Principal Updates - March 14

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

March 25: Rising 9th Grade Activities Fair, Therapy Dogs (during all lunches)

March 29: Talent Show (evening) 

March 31: 2 Hour Early Release; End of 3rd Quarter

April 1: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

April 4-8: Spring Break, No School

April 11-12: No Assessments/Assignments Due 

April 15: Religious and Cultural Observance Day, Good Friday 

April 22: Religious and Cultural Observance Day, Orthodox Good Friday  

April 25 - May 25: SOL Testing

May 2: Religious and Cultural Observance Day, Eid al Fitr

May 2 - May 17: AP Exams 

May 16-May 27: Oakton Internship Program (Seniors only) 

May 20: Prom (Juniors/Seniors) 

General Information 

Immunization Requirement – Rising 12th Graders

There was a new immunization requirement for rising 12th graders for this school year that we want to ensure all rising 12th grade families are aware.    Effective July 1, 2021, all students entering twelfth grade are 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. 

Please provide one of the following documents to Oakton High School as soon as possible:

  • An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine at age 16 or older.
  • A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given at age 16 or older.
  • A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
  • A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf

Immunizations are available from your student's healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department clinic locations and hours are available online or by calling 703-246-2411.

The needed documentation can be provided to the school in one of the following ways: 

  1. Scanned and emailed to the school at OaktonHSOffice@fcps.edu 
  2. Mailed to the school, Attn: Jill Hendelman
  3. Dropped off in the Main Office, Attn: Jill Hendelman

Please contact Jill Hendelman at 703-319-2810 if you have any questions.

Buy a Yearbook

Yearbooks are selling quickly, so buy yours now! Yearbooks can be purchased for $75 via MySchoolBucks or through yearbookordercenter.com with the code 4770. Prices will increase at distribution, so buy your copy today. Contact ohsparagon@gmail.com with any questions.

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 

  1. Tuesday March 29      6pm
  2. 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.

Parking Reminder

We have noticed that a large number of students are now parking on Sutton Road on the shoulder immediately adjacent to Route 66.  We want to urge students to use every precaution when parking in that location.  That is a high traffic area and students need to be very careful when opening their driver side door as it opens into the street traffic which has a very high volume at arrival and dismissal.  Students should also be very mindful when crossing the road at that location.  

cars

Student Services Updates

Individual Post-Secondary Meeting for Juniors

Counselors will be offering meetings with 11th grade students 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’s individual sign-up link in Schoology (located in the 11th grade information folder in the Student Services Course).  Meetings will begin on March 21st.

Junior College Planning - Parent Night 

Junior Parents and Guardians, please join us on Thursday, March 24th from 6:00-7:30pm for Junior College Planning Parent Night. Counselors will be providing you with information on the college planning and search process. This will be a virtual webinar, and a link will be sent to all Junior families. We hope you are able to join us, but if not, the session will be recorded and posted on the OHS website.

Course Registration for 2022-2023 School Year

The course registration deadline for the 2022-2023 school year has now closed.  Students and families can no longer make changes to their course requests.  The requests that students have made will drive our master calendar creation.  Once we have finalized our course offerings and section numbers, we will open up course requests again.  At that time, students will only be able to make changes where there is availability.  

Monthly Newsletter 

Spring is in the air as we roll into March.  Check out Student Services March Newsletter to learn more about summer learning opportunities, upcoming events, and updates from the College & Career Center that includes information about the ASVAB Test, Job Fairs, and Northern Virginia Community College Senior Workshop. 

Mental Health Moment

This month’s Mental Health Moment takes a look at ways to manage unsettling news and ways to be mindful with deep breathing and grounding techniques. 

Save the Date for a Virtual Parent Workshop:  March 23 at 6:30pm

Get It Done! Executive Function Hacks for Boosting Your Teen’s Productivity

With disruptions caused by the ongoing pandemic, getting high schoolers focused on schoolwork has never been more challenging. Many feel overwhelmed, and others are just feeling unmotivated. It’s leaving many parents hoping their kids are getting enough done and learning enough to ensure their continued academic success. Join Educational Connections Founder and President Ann Dolin, M.Ed. to discover how you can boost your teenager’s productivity, alleviate stress, and keep them on track in this challenging season. You will learn helpful executive function hacks, including:

✓ Strategies to help your student prevent procrastination from undermining their success

✓ How to ensure your teen gets their homework done and turned in on time (without feeling like a nag)

✓ Ways to help your teen focus and eliminate digital distractions

✓ Strategies to reduce academic stress and test anxiety

✓ Site maps, Google calendars, and other tools for staying organized and tracking assignments

✓ How to ensure your high schooler is gaining the independence they will need for college

Register using the link below and get the refresh you need to help your high school student finish this challenging school year strong. If you can't make it, still register and we will send you the replay video.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jQaKPBzLQXaOLlPQlIn0DQ

Class of 2022 News & Updates

Graduation Store

If you are interested in purchasing graduation announcements and any other graduation supplies, please take a look at the offerings through Balfour Virginia.  

https://balfourvirginia.shop/collections/oakton-high-school

Senior Letter

The senior letter can be found on our website under announcements and on the Class of 2022 page.  

