Principal Updates - January 20

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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

January 20 - No School; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Inauguration Day 

January 28 - Second Quarter Ends (Full School Day) 

January 29 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday, Lunar New Year 

January 31 - Rising Junior registration begins (tentative) 

February 4 - Junior Family College Night (Virtual) 

February 17 - No School, Presidents Day 

Today we honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedication to equality and serving others. 

General Information Second Quarter Center Tutor-a-thon

Students are invited to come to the Tutor-a-thon and lock in.  The Center hopes to be the key to their success!

The Center is hosting it's second tutor-a-thon of the quarter on January 22 from 3:00-4:30pm in the cafeteria. All students are invited to attend to get help before the quarter ends, study with a peer tutor, teacher, or in study groups.

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SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey Coming Soon

All FCPS families and middle and high school students will be receiving an email invitation on Tuesday, January 21, to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available from January 21 to February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!

Quarter End 

Tuesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter. Please note that Tuesday, January 28 is a full day of school. Lunar New Year is on Wednesday, January 29. The day will be a teacher workday and there will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar

Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child. 

Senior Deadline for X2VOL Hours

All Senior Service-Learning hours for Seniors must be submitted no later than April 25th at 3pm to guarantee they are approved for graduation accomplishments. Hours posted past the deadline will not be guaranteed to be counted toward awards and recognition for Seniors. Please submit all hours into X2VOL for approval no later than April 25th at 3pm.

To learn more about Senior awards and recognition for graduation click HERE. This includes all Service-Learning Recognitions for graduation and their requirements. Any questions regarding this information can be forwarded to Mrs. Kimberly Stewart, the Service Learning Liaison, at OHS at [email protected]

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  January Newsletter 

Happy New Year Cougars!  Take a look at January’s newsletter that covers information about course registration for the ’24-’25 school year and learn more about the FAFSA and upcoming workshops. 

Junior Family College Night – February 4, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30pm (Virtual)

Junior families please mark your calendars for Junior Family College Night. This event is for junior students and their families to hear directly from college admissions representatives in a panel format.

Topics include:

  1. Starting the College Search and Finding the Right Fit
  2. Preparing for the College Application Process
  3. Understanding Key Aspects of College Applications

The zoom link will be emailed to junior families the last week of January via eNotify "Oakton High School."  

Student Course Registration - 2025-2026 School Year

Student course registration is here!  Students will register for their courses January 13-March 5.  .  

More information on course registration can  be found on the Oakton HS website.  

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

  • Current academic strengths and habits.
  • Graduation requirements
  • Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
  • Personal well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.

🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

✈️ Learn About Opportunities for the Year Following Graduation at the Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas will co-host the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 6-8:30 p.m., at Marshall High School

This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning about opportunities for the year following high school graduation. Students should register at USA Gap Year Fairs

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Dress Children Warmly
  • Proposed Construction Projects
  • Dual Language Immersion Lottery

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

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 
  • Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

PTSA Updates Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - January 13

GovDelivery1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

January 14 - Sense of Belonging Parent Feedback Meeting (5:30-6:30pm) 

January 15 - Curriculum Night (4:30-6:30pm)

January 20 - No School; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Inauguration Day 

January 28 - Second Quarter Ends (Full School Day) 

January 29 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday, Lunar New Year 

January 31 - Rising Junior registration begins (tentative) 

February 4 - Junior Family College Night (Virtual) 

General Information Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVueLearn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.

Sense of Belonging Parent Feedback Meeting - January 14 

This year we created a School Improvement and Innovation Goal around increasing student sense of belonging.  We made this decision as we felt it directly connected with the work we did last school year around establishing school core values and rewriting our school mission and vision.  

To enhance our plans around increasing student sense of belonging, we would love to hear from our parent community.  We want to offer the opportunity to hear your perspective as the individuals who know your children best.  We also want to ensure that Oakton High School is also a place where our parents feel a sense of belonging.  

If you are interested, we would love to have you attend on January 14, 2025 at 5:30pm -6:30pm in the Lecture Hall.  Please enter in Door 2 and go up the stairs.  The Lecture Hall is at the top of the stairs.

We will review Oakton data from the SEL Screener around “Sense of Belonging”.  We will also spend time discussing the potential “why” behind the data and recommendations for how we might better ensure a deeper sense of belonging among all students at Oakton High School.  We will also share what the students who are involved in the Principal’s Advisory Committee identified going through this same exercise in the fall.  

Senior Deadline for X2VOL Hours

All Senior Service-Learning hours for Seniors must be submitted no later than April 25th at 3pm to guarantee they are approved for graduation accomplishments. Hours posted past the deadline will not be guaranteed to be counted toward awards and recognition for Seniors. Please submit all hours into X2VOL for approval no later than April 25th at 3pm.

To learn more about Senior awards and recognition for graduation click HERE. This includes all Service-Learning Recognitions for graduation and their requirements. Any questions regarding this information can be forwarded to Mrs. Kimberly Stewart, the Service Learning Liaison, at OHS at [email protected]

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering 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. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors

📵 Phones Down, Engagement Up: FCPS Cell Phone Policy

Keeping cell phones off during the school day helps students focus and learn. It also boosts positive social behavior. Review FCPS’ cell phone expectations by grade level with your child and help keep our classrooms free of distractions! If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call our main office, 703-319-2701. 

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  January Newsletter 

Happy New Year Cougars!  Take a look at January’s newsletter that covers information about course registration for the ’24-’25 school year and learn more about the FAFSA and upcoming workshops. 

Junior Family College Night – February 4, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30pm (Virtual)

Junior families please mark your calendars for Junior Family College Night. This event is for junior students and their families to hear directly from college admissions representatives in a panel format.

Topics include:

  1. Starting the College Search and Finding the Right Fit
  2. Preparing for the College Application Process
  3. Understanding Key Aspects of College Applications

The zoom link will be emailed to junior families the last week of January via eNotify "Oakton High School."  

Student Course Registration - 2025-2026 School Year

Student course registration is right around the corner!  Students will register for their courses January 13-March 5.  We provided students with an overview regarding registration on Thursday, December 19 and again on Friday, January 10 during Cougar Connect.  We also invite students and parents to our Curriculum Night on January 15 (rescheduled date) .  

More information on course registration can  be found on the Oakton HS website.  

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

  • Current academic strengths and habits.
  • Graduation requirements
  • Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
  • Personal well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.

Curriculum Night - January 15, 2025

Save the Date for Oakton's Curriculum Night: Thursday, January 15, 2025 from 4:30-6:30 pm. See our flyer here

Parents and students are welcome to come learn more about our course offerings for the 2025-2026 school year.  

We will have a few optional parent presentations that you can attend. In addition, we will have a fair style event with teacher representatives for elective and core classes. Staff will be able to answer questions and you will have the opportunity to learn more about Oakton’s course offerings. The itinerary is as follows:

  • Curriculum Fair: 4:30 - 6:30 pm (Various Locations)
  • Registration Overview Presentation: 4:30-5:00 pm (Auditorium)
  • Special Education Session: 5:15 - 5:45 pm (Auditorium)
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available. 

Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.

In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 28, 2025: The Gap Year Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the same time and location.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • National Merit Commended Scholars
  • Celebrating the Best of 2024 in FCPS
  • Cell Phones Off, Learning On

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

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

  • Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 
  • Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

PTSA Updates Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - January 6

GovDelivery2 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

January 6 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Three Kings Day/Epiphany) - Snow Day (Schools Closed) 

January 7 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Orthodox Christmas); Rising Senior registration begins 

January 9 - Curriculum Night (4:30-6:30pm) - Save the Date 

January 14 - Sense of Belonging Parent Feedback Meeting 

January 20 - No School; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Inauguration Day 

January 28 - Rising Senior registration ends; Second Quarter Ends

January 29 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday, Lunar New Year 

January 31 - Rising Junior registration begins 

January - National Mentoring Month 

Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are. Learn more about Mentoring Month.

Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.

All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.

The FCPS MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at [email protected].  

General Information Sense of Belonging Parent Feedback Meeting 

This year we created a School Improvement and Innovation Goal around increasing student sense of belonging.  We made this decision as we felt it directly connected with the work we did last school year around establishing school core values and rewriting our school mission and vision.  

To enhance our plans around increasing student sense of belonging, we would love to hear from our parent community.  We want to offer the opportunity to hear your perspective as the individuals who know your children best.  We also want to ensure that Oakton High School is also a place where our parents feel a sense of belonging.  

If you are interested, we would love to have you attend on January 14, 2025 at 5:30pm -6:30pm in the Lecture Hall.  We will review Oakton data from the SEL Screener around “Sense of Belonging”.  We will also spend time discussing the potential “why” behind the data and recommendations for how we might better ensure a deeper sense of belonging among all students at Oakton High School.  We will also share what the students who are involved in the Principal’s Advisory Committee identified going through this same exercise in the fall.  

Senior Deadline for X2VOL Hours

All Senior Service-Learning hours for Seniors must be submitted no later than April 25th at 3pm to guarantee they are approved for graduation accomplishments. Hours posted past the deadline will not be guaranteed to be counted toward awards and recognition for Seniors. Please submit all hours into X2VOL for approval no later than April 25th at 3pm.

To learn more about Senior awards and recognition for graduation click HERE. This includes all Service-Learning Recognitions for graduation and their requirements. Any questions regarding this information can be forwarded to Mrs. Kimberly Stewart, the Service Learning Liaison, at OHS at [email protected]

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  Student Course Registration - 2025-2026 School Year

Student course registration is right around the corner!  Students will register for their courses January 6-March 5.  We will provide students with an overview regarding registration on Thursday, December 19 during Cougar Connect.  We also invite students and parents to our Curriculum Night on January 9.  

