Information for Coming Back to School
Back to School
Hello Cougars, and welcome back! We are eagerly awaiting the start of school on Monday, August 22nd.
We are continuing our tradition of sharing information electronically that includes all of the information you need to start the school year. We hope you enjoy this format and cannot wait to see you at the start of the school year. Please read this page for all of the Back to School information!
Message from Jamie Lane, Principal
Dear Oakton Cougars:
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! I hope you had an enjoyable summer with family and friends taking some much needed time to relax and recharge! The Oakton High School faculty and staff have been busy planning for the new school year! On this site you will find a great deal of information so all students and families feel prepared for the year ahead. We know that students are excited to see their class schedules for the year. All students/parents in FCPS will be able to access class schedules using StudentVUE/ParentVUE on Thursday, August 18 at 6:00am.
- Click on this link to login to StudentVUE. Use your school login credentials.
- Click on this link to login to ParentVUE.
- Click on the following link for a video on SIS Parent Account navigation. For questions or assistance, contact Ms. Jill Hendelman at @email or 703-319-2810.
Our school office will be open daily from 7:30am to 4:00pm beginning August 8, 2022 to answer phone calls and assist our community. To gain access to the school, we request that all visitors enter through Door #1 (the main entrance). Anyone wishing to gain access to the school during these hours, will be “buzzed in” by our office personnel. Additionally, all visitors must sign in using our Visitors Management System. To sign in you must have a valid driver’s license or passport.
We invite you all to follow us on our social media accounts (see below) to stay up-to-date with what is going on at Oakton! Please visit our school website and subscribe to our News You Choose to ensure you get the weekly messages titled, Principal Updates. We also invite students to regularly access the Oakton High School Student schoology course and the individual grade level courses so they stay connected with the latest information. Students are also strongly encouraged to check their fcpsschools.net email accounts daily.
We have planned a number of back to school events to kick off the new school year. Please see the list below so you can plan which events suit your needs.
The first week of school, teachers will be focused on getting to know their students and classes, building connections and community, reviewing previous content, and determining what students will need to be successful for this school year.
The Oakton High School staff and faculty are here to support you throughout the school year. We all look forward to welcoming students on the first day of classes, Monday, August 22, 2022! Go Cougars!
Sincerely,
Jamie S. Lane
Oakton High School, Principal
Welcome Back Events (Orientation and Open Houses)
We are excited to welcome back our students and families to the 2022-23 School Year! We have a variety of opportunities for you to interact with our faculty and staff, as well as learn more about the courses through a Back to School Night website.
9th Grade/New Student Orientation |
All Students & Families |
Orientation is on Thursday, August 18 from 9-11:45 am. These planned events are intended for all rising 9th grade students and any transfer student in grades 10-12. |
We welcome all students and families to walk through the building on the following dates and times:
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Orientation and Open Houses
At the end of August, we will have the following:
- Thursday, August 18 from 9-11:45 am: New student Orientation
- Thursday, August 18 from 9-10:00 am: Open house and meet-and-greet for all students who access the adapted curriculum (Cat B). You will receive an email invitation with details. For questions email Jasna Koceva, department chair, at @email.
- Thursday, August 18 from 2-4 pm: Open house invitation for all students and families. You may tour the building independently and can walk through your class schedule
- Teachers will be in their classrooms for quick introductions! Please read below for information on when you will learn more about class-specific details.
- Friday, August 19 from 2-4pm: Open house invitation for all students and families. You may tour the building independently and can walk through your class schedule.
- Thursday, September 1 - Cougar Kickoff, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
- All students and families are invited to stop by to learn about club and extra-curricular offerings, enjoy some food trucks, self-guided tours of the building, and meet Oakton staff members. This is a great time for us to come together and celebrate the school year ahead!
- Our first home football game will begin at 7:00pm in the stadium. Tickets can be purchased for $5.00.
