music assessments, our students truly shine when they pursue their passions.
We also want to share our gratitude for how our community celebrates the diverse cultures that make our school special. As we are transitioning from the meaningful reflections of Black History Month into the Ramadan season, we appreciate the opportunity to learn from and honor the traditions of all our families.
A huge thank you goes out to our PTSO for fostering such a vibrant school culture; we are excited for tonight’s 7th vs 8th-grade basketball game! Doors open at 6:00 PM, and tip-off is at 6:30 PM—we hope to see you there. Finally, thank you for your ongoing partnership with our staff and for maintaining the high expectations that drive your children to succeed.
As always, we love your feedback; let us know where we glow or have space to grow! Have a great weekend, Mustangs!
Jamey Chianetta | Interim Principal | South County Middle School
Calendar Reminders
Friday, February 27 - Staff and Student Basketball Game, 6:30 PM
Friday, March 13, Mustang Mixer
Friday, March 20, Holiday, Eid al-Fitr
Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3 - No School, Spring Break
Monday, April 6 - No School, Teacher Work Day
Friday, April 10 - No School, School Planning Day
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Dr. Reid’s Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
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Tuesday, March 3, at Waples Mill Elementary School.
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Tuesday, March 17, from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m., at Glen Forest Elementary School.
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Monday, March 23, at Ravensworth Elementary School.
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Monday, April 13, at Belle View Elementary School.
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Monday, April 20, Westgate Elementary School.
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Wednesday, April 22, at Crestwood Elementary School.
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
Ramadan
We will begin using the Mediation & Silent Reflection Room (room B101) for Ramadan starting Wednesday (2/18). For the first few weeks of Ramadan (Feb. 18- March 6) students who have been given permission by a parent/guardian should be released from class at 12:25 and students will leave the room at the bell at 12:45. For the remainder of the weeks (March 9-19) students should be released at 1:20 and should be back to class at 1:40. You can find the list of students at the link which will be continuously updated as parents submit permission. Students on the list who are fasting will also be able to go to the library during lunches.
Meditation and Silent Reflection Room Sign-up
Student Fasting Meal Kits
From now to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
- Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
- Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
- Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
- Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
- March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
- March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
Celebrating the Power of School Breakfast
Multiple studies show that school breakfasts are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school breakfast consume more fruit and fiber than their peers.
This National School Breakfast Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Would you like to know what’s for breakfast? Nutrition Services has printable menus available.
Weekly Math SOL Reviews
Students have recently started completing weekly SOL Review assignments for their math classes. Here is some key information:
- Students are permitted to use their notes, slides and information posted in Schoology, Mathspace textbook and practice questions, and other resources used in class. Students may also ask for teacher support in seminar. They may not collaborate with other students.
- Each review will count as half of a formative assignment. These assignments are in Mathspace and students should use retries before submitting their task. They do not have retries on #5 and #10.
Due dates and more detailed information is posted in your student’s Schoology course. Thanks for your support at home!
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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.
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 Become Unskippable: Share the Facts About Fentanyl With Teens
Talking with teens about the facts of fentanyl is a conversation you can’t skip. Learning about fentanyl gives teens a better understanding of the risks and effects of the drug, and what they can do to keep themselves and their communities safe.
Share these important facts with your child:
- Even half a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal. Just a few salt-sized grains of fentanyl are enough to cause an overdose.
- More than half of local street pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. As of 2023, seven in
10 counterfeit pills in the U.S. contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose.
- Fentanyl is usually taken accidentally. Many people have no idea they’ve taken it until they overdose because you can’t see, smell, or taste it in pills and powders.
- Overdose can happen in an instant. In as little as four minutes, the lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and even death.
Learn more about how to have conversations with your child in a way that will make you Become Unskippable.
Hidden in Plain Sight Parent Event at South County High School
What Is Hidden in Plain Sight?
Hidden In Plain Sight (HIPS) is a free, interactive, adult-only program designed to help parents recognize subtle warning signs of risky behavior hidden in everyday items found in a teenager’s room. The program helps parents understand current youth trends and start informed conversations at home. Please see the flyer for more information. Make sure to register by April 16th.
Purple Up! Pop Up Store
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is gearing up to honor and celebrate its military-connected youth in April, the Month of the Military Child, and on Purple Up! Day!
This year, Virginia will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Purple Up! Day is a special day for communities to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. Purple symbolizes the combined colors of all branches of the military.
FCPS Purple Up! T-shirts and other items are available for purchase now through Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in ourhttps://www.customink.com/s/fcps-purple-up-spirit-wear-store. These items highlight our gratitude and appreciation for our 14,500 military-connected students and their families. #PurpleUpFCPS!
For more information and/or to connect with FCPS resources, email us at militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
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