December 4- Financial Aid Information Session (details below)

December 11-Early College Information Nights at FCC (9th and 10th graders)

December 23-January 1- Winter Break/Schools Closed

January 13- FAFSA Finish Event (details below)

CLASS OF 2025 CAP/GOWN ORDERING INFORMATION

Jostens is our provider for ordering your student's cap and gown.

Students attended a presentation with this information this morning.

Please order by January 15, 2025.

If your student has a sibling or friend that graduated in 2022, 2023, or 2024, and would like to borrow a cap and gown, they may purchase only a new tassel.

Everything you need for your Oakdale HS Graduate from Cap & Gown, Graduation Announcements and More!!

To order the cap, gown, and tassel unit only, click here

DECEMBER 4 Financial Aid Information Session – Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 6pm in the OHS Auditorium

o Financial Aid Information will be presented to families by a college financial aid advisor

JANUARY 13- FAFSA Finish Event – Monday, January 13, 2025 6-8pm in the OHS Auditorium

o Parents/students can sign up for help with completing the FAFSA (Sign up to be provided)

o Financial aid advisors will be present to assist parents through the process.

MARCH 7 Senior Class Meeting (Graduation Ceremony Information)

MARCH 10 Senior Parent Meeting

6:00 P.M. in the OHS Auditorium

APRIL 25 Prom @Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center 7-10 p.m.

TBD Seniors’ Last Day of Instruction

MAY 28 DAY 1 – GRADUATION PRACTICE (8-11:00 AM-OHS)

MAY 29 DAY 2 – GRADUATION PRACTICE (8-9:30 AM-OHS)

MAY 29 SALUTE TO SENIORS PROGRAM (10 AM – OHS)

MAY 30 GRADUATION -ON THE CAMPUS OF

MT. ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY, KNOTT ARENA

1:30 PM

Students can apply for federal student aid (grants, loans, and work-study) using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Student aid covers post-secondary education costs — making career school, community college, or a four-year university more affordable.

States and colleges also use FAFSA information to award grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities. Completing the FAFSA can help demonstrate financial need.

Here are three (3) ways students and families can prepare now for the 2025-26 FAFSA, which will become available in December 2024.

1. Create Your StudentAid.gov Account (aka FSA ID) to access the upcoming FAFSA form.

2. Create Your MDCAPS Account to access the Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS). Within MDCAPS, (1) students can apply for multiple state financial aid programs using a single application, and (2) undocumented residents and those otherwise ineligible to complete the FAFSA can submit the MHEC One-App to be considered for state financial aid.

3. Learn what documents are needed to complete the FAFSA form.

FCPS high school counselors, in collaboration with community agencies and higher education partners, provide guidance and support for families of current seniors who are navigating the college application and financial aid process. Multiple events are being offered to provide you the opportunity to learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA), deadlines, college costs and scholarship opportunities. For more information regarding FCPS and video resources visit: https://www.fcps.org/student-svcs/fafsa-finish-information

There are two types of events that will be held this year:

• Financial Aid Information Presentation – Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 6 pm, at OHS - a Financial Aid representative from a higher education partner will share Financial Aid information/advice - registration is not required.
• FAFSA Finish Events - Monday, January 13, 2025, 6-8 pm, at OHS - provide students and families the opportunity to work directly with a Financial Aid expert to complete the FAFSA. - registration is required. (See link below.)

The Financial Aid Information Presentations do not require pre-registration. Families must register if they would like a time slot for the FAFSA Finish Events, which can be done using the following link: https://outlook.office365.com/book/FAFSAFinishNights@uwfrederick.onmicrosoft.com/

Scholarship Opportunity!

Families who attend one of these events, and submit a FAFSA, will have their student entered into a drawing to win a scholarship provided by our community and higher education partners!

