Principal Updates - September 20

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/20/2021 05:45 PM EDT

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Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@OaktonHS), and Instagram @oaktonhs! All Back to School Information can be found here.

The Oakton Pantry is available to support all Oakton families. See below for additional information and our website!

Important Dates

September 20: Back To School Night Website Available

September 21-22: Underclassman Photos (Information Below)

September 22: Senior College Application Help Session

September 24: Senior Panoramic Photo

October 11: Student Holiday

October 13 - PSAT Testing Grades 10-11; SAT Testing Grade 12 (Testers Only)

October 12-15 - Homecoming Week

October 16 - Homecoming Dance

October 29: Last Day of 1st Quarter; Early Release

November 1-2: Student Holidays, Religious & Cultural Observance Days, Dia de los Muertos

November 4: Religious & Cultural Observance Day, Diwali

November 11: Veterans Day, Early Release

November 24-26: No School

November 29-30: Assessment/Assignment Blackout Dates

General Information

Back To School Night Website

We are excited to launch our asynchronous Back to School Night website today! On this site you will find a back to school message/presentation from me, the PTSA, staff members and more. Each teacher has also posted presentations with traditional course related details. Please be sure to review your child’s schedule to guide you to select the appropriate video.

Grade Level Parent Coffees

We are excited to bring back our live virtual parent coffee sessions for this school year. Our first sessions will be hosted by our Assistant Principals. We will share some basic back to school information and field questions. All sessions will be recorded and accessible for any parent who is unable to attend. Zoom links will be emailed out to families in that class the evening before the session.

Class of 2022, Wednesday, October 6, 2021 (8:30-9:30am) hosted by Mr. James Oberndorf
Class of 2023, Thursday, September 30, 2021 (8:30-9:30am) hosted by Ms. Martha Rodeheaver
Class of 2024, Tuesday, October 5, 2021 (8:30-9:30am) hosted by Mr. Larry Stroud
Class of 2025, Thursday, October 7, 2021 (8:30-9:30am) hosted by Ms. Mary Landis

Underclassman Picture Day

School Picture Day is coming next week starting Tuesday September 21st & Wednesday September 22nd 2021 through English classes. Pictures will be available in the week or so following our school's photo day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000875171 For questions about order please email underclass@vosphoto.com

Partners for Safe Teen Driving

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2021-2022 school year must attend a virtual Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PSTD). The virtual presentation is connected to successful classroom instruction and must be completed to receive a DEC-District 8 card (pink card). The parent-teen traffic safety presentation (PSTD) will be offered multiple times during the school year at Oakton. Students and their parents/guardians should plan to attend the presentation at Oakton (virtually) during the 1st quarter.

All PSTDs begin promptly. Late admission will not be allowed.

Students, please complete this google form to pick the date you will attend.

Dates 2021-2022

Monday Sept. 27 6pm
Tuesday Oct. 26 6pm
Monday Dec. 13 6pm
Tuesday March 29 6pm
Wednesday May 4 6pm

These sessions are intended for Sophomores. Juniors and Seniors can attend a virtual session through Adult and Community Education.

PSTD nights are not available to freshmen.

National Honor Society Application Information

All interested Juniors and Seniors wanting to apply for National Honor Society for the 2021-2022 school year will be receiving application information in the coming weeks. All qualified Juniors and Seniors who wish to apply will receive an invitation to apply. Students are highly encouraged to pay close attention to their school emails for more information. Qualified applicants must have a cumulative 3.5 GPA at time of application and complete the full application process for review by our faculty panel. Please see the link to our NHS Google Site on the Oakton Website for more information on the process.

Current NHS members at Oakton should check their school email regularly for coming important information for the 2021-2022 school year regarding membership expectations, information, service learning, and officer selection process.

