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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
February 4 - Student Holiday; Staff Development Day
February 5/6 - Student-led Conferences
February 9 - Winter Wonderland Dance
February 18 - Presidents' Day - No School; Spring Sports Tryouts
March 5/6 - Writing SOL (English 11)
March 11 - 3 Hr. Early Release; Staff Development Day
March 28 - Cultural Festival Performance
April 4 - End of 3rd Quarter
April 5 - Student Holiday; Teacher Workday
April 9/10 - Exhibitions of Learning (9th grade)
April 15-19 - Spring Break
April 26 - Prom (11th/12th Grade)
Renovation Update
The construction crews are hoping to take advantage of the above average temperatures this week to continue work on the new additions. If you drive by the building near Doors 3 and 4 you can see the walls for the new addition growing in size each day. We are hopeful that work on the roof will begin in the coming weeks. On the other side of campus, near the kiss and ride lanes, work will begin on the second half of Phase 1. Water and sanitary lines will be put in over the next few weeks to service that area. This will result in the closing of Door 14. Access on that side of the building will still be available at Door 13 in the back of the cafeteria. However, we will remove the interior doors to the cafeteria closest to Door 13 so that there is a guaranteed exit point of the building in that area.
Inside work is beginning on the new electrical room that will be the hub for the whole building. Work continues on the weekends and after school throughout the main hallway to tie the old building into the new addition.
https://oaktonhs.fcps.edu/about/renovation-updates
Academic Information
AP Exam Opt-Out Letters and Information
FCPS strongly encourages all students to take AP tests for courses in which they are enrolled. Due to policy changes regarding FCPS AP exam fees, students now have the opportunity to opt out of any test(s) by submitting an opt-out form. During Advisory, all students enrolled in an AP class received a letter that gives the option to opt out of AP exams. Due to weather related delays and school closures we have extended the deadline to Tuesday February 5. This form must be returned by tomorrow to the school counseling office only (located in T-31). If your child does not opt out of exams prior to February 1st, he/she will automatically be registered and billed, if applicable. No further extensions will be granted to the original February 1st deadline to opt out of a test.
The fees for the first six AP exams taken by each student for courses in which they are enrolled for high school credit will be paid by FCPS. The letter students received details how many tests they have taken previously. Full information about AP test fees can be found on the FCPS website. Any exams students take beyond the six FCPS-funded tests will be charged a fee of $93.
If a student loses their letter and needs another copy, they can see Nancy Buscemi, Alyson Calvello, or Katie Warehime in the school counseling office.
If you have any questions about AP testing in general, please contact one of our AP testing coordinators: Alyson Calvello at acalvello@fcps.edu or Katie Warehime at kjwarehime@fcps.edu.
Full Frequently Asked Questions regarding AP exams are located on our website.
National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week 2019, "School Counselors: Providing Lessons for Life," will be celebrated from February 4-8, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February.
Fairfax County Public Schools employs close to 700 school counseling professionals, including school counselors, directors of student services, and career center specialists. These professionals are committed to preparing students to become lifelong learners and productive members in a global society with a focus on social emotional wellness, academic success, and college and career readiness. Thank you to all of our school counseling professionals (Ms. Warehime, Mr. Grausz, Ms. Wyatt, Ms. Calvello, Ms. Chase-Kang, Ms. Stanley, Mr. Wigfall, Ms. Osborne, Ms. Sherrill, and Mr. Priester) for the tremendous work they do! Please encourage your son or daughter to reach out to their counselor to show their appreciation this week.
End of Second Quarter - Grading Information
Thursday, January 24, was the last day of the second quarter. If you have any questions about your student’s progress, please reach out to the teacher to discuss your child. Report Cards will be distributed in school and sent home with your child on Wednesday February 6 through 7th period teachers during Cougar Time/class period.
