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Please find all the essential Back to School information on our website! This is also linked on Oakton High School website’s homepage for you to access at any time.
Back to School Night - Tomorrow night
We are excited to invite you to our Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 1 from 4:00 to 7:10 p.m.! Back-To-School Night is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teachers, gain an overview of each course, as well as access Oakton and FCPS resources. While these nights are not intended for individual parent-teacher conferences, parents will have the chance to envision their child’s daily school life and to become better acquainted with our school community. Oakton offers two options to access Back to School Night - through our Digital Back-to-School Night offering and In-person on Tuesday, September 1.
More details are at the Back to School Night announcement on our website.
Important Dates
Key dates for the 2026-2027 School Year:
For your planning purposes, you can access the FCPS 2026-2027 school year calendar on the FCPS website. We ask that every effort is made to consider the school calendar when planning trips and events that would take students out of school.
September 1 - Back to School Night
September 3 - Gradebooks available in StudentVUE/ParentVUE at 9 am
September 4 - No School (Labor Day Break)
September 7 - No School (Labor Day)
September 17 - Virtual Senior Parent Night, 6-7 pm
September 21 – No School, Yom Kippur
September 23-24 – Underclassmen Portraits (through English classes)
September 23 - Virtual Freshman Parent Night, 6-7 pm
October 2 - Senior Panoramic
October 5-8 - Senior Portraits
October 6 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving, Night 1
October 7 – PSAT (10th-11th Grade)/SAT (12th Grade) Day; No-School 9th grade/non-testers
October 12 – Staff Development Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
October 19 - Homecoming Pep Rally
October 19-23 - Homecoming Spirit Week
October 23 - Homecoming Game
October 24 - Homecoming Dance
October 30 – End of 1st Quarter, 2 hour early release
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
Dear Oakton Families,
What a fantastic start to the 2026–2027 school year it has been!
Seeing our students back in the building was a powerful reminder of what makes Oakton so special. Everywhere you look, Cougars are finding their way, successfully navigating to their classes, jumping into learning, exploring new activities, and reconnecting with friends. Throughout the week, our students lived out our core values—Community, Integrity, and Respect—in everything they did:
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Community: The hallways were filled with energy as students reconnected with old friends, welcomed new classmates, and cheered on our Fall sports teams as they kicked off their seasons strong.
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Integrity: Our Cougars showed up ready to learn and compete, taking ownership of their new routines, demonstrating great sportsmanship, and setting a positive, accountable tone for the year ahead.
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Respect: From navigating busy hallways and finding their classrooms to engaging thoughtfully with teachers, coaches, and staff, our students demonstrated kindness and consideration at every turn.
As we move forward, our commitment remains centered on creating a strong foundation where every student can thrive—where potential becomes excellence, and throughout the year, I will continue to highlight that work.
Last week, we held our class meetings during Cougar Connect and distributed Chromebooks. By the end of this week, we will have distributed bus passes to all students who are designated to ride an FCPS school bus. Completing these milestones ensures that when we return from Labor Day weekend, we can fully support a safe, structured, and focused learning environment for everyone. Beyond the classroom, it continues to be a privilege to watch our student-athletes represent Oakton with pride and to engage with so many of you across the community.
As a reminder, please help us reinforce our school-wide expectations:
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Cell Phone Policy: Off and away from 8:10 AM to 2:55 PM (including lunches and restrooms).
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Attendance: Arrive on time to class each day, making mindful use of the 7-minute passing period.
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Closed Campus: No unauthorized departures. Outside food deliveries (UberEats, DoorDash, etc.) are strictly prohibited during the school day.
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Building Entry: After 8:10 AM, all students must enter and exit exclusively through Door 1.
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Hallway Policy: Hall passes are required at all times. Students must remain in class during the first 10 minutes and last 10 minutes of every period.
Thank you for your partnership and support in making last week such a success; a strong start truly sets the tone for the entire school year. As a reminder, we have our Back to School Night (BTSN) tomorrow night, and we look forward to seeing many of you there!
Take Care…. And Go Cougars!
General Information
Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE
Are you working your way through back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find important forms and updates.
- Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in ParentVUE. To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
- Submit daylong absences by clicking “Report Absence.”
If you do not have a ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage.
Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources
Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.
Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.
Arrival and Dismissal reminders
All Kiss and Ride traffic, both in the morning drop off and afternoon pick up, is in the front of the building. Please do not drive to the back of the building as that is reserved for bus traffic. A full map of the traffic pattern can be found on our Back-to-School information under “Traffic, Buses, School Arrival, and Student Parking”.
Student Parking
All parking applications were due by 3:00 pm Wednesday, August 12. Any students who submitted applications after that time will be placed on a wait list. Passes that were awarded but not picked up will be distributed to the next students on the wait list.
Attendance
It has been a great first week back with students!
Today, we met with all grade levels to emphasize the importance of strong school attendance. One of the key details shared was that, last year, our data showed that 1,685 absences were coded as “vacation.” Data also demonstrates that absences were spiking on days either before or after long weekends and holidays. Please plan accordingly to ensure your students are in attendance on those days.
To help support increased student attendance on these days, we will highlight “attendance days to watch” throughout the year. The first “attendance days to watch” for the month of September are:
- Thursday, September 3rd
- Tuesday, September 8th
- Friday, September 18th
- Tuesday, September 22nd
Each of these dates is a full day of school. Avoiding large spikes in absenteeism on these dates ensures fewer students, including yours, become chronically absent later in the school year.
Thank you so much for your partnership and for reinforcing the importance of strong attendance with your student(s).
Questions? Please reach out to any member of the administrative team.