Back to School Night Website
On September 8, we will launch our Back to School Night Website! This site is designed to be asynchronous so you may explore at the time and pace that works best for you. It will be helpful for you to have your child’s schedule available in ParentVue as a guide to find the relevant staff/class videos.
On this site you will find the following:
- Principal Welcome message
- Important Information (Required Forms for All Students)
- School Board Member Videos
- Schoology Learning Tips
- Introductory/Content Area videos from teachers
- This video will include traditional Back to School Night information including grading policies, course syllabus review, content information, and other course-specific details
Important Oakton Links and Information
- Calendars and Bell Schedule
- Attendance policies and procedures
- Oakton High School Instagram: oaktonhs | Twitter: @OaktonHS
- Oakton Athletics website and twitter @oaktonathletics
- Sign up for Oakton High School News and Announcements emails. Mrs. Lane sends the weekly update each Monday at 5:30 pm
- If you want to sign up for emails from the Activities Office, you can also find that sign up for Oakton High School Athletics
FCPSOn Devices
The FCPSOn initiative at Oakton High School provides students with equitable access to meaningful learning experiences and technology to support their learning. Each Oakton student will receive an FCPS-issued laptop to access dynamic resources and participate in learning tailored to the student’s individual needs. Loaner laptops will only be available for students whose laptops are in need of repair.
The mission of FCPSOn is to provide equitable access to technology and to instructional practices that lead to Portrait of a Graduate outcomes for ALL students.
What are the benefits of using an FCPSOn Device?
Laptops will be distributed through students’ 3rd period classes on the 1st day of school.
For more information specific to Oakton please go to the Oakton website; for more about the FCPSOn initiative in FCPS, please go to the FCPS website.
Schoology
FCPS website about Schoology to learn more about what it is! |
Students, families, and teachers throughout FCPS and in our school community will use Schoology (pronounced /SKOO-luh-jee/) as our learning management system. Schoology is a learning space that enhances communication, collaboration, and personalized learning for all.
The Oakton all student Schoology page has all sorts of information, including school-wide announcements, tech support links, and the weekly calendar. It also has the morning announcements and general / academic resources.
The student grade level Schoology pages have information applicable to each specific grade level. This includes announcements and information pertinent to the specific grade level.
The Oakton parent Schoology page has our weekly calendar, resources, and upcoming parent events listed. It also contained course registration information. Parents are also able to access their student class Schoology pages through their parent Schoology account.
Required Forms for All Students
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Additional Forms for Students (Optional)
Please fill out any additional forms that apply to your student and email to @email |
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FCPS Privacy and Opt Out Forms |
The 2022-2023 Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms booklet details parents’ rights regarding FCPS policies. These forms should be printed out and turned in ONLY IF YOU WISH YOUR CHILD TO BE OPTED-OUT. |
Family Life Education Opt Out Forms |
Information about the FLE programs can be found on the FCPS website. Opt out forms will be available soon. |
Military Connected Student Form |
In accordance with the Code of Virginia (§22.1-287.04), local school divisions are required to identify students who have a parent in the United States uniformed services. Completing this form allows Virginia localities to maintain reliable and accurate data for potential grant funding and to receive services to meet the needs of uniformed services-connected students. |
FCPS Free and Reduced Lunch Forms and Consent to Share Information |
For the past two years, the federal government has provided no-cost meals to all public school students without the need to complete the annual Free and Reduced-Price Meal application. The extension of the no-cost meals benefit to all students expired at the end of last school year, meaning families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced price meals for the 2022-23 school year. Eligible families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the first day of the 2022-23 school year. More information is on the FCPS website, including forms to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch. If your children are eligible for free and reduced lunch, they may also be eligible to participate in several fee-based programs (class fees, senior dues, parking fees, etc.) at either no cost or a reduced cost if you provide a consent to share information form. You can scroll to the bottom of the FCPS page to access “Consent to Share Information”. |
Student Rights and Responsibilities - Signature
- Students reviewed the SR&R on Wednesday, August 24 during advisory. Every year, FCPS requires parents/guardians to review, sign, and return the SR&R parent/guardian signature page acknowledging awareness of online access to and/or the opportunity to receive a printed copy of the FCPS SR&R Guide for Families. You can complete this requirement through your ParentVue account in a matter of seconds. Upon login to your ParentVue account, you will be prompted immediately to complete the SR&R signature page. Note that your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted. The prompt will repeat in ParentVue until the signature page has been completed.