More information on course registration can  be found on the Oakton HS website.  

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

  • Current academic strengths and habits.
  • Graduation requirements
  • Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
  • Personal well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.

Curriculum Night - January 9, 2025

Save the Date for Oakton's Curriculum Night: Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 4:30-6:30 pm. See our flyer here

Parents and students are welcome to come learn more about our course offerings for the 2025-2026 school year.  

We will have a few optional parent presentations that you can attend. In addition, we will have a fair style event with teacher representatives for elective and core classes. Staff will be able to answer questions and you will have the opportunity to learn more about Oakton’s course offerings. The itinerary is as follows:

  • Curriculum Fair: 4:30 - 6:30 pm (Various Locations)
  • Registration Overview Presentation: 4:30-5:00 pm (Auditorium)
  • Special Education Session: 5:15 - 5:45 pm (Auditorium)
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available. 

Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.

In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 28, 2025: The Gap Year Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the same time and location.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
  • Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
  • Fall 2024 Sports Champions

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

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

  • Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 
  • Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

PTSA Updates Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - December 30

GovDelivery3 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.

From the Oakton family to yours, have a wonderful winter break! For those celebrating, enjoy the holidays and Happy New Year to all!  School will resume for students on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break (No School) 

January 6 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Three Kings Day/Epiphany)

January 7 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Orthodox Christmas); Rising Senior registration begins 

January 9 - Curriculum Night (4:30-6:30pm) - Save the Date 

January 14 - Sense of Belonging Parent Feedback Meeting 

January 28 - Rising Senior registration ends; Second Quarter Ends

January 29 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday, Lunar New Year 

January 31 - Rising Junior registration begins 

 

Oakton Accolades

Please check out our updated Oakton Accolades section!  This portion of our website seeks to highlight various celebrations throughout the school year.  We update this sight every few months.  

If you have an achievement you would like to share regarding your child, please send to Mrs. Lane at [email protected]!  

General Information Winter Break

Students will be on Winter Break from December 23 to January 3.  During that time, the main office will be closed. 

Upon student return, no assessments will be given, nor assignments due on January 6-7 so that all can fully enjoy the break!  New material can be covered on those days. 

Wishing all who celebrate holidays during this time a wonderful holiday season! 

⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures. 

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.

Sense of Belonging Parent Feedback Meeting 

This year we created a School Improvement and Innovation Goal around increasing student sense of belonging.  We made this decision as we felt it directly connected with the work we did last school year around establishing school core values and rewriting our school mission and vision.  

To enhance our plans around increasing student sense of belonging, we would love to hear from our parent community.  We want to offer the opportunity to hear your perspective as the individuals who know your children best.  We also want to ensure that Oakton High School is also a place where our parents feel a sense of belonging.  

If you are interested, we would love to have you attend on January 14, 2025 at 5:30pm -6:30pm in the Lecture Hall.  We will review Oakton data from the SEL Screener around “Sense of Belonging”.  We will also spend time discussing the potential “why” behind the data and recommendations for how we might better ensure a deeper sense of belonging among all students at Oakton High School.  We will also share what the students who are involved in the Principal’s Advisory Committee identified going through this same exercise in the fall.  

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  Student Course Registration - 2025-2026 School Year

Student course registration is right around the corner!  Students will register for their courses January 6-March 5.  We will provide students with an overview regarding registration on Thursday, December 19 during Cougar Connect.  We also invite students and parents to our Curriculum Night on January 9.  

More information on course registration can  be found on the Oakton HS website.  

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

  • Current academic strengths and habits.
  • Graduation requirements
  • Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
  • Personal well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.

Curriculum Night - January 9, 2025

Save the Date for Oakton's Curriculum Night: Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 4:30-6:30 pm. See our flyer here

Parents and students are welcome to come learn more about our course offerings for the 2025-2026 school year.  

We will have a few optional parent presentations that you can attend. In addition, we will have a fair style event with teacher representatives for elective and core classes. Staff will be able to answer questions and you will have the opportunity to learn more about Oakton’s course offerings. The itinerary is as follows:

  • Curriculum Fair: 4:30 - 6:30 pm (Various Locations)
  • Registration Overview Presentation: 4:30-5:00 pm (Auditorium)
  • Special Education Session: 5:15 - 5:45 pm (Auditorium)
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available. 

Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.

In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 28, 2025: The Gap Year Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the same time and location.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
  • Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
  • Fall 2024 Sports Champions

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

📣 Sign Up and Speak Out: Fairfax County’s Pre-2025 Session Public Hearing

The Fairfax County delegation to the Virginia General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2025 session on Saturday, January 4, at 9 a.m., in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center

As Fairfax County residents, you may sign up in advance to speak at the hearing and let the delegation know what matters most to you. To participate, register online using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) by noon on Thursday, January 2. Find additional guidelines for speaking at the public forum on the Fairfax County Government website. 

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

  • Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 
  • Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

PTSA Updates Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - December 23

GovDelivery4 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

As a reminder, winter break will be held Monday, December 23, to Friday, January 3. To help make sure you and your children have a restful break, we have asked that no homework be assigned during this time. Teachers may assign long-range assignments in the weeks ahead of the break, allowing students to practice time management skills, but no assignments will be due immediately following the break. We look forward to welcoming students back in the new year.

From the Oakton family to yours, have a wonderful winter break! For those celebrating, enjoy the holidays. School will resume for students on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break (No School) 

January 6 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Three Kings Day/Epiphany)

January 7 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Orthodox Christmas); Rising Senior registration begins 

January 9 - Curriculum Night (4:30-6:30pm) - Save the Date 

January 14 - Sense of Belonging Parent Feedback Meeting 

January 28 - Rising Senior registration ends; Second Quarter Ends

January 29 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday, Lunar New Year 

January 31 - Rising Junior registration begins 

 

Oakton Accolades

Please check out our updated Oakton Accolades section!  This portion of our website seeks to highlight various celebrations throughout the school year.  We update this sight every few months.  

If you have an achievement you would like to share regarding your child, please send to Mrs. Lane at [email protected]!  

General Information Winter Break

Students will be on Winter Break from December 23 to January 3.  During that time, the main office will be closed. 

Upon student return, no assessments will be given, nor assignments due on January 6-7 so that all can fully enjoy the break!  New material can be covered on those days. 

Wishing all who celebrate holidays during this time a wonderful holiday season! 

⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures. 

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.

Sense of Belonging Parent Feedback Meeting 

This year we created a School Improvement and Innovation Goal around increasing student sense of belonging.  We made this decision as we felt it directly connected with the work we did last school year around establishing school core values and rewriting our school mission and vision.  

To enhance our plans around increasing student sense of belonging, we would love to hear from our parent community.  We want to offer the opportunity to hear your perspective as the individuals who know your children best.  We also want to ensure that Oakton High School is also a place where our parents feel a sense of belonging.  

If you are interested, we would love to have you attend on January 14, 2025 at 5:30pm -6:30pm in the Lecture Hall.  We will review Oakton data from the SEL Screener around “Sense of Belonging”.  We will also spend time discussing the potential “why” behind the data and recommendations for how we might better ensure a deeper sense of belonging among all students at Oakton High School.  We will also share what the students who are involved in the Principal’s Advisory Committee identified going through this same exercise in the fall.  

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  Student Course Registration - 2025-2026 School Year

Student course registration is right around the corner!  Students will register for their courses January 6-March 5.  We will provide students with an overview regarding registration on Thursday, December 19 during Cougar Connect.  We also invite students and parents to our Curriculum Night on January 9.  

More information on course registration can  be found on the Oakton HS website.  

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

  • Current academic strengths and habits.
  • Graduation requirements
  • Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
  • Personal well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.

Curriculum Night - January 9, 2025

Save the Date for Oakton's Curriculum Night: Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 4:30-6:30 pm. See our flyer here

Parents and students are welcome to come learn more about our course offerings for the 2025-2026 school year.  

We will have a few optional parent presentations that you can attend. In addition, we will have a fair style event with teacher representatives for elective and core classes. Staff will be able to answer questions and you will have the opportunity to learn more about Oakton’s course offerings. The itinerary is as follows:

  • Curriculum Fair: 4:30 - 6:30 pm (Various Locations)
  • Registration Overview Presentation: 4:30-5:00 pm (Auditorium)
  • Special Education Session: 5:15 - 5:45 pm (Auditorium)
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available. 

Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.

In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 28, 2025: The Gap Year Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the same time and location.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
  • Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
  • Fall 2024 Sports Champions

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

📣 Sign Up and Speak Out: Fairfax County’s Pre-2025 Session Public Hearing

The Fairfax County delegation to the Virginia General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2025 session on Saturday, January 4, at 9 a.m., in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center

As Fairfax County residents, you may sign up in advance to speak at the hearing and let the delegation know what matters most to you. To participate, register online using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) by noon on Thursday, January 2. Find additional guidelines for speaking at the public forum on the Fairfax County Government website. 

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Upcoming Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

  • Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 
  • Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 
  • Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

PTSA Updates Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - December 16

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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

December 16 - Parent Coffee (Virtual) 

December 17 - Signs of Suicide Screening Concludes (11th Grade) 

December 18 - FCPS Boundary Review Community Meeting - Region 1 (see below) 

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break (No School) 

January 6 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Three Kings Day/Epiphany)

January 7 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Orthodox Christmas); Rising Senior registration begins 

January 9 - Curriculum Night (4:30-6:30pm) - Save the Date 

January 28 - Rising Senior registration ends; Second Quarter Ends

January 29 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday, Lunar New Year 

January 31 - Rising Junior registration begins 

 

Oakton Accolades

Please check out our updated Oakton Accolades section!  This portion of our website seeks to highlight various celebrations throughout the school year.  We update this sight every few months.  