Student-led Conferences
Oakton High School sophomores and AVID students will participate this week (February 5-6) in our Midterm Student Led Conferences. This event was rescheduled due to the delays and school closures last week. Students will lead a conference with a parent or guardian where they reflect on their learning experiences from this past semester. If you have not yet scheduled a time, please reach out to your son or daughter’s English 10 or AVID teacher.
College Partnership Program
Are you a student who wants and needs more information about the college process and support to get there?! The College Partnership Program may be the club for you!
CPP students meet monthly in the Oakton HS College & Career Center during Cougar Time to prepare and learn more about what it takes to get to college. All students are welcome to attend these monthly meetings, however, in order to receive additional benefits of the College Partnership Program, such as college visit field trips and summer experiences, workshops, test prep, fee waivers for SAT and ACT, as well as college application and parent info programs; students should apply to become an official CPP member.
Visit the FCPS website to learn more about the program’s philosophy and principles, as well as eligibility. Students may apply online at tinyurl.com/CPPapp201920 (must be logged in to your FCPS Google account) or through a paper application by March 13. Any student applying using a paper application must also submit the recommendation form. All 11th graders (regardless of application type) are also required to submit a recommendation form with their application. 9th and 10th grade students applying online do not need a recommendation form. Paper applications and recommendation forms are available in the College & Career Center. (You need only complete ONE application.) Students DO NOT NEED to mail their unofficial transcripts as indicated on the applications. Oakton School Counseling will do this for you. Have a sibling in 8th grade who’d be interested? Let them know about CPP too! 8th graders are also welcome to apply using the link above. 8th graders will be required to submit a nomination form as well.
Questions?! Stop by School Counseling to see Ms. Stanley or the Career Center to see Mrs. Collins and come to our next College Partnership Meeting on Friday, February 1 during Cougar Time in the Career Center.
Student Course Registration
Students continue registering for classes for the 2019-2020 school year. We are currently working to pull in any rising 12th grade and rising 11th grade students that were absent on registration days for those grade levels. Registrations are also set to begin for all rising 10th grade students. We ask that students consider a balanced schedule consistent with all of their activities and obligations they plan to participate in next year. In lieu of an electives fair that provided limited space for students to attend sessions, all students will have access to a virtual site that allows them to explore all offerings in each department. Students had time to explore the site on January 7 and January 8 during Advisory. If students have remaining questions about a course they can speak to their counselors, teachers, department chairs, or administrators. The electives fair virtual site can also be found on our website, under announcements. Students will need to use their 'fcpsschools.net' email accounts to access it.
To review all of Oakton's course offerings, click on this link.
A full list of the remaining schedule can be found below. This is subject to change based on snow and/or any other unforeseen conflicts.
February 7th-8th - 10th grade classroom lesson on registration and stress management through 9th grade English classes.
February 11th- 19th- Rising 10th grade individual registration meetings through HPE 9 classes
Upcoming Events
Winter Wonderland Dance - February 9
Based on overwhelming demand, Oakton High School Leadership is excited to announce a Winter Wonderland Dance on Saturday, February 9th. This is the first Winter Dance in over a decade and Leadership is excited to help students celebrate to break up the long winter season. Tickets will go on sale during all lunches the week of February 4th and will cost $20/ticket. Guest passes are available in the Main Office, Activities Office and in room 228. The dance will be held in the main gym and go from 8:00-11:00 PM and will feature a DJ/MC from Electric Events, a green screen photo booth, desserts, and drinks. We look forward to seeing all the students at the dance.
Spring Sports Tryouts
Our spring sports teams begin tryouts on Monday, February 18. Our spring sports include boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls tennis, outdoor track, baseball, softball, and crew. There will be a MANDATORY spring sports drop-in registration for all athletes trying out on Wednesday, February 13 in the cafeteria, 3:00pm-4:00pm. Coaches will verify at this time that all the proper paperwork and the concussion education component is complete. Each student must have the following information on file in order to try out:
- A doctor’s physical on file in the Activities Office. The physical must be filled out on the official VHSL physical form dated 2017. If you played a fall or winter sport or had a physical completed at Oakton in the spring, it is already on file.