2024/2025 Events

*Families are welcome to sign up for any of the events below, regardless of whether they attend the hosting school or not:

Register for a FAFSA Finish Workshop here:

https://outlook.office365.com/book/FAFSAFinishNights@uwfrederick.onmicrosoft.com/

Before the FAFSA Finish event, a FSA ID will need to be created. The FSA ID is the username needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

All contributors (ex: student, student's biological parent and step-parent as applicable if the student is dependent, student's spouse as applicable if student is independent, etc.) are required to create a FSA ID. Please note that parent or spouse contributors are not responsible for paying the student's invoice. Instead, contributors are required to include their FAFSA on a student's FAFSA to determine the student's eligibility for financial aid, which includes federal aid, state aid, and scholarships. Learn more about contributors by watching this short video.

Creation of the FSA ID and password is a fairly straightforward process, so contributors are encouraged to create their FSA ID and password at home before the 2025-2026 FAFSA becomes available on or before December 1, 2024.

Students and parents can create an FSA ID here. Please have your Social Security card available. You will need to have access to your mobile phone and/or email address in order to complete this process. Please keep your FSA ID in safe place because you will need to access this information every year for the FAFSA! More information about the FSA ID is available here.

Please reach out to the school if an interpreter (sign-language or Spanish, etc.) is needed. Interpreter requests must be made 10 days in advance.

CLASS OF 2025: COMMON APPLICATION PROMPTS ARE AVAILABLE
While some schools are beginning discussions with juniors and transfer students about college options, it's important to clarify that this doesn't mean students need to start writing their essays right away. By releasing the prompts early, Common App hopes to give students ample time for reflection and brainstorming. Feel free to use our Common App Ready essay writing resource, available in both English and Spanish.

For students who wish to start exploring the application process, creating a Common App account before August 1 ensures that all their responses, including their personal essays, will be retained through account rollover.

Michelle Printz is Oakdale's Career Coach. If you have any questions please feel free to email her at Michelle.Printz@fcps.org

Be sure to check on Naviance to sign up for College visits. Visits are scheduled by Ms. Printz and held during all lunches in the Counseling Office.

Frederick County Public Schools offers many opportunities for students to explore career pathways, increase the rigor and value of their high school education, and prepare for college. These programs are open to all FCPS high school students. Some require shadowing for a day prior to applying and being accepted into the program.

• The Academy for the Fine Arts (AFA) (see below)
• Career & Technology Center (CTC) (see below)
• Frederick Community College Dual Enrollment program (DE)
• International Baccalaureate program (IB)
• Navy Junior ROTC (NJROTC)

For more information, see link below:

FCPS College & Career Programs

All SAT testing dates listed above are Saturdays. Late registration incurs a late fee. Learn more, register and get free practice at College Board.

These tests are digital. Students taking the digital SAT who need to borrow a device from College Board will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline - at least 30 days before test day.

CEEB/ETS High School Code: 210664

All ACT testing dates listed above are Saturdays. Late registration incurs a late fee. Learn more and register at ACT.

Note that there is a photo upload requirement to the ACT - deadline is approximately 8 days prior to the test date.

CEEB/ETS High School Code: 210664

Colleges may require your FCC Transcript as part of the application process, and possibly only if you have already completed and received a final grade in the course. To determine if you need to send your FCC transcript, please check your admissions checklist on the college website/portal.

If you have determined that you need to send your official FCC transcript, use the following link to request it: FCC Transcript

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) and Frederick Community College (FCC) invite you to attend one of our Early College Information Nights to learn about the FCPS-FCC Early College program:

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 (in-person, at FCC)

Thursday, January 9, 2025 (virtual)

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (in-person, at FCC)

Monday, March 10, 2025 (virtual)

All times 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

The Early College program allows high school students to earn an associate degree and high school diploma simultaneously by attending FCC full-time during their junior and senior years. The program was created to increase participation and completion for students from populations historically underrepresented in higher education and is open to all FCPS high school students.

FCPS students apply to Early College during their sophomore year of high school.

At the Information Nights, members of the Dual Enrollment Team will go through the details of the Early College program and acceptance process, and they will answer questions from interested students and families.

Register to attend one of these sessions at tiny.cc/earlycollegenight.

A confirmation email will be sent with further information regarding the location and/or meeting link.

Contact the DE Office at DualEnrollment@frederick.edu, or visit www.frederick.edu/de for more information!

