FCPS

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Hello Mustangs,

It was a phenomenal week at South County Middle School. On Wednesday, we participated in the Reading Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) as an entire school; it was the best testing experience ever. I might be biased on that one. Nevertheless, the Math VGA will occur on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, and we look forward to another great day of testing. As always, please contact us to share any feedback, questions, or concerns. Enjoy the weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday

Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School

September 25: No School - Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement (Judaism) *Begins sundown September 24, fasting and work restriction start sundown September 24 and continue through September 25.

September 27 - Math VGA - see schedule change below.

September 28 & 29 - Picture Day Information  Pictures will be taken during your student's PE class.

Yom Kippur

All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25, for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. 

 

May all in our Jewish community observing Yom Kippur have an easy and meaningful fast. According to Jewish tradition, Yom Kippur is when God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. #OurFCPS

Learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com. 

 

VGA Testing

Next Wednesday, September 27, students in Math 7 and Pre-Algebra will be taking their Math VGA and students in Algebra and Geometry will be taking their Math Inventory.  We will have a flipped bell schedule that day – please take note of the changes to classes and help ensure your students are here on time at 7:30 for testing.

7:30 AM - 9:15 AM Testing Block 9:20 AM - 10:25 AM 7th Period 10:25 AM - 10: 40 AM Recess 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM 5th Period 12:50 PM - 2:15 PM 1st Period We All Belong at School

Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school. There are solutions. 

 

Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Student Rights & Responsibility (SR&R)

FCPS’ updated Student Rights and Responsibility (SR&R) booklet is available online and in SIS ParentVUE. The 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. 

Each year, we ask parents/caregivers to review and sign the SR&R. The SR&R will be visible upon logging in to SIS ParentVUE until the SR&R acknowledgment has been completed.

Signatures are due by Friday, September 29. Please contact our front office if you are having difficulty accessing the booklet. Visit the SIS ParentVUE Account Overview webpage for help logging in to your account. 

Spirit Wear

If you did not have the opportunity to purchase spirit wear through our PE Department, then you are in luck. The PTSO is selling spirit wear and it can be found at this link. It is available through October 8, 2023, and will have a 2 to 3 week delivery time.

Movie Night

The PTSO presents Movie Night!  Save the date for October 13th.  Pizza, Snacks, Drinks and Popcorn will be available for sale.  Students are voting on what movie will be shown. The doors of the cafeteria will open at 6:30 pm and the movie will begin at 7pm.  Tickets are on sale now! SCMS Movie Night Tickets

SEL Screener

FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. The SEL Screener elevates the voices of our students by making sure their perspectives are considered in decision-making. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. Division and school level results, which do not include individual student information, may be used by staff to improve SEL and mental wellness practices and to inform strategic plans. Division and school level results may also be shared with the community to describe the needs of our student body and provide opportunities for partnership. Individual students’ Screener data will only be accessible to teachers, administrators, and staff with legitimate educational interests. Results will be maintained in secure files and databases accessible only to these individuals. In partnership with families, staff review this data alongside other information to plan interventions for students with identified needs. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window. South County MS will be giving the SEL screener to all students during seminar on Tuesday October 24th. If you do not want your child to take the SEL screener, please complete the attached parent opt-out form and return it to the school no later than Tuesday October 17th. The opt-out will last the whole year, so your child will be opted out of the fall and spring SEL screeners.

SEL Notification of Testing - English

SEL Notification of Testing-Spanish

Every year, approximately 600,000 active-duty and transitioning Veteran families—or roughly 33% of the All-Volunteer Force—relocate. Many have school-aged children. The majority of these moves take place during the summer. What’s more, according to the 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, only 33% of military family respondents reported feeling a sense of belonging to their local community. But did you know that when a military child feels welcome and like they belong at a new school, everything else improves—mental and physical health, and so much more? That’s why we’re joining Blue Star Families and Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) to help military children all over the country feel welcome in their new schools. To show military families how great  South County Middle School is, we’re proclaiming September 23rd - October 1st as Blue Star Welcome Week!

Learn more and get involved today at https://www.bluestarwelcomeweek.org/!

