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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 2024-2025 school year calendar here.
August 27 - Back-to-School-Night
August 30 - No School, Labor Day weekend
August 31 - Overdose Awareness Day (See resources below)
September 2 - No School, Labor Day
September 6 - Underclassmen Pictures (through English classes)
September 9 - Underclassmen Pictures (through English classes)
September 20 - Homecoming Game 2024
September 21 - Homecoming Dance 2024
October 3 - No School, Rosh Hashanah
October 4 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday
General Information
Labor Day Holiday Weekend
Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
Back to School Information
All back to school information has been posted to our website. Please take some time to read through this information. We are excited to welcome our students and families back for a great school year ahead! We also wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate many great accomplishments during the 2023-2024 school year. We have highlighted a few topics of celebration around academic success, new mission/vision statements and core values, program highlights, student accolades, and noteworthy events.
Parents/guardians need to be sure they have completed the following required forms for all enrolled students:
1) SIS ParentVue: Review and update the Online Verification Packet (OVU); Acknowledge receipt of the Student Rights and Responsibilities
2) Parent Digital Consent: Review Opt-in for the Digital Resources Consent and the SOL Retest Permission. Additional opt-out forms can also be found on this database.
📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy and Storage Pilot
Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our 703-319-2701.
At the May 9, 2024 School Board meeting, the School Board directed the superintendent to develop a pilot program for cell phone storage at FCPS. Starting with the 2024-25 school year, select high schools will be cell phone-free during all instructional times by using cell phone storage units in each classroom. Students at these schools will begin using the storage units on Tuesday, September 3.
Schools in a control group will not be asking students to centrally store their phones during instruction times, but will be following the policy closely and recording violations.
Our school is participating in this pilot as a storage control school and we will be following the guidelines above closely. We appreciate you reinforcing with your child why you support the FCPS Cell Phone Policy. Find more information and additional resources on our cell phone storage webpage.
Arrival & Dismissal
We remind students and families to follow all established driving patterns for arrival and dismissal. We greatly appreciate our crossing guard and other staff who direct traffic every day to ensure smooth operations at our school. Please remember that surrounding neighborhoods and side streets should not be used for drop off and pick-up. We strive to be good neighbors to all who live near the school. Students should also not cut through private property when walking to school. To avoid longer wait times, we encourage families to arrive early. Our doors open at 7:30am daily.
Attendance Reporting
New this year: Parents and Guardians can report up to two (2) consecutive full day absences using ParentVUE. This new feature has replaced the OHS online attendance form. Parents can also call the Oakton Attendance Line to report a student absence at 703-319-2727. Please see the Oakton website for more detailed attendance policies and procedures.
Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits
Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. Our first session was held June 20, 21, and 24; we’ll send information about subsequent sessions as they come up. For your planning purposes, additional sessions will be held:
- August 26-28 (Session 2)
- October 15-17 (Session 3)
- November 20 (Session 4 - final opportunity)
If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at seniors@vosphoto.com. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at myrodeheaver@fcps.edu.
All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos. These photos will be used for their yearbook photo. Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.
Underclassmen Pictures
All 9th-11th graders will take their school pictures on Friday, September 6 or Monday, September 9 through their scheduled English class. Oakton High School contracts with Victor O'Neill studios for our pictures. Please note these pictures are also used for our yearbook photos for students.
School Picture Day is Coming!
📅 Date: Friday September 6th & Monday September 9th 2024
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001132283#login
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com
Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to our school’s front office.
If your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. If needed, you may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form.
Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.
2024-2025 - National Honor Society Applications
The National Honor Society application will open in the Fall of 2024 for all qualified students in 11th and 12th grade who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students who are qualified will receive and invitation to apply along with further information to their school email. We encourage all future applicants to continue in their leadership, community service, and outstanding academics until that time.
Oakton Athletic Booster Membership
Join the Boosters today by buying a Cougar Pass! Cougar Passes are good for ALL regular season home games for ALL sports from fall through spring. This is a great value considering we have over 100 home athletic events. Your Booster Club membership supports ALL OHS athletic programs. Your membership also includes an open invitation to attend all OHS Athletic Booster meetings – all are welcome!
AVID Tutors
Attention families - looking for a flexible and part-time position? FCPS is hiring AVID tutors for the 2024-2025 school year. AVID tutors work with small groups of approximately 5-7 students during the school day in an academic elective class called Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). These groups use questioning strategies to help students develop a variety of college preparatory skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. Tutors earn $20.13 per hour and should either be a college graduate or currently enrolled in college. If interested, please email your resume to AVID@fcps.edu.
Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation
All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.
2024-2025 Dates:
- October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
- January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
- March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
- May 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
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.
Save the Date
Back to School Night
Oakton's Back to School Night is slated for Tuesday, August 27. Parents have the option of engaging in Back-to-School Night in two ways.
