Principal Updates - April 26

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 Dates 

May 12-13 - Asynchronous School Days (SOL Testing, see information below) 

May 15 - Senior Prom 

May 31 - Memorial Day, No School  

June 9 - Graduation, 9:30am - Jiffy Lube Live - No School 

June 11 - Last Day of School, Early Release (Underclassmen)

April 26

General Information          

Bell Schedule

Beginning Tuesday April 27, we will be using this bell schedule.  This is includes some minor adjustments to our schedule.  This will help us better meet the needs of the increased number of students in the building.  

Enhanced In-Person Instruction Opportunities

Four days of in-person instruction will begin on Tuesday April 27 only for those that were already in-person and filled out the form to increase their days from two to four days!   As a reminder, at this point we are closed to further requests to change instructional modes for this school year.  In the fall FCPS, plans to offer five days of in-person instruction for all students. 

Courageous Conversations - A Dialogue to Discuss Race, Racism, and Responsiveness at Oakton High School

Racism has no place in FCPS or at Oakton High School. As a school, we will provide a forum for students to share their thoughts, process what has occurred in the country, and analyze their responses to those events. The student forum will be held on Monday, May 3 at 1:30pm through a Blackboard Collaborate session. We hope interested students attend so we may work together to ensure that all students feel heard, seen, and valued.  

Additional information has been posted for students in grade level google classroom sites. This will include a link for students to register for the student forum and submit questions and feedback to best guide our discussion.   

Buy a Yearbook

THE YEARBOOK IS HAPPENING! Buy yours now before prices increase! Go to www.yearbookordercenter.com and use code 4770 to purchase. If you have any questions, please contact OHSParagon@gmail.com. Don’t miss out – there are only a limited quantity available!

4th Quarter Catch-Up Days

Due to the amount of standardized testing scheduled for the remainder of the school year, our 4th quarter catch-up days will be established at the teacher/ team level.  Students will be afforded a catch-up day in all of their classes, however, they will be on the date decided upon by the class period teacher.  Students will be informed of their catch-up days by their teachers for their planning purposes.   All catch-up days will be held in the month of April.  

Updated Immunization Requirements 2021-2022 School Year 

The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

Effective July 1, 2021 all students entering twelfth grade will be required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) administered at age 16 or older, and prior to the beginning of school.

Twelfth grade students cannot begin school in August without proper Meningococcal documentation.

Soon we will be sending more information on the type of documentation you need to provide to the school and how to submit updated records.  

Testing Updates

Spring Testing

In an effort to answer questions surrounding the SOL this year Assessment Coach, Molly Brady, and School Counselor, Elizabeth Chase-Kang filed this SOL Informational Video to address many questions you may have.  

  • AP Testing: Information regarding AP Testing including the schedule, FAQs, and resources are on our OHS AP Exams webpage. (See more below)
  • SOL Testing:  We are in the final process of putting together specific schedules for SOL testing hosted in person at Oakton.  Please visit our OHS SOL testing webpage regarding more information. Students will be sent their individual testing schedules to their FCPS email accounts closer to the testing window. The schedules will include specific dates, locations, and materials needed for testing (time frames are below). Students will need to bring their FCPS-issued laptops and chargers to testing. Please encourage your student to use their device consistently leading up to testing. If your student needs IT support, please submit an IT ticket.
  • SOL Testing Schedule:
    • April 26: Senior SOLs
    • April 27-30: Reading SOLs
    • May 4-7: Math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) SOLs
    • May 10-14: Science (Biology, Chemistry, Geosystems: Earth Science) SOLs
    • May 12-13: Asynchronous Dates
      • Due to space capacity limitations and high volume of testing on these dates, we will be having school asynchronously on these dates. 
  • Any student who has a cultural or religious observance conflict with the SOL schedule is encouraged to reach out to our Assessment Coach so that we may discuss alternative dates offered within the testing window.  Please reach out directly to Ms. Molly Brady (mpbrady1@fcps.edu).  

AP Test Information 

  • Please check out Oakton’s AP Exam Information page for updated FAQ’s.
  • To request a refund for a cancelled AP Exam(s), students need to fill out this form by May 3.
  • If you wish to cancel your student’s AP Exam(s), please email AP Coordinator Katie Warehime kjwarehime@fcps.edu
  • Students can log in to the AP Classroom account and view their AP exam schedule.
  • The AP Digital Testing App has been successfully installed on FCPS student computers
  • AP Students will be invited to an information session on Digital AP Exams on Monday, May 10th at 1:00 pm hosted by Ms. Warehime

Class of 2021 Information

Graduation: June 9, 2021 (Jiffy Lube Live) 

Last week we were able to visit Jiffy Lube Live and begin planning for graduation.  FCPS is still working with Jiffy Lube Live on ticket information on how they will be allocated to ensure we do not exceed the maximum capacity as determined by the Governor.  The division is reviewing the most recent guidance from the state, so we hope to be able to share ticket information soon.  Here is what I can share with you at the moment: 

  • Seats will be assigned per direction of Jiffy Lube Live. 
  • Number of tickets will be determined and shared once Jiffy Lube Live shares their final number/grouping of seats based on maximum capacity.  
  • Each family will receive the same number of tickets.  
  • Families must sit together in their assigned seats to ensure social distancing from other families.  

Prom - A Night Under the Stars - May 15, 2021

On Saturday May 15, 2021 we will be hosting a prom experience for our seniors.  Due to current guidance and restrictions on social events at the state level, we are reimagining our prom to ensure we are adhering to all guidance.  Students will be invited to sign up for a designated time slot that will last 45 minutes (may vary depending on interest levels).  That time can be coordinated with other seniors.  We will be hosting the event at Oakton.  Students will enter Door 1, have the chance for both formal and informal pictures.  They will have access to both the courtyard and cafeteria.  Students will be getting a small refreshment on the way out.  We will have a DJ with music.  All social distancing and mask policies will be followed.  More information will be posted on grade level google classrooms this week.  

