Cougar Connection
Student Services Newsletter: October 2019
Fall is Here
First Quarter is a Wrap
Need help?
Free online resources such as Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/ and Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org are available. For World Languages, students can use Duolingo:
Below is a same Study Skills Toolkit that students can review.
Student Services Highlights
Fall Luau & First Quarter Fall Break
Over 200 students attended the Fall Luau activity while 300 students attended the First Quarter Fall Break. Students were able to relax with friends and complete some fun activities. Please see photos from the events below.
Please be on the lookout for more brain break activities during future Flex Cougar Times.
Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)
On October 7, Rachel Palermo, a member of Edu-Futuro, a non-profit organization based in Fairfax and Arlington counties that serves immigrant, low-income, minority and first-generation youth, visited Oakton's English Language Learner classrooms.
The Emerging Leaders Programs (ELP) is broken into two parts – ELP 1 and ELP II. ELP I is a 12-session workshop series focused on leadership development, college preparation, and community involvement for minority and immigrant youth in grades 9-12. The goal of the program is to encourage team building and promote self-confidence in youth as they prepare for their lives after high school. ELP I is offered year-round, with sessions in the Fall, Spring, and Summer at various locations throughout Fairfax and Arlington counties. Upon completion of one ELP I session, students can apply for our second program for high school seniors, Emerging Leaders Program II where they receive a one-on-one college mentor for their entire senior year.
ELP I Fall session is from October 26th - December 14th. The Fairfax Site will be hosted at Robinson Secondary School on Tuesdays (6:30 - 9:00 pm) and Saturdays (9:30 am - 12:00 pm). We also offer ELP I in the Spring and Summer.
For more information, please contact Oakton's Parent Liaison, Ms. Martha Ghahremani. She works at Oakton High School Monday, Wednesday and Friday (8:30am - 3:30pm). Ms. Ghahremani also serves as a Spanish interpreter.
703-319-2787
Ninth Grade Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Day
Teachers provided important lessons on transitioning to high school, exploring their strengths, technology use and asking for help. They completed activities in their Naviance Student accounts as well as completed vision boards.
New Student Meeting
Alcanza College Fair Field Trip
Angst Documentary Viewing
A huge thank you to the PTSA who sponsored and coordinated the event. All of our feeder schools also joined the viewing with several administrators in attendance.
For more information about the movie and associated resources, check out http://www.angstmovie.com.
College Transcript Update
Seniors who could like to confirm their college materials were submitted can check their status on the individual college's application portal (be aware they can be behind), Naviance Student, and the Common Application.
As a reminder, counselors will send out midyear transcripts to all colleges that a student has submitted a transcript request form. This happens in February.
College Application Workshop
College and Career Center Updates
Admission Representatives Visits
More information will follow.
Upcoming Events
World Kindness Day - November 13
College Essay Feedback Workshop
The College and Career Center-Trailer 35 will be hosting a College Essay “Feedback” Workshop on November 18, 2019 from 3 to 4:30pm. We are excited to have four College Admissions Representatives participate in our workshop. Sign up is required through Mrs. Banbury, space is limited to the first thirty students. Please have your student stop by Trailer 35 in order to sign up or receive additional information. If you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Banbury- dbbanbury@fcps.edu.
Depression Screening - November 18 and 19
This year, the program will be conducted through history classes. Parents may opt-out their student; letters were mailed home in October. If you would like your student to not participate, please contact your student's counselor.
Underclassmen Awards Program
Due to parking and construction, this is a student only event.
Oakton Pantry
Families wishing to help support the pantry, may donate. Food items are especially welcome as the holidays are quickly approaching. Items may be dropped at the main office, near Door 4 or items may be purchased through the Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PXP0VZH14Y/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1?_encoding=UTF8&type=wishlist&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=&pldnSite=1. Thank you so much for your help!
Questions, please contact school counselor Ms. Magaly Rivas Wyatt.
Counselor Spotlight
Meet Ms. Tamarah Stanley
Ms. Stanley has worked in education for fifteen years. She is very excited to continue her second year at Oakton. Prior to moving to Virginia, she was a high school math teacher and school counselor in North Carolina.
Ms. Stanley earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education and Master of Science in Counselor Education from East Carolina University. Go Pirates!!
When asked her “why”, Ms. Stanley includes a quote from Rita Pierson which states “Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.”