If you have an achievement you would like to share regarding your child, please send to Mrs. Lane at [email protected]!  

General Information Winter Break

Students will be on Winter Break from December 23 to January 3.  During that time, the main office will be closed. 

Upon student return, no assessments will be given, nor assignments due on January 6-7 so that all can fully enjoy the break!  New material can be covered on those days. 

Wishing all who celebrate holidays during this time a wonderful holiday season! 

⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures.

Student Attendance

The holiday season is almost upon us!  With that, we recognize that many families may have travel plans that could impact school attendance.  The FCPS and Oakton 2024-2025 calendar can be found here for your reference. 

We ask that, if possible, please let us know of any planned absences as soon as you can.  That will help our attendance office staff manage the increase in calls that we typically see around this time.  Please see our Attendance Procedures and Forms page for reporting absences via ParentVue, the attendance line, and our prearranged absence form (found at the bottom of the page). 

For future travel planning, the 2025-2026 school year calendars have already been released and can be found on the FCPS website under calendars.  We strongly encourage families to schedule travel plans within the established school breaks to minimize student absences. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s administrator

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  Student Course Registration - 2025-2026 School Year

Student course registration is right around the corner!  Students will register for their courses January 6-March 5.  We will provide students with an overview regarding registration on Thursday, December 19 during Cougar Connect.  We also invite students and parents to our Curriculum Night on January 9.  

More information on course registration can  be found on the Oakton HS website.  

As students choose courses, it is important to remind them to consider the following:

  • Current academic strengths and habits.
  • Graduation requirements
  • Interests and career and postsecondary goals.
  • Personal well-being.
  • Extracurricular activities and other commitments that may impact students’ time and energy.

School-life balance is an important consideration as students strive for academic and personal success.

Curriculum Night - January 9, 2025

Save the Date for Oakton's Curriculum Night: Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 4:30-6:30 pm. See our flyer here

Parents and students are welcome to come learn more about our course offerings for the 2025-2026 school year.  

We will have a few optional parent presentations that you can attend. In addition, we will have a fair style event with teacher representatives for elective and core classes. Staff will be able to answer questions and you will have the opportunity to learn more about Oakton’s course offerings. The itinerary is as follows:

  • Curriculum Fair: 4:30 - 6:30 pm (Various Locations)
  • Registration Overview Presentation: 4:30-5:00 pm (Auditorium)
  • Special Education Session: 5:15 - 5:45 pm (Auditorium)
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin in January!

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in January.

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and view the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available. 

Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.

In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 28, 2025: The Gap Year Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the same time and location.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
  • Join Our Teacher Team!
  • Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

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

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

  • Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
  • Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
  • SEL Screener Results
  • New Accessibility Resources
  • Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
  • Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
  • VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
  • Executive Functioning Webinars
  • Early Literacy Resources
  • ESY and Assessment Webinar
  • COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Please note that several options include recommendations to change start times of all three levels (elementary, middle, and high).  

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. 

With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region (Region 1), which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

PTSA Updates Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - December 9

GovDelivery1 month 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

December 9-11 - Signs of Suicide Screening Continues (11th Grade) 

December 9 - Senior Portraits (Added Session) 

December 11 - Senior Portraits (Updated Final Session) 

December 16 - Parent Coffee (Virtual) 

December 17 - Signs of Suicide Screening Concludes (11th Grade) 

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break (No School) 

January 6 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Three Kings Day/Epiphany)

January 7 - Assessment Blackout Date; Religious and Cultural Observation Day (Orthodox Christmas); Rising Senior registration begins 

January 9 - Curriculum Night (4:30-6:30pm) - Save the Date 

January 28 - Rising Senior registration ends; Second Quarter Ends

January 29 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday, Lunar New Year 

January 31 - Rising Junior registration begins 

 

Arrival and Dismissal Reminders

Just a few friendly reminders regarding arrival and dismissal for students.  As always, we appreciate the understanding of all so we may ensure a safe environment for all and ensure we are not unnecessarily impacting our surrounding neighborhoods.  

  • Please follow the established kiss-and-ride traffic pattern, as well as traffic laws.  Dropping students off in the middle of the street and making illegal U-turns creates concern for the safety of all.  In addition, please refrain from using nearby neighborhoods for drop-off and pick-up locations.  
  • Please follow the directions of our crossing guard.  Her primary role is to ensure the safe passage of students walking to school. In addition, she works closely with the school to resolve traffic back-ups to keep the lines moving.  
  • Student walkers should be sure to pay full attention to their surroundings. We encourage a family conversation around what this looks like for students.  Including: looking both ways when crossing the road; removing earbuds; not being on the phone when crossing the street; etc.
  • Student walkers should also be mindful of private property and avoid taking shortcuts that impact private property. 
  • Drivers are encouraged to pay attention to staff and crossing guard direction.  We also encourage all to avoid high rates of speed when entering and leaving the campus to ensure a safe environment. 
  • All students are encouraged to ensure they are getting to school on-time.  We have seen a dramatic increase in student tardiness in the past few weeks.    
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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible. The form pops up automatically for you to complete when you log in using a computer, not the phone application.  

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Student Experience Survey

Students received this survey via their fcpsschools.net email account on Monday, December 2.  Students were provided time during Cougar Connect on Thursday, December 5 to complete the survey.  If you opted your child out of the survey, they did not receive the email with the survey.   

Students may still take the survey at home, if preferred. The survey will remain open until December 13, 2024. 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Student Attendance

The holiday season is almost upon us!  With that, we recognize that many families may have travel plans that could impact school attendance.  The FCPS and Oakton 2024-2025 calendar can be found here for your reference. 

We ask that, if possible, please let us know of any planned absences as soon as you can.  That will help our attendance office staff manage the increase in calls that we typically see around this time.  Please see our Attendance Procedures and Forms page for reporting absences via ParentVue, the attendance line, and our prearranged absence form (found at the bottom of the page). 

For future travel planning, the 2025-2026 school year calendars have already been released and can be found on the FCPS website under calendars.  We strongly encourage families to schedule travel plans within the established school breaks to minimize student absences. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s administrator

December Parent Coffee

All families are invited to attend our virtual parent coffee on December 16, 2024 at 10:00am.  This session will focus on the registration process for the 2025-2026 school year.  We will present some information and then allow for questions.  

The link will be sent out the morning of the parent coffee.  The presentation along with the recording will be posted on the Parent Schoology account for those who are unable to attend.  

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. We have added two additional days to accommodate our remaining seniors who need to sit for their portraits.  These are the final opportunities for senior portraits for the Class of 2025. 

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4)
  • December 9 (Session 5) 
  • December 11 (Session 6) 

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00-8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00-6:45 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 6:45-8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available. 

Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.

In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 28, 2025: The Gap Year Fair will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at the same time and location.

Financial Aid 101 Webinars for Students and Parents 

High school students, parents, and guardians who are interested in learning about financial aid options for college are invited to attend one of the Financial Aid 101 webinars hosted by Level Up Virginia and Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA).  

Topics covered include Federal Financial Aid, State Financial Aid, Application Tips, and Q & A. 

Register today to attend on December 12, 2024, from 6 to 7:15 p.m.  Sessions are free and will cover the same information. Please see the Financial Aid 101 flyer for more information. 

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Family Academy Orientation
  • Literacy Resources
  • Winter Programs and Activities

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

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Please note that several options include recommendations to change start times of all three levels (elementary, middle, and high).  

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. 

With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region (Region 1), which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

PTSA Updates Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - December 2

GovDelivery1 month 2 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

December 2-3 - Assessment Blackout Dates 

December 3 - Signs of Suicide Screening Begins (11th Grade) 

December 4 - Winter Tutor-a-thon 

December 5 - Student Experience Survey (Cougar Connect: 9th-12th Grade)

December 8 - Bodhi Day 

December 9-11 - Signs of Suicide Screening Continues (11th Grade) 

December 9 - Senior Portraits (Added Session) 

December 11 - Senior Portraits (Updated Final Session) 

December 17 - Signs of Suicide Screening Concludes (11th Grade) 

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break (No School) 

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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible. The form pops up automatically for you to complete when you log in using a computer, not the phone application.  

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Upcoming Student Experience Survey

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for FCPS’ Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

Students will receive the survey via their fcpsschools.net email account on Monday, December 2.  Students will be provided time during Cougar Connect on Thursday, December 5 to complete the survey.  If you opted your child out of the survey, they will not receive the email.   

Any student may take the survey at home, if preferred. 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Student Attendance

The holiday season is almost upon us!  With that, we recognize that many families may have travel plans that could impact school attendance.  The FCPS and Oakton 2024-2025 calendar can be found here for your reference. 

We ask that, if possible, please let us know of any planned absences as soon as you can.  That will help our attendance office staff manage the increase in calls that we typically see around this time.  Please see our Attendance Procedures and Forms page for reporting absences via ParentVue, the attendance line, and our prearranged absence form (found at the bottom of the page). 

For future travel planning, the 2025-2026 school year calendars have already been released and can be found on the FCPS website under calendars.  We strongly encourage families to schedule travel plans within the established school breaks to minimize student absences. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s administrator

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. We have added two additional days to accommodate our remaining seniors who need to sit for their portraits.  

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4)
  • December 9 (Session 5) 
  • December 11 (Session 6) 

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00- 8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. Student registration will open on November 20, 2024.

Financial Aid 101 Webinars for Students and Parents 

High school students, parents, and guardians who are interested in learning about financial aid options for college are invited to attend one of the Financial Aid 101 webinars hosted by Level Up Virginia and Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA).  

Topics covered include Federal Financial Aid, State Financial Aid, Application Tips, and Q & A. 

