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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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 Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@OaktonHS), and Instagram @oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!
Important Dates
You can access the FCPS 2023-2024 school year calendar here.
March 20 - Mission/Vision - Parent Meeting, 5pm
March 22 - Last Day of 3rd Quarter
March 25-29 - No School, Spring Break
April 1 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday
April 2 - Student Holiday, Staff Development Day
April 9 - Evening Religious and Cultural Observance, Eid al Fitr
April 10 - No School, Eid al Fitr
April 12 - Junior/Senior Prom
April 22 - Evening Religious and Cultural Observance, First Evening of Passover
April 23-Evening Religious and Cultural Observance, Second Evening of Passover
April 24 - Religious and Cultural Observance Day, Theravada New Year
General Information
Oakton High School Mission and Vision Statements - Parent Feedback
As shared in my email to the community last week, we will be working on our school mission and school vision statements over the next couple months. We would love to here from you in that process. You may respond to this quick survey where you can select your top wishes for the themes embodied in our school mission and vision statement (see questions 4 and 5). Or, you may attend one of two in-person sessions to discuss the themes and what that looks like in action. Both sessions will be the same so those interested may select the date that works best for them.
- Wednesday, March 13 - 5:00 -6:00 pm (Lecture Hall)
- Wednesday, March 20 - 5:00-6:00pm (Lecture Hall)
Principal Evaluation Questionnaire
On Monday, March 18, Oakton High School parents/guardians will be sent an email containing a link to complete the online FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the VDOE-mandated Performance Evaluation Program for principals and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include how the principal demonstrates/impacts instructional leadership, school climate, management, communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism within the school.
The questionnaire will be administered between March 18 and April 5. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your feedback matters!
Nominations Open for First Class Award for Inclusion
The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the First Class Awards. The awards are presented annually to educators, administrators, and students who support, design, and/or implement programs or activities that include students with disabilities that result in positive outcomes for all students. The ACSD will recognize award winners at the Family Summit on Saturday, April 20.
Nominate an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools by Friday, March 22. Email SpecialEdConf@fcps.edu with questions.
2024 Virtual Military Night
FCPS School Counseling Services is hosting a Virtual Military Night on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This event is designed for high school students and their families who are interested in learning more about the military pathways and opportunities. Enlistment, service academies and ROTC pathways will be represented. You will find additional information on this site.
Offices Closed - Spring Break
During the week of March 25-March 29 all offices at Oakton High School will be closed. The majority of school staff have off during that week. We are happy to assist you in advance of spring break or immediately following our return.
While students do not have school on April 1 (Teacher Workday) or April 2 (Staff Development Day), the main office will be open from 8am-3pm on those days.
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:
- Wednesday, January 31, 6:30pm in the Auditorium (Rescheduled from January 16 Snow Day)
- 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.
Yearbook Sales
Yearbooks and senior baby ads for the 2023-2024 school year are now on sale! You can purchase yearbook packages 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. Please note that senior baby ads are sold out at this time. Questions? Email jsmorrison@fcps.edu
Testing Updates
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Oakton High will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Thursday, March 21, 2024. This is a new date from the originally scheduled date of February 13, 2024. NAEP reached out late last week to reschedule the administration of this test. 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 March Cougars! Take a look at Student Services March newsletterthat highlights upcoming events such as Junior Curriculum, the Northern Virginia Regional College Fair, Teen Job Series, and NOVA’s E-Summer Program. The newsletter also contains helpful information regarding the FAFSA for senior families.
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.
Course Registration 2024-2025
Course selections are now locked as we begin building our master schedule for next school year. If you have any questions, please reach out to the appropriate school counselor. In June, we will begin taking schedule change requests for a set period of time. At that time, changes will only be approved based on space availability and finalized course offerings.
Service Learning
Senior Service Learning Hours and X2VOL
The last day for Seniors to submit Service Learning hours to X2Vol for approval will be April 19th at 3pm. All Seniors must have submitted any hours prior to this date if they wish to have them approved for graduation awards and recognition. Please see the information provided below regarding graduation awards and recognition tied to Service Learning in FCPS. If you have any questions please reach out to Kimberly Stewart, our Service Learning Liaison, with your questions kastewart@fcps.edu. This date is for Seniors ONLY. All other underclass students may continue to submit Service Learning hours in X2VOL. Oakton High School Service Learning information can be found HERE.
Service-Learning for Graduates
Service Learning Hours Cord: 40 hours
This is separate from government. Students can use the hours that they used for government, but they will need a total of 40 hours from the past 4 years in order to earn a service cord at graduation.
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Note to Underclassmen: Hours/Reflections will be recorded by the student on x2VOL website.
