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Important Dates
November 10 - SOS Screening Begins (9th Graders) ; Winter Tryouts Begin
November 11 - No School, Veterans Day
November 12-14 - SOS Screening (9th Graders); Senior Portraits (Final Session)
November 14 - Underclassmen Picture Make-up/Retake Opportunity
November 20 - National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
November 26-28 - No School, Thanksgiving Break
December 8 - Religious & Cultural Observance Day, Bodhi Day
December 22 - January 2 - No School, Winter Break
The FCPS School Year Calendars are available below by school year for your planning purposes.
Attendance Spotlight
Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now that will help them graduate on time and help them with time management. Parents and families can play a big role in helping kick-start good attendance habits.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school. Visit our Attendance webpage for more information.
General Information
✅ Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
💯 Changes to Middle and High School Report Card Feedback
With the first quarter of the school year ending on Friday, October 31, families can expect student report cards to be available the week of November 10.
FCPS has revised the way teachers provide feedback on report cards, so you may notice some new comments. Specifically, comments have been revised to provide more detailed feedback for students and families.
Also, teachers will now include a Work Habits mark each quarter for each student. This scale provides feedback on students’ time management, organization, assignment completion, and overall effort in class. This is meant as feedback to families and will not appear on a student’s transcript.
View the Middle and High School Grading and Reporting webpage for more information.
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
School Portraits
Seniors
Next week is our final opportunity for class portraits for this school year. Seniors are invited to take their senior portrait by appointment on November 12-14. Families should check their email for the sign-up to find available appointment time slots.
Underclassmen
Underclassmen who were absent on their picture day OR would like to retake their school picture are invited to do so on Friday, November 14. Students can come at any point throughout the school day to take their picture, they do not need an appointment.
Underclassmen Photos - Now Available
Underclassmen school photos are now online! Families should have received an E-proof via email. Please remember to check your spam.
For any questions about your student's school pictures please contact: underclass@vosphoto.com
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
Oakton Pantry - Holiday Donations
This Thanksgiving and Holiday season, the Oakton Pantry will distribute gift cards to support our community. We are collecting $50 Walmart gift cards for this distribution. Please sign up via this Sign Up Genius to participate in this initiative.
Thanksgiving gift cards are due by Monday, November 17, 2025.
Holiday gift cards are due by Friday, December 12, 2025.
Physical gift cards can be dropped off at the Oakton High School main office. Electronic gift cards ("Walmart eGift card") can be emailed to OaktonPantry@gmail.com (recipient name: Oakton Pantry).
Thank you for supporting the Oakton Pantry and our community. Happy Thanksgiving and Holidays!
This is for donating gift cards. If you feel your family needs assistance during the holiday season, please email Ms. Landis at mflandis@fcps.edu.
Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation
All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2025-2026 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.
2025-2026 Dates:
- September, 29 2025 6:30-8:00pm
- January 12, 2026 6:30-8:00pm
- March 16, 2026 6:30-8:00pm
- May 18, 2026 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.
Please find more information about driver education for parents by accessing this flyer.
Testing Information
World Language Credit By Exam (WLCBE)
Oakton HS will administer the World Language Credit By Exam November 12–14. This assessment allows students to earn high school credit by demonstrating proficiency in languages other than English. Students and families who registered for the exam received an email on October 31 with specific testing information.
PSAT/SAT School Day Scores Available
Students who participated in the School Day SAT/PSAT on October 8 are now able to access scores via the College Board BigFuture School App or their College Board accounts. Students who participated in a make-up test will have access to scores on Thursday, November 6. Video tutorials for accessing and understanding PSAT and SAT scores are available on the College Board website.
National Merit Scholarship Information
Eleventh grade students who participated in the PSAT may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Find information on the National Merit Scholarship Corporation website. Families can reach out to their student’s school PSAT coordinator if they have questions regarding PSAT score reporting or the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Student Services
Student Services Newsletter
Happy November Cougar Families. Check out the November Student Services newsletter.
Learn more about our recent events including:
- National Merit Commended and Semifinalist Reception
- Brain Breaks
Upcoming events include:
- Freshmen Curriculum
- Underclassmen Academic Awards Celebration
- Governor’s School Application
- Depression Screening for Freshmen and Juniors
- Moving on to Life in the Community Resources Fair
- ASVAB registration.
Finally, learn more about our College & Career Center Specialist, Erica Hosken.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
Class Schedule Change Requests
Timeline for Schedule Changes
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After November 10: 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 27: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
For any questions you may have, contact your child’s school counselor
Health and Wellness Updates
🩹 Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 20
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Participation is voluntary. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student. Learn more about immunization resources.
💻 No-Cost Mental Online Therapy for All High School Students
Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? Do they seem withdrawn or uninterested in their usual hobbies?
Parents/caregivers can refer their children for free weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS’ Teletherapy webpage for information about this service.
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
FCPS News
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- State Standards of Learning (SOL) Changes
- PSAT/SAT School Day Scores Available
- Resources for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
November Is National Family Engagement Month
Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning
The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
PTSA News
PTSA Meeting is November 10 at 7pm!
All are welcome to join the upcoming virtual PTSA meeting. Come find out what’s happening with the PTSA. Visit https://oaktonhsptsa.ptboard.com/home for meeting details and Zoom link.
Feedback Requested!
To better serve our Oakton school community, we request your feedback. Please take a few minutes to complete the google form at https://forms.gle/E9orKDUdkzpqd1KS6.
PTSA Mini-Grant Application Deadline is November 14!
Teachers, staff and students representing a club at Oakton High School are invited to apply for PTSA mini-grants. Mini-grant requests should provide a beneficial impact to a broad range of students and a long-term/sustainable benefit to the school. Priority consideration will be given to cover the cost of activities, resources or items not already available via the school, and that are not readily accessible through direct donations from other sources. For more details on the application process, visit the site below. https://oaktonhsptsa.ptboard.com/annlist.
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