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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
如果您想以其他语言阅读此新闻时讯，请访问我们的网站。
이 소식지를 다른 언어로 읽으려면, 우리 웹사이트를 방문하시기 바랍니다.
.يرجى زيارة موقعنا الألكتروني لقراءة هذه النشرة الإخبارية بلغات أخرى
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Important Dates
You can access the FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar here.
October 16 - Impact Aid Forms Available (ParentVue)
October 16-18 - Senior Portraits (3rd Opportunity)
October 18 - 1st Quarter Tutor-a-thon (3:00-4:30pm - Cafeteria)
October 19 - Dig Pink Volleyball Game
October 20 - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (See Below); Hall of Fame Recognition (at Football Game)
October 23 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation (10th grade)
October 31 - Impact Aid Forms Available (ParentVue)
November 1-2 - Religious and Cultural Observance Days, All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos
November 2 - Underclassmen Portraits Make-up Opportunity
November 3 - End of 1st Quarter; 2 Hour Early Release
November 6 - Student Holiday, School Planning Day; Winter Sports Tryouts begin
November 7 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday
  General Information
Federal Impact Aid Forms - Available October 16
We need your help! Each student is required to have a federal impact aid form filled out annually. This year, the process has been made easier by allowing families to use ParentVue to digitally submit the form for their students. Parents can access the form by selecting the "online packets" tab. Once there, you can select the "2023-2024 Federal Impact Aid Survey." If you need assistance, please see these more detailed directions. It is the division expectation that we have a form filled out for every enrolled student. Please help us reach this goal!
Digital forms are due by October 31! If you need a hard copy, please call the main office (703-319-2701) and we will provide you with one.
Use of Impact Aid Funds
Federal Impact Aid provides revenue to local education agencies to mitigate costs of educating children in areas impacted by federal activity. The Impact Aid policy was designed to compensate local school districts for the local funding share that is reduced or eliminated because of a Federal presence that is not taxable. School districts with federal lands, military installations, federal low-rent housing or Indian Trust land within their boundaries lose local revenues. Impact Aid is designed to compensate school districts for this lost revenue. Impact Aid goes into the general fund and is intended to offset the costs (e.g. staff, facilities, and transportation) associated with educating military dependent children and other special groups. More information can be found here.
"Leaf" Stress Behind - Tutor-a-Thon - October 18
The Center invites all students to come to the 1st Quarter Tutor-a-Thon! All students welcome for tutoring in all subjects in preparation for the end of first quarter! Teachers and center tutors will be available to assist students. The event will run in the cafeteria from 3:00-4:30pm.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony/Hall of Fame Presentation
Friday night, October 20, we will celebrate the end of our renovation project and celebrate the 2023 Oakton High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees.
Self-guided tours of the building to check out the amazing spaces are welcome to all community members and alumni. You are welcome to tour the building between 5:00-6:30pm. Please enter through Door 1. Maps will be available for those that might need them. Afterwards join us at the game ($5 per ticket) for a ribbon cutting ceremony that will occur at 6:45 pm on the track before the game begins.
At half time we will introduce our 2023 Hall of Fame inductees. This year we have the distinct honor of recognizing twenty-five individual alumni, one coach, one contributor and one state championship team. Inductees cover a substantial amount of Oakton High School history ranging from 1973 to 2017! A recognition ceremony will also be held for our inductees on Saturday, October 21 for the recipients and their families.
Attendance Reminders
We are seeing an uptick in students who are checking out throughout the school day for various reasons. Please be sure to review these procedures with your student. We are seeing many students who are not picking up their passes and following up with the attendance office before leaving. This helps us ensure accurate attendance records for our students. Thank you.
Check-out Procedures
Students leaving before the end of the school day need to have a note from a parent excusing the early dismissal. If the note/form information is for a valid absence the student will be issued a pass to leave class at the appointed time.
- You cannot use the attendance form to request early dismissal. Students should have a handwritten note from a parent or guardian.
- We ask that students bring the note to the attendance window by 9:45 to get the early dismissal pass. Please note: Teachers will NOT allow students to leave class without this pass or confirmation from the attendance office.