National Honor Society Senior Officer Application

Current Senior Members of the Oakton High School National Honor Society will be receiving an invitation to apply for one of our Officer positions for the 2021-2022 school year. Students should pay close attention to their school emails for the application and deadlines. All the information for Officer positions is provided to students in the invitation email that will go out next week. With over 400 current members in NHS this is an incredible honor. A panel of OHS staff will review the applications and select officers for this school year. Any questions or concerns regarding the application or selection process should be directed to Mrs. Stewart at kastewart@fcps.edu. This application is for current SENIOR MEMBERS of NHS ONLY.

Student Service Learning Hours and X2VOL

All students of Oakton High School should have access to the X2VOL Service Learning hours system through their Naviance account. Students who wish to upload service learning hours for verification and approval should do so by following the directions attached. All service learning hours are reviewed by school staff and approved throughout each quarter. Students are asked to be patient with the review of hours for approval as it does take time. Please see the FCPS Service Learning page on the fcps.edu website for more information on service learning opportunities for students. All hours are guaranteed to be approved by the end of each quarter to ensure accurate updates for students.

Student X2VOL Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12g4Ilee2G_O0NtBe5kY-DqYxED3T1xF8/view

Student Services Updates

Monthly Newsletter

Welcome Back Cougar Families! We are so excited to be back in person with our students and staff. Please take a look at our first newsletter of the 2021-2022 school year. In this month’s issue, we provide information on Back to School, schedule changes, the pantry, post-secondary planning programs for seniors, College and Career Center updates, reviewing our month’s programs and upcoming events and highlighting our new counselor, Mr. Bade.

Mental Health Moment

Each month, we publish a Mental Health Moment that focuses on a mental health topic for students. This month, we are focusing on building trust and making connections as we transition back to school. Trust is an crucial component for developing meaningful relationships in school with both school staff and peers. The Mental Health Moment is available for students in the Counseling Department’s Schoology folder.

College Application Help Sessions

Attention Seniors! Need help finalizing your college applications? Then join your school counselors on Wednesday, September 22 after school in the Career Center for our College Application Help Session. Counselors will be on hand to help answer any questions, review your application and provide support. Let us help you hit submit with confidence! Sign up here for either or both dates in September. And don’t worry if you can’t make either of these dates. We will be having other sessions throughout the Fall.

College Visits: September 20-24

Monday, September 20: Virginia Tech: 8:30am (Auditorium); Goucher College: 9:15am; Frostburg State University: 10:00am; Purdue University: 10:45am; College of Charleston: 1:00pm; Providence College: 1:45pm

Tuesday, September 21: University of Maryland – Baltimore County: 8:30am; Rutgers University: 9:15am; Xavier University: 10:00am; University of Louisville: 10:45am; University of Chicago: 1:00pm; Roanoke College: 1:45pm

Wednesday, September 22: Davidson College: 9:15am; Vanderbilt University: 10:00am; University of Pittsburgh: 1:00pm; James Madison University: 1:45pm (Auditorium)

Thursday, September 23: Western New England University: 8:30am; University of Mary Washington: 9:15am; Butler University: 10:00am; Virginia Commonwealth University: 1:00pm (Auditorium); Marymount University: 1:45pm

Friday, September 24: University of Lynchburg: 8:30am; Northwestern University: 10:45am; Johns Hopkins University: 1:00pm; Colby College: 1:45pm

*All visits are in the College & Career Center unless otherwise noted.

Instructions to register for visits:

Log in to Naviance - Click the Colleges Tab - Click Visits and then register for the ones that you would like to attend. Please check this regularly as colleges may change their dates and times for visits. If you have any questions please reach out to me.

Testing Updates

PSAT/SAT Information - October 13, 2021

On October 13, only students who are taking the PSAT and SAT should report to school. Remaining students should work asynchronously at home on homework and other previously assigned content.

Additional information on both the PSAT and SAT can be found here.

