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Presidents Day (Holiday) All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday. See the complete school year calendar.

Teacher Workday (Lunar New Year, Ramadan Begins at Sundown)Tuesday, February 17, is a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar.

Important Dates:

• 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 19, 20 & 21-7:00pm Student-Directed One-Acts
• Feb 24-28- Public Schools Week
• March 1-7- National School Social Work Week
• March 2- Read Across America Day
• March- 7- AIA Drumline and Winterguard 
• March 8- Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring Forward)
• March 17-6-8pm Community Basketball Competition
• 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

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,

As we head into Valentine’s Day, we’re reminded that love is more than a holiday; it’s a daily choice to see, value, and uplift one another. At SoCo, that love shows up in the small moments: a teacher staying after to help, a student inviting someone to sit with them, a teammate encouraging another to keep going. It lives in our commitment to belonging, respect, and pride in this community we call home. This week let’s lean into what makes South County special: the way we show up for each other and celebrate not just with cards and candy, but with gratitude, kindness, and the unmistakable SoCo spirit that binds us together.

With that said, let’s get to this week’s reflections and news …

Student and Staff Belonging

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Present

Our Black History Month celebration continues to shine, highlighted by beautiful new decorations created by Mrs. Sargeant and her students that bring both meaning and vibrancy to our space. Their thoughtful work is reflected in these photos and serves as a powerful tribute to the stories and contributions we honor this month. We also want to extend a belated thank you to Justyne Fischer for her help in displaying last week’s BHM posters and ensuring they were showcased so thoughtfully for our community.

A Night to Remember

Last Saturday’s International Night was a powerful celebration of culture, connection, and unmistakable SoCo pride, as our community came together to honor the rich traditions that make us who we are. New this year, the option for audience members to purchase specific seats rather than general admission helped us welcome even more families into the festivities, maximizing participation and filling the auditorium with energy and excitement. With precision, poise, and phenomenal planning, Mrs. Gostel, our event coordinator, kept the performances moving at a brisk pace, seamlessly guiding more than 20 groups on and off the stage in under three hours. It was a breathtaking display of the very best of SoCo: the most vibrant, most unified, and most joyfully diverse representation of cultures that makes our school community truly extraordinary.

Students vs. Staff: The SoCo Showdown

SoCo, the countdown is on! Our inaugural Community Basketball Game is shaping up to be an unforgettable night of school spirit and friendly competition. Silverbrook students will tip things off with an exciting opening quarter, followed by a spotlight quarter featuring our Inclusive Learning Program students showcasing their talents, before the main event: two high-energy quarters of students versus staff in a can’t-miss showdown. Every segment will have its own dedicated cheer squad (including some very enthusiastic faculty members) ready to fire up the crowd and keep the energy sky-high. Be sure to join us on March 17, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m.; it’s going to be an evening full of pride, laughter, and classic SoCo memories in the making!

Flying High: SoCo Track Rockets Out of the Gate

Track Day one was a whirlwind of speed and skill, with our athletes leaping and sprinting like arrows hitting their marks. Regional champions Amiyah Curry in the long jump and Charles Brown IV in the 55m dash soared to the top, while Mykal Mason earned a strong showing as regional runner-up in the long jump. With even more events scheduled for Day two (on Friday), let’s celebrate our Stallion stars. Go SoCo Track!

School Culture

Spreading Smiles: SoCo’s “PS I Love You” Week Hits the Right Note

A big thank you to Mrs. Peck and our amazing Student Leaders for making “PS I Love You” Week so special! From thoughtful gestures to the new addition of singing telegrams, they spread smiles, laughter, and SoCo spirit throughout the school. Your creativity and heart made this week one to remember!

Along similar lines, a heartfelt thank you to our PTSO for showing staff some love with their Valentine’s Day Cart. Your thoughtfulness and support bring a little extra joy to our SoCo community this week!

Morning Kiss & Ride Addition

To help ease morning traffic, please remember the three Kiss & Ride drop-off locations at South County High School (see attached map):

1. Silverbrook Rd. Entrance: Enter past the bus loop gate, follow cones to the first two lanes on the right, and drop students at the green-marked area. Exit via Stallion Dr. onto Laurel Crest Dr.
2. Laurel Crest/Stallion Dr. Entrance: Turn toward “The Bubble” near the softball field and tennis courts, drop students at the green-marked area, then U-turn and exit via Stallion Dr. onto Laurel Crest Dr.
3. Door 12 Loop: Approach from the back of the school, drop students at the green-marked area, and exit the loop.

For questions or clarification, please contact Safety & Security Specialist Tom Champ.

SoCo Scientists Shine: A “Medal”-lous Moment!