Diploma Seals and Service Learning Cord Update for Class of 2021 - Due April 27th 

All students should upload and submit all Service Learning Hours to the X2VOL system no later than April 27th for approval consideration. Hours submitted after April 27th may not reflect properly in the system in order to verify qualifications for the Civics diploma seal as well as the FCPS Service Learning Cord. VDO has issued new guidance modifying the hour requirement for various diploma seals for current seniors (Class of 2021). For the Civics diploma seal, the community service requirement for the Class of 2021 seniors has been reduced from 50 hours to 25 HOURS. Please note, that the 40 hour criteria is still in place for the FCPS Service Learning Cord.

Students can find more information about how to upload Service Hours to the X2Vol system here. If you have any other questions regarding the FCPS Service Learning Cord or the Civics diploma seal please click here. Students should check their school email regularly for more important reminders and updates as we approach graduation.

National Honor Society Members for the Class of 2021 are still required to have 24 hours approved in the X2VOL Service Learning system in order to qualify for the stole if they were inducted their Junior Year of 2019-2020. New senior members inducted this year are required to achieve a minimum of 8 hours approved in the X2VOL Service Learning system in order to qualify for the stole. Please see Mrs. Stewart or Mrs. Manilli with any questions regarding NHS requirements and obligations for graduation.

Gown Photos

Renovation Update   

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. 

Student Services Update

Freshman & Sophomore Parent Night – Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 6:30pm

Join the Oakton Counseling Department for Freshman & Sophomore Parent Night on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 6:30pm.  Learn more about the Counseling Department's Resources, Graduation Requirements, and Post-secondary Planning.  The meeting will be virtual so registration is required here.  We will send out a BBCU link to the email that is entered on the form either on May 4 or 5.  Due to limited space, we ask only sign up per household.  We hope to see you there! 

Student Services Newsletter

Happy Spring Cougars!  Take a moment to read over Student Service’s March Newsletter that includes information on Junior Parent Night, Yoga, AP Exams, and Summer Learning Opportunities.  Also, enjoy this month’s Mental Health Moment that focuses on the hope that comes with the change to spring. 

Individual Post-Secondary Meeting for Juniors

Our counselors are currently meeting with Juniors to discuss post-secondary options and the college application process. Please encourage your junior to meet with their counselor to go over their plans and prepare for a strong start of their senior year. Individual meetings can be scheduled through their counselor and will be held throughout the month of April.

PTSA News and Information

Updates from the Oakton HS PTSA

Senior Scholarships - We thank all the families who submitted applications and we are working through them.  Thank you for your patience!

Spring Mock Tests and Bootcamps - There are plenty of SAT mock tests, ACT mock tests and SAT bootcamps coming up.  Remember, these are fundraisers for the PTSA while helping our students.

We are looking for next year's board!! If you are interested in any Exec Board roles, please reach out to me at president@oaktonhsptsa.org!!

Thank you for all your support!

Oakton PTSA

Oakton Pantry 

Next week is our monthly distribution of personal hygiene and cleaning items, in addition to food! We are in desperate need of donations to be able to give families what they need for the month of May. Please consider donating items to The Pantry at OHS through our amazon wish list here, or by dropping items off in the front entry of the school during school hours. Our list of items needed is here.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Parent Resources

Parent Resource Center

Be sure to check out the FCPS Parent Resource Center here for resources available to all families!  

This site includes registration and information about monthly parent webinars.

2020-2021 Webinars

Registration opens one month before each webinar. Sign up for the New You Choose newsletter to get an email when registration opens.            

COVID-19 Vaccines and the Vaccination Process in Fairfax County: A Webinar for Families

Join the Fairfax County Health Department and the Fairfax County Public Schools or FCPS Parent Resource Center for important updates about COVID-19 and the vaccines that have been developed to help prevent disease.

Topics will include:

  • COVID-19 impacts (health, economic, education)
  • The vaccine
    • Community immunity: What is it and How do we get there?
    • Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines— how they work and their effectiveness 
    • Safety of vaccines
  • Vaccination process: Eligibility and How to register
  1. Tuesday May 4:       Session in Vietnamese – Register here
  2. Tuesday May 11:     Session in Korean – Register here
  3. Tuesday May 18:     Session in Arabic – Register here
  •  Sessions are subject to change or cancellation based on the number of registrations

Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Important Information About Meals During the School Year

Fairfax County Public Schools is currently offering all students nutritious meals at no cost. Meals are offered at school sites and along bus routes Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) with both breakfast and lunch being served at the same time. Breakfast and lunch meals for Saturdays and Sundays are distributed at all locations every Friday. Grab and Go Meal Sites and Bus Routes 

Changes to bus routes are posted on the website by 5 p.m. each day. If there are bus delays while distributing meals, the information will be posted on the FCPS Bus Delay website

Did you know that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has Parent Information Phone Lines to support parents in our eight most common languages staffed by bi-lingual employees?

Parents, who would feel more comfortable communicating in their first language, can call the Parent Information Phone Lines Monday-Friday and access a live bi-lingual (sometimes multilingual) employees.

Our phone line staff is also available to FCPS staff who want to connect with parents in the parent’s first language.

Phone Line Staff can help with the following:

  • Basic needs resources (food, utilities, shelter)
  • Translating and interpreting of FCPS information and communications
  • Contact with school personnel
Phone Numbers

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. 

Translate our Website 

Our Oakton HS website can be translated into multiple languages!  To do this you will see a globe, flags and the word "language" in the top left corner of our website.  Click there and you will be able to select your preferred language.  

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