Weekly News From South County High School

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Important Dates:

Jan 28- Quarter End/Early Release
Feb 2-6- National School Counseling Week
Feb 6- 100th Day of School
Feb12- 7:00pm (Auditorium)- Partners for Safe Teen Driving
Feb 15- National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
Feb 16- Presidents Day
Feb 17- Lunar New Year / Ramadan begins at Sundown (Teacher work day)
Feb 18- Ash Wednesday and First Full Day of Ramadan
Feb 24-28- Public Schools Week
March 1-7- National School Social Work Week
March 2- Read Across America Day
March 8- Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring Forward)
March 20- Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr
March 27- Quarter End/Early Release
Mar 30 to Apr 6- Spring Break / Teacher Workday
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

Last Name Range	Email	Phone Line
A-Dh	southcountyhs.attendanceA-Dh@fcps.edu	703-446-1890
Di-K	southcountyhs.attendanceDi-K@fcps.edu	703-446-1891
L-Raj	southcountyhs.attendanceL-Raj@fcps.edu	703-446-1892
Rak-Z	southcountyhs.attendanceRak-Z@fcps.edu	703-446-1893

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

Late Arrivals: Must check in at Door 1 (Main Office).
Early Pick-Up: No pick-up after 2:15 PM. Check-outs in the last 30 minutes require prearrangement or a call before 12:00 PM.

Message from Dr. Khoshaba

Greetings SoCo families,

I’d like to begin this week’s newsletter in a slightly different way. I was speaking with a friend of mine, Elena, and during our conversation I found myself recalling three recent moments that capture what makes SoCo such a special place. I know each of you could add three more of your own.

Trevion Campbell, one of our seniors, will cross a sea of classmates in the hallway to say good morning to me, and ALWAYS replies to my comments with “Yes, sir” or “No, sir.” I know that behavior isn’t innate; it must be taught. Bravo to his parents for instilling such manners.

One of our sophomores, Marcus Johnson, found a wallet in the cafeteria during lunch. Marcus brought the wallet and all of its contents to the main office to ensure that the owner of that wallet had all of his belongings returned to him. Talk about honesty!

And finally, I met a trio of students, the self-proclaimed “Aliases”, who had me in stitches of laughter this week. They had very creative plans for how many days we should be out of school due to snow, as well as several other, … ahem, “morale boosters” for students (i.e., additional days out of school for students). The joy they gave me that day is something I’ll hold close to my heart for years to come.

And that’s just a few of the numerous reasons why SoCo is such a special place! Now, on to this week’s reflections!

Student and Staff Belonging

Character in Action

This month, we celebrate two Stallions who earned our Core Values recognition. First, Jonathan Isler is being recognized for consistently demonstrating trustworthiness and integrity in his daily actions. He has shown that he can be relied upon to follow through on commitments, to act with honesty, and to be a supportive and dependable friend. Whether returning borrowed money promptly, offering a listening ear when someone is in need, or stepping outside of his comfort zone by joining cross country and trusting the training process, Jonathan exemplifies what it means to live our Core Values. In every setting, he demonstrates that trust is not just something you say—it is something you show.

Second, Rosslyn Hizon is recognized for her exceptional honesty and integrity. She consistently speaks with sincerity and is not afraid to share her true thoughts when something matters. Whether offering a candid perspective on a situation or being upfront about her availability and commitments, Rosslyn demonstrates a level of transparency that builds trust with those around her. In a world where it can be easier to avoid the truth, she chooses to lead with it—and that courage strengthens our entire school community.

Congratulations to both of these outstanding Stallions!

High Quality Instruction

This week, Mrs. Momplaisir delivered an outstanding lesson in her Yoga class that beautifully blended reflection, movement, and mindfulness. Students thoughtfully wrote in their journals about their vision boards, took time to meditate, and even walked the school campus to center themselves before engaging in their yoga practice. It was a lesson that truly helped our students find their balance, both on and off the mat.

Choosing People First

Observing Mrs. Momplaisir’s yoga lesson stirred a moment of reflection for me as a school leader. I was reminded of a phrase I recently read: human being before human doing. It challenged me to think about how often we measure success by tasks completed rather than by the care we show to the people around us. Each day, I am working to grow as a leader who chooses people first and continues striving to become better than I was the day before. Thank you, Ms. Momplaisir, for motivating me to reflect on my own growth!