1) Digital Back-to-School Night: All staff will record and post their back-to-school night presentation and post it in their course schoology page for parents to review at a time that works for them. These presentations will be available throughout the year for you to access at a time that works best for you. Additionally, several resources will be posted in the "Oakton HS: Parent" schoology page for you to access. All videos should be posted under "Materials."
2) In- Person Traditional Back-to-School Night: Families are invited to attend our in-person back-to-school night. From 4:00-5:00pm parents have the opportunity to visit with administrators, counselors, get technology support, drop off medication, complete required forms, join the PTSA , visit the Oakton Athletics Boosters and more!
The schedule for classes will run from 5:00pm-7:10 pm. Please take a screenshot of your child's classes in ParentVue for ease of navigating the building.
Parking is limited. It would be greatly appreciated if those that live close to the school would consider walking. Carpooling is also strongly recommended if that is a feasible for your family.
More detailed information about both options can be found here!
Homecoming 2024
Homecoming is tentatively slated to run the week of September 16. A fun-filled week will culminate in the Homecoming Football game on September 20 and our Homecoming Dance on September 21.
Student Services Updates
Course Registration 2024-2025
If students would like to request a schedule change they may do so starting August 1 by emailing their school counselor. Please note that changes will only be made based on space availability and course offerings.
Testing Updates
SAT Information
On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Oakton 12th graders will have the opportunity to participate in the SAT School Day. FCPS will cover the cost for any twelfth grade student to take this test. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day.
Please visit our PSAT/SAT page to reserve a seat for your 12th grader to take this exam. Forms must be completed by Wednesday, September 4.
PSAT Information
On October 9, 2024, Oakton will offer the digital PSAT/NMSQT to students in grades 10-11. Students who wish to test with accommodations can learn more about the process and requirements on our PSAT/SAT page.
College Board Testing/Accommodations
Oakton will be administering the PSAT/NMSQT to 10th and 11th graders and the SAT to 12th graders on October 9, 2024. Read here for more details and information on how to apply for accommodations if interested. The deadline to apply for accommodations for these exams is August 5, 2024.
Health and Wellness Updates
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
No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students
Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:
- Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
- Anxiety, worry, fears
- Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
- Academic stress
You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.
Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
Overdose Awareness and Understanding the Dangers of Opioids
In Northern Virginia, consistent with national and state trends, the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities, including young adults and school-age children. Opioids are a class of drugs used to treat pain and can include prescription medication and illegal drugs.
Tragically, their misuse can lead to devastating outcomes. Fentanyl is an extremely fatal and especially powerful opioid, even in small doses. Most fatal overdoses in Fairfax County in recent years have involved fentanyl.
August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day. There are three things you can do now to support student wellness and increase understanding of the dangers of opioids and fentanyl:
- Talk with children and loved ones in your life about the dangers of drug use, especially opioids. For more information about substance use among youth, tips on how to recognize and prevent substance abuse, and available support services, please watch this webinar.
- Safely store and dispose of medications, including prescription pain medications, to prevent drug misuse.
- Sign up for a Virtual REVIVE! training class to learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose.
Learn more about the dangers of opioids and available resources on our website. Visit the Student Safety and Wellness webpage for more information on topics related to student well-being.
Additionally, this Fentanyl Awareness Flyer was posted in Schoology for students and parents. Students were made aware of this information as a part of our Cougar Connect lesson on Wednesday, August 21.
Michael McNulty serves as the Oakton Pyramid Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist. He is at Oakton HS several days per working to meet with students and connect with parents on concerns. Contact information and more detailed information on his role can be found here.
Student Insurance
During the school day, a student may have an accident that results in injury. There is a common misconception that FCPS (Fairfax County Public Schools) is financially responsible for medical bills resulting from such injuries. However, this is not the case.
Students who participate in sports are required to have health insurance. FCPS does not provide medical insurance for students, but parents can purchase low-cost Voluntary Student Insurance through K & K Insurance Group.
This student accident insurance program offers an affordable way for parents to cover medical or dental expenses resulting from their child's accident. For those who already have medical or dental insurance, this additional coverage can help with deductibles, limitations, and exclusions. For those without medical insurance, these accident policies provide primary coverage.
Please read the information on K&K Student Accident Insurance found here, to determine if this coverage would be beneficial for your child.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Everything You Can Do Through SIS ParentVUE
- Updating Immunizations and Records
- Transportation Patience and Safety
- Superintendent Reid Welcomes Everyone Back to School
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
PTSA Updates
You all are a major part of this 'Community Giving' called the PTSA. Your ideas, contributions, time, effort, concerns and expectations are what the PTSA is for. PTSA is always available at oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com and on our Instagram at 'oaktonhs_ptsa' . We look forward to hearing from you.
This incredible work needs incredible people, 'YOU'. The PTSA needs incredible people to fill these roles: Treasurer , Secretary, Hospitality Chair , Webmaster, All Night Grad Party (ANGP) Chair, Teacher Appreciation Chair, Communication Chair and General Volunteers.
We need incredible students to fill the roles of a Social Media Lead, Outreach Lead, Project Lead, Business Lead.
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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