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 The Marching Cougars at Saturday's state assessment competition.
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.
November 2-3 - No School for Students
November 4 - First day of 2nd Quarter
November 9 - Winter Sports Tryouts Begin (see details below under Activities)
November 10 - Veterans Day Celebration
November 10 - Brain Breaks (Grades 9/10)
November 12-13 - Final Senior Portraits Session
November 13 - Underclass portrait make ups
November 16 - Winter Sports Meet the Teams / Parents Night
November 20 - Cougar Commendations (nominations for staff available below)
November 25-27 - No School, Thanksgiving
December 4 - Religious and Cultural Observance (evening only) - Chanukah
December 8 - Religious and Cultural Observance - Bodhi Day
December 21-January 1 - No School, Winter Break
Message from the Principal
Oakton Families,
As we conclude the first quarter of the school year and transition into the second, it has been an incredible journey. Moving into Quarter 2, our commitment remains the same: creating a strong foundation where every student can thrive—where potential becomes excellence—with a steadfast focus on our core values of Community, Integrity, and Respect.
It has been a true joy to witness high levels of student engagement in our classrooms, hallways, and events outside of the school day. I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to take part in so many of these activities, and I am reminded every day of the message I shared when we started this journey together—drawing from PJ Fleck’s Row the Boat. Watching our students and staff keep their oars in the water, row in the same direction, and support one another through every challenge and victory is what makes our community so special.
We have so much to celebrate across our performing arts programs as our students continue to shine at the state and regional levels:
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Senior All-Virginia Honors Choir: Four of our Chorus Seniors were accepted into the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) Senior All-Virginia Honors Choir. Oakton had the 3rd highest number of students accepted of any school in the entire state!
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State Marching Band Assessment: The Marching Cougars rounded out their season with a stellar performance on Saturday, receiving the highest possible rating of "I: Superior" from the panel of adjudicators.
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Senior Regional Orchestra: Congratulations to the 10 Orchestra students and 1 Band student who earned acceptance into the Senior Regional Orchestra!
Our student-athletes continue to achieve incredible milestones:
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A huge congratulations to our Field Hockey team for capturing the Region Title last Thursday evening!
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Congratulations to our Varsity Football team for moving to 9-0 on the season with a thrilling overtime victory on Friday night!
Good luck to all of our teams as they continue through postseason play!
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Have a wonderful week—and Go Cougars!
General Information
Faculty and Staff Cougar Commendation Nominations
So often faculty and staff members’ hard work, passion, and innovation go unnoticed. Cougar Commendations for faculty/staff allow us to recognize a colleague for their work towards Oakton’s Core Values, and you can find out more about Oakton’s core values, and our mission and vision, on our website. Please use this link to nominate faculty/staff members for their noteworthy endeavors.
Please note that students are also eligible to be nominated by Oakton staff members and will be recognized in a ceremony at Oakton on November 20.
Please 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. Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is how we ensure we receive all the resources available to us from the federal government. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Encouraging Regular Attendance
Regular attendance is a good habit to establish in childhood. It can lead to greater success in high school, college, and careers. Teachers and students miss your child when they can’t make it to school. If you or your family need support, please reach out to your school's front office. We are here for you!
If students miss too much school, school staff may reach out to the family to partner with them on addressing barriers to regular attendance. Visit the FCPS website for attendance resources.
OAKTON PANTRY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Our pantry needs volunteers for our Thursday’s curbside distribution. We serve our community from 3:15pm to 4:15pm by providing bagged pantry goods that are distributed outside of our school building. If you have an hour to help, we would deeply appreciate it. You don’t have to commit to every Thursday! If you find that you can, please email us at oaktonpantry@gmail.com
Oakton Pantry Holiday Season Update
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 use the link below to provide gift cards for our families.
Sign up Genius
Thanksgiving gift cards are due by Monday, November 16, 2025.
Holiday gift cards are due by Friday, December 11, 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!
If you feel your family needs assistance during the holiday season, please email Ms. Bonnie Robertson (bmrobertson@fcps.edu).
It’s Time to Order Your Yearbook! Prices will increase soon and significantly as the year progresses. The 300-page book cost $65 until mid-December but don’t delay. We will run out. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770.
As we approach the exciting culmination of your student's high school journey, why not create a lasting memory by recognizing your student in the 2026 Yearbook through a personalized senior ad? Space is limited to act now. This year, we are offering the following senior ad page sizes to accommodate all preferences and budgets:
- Full Page - $450
- Half Page - $225
- Quarter Page - $120
- Eighth Page - $60
- Sixteenth Page - $35
Whether you choose a heartfelt message, a collection of photos, or a combination of both, this senior ad is a perfect way to highlight your student's unique accomplishments, friendships, and experiences. To reserve a page, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use code 4770. Please contact Mr. Fortner, the Oakton High School yearbook advisor, at bjfortner@fcps.edu with any questions.
We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 together!
Student Activities
Winter sports tryouts begin November 9th. Before trying out, all students must be registered in Final Forms with a current physical uploaded. If you need to check your registration status, please visit the Activities Office prior to the start of tryouts.
