Good Afternoon Students and Parents,
It was great seeing students and parents at Back To School Night. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to join us!!
We are ready and excited to start the 24- 25 school year and looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2028 on Monday, August 26, 2024. Monday is for “first time” 9th graders, only. 9th grade students will report to their advisory when they arrive at the building. Tuesday, August 27, 2024, is the first day of school for all students.
On Monday, August 26, 2024, when 9th grade students arrive at school, they will report to their advisory assignment. Advisory assignments can be found on our website. On Monday, 9th graders will follow a unique bell schedule which will allow them to tour the building, meet all their teachers, etc. We hope they will enjoy their day!
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, all students will attend school. This will be an A-day. When students arrive, they will report to the advisory/homeroom by 8:30 am to receive their schedule. Then, students will follow their schedule for the remainder of the day.
On Wednesday, August 28, 2023, when students arrive at school, they will report to 1B class. We will follow an advisory schedule with three lunches during third period.
Please know that for at least the first two weeks of school, we will run a schedule with 3 lunches, meaning students will have advisory daily. We will use this time to review a variety of information and policies. Bell schedule is available on our website.
Transportation, bus number and bus stops, have been released. Please take a moment to check the bus schedule for time and location for pick up. Click this link for Southern’s Bus Stop List.
Don’t forget …Class of 2025 Senior Sunrise Breakfast!! On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, officers for the Class of 2025 are hosting a Senior Sunrise at the stadium field. T-shirts are on sale. Please reach out to a Class Officer for more information.
Course Change for the 24-25 If you need to request a schedule change, you will be able to pick up a schedule change form during lunch. The reason for the change must meet one of the reasons set forth by AACPS and will need a parent signature. Administrators will review the request. If the request meets one of the reasons set forth by AACPS, counselors will meet with you to adjust your schedule. Until you hear from administrator or school counselor, please follow your schedule.
Lunches for the 2024-2025 school year will be $3.00. Applications for free and/or reduced lunch are done online. Click on this link to apply.
On Monday, September 2, 2024, schools will be closed. When students return to the building on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, it will be an A day.
Underclassmen Portraits- Lifetouch will be here on September 5 and 6 for yearbook pictures. Students will have their picture taken during their English class.
Senior Portraits- Lifetouch will be here on September 11, 12 and 13 from 10 am to 4 pm for make-up portraits and retakes. To schedule a time for your portrait, please use this link, https://schedule.prestigeportraits.com/schedule/home.html. For your portrait to be included in the yearbook, it must be taken by October 30, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Alvanos, 410-867-7100 or balvanos@aacps.org.
Summer Assignments for English, Math and AP Classes Don’t forget to complete your summer assignment. To access the summer assignments, please visit our school website at Southern High Summer Assignments. Here, you will find detailed instructions for each class, including deadlines and any additional resources required.
Parking for the 24-25 school year Please make sure you have a parking pass for the upcoming school year. Seniors park on the lot by the baseball fields and gym. Juniors are to park at the stadium. If you have not purchased a parking pass, you can still register and take the quiz.
Students should review the information related to parking using this link and complete the parking quiz. This year, the fee for parking will be $30.00, this is a one-time fee that includes fall and spring. All vehicles will need a pass by Friday, August 30, 2024, to park on school property. Students who do not have a pass or park in the wrong parking lots may be towed at the owner’s expense.
Absences- Parents or Guardians can submit absence notes when your student is absent ALL day through the parent portal. For late arrivals and early dismissals, parents or guardians must send a note. Parents and guardians can NO longer submit these notes electronically.
AACPS Cell Phone Policy I recognize how important cell phones have become a necessity in our lives. However, students are not responsible. They are on their phones during instruction time and are missing out on important directions, critical and content knowledge. AACPS is taking a strong stance on cell phones. Cell phones should be off and away during instructional time. Southern High will be honoring AACPS Cell Phone policy. Cell phones may be confiscated, and parents will have to pick up cell phones. Also, disciplinary action will be taken according to the AACPS Code of Conduct. In advance, I am asking you on behalf of the faculty and staff of Southern High School to help us in curbing student cell phone use during valuable class time. Please speak with your student about the new cell phone policy. If you need to contact your student during the day, please do so by contacting the main office. Thank you in advance for your support.
Dress Code- Please make sure your student is dressing appropriately for school and following AACPS policy.
Emergency Card Verification Please complete the Emergency Card verification form for each of your students. You can access the form here: https://secure.aacps.org/webapps/SEFP/OSS/Ecvr. Please call the school for your student’s 5-digit PIN.
Download AACPS’ mobile app! At the end of the school year, AACPS announced the launch of a new mobile app aimed at providing a convenient, customizable avenue for families and the public to access information. The mobile app is available in Apple and Google Play stores by searching “Anne Arundel County Public Schools.” Please take a moment to download the app.
PTSO needs your support!! PTSO meets monthly, on the first Thursday of the month. PTSO is vital part of the success of Southern High and students. All memberships and fundraising proceeds are used to purchase technology for the school, support school wide events, celebrate our students and teachers, and more. You can access the membership form here: https://southern-high-school-ptso.square.site/ . Make donations or sign up to volunteer using this form: https://form.jotform.com/242265803108048
Parents, please support Southern by joining our Athletic Booster Program!! Southern Sports Boosters is a vital part of the success of Southern’s athletic program. This fundraiser can be used to purchase equipment for all sports (trophy cases, bocce courts, batting cages) field house maintenance, press box improvements, transportation for student athletes to special events, state championship jerseys, HUDL, Family ID, the Senior Sports Awards Banquet, and much more. Also, our Athletic Booster needs help with concessions. Please consider signing up for at least one shift at the snack shack. If a parent for each family volunteered at least one shift at the snack shack, the snack shack could be open for all fall home games. Please contact Southern’s Athletic Booster to learn more information.
Please feel free to contact administration or school counselors if you have any questions or concerns. If you need to contact me directly, please feel free to email me at: aahopkins1@aacps.org.
Sincerely,
Angela Hopkins
Principal
Southern High
