Weekly News From South County High School
Weekly News From South County High School

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Important Dates:


  • Jun 5- 2:00pm- Class of 2026 Graduation- Eagle Arena
  • Jun 17- Last Day of School (Early Dismissal)
  • Jun 18- Teacher work Day
  • Jun 19- Juneteenth 


ATTENDANCE


SCHS ATTENDANCE INFORMATION 2025-26



  • 2-Hour Advance Notice Required: All early dismissal requests must be submitted at least two hours in advance. We will no longer process last-minute phone calls or messages for immediate pickup. Please plan appointments accordingly, as requests failing to meet this lead time will not be honored.
  • Illness & Clinic Protocol: If a student feels ill, they MUST report to the School Clinic. Students will only be dismissed for medical reasons after being evaluated by the clinic staff and checked out from that location.
  • Official Office Check-Out: All students leaving early must physically check out through the Main Office. Any student who leaves campus without following this procedure will be marked with an unexcused absence.
  • Attendance Corrections: If a student is marked UNV for a specific period due to lateness or a clerical error, the student must speak with that teacher directly. The teacher will then update the attendance or notify the attendance team. The Attendance Offices will not alter period-specific attendance without teacher verification.

These procedures are in place to ensure student safety and a focused learning environment. We thank you for your cooperation and for helping us maintain an accurate and secure campus.


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


Message from Dr. Khoshaba


Greetings, SoCo Nation,

As we prepare to turn the calendar to June, I want to thank our students, staff, and families for helping us finish the month of May strong. This time of year is filled with celebrations, performances, competitions, exams, and important milestones, and our Stallions continue to rise to every challenge with determination, resilience, and pride. While the finish line is in sight, there is still important work ahead, and I encourage all students to stay focused, engaged, and committed to finishing the school year as strongly as they started it. Together, let's make these final weeks memorable and continue showing what it means to Stand Strong as a Stallion community.

Now, let’s get to this week’s reflections …

Student and Staff Belonging

A New Team Member:

Mrs. Amy Tasaka officially joined South County High School this week as the Assistant Principal for Sub-School 4, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Stallion family. Although she was hired several weeks ago, we wanted to ensure she had the opportunity to successfully transition from her previous school responsibilities before beginning her work at SoCo. Mrs. Tasaka brings a wealth of experience, a student-centered mindset, and a passion for building strong relationships, and we are excited for our students, staff, and families to get to know her in the weeks and months ahead.

Gold Standard Stallions

We are incredibly proud to announce that South County High School has been named a 2026 Jostens Gold School of Distinction, one of the highest honors a school can receive for fostering an exceptional culture, meaningful student engagement, and strong community connections. Even more impressively, this recognition places South County among the top 2% of Renaissance schools nationwide, a testament to the extraordinary dedication, unwavering spirit, and collective excellence of our students, staff, families, and community partners. This remarkable achievement reflects what makes South County such a special place: strong relationships, abundant opportunities, and a steadfast commitment to helping every student thrive. A special thank-you goes to Mr. Kingston and Mrs. Hill for their outstanding leadership throughout this process. Congratulations to our entire Stallion family on this prestigious honor, and if you would like to view the official congratulatory video, please visit it here.

Gold standard award

Leading With Heart

Our Student Athletic Leadership Council brought together some of the finest leaders our school has to offer as captains and representatives from a variety of sports engaged in thoughtful discussions about mental toughness, encouraging teammates, and serving as positive role models. I was incredibly impressed by the maturity, insight, and depth of understanding these student-athletes demonstrated as they reflected on the challenges and responsibilities that come with leadership. Their perspectives revealed that they recognize leadership is about far more than performance on the field, court, track, or mat; it is about lifting others up, persevering through adversity, and setting the standard for character and commitment. These exceptional Stallions represent the very best of our school community, and I could not be prouder of the way they lead with both confidence and compassion. I appreciate our DSA, Mr. Harris, and our ADSA, Mr. Letcher, for leading this initiative.

