|
Be sure to follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/OaktonHS), Twitter (@OaktonHS), and Instagram @oaktonhs! Visit our Oakton Accolades page to see our latest student accomplishments.
Important Upcoming Dates
December 14 - 3 Hr. Early Release (School Planning Day)
December 20 - Cougar Commendations
December 24 - January 4 - Winter Break
January 9 - Curriculum Night
January 18 - 3 Hr. Early Release (School Planning Day)
January 21 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
January 24 - End of 2nd Quarter
January 25 - Student Holiday; Teacher Workday
Renovation Update
We have continued to receive complaints from the Oakton Crest neighborhood. Some families have been using this neighborhood as an off-campus kiss-and-ride location. This has caused a substantial disruption to the residents in this community. Please be mindful and respectful to our community members and stick to our established kiss-and-ride location near the athletic fields.
This week the light polls near the softball field are set to come down. This should not impact kiss-and-ride at drop-off or dismissal. The light polls up by the baseball complex are set to come down next week. New paving has begun around the athletic complex. Additional crosswalks have been added near doors 3 and 4 to enhance student safety. Final rounds of demolition continue in the front of the building for the new addition. Footers are continuing to be put in for the new science wing and the new gymnastics/dance room.
https://oaktonhs.fcps.edu/about/renovation-updates
Academic Information
PSAT Scores
Starting December 11th, PSAT scores will begin to report. When scores are ready online, the student will receive an email (to the account provided to the College Board the day of testing). The email will contain instructions on creating a College Board account, accessing the online score report, and an access code to view scores. If the student did not receive an email, he or she can access the PSAT scores online at https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home . If they do not yet have a College Board account, one can be created.
More information is available on the College Board website: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores/getting-scores
Because of the need to create a College Board account to access PSAT scores, SAT scores, AP Exam results, and SAT registration, this is the method that students must use to access scores. Students will not get scores from Oakton High School. It is recommended that the student set up the account so that he or she knows how to access it in the future.
In addition, staff at Oakton are not able to assist with College Board accounts but recommend contacting them if there are error messages in setting up the account. If students have used different names (or filled in bubbles incorrectly), this might be why there is an issue with the account. The name listed in the email is the name on the College Board website; if it does not exactly match your child's name, it is due to how the bubbles were filled in on exam day.
This College Board account should be used for students when taking future PSAT exams, SAT exams, and AP exams, so we recommend correcting any errors at this time.
More information about College Board accounts can be found on their website. Their student line for the PSAT is 866-433-7728.
If you have a question that was not answered above and is not an issue with a College Board account, you may contact Molly Brady, Assessment Coach, at mpbrady1@fcps.edu.
Reassessment Policy Feedback
We are seeking parents to participate in a survey regarding Oakton’s current reassessment policy. The survey should take no more than five minutes to complete. Oakton’s reassessment policy, along with FCPS’s, can be found on our website. We are also seeking feedback from students during advisory and via the student blackboard site.
If you have any questions or issues accessing the survey, please email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at myrodeheaver@fcps.edu.
Attendance Reminders
As the colder weather has arrived, so has an increase in illnesses we are seeing among the students. We have noticed a number of students coming to school feeling very under the weather. Many students are sharing they came in because of a test or another class assignment. We want to encourage students to stay home when they are sick. Teachers will work with students to make-up assignments as needed. If students take the time needed to rest, they will recover faster and reduce the risk of spreading their illness. Student health and well being is a top priority of all staff members.
Pre-Arranged Absences
With winter break around the corner we wanted to take a moment to remind you of our attendance procedures for students with pre-arranged absences. The attendance office becomes incredibly busy during this time of year. Please plan ahead and follow the guidelines below:
- Complete the pre-arranged absence form. Please note this forms needs to be signed by all teachers so ample time needs to be provided.
- All pre-arranged absence forms must be accompanied with a note from a parent or guardian.
- All forms need to be returned to the Attendance Office.
Career Exploration Day
On January 18, 2019 we are hoping to host a Career Exploration Day for the entire 11th grade class. In previous years, this was hosted for a smaller portion of our population. To ensure that the entire class is able to participate we are still looking for additional presenters in a variety of career fields.
The purpose of the career fair is for juniors to explore a variety of careers that require different levels of education and to help build an interest for their future planning. We want students to gain an insight of all the careers that are out their and to explore ones beyond their current interest level. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with local professionals and ask questions about each of the jobs that are at the career fair.
Presenters would be asked to be here between the hours of 8:45am-10:15am. We could use your help in finding additional presenters. If you are interested in presenting on your career field, please reach out to Rachael Aufman (reaufman@fcps.edu) or Chris Buckley cjbuckley@fcps.edu by December 7th. Below is a list of possible career fields that we are in need of filling based on student interest: actor, airplane mechanic, animal breeder/caretaker, animator, anthropologist, athlete, auto-mechanic, business owner/manager, chef/cook, composer, computer graphic designer, cosmetologist, dance instructor, dentist, dermatologist, detective, doctor/surgeon, early childhood education, fashion designer, FBI, financial advisor, firefighter, forensic scientist, interior designer/architect, inventor, investor, loan officer, local government, motivational speaker, musician, news anchor, nutritionist, park ranger, personal trainer, photographer, programmer, psychiatrist, stock broker, travel agent, veterinarian, voice actor, website developer, zoologist.
Academy Shuttles
Moving forward all Academy bus shuttles will depart from Door 4, near the Main Office. This is a change from earlier in the year where students were departing from Door 6.
Saturday School
Oakton will now be offering Saturday school as a disciplinary consequence for students. This will run on Saturday mornings from 8am-11am. We see this as a consequences that can be considered prior to assigning a student to a day of out-of-school suspension. This is a means of reducing the amount of time students may be missing from class.
