|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Diwali, School Holiday
Monday, October 20, is a school holiday for Diwali and all schools and offices are closed. See the complete school year calendar.
Quarter End, Early Release, Student Holidays
Friday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 3, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 4, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
Important Dates:
-
Oct 20-24- Digital Citizenship Week
-
Oct 20-24- National School Bus Safety Week
-
Oct 20- Diwali (No School)
-
Oct 22- Crew Fundraiser Jersey Mike's
-
Oct 31- Quarter End (Early Dismissal- 2 hr)
-
Oct 31- AP Opt-Out forms Due
-
Nov 3-4- School Planning & Teacher Workday
-
Nov 7- Deadline to submit Employee nominations
-
Jan 7- 7:00pm (Auditorium)- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
-
Feb12- 7:00pm (Auditorium)- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
-
Apr 27- 7:00pm (Auditorium)- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
- Jun 5- 2:00pm- Class of 2026 Graduation- Eagle Arena
SCHS ATTENDANCE INFORMATION 2025-26
Report a Full-Day Absence-The fastest way is to use ParentVUE.
Alternative Methods
Required Details
Provide the student's full name, ID, and date(s) of absence, along with your name, relationship, and contact number, and the specific reason. (Student-reported absences will not be excused.)
Key Reminders
Message from Dr. Khoshaba
Greetings SoCo Nation,
What a fantastic Homecoming week it’s been, South County! Thank you to all our students, staff, families, and community members who came together to make each event such a spirited success. From the parade to the game to the dance, your energy and pride were on full display. As the fall air turns crisp and the temperatures drop, it’s a bit ironic that things are only getting warmer inside our building — with school spirit, that is! The excitement and connection we’ve built together continue to remind us what makes SoCo such a special place to be.
Student and Staff Belonging
Let’s give a big round of applause to our incredible Stallions who were selected for the 2025 North Central VBODA Regional Orchestra! This outstanding achievement highlights their talent, dedication, and passion for music. We’re so proud they’ll be representing South County High School at the Regional Event at Colgan High School this November — way to make SoCo shine!
School Culture
Due to the publication timeline of last week’s newsletter, coverage of last Friday’s Homecoming events was not able to be included. In the spirit of celebrating all members of our South County community who contributed to these wonderful festivities, we’re pleased to share some additional highlights and memories from those events below.
Friday Fan-Fare and Festive Fun!
A huge thank-you to our amazing Marching Band and Cheerleaders for kicking off Homecoming Friday with fantastic flair! Their early-morning energy welcomed our students to school with music, spirit, and smiles to start the celebrations for that day. What a perfect way to set the tone for SoCo pride and Stallion spirit!
Pep Rally Power: Stallion Spirit Unleashed!
Our Homecoming Pep Rally on Friday was an unforgettable display of Stallion pride and energy! From the opening cheers to the final relay race, our students and staff filled the gym with excitement, laughter, and unity. A special shout-out to our incredible Leadership students for organizing such a dynamic event — complete with the crowd-favorite Sharks and Minnows showdown between staff and students, a stunning dance team performance, and high-energy competitions. The spirit and connection on display truly captured what it means to be part of the SoCo family!
Stallions Soar: Homecoming Victory!
What a thrilling Homecoming game for our South County Stallions, clinching a hard-fought 17-15 win over Robinson Secondary School! Our football team showed incredible determination, teamwork, and heart, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. The energy in the stands was electric, with students, staff, and families cheering every play and celebrating every moment of Stallion pride. From the pre-game family get-together to the various musical performances, this football victory is a perfect reminder of the power of perseverance, school spirit, and community coming together to support our team!
Crowning Glory: Homecoming Court Champions!
Congratulations to Faith McKenon and Nicole Cousins, this year’s Homecoming Court winners! The competition was fierce, with so many outstanding students showcasing their spirit, kindness, and leadership. Faith and Nicole stood out as shining examples of positivity, school pride, and commitment to friends and family, truly embodying the heart of our student body. Like guiding stars on a crisp fall night, they light the way for what it means to be proud Stallions.
Stallion Send-Offs: Honoring Our Seniors!
Our Senior Nights for Field Hockey and Cross Country were filled with pride, gratitude, and celebration as we honored the dedication of our senior athletes. These talented students have given their time, energy, and spirit to their teams, leaving a lasting legacy for their teammates and the South County community. We are so proud of their achievements and the example they set both on and off the field!
Instructional Coach's Corner
Our focus at South County is on the importance of early intervention and seeking support when needed, a key part of ensure high-quality instruction for all. If your student is needing assistance in a particular academic area, please encourage them to speak with their teacher. Working together, we can provide the necessary resources and strategies to help them succeed, bridging any gaps between home and school.