TJHSST Student Science Fair

We are TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. We will be hosting our 11th annual science fair on March 16, 2024 and we would like to invite 5th-8th grade students to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on March 16, 2024. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is Friday October 6th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session in-person at TJHSST. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://forms.gle/RMfQYuvACK3YajRw8 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us back. Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected].

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web

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Hello Mustangs,

We are just wrapping up our fourth week of school and having the time of our lives. It is incredible to see all the things our students are learning consistently and daily and the joy our staff has when interacting with them. We are so lucky and grateful to be a part of this wonderful community, and we look forward to sharing information about some incredible events taking place on campus in the next few months. Today also marks National Hispanic Heritage Month’s first day (September 15 – October 15). If you want more information about National Hispanic American Heritage Month, the government site for National Hispanic Heritage Month is a great place to start. As always, please contact us to share any feedback, questions, or concerns. Enjoy the weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.

Other Information:

• Testing Information from Melissa (Can you see if she has any please? If not, we can probably use the information below.)
• TJHSST Invitational Science Fair 2024 (This can be trimmed to the most important information)
• Principal Toolkit Topics
• Attendance/Absenteeism Information

Testing Message:

State assessments measure the extent to which students have learned the content and skills reflected in state standards and may also be used to measure growth in learning state standards. On September 20 and 27, South County Middle School students will participate in the Fall Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) standardized tests in reading and mathematics.  The format and timing of state assessments vary by grade level and content area, as noted in the table below. These include:

• Fall Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) standardized tests are in reading and mathematics. More information is available on the VGA webpage.

The Grade Level Tests webpage provides information by grade level about the general assessment schedule and reporting method for each required assessment type in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). If you have questions about state assessments, contact Melissa Shaffer, our test coordinator, at [email protected]. 

Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School

September 25: No School - Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement (Judaism) *Begins sundown September 24, fasting and work restriction start sundown September 24 and continue through September 25.

Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener

FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. The SEL Screener elevates the voices of our students by making sure their perspectives are considered in decision-making. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. Division and school level results, which do not include individual student information, may be used by staff to improve SEL and mental wellness practices and to inform strategic plans. Division and school level results may also be shared with the community to describe the needs of our student body and provide opportunities for partnership. Individual students’ Screener data will only be accessible to teachers, administrators, and staff with legitimate educational interests. Results will be maintained in secure files and databases accessible only to these individuals. In partnership with families, staff review this data alongside other information to plan interventions for students with identified needs. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window. South County MS will be giving the SEL screener to all students during seminar on Tuesday October 24th. If you do not want your child to take the SEL screener, please complete the attached parent opt-out form and return it to the school no later than Tuesday October 17th. The opt-out will last the whole year, so your child will be opted out of the fall and spring SEL screeners.

SEL Notification of Testing-Spanish

SEL Notification of Testing - English

Important Forms for Caregivers to Complete 

• Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms? 

During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:

1. Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
2. Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
3. Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on: 
1. Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
2. Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
3. Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
4. Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
5. The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.

Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.

Alejandra Stephens, is another resource at South County Middle School as the MFLC (Military and Family Life Counselor) and will be providing additional support to active-duty military children and their families (or those retired within 180 days/6 months). Ms. Stephens can provide free, nonmedical counseling to individuals, groups, and families in-person during the school week on Thursdays, Fridays, and some Wednesdays to enhance social, academic, and emotional skills to support the wellbeing of military students and their families.

Phone: 202-253-4706 (please leave a voicemail)

Attached is the consent form for Ms. Stephens to speak to your child.  

Every year, approximately 600,000 active-duty and transitioning Veteran families—or roughly 33% of the All-Volunteer Force—relocate. Many have school-aged children. The majority of these moves take place during the summer. What’s more, according to the 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, only 33% of military family respondents reported feeling a sense of belonging to their local community. But did you know that when a military child feels welcome and like they belong at a new school, everything else improves—mental and physical health, and so much more? That’s why we’re joining Blue Star Families and Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) to help military children all over the country feel welcome in their new schools. To show military families how great  South County Middle School is, we’re proclaiming September 23rd - October 1st as Blue Star Welcome Week!

Learn more and get involved today at https://www.bluestarwelcomeweek.org/!

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

We are TJ Investigative Science Outreach, a student-led organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. We will be hosting our 11th annual science fair on March 16, 2024 and we would like to invite 5th-8th grade students from your school to participate. Admission to the science fair is completely free. 