Student Athletic leadership

High Quality Instruction

Over the past two days, students in Mrs. Huffman’s Entrepreneurship classes showcased some of the most creative, innovative, and impressive business concepts I have seen. From a space-themed smoothie company created by Isabella, Jacob, and Ava, to a robot-serving restaurant developed by Saed and Basir, to a midnight food truck envisioned by Haryna and Edna, each presentation demonstrated exceptional imagination and entrepreneurial thinking. What made these projects even more remarkable was the professionalism, confidence, and passion with which students presented their ideas. I could not be prouder of our Stallions for their ingenuity, creativity, and willingness to think beyond the ordinary as they brought their visions to life.

Entrepreneurship class showcased

School Culture

Charting a Course of Excellence

I want to congratulate our South County Crew program on another extraordinary season, culminating in a top-10 national finish at the SRAA Scholastic National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Like a championship boat moving in perfect sync, our rowers, coaches, and families continue to pull together with dedication, discipline, and a shared commitment to excellence, propelling the program to remarkable success year after year. If your student is interested in becoming part of this outstanding team, South County Crew will be hosting a Spring Open House on Saturday, May 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Sandy Run Regional Park, where interested athletes and their families can learn more about the program. We encourage anyone looking for an incredible athletic experience, lifelong friendships, and the opportunity to be part of something special to come see firsthand what makes Stallion Crew such an exceptional program.

Blue Ribbon Brilliance

South County’s Music Department has once again struck the perfect chord, earning Blue Ribbon status for the sixth consecutive year, an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects a sustained tradition of excellence. This prestigious distinction is awarded to schools whose band, choir, and orchestra programs all earn superior ratings at their respective district assessments, demonstrating exceptional performance across the entire music department. Congratulations to our talented student musicians, dedicated directors, and supportive families for continuing to make beautiful music and uphold one of the finest music programs in the region.

That’s it for this week. Keep standing strong, supporting one another, and creating the culture that makes South County so special. We're not just SoCo—we're SoCool!

Rawing

 

Kambar

#StandingStrongFor20Years!



Medicine pick up

 

This is just a reminder to parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than the student dismissal time (10:00am) on the last day of school (6/17/26). Medication left in the health room after that time will be destroyed. 

We advise that those with diabetic or seizure emergency medications wait until your students' last day of school to pick up their medications in case of an emergency as we do not have back-ups available. 

Parents are welcome to pick up other medications prior to 6/17/26, especially senior parents.

Students cannot pick up these medications themselves. 



class of 2026


Class of 2026 Families



As we head into the last few weeks before graduation on June 5, we want to share important information and reminders.

Senior Fees and Obligations

The senior fee of $100.00 is due no later than June 3, 2026. The preferred method of payment for Senior Fees is MySchoolBucks (MSB). The Senior Fee product is available in the MSB School Store. However, MSB closes for seniors on May 29.  After this, all payments must be paid in cash. No checks are accepted at this time.

If your senior has any obligations remaining, these will need to be paid before they receive their cap and gown. If you are unsure if they have any obligations, have them check in with finance in the main office.

End-of-Year Schedule

The full end-of-year schedule can be found on our website. Please take note of the following events for Seniors:

  • June 2 10:00-12:00 Required Graduation Rehearsal No. 1 -- cap & gown  distribution ONLY if no debt. The rehearsal will be in the Bubble at South County.
  • June 3 Senior Class Trip to Kings Dominion
  • June 4 8:30 Senior Awards
  • 10:00-12:00 Required Graduation Rehearsal No. 2 The rehearsal will be in the Bubble at South County.
  • Senior Sunset at 7:30 PM

Graduation Details

Graduation is on Friday, June 5 at 2:00 pm at the EagleBank Arena at George Mason University. Seniors are expected to report to the loading dock no later than 1 pm. Seniors will go through OpenGate screeners and be searched for prohibited items, including cell phones and other objects. If prohibited items are found, they will be confiscated by our security personnel, and students may pick them up after the ceremony upstairs.

