Principal Updates - September 16

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/16/2024 05:30 PM EDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Be sure to follow us on X (@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.

September 16-21: Homecoming Week

September 18 - Virtual Parent Coffee - FCPS Secondary Grading & Reporting Updates (see below for details)

September 19 - Virtual Senior Parent Night (see below for details)

September 20 - Senior Panoramic (CT 7/8); Homecoming Game 2024

September 21 - Homecoming Dance 2024

October 3 - No School, Rosh Hashanah

October 4 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Attendance Reminders

How can you help?

Make school attendance a priority
Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day.
Help your teen maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and sleeping well.
Try not to schedule appointments during the school day.
If your student must stay home because they are sick, ensure they have asked teachers for resources and materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom.

Check your Child's Attendance

Parents may log into their Student Information System (SIS) Parent Account to view their child's attendance. For more support on accessing and using the SIS Parent Account, visit our SIS Parent Account overview page.

Oakton High School will send an Attendance report card at the end of each quarter. This report card will contain information on missed classes and unexcused tardiness, keeping you informed about your child's attendance.

If you need assistance with your student's attendance or have questions, please reach out to our SOSA (System of support advisor) Mr. Justin Janis jrjanis@fcps.edu

General Information

Virtual Parent Coffee - September 18: FCPS Secondary Grading and Reporting Updates

We are excited to kick off our virtual parent coffee season for the 2024-2025 school year! Our general format is that we make a small presentation on a designated topic and then open it up to questions. The presentation portion is recorded and posted on Schoology, along with the slides, so those who are unable to attend also have access. A link will be sent out via eNotify (email) the morning of the parent coffee for interested families to use.

September Parent Coffee Topics:

Wednesday, September 18, 2024: 9:00am - FCPS Secondary Grading and Reporting Updates for the 2024-2025 School Year
Wednesday, September 25, 2024: 9:00am - Cell Phone Policy/Pilot

Homecoming Events

Spirit Week - see themes below
Monday, September 16: Homecoming Pep Rally
Friday, September 20: Homecoming Game, 7pm
Saturday, September 21: Homecoming Dance, 8pm-11pm (see ticket information below)

Homecoming Spirit Week

We hope to see a lot of school spirit as we celebrate OHS Rock and Roll Homecoming 2024!

Monday, September 16: Oakton Day (Wear Burgundy & Gold; Oakton Gear)
Tuesday, September 17: Tropical Day (Featuring the Beach Boys - wear tropical shirts)
Wednesday, September 18: 60's/70's Rock Day Featuring Pink Floyd (wear pink)
Thursday, September 19: Blues Brothers Day (wear a tie or shades of blue)
Friday, September 20: Back in Black (Featuring ACDC, wear black)

Homecoming Ticket Information

Tickets are now on sale for the "Rock and Roll" Homecoming dance on Saturday September 21^st 2024. The dance will run from 8pm-11pm at Oakton High School. Students coming to the dance need to arrive at Door 7 (gym/theatre lobby entrance).

Tickets are $20 and are available from September 5^th 2024 until September 20^th 2024 on MySchoolBucks.
Tickets may also be purchased with cash during all lunch periods.
Guest forms are available in person in the cafeteria or in the main office. Completed forms should be turned in to the Main Office no later than Thursday, September 19, 2024.

🩹 Immunization Requirements

Please check with your health care 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 may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office.

Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:

A health care provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
A health care provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.

Find more information on immunizations.

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 final sessions will be held in October and November.

June 20-21; 24 (Session 1)
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.

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.

Student Services Updates

Virtual Senior Parent Night

The School Counseling team is hosting a Virtual Senior Parent Night on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. This presentation will include detailed information about the college application process. A recording of the presentation will be posted on the Oakton HS website for you to access at your convenience if you are unable to attend. School counselors presented this information to seniors in their classrooms on Aug. 28 and 29, and they are meeting with each senior individually during the month of September to support them with the college application process. The event link will be shared via email on Sept. 19. We hope to see you there!

September Newsletter

Welcome Back Cougars! Check out the September Student Services’ newsletter to learn more about this year’s schedule change dates, Class of 2025 updates, College & Career Center information, testing updates, and upcoming events. The newsletter also highlights the World Language Credit by Exam registration information as well as the 2024 FCPS College Fair and Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
September 9 – November 8 (end of 1^st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
After November 12: 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 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3^rd Quarter.

Testing Updates & Information

AP Exam Registration for Non-enrolled Students

If any student wants to take an AP exam in a course that he/she is not enrolled in, registration is now open. Each exam costs $99. You can use this google form to register. Students currently enrolled in an AP course at OHS are automatically registered for the corresponding AP exam and do not need to complete any additional form. The deadline to register is October 20th. Payment can be submitted through My School Bucks or check made out to Oakton High School. Payment is required before the exam space will be reserved.

My School Bucks Link

Other AP related information can be found in our AP Testing FAQs on the Oakton website. If you have any other questions about AP testing in general, please contact AP Coordinator Kim Stewart at kastewart@fcps.edu.

🌍 Receive Credit for Proficiency in Languages

This year's World Languages Credit by Exam will be administered at each FCPS middle, high, and secondary school.

The World Languages Credit by Exam is an optional test for students in grades 7-12 who can speak and write (type) proficiently in a language other than English. Based on the results of the exam, they can earn 1, 2, and/or 3 passing world language credits.

Registration opens on Wednesday, September 4, at 8 a.m., and closes on Friday, October 4, at 4 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted. Please contact your student’s school counselor to register for the exam.

Find more information, including the list of eligible languages.

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. the deadline to register for the SAT was 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 was 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.

Safety and Security Update

Safety Drills During the School Year

Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.

The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Oakton's first lockdown drill this year is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.

⚠️ Know Our Security Terms

FCPS uses specific terminology to describe the actions school staff and students should take to ensure safety in a variety of situations. It is important for staff, families, and students to understand what the different terms mean and how they impact school operations.

Watch this video to learn about safety terms including lockdown; secure the building; and stay put, stay tuned.

If students, staff, or community members have a safety concern at school (that is not an immediate emergency), they should submit a tip to the FCPS Safety Tipline. In an emergency, please call 9-1-1.

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

Immunization Reminder
Make Attendance a Priority
How Is FCPS’ Redesigned Website Working for You?

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

PTSA Updates

A hearty welcome to our new Secretary, Mini Grants Chair, Student Representatives for this year!

Digital PSAT/ SAT Practice Test with Princeton Review

The Oakton PTSA is partnering with The Princeton Review to offer a virtual full-length practice Digital SAT and/or PSAT practice test on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The registration fee is $20. After the test, you’ll receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses.

Registration closes Thursday, September 26, 2024, and you will receive a link to join a kickoff session and further instructions the day before the exam. If you can't make the test date, you may still register and take your exam at your discretion over the course of 120 days, beginning on the test date in which you registered. Click here to Register :PTBoard.com

Internship opportunity for Oakton High School Students

The Youthwork News internship offers real-world experience in the broadcasting and media industry, providing students with hands-on exposure that will be instrumental as they consider their future careers. For details visit us on Instagram 'oaktonhs_ptsa'.

Stay Connected

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA.

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party), Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer. Email us at oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com.

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.

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.