Cougar Connection
Oakton Student Services Newsletter: March 2020
As you know, schools are closed for the next few weeks. With the closing of the school, it can be scary and alarming. We want you to know that we are in this together. By working together, we can reduce the worry that surrounds the virus. Oakton will be doing everything we can to provide our community care and support outside the school environment. Our daily lives have been impacted by the Coronavirus but we will get through this challenging time. The health and well-being of all is the priority. Many questions may arise about the rest of the school year including testing; however, we do not have the answers at this time. This may be stressful. If you or your student are feeling overwhelmed by this situation, take a moment and breathe. Even though this is nothing that we have ever faced before, we will figure it out in due time. It will be a different approach then we have followed previously, but we will find the best solution.
In this newsletter, Student Services wanted to provide additional resources for our community as we navigate the next few weeks.
For more information on Fairfax County Public School's Coronavirus Updates, check out: https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update.
Student Services Highlights
Virtual Junior Parent Night
In lieu of the school closure, school counselors hosted Junior Parent Night virtually. We created a voice over of our slideshow.
Please take a look - it's long (almost an hour) so you can pause, forward, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyDl5GYdjw8
After you view it, please complete our survey here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfnxe8okruMou5ZRckXqa75PQasbAWyZe4RmcOp2_Z8tUzSJA/viewform
Parent Resources
Student Resources
Cougar Chill Spot: A Virtual Brain Break & Resource for Students
For last month's Flex Cougar Time, students had the opportunity to partake in a virtual brain break activity, which is a great resource for students to utilize at school or home. Counselors created a google site that contains multiple strategies on managing stress including Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Healthy Habits, and Coping Skills.
Students must use their google account to access the site: https://sites.google.com/fcpsschools.net/cougars-chill-spot/home
Counselor Spotlight
Mr. Quesuan Wigfall, currently in his 17th year in education, has a colorful background in education. By earning a full scholarship to Virginia Military Institute, it set the foundation of his career path. He earned a B.A. in Psychology and Minor and Leadership Studies from Virginia Military Institute; earned an M.A. in School Counseling Pre-K - 12 from Cambridge College; and earned a ED.S. in Counseling from Old Dominion University.
Mr. Wigfall began his career as a substitute teacher while playing in the Arena Football League and then became a Special Education/English Teacher as his AFL career was wrapping up. He has coached high school football at three different high schools in Newport News, VA. Mr. Wigfall's career path has taken him to both the high school level and to the collegiate level. Now, in his tenth year as a school counselor, Mr. Wigfall enjoys preparing students for the next chapter.
As a child of a military parent, Mr. Wigfall attended 5 different elementary schools including overseas and Nothern California, where he became a big Oakland Raider fan!
Mr. Wigfall's "Why" is to help students be the best they can be every single day. Being a role model that his 2 year old daughter would be proud of is his mission!