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Hello Mustangs,
We have officially reached the halfway point of the quarter! Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to help our students learn, grow, and have a successful school year. Please take a moment to check in with your child about their progress, celebrate their accomplishments, and encourage them to continue putting forth their best effort during the second half of the quarter.
As a reminder, there will be no after-school program on Tuesday, September 29, so please make arrangements for your child to be picked up at the regular dismissal time. We are also excited to celebrate Blue Start Welcome Week, a special opportunity to welcome and connect with our new military connected students as we continue building a strong school community.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support—we look forward to a wonderful second half of the quarter!
Kathy Quigley, Interim Principal
South County Middle School
Upcoming Dates
Monday-Friday, September 28-October 2 - Blue Star Welcome Week
Tuesday, September 29 - NO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Wednesday, September 30 - Review and sign the SR&R
Monday, October 12 - No School, School Planning Day
Tuesday-Friday, October 13-16 - Finance Park Field Trips
Friday, October 16 - Picture Day (Blue Day PE students)
Friday, October 16 - PTSO Family Bingo Night
Thursday, October 22 - Family Book Club
Tuesday-Friday, October 27-30 - Science MEWEE Field Trips
Friday, October 30 - End of Quarter, 2 Hour Early Release
Monday, November 23 - Picture Make-Up Day
Family Book Club Night on Thursday, October 22 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM!
Event Highlights:
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What: SCMS Family Book Club with Author K.A. Holt
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When: Thursday, October 22 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (SCMS Cafeteria)
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Cost: FREE (Light refreshments provided; families can bring dinner)
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How to Join: Families choose any K.A. Holt book to read together and register
Blue Star Welcome Week
Blue Star Welcome Week (September 29-October 2) is the week during the school year where we welcome our military families who are new to our area and provide support, encouragement, and help in navigating our community.
During this week, we are celebrating what makes our school community special: kindness, showing school spirit by supporting and respecting one another, showing teamwork and dedication, having pride in who we are, and making sure everyone has a sense of belonging. Each day, we will be inviting all students to participate, meet someone new, and help make our school a welcoming place for everyone.
Review and Sign SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with their child(ren).
Families should review the SR&R and sign the acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or by signing and returning the Signature Sheet.
Cellphones and Personal Devices
Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more on the FCPS website.
Understanding the Acceptable Use PolicyFCPS provides students with digital tools and devices to support their learning, encourage easy collaboration, and help students learn how to interact with technology safely. The FCPS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) guides how these technologies are used both inside the classroom and at home. By following the AUP, students learn how to become not just users of technology, but responsible and ethical digital citizens with critical real-world skills such as:
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Responsible Communication and Conduct: Communicating respectfully and using technology appropriately.
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Digital Footprint Awareness: Understanding online actions can have lasting effects on a student’s reputation, future opportunities and relationships, career prospects, and safety.
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Data Privacy and Security: Learning how online safety can protect their digital work and personal information, and guard against cybersecurity risks.
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Self-Regulation: Learning to manage digital distractions to stay focused when needed.
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Accountability: Understanding that they are responsible for how they use FCPS technology and digital resources.
Learn more about digital citizenship at FCPS.
PTSO
Join us for our first event of the year! Family Bingo will take place October 16th from 6pm-8pm. Tickets include markers, bingo cards and if you order ahead online, they will also include a free drink. Pizza, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
Bingo Tickets | South County Middle School PTSO
Membership
Please consider becoming a member of the PTSO this year. Your membership helps us to help the school in ways that FCPS does not. We have events for the students and also offer Instructional grants for the staff to be able to do some of those extra things for the students that otherwise would not happen. Also, you don't have to volunteer (unless you want to!) For more information about the PTSO and what we do check out our website www.mustangptso.org and to become a member PTSO Membership | South County Middle School PTSO
New Online Spirit Wear Shop
Our South County Back-to-School Sale is happening now! Save up to 35% OFF sitewide on brand-new spirit wear, fresh fall styles, and personalized gear for the whole family. Shop today and show your school pride SHOP HERE
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
New ParentVUE Mobile App Is Here
The new ParentVUE mobile app is available in the Apple and Google App stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their ParentVUE account. The previous app will be deactivated at the end of 2026.
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.
Fall into Flavor With FCPS’ New Breakfast and Lunch Menu
FCPS’ new September and October menu items are packed with classic favorites and fresh global inspiration. Check our new online menu system to see when you can try new recipes based on student feedback, and developed by FCPS’ executive chef and team of food and nutrition experts.
Menu items include:
- Breakfast items such as honey chicken biscuits, guava pastelitos (whole-grain pastries filled with tropical guava fruit), and roasted apple parfaits, made with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola.
- Lunch items such as crunchy beef or fiesta tacos, ramen bowl with diced chicken or hard-boiled egg, beef or vegan banh mi burger, and southwest fiesta soup with corn chips.
Stay up to date on FCPS menus and nutrition news by subscribing to the Food and Nutrition Services newsletter.
Tap On and Tap Off, It’s Easy!
Please help all our bus riders remember to tap on and tap off the school bus each day. We currently have about 70% of students on buses following this process correctly, which is a great start! Learn more about student IDs and bus navigation.
Families wishing to see where their child’s bus is should continue to use the Here Comes the Bus app.
Traffic Safety Near Our School
We understand that families may need to drive their children to school from time to time. If you need to, please familiarize yourself with our school’s kiss-and-ride procedures for the safety of all children and staff.
Please drop off or pick up your students in the designated areas. Students should not be dropped off or picked up in other areas around the school or in nearby neighborhoods. Please also avoid parking in neighborhoods or double parking in front of our school if you intend to walk your child to school. This can increase the number of students walking through busy intersections and create traffic hazards for other drivers and families trying to get to school.
Please follow all signs and directions posted at our school, on public roads, or provided by school staff or crossing guards, and avoid making U-turns. Most of all, always — ALWAYS — drive slowly near our school. The safety of all our students is one of our top priorities!!
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