The doors for guests will open at 1:00 pm, and the ceremony is expected to last two hours. Families will be able to meet their graduates outside the North entrance of EagleBank Arena.

Attire

FCPS does not allow the wearing of cords or stoles other than those distributed by the school. In addition, cap decorating is allowed, using the given guidelines. If students arrive in an inappropriately decorated cap, they will be given a plain one to wear for the ceremony.(SOCO Cap Decoration Guidance)

EagleBank Arena

EagleBank Arena has very strict bag policies which are outlined on their website here: Arena Policies. Some of the restrictions that are new this year include:

  • All guests and their belongings are subject to search prior to entry
  • Clear bag policy states the bag must not exceed 12”x12”x6”
  • No gift bags with presents are allowed
  • Flowers are allowed as long as they are not in glass vases
  • Clutch Style Bag or Purse:
    • Non-clear clutch style bag or purse must not exceed 5”x7”
    • Small Medical and/or Parenting Bags are allowed

All guests will be required to go through OpenGate screening upon entering the Arena. In addition, the following items are prohibited:  inflatable or other balls; air horns or other noisemakers; balloons; weapons of any kind; outside food or beverages; laser pointers; flags, banners, or signs that obstruct views; poles or sticks of any size, with the exception of any medical aids. EagleBank Arena reserves the right to prohibit any additional items deemed unsafe, disruptive, or inappropriate.

ASL Interpretation

If you or a family member will need ASL interpretation at Graduation, please email Sam Gero.

All-Night Grad Party and Yard Signs

The All-Night Grad Party and senior yard signs are handled by the South County PTSO. You can find specific information on their website.

We look forward to celebrating this wonderful accomplishment. If you have any questions, please reach out to your senior’s subschool or to Ms. Beskenis, Senior Class Administrator.



Rising 9th Grade



Know a rising 9th grade student who is interested in STEM? Please share this with them! 

Save the date, July 27-29th, 2026.  Get a head start on high school success with our Freshman STEM Jumpstart Summer Program! Dive into hands-on projects, connect with future classmates, and explore exciting fields in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Build confidence, develop essential skills, and ensure a smooth, confident transition into your freshman year.  For more information or to register, please see the flyer or email Mrs. Day Javkhlan, Dean of Students. aadayjavkhla@fcps.edu

9th grader


Important Graduation Information | Victor O'Neill Studios



Congratulations on the upcoming Class of 2026 Graduation! This is such a significant milestone for your student and your family. Victor O’Neill Studios is honored to help capture these lifelong memories.
To view and order professional portraits, Victor O’Neill Studios has created a dedicated QR code for your event. Simply scan the code below to be taken directly to the graduation gallery.

wr code

We are excited to celebrate the South County High School Class of 2026



Parking Pass


Parking Passes 2026–2027 School Year



Parking passes will be sold the week of Aug. 17th through Aug. 21st at South County High School.

  • Rising Seniors ONLY will be allowed to purchase a parking pass on Aug. 17th and 18th. The 123 Senior Lot spaces are purchased on a first-come, first-served basis, so we cannot guarantee a spot in the Senior Lot even if you purchase on one of these two dates. 
  • Rising Juniors will be allowed to purchase a parking pass beginning on Aug. 19th and through the rest of that week.
  • Parking passes will remain available for purchase throughout the school year as students obtain their driver’s licenses. Passes may be purchased during lunches at the Security Office near Door 1.

Keep In Mind:

  • You will not be allowed to purchase a parking pass if you owe money for fines or fees from the previous school year.
  • Students eligible for a reduced parking fee through FRM should bring documentation of eligibility at the time of purchase. Documentation will be reviewed confidentially.
  • Students enrolled in the TSRC program are required to purchase a parking pass if they wish to park on school property.

If you have any questions, please contact Tom Champ (Safety & Security) at twchamp1@fcps.edu.



ATHLETICS CORNER

PRIDE
stalion

For the latest news, scores, and schedules

please visit our website.

Athletics & Activities Website: 

https://stallionnation.org/



BOOSTYER


South County High School Athletic Booster