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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 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
September 30 - ML Parent Information and Engagement Night 6:00 - 7:30 pm
October 2 - Senior Panoramic (during Cougar Time)
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 16 - NHS Applications Due (see more details below)
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
Dear Oakton Families,
It continues to be so inspiring to watch our core values of Community, Integrity, and Respect come to life every day across our halls, classrooms, and playing fields. We love seeing our students jump into school life with such enthusiasm, and we actively encourage them to get involved, find their passions, and take an active, confident role in their learning journey.
Creating a safe, joyful, and welcoming environment takes all of us working together. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing partnership, and we appreciate your support at home in encouraging our students to embody our core values of Community, Integrity, and Respect both inside and outside the classroom. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support in making Oakton such an exceptional place to learn and grow. Let’s carry this momentum into another great week!
Take Care... and Go Cougars!
General Information
Oakton Pyramid Joins FCPS Region 5
With the opening of Skyview High School, FCPS is implementing several changes to school pyramid and region assignments effective Monday, September 14. As a result, the Oakton Pyramid is now part of Region 5.
The pyramid includes Oakton High School, Franklin Middle School, and Crossfield, Mosaic, Navy, Oakton, and Waples Mill elementary schools.
Please keep in mind that these changes are administrative only. They do not impact school boundaries, instruction, or supports available to students and families. We are sharing this information in case you require support at the region level in the future.
Visit the FCPS website to learn more about Region 5.
Notification of Gate Closure
Starting this week two gates at Oakton High School, including the gate behind the visitor bleachers at the stadium and the gate off of Sutton Road near the back soccer field, will be closed each day from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm.
Oakton High School National Honors Society Invitations
All eligible 11th and 12th grade students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher received an invitation to apply to Oakton’s National Honor Society on September 11th . Students received this invitation through their FCPSschools.net email.
All information for the application process was included in the letter. Current NHS members DO NOT need to reapply. Any student who has transferred to Oakton in the past year who had membership in another established NHS program should contact Ms. Organt at maorgant@fcps.edu.
More information about Oakton’s NHS can be found on the Oakton website under “National Honor Society”.
Applications are due by October 16, 2025 at 3:00pm.
Oakton Multilingual (ML) Family Information and Engagement Night
Please join us on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. This is an event you don't want to miss!
Location: Oakton High School. College and Career Center Room 1102
Come in Through Door 1
Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Please join us for a school information night specifically for families who are multilingual. This means that a language other than English is spoken in your home. At the event you will learn about all Oakton High school has to offer, support for technology resources (SIS, Schoology, Parent VUE). Please bring a cellphone or other device that can connect to Wi-Fi.
Light refreshments will be served.
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.
Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
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”.
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to your child’s administrator. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Help Keep Our School Phone-Free: Updates to the FCPS Cellphone Policy
Please remind your student that high schoolers can no longer use their cellphones and other devices during lunch time, and that students must use FCPS-issued devices for school-related digital activities during the instructional day.
Personal electronic communication or computing devices must be off and personally stored (such as in a backpack) for the duration of the school day. This includes personal laptops and tablets, smartphones and smartwatches, and other similar devices.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at 703-319-2773. Learn more about the FCPS Cellphone Policy and Device Policy.
Field Hockey - Senior Night: Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 pm
Friday Football Game v. Colonial Forge is Military Appreciation Night. As a thank you for your service, all active or retired military members get in free with military identification.
Football Game Safety and Security Update
As we prepare for another exciting fall sports season, FCPS is implementing additional safety and security measures at all varsity football games.
Beginning this season, all spectators will participate in security screening using the same weapons detection technology introduced in our high schools last school year. A standardized bag policy will also be in place to help ensure a safe, efficient entry process for everyone attending our games. The following items are prohibited:
- Backpacks
- Purses
- Fanny packs
- Tote bags
- Outside food and beverages
- Sporting equipment (balls, bats, sticks, etc.)
- Any item prohibited by FCPS policy, or determined by event staff to present safety concerns
Approved bags are limited to:
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12”x6”x12”
- Small clutch bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”
- Medical and diaper bags permitted but subject to inspection
As a reminder, middle school students and younger students must be accompanied by a responsible adult who remains with the student(s) at the event.
These enhancements are designed to support a safe and welcoming environment while allowing families, students, and community members to enjoy Friday night football. We encourage attendees to arrive a little earlier than usual to allow time for screening. Get more information about weapons screening at football games.
Testing Information
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT Testing Day
SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 7, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.
Unscheduled Day for 9th Grade Students - October 7
Because of the testing, most 9th grade students will not have school on October 7. Students are encouraged to complete any missing work or assignments that need to be completed prior to the end of the first quarter.
Ninth grade students with disabilities who receive low incidence special education services will still receive in-person instruction with a two-hour early release on October 7.
Contact the Student Services team at your child’s school with any questions. Learn more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
World Language Credit by Exam
Students in grades 7–12 who demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English may earn world language credit through the World Language Credit by Exam (WLCBE). The exam may also support course placement and eligibility for the Virginia Seal of Biliteracy.
Oakton High School will administer the exam November 12–13, 2026. Registration is due to students’ counselors by October 16, 2026. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Learn more about the WLCBE | View available languages | Access the registration form
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 were limited to space available.
At this time, schedule changes are now closed.
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.
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:
- Review and Sign the SR&R
- Your Child Belongs at School
- What’s for Lunch? Check the FCPS App
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division. You are invited to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates at 6:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted):
- Wednesday, September 16, 6:45 p.m., at McNair Elementary School
- Monday, September 28, at Riverside Elementary School
- Monday, October 19, at Spring Hill Elementary School
- Monday, October 26, at Beech Tree Elementary School
- Thursday, October 29, at North Springfield Elementary School
- Friday, November 13, at Colin Powell Elementary School
Registration links will be shared soon. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are one-hour long and open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
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.
PSAT / SAT Mock Test on September 19:
Experience real test conditions and receive a follow-up consultation with a test prep advisor to review your detailed score analysis. Register today with code TESTREADY25 for a discounted price of $25!
Your voice. Your ideas. Our Oakton.
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