Cougar Commendations
So often faculty and staff members’ thinking and learning go unnoticed or unrecognized. Cougar Commendations for teachers provides a venue for you to recognize an OHS staff member for their work towards one of the five pillars of the FCPS Portrait of a Graduate. Please use this link to nominate a faculty member for his or her noteworthy endeavors in the areas of communication, collaboration, ethical and global citizenship, creative and critical thinking, and being a goal-directed and resilient individual. Please see here for more detailed descriptions of the Portrait of a Graduate.
Please submit all nominations by Friday, December 7th. Nominated staff persons will be recognized in a ceremony at a future staff meeting.
Upcoming Events
Oakton Performing Arts - Dance Workshop
Calling all Dancers!! The Oakton Performing Arts Department will be producing “Catch Me If You Can” the Musical this spring! The music in the show is upbeat with a lot of singing/dancing ensemble numbers. Any Oakton student may audition to be in the show. Roles include both singing and dancing elements. Students may be cast to do both or strictly one or the other depending on the role. Students who have interest in auditioning for the show are asked to attend the Dance Workshop to be held in the auditorium on Tuesday, December 4th from 3:30-5:00pm.
The workshop is not an audition, but those who plan to audition for the musical should attend. The purpose of this workshop will be for you to meet the choreographer and get a feel for what the experience and style of dance will be like. It will also be an opportunity for the directors and choreographer to assess the overall dance ability of those auditioning so that we can prepare the auditions and show choreography accordingly. Official auditions will include both a dancing and singing component. Audition information and schedule to follow.
Please register for the Dance Workshop by no later than Friday, November 30th . You will need to login to your FCPS Google account to register. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
FCPS Parent Resource Center Workshops
Each month the FCPS Parent Resource Center hosts a variety of workshops for parents. Workshops are held at the Dunn Loring Center from 10:00 am-12:00pm unless otherwise noted. Please visit this website for more detailed information on the upcoming workshops and information on how to register. https://www.fcps.edu/node/28019
Upcoming Workshops for December:
- Mindfulness for Children Evidence-Based Practices to Use at Home (12/7/18)
- Transition IEP's Overview (12/13/18)
Partners for Safe Teen Driving
All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2018-2019 school year must attend a 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety presentation (PSTD). The 90-minute presentation is connected to successful classroom instruction and must be completed to receive a DEC-District 8 card.
The 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety presentation (PSTD) will be offered multiple times throughout the school year at Oakton. Students and their parent/guardian should plan to attend the presentation at Oakton during the quarter their student receives driver education.
Reminder: Please bring a pen / pencil and arrive on time. Late arrivals will not be admitted once the presentation begins.
The next scheduled PSTD meeting is Monday March 4, 7-8:30pm in the Oakton Auditorium. It is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors that have not attended a PSTD night yet. The student and parent must attend one presentation as a part of the VA licensing requirements.
Juniors and seniors who wish to attend, must pre-register online through the Adult and Community Education (ACE) office and pay a $30 fee - please see a Driver Ed teacher for more details.
Sophomores DO NOT need to pre-register. This is not available to freshmen.
The final date offered at OHS is below:
Monday April 1 7:00-8:30pm Oakton Auditorium
Parent/PTSA Information
The Pantry - Holiday Donations
Please help make the holidays a little brighter for our students in need and their families. We have compiled a wish list of items specifically requested by the families. You'll notice that the majority of requests are for a winter jacket, or for a gift card for winter clothes. There are some toy requests sprinkled in. When the families pick up their holiday gifts, they will also receive a bag of groceries from The Pantry to help them over the winter break when school is closed.
Details can be found on our Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094babab2eabfa7-holiday
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety
The Safe Community Coalition (SCC) and McLean High School PTSA will be hosting a free community screening of the IndieFlix Original documentary "Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety" on Thursday, December 6 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the McLean High School auditorium. This documentary aims to start a global conversation and raise awareness around anxiety. Through candid interviews the filmmakers tell the stories of many kids and teens who candidly discuss their anxiety and its impacts on their lives and relationships, as well as how they've found solutions and hope. The film also includes a special interview with Olympic athlete and mental health advocate Michael Phelps. In addition, the documentary provides discussions with mental health experts about the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects, along with the help, resources and tools available to address this prevalent condition. The film will be followed by an informative panel discussion and Q&A led by mental health professionals from the SCC and McLean High School. It is recommended for sixth grade and up. This free community event is part of the SCC's yearlong commitment to shining the light on youth anxiety. For more information please see http://mcleanscc.org/ or https://angstmovie.com/.
Join the PTSA!
Thank you to our 343 Oakton families who have become 2018-19 PTSA members. We want the rest of you! Become a member today and support your student and Oakton. Every 100 people who join brings in $1,000 that PTSA uses to fund mini grants for teachers, student activities, AP readers, and so much more. PTSA encourages all parents, staff and students to be members. Membership is only $10. To join click here Join PTSA.
PTSA Meetings
The remaining PTSA meetings for the year are below. All meetings begin officially at 7:00pm in the library. Starting at 6:30pm there is informal discussion time with the principal and PTSA Executive Board.
January 17, February 21, March 14, April 11, May 9, June TBD
FCPS Cares
Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.
PTSA News You Choose Account
Oakton's PTSA newsletter will be sent out as needed. Please take a moment to self-enroll to be sure you are on their distribution list. You can manage your subscription to Oakton HS messages online.
How to Modify or Unsubscribe to the Newsletter
To modify your membership to our messages (or to add yourself to the Oakton Athletics list!) you can manage your subscription to Oakton HS messages online.
|