- The SR&R Booklet can also be found on the FCPS website, along with updates to the SR&R for the 2022-23 school year.
Important Upcoming Dates
- August 9-10 – 9th Grade Jump Start Program
- August 18 – Schedules available in StudentVUE and ParentVUE at 6 am
- August 18 – Rising Freshman and New Student Orientation, 9-11:30 am
- August 18 – Open house invitation, 2-4 pm
- August 19 – Open house invitation, 2-4 am
- August 22 – First Day of School!
- August 29-31 – Senior portraits
- September 1 – Cougar Kickoff
- September 2 – No School
- September 5 – No School, Labor Day
- September 6 – Gradebooks available in StudentVUE/ParentVUE
- September 8 – Back to School Website Available, 10:00am
- September 20-21 – Underclassmen Portraits
- September 23 – Senior Panoramic
- September 26 – Teacher Workday - Student Holiday, Rosh Hashanah
- September 30 – Homecoming Game
- October 1 – Homecoming Dance
- October 5 – No School, Yom Kippur
- October 10 – Staff Development Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- October 12 – PSAT (10th-11th Grade)/SAT (12th Grade) Day
- October 17-19 – Senior Portraits
- October 24 – No School, Diwali
- October 28 – End of 1st Quarter
- October 31 – Teacher Workday – Student Holiday
- November 3 – Underclassmen Portraits Make-up
- November 7 – Winter Sports Begin
- November 8 – No School, Election Day
- November 11 – School Planning Day – Student Holiday, Veterans’ Day
- November 21 – Senior Portraits (Final Opportunity)
- November 23-25 – No School, Thanksgiving Break
**The entire FCPS school calendar can be accessed here**
Class Schedule Changes
We have finalized our master schedule for the upcoming school year. Our staffing decisions and the number of courses offered are based on the classes students selected during the registration period last school year. To maintain the best possible program for our students and one that is most responsive to their educational needs, schedule changes will be limited to space available.
Timeline for Schedule Changes
- August 5-11: Schedules will be adjusted if there is a school error or summer school adjustment needed.
- August 12-September 9: School counselors will make requested schedule changes based on space availability
- September 12-November 4 (end of 1st quarter grading window): No schedule changes
- After November 7: 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 April 13: There will not be any schedule changes, regardless of space availability. This date aligns with the last day of the 3rd Quarter.
For any questions you may have, contact your child’s school counselor.
Bus Schedules
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Office of Transportation Services (OTS) plans to use all available resources to deliver students to and from school safely and on-time. Double backs will be scheduled where needed. Double backs are when a driver delivers one group of students to school and returns to take a second group. This process is followed in the afternoon for the trip home as well. Through your SIS ParentVue account, you can see your child’s transportation assignments and intent on the “Student Info” tab. Transportation assignments for the first day of school, August 22, 2022, will become available on August 09, 2022, and changes may be made up to August 17, 2022.
All parents should access their SIS ParentVue account, to ensure the Transportation Intent for each student is accurate. If adjustments are needed, click on “Edit Information” to make changes to your Transportation Intent. This process will need to be done for each student. Changes can be made through your account at any time. Please allow three to five business days to see your child’s updated transportation assignment reflected in your SIS ParentVUE account.
All students eligible for transportation services will be provided transportation unless the parent has stated ‘NO’ to the Transportation Intent.
Please contact the transportation office or the Oakton Main Office if you have any questions about accessing your student information.
