Principal Updates - January 29

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Oakton Students

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar here.   

January 29 - Rising Junior Course Registration begins 

January 30 - Gap Year Fair (see below) 

January 31 - Junior Family College Night (Virtual); PSTD Presentation (2nd Offering) 

February 5-8 - Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo Events (see below) 

February 10 - Lunar New Year, Religious and Cultural Observance Day 

February 17 - Instruction 2 Industry Career Fair Exhibition (see below) 

February 19 - No School; Spring Sports Tryouts begin

General Information

Course Registration 2024-25

Course registration for the 2024-2025 school year has begun!  Below are different ways students and parents can learn about the course offerings and when each grade level will register. 

Students and parents can find information about many of our classes, explained by our teachers, through our course offerings website . Additional information can be found on our academic advising and course offerings page. 

Registration: All students will have presentations from the counselors and then an individual meeting to confirm the classes they wish to enroll in.  The dates below may be adjusted as needed.  

It is incredibly important that students sign up for the classes they want to take.  We base our staffing decisions on these initial numbers. Deadlines to register for courses is March 1, 2024.

Rising Seniors - Class of 2025

  • Classroom Presentations: January 4 & 5 through English classes
  • 1:1 Registration with counselor: January 8 – 25 through Social Studies classes

Rising Juniors - Class of 2026

  • Classroom Presentations: January 29 & 30 through English classes
  • 1:1 Registration with counselor: January 31 – February 14 through Social Studies classes

Rising Sophomores - Class of 2027

  • Classroom Presentations: February 15 & 16 through English classes
  • 1:1 Registration with counselor: February 20 – March 1 through Social Studies classes

Rising Freshmen - Class of 2028

Counselor Presentations:

  • January 9 – Carson Middle School
  • January 11 – Franklin Middle School
  • January 12 – Thoreau Middle School
  • January 22 - Jackson Middle School 

Deadlines for course selection will be determined by the middle school; dates will vary by school.

Spring Sports Tryout Information

Tryouts for spring sports will start on Monday, February 19th (note: this is a school holiday) and will run for 3 days.  Athletes must attend 3 days of tryouts to be considered.

BEFORE students can tryout they must have a current VHSL physical on file dated after May 1, 2023 as well as the online registration filled out.

Athletes should check back for timing of individual tryout times for each sport on our Oakton Athletics site. 

Monday, February 26th there will be a parent meeting/ “meet the teams” pep rally followed by individual break out sessions with Coaches.

Wednesday, February 28th will be team photos after school (schedule TBA)

Please email individual coaches with questions.

Learner Permit Testing Dates

If you would like to sign your student up for their learner's permit driving test, please see this document for dates and registration information.  This also includes resources to help students prepare.  

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:

  1. Wednesday, January 31, 6:30pm in the Auditorium (Rescheduled from January 16 Snow Day)
  2. Tuesday, March 19, 6:30pm in the Auditorium
  3. 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

Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo Events

In February, school divisions across the region will team up with Virginia Ed Strategies to host the annual Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo event. This Northern Virginia regional event will allow high school students to connect virtually and in person, with more than 60 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields. 

The purpose of these FREE career exploration events is to provide students with opportunities to prepare for tomorrow’s workforce today. 

Virtual sessions will be held on February 5-8, from 4-7 p.m., and the in-person Career Expo and Job Fair event will be held on Saturday, February 17, from 1-4 p.m., in the North Hall of the Dulles Expo Center. 

Students should register today on the Instruction 2 Industry Events Page

Instruction 2 Industry Flyer

Testing Updates 

WIDA Testing

WIDA testing will begin on Monday, January 29- February with more than 180 students at Oakton scheduled to complete the four-part WIDA. Federal law requires that all Level 1-5 English Learners (ELs) participate annually in an English Language proficiency assessment. WIDA Access for ELLs consists of the following parts: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Students will take the four parts of WIDA over 3 test sessions. This assessment determines a student’s English language proficiency level, eligibility for ESOL services and testing accommodations. It also provides teachers with information they can use to plan for and support students’ learning. Students and parents/guardians will be notified of testing schedules via email.  

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 

Oakton High will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation's Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents/guardians, policymakers, and the public. Families of students selected to participate will be notified via email.

Student Services Updates 

Student Services Newsletter

Happy New Year Cougars!  Take a look at January’s Student Services’ newsletter that highlights our December activities including Cookies and Coloring Brain Break and Oakton Resources Parent Coffee.  Learn more about the Course Registration Process for the 2024-2025 School Year such as the schedule and FCPS academy information.  Upcoming events are also included such as summer school information, Junior Family College Night, the ASVAB Test, NOVA’s Early Online College Program, and Coursera Information. 

2024 Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at George C. Marshall High School from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. Student registration will open on November 20, 2023, on USA Gap Year Fairs.

Junior Family College Night – January 31, 2024 at 6pm (Virtual)

Junior families please mark your calendars for Junior Family College Night. This event is for both junior students and their families to hear directly from college admissions representatives in a panel format. There will be a 30-minute Q&A session at the end.

Topics include:

  • Finding the Right Fit
  • Components of the College Application
  • Starting the College Search

The zoom link will be emailed to junior families the last week of January via eNotify "Oakton High School."  

Timeline for Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2023-24 school year. 

  • 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.
  • 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

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

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 Updates

The Oakton PTSA Winter Fundraiser is underway. Your contributions, membership and donations  to the PTSA  go a long way in helping the PTSA provide for funds, events, and opportunities for the students and the teachers. Help us help our community by becoming a member, donations, and participation in our monthly meetings.  Click here for your memberships and contributions. 

Have any ideas or concerns,  email us at  oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com

 

The Oakton PTSA is looking for parent volunteers for the following positions:

  • ANGP Party Chair
  • Secretary
  • Hospitality Chair

Please email us at oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com

For our announcements and updates ,the Oakton PTSA website. 

Oakton Pantry

We are very grateful for the continued support of the non-profit Cease Hunger. For almost a year, this organization has provided bulk quantities of staple items for the Pantry, and has helped ensure that each week we have fully stocked shelves.

We'd also like to recognize our long-standing partner, Dr. Niloo and Children's Dentistry of Oakton. Dr. Niloo, who is an OHS parent, always keeps a Pantry collection box in her office so that her patients can easily donate to the Pantry all year long. Thank you so much for your support!

Thank you also to Catalyst Operations & Analytics for the generous grant! We are very appreciative of your continued support of the Pantry. With food prices continuing to rise, this monetary donation gives us the flexibility to buy sale items in bulk and keep our shelves fully stocked.

General Information 

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 

Pantry logo

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.