If you need log in or password help for your Frederick Community College (FCC) Dual Enrollment Course

FCC Website: https://www.frederick.edu/
MyFCC Student Portal: https://myfcc.frederick.edu/

1) Find and know your FCC Student User ID#:
-Students should have received an admissions letter with a Student User ID number.

-Your HS based instructor has access to your ID# in Blackboard and PeopleSoft.

-You can contact DualEnrollment@frederick.edu to receive your ID number.

2) Create or Reset your FCC Password:
-.pdf instructions here

-IT Help Desk: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/it-services.aspx

3) Log on to Blackboard

-Your username for Blackboard and Outlook email will be W + ID#@myfcc.frederick.edu

(ex. W1234567@myfcc.frederick.edu)

-Video instructions here

4) Understand the basics of Blackboard

-Overview here

5) Know the FCC Resources available to you as a college student

-MyFCC Student Portal: https://myfcc.frederick.edu/

-Student Resources: https://frederick.edu/student-resources/student-resources.aspx

-Student Handbook: https://www.frederick.edu/handbook.aspx

-Gladhill Learning Commons: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/gladhill-learning-commons.aspx

-Learning Centers and Tutoring Services: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/gladhill-learning-commons/learning-centers-tutoring-services.aspx

-Know your instructor’s “Office Hours.” This is a time to seek help, ask questions, and get tutoring. You are not bothering your instructor during this time. It is set up for you.

6) Log on to Outlook email

-Instructions here

7) Contact and Request Disability Access Services, if applicable
-High School Special Education accommodations (extended time, IEP, 504, etc.) do not automatically transfer to college. YOU must request them and meet with your instructor.

-Disability Access Services DAS: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/das.aspx

To Access All Scholarships On Naviance, use the following Tabs: Colleges Tab > Scholarships and Money > Scholarship List Go to Naviance to access this information.

If so, please request it through Naviance using the simple steps below.

Log on to Naviance https://student.naviance.com/oakdalehs

Click on the Colleges Tab (at the top)

Apply to College Column

Click on Manage Transcripts

Click on the Plus Sign (+)

Select “Other Transcript”

Please allow 1-2 business days to receive your transcript. A PDF copy will be sent to your FCPS email, not mailed. The email will come from Ms. Harding.

To have your transcript uploaded to the NAIA site, please fill out the form below and drop off to Ms. Harding in the Counseling Office or email it to diane.harding@fcps.org

Planning on playing sports in college? Do you have an NCAA Account?

If so, you need your transcript uploaded to the NCAA site. To have your transcript uploaded to your NCAA account, please fill out the form below. You can drop it off to Ms. Harding in the Counseling Office or email it to diane.harding@fcps.org

REMEMBER I am unable to upload your transcript without the signed release form.

Click the link below for more information about NCAA

NCAA - Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete

Scholarships/Financial Aid

FCPS provides scholarship and financial aid information as a resource only and does not endorse any sponsor of any particular

scholarship program.

Resources:

● Naviance – Scholarships can be found on the Colleges page under “Scholarship Search”

● www.fastweb.com

● https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

● https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships

● http://www.mhec.state.md.us/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.asp

● https://www.raise.me/ https://

• www.frederickcountygives.org/Grants-Scholarships/Grants-Scholarships

The Service Academy Process:

1. Open Applicant File

Request Pre-Candidate Questionnaire from the Admissions Office of the applicable Academy.

• United States Military Academy - apply online at admissions.usma.edu.
• United States Air Force Academy - (800) 443-9266; apply online at academyadmissions.com.
• United States Naval Academy - (410) 293-4361; apply online at usna.edu/Admissions
• United States Coast Guard Academy - (800) 883-8724; apply online at uscga.edu/admissions/
• United States Merchant Marine Academy - (866) 546-4778; apply online at usmma.edu/admissions

2. Request Nominations (see more information below)

3. Complete Testing

• Take ACT or SAT tests, schedule Physical Aptitude Exam & Medical Exam.
• Complete Forms
• Complete all forms and return to academy or academies by their deadline.