Oakton Internship Program

The Oakton Internship Program is available to all seniors.  Information on this program is linked in the senior letter.  The applications are available on the Class of 2022 schoology page.  Applications are due by Friday, April 1.  

Senior Dues

In order to be sure we have the funds to pay for graduation and senior events, we assess senior dues to cover costs.  This year senior dues will be $75.  We are very fortunate that FCPS has contributed to the cost of renting EagleBank Arena which substantially reduced the amount we are asking form each family.  Senior dues cover the costs for the day of graduation and events throughout the school year.  This includes: EagleBank Arena rental, caps and gowns, diploma covers, programs, senior t-shirts, senior events (senior sunrise, senior sunset picnic - June), etc.  

Dues should be paid using My SchoolBucks and can be found in the school store. 

Please reach out to our senior class administrator, James Oberndorf, if you have any questions.  

Senior T-Shirts

Senior t-shirts were distributed to seniors on December 16 and 17.  If your student has not yet picked one up, they can stop by and see Mr. Oberndorf in the main office.  

PTSA News and Information

Pizza & Prizes in-person PTSA meeting this Wednesday

Parents, Teachers, and Students, join us at the Oakton Hall this Wednesday.

The activities we do and support we offer is determined by YOU who become involved.

This will be our first in-person meeting in a while.  To show our excitement of meeting you, we will be offering dinner and loads of prizes.

Please sign up if you are joining for dinner so we are sure to have enough.

Sneakers Recycle Campaign

Please bring any unwanted athletic sneakers in any size and condition to the in-person PTSA meeting.  The sneakers will either be reused (if in wearable condition) or recycled to reduce landfill.  Please email Teresa Huang at tzhuang1@gmail.com for any questions.  It's time to clean out your closet!!

Oakton Pantry

Thank you so much to everyone for your generous donations to the Pantry!

Right now we are in need of toiletries and household supplies: shampoo, body wash, lotion, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, paper towels, and tissues.

Donations can be dropped off in the main office (Door 1) any time during school hours. If you'd prefer to make a monetary donation, please make checks payable to OHS PTSA and write Pantry Donation on the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Oakton Pantry, 2900 Sutton Rd., Vienna, VA 22181.

Pantry Logo

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!  

Workshops and Webinars

Webinar: Parenting Skills for Arabic Families 4-part Series *Presented in Arabic

Thursdays in March 2022 6:30-8 p.m.

The webinar series addresses the challenges faced by Arab parents when raising their children in the United States of America and the cultural differences between generations.

Topics include:

  • Cultural, psychological, emotional, and personal differences 
  • Parenting strategies based on empathy and understanding

Join Sarah Amri, psychologist and Program Supervisor at Northern Virginia Family Service and Hunada Zeinedin, counselor at Northern Virginia Family Service

  • 3/17/2022 Discipline Strategies
  • 3/24/2022 Effective Parenting Styles

Register for Webinar: Parenting Skills for Arabic Families 4-part Series *Presented in Arabic

Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families

  • 4/22/22: Supporting Healthy Habits & Routines in Early Learners
  • 5/20/22: Growing through Tough Moments in Early Learners

There are so many ways children learn and develop throughout early childhood. Relationships, habits, and even challenges can become rich opportunities to teach and foster lifelong learning and skills for our children. Learn more about how self-regulation, executive functioning, and routines can help your children learn and develop.

  • Laura Thieman, LCSW, MPH, RPT- FCPS Social Worker Supervisor, Region 3
  • Amy Sheldon, MEd, MSW, LCSW - FCPS Preschool Mental Health Clinician, Early Childhood Assessment Team
  • Lori Kraden, FCPS Educational Specialist, Behavior Intervention Services

Fridays 10-11:30 a.m.

Register for Supporting Early Learners: Growing the Caregiver’s Toolbox: A Webinar for PreK-2 Families

Gang Prevention for Families and Community Members

Join us for this webinar about preventing gang involvement in Fairfax County. 

  • Participants will learn about programs, strategies, and supports to prevent youth involvement. 
  • Discussions will also include supports available to those youth who may already be involved with or are currently being recruited by gangs. 

Topics include:

  • What is a gang and why do youth join gangs?
  • Common gang activities
    • Risk factors associated with gang involvement 
    • Protective factors that reduce gang involvement
  • Supports available in Fairfax County and FCPS

Presented by:

  • Stefan Mascoll: Coordinator Student Safety and Wellness, Fairfax County Public Schools
  • Kate Reen: Director of Youth Initiatives, Northern Virginia Family Service
  • Francisco Klockner Gonzalez - Gang Prevention Coordinator, Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court 
  • Dianna Sosa, LCSW, FCPS School Social Worker

Friday March 18, 2022 10-11:30 a.m.

Register for Gang Prevention for Families and Community Members

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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