Register today to attend a session December 5 or December 12, 2024, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Both sessions are free and will cover the same information. Please see the Financial Aid 101 flyer for more information. 

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact us. 

Register for ParentVUE: Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Preparing for Winter Weather
  • SEL Screener Results
  • Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport

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

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. 

With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region (Region 1), which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

PTSA Updates Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - November 25

GovDelivery1 month 3 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break 

December 2-3 - Assessment Blackout Dates 

December 3 - Signs of Suicide Screening Begins (11th Grade) 

December 5 - Student Experience Survey (Cougar Connect: 9th-12th Grade)

December 8 - Bodhi Day 

December 9-11 - Signs of Suicide Screening Continues (11th Grade) 

December 9 - Senior Portraits (Added Session) 

December 11 - Senior Portraits (Updated Final Session) 

December 17 - Signs of Suicide Screening Concludes (11th Grade) 

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break (No School) 

From our Oakton family to yours, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Schools and offices will be closed November 27-29. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving.  

General Information Assessment Blackout Dates

To ensure that our students and families can fully participate, rest, and recharge over the Thanksgiving Break, no assessments will be given upon our return on December 2 or December 3.  In addition, no assignments will be due on those days that would require students to work over the break.  New material can be covered, and assignments completed in class can be collected for a grade.  

The same will be true upon our return from winter break (January 6-7) and spring break (April 21-22).  

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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible. The form pops up automatically for you to complete when you log in using a computer, not the phone application.  

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Make-up & Retake Images Now Available for 9th-11th Grade

Makeup/Retake Day images are now viewable online. Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc and use your student ID when prompted for the online code.

For questions regarding school pictures, please email: [email protected]

Upcoming Student Experience Survey

Our school has been selected to participate in a pilot program for FCPS’ Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

Students will receive the survey via their fcpsschools.net email account on Monday, December 2.  Students will be provided time during Cougar Connect on Thursday, December 5 to complete the survey.  If you opted your child out of the survey, they will not receive the email.   

Any student may take the survey at home, if preferred. 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

Report Cards 

Students’ 1st quarter report cards are now available in ParentVUE. Parents can log into ParentVUE and then look under “Documents” at the file “QTR1_2024-24_Oakton HS.” For parents without ParentVUE access, the report cards will be mailed home. If you would like to request ParentVUE access, you may contact Patrick Chang at [email protected] or 703-319-2810.  

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. We have added two additional days to accommodate our remaining seniors who need to sit for their portraits.  

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4)
  • December 9 (Session 5) 
  • December 11 (Session 6) 

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

❄️  Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.

Student Services Updates  SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00- 8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. Student registration will open on November 20, 2024.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact us. 

Register for ParentVUE: Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates Handwashing

As we transition into the fall and winter seasons, it's important to remind our students, staff, and families about the importance of practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. These simple practices can significantly reduce the spread of germs, particularly during the upcoming holiday season when gatherings and travel increase.

Key Reminders:

  • Wash Hands Frequently 
  • Use Hand Sanitizer.
  • Cover Coughs and Sneezes
  • Avoid Touching Face
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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Preparing for Winter Weather
  • SEL Screener Results
  • Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport

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

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. 

With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region (Region 1), which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

PTSA Updates

Thank you, dear parents, for your support for The Monthly Teachers and Staff Breakfast! Your efforts are truly appreciated.  Thank you for supporting the PTSA and our wonderful school faculty and staff!

Membership Meeting

The Monthly Membership meeting will be held on the 21st November 2024 at 7p.m. Please join the zoom link on the Oakton HS PTSA website.

Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Mini-Grant Update

Congratulations to the following club/department that received the grant this session!

  • Library
  • AVID Department
  • Health and PE
  • Math Olympiad Club
  • World Language (Chinese Honor Society)
  • OHS Robotics
  • Oakton Rocketry
  • STEM Club 

Important note: The grantees need to pay out-of-pocket first, then submit for reimbursement with the PTSA. The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA no later than 5/31/2025. Please download the reimbursement form from the Oakton PTSA website.

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - November 18

GovDelivery2 months ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

November 18-19;21 - Signs of Suicide (SOS) Screener (9th Grade) 

November 18 - Fairfax County Youth Survey (Cougar Connect:10th/12th Grade)

November 20 - Senior Portraits 

November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break 

December 5 - Student Experience Survey (Cougar Connect: 9th-12th Grade)

December 9 - Senior Portraits (Added Session) 

December 11 - Senior Portraits (Updated Final Session) 

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break 

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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible. The form pops up automatically for you to complete when you log in using a computer, not the phone application.  

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Report Cards 

Students’ 1st quarter report cards are now available in ParentVUE. Parents can log into ParentVUE and then look under “Documents” at the file “QTR1_2024-24_Oakton HS.” For parents without ParentVUE access, the report cards will be mailed home. If you would like to request ParentVUE access, you may contact Patrick Chang at [email protected] or 703-319-2810.

November Parent Coffee

Thanks to all who attended our November Parent Coffee.  The presentation is now available on the parent schoology page.  If you have any ideas for upcoming parent coffee topics, please email Jamie Lane at [email protected].  

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. We have added two additional days to accommodate our remaining seniors who need to sit for their portraits.  

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4)
  • December 9 (Session 5) 
  • December 11 (Session 6) 

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  SAVE THE DATE - 2025 Gap Year Fair

FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00- 8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and their families who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. Student registration will open on November 20, 2024.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Veterans Day Recognitions
  • Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, and Community Leadership
  • Teacher Hiring Event

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

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region (Region 1), which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage

PTSA Updates

Thank you, dear parents, for your support for The Monthly Teachers and Staff Breakfast! Your efforts are truly appreciated.  Thank you for supporting the PTSA and our wonderful school faculty and staff!

Membership Meeting

The Monthly Membership meeting will be held on the 21st November 2024 at 7p.m. Please join the zoom link on the Oakton HS PTSA website.

Fundraiser

This fundraiser allows 100% of your donations to be used in supporting the PTSA and its activities. Your donations are tax deductible as well! Please note that we depend on donations. Without your donations, the PTSA will be unable to financially support such programs and events as mentioned above. We only ask that you be as generous as your budget allows, no amount is too small.  Together we can make a difference! Please join the PTSA & show support. Many companies participate in matching gift programs. You can double or even triple your generous donations! Donations are always kept confidential. You can also send us checks addressed to Oakton High School PTSA. It’s even easy to join and/or pay via credit card by clicking on this link and ‘Thank you’ in advance for your support and generosity. If you have any questions about the PTSA please email us at [email protected]

Mini-Grant Update

Congratulations to the following club/department that received the grant this session!

  • Library
  • AVID Department
  • Health and PE
  • Math Olympiad Club
  • World Language (Chinese Honor Society)
  • OHS Robotics
  • Oakton Rocketry
  • STEM Club 

Important note: The grantees need to pay out-of-pocket first, then submit for reimbursement with the PTSA. The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA no later than 5/31/2025. Please download the reimbursement form from the Oakton PTSA website.

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Join the PTSA 

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - November 11

GovDelivery2 months 1 week ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day; Winter Sports Tryouts Begin 

November 12 - Academic Awards (Return Periods); Hearing & Vision Screening (10th Grade); Veterans Day Speaker Series (11th Grade)

November 13 - Hearing & Vision Screening (10th Grade); Veterans Day Speaker Series (11th Grade)

November 14 - Parent Coffee - Student Supports (Virtual); Human Trafficking Community Conversations (Evening); Signs of Suicide (SOS) Screener begins (9th Grade)

November 18-20 - Signs of Suicide (SOS) Screener (9th Grade) 

November 20 - Senior Portraits (Final Session) 

November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break 

December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break 

Today we take a moment to appreciate and honor the service of our veterans.  Thank you!  

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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible. The form pops up automatically for you to complete when you log in using a computer, not the phone application.  

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

November Parent Coffee

On November 14, 2024 at 9:00am we invite our families to our next virtual parent coffee.  A link will be sent out in advance of the parent coffee for those who wish to join.  The topic for the month of November is around student and family supports.  This session will be led by our Director of Student Services, Jen Hogan.  You will hear more about the following supports available to students at Oakton. 

  • Administration
  • College & Career Specialist 
  • Family Liaison
  • School Social Worker
  • School Psychologist 
  • Student Services/School Counselors
  • Substance Abuse and Prevention Specialist
  • Systems of Support Advisor 

There will be a brief presentation followed by a time of Q&A.  The presentation and recording will be posted on the parent schoology page following the meeting.

Human Trafficking Awareness Conference

Hosted by Oakton High School

When: Thursday, November 14
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Oakton High School, Lecture Hall

Join us for an informative evening aimed at raising awareness about human trafficking in our community. This conference will provide valuable insights into recognizing the signs of trafficking, understanding its impact, and learning how we can work together to combat this issue.

Who Should Attend?
Families, educators, and community members are encouraged to participate.

Guest Speakers:
ATI Anti-Trafficking International

Don’t miss this important opportunity to learn and engage!

For more information, contact:
Mirtha Mutis   703-319-2787

Multilingual Learners Day of Service

Our Voices, Our Future: A Multilingual Learners Day of Service is available to FCPS high school students as an opportunity to explore multilingualism as a strength in developing leadership and advocacy skills. The event will be held Saturday, November 16, 9-11:30 a.m., at Edison High School. José Luis Zelaya, who spoke at last year's Multilingual Learners Summit, will be a special guest.

High school students are invited to network with their peers and staff, and learn how their interests and strengths can lead to future success. College and career readiness resources will be available. Students should register in advance and bring their FCPS laptops to the workshop.   

Learn more about the event and watch videos from previous multilingual learner events.