Club Corner
There are many ways for students to join our after-school Drama Club and theatre productions, whether on stage or behind the scenes. Our next Drama Club/Thespian meeting will be Thursday, November 20, after school in the Black Box Theatre (Room G139), and students can also visit SCHSTHEATRE.COM for audition dates, technical theatre meetings, information about the Student-Directed One Acts, and details on our Spring Musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Don’t miss our Fall Production of It’s a Wonderful Life in December, and there are even opportunities to volunteer as an usher and be part of the experience. For more information, contact Mrs. Schrader at jsorem@fcpsschools.net, and remember that students may be invited to join the International Thespian Society based on their dedication and involvement.
Staff Spotlight
This week’s spotlight shines brightly on our Safety & Security Specialist, Tom Champ. He recently retired from the Fairfax County Police Department, where he spent 13 years as a School Resource Officer for both South County High School and Middle School, proudly serving the community. Mr. Champ is grateful for the opportunity to continue working with South County students and supporting their success. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family and participating in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and boating. We’re grateful to have someone with Mr. Champ’s strong law enforcement background on our team. His experience and commitment to student safety make him an invaluable part of our South County community.
And these are just a few reasons why we aren’t just SoCo, we’re SoCool!
 Kambar
#StandingStrongFor20Years!
WHO ARE SOCO’S OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES?
You have the opportunity to nominate Outstanding Employees at South County to be recognized for their everyday efforts in supporting students, staff and FCPS initiatives in the 2025-26 school year.
WHO CAN NOMINATE OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEES?
Anyone can nominate a staff member. Scan the QR Code below to tell your story. Stallion families are invited to nominate outstanding employees.
WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
Outstanding Leader
Outstanding New Teacher
Outstanding Operational Employee
Outstanding Principal
Outstanding Professional Employee
Outstanding Teacher
CLICK ON ANY OR ALL OF THE LINKS TO THE LEFT TO NOMINATE EMPLOYEES
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS?
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 7, 2025. We appreciate your feedback and your nominations for any or all categories.
SUBMISSIONS
Submissions can be made by scanning the QR code below or clicking and completing one or all of the google forms attached above.
See attached Flyer
AP Opt-Out forms are Due to Student Services by October 31
As part of the FCPS Approved Budget, the fees for the first six AP/IB tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid for by FCPS. FCPS encourages all students to take AP/IB tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt out of the test(s) by filling out an AP Opt-Out form to be provided by the school. To assist in the decision-making process, students will be provided a report with their previous tests and current AP/IB course enrollment.
AP Opt-Out forms were distributed via Advisory starting on Wednesday, October 1. If your student has not received their AP Opt-Out form yet, please have them see their Advisory teacher. More information can be found on the SCHS AP Testing web page. If a student exceeds their six exams paid for by FCPS, they will be billed a $99 nonrefundable fee for each AP exam and $124 nonrefundable fee for each IB exam. If a student does not opt out by October 31st, and does not sit for the exam, exam fees are nonrefundable. Additional information on FCPS AP/IB exam fee policies can be found on our website. Please contact Chris Bird, AP Test Coordinator, at cwbird@fcps.edu if you have further questions.
All Current 10th grade HPE students are required to attend one of the 4 scheduled PSTD (Partners for Safe Teen Driving) sessions held here at South County. This is part of the completion of the classroom portion of the Drivers Education curriculum in 10th grade HPE.
Students and a parent/guardian are required to attend one of the 90 minute session on one of the 4 evenings.
Sessions begin promptly at 7:00 pm in the auditorium- doors will close at that time with no late admittance.
PSTD Dates:
- January 7, 2026
- February 12, 2026
- April 27, 2026
Join us in congratulating the SCHS students who were selected for the 2025 North Central VBODA Regional Orchestra. This is a huge accomplishment for these students. They will represent SCHS at the Regional Event at Colgan High School in November.
Elena Kim – Oboe
Joseph Nowlin – Tuba
Genesis Banzon – Violin
Rebecca Johnson – Violin
Sophia Speidell – Violin
Nicole Engle – Violin
Steven Liang – Violin
Sarah Tracy – Viola
Caleb Hicks – Cello
Jackson Flint – Cello
Emma Nguyen - Violin
Bella Nguyen - Viola
ATHLETICS CORNER
South County Crew is offering Holiday Wreaths to decorate your home. This unique fundraiser shares holiday spirit and beauty while supporting South County Crew. Order by November 14, 2025! To order, visit our fundraising page to see the products, and order through any South County rower or email us at southcountycrew@gmail.com.
See attached flyer
South County High School Athletic Booster
We’re excited to announce the official launch of the new South County High School Athletic Booster Club website:
| 