Late buses will run on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and will start on Wednesday, September 7th and the last day they run will be Thursday, June 1. The late bus schedule will be posted outside of the Security Office and on the Oakton High School page on Schoology.
Arrival and Dismissal Information and Traffic Patterns
Student Arrival and Dismissal
The building will be accessible to students starting at 7:30am.
Dismissal is at 2:55pm. Students are asked to leave the building at the end of the day unless they are being supervised by an adult. Any student who wishes to stay after school must be in the supervision of a staff member.
Traffic Patterns at Arrival and Dismissal
All drivers are strongly encouraged to follow the driving patterns as established. This ensures the safety of all and maximizes the efficiency of our traffic pattern.
Oakton High School strives to maintain positive relationships with our surrounding neighbors. To that end, we ask that everyone respects private property while walking to and from school.

Advisory and Cougar Time
Oakton students have an eight period schedule with alternating burgundy and gold days. Burgundy days include periods 1, 3, 5, and 7. Gold days include periods 2, 4, 6, and 8. Third period includes Cougar Time and Student Advisory, which are described below. When period 3 is in the rotation that indicates students will go to Advisory.
Cougar Time
Cougar Time will take place each burgundy day. This time allows students to receive enrichment and/or remediation with different teachers through a designated return period. Access our 1st quarter calendar for the schedule; we will continue to provide these calendars each quarter.
Student Advisories
Student advisories will meet periodically as part of the scheduled 3rd period. The purpose of Student Advisory is three-fold: to build connections, to build community, and to enhance communication. In a large school such as Oakton, especially amidst a fast-paced culture of achievement and rigor, we want to ensure that students feel connected and informed. Student Advisories provide students a home base where they can learn about school events, connect with their advisors, build mentor/mentee relationships with peers, and practice vital life skills. Student Advisories strengthen interpersonal relationships at Oakton High School with the end goal of supporting each and every student throughout his or her high school experience. Advisory has been deeply embedded at Oakton for many years, and is now a part of all county schools’ schedules. As such, this will be a time for us to embed social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons.
A Cougar Time and Student Advisory calendar will be provided quarterly. You can access the 1st quarter calendar here.
Emergency Care Form and the Clinic
The goal of the clinic is to ensure that your child will enjoy a healthy and safe school year. To proactively plan, we ask that parents update the Emergency Care Form in [email protected] through ParentVUE; there is a section for “Current Health Conditions” and “Current Medical Care Details” that will update the health information for the student. Note: [email protected] will now be found in SIS ParentVUE.
If you need to drop off medication for your student, please fill out a new medication authorization form. This is required to be filled out annually.
Medication can be dropped off at school Wednesday August 17 through Friday August 19 from 9am-4 pm. Once school begins, medication can be dropped off any school day from 8am-3pm. Please read below for the updated medication guidelines that specify amount and method of medication that can be dropped off.
If medication is needed at school or for any after FCPS sponsored activity (field trips, sports, band, drama, chorus, etc.), specific guidelines in accordance with the FCPS Medication Administration Regulation 2102 must be followed. A Medication Authorization form MUST be on file in the Health Room for any medication administered at school OR carried by student. Forms (for epinephrine, inhalers and medications) are available in the School Health Room or online.
Updated Medication Guidelines
This school year, FCPS is changing our medication protocols to help ensure the safety of our medication administration management in Fairfax County Public Schools. These changes include:
- Any time you drop off or pick up a medication in the health room, a Medication Delivery/Pick Up Form will be completed and signed by both the parent/guardian and the School Health Aide or FCPS staff member. This form will document that all required authorizations are complete, and the number of pills or amount of medication accepted/returned. A copy of the form will be given to the parent/guardian and school administrator.
- Medications received will be verified to ensure the description of the medication on the container/packaging matches the medication in the container.
- All medications must be in the original pharmacy container. Over the counter (OTC) medications must be in an unopened original container. It will no longer be acceptable for parents/guardians to bring in refills from home and place them into the container currently in the health room.
