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Hello Mustangs,
It has been another great week at South County Middle School! We really enjoyed ourselves at the PTSO’s TGIT event and look forward to the PTSO meeting this upcoming Wednesday. We are wrapping up our English Language Arts SOL this week and will move into our final SOL on Monday, May 18, which is Mathematics. Remember, to help our students perform their best, please ensure they get plenty of rest and bring a fully charged computer to school each day, but especially on Monday. As always, thank you for your continued support, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, feedback, or concerns. We look forward to seeing everyone on Monday!
Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School
Calendar Reminders
May 18 - Last Day for After School Program
May 20 - PTSO Meeting
May 25 - Memorial Day, NO SCHOOL
May 26 - Teacher Workday, NO SCHOOL
May 27 - Religious Holiday, NO SCHOOL
May 29 - Spring Music Trip to Busch Gardens
Last Day for the After School Program
The last official day for ASP will be Monday May 18th. Late buses will be available on May 21st to support math remediation only. There will be no late buses on May 19th & May 20th. Thank you for supporting our ASP.
PTSO General Membership Meeting
Join us May 20th at 6pm in person in the main office conference room or online for our final general membership meeting of the year. Online link coming soon.
New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell.
High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year
Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:
- Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
- Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
- Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.
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.
Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes and to access the application.
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.
Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance!
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong.
Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.
If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.
If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact your child’s school so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about attendance resources.
SoCo Summer Strings
Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 6-17, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM (weekdays only). Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day.
You can find more information and register for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Register early to save money and reserve your student’s spot!
Thank you,
Rachel Plumer & Austin Johnson-Stawarz
SoCo Summer Strings Camp Directors
socosummerstrings@gmail.com
Website/Registration
SCHS Stem Jumpstart
Save the date! July 27-29th, 2026. Get a head start on high school success with our Freshman STEM Jumpstart Summer Program! Dive into hands-on projects, connect with future classmates, and explore exciting fields in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Build confidence, develop essential skills, and ensure a smooth, confident transition into your freshman year. Make sure to register - Free breakfast, lunch and transportation is included.
South County High School Basketball Camp – Registration is Open!
Learn from the true leaders of the court. We are proud to present the basketball camp hosted by the current District & Region Champions! Your child will receive expert coaching and fundamental skill development in a competitive and fun environment.
Dates:
- June 22–26 (9 AM – 3 PM)
- June 29 – July 3 (9 AM – 3 PM)
Cost: $195.00 per session.
Don't wait! Visit www.stallionsboysbasketball.com to register today!
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update
On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget.
Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.
Veritas Preparatory Program
The nationally acclaimed Veritas Preparatory Program and Veritas Debate Institute are offering full scholarships for up to 25 high-achieving FCPS rising students in grades 7-12 to participate in a gifted study program that prepares them for a summer residential program at Harvard University. Scholarships are sponsored by the UPS Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, and the Steve Harvey Foundation.
Grades 7-8: Veritas Prep is a weekly out-of-school gifted study program for 7th-8th-grade students who are prepared to be challenged beyond what’s taught in traditional school. Veritas Prep provides early exposure to college-level skills and liberal arts subjects that accelerate reading, critical thinking, and public speaking skills. Veritas Prep feeds into the Veritas Debate Institute, which culminates with a summer residential program at Harvard University.
Grades 9-12: Veritas Debate Institute (VDI) is a weekly out-of-school gifted study program for 9th-12th-graders that teaches college-level skills and subjects, including philosophy, political science, economics, debate, and more. Students train for one year in preparation for a summer residential debate program at Harvard University, where they study and compete alongside hundreds of gifted and talented youth from across the globe.
Eligibility: Veritas is a multicultural program open to all students regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic background. Veritas targets high-achieving students with a strong interest in the social sciences (politics, history, law, humanities, debate, public speaking, etc) and have aspirations to attend the top-ranked colleges & universities in the world.
For nearly a decade, Veritas has earned national recognition for producing many of the top-performing students in the world and placing hundreds of youth on a pathway to Ivy League and elite colleges. You can learn more about Veritas here.
As Veritas expands to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area this year, FCPS has been selected as a partner district to help identify high-achieving students.
On Thursday, May 21st at 7:00 PM, an informational webinar will be held exclusively for rising 7th and 12th-grade students and parents in FCPS to learn more about Veritas and the application process. You will have an opportunity to meet Veritas leadership and ask questions about the program.
If you would like to attend, Click Here to RSVP and you will receive a link to attend the informational session.
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