- If a student does not have a note, they will be marked "unexcused". Students may not leave campus during the school day without permission. If a student leaves campus without permission or without checking out, they may be subject to disciplinary consequences.
- In the note, please include the student name, time the student is leaving, the reason for the early dismissal, a parent/guardian signature, the student ID, and contact phone number for follow-up.
- If the need for an early check out arises after the start of school, please call the attendance line, 703-319-2727 BEFORE 1:00 pm. After leaving a message, please have your student pick up their checkout pass from the Attendance Office between classes or during lunch.
If returning to school that same day, students must check in at the Attendance office before going back to class, even if it is between classes.
All attendance procedures and forms can be found here.
Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation
All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2023-2024 school year must attend an in-person Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PSTD). The 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 at your earliest convenience.
All PSTDs begin promptly. Late admission will not be allowed.
2023-2024 Dates:
- Monday, October 23, 6:30pm in the Auditorium
- Tuesday, January 16, 6:30pm in the Auditorium
- Tuesday, March 19, 6:30pm in the Auditorium
- Wednesday, May 29, 6:30pm in the Auditorium
These sessions are intended for Sophomores. Juniors and Seniors can attend a session through Adult and Community Education.
PSTD nights are not available to freshmen.
Yearbooks and Senior Baby Ads
Yearbooks and senior baby ads for the 2023-2024 school year are now on sale! You can purchase yearbook packages and senior baby ads at www.yearbookordercenter.com using the code 4770. Standalone yearbooks are also available via MySchoolBucks. Prices start at $67 and will increase throughout the year, so buy early to save. Don’t wait – the last two years sold out. Questions? Email jsmorrison@fcps.edu
 Testing Information
PSAT Information
Students who were unable to test on October 11, 2023 due to an excused absence, will take the make-up on October 26, 2023. If you wish to opt your student out of taking the PSAT/NMSQT make-up, please contact Catie Bishop (crbishop@fcps.edu) by Wednesday, October 18th. If your child did complete the PSAT/NMSQT test as scheduled and you have specific concerns regarding the technical issues that occurred, please contact Catie Bishop (crbishop@fcps.edu) by Wednesday, October 18th.
AP Testing Opt-Out Letters
As part of the FCPS FY 2024 Approved Budget, FCPS is continuing to assess Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) test fees. As in previous years, the fees for the first six AP/IB tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid for by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s). AP students must make Opt-Out decisions in October 2023 and parents will be billed a $98 non-refundable test fee in December 2023 for tests that exceed the six FCPS funded tests.
Oakton students will receive their opt-out letters on Wednesday, October 4th 2023. All Opt-Outs are due by Wednesday, October 18th 2023 to Mrs. Hendelman in School Counseling. If students need a new Opt-Out form they can see Mrs. Hendelman.
Oakton information will continue to be posted on our AP Exam page here: https://oaktonhs.fcps.edu/academics/testing/ap-exams
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 $98. You can use this google form to register. 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 27th. Payment can be submitted through My School Bucks or check made out to Oakton High School. Payment is required before the exam space will be reserved.
My School Bucks Link
Other AP related information can be found in our AP Testing FAQs on the Oakton website. If you have any other questions about AP testing in general, please contact AP Coordinator Kim Stewart at kastewart@fcps.edu.
Student Services Updates
Student Services Newsletter
Fall is here! Check out the October Student Services Newsletter to learn more about our programs from September including Senior Parent Night and Freshman Parent Night. The newsletter also addresses our wellness initiatives such as Suicide Prevention Month information and Brain Breaks and upcoming events such as the Fall Community Book Club.
Timeline for Schedule Changes
Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2023-24 school year.
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September 11-November 3 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
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After November 6: Any student requesting a schedule change will need to fill out the schedule change request form, with permission from parent, student, teacher, school counselor, and administrator. If approved by the administration, schedule changes will only be processed if there is space available.
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After March 22: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
To find out who your child's school counselor is, please visit our website.