PSAT:

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is pleased to announce plans to offer the Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) to students in grades 10-11 on October 13, 2021. A PSAT/NMSQT Testing Notification letter is posted online along with translations. All sophomores and juniors will automatically be registered to take the PSAT/NMSQT.

Students in Grade 12 will have the opportunity to take the SAT. More information can be found here.

SAT:

Oakton is hosting the SAT School Day on October 13, 2021 for seniors who registered by the September 8 deadline.

To learn more about the SAT School Day and to get a free practice test, please download your own copy of the SAT School Day Student Guide. Note that the School Day test at Oakton High School will not have an essay option or subject tests.

AP exam registration for non-enrolled students

If any student wants to take an AP exam in a course that he/she is not enrolled in, registration is now open. Each exam costs $95. You can use this google form to register or paper copy on our website. Students currently enrolled in an AP course are automatically registered for the corresponding AP exam and do not need to complete any form. The deadline to register is October 22^nd Payment can be submitted through My School Bucks or check.

My School Bucks Link.

If you have any questions about AP testing in general, please contact our AP testing coordinator: Katie Warehime at KJWarehime@fcps.edu.

College Board Accommodations- Deadline December 10^th, 2021 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 10, 2021, 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 Rochelle Sherrill, SSD Coordinator at Oakton High School. Each of the following must be completed:

College Board Consent Form

College Board Local Application Form

Processing for accommodations can take between 7-12 weeks, so we must have the paperwork in by December 10, 2021 to process before AP Testing in May. Paperwork should be delivered to Oakton High School, to the attention of Rochelle Sherrill, or emailed to rlsherrill@fcps.edu.

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

Class of 2022 Updates

Senior Panoramic

The Senior Panoramic picture will be taken this Friday, September 24 during 4th Period Return (Cougar Time).

Graduation Information

We are excited to announce that the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony will be on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 9:30am at Eagle Bank Arena!

The Oakton Pantry

A big thank you to Dr. Niloofar Mofakhami and Children’s Dentistry of Oakton, the Miller Heights neighborhood, Judith Schneider-Fletcher, and Mina Salami-Aidun’s team for their wonderfully successful donation drives! We are so appreciative of the community support!

If you are interested in donating items to the pantry or organizing a donation drive with your neighborhood, workplace, or sports team, please visit the Oakton Pantry website at https://oaktonpantry.com. We are always in need of donations!

We are here to support all of our Oakton families with non-perishable food supplies, personal hygiene products, household cleaning supplies and school supplies. Please see our website for more information on how the pantry is here to support our families.

Renovation Update

For those of you new to Oakton, we are currently in Phase 3 of 4 for our Renovation. By the start of next school year we will have the vast majority of the renovation complete and we will be phasing out of Cougar Town (trailer classrooms). We will have a few moves this coming school year into newly renovated spaces while we move out of the final spaces that need to be renovated.

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.

PTSA News and Information

PTSA Notes

September 22 PTSA Meeting! Join us for our first meeting and meet the NEW EXEC Board! They are excited to get started and need your help to plan great events! Details on the website!

Get involved with PTSA - You don't have to do it alone, the PTSA board is here to support you! Grab your friends and sign up together. You need to create a PTBoard account to sign up. How can I get involved you ask - Membership, PTA Programs, Fundraising, Mini-Grants, Hospitality, Pantry, Parent Education, Events, SEPTA Coordinator, Communications, Reflections, Website, Community Engagement, Sponsorships, Grade Level Committees and much more!
Online SAT/ACT Test Prep - We have new classes for Mock Tests and Bootcamps learning opportunities with this year's partner NOVASTAR.
Have you joined the PTSA yet? Stay involved with PTSA announcements, events, member discounts and much more! Your membership (and donations) are vital to the success of the PTSA! JOIN TODAY!
Translating our PTSA website - Did you know our website can be translated into many languages? Click "Select Language" on the top right corner of the page. Select the language you wish to translate into and instantly it will translate the web page without opening a new tab.