Participants will complete a research project of their choice and present at the fair in-person on March 16, 2024. We help students prepare for this fair by holding multiple sessions to teach them important skills in STEM like brainstorming, collecting data, presenting, writing an experiment summary, using statistics, creating an experimental diagram, etc.

Our first interest/brainstorming session is Friday October 6th, 2023 at 6:00 pm. We will be holding this session in-person at TJHSST. During this session we will go over the goals and guidelines of this fair and introduce students to a multitude of project ideas. All interested students should sign up using the form at the link: https://forms.gle/RMfQYuvACK3YajRw8 

We would greatly appreciate it if you could advertise the fair on a weekly school newsletter or through some other means.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us back. Feel free to also check out our website at tjsciencefair.wordpress.com or email us at [email protected].

Sincerely,

TJ Investigative Science Outreach

COVID Guidance

• 😷 2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools

Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school. 

Attendance/Absenteeism

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Please use our Attendance Toolkit for sample messages, graphics, videos, and other resources.  

• Students Are Learning Every Day

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during long breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits. 

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hello Mustangs,

Thank you to everyone who attended our Back to School Night on September 7, as it was an enjoyable experience for all. Additionally, it is an exciting time to be a South County Mustang with the addition of middle school sports (Cross-Country in the fall and Track in the spring). In fact, we had an interest meeting for Cross-Country last night. If your student is interested in participating or you would like to be a coach, don't hesitate to contact Mr. Woodby at ([email protected]) and share that information with him. As always, please contact us to share any feedback, questions, or concerns. Enjoy your weekend, and we look forward to seeing your student on Monday.

Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School

September 25: No School - Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement (Judaism) *Begins sundown September 24, fasting and work restriction start sundown September 24 and continue through September 25.

SEL SCREENER 

FCPS is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. These factors are critical to positive academic, social, and emotional success. All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. The SEL Screener elevates the voices of our students by making sure their perspectives are considered in decision-making.

Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. Division and school level results, which do not include individual student information, may be used by staff to improve SEL and mental wellness practices and to inform strategic plans. Division and school level results may also be shared with the community to describe the needs of our student body and provide opportunities for partnership. Individual students’ Screener data will only be accessible to teachers, administrators, and staff with legitimate educational interests.

Results will be maintained in secure files and databases accessible only to these individuals. In partnership with families, staff review this data alongside other information to plan interventions for students with identified needs. Parents and guardians will receive an individualized report regarding their student’s screener results following each assessment window.

South County MS will be giving the SEL screener to all students during seminar on Tuesday October 24th. If you do not want your child to take the SEL screener, please complete the attached parent opt-out form and return it to the school no later than Tuesday October 17th. The opt-out will last the whole year, so your child will be opted out of the fall and spring SEL screeners.

SEL Notification of Testing - English

SEL Notification of Testing - Spanish

World Languages Credit Exam

The 2023 World Languages Credit Exam will be administered on November 8, 9, and 13, 2023. Thirty languages will be included: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Registration opens on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. and closes on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.

School counselors will register students at their individual schools.  Credit exam information is also available online.  

 ------

FCPS intends to transition the World Languages Credit Exam to a digital format through an external vendor that assesses linguistic proficiency. FCPS will be piloting a digital language proficiency assessment during SY 2023-24. When students register for the 2023 World Languages Credit Exam, they will be offered the opportunity to participate in the pilot assessment for the following languages: ASL, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Telugu. 

Students who are selected to participate in the pilot will take both the FCPS World Languages Credit Exam and the pilot assessment. Credit will only be awarded from the results of the FCPS World Languages Credit Exam. Students who are selected to participate in the pilot will be notified after registration closes on October 5, 2023, and will receive additional information in October/November regarding the logistics of the pilot assessment. Information regarding the pilot will be communicated to selected students through the student and parent contact information on record in SIS.

Spirit Wear

Our spirit wear link is finally ready.  The store will close on September 12, 2023.  The items will ship directly to your house.

Spirit Wear

Important Forms for Caregivers to Complete Have You Completed These Important Forms? 

