Principal Updates - Week of October 28

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/28/2019 05:30 PM EDT

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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

October 22-30: Impact Aid Surveys

October 28: Angst Screening, 7:00pm (see below)

October 29: College Application Workshop - Seniors

November 1: End of 1st Quarter; National Merit Scholar Celebration

November 4: School Planning Day - No School

November 5: Teacher Workday - No School

November 6: Winter Sports Registration Meeting

November 11: Winter Sports Tryouts Begin

November 18-19: Depression Screening (10th Grade)

November 25: Underclassmen Academic Awards (CT)

November 27-29: No School; Happy Thanksgiving

December 4: PSTD Night (see more information below)

December 11: Cougar Commendations (CT)

December 23-January 3: Winter Break

Renovation Update

Last week we had more concrete poured in the addition and more steel, block, and windows going in. This week we anticipate some additional paving and roofing on the addition.

Please visit our website for more information on the scope of the renovation and the renderings of what the building will look like when completed.

General Information

Seniors: College Application Workshop

Attention Seniors! Need help finalizing your college applications? Then join us on Tuesday, October 29^th after school in the Career Center for our College Application Help Session. Counselors and Mrs. Banbury will be on hand to help answer any questions, review your application and provide support. Let us help you hit submit with confidence!

First Quarter Fall Break – Wednesday, October 30 during Flex CT

Fall is here and first quarter is almost to an end! Join the School Counseling Department’s First Quarter Fall Break on Wednesday, October 30 during Flex Cougar Time. Take a break with us in the science hallway courtyard where we will be partaking in fall-related activities including painting pumpkins (supplies are limited so be prompt). If there is rain in the forecast, we will move indoors.

Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact AID

Beginning on October 22, FCPS will be asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an anticipated $3 million dollars in grant funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers. For each school-aged child in your household, please complete, sign, date, and return the survey to your child's school. If sections 1 and 2 of the survey do not apply to you, just check the box in Section 3. All forms must be signed, dated, and returned by October 30. All results are CONFIDENTIAL.

Video link - https://youtu.be/uPqC3BLf3Ow

Depression Awareness Program and Screening- 10th Grade

The counseling department will conduct a depression awareness program and screening for our 10th grade students as part of our Oakton mental health initiatives. This program will take place through 10th grade History classes on November 18th and 19th. The goals of this program are to educate students on the signs and symptoms of depression, to let students know what to do if they have concerns about themselves or a peer, and to connect students who may need support with resources inside and outside of our school.

A letter with information about this program was mailed home to all sophomores earlier in the month. Included in this letter was an Opt-Out form. If you do not want your student to participate in the depression awareness program and screening, please return the opt-out form to Nancy Buscemi in the school counseling by Friday, November 8. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s counselor.

OAKTON ATTENDANCE REMINDERS

Student Absence: To report a Full Day student absence, please call the Attendance Line at 703.319.2727 and choose the appropriate Mailbox

9th Grade = Press 1
10th Grade = Press 2
11th Grade = Press 3
12th Grade = Press 4

Make sure to clearly leave your students name, ID #, and Reason for Absence in your message

Students may also bring in a signed note (parent or guardian) within three school days to excuse a full day absence to the Attendance Office

Scheduled Student Check-out: When it is necessary to check a student out of school please send a detailed/signed note with your student in the morning. Your student will visit the Attendance Window (Main Office) first thing when they arrive and be issued a check-out pass for the scheduled time

Sick Student Check-out: When your student is not feeling well, it is their responsibility to request a pass to the Clinic. The parent and/or emergency contact(s) can be called to pick up the student.

Single Period Attendance: If you have questions regarding a specific single period attendance issue, please contact the teacher for the assigned period for assistance. The teacher must approve any single period corrections.

SIS Parent Account: Fairfax County Public Schools has granted parents and/or guardians with access to "real-time" attendance information via a SIS Parent Account. Student attendance details can be accessed by clicking Attendance on the SIS Navigation bar. With this view, parents will see all excused and unexcused tardies, absences, and scheduled activities by period. By selecting a designated period, parents will have access to student schedule information including a list of their student's teachers and their email addresses. It is recommended that parents check this information prior to contacting the teacher or grade level attendance number for support.

Need a SIS Parent Account? Contact Ms. Burke at office (703).319.2782, contact your student's counselor, or review the FCPS SIS Parent web-page for more information. SIS Parent Account Registration

WEDNESDAY LATE BUS PICKUP PROCEDURES

We have experienced traffic and bus disruptions on Late Bus Wednesdays. Please keep in mind the following if you are picking up your student after school.

Students who take advantage of Wednesday Late Bus day must be picked outside of Door #13 using the Kiss and Ride Loop.
The area in front of Door #4 is not a student pick up location and serves as our Bus Lane / Staging area for Late Bus Wednesday Pickups.

Outstanding Employee Awards Nomination

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! All awards categories can be found here on the Oakton website. To submit a nomination for an Oakton High School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories, please complete the nomination through this Google form link.

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category.

College Board Accommodations- Deadline for AP Testing

Students who have an IEP or 504 do not automatically have College Board accommodations. Paperwork must be submitted to Oakton by December 20, 2019, to allow for processing prior to the College Board deadline; however, we encourage students to submit paperwork as early as possible. All paperwork is to be given to Chris Buckley, SSD Coordinator at Oakton High School. Each of the following must be completed:

College Board Consent Form

College Board Local Application Form

Paperwork should be delivered to Oakton High School, to the attention of Chris Buckley, or emailed to cjbuckley@fcps.edu.

If you have any questions regarding the process, you can contact your child’s case manager or counselor, or email Chris Buckley at cjbuckley@fcps.edu.

Full Frequently Asked Questions regarding AP exams are located on our website.

Parent Information

Class of 2020 - All Night Grad Party Tickets

Oakton’s 2020 All Night Grad Party Tickets are now on sale. ANGP is June 4, the night of graduation from 10 pm until 3 am. Oak Marr Rec Center will be transformed into a Teen Oasis of Fun. ANGP will be an over the top extravaganza featuring delicious catered food, casino games, fabulous prizes, mini golf, beach party, swimming, games, obstacle courses, live entertainment, spa treatments, gifts, sports and much, much more! The ticket price includes all food and activities at the party. Purchase your tickets now by clicking here: ANGP Ticket. Receive a $20 discount by using this coupon code at checkout GCGE29Q97APX. Coupon Code is valid only until November 30. Free or reduced price tickets are available to students with financial need. Please contact Jen Hogan at JLHogan@fcps.edu if you need assistance in obtaining a ticket for your student. For other questions, please contact Cynthia Rutzick or Eli Rainhart at OaktonANGP@gmail.com.

It's Time to Order Your 2019 Oakton High School YEARBOOK

Hey Oakton Cougars -- order a 2019 OAKTON HIGH SCHOOL yearbook before the price increases! The yearbook is currently on sale for $72 -- so place your order by October 31 to save $18 off the final distribution price and guarantee that your student gets a 2019 yearbook in the spring. Yearbooks are sold first-come, first-served until they are all gone. No extra are guaranteed at distribution. Please email OHSparagon@gmail.com with any questions.

Visit https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/index.cfm/job/4770 to order your yearbook TODAY!

Senior Parents- Yearbook Baby Ad Purchase

Attention Senior Parents! If you would like to purchase a Baby Ad for your child in the 2019-2020 yearbook, please see the link below for pricing and information. The deadline is Thursday October 31. Questions? Contact the Yearbook OHSparagon@gmail.com.

Buy your baby ad here: https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/?event=general.displayLanding&jobnumber=4770.

Public Comment on High School Science Basal Instructional Resources

Fairfax County's Instructional Services Department is soliciting public review and comment on basal instructional resources under consideration for High School Science. A basal resources review committee composed of community members, administrators, and teachers will meet in the fall of 2019 to review and recommend new High School Science instructional materials to the School Board. Educators and community members are encouraged to review materials under consideration and complete comment sheets or the online survey so that valuable feedback may be shared with the School Board and committee as part of the review process.

High School Science basal instructional resources may be accessed in person and online during October 14, 2019 through November 14, 2019. Digital materials for public review and comment will be available at the link https://www.fcps.edu/node/39027 beginning October 14, 2019. Hard copies of textbooks will also be available in the front lobby of Willow Oaks Administrative Center. Willow Oaks is open each business day from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and extended hours will be provided until 7:45 p.m. on October 28, 2019 and November 7, 2019.

PTSA Information

- Treats for Teens! OHS Staff will hand out candy to students on Halloween! Please help us support them by sending unopened bags to school with your students or drop off at Front Office ANYTIME before October 29th! Sign up HERE!
- Mini Grants - We have already given out 6 mini grants! Do you have a terrific idea to improve education at Oakton High School? The OHS PTSA wants to support you in its success! Click here to learn more!
- Angst Movie and Panel Discussion - Please join us for our viewing of "Angst" the teen anxiety movie on Monday, October 28 in the Oakton Auditorium. This event is FREE but we are asking everyone to RSVP.
- Have you joined the PTSA yet? Please JOIN and support the students, teachers, and Oakton community to achieve our goals this year! Your membership (and generous donations) are vital to the success of the PTSA including funding for events, mini grants and more!

Partners for Safe Teen Driving

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2019-2020 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 four times during 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.

PSTD meetings at Oakton during 2019/2020 school year:

Wed. December 4^th
Mon. February 24^th
Mon. April 20^th

All sessions will run from 7:00-8:30pm in the Oakton Auditorium.

Please bring a pen/pencil and arrive on time. Late arrivals will not be admitted once the presentation begins.

The meeting 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 Drivers Ed teacher for more details.

Sophomores DO NOT need to pre-register. This is not available to freshmen

The Pantry at OHS Need Restocking

The Pantry is running low and needs restocking! Please consider adding a few extra items to your shopping list or clicking on our Amazon Wish List link below to have items delivered directly to the school. We are most in need of food items at this time.

https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PXP0VZH14Y/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1?_encoding=UTF8&type=wishlist

Thank you for your continued support of The Pantry!

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.

Parent Resources - FCPS

Smithsonian Mystery Event for High School Students

Potent Potions
Three wizard school professors are under a sinister spell. Can you reverse it?
November 4, 1pm-4pm, High School Students (Register Now)

Strange Things
A curious librarian went missing when she uncovered a deep government secret. Can you find her?
November 5, 1pm-4pm, High School Students (Register Now)

Family Engagement Resources

In FCPS we recognize that when families are engaged in their children’s education, students achieve higher grades, attend school regularly, have better social skills, and go on to postsecondary education. We offer programs, services, and resources that engage families, schools and the community in support of student success.

Find out more here about programs and supports offered in FCPS to build stronger family-school partnerships and better engage families.

Irritability in Children and Youth: How to Help Children Cope

Dr. Ramaris German, Ph.D., Psychologist and Ms. Wanda Wheeler, Mental Health Clinician from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), will present this important workshop for parents of irritable children and youth.

They will highlight:

Understanding appropriate vs. inappropriate levels of irritability
The psychological processes that underlie irritability
The impact on home and school for children with irritability
Strategies for children and youth to use to cope
Current NIMH studies on irritability in children

Friday, November 1, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

Sibshops

An exciting workshop for brothers and sisters of children with special needs!

*Registration must be completed separately for each session.

Session 1: 11/4/19 will be held at Gum Springs Community Center and Providence Community Center
Session 2: 1/28/20
Session 3: 3/21/20

Raising a Screen Smart Kid: Embrace the Good and Avoid the Bad in the Digital Age

For parents who didn't grow up with smartphones but can't let go of them now, expert advice on raising kids in our constantly connected world. This presentation will focus how to help kids navigate friendships, bullying, dating, self-esteem, and more online.

Using social media to enhance connection with friends and family, instead of following strangers and celebrities
Finding online support and community for conditions such as depression and eating disorders
Learning and developing life skills through technology--for example, by problem-solving in online games--while avoiding inappropriate content

Presented by Juliana Miner, public health expert and the creator of the popular blog Rants from Mommyland.

Thursday, November 7, 2019 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder: Beginning Your Journey

Attend this important workshop, presented by Julia Calhoun and Katie Boxer, FCPS Behavior Intervention Teachers to understand characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Does your child have a new diagnosis?
Do you suspect your child may have Autism?

Highlights will include:

Understanding the unique learning styles of students with Autism.
Effective strategies to use in the home and classroom.
Examine examples of resources.

Friday, November 8, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

Special Education: Understanding the Process and Collaborating with Your School

Topics Include:

What is Special Education?
How do children qualify for services?
What is Least Restrictive Environment?
What is the difference between accommodations and modifications?
What is an IEP?
What are the roles and responsibilities of IEP team members?
How can I work with the school team to develop an IEP?
How do I advocate for my child at school and in the IEP process?

Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Building Success in Physical Education

Learn fun activities for the whole family to get your child moving while reinforcing a wide range of skills needed to participate in physical education.

You will learn how to:

Motivate your child to be physically active
Modify games to enhance success
Reinforce the adaptive skills students need to be successful in PE:
- Taking turns and following rules
- Participating in group games and interacting interact with peers

Presented by Phyllis Orner, FCPS Adapted PE Specialist, Manda Tirado and Christy Stone, FCPS Adapted PE Teachers

Friday, November 15, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

Parenting Through Challenging Times: Supporting Your Child Through Life’s Ups and Downs

Transform feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious and stressed to calm, confident and compassionate. Learn tools and techniques to navigate turbulent waters and times of change within your home and family life.

Major Life Changes can make you feel out of control:

A Job Change/Loss
A Move
Divorce/Separation
Addition of a family member or sibling to the home
Death
Mental/physical illness
Child leaving the home

Presented by Corinne Coppola, M.A., and Well-Being Professional.

Friday, November 22, 2019, 10 a.m.-noon.

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