Principal Updates - May 18

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Important Dates

May 20 - Last Day for Late Buses

May 20 - Senior Exams Begin

May 20 - ESOL Spring Celebration

May 20 - Senior exams begin; modified schedule (periods 7-CT1-5-1); Senior exams 7 and 5

May 21 - Modified schedule (periods 6-8-4-2); Senior exams 6 and 8

May 22 - Senior exam 1

May 25 - No School, Memorial Day

May 26 - No School, Teacher Workday

May 27 - No School, Eid al-Adha

May 28 - Senior exams 2 and 4; Senior Exhibition of Learning for Oakton Internship

May 29 - Senior graduation rehearsal - 9-11 am, Oakton High School, mandatory

June 1 - Senior Awards Ceremony (students and parents of those receiving an award will receive an invite)

June 1 - Senior Sunset

June 2 - Senior graduation rehearsal - 9-11 am, Oakton High School, mandatory

June 3 - Class of 2026 Graduation

June 8 - Sports Health Screening and Pre-Participation Physical (PPE)

June 11 - Underclass exams begin (early release days)

June 17 - Last day of school!! 

Save the Date: 

Oakton End of Year Calendars

The FCPS School Year Calendars are available below by school year for your planning purposes. 


General Information

Update - Principal Process

Our search for the next principal of Oakton High School is progressing smoothly, and the Region Office feels confident that a new permanent principal will be announced before the end of the school year!

In the meantime, we want to let you know about a temporary leadership change for the final few weeks of school.  Due to a previously arranged schedule commitment, Mr. Merrell will be stepping away for the remainder of the school year. To ensure consistency and minimize disruption for our students, staff and families, Assistant Principal Ms. Mary Landis will serve as interim principal.

Ms. Landis has been collaborating closely with Mr. Merrell and Ms. Lane to guarantee a smooth transition. We are incredibly grateful for her leadership as we finish the school year strong!

End of Year Calendar

You can find our End of Year Calendar on the Oakton Website linked under Announcements. This has our SOL and AP Exam schedule, any days that are modified, and other end of year schedule items. 

Late Buses

Wednesday, May 20 is the last day for late buses this school year. 

Class of 2026

Information specific to the Class of 2026 will be sent out this evening to senior parents and can be found on our website under the Class of 2026

Key dates include: 

  • May 28 - Senior Exhibition of Learning for Oakton Internship
  • May 29 - Senior graduation rehearsal - 9-11 am, Oakton High School, mandatory
  • June 1 - Senior Awards Ceremony (students and parents of those receiving an award will receive an invite)
  • June 1 - Senior Sunset
  • June 2 - Senior graduation rehearsal - 9-11 am, Oakton High School, mandatory
  • June 3 - Class of 2026 Graduation

Attendance Reminders

As we approach the final stretch of the school year, we want to take a moment to highlight something that has a powerful impact on student success: consistent school attendance.

More information about Oakton Attendance Reminders is found on the Oakton website under announcements

We want to ensure that the testing environment is as secure and quiet as possible for all students as they are testing. To support this, we are asking that students remain in their classrooms bell to bell and not leave unless necessary.

Oakton ESOL Spring Celebration

Come to celebrate the success of our MLL students this year! There will be a student panel, and Exhibition of Learning and Ice Cream from 6-7:30 in the Oakton cafeteria. All of our MLL students and families are welcome. We hope to see you there!

Order Your Yearbook through MySchoolBucks

Time is running out to order a yearbook for your student. We have limited copies left. The 300-page book cost $85. To reserve your copy, use this link: 2026 Oakton HS Yearbook.

Sports Health Screening and Pre-Participation Physical (PPE)

If your son or daughter is thinking of playing a sport, he/she will need to have a VHSL pre-participation examination (PPE) completed on the official VHSL physical form.  This exam must up to date and on file for your son/daughter to be eligible to participate on any team, including pre-season conditioning.  The physical exam must be completed and signed by a physician, a nurse practitioner or a physician’s assistant (MD, NP, PA, or DO).

The Oakton High School Athletic Training Program is offering an opportunity for students to receive a sports health screening and pre-participation physical (PPE) on Monday June 8, 2026, from 5:30-8 pm.  Our team physicians and certified athletic trainers will be on hand to provide a thorough screening including a postural exam, flexibility evaluation, and information regarding what each of those assessments mean.  If, during the screening or physical the physicians find something that is questionable to them regarding your child’s health, they may request further evaluation by another physician.

To register for a PPE, use this link: Student Registration.   

Once you register, we will email a confirmation with a copy of the New PPE Form attached.

We are asking for a donation of $50 for the PPE. Walk-ins are also welcome on that evening, but we ask for a $60 donation at that time.

You can pay for the PPE through my school bucks at this link

This is the Oakton HS Athletic Training Program’s primary method of fundraising.  We get no financial support from the county or any other source for any of our athletic training supplies and consumable goods. The PPEs are being offered in the same format at every high school in FCPS and are fund raising efforts at those schools as well.  If you cannot attend the PPEs at Oakton H.S., there may be another local high school offering the opportunity on a date that may be more convenient for you.  If you have any questions or concerns, contact Paul Rupp, MS, ATC, at prupp@fcps.edu or Danilo Salgado, LAT, ATC at dsalgado@fcps.edu 


Student Services

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

  • April 7 - June 17: 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.