School Culture:

A Fair to Remember

This year’s Science Fair was a powerful demonstration of what happens when curiosity meets opportunity. We extend a special thank you to Ms. McClinton and Mr. Sugi for coordinating the largest Science Fair in recent memory. The results were clear: at SoCo, success is always part of the formula. Here are the results of the Fair: Science Fair Results.

Drilling to the Top

On January 17th, the South County JROTC drill team showed the DC Best of the Best Drill Competition exactly what they’re made of! Competing in the armed division against 28 other schools, the team’s months of practice paid off as they marched with precision and confidence. They set a school record by bringing home five trophies, placing in every event, including first in Squad, second in Exhibition and Color Guard, third in Platoon and Inspection, and finishing 3rd overall in the armed division. Led by Cadet Captain Reed Murphy, Cadet Major Braylon Brogan, and Cadet Captain Abu Kamara, this team proved that focus, teamwork, and determination always hit the mark.

I-Night Is Almost Here!

One of our biggest events of the year, International Night, is just around the corner! I-Night tickets go on sale via Talking Points this Monday, January 26, and for one week only, they’ll be available exclusively to South County students and their families, so don’t wait to grab yours! This event will surely sell-out as it does every year. After that, tickets will open to the entire community, giving everyone a chance to join the fun. We’re hosting two shows again this year, 12:00 and 5:00, so make sure you claim your spot early. You won’t want to miss this unforgettable night of celebration, laughter, and SoCo spirit!

Coach's Corner

With the end of 2^nd quarter approaching, we are focusing on effective time management, a key skill for academic success and high-quality instruction. At home, you can help your child by creating a schedule for homework and extracurriculars, and by discussing how to prioritize tasks. Learning to manage time effectively now will benefit them greatly in high school and beyond, fostering responsibility and independence.

Club Corner

Active Minds is a new South County club dedicated to mental health awareness, support, and reducing stigma. The club provides students a safe space to talk openly, learn practical skills, and help build a more supportive school environment. Our goal is to make mental health part of everyday conversations and offer real ways to care for yourself and others. The club is sponsored by Mrs. Blanchard.

Keep in Mind For Next Week:

Winter weather is on the way, and we want everyone to be ready! Today, students were asked to bring home their laptops and chargers, iPads, and any books or notebooks they might need tomorrow. While we are not planning remote learning, having access to web-based resources and activities is a smart way to be prepared.

Stay up to date with FCPS weather news by visiting the Weather Cancellation Procedures page. Any changes to the school day will be shared through email, text, social media, the FCPS app, and local media outlets—so you’ll always know what’s happening.

Snow matter the weather, we’re not just SoCo—we’re SoCool!

Kambar

#StandingStrongFor20Years!

Do you want to audition for our upcoming musical? Well, you will have that opportunity very soon! We have a musical workshop after school on Tuesday the 27th of January from 3 PM to 5:30 PM and you can sign up to audition on the 2nd or 3rd of January. Callbacks will be on the 4th. For more information, go to SCHSTheatre.com. See you there!

College Partnership Program

College Partnership Program (CPP)

The College Partnership Program focuses on closing the opportunity gap by preparing students for college readiness and success through academic advising, college visits, family engagement and preparation beyond high school. CPP’s goal is to ensure that students capable of completing a college preparatory path will: succeed in rigorous curriculum, actively participate in the school community, enroll in a four-year college or another post-secondary program, and become responsible participants and leaders of society.

Would you benefit from the following elements?

Attending monthly meetings during Stallion Time to learn about colleges, careers, and a variety of pathways to postsecondary success
Going on field trips to visit colleges and universities
Getting and staying motivated to succeed in school

Do you fit into ONE or more of the following categories?

First in your family to attend a four-year college in the U.S.
Need financial support to attend college
Current GPA of 2.5 or above
Determined to go to college
Willing to take some advanced courses and put in the necessary work
Good attendance record

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above, then CPP might be for you!

Additional information about CPP is on the FCPS website, and students with questions are encouraged to speak with their school counselors or one of the South County program advocates: Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Mims, Mrs. Straughn, and Ms. Biehl.

Students must be logged into their fcpsschools accounts to use this link and access the application. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 on February 20th.

All Current 10^th 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 10^th 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: