Principal Updates - Week of January 6

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/06/2020 05:30 PM EST

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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

January 8: Curriculum Night; Course Registration Begins (Rising Seniors)

January 10: Winter Pep Rally

January 20: No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 24: Second Quarter Ends

January 27: Teacher Workday, Student Holiday; Parent Coffee on Vaping (9:00am)

January 28: Staff Development Day; Student Holiday

January 29:Third Quarter Begins; Junior Family College Night; Post-secondary Planning for Latinx English Learners Workshop

January 30: Senior Class Meeting (CT)

February 17: No School (Presidents' Day)

February 24: Spring Sports Begin

Renovation Update

Over the break the school was full of renovation activity! Some of the most notable improvements come in the Cougar Studio. The sound panels and hardwood floor were installed. Many of our new cafeteria tables were delivered. The remaining furniture, including new chairs and stools, along with high top tables and cafe furniture should arrive within the month. There was an unexpected delay in production. White boards were installed in new classrooms and work continues to fully enclose the new 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

Oakton Accolades

Check out our Oakton Accolades from the first portion of the year! We have a lot to celebrate with our student successes within and outside of the building!

Student Services Newsletter

Please take a moment to visit the Oakton Student Services Newsletter. This serves to recap the previous month and give you a glimpse of all the things to come this month. There are a lot of important resources available regarding student registration. Check it out here!

Student Registration for the 2020-2021 School Year

It is hard to believe but student registration season is about to get underway! To begin this process, students will review course registration information during advisory on December 12 and then again on January 6 and January 7. We will offer optional Electives Fair sessions for students interested in learning more about various course offerings in January, in addition to, our online website that students will have access to highlighting the wide variety of courses.

For each grade level there will be two days of large group lessons followed by individual registrations. Students will be registered in the following order during the approximate windows provided:

Rising Seniors: Jan. 6 - Jan. 22
Rising Juniors: Jan. 23- Feb. 5
Rising Sophomores: Feb. 6-Feb. 18
Make-ups: Feb. 19-Feb. 28

We encourage all students to discuss their class schedules with their families to ensure that they are creating a course load that will maintain a healthy balance for students. Families are strongly encouraged to consider not only the academic course load, but a student’s extracurricular and family obligations as well. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s counselor.

For more information on registration and course offerings please visit Oakton's website.

Curriculum Night Information

Please join us for Curriculum Night on Wednesday January 8, 2020 from 5:30-7:30pm. The purpose of Curriculum Night is to give parents an opportunity to speak with Oakton staff members about course offerings to help their students make the most informed decisions in the registration process. We have outlined the schedule and opportunities for the evening below.

5:30-6:00pm, Parents of Rising 9th Graders and students are welcome to join us in the Auditorium for a presentation on the transition to freshman year.
6:00-6:30pm, A Special Education General Curriculum Information Session is being offered for interested families in the library.
6:00-6:30pm, A Special Education Adapted Curriculum Information Session is being offered for interested families in Room 158.
6:00-7:30pm, Parents of Rising 9th Graders, Parents of current 9th-11th Graders, and students can meet faculty members in the Cafeteria and Auxiliary Gym to learn about course offerings. Several courses and departments will be represented in a fair style environment.

Junior Family College Night - January 29, 2020 at 6pm

Junior families please mark your calendars for Junior Family College Night. This event is for both junior students and their families to hear directly from college admissions representatives in a panel format with breakout sessions.

Topics include:

Finding the Right Fit
Components of the College Application
How Colleges Make their Decisions
Starting the College Search
Paying for College
Northern Virginia Community College Info

Post-secondary Planning for Latinx English Learners Workshop - January 29, 2020 at 5:30pm

Student Services will be offering a Post-secondary Planning Workshop for Latino Families. Spanish-speaking college admissions representatives will be join Oakton Staff in providing important information related to preparing for college and available resources. We will meet in the library at 5:30pm.

2020 FCPS Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are hosting the 9th annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 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 variety of experiences available and growing array of gap year opportunities.

The evening will begin with an informational presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair, with representatives from over 40 programs offering gap year opportunities, will take place in the school cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m. 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 will be Friday, February 7, 2020, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Online Campus Summer 2020

FCPS Online Campus summer courses will be available to eligible high and middle school students who meet prerequisites and technical requirements. Students may take one online course for first time or repeat credit. Middle school students may not take a mathematics course during the summer as their first-high school level mathematics course. Courses are rigorous; therefore, students should consult their counselor prior to registering. Program information is available at Summer Learning. Registration for summer Online Campus courses opens January 6, 2020.

Parent Information

Save the Date - Parent Coffee

On Monday January 27, 2020 at 9:00am we will be hosting our first parent coffee in the Oakton cafeteria. Please join us for coffee and conversation with our Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist – Ms. Heather Price. Our focus will be on "Vaping: What Parents Need to Know." We were purposeful in selecting a teacher workday for this meeting so we would be able to accommodate any parent who was interested in attending. If you are interested in attending, RSVP https://forms.gle/QA3pGigJyZ25Bsmx5

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:

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

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 and Information

Senior Signs are popping up all over!

Celebrate your senior by purchasing a Home of a Senior Lawn Sign. BUY NOW ANGP is offering FREE DELIVERY to your door (or lawn). All proceeds benefit All Night Grad Party. For more information on ANGP or to buy a ticket, click here ANGP Ticket or Paper Form.

Parent Resources - FCPS

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.

The IEP Transition Plan: Post-Secondary Planning in Middle and High School

Join FCPS Career and Transition Services to learn the importance of the IEP Transition Plan for effective postsecondary planning in middle and high school. Have in-depth conversations with CTS staff, and get answers to these questions:

What should parents look for?
What questions should you ask the school team?
What questions should you ask your son or daughter?
What role does the IEP play in increasing self-advocacy?
How do IEP goals support postsecondary planning?

Thursday, January 9, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon. Check registration form for location selections.

Parenting Children with Challenging Behaviors

Parenting can be difficult, but it is even more stressful when children refuse to follow directions, throw tantrums, and are continuously disruptive. Sometimes parents find themselves at a loss for successful strategies.

Join us in this important session that will focus on:

Reasons for challenging behaviors
Recognizing and preventing power struggles
Recognizing and encouraging appropriate behaviors
Communicating effectively with your child

Presented by Laurie Andrews and Kurt Soderstrom, FCPS Special Education Teachers.

Friday, January 10, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.

Mind in the Making Series

At this workshop you will learn the research behind the Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. Learn strategies for improving these skills, the importance of them in children’s lives, and activities to promote these evidence-based executive functioning skills.

*Registration includes attendance at all sessions 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Session 1: Introduction 1/16/20
Session 2: Focus and Self-Control 1/23/20
Session 3: Perspective Taking 1/30/20
Session 4: Communicating 2/6/20
Session 5: Making Connections 2/13/20
Session 6: Critical Thinking 2/20/20
Session 7: Taking on Challenges 2/27/20
Session 8: Self-Directed, Engaged Learning 3/5/20

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Assessment, Treatment and Research Upodate

Join Dr. Lisa M. Cullins, attending physician in the Emotion and Development Branch at the National Institute of Mental Health for this highly informative workshop. She will provide current research on:

Diagnostic Criteria
Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder as manifested in children and adolescents
Treatment Options, Resources and Collaborations

Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon

Calm Conversations with Your Adolescent

As parents of adolescents, we can often find ourselves in the throes of emotion and reactivity; we can say or do things that escalate the situation.

Join Corinne Coppola, M.A., and Well-Being Professional in this important workshop to learn tools to take yourself off of the emotional roller coaster and engage in ways that are helpful and supportive.

Explore ways to set boundaries that fosters loving and safe communication.
Learn strategies to feel connected and calm rather than frazzled and overwhelmed.

Friday, January 24, 2020, 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
Session 2: 1/28/20 will be held at Gum Springs Community Center and Providence Community Center
Session 3: 3/21/20

Portrait of an ADHD Graduate: Overcoming Obstacles While Optimizing Strengths

This session focuses on ways parents can prepare students diagnosed with ADHD to be successful in the 21st Century workforce.

Topics will include:

Identifying and building on existing strengths
Strategies for developing executive functioning skills
Ways to cultivate emotional intelligence

Presented by: Patricia M. Hudak, PCC, BCC, Certified ADHD/Executive Function Coach at PathFinder Coaching & Tutoring LLC, President-Elect, CHADD Board of Directors.

Friday, January 31, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.

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