Thank you again for your support!

Oakton HS PTSA

Parent Resource Center

The FCPS Parent Resource Center is has a wealth of resources to all.

FCPS offers a welcoming and engaging environment for families, educators, and community members. We provide access to information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. FCPS staff is available by phone 703-204-3941 or email prc@fcps.edu to help!

October Webinars

Family Digital Wellness: What is our Next Normal: A Webinar for Families

Do you know a child, teen, or young adult in your life who is struggling with their media use? The Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID) is here to help!

Webinar Highlights

Ages and Stages How Media and Technology affects your child at each stage of their development
Types of Media and Technology: Different Types of Devices, Apps, and platforms used by children and families
Health Effects: How your child's media use affects their wellbeing and development

The CIMAID team can help you address and reduce the negative consequences of Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU), while helping the children, adolescents, and young adults in your life adopt and sustain healthy lifestyles and behaviors.

Join Kristelle Lavallee Collins, MA, Senior Content Strategist from The Digital Wellness Lab.

Friday, October 1, 2021, 10-11:30 a.m.

SIBSHOPS: An Exciting, Virtual Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs!

The Sibshop workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with special needs to:

Meet other siblings in a relaxed, virtual setting.
Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs.
Share sibling experiences and receive peer support.
Play games and have fun!

Presented by FCPS School Social Work Services

Registration is free, however, donations are accepted to support the cost of future Sibshops: Donate Here

Monday, October 11, 2021, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. *School Planning Day – students are not attending school

Dyslexia Virtual Open House

In celebration of Dyslexia Awareness Month, FCPS will like to host our annual Open House. We share exciting updates:

Overview of Dyslexia Supports in FCPS
Updates on the Equitable Access to Literacy Plans
Tips to Help your Child Thrive in School

Friday, October 8, 2021, 10 - 11:00 a.m.

Virtual College Bootcamp for Students with Disabilities

Join Career and Transition Services online for a virtual College Bootcamp! This virtual College Boot Camp is for students with an IEP that are graduating in 2021 and plan to attend college. Career and Transition Services staff will work with students on starting the application process.

Do you have an IEP?
Are you graduating in 2021?
Do you want to go to college?
Do you need help getting started?

THEN THIS BOOT CAMP IS FOR YOU!!!!!

Participants will:

Complete a college search in Naviance
Identify and explore your top three colleges
Get familiar with the Common App ®
Determine your next steps

*Please note parents are welcome to sit in on the workshop with their students, however, this event is for students.
*If parents are interested in learning more about postsecondary options, we encourage parents to attend FCPS Virtual College Fair on October 19, 2021, or Postsecondary Education Options in November 2021.

Monday, October 11, 2021, 12:30-3 p.m. *School Planning Day– students are not attending school

Rewriting Your Parenting Story: A Webinar for Families

No one's parenting journey goes the way they expect. But do you feel like your story has gotten away from you? Take back the narrative of your parenting.

After this webinar, you will have the script for a new, hope-filled story.

Webinar Highlights:

The importance of curiosity and ‘hearing’ our children.
The strength of the repair.
The ‘Reset’. When we find ourselves in a rut, this is a great place to start.

Presented by Mary Smith, a local Parenting Coach.

Friday October 15, 2021, 10-11:30 a.m.

Moving onto Life in the Community Virtual Resource Fair

This resource fair assists parents, guardians, and caretakers with future planning for students with intellectual disabilities who may require ongoing supports after graduating from high school. Participants include representatives from vocational, residential, leisure, recreational, independent living, and advocacy programs.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Considerations for Students with Disabilities in the College Search and Beyond

Career and Transition Services is offering a workshop highlighting issues to consider in the college search, application, and preparation process for students with disabilities on October 19, 2021, from 7-8 p.m. (Part of the FCPS Virtual College Week)

Registration coming soon: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/college-and-career-planning

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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