Vision & Hearing Screening - Parent Volunteers Needed

Parent Volunteers are needed for the 10th grade Vision and Hearing Screening on November 12 -13, 2024. 

Volunteer shifts will be from 8:20 AM – 2:30 PM (2 – 6 hour shifts available). No training is needed.

Also, we welcome volunteers to help provide care for our students and assist with administrative duties throughout the school year. No prior medical experience is necessary.

If interested, please contact Christina Magnotti, Health Room Aide, 703-319-2710 or [email protected].

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. Our final sessions will be held in October and November. 

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4 - final opportunity)

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  Academic Letter Awards Celebration

November 12 during Cougar Time

On Tuesday, November 12, Oakton will recognize 900 students who have earned an Academic Award. Academic Awards are based on last year’s high school GPA (4.0 and higher). First time award recipients will receive an academic letter and a pin. Returning recipients will receive a pin to be placed on the academic letter they received in a previous year. Recipients received an invitation to this event via email on October 30. This is a student only event.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Fall Testing Results
  • Boundary Review Community Meetings
  • 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

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

PTSA Updates

Thank you, Dear Parents, for your support for The Monthly Teachers and Staff Breakfast! Your efforts are truly appreciated.  Thank you for supporting the PTSA and our wonderful school faculty and staff!

Congratulations!! to our 900 Academic Award Winners and their parents! You make us proud!  The Oakton PTSA will be participating  by sponsoring Donuts! Way to go Cougars!

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - November 4

GovDelivery2 months 2 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

November 4 - Student Holiday, School Planning Day

November 5 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday 

November 6 - Underclassmen Picture Retakes/Make-up 

November 6-8 - World Language Credit Exam 

November 7 - Immunization Clinic 

November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day 

November 12 - Academic Awards (Return Periods) 

November 14 - Parent Coffee - Student Supports 

November 20 - Senior Portraits (Final Session) 

November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break 

Calendar Reminder

Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday.

See the complete school year calendar.

In November we recognize:  Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. 

National Family Engagement Month

This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.

Oakton was thrilled to welcome Ms. Mirtha Mutis Benitez as our new family liaison in October.  She can be reached at 703-319-2787 if you have any questions.  Ms. Mutis Benitez comes to us from Thoreau Middle School so she is familiar with our school community and many of our students and families.  

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.

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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible. The form pops up automatically for you to complete when you log in using a computer, not the phone application.  

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Upcoming Picture Days 

Underclass picture day is coming up! Victor O’Neill will be back on Wednesday, November 6 for student picture day. This is available to any student who was absent at the original session, is new to OHS since picture day, or did not like their original portrait. If a student purchased the photo package and would like a new picture, they have to bring the photo package with them.

Pictures will be held in Oakton Hall from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Students will need to ask their teacher to get their pictures taken, as there will not be a set schedule. Students who Oakton has as missing their picture will receive an email this week reminding them of picture day as well.  We will send out information shortly regarding the upcoming senior portrait session on November 20 to senior families only.

Questions about picture day? Email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

November Parent Coffee

On November 14, 2024 at 9:00am we invite our families to our next virtual parent coffee.  A link will be sent out in advance of the parent coffee for those who wish to join.  The topic for the month of November is around student and family supports.  This session will be led by our Director of Student Services, Jen Hogan.  You will hear more about the following supports available to students at Oakton. 

  • Administration
  • College & Career Specialist 
  • Family Liaison
  • School Social Worker
  • School Psychologist 
  • Student Services/School Counselors
  • Substance Abuse and Prevention Specialist
  • Systems of Support Advisor 

There will be a brief presentation followed by a time of Q&A.  The presentation and recording will be posted on the parent schoology page following the meeting.

Vision & Hearing Screening - Parent Volunteers Needed

Parent Volunteers are needed for the 10th grade Vision and Hearing Screening on November 12 -13, 2024. 

Volunteer shifts will be from 8:20 AM – 2:30 PM (2 – 6 hour shifts available). No training is needed.

Also, we welcome volunteers to help provide care for our students and assist with administrative duties throughout the school year. No prior medical experience is necessary.

If interested, please contact Christina Magnotti, Health Room Aide, 703-319-2710 or [email protected].

2025 Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School (SRGS)

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) offers the opportunity for 10th and 11th grade students to apply to attend summer residential Governor’s schools in Academics and Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – this is NOT for World Language Governor’s School. Students who are accepted into one of the programs will live in residence halls at one of the state colleges in VA for four weeks in the June - late July timeframe. To learn more about SRGS opportunities and the application process, visit the VDOE website.

To be considered for an academic or VPA Governor’s school, students must complete the steps below:

  1. Complete the interest form linked below for either Academics or VPA. The form is a required part of the application process and is due November 6th. No late entries will be accepted. When completing the form, enter a personal email address and do NOT use an fcpsschools.net email address. VDOE cannot send communications to the fcpsschools.net domain.
    1. Academic Interest form
    2. Visual and Performing Arts Interest form
  2. Complete the application for the specific program you wish to apply to and return to your school counselor who is supervising the Governor’s School application process.
    1. Academic applications are due to the school on December 13, 2024.
    2. VPA applications are due to the school on January 31, 2025.
Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) Parent Presentation

HIPS is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior.  This allows parents the opportunity to interact with police officers and various props.  

This year we are offering two HIPS sessions in collaboration with Madison HS.  The fall offering will be at Madison High School on November 7, 2024.  The winter offering will be at Oakton High School on February 11, 2025.  

More information can be found in this flyer

If you are interested in attending on November 7 at Madison HS, please register for the event using this link. A registration link for the February 11 event at Oakton HS will come out closer to the event date. 

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Veterans Day Presentations  

To honor the tradition of military family connectedness at Oakton High School, United States history teachers are seeking staff and community members who are veterans or active-duty personnel interested in speaking with students about their service experiences on Tuesday, November 12th and/or Wednesday, November 13th.

This celebration of Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity for students to better understand the sacrifices made by veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Additionally, students benefit from learning about the military as a potential career option. School appropriate service artifacts are welcomed and encouraged.

Zoom or Google Meet options available if currently out of the area.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please complete THIS FORM and we will follow up with additional details.

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. Our final sessions will be held in October and November. 

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4 - final opportunity)

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  Academic Letter Awards Celebration

November 12 during Cougar Time

On Tuesday, November 12, Oakton will recognize 900 students who have earned an Academic Award. Academic Awards are based on last year’s high school GPA (4.0 and higher). First time award recipients will receive an academic letter and a pin. Returning recipients will receive a pin to be placed on the academic letter they received in a previous year. Recipients received an invitation to this event via email on October 30. This is a student only event.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Testing Updates & Information 2024 WIDA Alternate ACCESS Scores

2024 WIDA Alternate ACCESS scores are now available. Families can access score reports through SIS ParentVUE. If you do not have a ParentVUE account, your child’s score report will be provided by Oakton HS in the coming weeks. 

PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day Scores Available 

PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day scores were released to students on Thursday, October 24. Those students who participated in make-up testing will have access to score reports by November 7. Students may access their scores through the BigFuture School mobile app or their College Board account. During Advisory on Friday, October 25, students were provided a lesson to help understand their SAT and PSAT/NMSQT scores and the National Merit Program.

Health and Wellness Updates Fall Immunization Clinic at Oakton High School

Oakton High School will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on Thursday, November 7th in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Oakton High School may participate in the clinic.

The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic: 

  • Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

Find additional information for each vaccine. 

If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide: 

  • Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.
  • A copy of their immunization records (if available).
  • A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required. 

Please bring your signed consent form to our front office by Friday, November 1st, in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our front office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Lorie Jreige at [email protected] with any immunization questions.  

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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Calendar Reminders
  • Resources for Families 
  • Complete Impact Aid Survey

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

PTSA Updates

Thank you, Dear Parents, for your support for The Monthly Teachers and Staff Breakfast! Your efforts are truly appreciated.  Thank you for supporting the PTSA and our wonderful school faculty and staff!

Congratulations!! to our 900 Academic Award Winners and their parents! You make us proud!  The Oakton PTSA will be participating  by sponsoring Donuts! Way to go Cougars!

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - October 28

GovDelivery2 months 3 weeks ago

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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

October 29 - HBCU Fair (Return Periods) 

October 30 - Leadership Trunk or Treat, 6-8pm (Oakton HS parking lot) 

October 31 - Last day of 1st Quarter; 2 Hr. Early Release; Happy Halloween 

November 1 - No School, Diwali; All Saints Day; Dia de los Muertos 

November 4 - Student Holiday, School Planning Day

November 5 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday 

November 6 - Underclassmen Picture Retakes/Make-up 

November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day 

November 12 - Academic Awards (Return Periods) 

November 20 - Senior Portraits (Final Session) 

November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break 

Calendar Reminder

Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.

Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.

Diwali (Friday, Nov. 1):🪔 We wish a fun Diwali to all celebrating! Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. 

All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos (Friday, Nov. 1):This week we recognize those in our community observing All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos. For Catholics, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all those who are with God in Heaven, known and unknown. All Souls Day (November 2), known in Mexico and Latin America as Día de los Muertos, is a day of remembrance and prayer for all those who have died, especially for the souls who may be in purgatory. These special days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants throughout the world. 

Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday.

See the complete school year calendar.

Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back)

This Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!

General Information FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the Oakton High School Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for an Oakton High School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the Google form link.  You may make more than one nomination. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Please note that to submit for each of the categories you must scroll to the bottom of the page and click "next" to see the nomination page you are interested in submitting. 

The Employee Awards announcement on the Oakton HS website has more information regarding the criteria and eligibility for each of the awards. Nominations will close Oct. 29, 2024, at 11:59pm

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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible. The form pops up automatically for you to complete when you log in using a computer, not the phone application.  

