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Hello Mustangs,
Can you believe it's already the end of the first quarter? As we head into the second quarter on Wednesday, please remember that classes start at 7:30 a.m., and students should be in their seats when the bell rings. Many cars are arriving at Kiss & Ride right before 7:30, so please build in extra time for the security check and get to class before the bell rings. Your help reduces tardiness and ensures students are ready to learn right away. Thank you for your support, have a great long weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on Wednesday!
Kathy Quigley, Interim Principal
South County Middle School
Calendar Reminders: Quarter End and Daylight Saving (Fall Back)
Student Holidays
Schools will be closed for students on Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3.
SIS ParentVUE will be unavailable for students and parents during end-of-quarter updates from Friday, October 30, at 4 p.m., to Monday, November 9, at 9 a.m.
Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)
Daylight saving time will end this Sunday, November 1, at 2 a.m. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 11, is a school day.
Monday, November 16 - Picture Day (Green Day PE Students)
Thursday, November 19 - 8th Grade Youth Survey
Monday, November 23 - Picture Make-Up Day
Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27 - No School, Thanksgiving Holiday
Weekly Chromebook Update
Automated weekly reboots will help maintain device health and apply background updates to the Lightspeed Filter agent. The schedule is for Middle schools: Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
If a Chromebook is asleep at its scheduled time, the user will receive a notification prompting a reboot within one hour of login or wake. Although scheduled reboots occur outside instructional hours, this notification may appear when students next use their devices.
Impact Aid
The Impact Aid Program is a federal program designed to directly compensate local school districts that have been financially impacted by federal activities. The program’s mission is to reimburse local school districts for local revenues lost due to the presence of federally owned, and therefore tax exempt, property.
FCPS is pleased to announce that the Federal Impact Aid Survey will once again be available electronically through your ParentVUE account. For families that do not have access to ParentVUE or prefer to complete a paper form, a printed form will be provided by the school on Wednesday, November 4th or Thursday, November 5th. Please make sure to return your form as soon as possible.
Morning Drop-Off Reminders
- Doors to the school open at 7:10am.
- The Kiss and Ride line is located at the entrance to SCMS closest to the fields.
- Please follow the direction of the staff members that are directing Kiss and Ride Traffic.
- Pull forward as far as possible in the Drop-Off Zone so more cars can fit behind you, and have your student exit the vehicle promptly.
- Stay in the single, continuous Kiss & Ride line. Drivers may not pull out of line after dropping off their student.
- All vehicles must turn right onto Laurel Crest Drive and proceed to the traffic circle. U-turns on Laurel Crest Drive are strictly prohibited.
- Traffic delays in Kiss & Ride do not count as excused tardies. Please build in extra time, especially during bad weather and the start of the school year.
Outstanding Employee Award Nominations - NOW OPEN!
Do you know an amazing teacher or staff member who deserves recognition? Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! You can nominate someone for Outstanding New Teacher, Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding School Professional Staff Leader, Outstanding Educational Services Employee, or Outstanding Operational Services Employee.
Please review the slides to learn more about each category, and submit your Nominations before they close on Tuesday, November 3rd. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
STEM event at South County High School
The Northern Region Technology Student Association (TSA) is hosting an annual event that brings students together with interactive STEM games, challenges, and student-building activities. TSA is a national organization for middle school and high school students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Additionally, TSA allows students to explore their interest with developing skills in teamwork and leadership beyond the skills of technology. Northern Region's goal is to introduce the younger generation to STEM and encourage them to discover new passions in a welcoming environment.
Fall Rally, located at South County High School on November 7th, will provide a hands-on experience to TSA with the Northern Region officers running multiple booths at the event. Participants interacting with the officers can connect with other students who share their interest, and also let the Northern Region chapter officers get to know who they are representing. Whether students are interested in TSA or simply curious about STEM, Fall Rally will engage those students to learn something new and experience the fun part of the Northern Region TSA community.
Please come join the Northern Region Technology Student Association on November 7th! Doors open at 10:30 AM, and activities will run from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We want you to discover how fun STEM can be!
PTSO
New Fundraiser - School Cents
Every trip to Tysons Corner Center can make a difference for the schools you love. School Cents turns your everyday shopping into real support for local schools in your community — just upload your receipts to earn points. The more support they get from shoppers like you, the bigger their share of up to $15,000!
Earn points for your school every time you shop! Every dollar spent equals 5 points, plus earn bonus points throughout the program at designated stores, restaurants and events.
Download the official School Cents app for instant access to your account, digital receipt uploads, transaction history and more.
Seasonal Roots
South County Middle 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 PTSO!
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 the PTSO - 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 Middle School PTSO! WIN-WIN for everyone! Be sure to use promotional code SCMSPTSO - https://www.seasonalroots.com/scmsptso
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 Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome!
The event will take place Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School. Click the date to register. Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Hear From Parents, Students, and Others at the Special Education Family Conference Opening Session
The annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
New this year, the conference will open with an inspiring panel discussion featuring voices from across our school community: an FCPS student, a high school principal, a community partner, and an FCPS parent.
Panelists will share personal experiences and practical ideas for building supportive, inclusive communities where students can thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
Register to attend and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage to learn more about the panelists. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
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.
Additionally, our students can ride Metrobus for free! Visit the Fairfax County website for details, approved Metrobus routes, and 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.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
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. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.
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