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Health and Wellness Updates

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month is about more than awareness. It’s about showing up for one another. It provides a chance to stand with your community and show that no one struggles alone. Everyone is invited to speak up against mental health stigma. Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month on the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) website. You can also find FCPS Resources on the FCPS website. 

💻 No-Cost Mental Online Therapy for All High School Students

Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on 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 News

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

  • 2027 Budget Updates
  • New Cell Phone Policy
  • Stay Up-to-Date with the Mobile App

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

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update

On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget. 

Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.

New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1

On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.

This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell. 

High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage

Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year

Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:

  • Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. 
  • Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
  • Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.

PTSA News

The PTSA was delighted to serve the teachers and staff with a wonderful hearty lunch as a small gesture of gratitude for all they do for our students. We also had a wonderful day with alpacas, geckos, goats, bunnies, and a python at school! The staff, teachers, and students truly enjoyed it. It was a great way for our Cougars to decompress during this finals and AP exam season.

A BIG 'thank you' to our dear parents and donors for your engagement, membership, and donations!. 

ANGP (All Night Grad Party)!

Can you believe Oakton High School graduation and the All Night Grad Party (ANGP) are about 15 days away?!! We can’t wait to celebrate the Class of 2026, their achievements, friendships, and the memories they have created over the past 4 years! 

In addition to all that Dave & Buster's has to offer, graduates will enjoy billiards, live music, great prizes, food, and the newest addition of the Human Crane! We have lots of fun prizes to be raffled off to the graduates. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT!!! 

ANGP TICKETS: To purchase tickets, use this link: Click here! Reminder: This event is open to Oakton High School graduates only.

DONATE: We are still in need of your support! Please consider either making a monetary donation to offset the cost of the event or donating raffle prizes for our graduates to win!

To donate prizes, use this link: Click here

To make a monetary donation, use this link: Click here.

Please email oaktonhsangp@gmail.com with any questions.

MUGS AND SENIOR SIGNS : We have a very limited supply left of senior signs, mugs, and Simple Modern Cougar Treks. Celebrate your grad and all their hard work with a “Class of 2026” senior sign. And the mugs make a great gift for your graduating Cougar, for teacher appreciation, or to thank your student’s counselor. To purchase your Mugs, Senior Signs and Cougar Trek, Click here!

VOLUNTEER: Seeking 9th, 10th, and 11th grade parents! Want a preview of how ANGP will celebrate your graduate in years to come? Volunteer to work at the party and enjoy watching the graduates celebrate. Click here to volunteer. 

The event will need volunteers to perform door check-in, run the raffle through the night, assist with the prizes, assist in setup and shutdown, and assist with any other activities throughout the night. SAVE THE DATE: JUNE 3, 2026, to volunteer! 

New positions open at the PTSA!

Are you looking for a meaningful way to stay connected with the Oakton High School community and support our amazing students and staff?

The Oakton High School PTSA is currently seeking enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers to join our board and committees for the upcoming school year!

Open Positions & Descriptions:

  • President: Leads the PTSA, sets meeting agendas, oversees all programs and committees, and serves as the main liaison between the school administration and PTSA. Ideal for someone who enjoys leadership, organization, and collaboration.
  • Membership Chair: Leads membership drives, tracks enrollment, and finds creative ways to engage parents, students, and staff. Perfect for those who love outreach and building community.
  • Communications Chair: Manages our newsletters, social media, and promotional materials. Best for someone with strong writing, creative bend of mind and design skills.
  • Hospitality Co-Chair: Plan and organize teacher and staff breakfasts. Consisting of a healthy grab-and-go breakfast. Currently, it's a once-a-month event. 
  • Student Support Chair: Recruits and organizes volunteers for school student events. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys engaging in student-related activities and overseeing volunteers.
  • All Night Grad Party Chair: Oversees the planning, fundraising, and execution of the senior All Night Grad Party for 2026-2027. Making it a memorable, fun and a safe place for our graduates. Responsibilities include fundraising, coordinating with vendors, managing volunteers, securing donations/sponsorships, and ensuring logistics run smoothly. This role is ideal for an individual with a fondness for event planning, and a strong passion for providing seniors with a memorable farewell.
  • Mini-Grant Chair: Coordinates the PTSA’s mini-grant program, which provides funding to teachers and students for clubs, projects, or innovative ideas. Responsibilities include publicizing the grant application process, organizing application review, and working with the PTSA board to award funds. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys supporting educators and managing small-scale funding programs.

Whether you have a few hours a month or more time to give, there’s a role for you. Being part of the PTSA is a wonderful way to make a difference, meet other families, and help shape the experience of every Cougar on campus.

Interested? Fill out the Volunteer Form. Please apply for three positions, in the order of your preference.

Let’s work together to make the 2025-2026 school year one to remember. Join the PTSA, your voice matters!

The PTSA is on Instagram, yay! Follow. oaktonhs_ptsa to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Comment on our posts. We love hearing from you!  

-Oakton PTSA


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