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Upcoming Picture Days 

Underclass picture day is coming up! Victor O’Neill will be back on Wednesday, November 6 for student picture day. This is available to any student who was absent at the original session, is new to OHS since picture day, or did not like their original portrait. If a student purchased the photo package and would like a new picture, they have to bring the photo package with them.

Pictures will be held in Oakton Hall from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Students will need to ask their teacher to get their pictures taken, as there will not be a set schedule. Students who Oakton has as missing their picture will receive an email this week reminding them of picture day as well.  We will send out information shortly regarding the upcoming senior portrait session on November 20 to senior families only.

Questions about picture day? Email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

Vision & Hearing Screening - Parent Volunteers Needed

Parent Volunteers are needed for the 10th grade Vision and Hearing Screening on November 12 -13, 2024. 

Volunteer shifts will be from 8:20 AM – 2:30 PM (2 – 6 hour shifts available). No training is needed.

Also, we welcome volunteers to help provide care for our students and assist with administrative duties throughout the school year. No prior medical experience is necessary.

If interested, please contact Christina Magnotti, Health Room Aide, 703-319-2710 or [email protected].

Varsity Tutors - Online Tutoring Services

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with additional resources for learning.  Every student is able to take advantage of these services at no expense to the family.  Tutoring is available in both English and Spanish.  

The following services are available: 

  1. On-Demand Chat Tutoring
  2. Live Group Classes
  3. Essay Review
  4. College & Career Readiness
  5. Assessment & Self-Study

For more information, please visit the FCPS website.  

2025 Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School (SRGS)

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) offers the opportunity for 10th and 11th grade students to apply to attend summer residential Governor’s schools in Academics and Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – this is NOT for World Language Governor’s School. Students who are accepted into one of the programs will live in residence halls at one of the state colleges in VA for four weeks in the June - late July timeframe. To learn more about SRGS opportunities and the application process, visit the VDOE website.

To be considered for an academic or VPA Governor’s school, students must complete the steps below:

  1. Complete the interest form linked below for either Academics or VPA. The form is a required part of the application process and is due November 6th. No late entries will be accepted. When completing the form, enter a personal email address and do NOT use an fcpsschools.net email address. VDOE cannot send communications to the fcpsschools.net domain.
    1. Academic Interest form
    2. Visual and Performing Arts Interest form
  2. Attend our school interest meeting which will take place on Oct. 25 at 10:45 in the Career Center. Attendance at the meeting is optional but strongly encouraged.
  3. Complete the application for the specific program you wish to apply to and return to your school counselor who is supervising the Governor’s School application process.
    1. Academic applications are due to the school on December 13, 2024.
    2. VPA applications are due to the school on January 31, 2025.
Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) Parent Presentation

HIPS is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior.  This allows parents the opportunity to interact with police officers and various props.  

This year we are offering two HIPS sessions in collaboration with Madison HS.  The fall offering will be at Madison High School on November 7, 2024.  The winter offering will be at Oakton High School on February 11, 2025.  

More information can be found in this flyer

If you are interested in attending on November 7 at Madison HS, please register for the event using this link. A registration link for the February 11 event at Oakton HS will come out closer to the event date. 

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Veterans Day Presentations  

To honor the tradition of military family connectedness at Oakton High School, United States history teachers are seeking staff and community members who are veterans or active-duty personnel interested in speaking with students about their service experiences on Tuesday, November 12th and/or Wednesday, November 13th.

This celebration of Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity for students to better understand the sacrifices made by veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Additionally, students benefit from learning about the military as a potential career option. School appropriate service artifacts are welcomed and encouraged.

Zoom or Google Meet options available if currently out of the area.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please complete THIS FORM and we will follow up with additional details.

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. Our final sessions will be held in October and November. 

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4 - final opportunity)

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Veterans Day Drive 

In honor of Veterans Day, Oakton High School and Oakton Leadership is putting on a donation drive to support active-duty military overseas. The donation drive drop offs will be on October 29th and 30th, from 7:30-8:10 AM and 3:00-5:00 PM, here at Oakton! Please consider donating the following items and join us in supporting our U.S. troops.

The donation items include toothpaste, deodorant, shower wipes, nonperishable items (trail mix, granola bars, jerky, candy, etc.), small games/playing cards, and letters of support and appreciation.

Donations can be dropped off in the kiss and ride line and in the main office inside Door 1 before and after school where Leadership students will be waiting to collect and sort your donations.

If you have any questions please reach out to Megan Baird ([email protected]) or Gene Farrell ([email protected]) and we look forward to honoring our U.S. troops together!

Student Services Updates  October Newsletter 

Happy Fall Cougars!  Take a look at the October newsletter for Student Services to learn more about the College & Career Center updates including college admissions reps, scholarships, job and internship seminar, and HBCU fair.  The newsletter also provides the recording for senior parent night, testing updates, and community resources.  Upcoming events include the SEL Screener, Freshman Parent Night, National Merit Reception, Brain Breaks, World Language Credit Exam, and more. 

HBCU Fair

Oakton's Black Student Union is excited to host our second Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Fair on October 29th during return both periods. We will be featuring  institutions like Florida A&M University, Morgan State, Bowie State, and more! 

The fair is open to all grades and all students, so we highly encourage everyone to stop by the Aux Gym and explore your options for higher education. 

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Testing Updates & Information 2024 WIDA Alternate ACCESS Scores

2024 WIDA Alternate ACCESS scores are now available. Families can access score reports through SIS ParentVUE. If you do not have a ParentVUE account, your child’s score report will be provided by Oakton HS in the coming weeks. 

PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day Scores Available 

PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day scores were released to students on Thursday, October 24. Those students who participated in make-up testing will have access to score reports by November 7. Students may access their scores through the BigFuture School mobile app or their College Board account. During Advisory on Friday, October 25, students were provided a lesson to help understand their SAT and PSAT/NMSQT scores and the National Merit Program.

Health and Wellness Updates Fall Immunization Clinic at Oakton High School

Oakton High School will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on Thursday, November 7th in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Oakton High School may participate in the clinic.

The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic: 

  • Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

Find additional information for each vaccine. 

If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide: 

  • Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.
  • A copy of their immunization records (if available).
  • A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required. 

Please bring your signed consent form to our front office by Friday, November 1st, in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our front office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Lorie Jreige at [email protected] with any immunization questions.  

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Federal Impact Aid Survey
  • Football Players Tackle Literacy
  • Tips to Keep Children Safe

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

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click on a date below to register:

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

PTSA Updates

Thank you, Dear Parents, for your support for The Monthly Teachers and Staff Breakfast! Your efforts are truly appreciated.  Thank you for supporting the PTSA and our wonderful school faculty and staff!

Congratulations!! to our 900 Academic Award Winners and their parents! You make us proud!  The Oakton PTSA will be participating  by sponsoring Donuts! Way to go Cougars!

The Oakton PTSA Mini-Grants are here! 

Grant requests should provide a beneficial impact to a wide range of students and a long-term/sustainable benefit to the school. Priority consideration is given to items not already available at school and that are not readily obtained through direct donation from other sources. Grants work in the form of reimbursement. The grantees need to pay out-of-pocket first, then submit for reimbursement with the PTSA. The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA no later than 5/31/2025.

Requirements: 

  1. Applicants must be a teacher or represent a club at Oakton HS. 
  2. Applicants must also be Oakton PTSA Members.
  3. Application deadline: October 31, 2024
  4. Award announcement: Week of November 11, 2024

The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA: no later than 5/31/2025

Apply here

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - October 21

GovDelivery2 months 4 weeks ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

October 31 - Last day of 1st Quarter; 2 Hr. Early Release; Happy Halloween 

November 1 - No School, Diwali; All Saints Day; Dia de los Muertos 

November 4 - Student Holiday, School Planning Day

November 5 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday 

November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day 

November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break 

General Information Calendar Reminder

Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.

Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.

Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday.

See the complete school year calendar.

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the Oakton High School Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for an Oakton High School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the Google form link.  You may make more than one nomination. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Please note that to submit for each of the categories you must scroll to the bottom of the page and click "next" to see the nomination page you are interested in submitting. 

The Employee Awards announcement on the Oakton HS website has more information regarding the criteria and eligibility for each of the awards. Nominations will close Oct. 29, 2024, at 11:59pm. 

Vision & Hearing Screening - Parent Volunteers Needed

Parent Volunteers are needed for the 10th grade Vision and Hearing Screening on November 12 -13, 2024. 

Volunteer shifts will be from 8:20 AM – 2:30 PM (2 – 6 hour shifts available). No training is needed.

Also, we welcome volunteers to help provide care for our students and assist with administrative duties throughout the school year. No prior medical experience is necessary.

If interested, please contact Christina Magnotti, Health Room Aide, 703-319-2710 or [email protected].

Varsity Tutors - Online Tutoring Services

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with additional resources for learning.  Every student is able to take advantage of these services at no expense to the family.  Tutoring is available in both English and Spanish.  

The following services are available: 

  1. On-Demand Chat Tutoring
  2. Live Group Classes
  3. Essay Review
  4. College & Career Readiness
  5. Assessment & Self-Study

For more information, please visit the FCPS website.  

2025 Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School (SRGS)

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) offers the opportunity for 10th and 11th grade students to apply to attend summer residential Governor’s schools in Academics and Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – this is NOT for World Language Governor’s School. Students who are accepted into one of the programs will live in residence halls at one of the state colleges in VA for four weeks in the June - late July timeframe. To learn more about SRGS opportunities and the application process, visit the VDOE website.