- Only a 30-day supply of medications should be brought to school. No more than 100 tablets or pills of OTC medication should be brought to school.
- All requirements outlined in FCPS Regulation 2102, First Aid, Emergency Treatment and Administration of Medication for Students, continue to apply.
School Supplies and Lockers
Any teacher who requires specific school supplies will provide a list during the first week of school.
Students are not automatically assigned a locker. Should any student wish to sign up for a locker, students can sign up through this locker Google form.
Breakfast and Lunch
The Oakton HS cafeteria will sell breakfast and lunch daily. If your student plans on purchasing food through the cafeteria, please be sure to load money on their meal account or bring cash. More information on FCPS Food Services (including payment options for meal accounts, daily menus, free and reduced meal programs, etc.) can be reviewed on the FCPS website.
Information on applying for Free and Reduced Lunch can also be found above under "Additional Forms for Students (Optional)". Eligible families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the first day of the 2022-23 school year. More information is on the FCPS website, including forms to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch and Consent to Share Information.
Student Services Office and Administration
School Counselors
Oakton’s school counselors work directly with students, teachers, and parents to provide students a supportive and caring school experience. Students and parents are encouraged to reach out to their counselor with academic concerns, questions about college and career information, or mental health concerns.
Administrative Team
The Oakton administrative team is here to support all students!
The Assistant Principals work along with the counselors to support students. The duties for each assistant principal for the 2022-2023 school year are outlined on our website. Please do not hesitate to reach out when you have a question or concern.
Oakton Common Grading Policy
At Oakton High School, we believe that learning is a process.
We utilize transparent, equitable, and student-centered practices that maximize skill and standard mastery where student grades reflect performance rather than behavior.
Gradebooks will provide students with a clear understanding of their learning and areas to improve to achieve mastery of skills and standards.
Oakton Common Grading Policies
On our website, you will find Oakton High School’s common policies on grading which are all in compliance with FCPS’s Grading and Reporting policies.
Any course- or teacher-specific information can be found on their individual syllabus or Schoology page.
Other Oakton Staff Supports
In addition to the school counseling team and administrative team, there are a number of additional staff members at Oakton who are here to support students throughout the school year.
These include: Systems of Support Advisor, School Psychologist, School Social Workers, Career Center Specialist, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, and Family Liaison.
You can find their email addresses and more about what they do on our supports page.
Students with IEPs and 504s
If your student has an IEP, they will be assigned a case manager for the year. The case manager is your first point of contact for any questions or concerns regarding the IEP.
If you have further questions regarding an IEP, you can contact one of the special education department chairs: Shelley Wiederhold (Cat A) at @email or Jasna Koceva (Cat B) at @email
If your student has a 504 plan, their case manager is their school counselor and any questions or concerns should be directed to them.
School Pictures
Senior portraits
Senior portraits have been scheduled with Victor O’Neill Studios. Senior Portrait opportunities for the Class of 2023 are available on: June 20-24 2022, August 29-31, 2022, October 17-19, 2022, November 21, 2022 (final opportunity). Information will be provided to families in advance of each photo session so that you may sign-up for a designated time slot.
The senior panoramic picture is scheduled for Friday, September 23, 2022. This will take place during the school day.
Underclass pictures
Underclass student pictures will be taken on Tuesday, September 20 and Wednesday, September 21 with make-ups on November 3.
Picture reminders for all
These pictures will be used for the yearbook and offered for sale to students and parents. Victor O’Neill’s contract with Oakton does serve as a fundraiser for the school and profits from student pictures are used to enhance the instructional program and facility.
As a reminder, dates and times for picture taking will be announced during morning announcements and posted on our Oakton High School Schoology student page. Senior portrait and underclass picture information will also be emailed to all Oakton students and parents.
