Senior Letter 2/24/2023

February 24, 2023

Dear Seniors and Parents of the Class of 2023:

Congratulations! It will be June before we know it and the Oakton High School Class of 2023 will receive their diplomas. 

We have enjoyed our first two of our Senior Send-off Series! These are events hosted by our senior class officers Maya Beiriger and Kiodeme Ikhinmwin and senior sponsors Mrs. Morrison and Mrs. Thorne; on January 23, seniors were able to wear their senior shirt. February 23, seniors were invited to write a letter to their future self, to be mailed in a year, and they celebrated with cookies and music together. We look forward to further events on the 23rd of each month culminating with the ultimate celebration of graduation! We’ll continue to post the upcoming events on the senior schoology page. 

Throughout the second semester we will continue to send updated senior letters to provide additional detail and clarity surrounding the school year and plans for the Class of 2023. 

Read below for more details about our senior class. Please note we have updated the senior exam schedule, Oakton Internship Program, senior shirts, All Night Grad Party Information, added in information about optional ordering of graduation announcements, and more! 

Sincerely,

Jamie S. Lane                                  Martha Rodeheaver

Principal                                           Assistant Principal, Senior Class Administrator 

Dates of Interest

  • Week of April 24: Senior SOL exams
  • April 28: Prom 
  • May 1-12: AP Exams (schedule)
  • May 22 - June 2: Oakton Internship Program 
  • May 31 - June 5: Senior exams (schedule)
  • Week of June 4: Senior Exhibition of Learning, Graduation Rehearsals, Senior Awards Ceremony
  • June 9: Graduation, 2:00 pm (EagleBank Arena)

Senior Dues

Senior Dues are collected each year to pay for the associated costs of graduation. The cost of this year’s senior dues will be $85. Senior dues can be paid through MySchoolBucks or by check made payable to Oakton High School. Any student who has free or reduced lunch status can speak with your counselor regarding payment options. Please submit senior dues by March 31, 2023.  

Class dues help pay for the following: 

  • School buses used to transport students in performing arts to the EagleBank Arena to provide the music for graduation.
  • Stage flowers 
  • Senior Events (Sunrise, Sunset, etc.) 
  • Honor medal/Service Learning cord 
  • Cap, gown, and one tassel 
  • Diploma and Diploma cover
  • Graduation programs

Senior T-Shirt

Our senior shirt was ready in early January. Seniors who had already paid were able to pick up; if you have not yet gotten your shirt but you paid before December, you may pick up from Mrs. Foley in the main office. 

Still want a senior shirt? Seniors who wish to have a shirt need to complete our Google form (student log-in required) with their shirt size information and purchase the shirt through MySchoolBucks in order to order one. If you want a senior shirt, the deadline for our second order is Friday, March 10. See Ms. Rodeheaver if you have any questions.

Oakton Internship Program

Applications are now open! This was also posted on the senior Schoology, but the process is laid out below:

  • Using this link, students will complete the Google form (@fcpsschools.net login required)
  • On the final page of the form (Section 3), students will click the link and print the Sponsor / Parent / teacher documents (3 pages)
  • Students should then complete the form and turn in the three completed and signed documents to submit your application. 

Applications are due on Monday, April 10th by 3 pm

Students can see or email Mr. Stroud, Assistant Principal, at @email if you have any questions.

Eligible seniors may participate in the Oakton Internship Program during the final weeks of the school year. Seniors may arrange to intern at local businesses, schools, or service organizations. The intent of this experience is to benefit Oakton seniors by helping them explore a possible area of interest for their future, which provides them a real world experience putting academic interests in action in a non-academic setting. This year’s Oakton Internship Program will be held from May 22 through June 2. 

Participating seniors will finish all of their classes and coursework prior to the start of the internship and be exempt from any senior final exams during the internship dates. This internship must be secured by the student at the time of his/her application. Immediate family members (parents or siblings) may not serve as the sponsor for a student’s internship. 

Senior Exams

The schedule for senior final exams is currently as follows:

  • Wednesday, May 31: Senior exams periods 5 and 7 (schedule will be modified)
  • Thursday, June 1: Senior exams periods 6 and 8 (schedule will be modified)
  • Friday, June 2: Senior exams period 1 (Schedule will be modified)
  • Monday, June 5: Senior exams periods 2 and 4

You can also find a printable version of the EOY calendar.

Each day seniors have an exam, they can leave upon the conclusion of their exam(s).

Senior Awards Ceremony

This year our senior awards ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 4:00-5:30 in the auditorium. This event recognizes a large number of our senior students on their accomplishments and is open for all seniors to attend. Recognitions include honor graduates and department awards. More information to come on this event later in the school year. 