Our South County Science Olympiad team is beaming with SoCo pride as they finally unwrap the medals and trophy from the January 24th Langley Regional Tournament! After a snow-delayed virtual awards ceremony, Ayman Ouair, Joshua Kim, Isabelle Ky, and Sophia Alora posed for a picture to represent their team, and they can now proudly display the rewards of their hard work, teamwork, and STEM smarts. Placing 2nd overall at Regionals, they earned medals in events ranging from forensics to engineering design, proving that SoCo students don’t just experiment: they STEM to the top! Next stop: the State Tournament at UVA on March 21^st. Let’s go, SoCo Scientists!

Lead the Way: Be SoCo’s Principal for a Day!

Calling all SoCo students! Our second edition of Principal for the Day is your chance to dive into the heart of school leadership, learning the ins and outs of running a high school while spending the day alongside me. Spots are limited, so bring your SoCo spirit and sign up early to be considered: Principal for the Day.

Your Voice, Your SoCo: Join the PAC!

We invite all South County parents to join our Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting on March 18, a great opportunity to share your ideas and questions about our school. To ensure we have enough parents to have a meaningful conversation, please sign up in advance; this is another way for me to hear your voice and help shape the SoCo experience!

Seize the Moment: SoCo’s Student AI Challenge Winners!

We are excited to announce the results of our school-level Seize the Moment: Student AI Challenge! Nine talented teams submitted innovative projects, highlighting the creativity, problem-solving, and ingenuity of our students. A special thank you to our club sponsors, Mr. Velazquez and Mrs. Lewis, and our faculty judges for their guidance and time; your support made this competition possible.

School Winners:

• 1st Place: Physical Therapy With Stan App – Minh Tran, Khoi Nguyen, Michael Cabrera (Advancing to District Challenge Night)
• 2nd Place: Career Simulator App – Karan Amat, Ethan Mekonnen, Christian Million
• 3rd Place: Novachrono App – Kenny Le, Abdul Rafie, Rian Lemarche

Join Us for District Challenge Night: Support our first-place team as they represent SoCo at the county-wide event!

• When: February 17, 6:00–8:00 PM
• Where: Herndon High School
• What to Expect: A science-fair-style showcase of 20 projects, followed by “Shark Tank-style” pitches from the top five finalists.

Coach's Corner

Our goal with instruction is to increase student development of critical thinking skills, encouraging students to analyze information, evaluate evidence, and form reasoned judgments. At home, you can foster this by discussing current events, encouraging healthy debate on topics, and asking "why" and "how" questions that go beyond surface-level understanding. This helps students think deeply and independently, preparing them to navigate a complex world.

Club Corner

Do you love music, dance, movies, and vibrant culture? The Bollywood Dance Club is your space to move, laugh, and connect! They explore Bollywood dance, watch film clips, learn about South Asian culture, and perform at school events like International Night and Asia Night. No dance experience is needed; just curiosity, energy, and a willingness to jump in. Join the BDC to make new friends, discover new passions, and experience the joy of connecting with people you never expected to meet! Mrs. Scarbrough is the club sponsor, so feel free to reach out to her with any questions you have.

Keep in Mind …

This Monday is a school holiday (President’s Day) and Tuesday is a Teacher Workday, so we look forward to students returning to school on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

 As we close this edition of our newsletter, we are reminded that for 20 years we have stood strong together; through challenges, celebrations, growth, and change. That strength comes from our students, our staff, our families, and the pride we share in being unapologetically SoCool!

Thank you for being part of a community that shows up for one another and continues to raise the bar year after year. I hope everyone enjoys the extended weekend; rest, recharge, and we’ll see you back ready to keep standing strong together!

Kambar

#StandingStrongFor20Years!

Student-Directed One-Acts

SoCo is proud to present the annual Student-Directed One-Acts. Every night will feature different plays directed by our Theatre 3/4 students.

THU, FEB 19 @ 7 PM

FRI, FEB 20  @ 7 PM

SAT, FEB 21  @ 7 PM

Community Basketball Competition

Don’t miss the first Community Basketball Competition at South County High School! On March 17th from 6–8 PM, our local schools will face off for the win.

Wear green to show your support for our students!

Admission is $5 at the door. We will also be collecting non-perishable food items for LCAC.

Mark your calendars! On March 7th, the SOCO Bands will host an AIA Drumline and Winterguard show featuring 70 performances from schools across the state.

Doors open at 8:00 a.m., with incredible Winterguard performances in the morning, followed by an exciting afternoon of Drumline showcases. This event is open to the public—we hope to 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.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) - April 9th

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is for Juniors and Seniors interested in career exploration or with plans to enlist in the military after graduation. The ASVAB will be offered at South County on Thursday, April 9th. This is a GREEN day.

Students must be logged in to their school accounts for access to registration form here - https://forms.gle/CGqEjvYoov8LRLft8

Detailed information on the ASVAB can be found at: https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining/asvab-test  

Practice questions are available at: https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining/asvab-test-sample-questions

Registration for the ASVAB will close at 11:59 PM on Friday, March 6, 2026.

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.