During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:

1. Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
2. Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
3. Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on: 
1. Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
2. Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
3. Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
4. Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
5. The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.

Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.

Immunization Reminder The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations

Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. To access that form, click Online Packets in the top right of the screen after logging in to SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers can obtain an activation key letter to activate their SIS ParentVUE account by contacting the Student Services Department, 703-690-5600.

Statewide Outbreak of Meningococcal

One of the required immunizations for students entering 7th and 12th grade is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). The Virginia Department of Health is currently tracking a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. MenACWY can provide protection against the bacteria responsible for this outbreak.

Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of immunization clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.  

Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation. 

 

2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools

Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school. 

How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com

All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.

Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to [email protected]. 

Attendance/Absenteeism September is Attendance Awareness Month Students Are Learning Every Day

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during long breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.

Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits. 

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Hello Mustangs,

It has been another great week at South County Middle School. We hope that your student has been having a phenomenal school year so far and that they can speak to you about the fantastic things happening in their classrooms. If you or your student has any feedback about the start of the school year, please share that information with me or one of the administrators. We hope you enjoy the Labor Day weekend, and we are excited to welcome students back on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Justin Simmons | Principal | South County Middle School

September 7 

Cross Country Interest Meeting

5:30 PM, Cafeteria

South County Middle School will be hosting a Cross Country Parent/Student Interest Meeting on Thursday September 7th, at 5:30pm. The meeting will take place in our cafeteria. Please use door 2. We will be passing on a lot of information regarding our Cross Country Program. We will have a Q & A session following the presentation. If you have any questions regarding the meeting, please contact Chris Woodby at [email protected] 

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

6:00 PM

Please join us on Thursday, September 7th for Back to School Night from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  Parents/guardians will have the opportunity to meet their student’s teachers, join the PTA, purchase spiritwear, and learn about the after school program. 

You will need a copy of your student’s class schedule to participate in Back to School Night.  Here is the schedule grid your student will receive on Thursday, September 7th.   Doors will open for parent arrival at 5:45 pm.

Please make sure to review our Kiss and Ride Information

Spirit Wear

Our spirit wear link is finally ready.  The store will close on September 12, 2023.  The items will ship directly to your house.

Spirit Wear

lejandra Stephens, is another resource at South County Middle School as the MFLC (Military and Family Life Counselor) and will be providing additional support to active-duty military children and their families (or those retired within 180 days/6 months). Ms. Stephens can provide free, nonmedical counseling to individuals, groups, and families in-person during the school week on Thursdays, Fridays, and some Wednesdays to enhance social, academic, and emotional skills to support the wellbeing of military students and their families.

Phone: 202-253-4706 (please leave a voicemail)

Attached is the consent form for Ms. Stephens to speak to your child.  

The Parent Project

Attached is a flyer from the Office of Student Safety and Wellness with information on an upcoming 10 week training for parents dealing with challenging behaviors to learn and practice prevention and intervention skills.

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web

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Good afternoon.  Here is the correct link for the After School Program.  

SCMS After School Program Registration Form 2023 -2024

Please email Chris Woodby with any questions, [email protected] 

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

 

Hello, Mustangs

It has been a great first week for our Mustangs! In fact, each morning we are reminded that South County is a place where Authenticity is Amplified, Connections are Critical, and Excellence is the Expectation. We are excited to see how this unfolds in our school community and look forward to your continued support throughout the school year.  

Justin Simmons

Principal

South County Middle School

No School  Friday, September 1 Monday, September 4 Save the Date!!

South County Middle School

Back to School Night

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Time:  6:00 – 8:00 pm

All Parents/Guardians are welcome!!

2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities

FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R. 

Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29. 

Attendance

The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. 

Please make school attendance a priority for your student(s). To report a student’s absence you can contact our attendance line at 703-690-5555, send an email to [email protected] or use our online attendance form by 8:30 a.m. on the morning of the absence.

More information about our attendance procedures can be found here.

Middle school athletics is almost here. However, we are in need of a Cross Country coach. Please email Chris Woodby at [email protected] if you are interested in coaching and he will reach out with more information once we have it. 

Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following kiss-and-ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses. 

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents/caregivers may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Visit the Transportation Services contact webpage to see who to contact with specific questions.

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.