Graduation Rehearsals - Mandatory

June 6, 20239:00-11:00 (Oakton High School) 

June 8, 20239:00-11:00 (Oakton High School) 

**Dates and times above are tentative and might change as we finalize our end of the year schedule**

Attendance at both graduation rehearsals is mandatory for students who wish to participate in our graduation ceremony. This helps us ensure that graduation runs smoothly. Students who do not attend graduation rehearsals will not be permitted to attend the graduation ceremony. No one will be excused from rehearsal unless prior approval is granted by Ms. Rodeheaver, Class of 2023 Administrator. 

At rehearsals we will review the entire graduation program and provide seating arrangements and directions on the processional and recessional. In addition, we will practice all student names to ensure they are read correctly at the graduation ceremony. During this time we will also distribute caps and gowns to students. All outstanding obligations (textbook fines, library fines, parking fines, AP exam fees, senior dues, etc.) must be paid in order for a student to collect his/her cap and gown. 

Cap and Gown Information

Almost all of our seniors have completed their cap and gown sizing form. We received our first shipment of cap and gowns last week!  If students have not filled out the form, please have them complete this google form (student log-in required) so that we may order the appropriate size for each student. (Note: if students have already completed the form, they will not be able to do so a second time. Seniors also got an email from Ms. Rodeheaver if they still need to complete it.)

Custom Graduation Apparel, Announcements, or Accessories (Optional Order)

Each student’s cap, gown and tassel are included in their senior dues. Should families wish to order any additional custom graduation apparel, announcements or accessories from Jostens. More information can be found at this link.

Senior Sunset

We will be holding our final senior celebration event on Wednesday, June 7 at 6:00 pm. Refreshments will be provided to students. More details to come! 

Graduation

Graduation for the Class of 2023 will be held on Friday June 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm at EagleBank Arena, George Mason University. For directions and a map, please check the website: https://www.eaglebankarena.com/article/maps-directions. Due to the size of EagleBank Arena, no tickets are necessary to attend the event. 

A respectful and dignified ceremony has been planned that will require everyone’s cooperation. No messages on caps or gowns, noisemakers, or any other inappropriate toys or items such as signs, balls, balloons, etc. will be permitted. Those who violate the formal and secure atmosphere may be escorted from the arena at the discretion of school personnel and/or Eaglebank arena staff. 

  • Each senior that has fulfilled his/her financial and academic obligations will be invited to participate in our graduation ceremony. As a reminder, all participation is contingent on adherence to the Students Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) and all school rules.
  • If a family will require a sign-language interpreter please make that request, in writing, by emailing Ms. Martha Rodeheaver at @email by May 1, 2023. 
  • Transportation to EagleBank Arena is not provided by the school. Due to the time of our graduation ceremony, families are encouraged to plan their trip to account for natural delays due to traffic.
  •  Dress Code: 
    • Business casual attire: (Examples provided below) 
      • Light colored collared shirt with a tie
      • Khaki or dress slacks
      • Dress 
      • Dress shoes (Modest heels or flats; no boots, sandals, sneakers or flip flops)

Please make plans with your family in advance for a meeting place outside of EagleBank Arena. Students will only be permitted to have their car key with them and no cell phones. Please speak with your students in advance of the ceremony (after rehearsal) to determine which side of the floor he/she will be sitting on. 

All Night Grad Party - PTSA

Seniors, Save the Date!  Your All Night Grad Party (ANGP) will be held at Launch Trampoline Park on Friday, June 9 from 9 PM - 3 AM!!

Covid and online learning changed their high school experience, but we have the chance to celebrate them, their achievements, and the friendships and memories they have created over the past 4 years, but WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We will need a lot of volunteers to make this event a success! If you are interested in helping with any aspect of the planning or the party itself, please send an email to @email.

See the following ANGP helpful information:

  • Senior class flyer
  • There are lots of ways to help!
    • Become a sponsor and your name will be included on our promotional materials as well as a huge banner at the event itself. See here for more details.
    • Take a look at our Amazon Wish List to see the prizes we’d love to be able to provide for games. These include gift cards, dorm room essentials, and fun treats.
    • All profits from merchandise sales from our ANGP online store go towards covering the cost of this event. We’ve got college/military yard signs, Yeti mugs, and senior yard signs. 
  • Business sponsorship option 
    • There are several sponsorship levels offering premier visibility to Oakton families and community members. We are also seeking gift cards and raffle items via our wish list. Thank you!

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