Service Learning Opportunities
Volunteer Fairfax
Volunteer Fairfax is a resource that can be used to find out about service-learning opportunities in the community. Service learning is a great way for students and families to engage with local nonprofits and volunteer. More information about Volunteer opportunities on this day can be found on Volunteer Fairfax’s website.
Disclaimer: Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school. These opportunities may utilize technology tools that have not been assessed by the Fairfax County Public Schools Department of Information Technology. Students should gain permission from their parent or guardian before engaging in any non-FCPS enrichment opportunity and families should review the Terms of Service, User Agreements, and Privacy Policy for any technology platform that the enrichment opportunity may use before participating.
Upcoming Opportunities
Instruction 2 Industry: Employability Skills
During the week of October 16-19, 2023, school divisions across the region are hosting employability skills webinars during the school day. Sessions cover Communication Etiquette, Resume Writing, Elevator Pitches, and Job Interviewing. A virtual, but live, event, Instruction 2 Industry, is free to all Northern Virginia high school students; recordings will be posted after for viewing if unable to participate during scheduled times. Classes may choose to participate as a whole class with one registration or as individual students which will each require their own registrations.
For more information about the schedule and to register for the event, see Event Flyer.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- New School Lunch Menu Options
- Know FCPS’ Security Terms
- National Bullying Prevention Month
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
Health and Wellness Updates
2023-2024 Health & Safety Guidance for Schools
Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school.
Emergency Resources
Crisis Link Regional Hotline 703-527-4077
Crisis Text Text NEEDHELP to 85511
Dominion Hospital Emergency 703-536-2000
INOVA Emergency 703-289-7560
Merrifield Center Emergency 703-573-5979 TTY dial 711
Life Threatening 911
Safety and Security Updates
Safety Drills
Below is a list of safety drills that we will be practicing this school year.
- Fire Evacuation Drills - Two within the first twenty school days, then one per month
- Lockdown Drills - Two per school year; one in the first twenty days of school
- Bus Evacuation Drills - Two per school year; to be held within the first thirty school days of each semester
- Tornado Drill - To be held in March
Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First
If you or your child have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, we encourage you to reach out to a member of the security or administrative team so that we may quickly address the issue. Students and parents may also utilize the FCPS Office of Safety and Security safety tip line, that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone (571-423-2020).
If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.
Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.
Concerns that do not impact the safety of our schools—concerns or information about programs, regulations, or policies—can be sent to the FCPS ombudsman online, at 571-423-4014, or ombudsman@fcps.edu.
PTSA News & Information
PTSA Board and Committee Chair Volunteers Needed
The PTSA is looking to fill the following volunteer positions for the executive committee for the 2023-2024 school year. Without a President and Vice-President, the Oakton PTSA cannot continue it's work.
In addition, the PTSA is searching for volunteers to be the Chair for the following committees to be a part of the Oakton PTSA team for the coming school year 2023-2024.
Those who are interested in the above positions should email Oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com with desired positions.
Oakton Pantry
The Oakton Pantry is available to any Oakton student or neighbor who is in need. We stock non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, and household supplies.
For assistance: ohsfood@gmail.com
Volunteer/Questions: oaktonpantry@gmail.com
Donate via PayPal
Most needed items: website
Amazon Wish List
Shout out to 3 special donors this week. The non-profit, No Child Goes Hungry, went shopping for the Pantry using our Amazon Wish List and we are so grateful. Many, many boxes have arrived and our volunteers can't wait to unpack them and get the items on our shelves.
Next, OHS 10th grader Natalie Leong used the proceeds from her Girl Scout troop to buy some desperately needed pads and other toiletries for the Pantry. Pads are one of the most popular requests that we get and we have a hard time keeping them in stock, so this donation was put to immediate use.
And finally, Oakton's Field Hockey team collected a huge variety of food and toiletries for the Pantry at their senior night. We feel very honored and grateful that the team chose to support the Pantry on this special night.
Thank you to all who donated! We couldn't do this without you!
 Parent Resources
Parent Information Line
Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.
Parent Resource Center
The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students. This includes monthly workshops and webinars. More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.
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.
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