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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 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
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.
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!
Prom - April 12, 2024
All juniors and seniors are invited to this year's "Old Hollywood" themed prom on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 8-11pm at the Westwood Country Club. Tickets are available online via MySchoolBucks. Tickets sold between March 18-April 7 will cost $50. Tickets sold between April 8 and April 11 will cost $60. Tickets will not be sold on April 12 at school or at the door of the event. Guest forms, for those that do not attend Oakton High School, should be picked up and turned in to Mr. McCulla in room 2514.
🏐 New Athletic Opportunities for Students
The FCPS advertised budget for next school year expands high school athletics with boys volleyball and girls wrestling, giving students more ways to nurture their passion and enhance their well-being. FCPS is now in the middle of the annual budget process, which includes opportunities for you to give feedback. See the Budget Calendar for details. Learn more about the FCPS FY 2025 Advertised Budget.
New Regulation on Meditation and Silent Reflection Spaces
FCPS has developed Regulation 1502 to ensure all students and staff have reasonable accommodation and access to meditation and silent reflection spaces within the school division. The regulation provides guidance for schools on how to manage requests for silent reflection during instructional and non-instructional time, and for students to leave school for religious activities.
These spaces are for individuals to engage in prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, inclusive of their religious or non-religious beliefs. Parents/caregivers must provide written permission for students requesting to miss instructional time on a regular basis. Families are encouraged to contact their child's assistant principal regarding accommodations. View Regulation 1502. Visit FCPS' Guidelines for Religious Activities webpage for more information.
☀️ Safely View the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8
A total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, and will be viewable, depending on weather, in Fairfax County. The eclipse will begin in our area around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m., with the maximum eclipse occurring around 3:20 p.m.
Because the timing overlaps with dismissal, it is crucial that students understand the importance of safe viewing practices. We encourage families to review these Solar Eclipse Resources, especially the eye safety information. We hope everyone takes the opportunity to learn more about this extraordinary natural phenomenon while prioritizing safe solar viewing.
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
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.
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
🤧 Updated COVID Recommendations
In accordance with the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) respiratory virus guidance, FCPS and the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) have updated school COVID-19 recommendations.
The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer recommended.
New respiratory virus guidance applies to respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Students who have symptoms of, test positive for, or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when the student is fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication; AND the student’s symptoms have improved or resolved.
Students should follow additional precautions as outlined per the CDC upon resumption of normal activities.
Should I Send My Child to School?
Please refer to the chart on this attendance webpage if your child is experiencing symptoms or illnesses, and you are unsure if they should go to school.
Thank you for helping keep our students and staff healthy.
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 (Completed for the 2023-2024 School Year)
- Tornado Drill - One in the month of March. (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:
- Updated COVID Recommendations
- Last Chance to Take the Family Engagement Survey!
- April Webinars and Events for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Safe, Supported, and Included — the FCPS Family Summit 2024
The FCPS Family Summit will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.
Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The conference is being planned by several FCPS offices in collaboration with the Fairfax Alliance of Black School Educators, Black Women’s Educational Alliance - DC Chapter, Hispanic Educators Association, and Asian Educators Association.
This year’s theme is Safe, Supported, and Included, which aligns with Goal 2 of the FCPS Strategic Plan. More details will be available after spring break.
⏰ Community Forums on Middle School Start Times
Fairfax County Public Schools is exploring options for adjusting middle school start times and invites the public to be part of the process. Prismatic Services, Inc., an educational consulting firm, will lead the forums. All forums will deliver the same presentation and provide the same feedback opportunities. Please attend the event that works best for your schedule:
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Monday, April 29, 6-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School.
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Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m., at Whitman Middle School.
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Monday, May 20, 6-8 p.m., at Hughes Middle School.
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Wednesday, May 22, 6-8 p.m., at Frost Middle School.
Registration is not required but does help with planning. Click one of the dates above to register. Language interpretation and childcare will be provided. Learn more about the project exploring middle school start times.
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 NOW ON SALE!!!! 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
First day back after spring break make dinner easy and stop at the Oakton Chipotle from 4-8pm to support the OHS All Night Grad Party!!!!
Buy/Donate/Volunteer at ANGP Store!
Questions? Please email: oaktonhsangp@gmail.com
 Oakton Pantry
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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