4. Visit Service Academies: Call Admissions Office to set up a tour of academies.

Nominations:
If you are interested in applying to a service academy, you must obtain a nomination as part of the very competitive application process for most of those academies. Nominations may be requested from multiple sources including but not limited to your US Congressman or either of your state's US Senators, and the Vice President of the United States. Congressmen and Senators sometimes have information sessions about how their offices handle the process.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: USMA, West Point, NY; USNA, Annapolis, MD; USAFA, Colorado Springs, CO; and USMMA, Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

FLU VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE FOR FREE TO ALL FAMILIES
The Frederick County Health Department encourages all Frederick County residents to get an influenza vaccination this season. Flu vaccine is readily available in our community, and the health department will continue to prioritize children who are uninsured or who do not have a medical home. The Health Department will be offering flu vaccinations at no cost to children 6 months through 18 years of age who do not have health insurance, have health insurance that does not cover the cost of immunizations or who are unable to get vaccinated by their healthcare provider.

The Frederick County Library has an online tutoring platform called Brainfuse HelpNow. This service can be used with a Frederick County Public Library Card Number. HelpNow is a resource designed for K-12 students and beyond. Live tutoring is available in English and Spanish from 2:00-11:00 p.m. to provide homework help for core subjects, including mathematics, science, and English language arts. Practice long division, improve reading comprehension, and learn other key skills. Practice for standardized tests. Students may submit papers to HelpNow’s Writing Lab for expert assistance and feedback, or collaborate with peers in virtual study spaces. More information is available at the FCPL website, https://www.fcpl.org/learn/brainfuse-helpnow.

FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS

Electronic Meal Benefits Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now active at LINQ Connect. Families can apply for free or reduced price meal benefits all year long. All students at all Frederick County Public Schools can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits.

Before the start of each school year, we remind families that they can apply for free or reduced-priced meal benefits. We encourage families who feel they qualify, or if they are not sure they qualify, to fill out an online free and reduced meal benefit application. Families can access the confidential application at LINQ Connect. For any questions, email FNS at food.service@fcps.org, call 240-586-8152 or visit the Free and Reduced Meals FAQs.

Mental Health Resources

The Maryland Department of Health released a “Student and Young Adult Resource Guide for Coping During COVID-19”. Click here to see it. It’s a handy, comprehensive guide created for secondary and college students to spotlight issues and find resources on how to help themselves and each other through the continued adjustment to pandemic-created changes. Many of the resources also support elementary students. The FCPS Mental Health Matters page can be found here. Students and family members who are experiencing difficulty may wish to contact the Frederick County Mental Health Association (MHA).

Walk-In Behavioral Health Services
The Walk-in Service has resumed seeing clients in person at their office located at 226 South Jefferson Street in Frederick for those who prefer to see someone face to face. They are also continuing to offer their Virtual Walk-In platform for those who feel more comfortable with that.

The MHA's call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From intervention, a caring and supporting voice at a moment of crisis, to connecting to resources and information, dial 211.

Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464 Help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.

Crisis Services: Dial 211 - Help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe.
Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233 - Report threats or situations that put your safety, or others' safety, at risk.

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 - Help if you are thinking about suicide.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Marylanders who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis have a new way to get immediate help. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988. Learn more at 988.maryland.gov.

Not My Kid: Our dynamic team offers trauma-informed prevention programs using best-practice strategies including:

• The IMBR model focuses on Information, Motivation, Behavior skills, and Resources.

• A peer-to-peer model with an emphasis on how to make healthy choices rather than on scare tactics.
• The parent-child relationship is an important focus to address risk and protective factors.
• A strength-based approach with caring adults, family support, and access to care. https://notmykid.org/

erin.pierorazio@fcps.org

Kelli Connolly- Registrar

kelli.connolly@fcps.org

Diane Harding- Secretary

diane.harding@fcps.org

Debbie Nester-Secretary

debra.nester@fcps.org

Counseling Office Fax: 227-203-3447

Nick DeWaal

Tara Ketteringham

Judy Whims McGraw

Ilana Blum

Christy Polce