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Note to current Seniors: You will not get the actual cord until graduation rehearsal.
Civics Seal Application: 50 hours
This is an application approved by the state of VA, and requires 50 hours of service, as well as a B average in History/Government. It will allow students to be eligible to receive a civics seal on their diploma.
- Please talk to your Social Studies teacher for more information.
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.
Class of 2024 Information
Senior Letter
An updated senior letter was emailed out on January 26. That information has also been uploaded to the Oakton website and can be found here. This letter includes many updates from the September senior letter. It also provides more information on how to pay senior dues and order a Class of 2024 t-shirt.
Health and Wellness Updates
Measles Is Preventable
Measles is making headlines as the number of cases nationwide has topped 40, with three confirmed cases in people living in or traveling through the National Capital Region.
The good news is that measles is preventable through vaccination! Vaccines help teach the immune system how to defend against germs, helping to build up natural defenses. Give your child the best protection against measles with two doses of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website to find out more about measles.
Extended Hours at Immunization Clinics
To help parents/caregivers obtain vaccinations for their children, the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) will offer immunization clinics with extended hours:
Parents/caregivers should make an appointment but a limited number of walk-ins will be accepted. Please call 703-246-7100 to schedule an appointment.
Learn more about vaccinating your child and find community resources to support their health and well-being.
Note: All students enrolling in public and private schools in Virginia are required to be adequately immunized per the Code of Virginia.
Join a Conversation on Fentanyl and Other Drugs
A community conversation on the opioid crisis in Northern Virginia will be held Monday, March 18, 6:30-8 p.m., in the auditorium at Lake Braddock Secondary School. (Please enter through Door #14). Attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services within FCPS and Fairfax County.
This discussion will provide families, staff, and students with valuable knowledge about the dangers of drugs and deadly fentanyl. The material discussed will be suitable for students in grade 6 and higher. Language interpretation will be available as well as American Sign Language accommodation. Childcare and transportation will also be provided, as needed.
Learn more about the event and register online.
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 (Completed for the 2023-2024 School Year)
- Bus Evacuation Drills - Two per school year; to be held within the first thirty school days of each semester (To be completed on March 14, 2024.)
- Tornado Drill -(Completed for the 2023-2024 School Year)
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.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Take the Family Engagement Survey!
- Fairfax County’s Funding of the FCPS Budget
- Literacy Development for Multilingual Learners
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Take the Family Engagement Survey Today!
If you haven’t already, please take FCPS’ Family Engagement Survey today! Survey results will help us to better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community. Survey topics include:
- Welcoming environment
- Communication
- Student success
- Advocacy
- Family and school partnerships
- Community partnerships
The survey is available in 10 languages. Please check your email for a message from FCPS partner, K12 Insight, with a link to the survey or access the survey now. Your voice matters!
 PTSA Updates
The PTSA is on Instagram, Yay!. Follow ‘oaktonhs_ptsa’ to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA.
The Teachers Appreciation Lunch fundraiser is on. Let's celebrate our teachers and their efforts. Click here to donate towards the event.
Want to be part of PTSA? Email at oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com. We need more hands!
Our Mini grant finalists are about to be declared. Keep an eye out of that!
We had a successful Monthly Teachers Breakfast this Wednesday. Wait! ... another one's coming up on April 10! Make sure to sign up on the upcoming Signup genius to donate a little something!
All Night Grad Party Update!!
Every year the PTSA sponsors an All Night Grad Party (ANGP). The purpose of the ANGP is to give seniors a safe, alcohol-free and drug-free way to celebrate the night of their graduation.
This year's ANGP will be held at Launch Trampoline Park in Herndon (Franklin Farm Shopping Center) on Tuesday, June 11 from 9 PM - 2 AM. In addition to the trampolines, the kids will enjoy go-karts, dodge ball, an agility course, arcade games, casino games, great prizes, food, and more.
ANGP TICKETS ARE ON SALE!!!! PRIZES will be given at the door of the ANGP to the first 100 ticket purchasers, so get your tickets NOW!! Please click here to purchase: PTBoard.com
For all your other ANGP needs, including purchasing an OHS Senior Yard sign, Simple Modern Cougar Trek, to make a monetary donation, to donate raffle prizes, to donate food and drinks for the ANGP, and/or volunteer at the ANGP: PTBoard.com
Questions? Please email: oaktonhsangp@gmail.com
Oakton Pantry
Pantry Update
Two shout outs today to the Oakton Wrestling team and the Oakton Girls Basketball program for the huge collection of food and toiletries they collected at their end of season banquets. We are so appreciative of their generosity and support of the Pantry! Congratulations on great seasons!
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
 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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