Meet South County's New Principal
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Follow on Twitter: @LFSConnection on Twitter: Follow Classifieds, Page 14 Classifieds, v Gary Morris, new principal of South County High School, with the school mascot. Entertainment, Page 12 v Meet Opinion, Page 6 South County’s Wellbeing Page 8 New Principal News, Page 3 Requested in home 9-7-18 home in Requested Time sensitive material. material. sensitive Time Cool Cars on a Hot Day Postmaster: Attention News, Page 4 WSS ECR Postal Customer Postal permit #322 permit Easton, MD Easton, Bulldogs Rein in Stallions PAID U.S. Postage U.S. Sports, Page 11 STD PRSRT Photo by Steve Hibbard/The Connection by Steve Photo September 6-12, 2018 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com SPECIAL SAVINGS FOR YOUR TOYOTA 7/31/18. WELCOME TO ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA’S PERSONALIZED CAR CARE EXPERIENCE 7/31/18. 7/31/18. 7/31/18. 7/31/18. 7/31/18. 7/31/18. 7/31/18. ALEXANDRIA TOYOTA 7/31/18. 7/31/18. 2 ❖ Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ September 6-12, 2018 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Lorton/Fairfax Station/Clifton Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] Gary Photos by Steve Hibbard/The Connection by Steve Photos Morris, What’s New, Exciting new principal of South In Area Schools County High Principal’s Back-to-School Report School, chats In the first week of the new school in the new school year? during school year, The Connection has 2 - What would be your, one-sen- the asked the area school principals tence, message to parents, com- school’s to respond to three questions: munity? Open 3 - Any upcoming events, activi- House 1 - What are the most excit- ties? last week. ing developments in your Here are their responses. Gary Morris Is New South County Principal Will oversee crease the academic rigor for the majority of the students in the school with 2,260 building. “I want to ensure people contributed Photo are part of South County High students and a School and not just part of the South County community. Bring- staff of 167. ing people in with real-world ex- By Steve Hibbard periences to help our students re- The Connection alize opportunities that are out there for them where trends are From left — Addison Smith, assistant principal, developing out in industry and in Janice Dalton, principal, and Vicki Duling assistant ith 24 years in educa- the business world and being pre- principal, Laurel Hill Elementary. tion, Gary Morris, 50 W Gary Morris, new principal pared for what will be next after of Dale City, was Janice Dalton, Principal, Classroom. of South County High graduation,” he said. named the new principal of South Laurel Hill Elementary, 2. Partner with us! Join our out- School, in his office. What he loves most about the County High School, on Aug. 15, Lorton: standing PTA. job is the opportunity to build re- 2018, succeeding former principal Matt Ragone. He 1. Exciting developments at 3. Back to School Night and lationships. “Allowing kids to have that ‘aha’ moment will lead 2,260 students and a staff of 167 in the Laurel Hill: STEAM Lab, Mak- Screen on the Green! Check our is the most rewarding thing — to see kids turn the South County Pyramid, Region 4. ers Space and a Totally Tech website for dates. corner and realize they can do anything they set their “It’s a very inclusive population. Students have minds to,” he said. According to Deborah Hicks- learned to embrace the diversity in the building. We Johnson, South County Social Studies Teacher: “What don’t have the extreme diversity of Falls Church; there makes Gary a great principal is his genuine sense of are enough differences in demographics to allow stu- caring, his solid leadership presence, and his focus dents to feel comfortable in their settings. We don’t as a visionary,” she said. “With a welcoming person- have a lot of cliques, which is great. You’ll see differ- ality and natural knack for developing relationships, ent ethnic groups sitting together, which is awesome,” Mr. Morris creates a comfortable atmosphere of edu- he said. The ethnic breakdown of South County stu- cation for SCHS. His willingness to share his back- dents is white, 43 percent; Hispanic, 12 percent; contributed Photo ground and experiences leads to active positive rela- Black, 18 percent; Asian, 19 percent; and other, 5 tionships building. As a result, he encourages teach- percent. There are 90 percent of students in General ing and learning leading to high student achieve- Education and 14 percent in Special Education. 