- A new FCPS Emergency Care Information Form which should be given to the coach. Each sport requires a separate emergency care form.
- The 2018-2019 FCPS Participation Policy. Go to www.oaktonathletics.org for forms.
- The FCPS online concussion education program must be completed by the student and one parent/guardian.
All necessary documents and the link to the concussion education can be found on www.OaktonAthletics.org under the Files and Links tab. Tryout schedules will also be posted on the Oakton Athletics website. Please contact the Activities Office with any questions.
2019 FCPS Gap Year Fair
FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities.
The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m., by Holly Bull, President, Center for Interim Programs. Immediately following, the program fair will be in the cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 40 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their parents are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available.
Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs
In the event of inclement weather, the snow date and location for the fair will be Friday, February 8, 2019, at McLean High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m.
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 February:
- Mind in the Making – Critical Thinking (2/5/19), 6:30-8:30pm
- Why Won't My Child Go To School? A Conversation about School Refusal (2/8/19)
- Mind in the Making - Taking on Challenges (2/12/19), 6:30-8:30pm
- Mind in the Making - Self-Directed, Engaged Learning (2/19/19), 6:30-8:30pm
- Selective Mutism (2/22/19)
- Super Transition Saturday at Luther Jackson MS (2/23/19), 8:30am-1:00pm
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
Graduation Announcements
Attention Senior Parents- to order the official Oakton H.S. graduation announcements please go to http://www.balfour.com. Orders will be shipped home sometime in the spring. The ordering deadline is March 1st. Please contact Balfour with any questions at 703-941-1436 or balfournova@yahoo.com.
Oakton Pantry
In December The Pantry was able to provide 60 families with groceries for the long winter break and now we're ready to re-stock! We've updated the Amazon Wish List to reflect those items most in demand including single-serve cereal boxes/cups, nuts, microwaveable macaroni and cheese cups, and bags of dry beans. Here is the Amazon link. Thank you for your support!
Free SAT and ACT Practice Available on Khan Academy® and ACT Academy®
For students who have taken or plan to take the SAT, official SAT Practice is available on Khan Academy®. In 2017, Khan Academy® and the College Board analyzed gains between the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT and found a positive relationship between use of Official SAT Practice and score improvements on the SAT. Score gains are consistent across gender, family income, race, ethnicity and parental education level. Twenty hours of practice on Khan Academy® is associated with an average 115-point score increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT, nearly double the average gain without Khan. Now that students’ PSAT scores have been delivered, students must link their accounts in order to have access to this free resource. Students and families may reference the following video to learn How to Link College Board + Khan Academy Accounts.
For students who have taken or plan to take the ACT, ACT Academy® is available as a free online learning tool. ACT Academy® is a test practice program designed to help students master the skills they need to improve their ACT scores. Students will be provided with video lessons, interactive practice questions, full-length practice tests, educational games and other materials targeted to their academic needs. Each student will receive their own personalized study plan based on their scores from the ACT® test, PreACT®, official ACT practice tests, or diagnostics within ACT Academy. Students and families may reference the following video to learn how to sign up for ACT Academy.
WIN A PRINCETON REVIEW SAT/ACT COURSE
Only 10% of our Oakton families have joined the PTSA this year. It's not too late to join and your support is needed! Join now by clicking here: JOIN PTSA Membership dues are our primary source of income. The funds you donate support academic booster programs promoting academic success, fund AP readers, underwrite student activities, provide teachers with mini-grants and allow us to organize staff appreciation events. For a paper form, click here Form.
Become a member by April 30 and you will be entered to win a Princeton Review SAT/ACT Course Valued at $950.
PTSA Meetings
Our next PTSA meeting is Thursday, February 21. 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.
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.
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