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Hello Mustangs,
Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year! As we approach the first day of school on Monday, August 24, 2026, we would like to share some information about our beginning-of-year events. We invite everyone to visit the building during our Mustang Roundup (Open House) on Friday, August 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Mustang Roundup is an opportunity for our families to tour the building and classrooms, complete and submit forms, drop off medication, and bring in supplies, among other activities.
Speaking of supplies, we do have a schoolwide supply list. We would appreciate it if all students have the following items: a backpack, notebook paper, pencils, colored pencils, pens, highlighters, a pencil pouch, a plastic 3-ring binder, a 3-subject notebook, glue sticks, dividers, an agenda/calendar, and earbuds/headphones. If you need support with any supplies, please contact us at 703-690-5500. Additionally, we are asking for donations of facial tissue (2 -3 boxes) and Wet Ones (2-3 containers - e.g. antibacterial wipes, no Clorox wipes).
Lastly, our Back-to-School Night is Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
If you are not attending South County Middle School for the 26-27 school year, please contact us at 703-690-5500. That is all for now, and we will send out other messages as we get closer to the first day of school. As always, please let us know if you have any questions, feedback, or concerns. See you soon and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Upcoming Dates
Monday-Wednesday, August 3-5, Jumpstart Program, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Friday, August 21 - Mustang Roundup, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Monday, August 24 - First Day of School
Wednesday, September 2 - Back-to-School Night, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Jumpstart Registration
Jump Start is a summer program designed to help incoming 7th-grade students, as well as students who are new to the county, make a smooth transition to middle school. Through fun, interactive activities, students will learn essential study and organizational skills, explore "Middle School 101" at South County Middle School (SCMS), participate in a school-wide scavenger hunt to become familiar with the building, make new friends, and gain the confidence and skills needed for a successful start at SCMS.
Registration Deadline: Thursday July 30th.
Jumpstart Dates: August 3, 4, and 5 (Students should register for one session only.) Program Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Please note that transportation will not be provided. Parents/guardians are responsible for both drop-off and pick-up. Students should enter the building through Door 1.
The registration fee is $35 per student, which includes:
- A Jumpstart t-shirt
- Lunch
- A goodie bag
Lunch will be provided by Domino's Pizza.
Payment must be submitted through MySchoolBucks by July 30. Your child's spot in the program is secured once payment has been received.
To make a payment:
- Log in to your child's MySchoolBucks account.
- Select School Store.
- Choose Operation Jumpstart.
If you experience any issues with the payment process, please don't hesitate to contact me, Chris Woodby, cwwoodby@fcps.edu or 703-690-5636.
After the July 30 registration deadline, I will verify payments and send additional program information, including the specific day your child is scheduled to attend, by August 1.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. If you are new to the county and can’t access the payment option, please let me know. We look forward to meeting our newest Mustangs and welcoming your students to South County Middle School!
New ParentVUE Mobile App Launching July 28
On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall
This fall, every FCPS student will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a divisionwide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school.
Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.
All students at our school will need to wear their student ID cards throughout the school day. We will be handing out the new student ID cards the first few weeks of school. More details will be shared soon.
Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
Back-to-School Immunization Requirements
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
Several immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grades.
- All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 and 12, but can be given as early as 9 years old.
As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Where to Receive Immunizations
If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events.
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster.
Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.
Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
Virtual Mental Health Services Now Available to Middle School Students
Since 2023, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to offer virtual mental health services to FCPS high school students. These services became available to students enrolled in all FCPS middle schools on July 1.
Parents are encouraged to contact Hazel Health directly if they are seeking mental health support for their child, have noticed changes in their child’s mood or behavior, or are having difficulty connecting with a therapist in the community.
To make it easier for families to access services, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to streamline the referral process. Parents can visit the Hazel Health in FCPS website to enroll their child in services or visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
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