19 ment.” Added Derek Smith, Assistant Principal at percent of students are on the Free or Reduced Meals, Mountain View: “Gary’s been a huge influence in my based on 2016-17 statistics. life. He was the first servant-leader I encountered in In describing some of the programs at South FCPS. As an administrator, he taught me to listen County, he mentioned the Robotics program, out- and understand perspective before speaking. His Union Mill Staff at Centreville Pyramid Kickoff. standing Drum Line and high-performing athletic warm disposition positively affects everyone. He programs. “But the arts departments, choral, and the Kathleen Case, Principal, Union Mill Elementary: makes you want to get better just by being around fine performing arts have always been outstanding 1 - Union Mill is looking forward to a great year. Besides our him. He serves as both father and brother for his as well,” he said. intense work on academics, we continue to focus on Portrait of a school community. He is a life-long learner who Graduate skills. We will also continue to incorporate the Respon- shares and seeks feedback for growth.” KNOWN FOR RECITING the catch-phrase, “We sive Classroom approach into our classrooms and school to cre- Added Dr. Angela G. Atwater, Assistant Superin- will find a way or we will make one,” he added: “I ate safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and communities. Our tendent, Region 4: “Mr. Morris is a founding mem- think we have a strong STEM program. That falls work with The Positivity Project will also continue this year and ber of South County High School as an assistant prin- under the Robotics program. That program has re- we are excited that many of our pyramid schools will be joining cipal when it opened in 2005. As the former princi- ally grown. I’m kind of biased because I am a former Centreville Elementary and us on this journey. We had a pyramid pal of Mountain View High School, he led with the tech-ed teacher. It allows students to do a lot of learn- kick-off for all staff members in the Centreville pyramid with belief that every student should be represented within ing that is applicable to real-world settings,” he said. keynote speakers Mike Erwin, co-founder of The Positivity Project, the school community. His familiarity of South As far as new challenges as principal, he said: and Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent of FCPS schools, and we County High School made him a natural fit as the “Changing the culture is probably the biggest chal- are looking forward to more collaboration with our pyramid new school leader. Mr. Morris exhibits high expecta- lenge for me; having been here before (as assistant schools this year. tions for staff and students but also will show his principal) and changing the perception people had 2 - At Union Mill, we will continue to teach Executive Func- humorous side to life. Mr. Morris has experience as of me. I’m now the principal. It’s my goal to develop tioning skills to all students and this work connects well with an athlete and a musician and he values both extra- great relationships with all the teachers. The buck Responsive Classroom and The Positivity Project philosophies. curricular activities. As one teacher who was on the stops in this office is totally different from serving as 3 - Our Back to School picnic is Friday, Sept.7, from 5 – 7 p.m. interview panel stated, ‘As a teacher who never an assistant principal. The principal is responsible This is always a well-attended event and is a great way for fami- worked with him, he made me feel excited to get for everything that goes on in the building,” he said. lies to meet new staff members and see new and old friends. He said some of his goals as principal are to in- See Principal, Page 9 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection ❖ September 6-12, 2018 ❖ 3 Your Homecoming News Headquarters! • Lake Braddock • Robinson • West Springfield Wrist Corsages & Boutonnieres flowers ‘n’ ferns Bob Williams proudly dis- plays his 2019 9562 Old Keene Mill Rd., Burke ZR1 Corvette. 703-455-3100 Only 1,500 will www.flowersnferns.com be made, and he’s had this car for a week. Fairfax County Parkway Widening Fairfax County Public Information Meetings Cool Cars on a Hot Day Attend one of three public information meetings near you. All meeting times are 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Presentation starts at 7 p.m. The Fairfax City/Clifton Lions Club Labor Day Car Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Show was Monday, Sept. 3. Willow Springs Elementary School 5400 Willow Springs School Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 Photos by Bonnie Hobbs/The Connection Thursday, September 27, 2018 Fairview Elementary School 5815 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 Dignitaries attending Wednesday, October 3, 2018 included (from Oak View Elementary School left) former 5004 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22032 City Council- man Jeff Find out about plans to widen Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) from Greenfield, four to six lanes between Route 29 (Lee Highway) and Route 123 (Ox Councilman Road).