What is Support on Suspension (SOS)?

SOS provides academic support in a focused setting to students who are suspended from school. In addition, as time permits, students also receive instruction in areas such as anger/aggression management, conflict resolution, and communications skills. We assist them in reflecting on their past choices and choosing proper behavior in the future.

Hours of operation*
8:30 am - 2:00 pm Culmore and Huntington
9:00 am – 2:00 pm Lorton
* The sites follow Fairfax County public school’s calendar

Culmore SOS (Sponsored by Fairfax Partnership for Youth)
Fairfax County Human Services Building
6245 Leesburg Pike, Suite 100
Falls Church, Virginia 22044
703.533.5476

Huntington SOS (Sponsored by Fairfax Partnership for Youth)
Huntington Community Center
5751 Liberty Drive
Alexandria, Virginia 22303
202.557.9363

Lorton SOS (Sponsored by Lorton Community Action)
Lorton Community Resource Center
9510 Richmond Highway
Lorton, VA 22079
703.339.8759 , email: sos@lortonaction.org

Daily Schedule
8:30 am - 9:00 am Check in (depending on site location)
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Homework and Computer Assisted Literacy
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm Lunch
12:30 pm - 1:45 pm Mentoring, Community Service Project, Life Skills Program, Career Program, Reading
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Wrap up

Parent Responsibilities
1. Inform your school administrator of your interest in enrolling your son/daughter.
2. Call the SOS location in your community the afternoon before your son/daughter will enroll.
3. Complete the 20 minute orientation/registration with the SOS coordinator. This is mandatory for your
son/daughter to be accepted into the program.
4. Obtain school assignments that will be missed while on suspension. Parents are responsible for conveying assignments between SOS and the school.
5. Ensure that your student reports to the SOS location on time each morning.
6. Support your student in making the best use of his/her suspension with a positive attitude.

Student Responsibilities
1. Indicate willingness to participate in the SOS program.
2. Bring text books, school supplies and assignments.
3. Bring your lunch.
4. Commit to making the best use of your time with a positive attitude.

The Parent Perspective
“SOS is the only reason my son got back on track and was able to pass the 3rd quarter of 9th grade and subsequently complete 9th grade successfully."
"The staff was welcoming and acted as a liaison to the school."
"The staff was very positive and reassuring that our daughter could get through this. Our daughter transitioned to an alternative learning center, and returned to a regular high school in January. She is doing very well. We are extremely grateful to the staff."

Interested in volunteering with SOS?
For the Culmore and Huntington sites contact Gary Grant at 202-557-9363 or email Gary.Grant@fairfaxcounty.gov. To volunteer at the Lorton site contact Katrina Hamlett at 703-339-8759 or email her at sos@lortonaction.org.  

SOS History

The need for Support on Suspension (SOS) in Fairfax County arose from the presence of factors impacting school dropout and juvenile delinquency.  The immediate factor of concern was the obvious gap in youth services resulting from decreased adult supervision likely to be available during out-of-school suspension periods.  Likely impacts of decreased adult supervision are decreased hours students spend engaged in academics and increased likelihood of filling those hours engaging in risky behaviors while on suspension.   

Increasing rates of out-of-school suspensions, especially long-term suspensions, increasing numbers of hours students are likely to go unsupervised due to increasing lengths of parent commutes, and disproportionate rates of Black and Hispanic students suspensions are all community factors that focused FPY’s working with the community to start SOS. 

• Increasingly high rates of out-of-school suspension
• Disproportionate rates of suspension for Black and Hispanic students
• Low education levels of parents to assist school
• Criminal activity and gang involvement

Responding to the community need, FPY advocated for support and created SOS by partnering with faith-based organizations, community service organizations, human service agencies, Fairfax County Public Schools, other non-profits and businesses. FPY collaborated to offer a safe and secure environment where youth who are suspended out of school can keep up academically and receive adult supervision, counseling, and tutoring.  

FPY SOS Program Results:

Academic support: Students are better equipped to resume their studies when they return to school and more likely to return to school;

Supervision: With caring adult input, students made better choices in how they spent their time while suspended; They benefit from

• A safe environment: Students were able to avoid dangerous, unsupervised situations while they were at the site rather than home alone;
• Violence prevention counseling: Students learned real-life skills to avoid future violent situations;
• Meals available: If they do not bring their own lunch, one is provided for them, making them better able to focus their energy on their academic needs rather than physical needs.

Culmore SOS Partners:

Dar AL Hijrah Islamic Center
www.daralhijrah.net

Columbia Baptist Church
www.columbiabaptist.org

Annandale Christian Communities for Action
www.accacares.org

Columbia at Crossroads Baptist Church  
http://sites.silaspartners.com/CC_Content_Page/0,,PTID327368%7CCHID766974%7CCIID,00.html

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church
www.stanthonyparish.org

Bailey’s Crossroads Rotary
www.bxrrotary.org

Dunn Loring Rotary
www.dunnloringrotary.org

Rotary Club of Tyson’s Corner
www.tysonsrotary.org

Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect
www.hacan.org/

Hispanic Committee of Virginia
http://hcva.org

Dogfish Head Alehouse
www.dogfish.com