Student ID Cards for Oakton High School Bus Riders
We are distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services.
- Students in 9th and 10th grade will get their bus passes through their Cougar Connect classes on Thursday, September 3.
- Students in 11th and 12th grades can pick up their bus passes in the cafeteria from the administrator during lunches beginning Wednesday, September 2.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers are checking in students and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
🏈 Varsity Football Game Reminders
NEW: Bag Policy Please plan ahead and arrive with only permitted bags. The following clear bag guidelines will be enforced:
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Prohibited: Backpacks, purses, fanny packs, tote bags, outside food and beverages, sporting equipment, and any item deemed unsafe by event staff.
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Allowed: Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12" × 6" × 12".
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Allowed: Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" × 6.5".
- Medical and diaper bags are permitted but will be subject to inspection.
NEW: Varsity Football Game Screening Process Smart Detection Technology will be in use at varsity football games. All spectators will go through the security screening process before entering the stadium.
⏰Please give yourself plenty of time to get through screening and enter the stadium. To help speed up the entry process, we strongly encourage families to purchase tickets ahead of time through ETIX https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/18708/oakton-high-school-athletics
Or purchase a Booster Pass, which provides admission to all home varsity football games.
🚫 Please Leave These Items at Home
As a reminder, no outside food or drinks and no balls or sporting equipment will be permitted inside the stadium.
👨👩👧 Student Attendance Reminder
Elementary and middle school students must be accompanied by an adult at varsity football games. Please make appropriate arrangements before attending.
🚨 NEW THIS YEAR: Gate Closure
Beginning this season, the stadium gate will close at the end of the 3rd quarter. No entry will be permitted after the 3rd quarter. Please plan accordingly if you are arriving late for the game.
Thank you for helping us create a safe and enjoyable environment for our students, athletes, families, and community. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to seeing you under the Friday night lights!
Testing Information
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT 2026
SAT Information
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Oakton 12th graders will have the opportunity to participate in the SAT School Day, at no cost to families. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day. Twelfth graders must register to take this exam by Wednesday, September 2.
Please visit our PSAT/SAT page for registration information for the SAT School Day.
PSAT Information
On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Oakton will administer the digital PSAT/NMSQT to all students in grades 10 and 11, at no cost to families.. Students are automatically registered, and no additional action is required.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learner Supports
Because these exams are operated by the College Board, students do not automatically receive testing accommodations or multilingual learner (ML) supports.
The deadline has passed to request new or updated College Board accommodations if you have a student with disabilities entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade; please review the accommodations request process. If you would still like to apply you may do so but it is not guaranteed that it would be decided by the day of the PSAT.
If you have a multilingual learner (ML) entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, please review the ML support request process and return forms by Thursday, August 28, if you wish to request ML supports for the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day.
Find out more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS
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 23rd. Payment can be submitted through My School Bucks or check made out to Oakton High School at a cost of $99 per exam. 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.
Student Services
Class Schedule Change Requests
Our staffing decisions and the number of courses offered are based on the classes students selected during the registration period last school year. To maintain the best possible program for our students and one that is most responsive to their educational needs, schedule changes will be limited to space available.
Timeline for Schedule Changes
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August 14-September 11: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability
For any questions you may have, contact your child’s school counselor.
Senior Parent Night (virtual)
The School Counseling Team will be hosting a virtual Senior Parent Night on September 17th at 6-7pm. The presentation will include detailed information about the college application process. An e-notify email will be sent to senior parents prior to the event. A recording will be posted to the Oakton HS website afterwards.
Senior Curriculum
School counselors will be meeting with seniors in Government classrooms September 2nd and 3rd. We will then meet individually with every senior September 8 – 22 to review graduation requirements and post-secondary plans. Materials will be posted in the Student Services Schoology page.
Freshman Parent Night (virtual)
The School Counseling Team will be hosting a virtual Freshman Parent Night on September 23rd at 6-7pm. Join us to learn how to navigate the next four years. We will cover counselor supports, resources, academic and attendance expectations, and tips for a smooth transition. An e-notify email will be sent to freshman parents prior to the event. A recording will be posted to the Oakton HS website afterwards.
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.
Health and Wellness Updates
💻 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:
- Everything You Need to Do in SIS ParentVUE
- Permission Forms for School Resources
- Follow Multiple Schools in the App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus.
If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at 703-249-7000 with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
PTSA News
We need you!
Please join us at our first PTSA Meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:00 in Lecture Hall at Oakton
Before we can dive into our plans and programs for the year, the PTSA must take care of some business first and we need your votes! Business items include:
- Voting in the next PTSA Executive Committee. The nominees are:
- President: Linda Lang, self-nominated
- Treasurer: Holly Dubbeling, self-nominated
- Secretary: Cathy Baptista, self-nominated
- Vice-President: Open – nominations accepted from the floor
- Voting for the PTSA Budget for the 2026-2027 school year
- Voting for the Organizational Structure Form (local “bylaw”)
As a reminder, in order to vote in PTSA meetings, you must be a member of the PTSA! If you were a member last year, your membership is valid through September 30 and if you haven’t become a member for this year yet, please join at this link!
For all voting members: All items on the docket for membership approval can be found here!
Once the business items have been addressed, you’ll be able to hear from Principal Shannon Matheny, connect with fellow Oakton families and students, and discover how we can work together to make this a great year for our entire Oakton community.
Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!
Keep in touch
Follow @oaktonhs_ptsa on Instagram or reach out to us at oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com. We’d love to hear your ideas, questions, and how you’d like to get involved. Meet the PTSA at Back to School Night on September 1.
Your voice. Your ideas. Our Oakton.
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