Laptop Distribution

Laptops were distributed during students’ math classes on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. If your student still had a laptop from the previous school year, we ask for your student to turn it in to receive a different computer.  

The South County MS library hopes that you and your student had a restful summer and made time to read! Don’t forget to remind your reader at home to turn in their optional summer reading log! Students can turn it in to their English teacher or to the library until Wednesday, September 6th. If you lost your log, your student can write down the four books that they read on any piece of paper, pick up a blank log in the library, or download and print a log at home here (student Google login required). If you have any questions, please contact the librarians at [email protected].

After School Program

The South County MS after school program will begin on September 11th , 2023. This will be the first day of late buses. Late buses will be provided Monday – Thursday. Buses will depart SCMS at 4:45pm each day. Fridays after school will require parent – pick up at 4:30pm. (No buses on Fridays) Every student that attends the after school program MUST have an SCMS After School Program Registration form to participate. Once you fill out the form, your child can participate in all after school programming. Please use the link above to register. The form is also available on the school website, under After School Activities. The ASP schedule will be available on the school website on 9/6/23. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Woodby at [email protected].

Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

Morning Waiting Areas (Update)

We have updated our morning waiting areas procedures. As a reminder, doors to South County Middle School will open at 7:10 a.m., and students who enter the building between 7:10 a.m. - 7:20 a.m. will report to one of three locations: cafeteria, library, or gym. Staff members will direct students to either location and monitor them while they are there. Dismissal from each location is staggered to alleviate congestion in our halls and students will still report to their 1st block class by 7:25. Classes will begin at 7:30 a.m.  

Parent/Guardian Consent for Digital Resources

Teachers will use a variety of digital resources to help students learn during the 2023-24 school year. These digital resources have been checked and approved by Fairfax County Public Schools. Please provide your consent for your student to use these resources through the Parent Consent for Digital Resources system. More information can be found on our homepage in the announcement section. 

If you are having difficulty using the online system to provide consent, please reach out directly to your student’s teacher or to our Student Services office.

Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance. 

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill. 

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.

South County High School (Football Games)

We aim to have a safe and orderly environment for audience members to enjoy. For middle school students who wish to attend, the safety protocol requires that they arrive with their parents and that their parents remain for the time their students are there. Students who are left unattended and either display misconduct or are not picked up immediately after the game is over will not be permitted to return to future games. 

• Gates open 45 minutes before the start of the event. Cost of admission is $5, and can be purchased at the gate or ahead of time through this E-tix link.

• Patrons will not be allowed to enter the stadium/gym with athletic equipment such as bats, balls, sticks, etc.  
• Backpacks are not allowed.  Anyone entering the stadium/gym is subject to search.
• Patrons will not be allowed to enter the stadium/gym with outside food or containers such as water bottles, cups, cans, etc. 
• South County High School (including the parking lots) is a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free zone.  
• Representatives from the Fairfax County Police Department, the South County HS Administration, and the South County HS Security Staff will continue to monitor the activities of our patrons in the parking lot, at the ticket gate, and inside the stadium to promote a safe and secure environment for South County HS fans, our visitors, and guests.
• For varsity football games, once you pay and enter the stadium you may not leave and reenter. Please plan accordingly. 
• South County MS students and parents are asked to demonstrate good citizenship and spirited sportsmanship to our opponents and their fans.  Any clothing that includes negative references to opposing teams/schools will not be tolerated.

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web

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Hello, Mustangs,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year

I am humbled and honored to be the principal of South County Middle School, and I look forward to offering my support to your student(s) and family. Below are items you should be aware of as we have adjusted our daily operations to ensure excellence in student and staff safety, instruction, and building community. Thank you for entrusting us with your student, and we look forward to working together to provide your student with the best middle school experience possible. 

Justin Simmons

Principal

South County Middle School

Kiss and Ride Procedures

Please make sure to read the kiss and ride information provided in the link below.  It will give you the instructions on what to expect during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

Kiss and Ride Information

Morning Waiting Areas

Doors to South County Middle School will open at 7:10 a.m., and students who enter the building between 7:10 a.m. - 7:20 a.m. will report to either the cafeteria for breakfast or the gymnasium. Please note that staff members will direct students to either location and monitor them while they are there. Additionally, students must sit in the designated area until they are released at 7:20 a.m., allowing them to report to class by 7:25 a.m. Classes will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m., and students entering the building after 7:40 a.m. must check in at the main office. 