To be considered for an academic or VPA Governor’s school, students must complete the steps below:

  1. Complete the interest form linked below for either Academics or VPA. The form is a required part of the application process and is due November 6th. No late entries will be accepted. When completing the form, enter a personal email address and do NOT use an fcpsschools.net email address. VDOE cannot send communications to the fcpsschools.net domain.
    1. Academic Interest form
    2. Visual and Performing Arts Interest form
  2. Attend our school interest meeting which will take place on Oct. 25 at 10:45 in the Career Center. Attendance at the meeting is optional but strongly encouraged.
  3. Complete the application for the specific program you wish to apply to and return to your school counselor who is supervising the Governor’s School application process.
    1. Academic applications are due to the school on December 13, 2024.
    2. VPA applications are due to the school on January 31, 2025.
Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) Parent Presentation

HIPS is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior.  This allows parents the opportunity to interact with police officers and various props.  

This year we are offering two HIPS sessions in collaboration with Madison HS.  The fall offering will be at Madison High School on November 7, 2024.  The winter offering will be at Oakton High School on February 11, 2025.  

More information can be found in this flyer

If you are interested in attending on November 7 at Madison HS, please register for the event using this link. A registration link for the February 11 event at Oakton HS will come out closer to the event date. 

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Veterans Day Presentations  

To honor the tradition of military family connectedness at Oakton High School, United States history teachers are seeking staff and community members who are veterans or active-duty personnel interested in speaking with students about their service experiences on Tuesday, November 12th and/or Wednesday, November 13th.

This celebration of Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity for students to better understand the sacrifices made by veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Additionally, students benefit from learning about the military as a potential career option. School appropriate service artifacts are welcomed and encouraged.

Zoom or Google Meet options available if currently out of the area.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please complete THIS FORM and we will follow up with additional details.

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. Our final sessions will be held in October and November. 

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4 - final opportunity)

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Veterans Day Drive 

In honor of Veterans Day, Oakton High School and Oakton Leadership is putting on a donation drive to support active-duty military overseas. The donation drive drop offs will be on October 29th and 30th, from 7:30-8:10 AM and 3:00-5:00 PM, here at Oakton! Please consider donating the following items and join us in supporting our U.S. troops.

The donation items include toothpaste, deodorant, shower wipes, nonperishable items (trail mix, granola bars, jerky, candy, etc.), small games/playing cards, and letters of support and appreciation.

Donations can be dropped off in the kiss and ride line and in the main office inside Door 1 before and after school where Leadership students will be waiting to collect and sort your donations.

If you have any questions please reach out to Megan Baird ([email protected]) or Gene Farrell ([email protected]) and we look forward to honoring our U.S. troops together!

Student Services Updates  October Newsletter 

Happy Fall Cougars!  Take a look at the October newsletter for Student Services to learn more about the College & Career Center updates including college admissions reps, scholarships, job and internship seminar, and HBCU fair.  The newsletter also provides the recording for senior parent night, testing updates, and community resources.  Upcoming events include the SEL Screener, Freshman Parent Night, National Merit Reception, Brain Breaks, World Language Credit Exam, and more. 

🎓 Help Your Student Prepare for the Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights

The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00-6:30 p.m.

Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies.

Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 5- 8p.m. Both events will help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. 

Students may REGISTER HERE.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Testing Updates & Information 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 20th. Payment can be submitted through My School Bucks or check made out to Oakton High School. 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 [email protected].

Health and Wellness Updates Fall Immunization Clinic at Oakton High School

Oakton High School will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on Thursday, November 7th in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Oakton High School may participate in the clinic.

The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic: 

  • Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

Find additional information for each vaccine. 

If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide: 

  • Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.
  • A copy of their immunization records (if available).
  • A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required. 

Please bring your signed consent form to our front office by Friday, November 1st, in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our front office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Lorie Jreige at [email protected] with any immunization questions.  

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will host immunization clinics for any FCPS student age 18 or younger at Frost Middle School on Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students age 18 or younger to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic

Students age 19 and older may access free immunizations at their middle/high school immunization clinic, the Fairfax County Health Department or through other community resources.

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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • FCPS Family Orientation
  • Community Conversations
  • Immunization Clinics

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

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click on a date below to register:

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

PTSA Updates The Oakton PTSA Mini-Grants are here! 

Grant requests should provide a beneficial impact to a wide range of students and a long-term/sustainable benefit to the school. Priority consideration is given to items not already available at school and that are not readily obtained through direct donation from other sources. Grants work in the form of reimbursement. The grantees need to pay out-of-pocket first, then submit for reimbursement with the PTSA. The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA no later than 5/31/2025.

Requirements: 

  1. Applicants must be a teacher or represent a club at Oakton HS. 
  2. Applicants must also be Oakton PTSA Members.
  3. Application deadline: October 31, 2024
  4. Award announcement: Week of November 11, 2024

The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA: no later than 5/31/2025

Apply here

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - October 14

GovDelivery3 months ago

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day for Indigenous Peoples' Day. See the complete school year calendar.

Oakton High School honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present.

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

October 14 - No School, Staff Development Day (Indigenous Peoples Day) 

October 16 - The Center - Tutor-a-thon 

October 31 - Last day of 1st Quarter; 2 Hr. Early Release; Happy Halloween 

November 1 - No School, Diwali; All Saints Day; Dia de los Muertos 

November 4 - Student Holiday, School Planning Day

November 5 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday 

November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day 

November 27-29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break 

General Information FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards

Nominations are now open for the Oakton High School Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for an Oakton High School Outstanding Employee, please complete the nomination through the Google form link.  You may make more than one nomination. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. 

The Employee Awards announcement on the Oakton HS website has more information regarding the criteria and eligibility for each of the awards. Nominations will close Oct. 29, 2024, at 11:59pm. 

Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) Parent Presentation

HIPS is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior.  This allows parents the opportunity to interact with police officers and various props.  

This year we are offering two HIPS sessions in collaboration with Madison HS.  The fall offering will be at Madison High School on November 7, 2024.  The winter offering will be at Oakton High School on February 11, 2025.  

More information can be found in this flyer

If you are interested in attending on November 7 at Madison HS, please register for the event using this link. A registration link for the February 11 event at Oakton HS will come out closer to the event date. 

Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Veterans Day Presentations  

To honor the tradition of military family connectedness at Oakton High School, United States history teachers are seeking staff and community members who are veterans or active-duty personnel interested in speaking with students about their service experiences on Tuesday, November 12th and/or Wednesday, November 13th.

This celebration of Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity for students to better understand the sacrifices made by veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Additionally, students benefit from learning about the military as a potential career option. School appropriate service artifacts are welcomed and encouraged.

Zoom or Google Meet options available if currently out of the area.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please complete THIS FORM and we will follow up with additional details.

Fall Immunization Clinic at Oakton High School

Oakton High School will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on Thursday, November 7th in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Oakton High School may participate in the clinic.

The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic: 

  • Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

Find additional information for each vaccine. 

If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide: 

  • Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.
  • A copy of their immunization records (if available).
  • A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required. 

Please bring your signed consent form to our front office by Friday, November 1st, in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our front office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Lorie Jreige at [email protected] with any immunization questions.  

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. Our final sessions will be held in October and November. 

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4 - final opportunity)

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

Student Services Updates  October Newsletter 

Happy Fall Cougars!  Take a look at the October newsletter for Student Services to learn more about the College & Career Center updates including college admissions reps, scholarships, job and internship seminar, and HBCU fair.  The newsletter also provides the recording for senior parent night, testing updates, and community resources.  Upcoming events include the SEL Screener, Freshman Parent Night, National Merit Reception, Brain Breaks, World Language Credit Exam, and more. 

🎓 Help Your Student Prepare for the Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights

The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00-6:30 p.m.

Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies.

Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 5- 8p.m. Both events will help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. 

Students may REGISTER HERE.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Testing Updates & Information 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 20th. Payment can be submitted through My School Bucks or check made out to Oakton High School. 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 [email protected].

Health and Wellness Updates 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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • Learn About Lexia for Literacy
  • The Power of School Lunches
  • Upcoming Community Conversations

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

🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

  • Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary 
  • Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary 
  • Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School 

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

PTSA Updates

Congratulations!! to our 79 National Merit awardees and their parents! You make us proud!  The Oakton PTSA will be participating in the National Merit Reception by sponsoring Donuts, coffee and crumble cookies! Way to go Cougars!

The Oakton PTSA Mini-Grants are here! Grant requests should provide a beneficial impact to a wide range of students and a long-term/sustainable benefit to the school. Priority consideration is given to items not already available at school and that are not readily obtained through direct donation from other sources. Grants work in the form of reimbursement. The grantees need to pay out-of-pocket first, then submit for reimbursement with the PTSA. The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA no later than 5/31/2025.

Requirements: 

  1. Applicants must be a teacher or represent a club at Oakton HS. 
  2. Applicants must also be Oakton PTSA Members.
  3. Application deadline: October 31, 2024
  4. Award announcement: Week of November 11, 2024

The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA: no later than 5/31/2025

Apply here

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

Principal Updates - October 7

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English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Be sure to follow us on X (@OaktonHS), and Instagram oaktonhs ! Be sure to check out our Oakton Accolades section on our website as we celebrate student achievement!  

Important Dates 

You can access the FCPS 2024-2025 school year calendar here.   

October 9 - PSAT/SAT Day (see below for more details); 2 Hr. Early Release

October 14 - No School, Staff Development Day (Indigenous Peoples Day) 

October 31 - Last day of 1st Quarter; 2 Hr. Early Release; Happy Halloween 

November 1 - No School, Diwali; All Saints Day; Dia de los Muertos 

November 4 - Student Holiday, School Planning Day

November 5 - Student Holiday, Teacher Workday 

November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day 

General Information Virtual Parent Coffees

We are excited to kick off our virtual parent coffee season for the 2024-2025 school year!  Our general format is that we make a small presentation on a designated topic and then open it up to questions.  The presentation portion is recorded and posted on Schoology, along with the slides, so those who are unable to attend also have access.  A link will be sent out via eNotify (email) the morning of the parent coffee for interested families to use. If you have ideas for parent coffee topics, please email Principal Lane at [email protected].  

