Cougar Connection
Oakton HS Student Services Newsletter: January 2024
Happy New Year Cougars! As we bring 2023 to an end, it's time to reflect and to remain hopeful for a great 2024. Winter break was a great time for us to relax and rejuvenate before we finish the second quarter.
We look forward to January as one of our favorite times of the year; we will meet with each ninth through eleventh grade student for course registration (more details below). Here's to a renewed sense of optimism and gratitude for 2024!
Student Services Highlights
Cookies and Coloring Brain Break
In December, school counselors hosted a grade level brain break event: Cookies and Coloring. Students were able to register to attend the event where they were able to take a break by coloring, enjoying cookies, and socializing.
December's Parent Coffee: Oakton Resources
In December, Oakton staff offered a parent coffee that highlighted all of Oakton's resources including school counselors, school psychologist, school social worker, parent liaison, Systems of Support Advisor (SOSA), College & Career Center, the Center, and the Pantry. The recording is available in the Parent Schoology account.
Course Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year
After winter break, course registration season will begin. Families can access videos created by teachers that highlight the courses they teach. On January 8 during Cougar Connect, students will hear from an older student panel about their perspective in selecting the appropriate courses.
Oakton's Academic Advising site also will be updated with the 2024-2025 school year information.
Students will be provided a classroom lesson and then will meet individually with their counselor to select courses. It is important that students make thoughtful decisions about their courses as course selections drive staffing and future changes may not be possible.
Rising Seniors
January 4 & 5: Classroom Lesson through English 11 Classes
January 8 - January 25: Individual Counselor Meetings through US/VA History Classes
Rising Juniors
January 29 & 30: Classroom Lesson through English 10 Classes
January 31 - February 14: Individual Counselor Meetings through World History II/AP World Classes
Rising Sophomores
February 15 & 16: Classroom Lesson through English 9 Classes
February 20 – March 1: Individual Counselor Meetings through World History I Classes
Middle School Visits
January 9: Carson Middle School
January 11: Franklin Middle School
January 12: Thoreau Middle School
January 22: Jackson Middle School
**Please note that these dates may be changed due to scheduling conflicts or weather-related days.
Save the Date: Curriculum Night
January 3, 2024, from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. During this time, you will be able to learn more about all the courses offered at Oakton. More information about our curriculum night can be found on the website. You can also find information about our classes, explained by our teachers, through our course offerings website (this site will go live the week of December 11). Additional information can be found on our academic advising and course offerings page (all links will be updated by December 15). The target audience for this is both students and parents.
Snow date: Thursday, January 18
FCPS Academy Classes
A high school academy is a center within an existing high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that successfully integrate career and academic preparation.
Enrollments in the Academy elective course offerings will provide students with career and academic preparation for postsecondary education and career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and internships with local businesses.
To learn more info, students are encouraged to check out an open house, schedule a tour, and visit the websites.
Chantilly Academy - January 18 from 6:30-8pm
Fairfax Fire Academy (Student and Parent Interest Meeting): March 4 6:30pm
Falls Church Academy - January 10 6:-8pm (in person), January 18 6-7pm (virtual)
Fairfax Academy - February 6 from 6:30-7:30pm
Marshall Academy - January 25 from 1:30-3pm
Students may visit an academy class between January 30 and February 29. Students can arrange a visit with their counselor.
Deadline to register for on-time registration is March 6 (via Oakton counselor). Initial academy decisions will be released to students March 31.
Summer School Info
Summer Online Campus Information
Middle and high school students who meet the course prerequisites can take one online course. Students who have completed a high school math course may take an online campus math class. Middle school students who expunged a high school math or Spanish course or those wanting to recover a course credit may take the course again.
Registration for most classes begins January 16, 2024 and ends June 7, 2024.
Summer school info for the online campus is available here.
FCPS also offers enrichment summer options, please check out the FCPS Summer Learning Opportunities site here.
Questions regarding Online Campus, Economics/Personal Finance, and Summer Learning can be directed to the appropriate student's counselor.
Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance
Self-Directed Economics and Personal Finance requires students to complete work without direct teacher support. Students will
- Access content for this course through FCPS Schoology.
- Read through 14 modules, complete 140 exit tickets, 14 module tests, and a final exam.
This course does not meet face-to-face. Students may only take this course as "Pass/Fail".
Registration and Dates
At the time of this newsletter, registration information is not yet available.
Please note that taking this course over the summer completely optional. Oakton offers Honors Economics/Personal Finance and AP Macro/Micro Economics which fulfill the required class for graduation.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Junior Family College Night - January 31 at 6pm
Junior families please mark your calendars for Junior Family College Night. This event is for both junior students and their families to hear directly from college admissions representatives in a panel format. There will be a 30-minute Q&A session at the end.
Topics include:
- Finding the Right Fit
- Components of the College Application
- Starting the College Search
The zoom link will be emailed to junior families the last week of January via eNotify "Oakton High School."
Yale Ambassadors Program
The Yale Ambassadors Program is an initiative that was started to give high school students the opportunity to hear from current Yale students about their personal experiences, including campus life and financial aid policies. The program is open to everyone in the Career Center (Rm. 1102) at 11am. Click here to register for this event.
ASVAB Test on January 17
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will be given on January 17, 2024 at Oakton HS for interested seniors and juniors. The ASVAB is required for military enlistment, but is also a career exploration program that includes an aptitude test and interest assessment to help guide students with careers and jobs of interest. Details and sign up here by January 10.
NOVA Early Online College - deadline January 8
NOVA Early Online College (EOC) allows current high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition free college courses. EOC courses for the Spring semester begin on January 30, 2024, and end on April 22, 2024. Deadline to register is January 8, 2024 at 5pm. Courses are asynchronous, online, and for college credit only. 13 different courses are offered along with courses that fulfill the IT Technical Support Career Studies Certificate. EOC courses are selected because they meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s Associate degrees as well as being highly transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities.
NOVA Site - Early Online College Information
FCPS Site - Early Online College Information
Gap Year Fair
FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at George C. Marshall High School from 6 to 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 opened on November 20, 2023, on USA Gap Year Fairs.
Professional Certificates for High School Students through Coursera
The FCPS Student Pilot Program with Coursera allows high school students to access the contents of the Coursera Career Academy, including more than 29 professional certificates from the world’s leading companies. A limited number of seats are still available.
Students can explore popular digital jobs and career paths such as marketing and data science, and learn from experts at leading companies including Google. Interested students should complete the Coursera Student Interest Form. Once it is submitted, their parent/guardian will be contacted for consent.
Please note that Coursera courses are not recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as industry credentials and do not count toward high school graduation requirements.
Contact Program Manager Scott Simmons with any questions at sfsimmons@fcps.edu.