Away for The Day

As a reminder, FCPS's Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) requires students to keep their phones silenced and put away for the school day (7:25 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.). Students are also prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms unless there is a medical necessity or emergency. Students can keep these items, as well as airpods/earbuds, in their backpacks. However, if a student uses a phone/device or airpods/earbuds during the school day, that student will receive a verbal reminder about the policy. If multiple verbal reminders are needed, the student will give the item (phone, device, airpod, earbud) to a Safety & Security or Admin team member and retrieve it at the end of the day. Lastly, if a student continuously uses one of these items, a parent/guardian must pick it up at their earliest convenience. 

More information can be found at the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/news/student-rights-and-responsibilities-srr-updates-cell-phone-use-schools  

Gradebook

We have heard your feedback on a traditional gradebook versus a rolling (cumulative) one. Therefore, we have adjusted to ensure your student has the best characteristics of each one. South County Middle School will utilize a hybrid gradebook, allowing multiple reassessment opportunities while giving students a "fresh start" at the semester mark. Final grades are the average of semester 1 and 2 grades, similar to a traditional gradebook. 

Another FCPS update (guideline) is that teachers may now assign zeroes for assignments not turned in. Nevertheless, a minimum grade of 50 will be entered for assignments students reasonably attempted to complete. Additionally, the definition of a reasonable attempt is on the teacher's syllabus.  

Lockers

Lockers will not be distributed for the 1st Quarter, as complications emerged while adjusting the locks. Students can request lockers during the 2nd Quarter (starting November 8) if they still need one.

Two-Way Traffic (Inside)

We are instituting "two-way traffic" in the halls to improve student and staff safety. Students will walk on the right side of the hall and follow the flow of "traffic" for the main staircase. We ask that students use appropriate language and voice level in the halls, be on time for class, and follow the directions of staff members.

Dismissal 

We are implementing a staggered dismissal with afternoon announcements beginning at 2:10 p.m. Halls will be released in sequential order: A, B, C, and D. We ask that students follow the directions of staff members and exit the building promptly. Our objective is to release buses at 2:25 p.m.

2023 Football Season South County High School

We aim to have a safe and orderly environment for audience members to enjoy. For middle school students who wish to attend, the safety protocol requires that they arrive with their parents and that their parents remain for the time their students are there. Students who are left unattended and either display misconduct or are not picked up immediately after the game is over will not be permitted to return to future games. 

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

 

Dear South County Families,

 

We look forward to seeing our South County Community this afternoon.

Student schedules will be available in the cafeteria. This is an opportunity for students to pick up their schedules, meet staff, find their classes, learn about mentoring programs, and do a self-guided building tour.

Due to our student capacity, we will split our Open House into two groups as follows:

• Students with Last Names A-J: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Students with Last Names K-Z: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Justin Simmons

Principal

South County Middle School

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Wednesday, August 16th

Please take a moment to read some important informational items:

 

Class Schedules: Student schedules will be available at Mustang Round Up (Open House) on Wednesday August 16th. This is an opportunity for students to pick up their schedules, meet staff, find their classes, learn about mentoring programs, and do a self-guided building tour. Due to our student capacity we will split our Open House into two groups as follows:

• Students with Last Names A-J: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Students with Last Names K-Z: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Friday, August 18th

Student Orientation (Student only) - 8:30 am-10:30 am: We welcome new 7th & 8th grade Mustangs. Students will have the opportunity to walk their schedule using a modified bell schedule.  Busses will pick-up (8:00 AM) and drop-off (11:00 AM) students at their feeder schools.  There will also be a bus stopping at the Lorton Library.

 

Middle School 101 (Parents only) 8:45 am -10:30 am: This is an informational session known as “MS 101” for families and it will be in the cafeteria. You will meet the administrators, main office, and student services staff members. You will learn ways to support your middle schooler for the 2023-2024 school year.  

8700 Laurel Crest Drive, Lorton, VA 22079  | Main Office: 703-690-5500
Attendance: 703-690-5555 | Web