On Monday, November 9th, all winter tryout participants must check in at the Activities Office (can come any time during the day). Once cleared, you will receive a wristband required for participation.
Tryout Schedule
Girls and Boys Basketball - 11/9, 11/10, 11/11 ** coaches will give you the schedule for the rest of the week**
Main Gym
VBB 3:15-5:30pm
F/JVGBB 5:30-7:30pm
JVBB 7:30-9:30pm
Aux Gym
VGBB 3:15-5:30pm
FBB 5:30-7:15pm
Gymnastics:
7:15-9:15pm - Aux Gym - 11/9, 11/10, 11/11
Boys / Girls Wrestling
4-6pm - Wrestling room
Winter Track
3:30-5:30 - Track - 11/9, 11/10. 11/11, 11/12, 11/13
10-11:30am - Track Saturday 11/14
Cheer
6-8:30pm - Studio - 11/9, 11/10, 11/11
Swim
4:45-5:45pm - Oakmont Rec Center - 11/9, 11/10, 11/11, 11/12
- Monday November 9th & Tuesday November 10th will run as a swim practice
- Wednesday November 13th & Thursday November 14th are required tryout days
Dive
TBD - Oakmont Rec Center
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If you have specific questions, please reach out to the coach directly.
Boys Basketball: David Brooks dmbrooks@fcps.edu
Girls Basketball: Fred Priester fpreister@fcps.edu
Gymnastics: Mady Belknap mbelknap@fcps.edu
Boys Wrestling: David McClary dmcclary@fcps.edu
Girls Wrestling: Jeff Lewis jdlewis1@fcps.edu
Swim/Dive: Nathan Pawlowicz njpawlowicz@fcps.edu
Track: Marlo Mullen mlmullen@fcps.edu
Winter Cheer: Krystal Melendez kvmelendez@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, we are currently accepting schedule change requests on a limited basis, subject to space availability. Please have your child (using their @fcpsschools.net account) fill out this form to request a schedule change. This form will close on November 13, 2026.
For any questions you may have, contact your child’s school counselor.
Federal Student Aid Form Open
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. In addition, states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and loans.
The 2027-28 FAFSA is now open.
Health and Wellness Updates
Growing Together: Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at Home
Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to:
- Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
- Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
- Support your child’s social and emotional development.
- Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together.
Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Skyview High School and Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage.
Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu.
💻 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:
- Family Academy Events
- Resource Fair for Students with Disabilities
- Science Fair Judges Needed
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Hear From Parents, Students, and Others at the Special Education Family Conference Opening Session
The annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
New this year, the conference will open with an inspiring panel discussion featuring voices from across our school community: an FCPS student, a high school principal, a community partner, and an FCPS parent.
Panelists will share personal experiences and practical ideas for building supportive, inclusive communities where students can thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
Register to attend and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage to learn more about the panelists. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Maintain Access to Your Child’s Grades and Assignments: Download the New ParentVUE App
New ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile apps launched in July. Be sure to download the new app before winter break. After that time, you will need to use the new mobile app or a web browser to access ParentVUE or StudentVUE.
For instructions on installing the new apps and learning more about the updated login process, visit ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile app resources. If you need assistance, please submit a Parent Support Request.
PTSA News
PTSA Needs YOU!
🌟 Help Build a Stronger Oakton Community!
Are you a connector who loves bringing people and organizations together? The Oakton HS PTSA is looking for a Business & Community Partnerships Chair to help build relationships with local businesses and community organizations, create new opportunities for collaboration, and bring donations and resources that support our students, staff, programs, and events.
This is a great opportunity to make connections, strengthen our community, and make a visible impact at Oakton!
Interested in helping us build what’s possible at Oakton? Join our PTSA leadership team!
👉 Explore Open Leadership Roles & Apply Here
🎓 Help Make Oakton’s All Night Grad Party Unforgettable! 🎉
Let’s give our seniors a fun, memorable, and SAFE graduation celebration! We need the Oakton community’s support to make this year’s All Night Grad Party (ANGP) the best yet!
Here’s how you can help:
🙌 Ready to help? Email oaktonhsangp@gmail.com
Every donation, volunteer, and sponsor makes a difference. Let’s celebrate our seniors in style! 💙💛
Oakton PTSA Mini-Grants – Apply Today!
Have an idea that could benefit Oakton students? The Oakton PTSA is offering Mini-Grants of up to $300 to help fund projects, activities, and resources that make a positive impact on our school community. Oakton teachers, staff, and students representing school clubs are eligible to apply and must be current Oakton PTSA members. Funding is limited, so apply early! Applications are due November 16, 2026, with awards announced the week of December 14. Apply for a Mini-Grant Here!
Join us on Tuesday, November 17th at 7:00 PM
PTSA Members Meeting — Oakton High School
Join. Connect. Shape Oakton. Questions about the PTSA, contact us at oaktonhsptsa@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram. For more information, visit our website.
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