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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。
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.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.
November 13-16 - SOS, 11th Grade students
November 14-15 - Vision & Hearing Screening
November 16 - National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
November 17 - Academic Awards Celebration
November 22-24 - No School, Thanksgiving Holiday
November 29-December 1 - Senior Portraits - Final Opportunity
November 30 - December 6 - SOS, 9th Grade
December 7 - Chanukah begins (Evening Religious and Cultural Observance Day)
December 8 - Bodhi Day (Religious and Cultural Observance Day)
December 18-January 1 - No School, Winter Break
January 3 - Curriculum Night, Save the Date
General Information
Fall Cougar Commendations
It’s time for Fall 2023 Cougar Commendations. Teachers are in the process of nominating students to be recognized for their achievements in one of the five Fairfax County Portrait of a Graduate attributes. Nominated students will be recognized at a ceremony at 10 am on Thursday 14 December.
In addition, we also have Faculty/Staff Cougar Commendations to recognize OHS faculty/staff for their hard work, passion, and innovation. Parents and guardians can use this nomination form to recognize a faculty/staff member. All nominations are due by the end of the day on Monday, November 27th. Faculty recipients will be recognized at our end-of-year faculty meeting. Knowing that you notice their efforts means so much to our faculty and staff.
Please get in touch with Ms. Kambic (Mkkambic@fcps.edu) or Ms. Kuhn (Emkuhn1@fcps.edu) with any questions.
Outstanding Employee Awards
Every year Oakton High School seeks to recognize outstanding members of our school staff through the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards program. All nominated employees will receive the information shared about them as a part of this process.
Those selected to represent Oakton High School will go on for consideration for recognition within the Oakton Pyramid, Region 1, and all of FCPS. There are a wide variety of categories, so nominations are welcome for any member of the staff.
This form will close on Friday, November 17.
Vision & Hearing Screening - Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for the 10th grade Vision and Hearing Screening on November 14 and 15, 2023. Volunteer shifts will be from 8:20 AM – 2:30 PM (2 – 6 hour shifts available). No training is needed.
Also, we welcome volunteers to help provide care for our students and assist with administrative duties throughout the school year. No prior medical experience is necessary.
If interested, please contact Christina Magnotti, Health Room Aide, 703-319-2710 or cmagnotti@fcps.edu
Second Quarter Parking Permit Applications
We still have some parking spaces remaining for junior or senior students who wish to apply for a parking permit.
The application can be found here and hard copies are also available in the main office. If you download the document it is a fillable form. Note that you must complete:
- A completed FCPS Application for Use of a Private Automobile - School Session form
- Leave the gray boxes marked “School Use Only” blank
- A signed and dated Oakton High School Student Parking Regulations Form
- A legible photocopy of the student’s valid Virginia Driver’s License
All applications are due by 3:00pm on November 13 and must be submitted to the main office. We will only accept hard copies of the application.
If after reading through all of the documents thoroughly you have questions, please email Ms. Landis at mflandis@fcps.edu
Underclassmen Academic Awards Celebration
November 17 during Cougar Time
On Friday, November 17, Oakton will recognize over 800 students who have earned an Academic Award. Academic Awards are based on their 2022-2023 high school GPA (4.0 and higher). First time award recipients will receive an academic letter and a pin. Returning recipients will receive a pin to be placed on the academic letter they received in a previous year. Recipients received an invitation to this event on Wednesday, October 18 via email. This is a student only event.
Senior Portraits - Final Opportunity
December 1, 2023 has been added for Senior Formal Yearbook Portraits Session D. Session D will now be held on November 29, 30, and December 1.
**Don’t miss this opportunity to be photographed for the yearbook**
There is no charge to have the photos taken for the yearbook.
The attire for the school’s yearbook pose will be in the traditional Tuxedos and Drapes, or you can provide your own formal attire in black. We will provide the Tuxedo and Drapes. In addition to the yearbook session we also offer sessions that include casual/personality portraits and cap and gown portraits. Please follow the link below to choose your session type and appointment time.
https://pickatime.com/vosphoto/Oakton2024
If you have any questions please email seniors@vosphoto.com
(please reference school name when emailing)
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:
- 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
Student Services Updates
SOS Information
During November and December, Oakton’s school counselors, social workers, and school psychologist will be presenting an optional depression awareness program and screening for ninth grade and eleventh grade students. The evidence-based prevention program is called Signs of Suicide (SOS) and it teaches students how to identify warning signs of suicide and depression and how students can reach out if they are worried about themselves or a friend.
For more information, please visit www.mindwise.org/parents/
Eleventh grade presentation and screening: November 13 – November 16
Ninth grade presentation and screening: November 30 – December 6
All ninth and eleventh grade parents and guardians received an email about the program and parents and guardians may opt out their child(ren) from the presentation.
Questions? Please reach out to your child’s counselor.
Student Services Newsletter
Check out Student Services November newsletter to learn more about our recent events such as the visit with alpacas, Teen Youth Mental Health First Aid training, and National Merit Ceremony. Take a look at our upcoming events including the Depression Screening for Freshmen and Juniors, Governor’s School, and the Academic Award Ceremony. Also, meet one of our new counselors, Kellie Kirstein.
Timeline for Schedule Changes
Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2023-24 school year.
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November 6 - March 22: 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.
Testing Updates
SAT School Score Reports Available to Students
Students who participated in the School Day SAT will have access to SAT score reports on Wednesday, November 1. Students who participated in the SAT on October 26 will have access to scores on November 16. Students can access scores via their College Board accounts. A video tutorial for accessing and understanding SAT scores is available on the College Board website.
If you experience issues accessing your SAT score report, contact the College Board Student SAT help line at 866-756-7346.
Digital PSAT Scores and National Merit Scholarship Information
Students who participated in the Digital PSAT on Wednesday, October 11, can access their scores via the College Board BigFuture School App or their College Board accounts. A video tutorial for accessing and understanding Digital PSAT scores is available on the College Board website.
Eleventh grade students who participate in the PSAT may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program and can find information on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website. Families may reach out to their student’s school PSAT coordinator if they have questions regarding digital PSAT score reporting or the National Merit Scholarship Program.
College Board Testing Accommodations
Students who have an IEP or 504 do not automatically have College Board accommodations. If you are scheduled to take an AP exam, SAT, or PSAT this year (or anticipate doing so next year) you need to apply for College Board Accommodations. Students who have been approved in previous years do not need to apply again. All of the paperwork is to be given to Shelley Wiederhold, special education department chair, at swiederhold@fcps.edu. You must complete the following form to allow us to communicate on your behalf with the College Board:
Paperwork should be delivered to Oakton High School to the attention of Shelley Wiederhold at swiederhold@fcps.edu.
If applying for AP Exam accommodations, please submit your request for us to apply no later than December 7, 2023 for the May 2024 administration.
Please note that having an IEP or 504 does not automatically guarantee approval for College Board Accommodations.
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.
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
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- 2023 School Bond Referendum Passed
- Students Named National Merit Commended Scholars
- SAT/PSAT School Day Scores
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
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.
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
 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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