Student Parking Information
This year we will accept parking applications from juniors and seniors. Seniors will be given first priority. If the number of senior applications we receive exceeds the number of available student spaces, we will assign spots based on a lottery system to seniors only. If all seniors who apply receive a space and there are still spots to fill, we will hold a lottery for the juniors that have applied. The application can be found here and hard copies are also available in the main office. If you download the document, it is a fillable form. All applications are due by 3:00pm on August 10 and must be submitted to Ms. Manilli in the main office. We will only accept hard copies of the application. If after reading through all of the documents thoroughly you have questions, please email Ms. Landis at [email protected].
Applications and the above information can also be found on our Oakton HS website under announcements for you to access.
On August 18 and 19 during the Open House times, there will be a list posted of students who have received the parking pass. At that time, students may pay for their parking permit and any fees they owe (in two separate checks made out to Oakton High School). Parking permits not paid for and picked up by August 26, will be reassigned to anyone who did not get a parking permit in the initial lottery.
Limited free parking is available along Sutton Road on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make note that Sutton Road may not be available due to commuter parking. Students may not park in any of the restricted residential areas surrounding the school.
Updated Immunization Requirement
Effective July 1, 2021, all students entering twelfth grade will be required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) administered at age 16 or older, and prior to the beginning of school. Twelfth grade students cannot begin school in August without proper Meningococcal documentation.
Please provide one of the following documents to Oakton High School as soon as possible:
- An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine at age 16 or older.
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given at age 16 or older.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf
Please note families do not need to wait for their students to be entering the 12th grade to provide the requisite immunization documentation. Families can provide the appropriate records immediately following the immunization following the student’s 16th birthday.
Immunizations are available from your student's healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department clinic locations and hours are available online or by calling 703-246-2411.
The needed documentation can be provided to the school in one of the following ways:
- Scanned and emailed to the school at @email
- Mailed to the school, Oakton High School, Attn: Jill Hendelman, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna, VA 22181
- Dropped off in the Main Office, Attn: Jill Hendelman
Please contact Jill Hendelman at 703-319-2810 if you have any questions.
SIS ParentVUE Accounts
SIS ParentVUE is the FCPS secure solution for accessing information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and link to Schoology. Your username and password is the same for both ParentVUE and Schoology.
- SIS ParentVUE Account Provides: access to view your child’s student information, including attendance, report cards, class schedules, grade book (for Middle and High School students), course history, discipline, health, and school information. You can also update your child’s Emergency Care Information through weCare @ school. It also enables you to get weekly grade reports.
- Schoology Parent Account Provides: access to view your child’s courses, groups, assignments, and calendar. Parents can also check messages, adjust their notification settings, and access additional groups or courses if they are enrolled as members.
Need an account? Please visit us during one of our open houses to register for an account.
Parents currently have access to the following opt-out forms via SIS ParentVue:
- Tutor.com Access
- SEL Screener Participation
- Counseling Opt-Out
- Transportation Intent
- FCPS Device Acceptance
- Home Internet Access
Any parent/guardian associated with a student, and has a SIS ParentVUE account, can update these opt-outs as needed by going to the "Student Info" tab and clicking "Edit Information" in the top left-hand corner. The parent/guardian must have both "Contact Allowed" and "Records Access Rights" to see and update student information. More information is provided within ParentVUE to assist you in your decision making for your child.
Cell Phone Policy
An important update made to the Student Rights & Responsibilities document (SR&R) for the coming school year is the regulation to prohibit cell phone use in classrooms. Students will not be permitted to use their cell phones during class unless permitted by the teacher for instructional purposes. We acknowledge this new policy will be a shift for many students and families this year, but research shows that managing phone use during class time will support students’ attention and ability to fully engage in their learning. Schools are partnering with parents to have students understand the importance of putting their phones away to minimize distractions during class. Please talk to your child(ren) before the start of the school year about these expectations for this upcoming school year. Families may also review the parental controls available for all iPhone and Android users.
The Pantry
The Pantry is available to help Oakton High School students and their families in need. We offer non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, and household cleaning supplies.
The Oakton pantry is available to all of our students and their families.
Read here for more information about the Pantry.