Previous material covered in parent coffees can be found on the Oakton HS Parent Schoology Page.  Under materials you will find a "Parent Coffee Presentations" folder.  Presentations will be organized by the month of the meeting.  

October Parent Coffee Topics: 

  • Wednesday, October 9, 2024: 9:00am - Class of 2025 Families/Senior Year Overview
October 9 PSAT/SAT Day

October 9 we will be giving the PSAT/NMSQT to all 10th and 11th graders, no registration needed.  Any 12th grader who registered prior to September 4 will have the opportunity to take the SAT.  Students must be on time the day of the test.  Students will not be admitted once the test has begun.  

  • Students will receive testing locations via their fcpsschools.net emails on October 4, 2024.   
  • All non-testers (to include 9th graders and seniors who did not register for the SAT), should stay home for an unscheduled day.  Students have the opportunity to work on assignments and/or prepare for upcoming assignments and assessments.  
  • Adapted curriculum students will still attend school and have their regularly scheduled classes.  If you have any questions, please reach out to your case manager.  
  • We will have a two hour early release on October 9 for all students who report to school.  The only exception will be for students whose college board accommodations provide them with extended time that runs beyond our release time of 12:55pm.  
Don’t Miss Out, Order Your Yearbook Today!

The time to purchase a yearbook is now. The 300-page book cost $67 until December 31, at which time prices increase. To reserve your copy, go to yearbookordercenter.com and use the code 4770. Each year, there are a limited number of copies available so don’t miss out.

Yearbook - Senior Ads

The yearbook is now accepting purchases of senior ads. You can get a space to write a congratulatory message to your graduating senior in varying sizes. You can design and order online at yearbookordercenter.com with order number 4770.  Payment is available by credit, debit, or Paypal and orders are due by December 13th, however space is limited so make sure to order now.

Veterans Day Presentations  

To honor the tradition of military family connectedness at Oakton High School, United States history teachers are seeking staff and community members who are veterans or active-duty personnel interested in speaking with students about their service experiences on Tuesday, November 12th and/or Wednesday, November 13th.

This celebration of Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity for students to better understand the sacrifices made by veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. Additionally, students benefit from learning about the military as a potential career option. School appropriate service artifacts are welcomed and encouraged.

Zoom or Google Meet options available if currently out of the area.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please complete THIS FORM and we will follow up with additional details.

Fall Immunization Clinic at Oakton High School

Oakton High School will host a School Site Immunization Clinic on Thursday, November 7th in collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). Only students enrolled at Oakton High School may participate in the clinic.

The following immunizations will be offered during school hours at the School Immunization Clinic: 

  • Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
  • Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

Find additional information for each vaccine. 

If you would like your child to receive immunizations as part of the School Site Immunization Clinic, you must first provide: 

  • Permission via a signed Adolescent Vaccine Clinic Consent Form, which can be found in the Middle and High School Clinics section on this webpage.
  • A copy of their immunization records (if available).
  • A copy of the front and back of their insurance card (if applicable). Insurance is not required. 

Please bring your signed consent form to our front office by Friday, November 1st, in order for your child to participate. If your child is insured, please submit a copy of the front and back of your child’s insurance to our front office as well. You may contact our school’s public health nurse, Lorie Jreige at [email protected] with any immunization questions.  

Class of 2025 - Senior Portraits

Unlike grades 9-11, seniors sign up for a picture session with Victor O’Neill at a time that works for them. Our final sessions will be held in October and November. 

  • June 20-21; 24 (Session 1) 
  • August 26-28 (Session 2) 
  • October 15-17 (Session 3) 
  • November 20 (Session 4 - final opportunity)

If you have questions about senior portraits in general, please email Victor O'Neill studios at [email protected]. Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Oakton Class of 2025” when emailing, for faster assistance. If you have other senior portrait or scheduling questions you can email Martha Rodeheaver, Assistant Principal, at [email protected].

All seniors are highly encouraged to sit for photos.  These photos will be used for their yearbook photo.  Sitting for the photos does not obligate a family to purchase the photos once you review the proofs.  

Partners for Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All students enrolled in Classroom Driver Education during the 2024-2025 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.

2024-2025 Dates:

  • October 28, 2024 6:30-8:00pm
  • January 21, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • March 19, 2025 6:30-8:00pm
  • May 19, 2025 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.

🗓️ Attendance Tip Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students 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 another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding the FCPS school year calendar and visit the Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Student Services Updates  Freshman Parent Night 

Freshman Parent Night will be taking place on October 10th at 5:30pm. Join us to learn about the different ways our counselors support our students. Learn how to keep track of attendance, review our school’s resources, how to help your students find success and go over graduation requirements. A zoom link will be provided to join the presentation.

October Newsletter 

Happy Fall Cougars!  Take a look at the October newsletter for Student Services to learn more about the College & Career Center updates including college admissions reps, scholarships, job and internship seminar, and HBCU fair.  The newsletter also provides the recording for senior parent night, testing updates, and community resources.  Upcoming events include the SEL Screener, Freshman Parent Night, National Merit Reception, Brain Breaks, World Language Credit Exam, and more. 

🎓 Help Your Student Prepare for the Future at College Fair and Postsecondary Nights

The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00-6:30 p.m.

Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies.

Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 5- 8p.m. Both events will help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. 

Students may REGISTER HERE.

Schedule Changes

Please see the timeline below regarding schedule changes for the 2024-2025 school year.

  • August 8 – September 6: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability.
  • September 9 – November 8 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
  • After November 12: 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.
  • After March 28: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
Testing Updates & Information 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 20th. Payment can be submitted through My School Bucks or check made out to Oakton High School. 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 [email protected].

SAT Information

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Oakton 12th graders will have the opportunity to participate in the SAT School Day. FCPS will cover the cost for any twelfth grade student to take this test. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day. 

Please visit our PSAT/SAT page to reserve a seat for your 12th grader to take this exam. the deadline to register for the SAT was Wednesday, September 4.

PSAT Information

On October 9, 2024, Oakton will offer the digital PSAT/NMSQT to students in grades 10-11. Students who wish to test with accommodations can learn more about the process and requirements on our PSAT/SAT page.

College Board Testing/Accommodations 

Oakton will be administering the PSAT/NMSQT to 10th and 11th graders and the SAT to 12th graders on October 9, 2024. Read here for more details and information on how to apply for accommodations if interested. The deadline to apply for accommodations for these exams was August 5, 2024.

Health and Wellness Updates Scoliosis Fact Sheet

To meet the Code of Virginia 22.1-273.1 and FCPS Regulation 2103 for the provision of parent educational information on scoliosis. 

The Scoliosis Fact Sheet and translations are available on the Scoliosis Fact Sheet  page. 

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

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide them with a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss
  • Anxiety, worry, fears
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships
  • Academic stress

You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. [Find contact information for Oakton staff on this webpage.  

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

FCPS News

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

  • FCPS Strives to Become Purple Star School Division
  • Sign and Return SR&R
  • Upcoming Immunization Clinics

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

🎤 Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:

  • Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary 
  • Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary 
  • Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School 

Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

PTSA Updates

Thank you, Dear Parents, for your support for The Monthly Teachers and Staff Breakfast! Your efforts are truly appreciated. The next Monthly Breakfast is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024. Thank you for supporting the PTSA and our wonderful school faculty and staff!

Congratulations!! to our 79 National Merit awardees and their parents! You make us proud!  The Oakton PTSA will be participating in the National Merit Reception by sponsoring Donuts, coffee and crumble cookies! Way to go Cougars!

The  Oakton PTSA Mini-Grants is here! Grant requests should provide a beneficial impact to a wide range of students and a long-term/sustainable benefit to the school. Priority consideration is given to items not already available at school and that are not readily obtained through direct donation from other sources. Grants work in the form of reimbursement. The grantees need to pay out-of-pocket first, then submit for reimbursement with the PTSA. The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA no later than 5/31/2025.

Requirements: 

1) Applicants must be a teacher or represent a club at Oakton HS. 

2) Applicants must also be Oakton PTSA Members.

Application deadline: October 31, 2024

Award announcement: Week of November 11, 2024

The reimbursement request needs to be submitted to PTSA: no later than 5/31/2025

Apply here: https://forms.gle/tgzLcoNnoQfboQj57 

Stay Connected 

Follow ' oaktonhs_ptsa' on Instagram to keep abreast of what's happening at the PTSA. Become a member, Join the mailing list and/or donate to the PTSA at PTBoard - Oakton High School PTSA

Want to be part of PTSA? We are looking for an ANGP Chair (All Night Grad Party),  Webmaster, Business Chair, Hospitality Chair and Treasurer.  Email us at [email protected]

Parent Resources Parent Information Line 

Parents who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese can call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS and to receive support if they are having difficulty communicating with their children's schools due to a language barrier.

Parent Resource Center 

The FCPS Parent Resource Center offers a wide variety of information and resources to support the success of all students.  This includes monthly workshops and webinars.  More information can be found on the FCPS website, including registration information.  

FCPS Cares

Do you know an Oakton High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected?  If so, then click here to share with everyone. 

2900 Sutton Road, Vienna VA 22181 | Main Office: (703) 319-2700
Attendance: (703) 319-2727 | Web | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

30 minutes 2 seconds ago
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