Phinsider
May, 2021
Principal's Message
At Ocean Lakes, our teachers regularly work beyond their contractual hours to ensure that those they teach learn at their full capacity. Our teachers selflessly show their students that they are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure they are successful. The actions that our teachers take don’t just stay inside the classroom. Instead, they follow students throughout their lives and have an everlasting impact on how they view our world. Who doesn’t have a fond memory of a teacher who inspired them in some way? This week was a week for honoring teachers and recognizing their lasting contributions to our lives. At Ocean Lakes, we love our teachers.
Ocean Lakes Wins Region in One Act Play Competition!
In the fall, the Ocean Lakes Theatre Company held virtual auditions for the VHSL One-Act Competition play. The piece they selected to perform was The Potman Spoke Sooth, a murder mystery/comedy. Although their initial rehearsals were held over Zoom, they were fortunate to start rehearsing face-to-face in February. Throughout the many challenges, our dedicated theatre students never allowed themselves to feel defeated. Last Friday, the results of the VHSL One-Act Competition were released, and our Theatre Company was named 6A Regional Champions! They earned three “Superior” ratings in competition against eight other very talented high school productions. The Ocean Lakes Theatre Company has advanced to state-level competition. Good luck, Dolphins!
Tentative Schedule - OLHS Graduation on June 18 at 1:30 p.m.
As was announced during last week’s School Board meeting, VBCPS intends to hold all graduation ceremonies at the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater. The process of finalizing contracts with the facility is still underway, so the schedule posted below is tentative.
As families plan for this event, please know that we will only use the seating area under the amphitheater canopy. Allowing for that and COVID-19 spacing restrictions, each graduate will receive between two and four tickets for guests. All graduations will be live-streamed. As more information is released, I will keep you updated.
Pre-enrollment Surveys Available
A pre-enrollment survey is available to all families through ParentVUE, where you will be asked whether you intend to choose in-person or virtual instruction for your child(ren) for the 2021-22 school year. A survey must be filled out for each child enrolled in VBCPS. This survey is open until May 16. Children will receive face-to-face instruction for families who do not respond to the survey. A FAQ page is available on vbschools.com, and there is a wealth of information on the Virtual Virginia website. VBCPS has set up a VVA Readiness Questionnaire, where you can review questions and consider whether Virtual Virginia is best for your family. Please watch this short video for more information. A hotline – 757-337-1641 – is answered Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., to assist you.
Virtual Virginia to Provide Virtual Instruction for the 2021-2022 School Year
For families who choose virtual instruction for the 2021-2022 school year, the Virtual Virginia (VVA) program will be the learning platform. VVA courses align with Virginia standards of learning, taught by certified teachers across the Commonwealth, and VBCPS covers all costs. This option is open to all current students and any family who resides in Virginia Beach and enrolls their child into VBCPS for 2021-22. All families choosing VVA will receive 100% of their instruction virtually for one full year. Students will be assigned to a VBCPS home school based on their address. Enrollment in VVA will not include any VBCPS academy or advanced academic programs as that curriculum requires in-person learning at the home school. Students may participate in extracurricular activities at the home school, including athletics, SCA, and clubs. Participation in any activities at the home school will require the student to provide their own transportation.
School Prom Cancellation
Unfortunately, the division must cancel proms this year as our health and safety requirements do not allow us to host these special occasions. We are planning for senior day activities. More information about our senior celebrations is forthcoming.
June 11 Senior Day - Farewell Fun with the Class of 2021!
On Friday, June 11th, we will celebrate our seniors at Ocean Lakes High School. The day will be filled with games (volleyball, corn hole, four square, Pictionary, heads up, etc.), yearbook signing, and memory-making. The fun and festivities will last from 7:20 a.m. to noon. Current COVID mitigation protocols require those in attendance to wear a mask and stay within small groups while rotating through activities. After an activity-packed morning, seniors will move to the football field for food (a complimentary picnic lunch) and fellowship. Seniors must sign up for Senior Day by May 28th. If a senior is not signed up, they will not be able to participate. No late sign-ups will be accepted. The sign-up link can be found in the Class of 2021 Senior Group in Schoology and shared via the school's AlertNow system.
The Class of 2021’s Next Chapter
To recognize and celebrate our seniors, we are in the process of creating a slideshow that highlights every graduating senior and what they will be doing in the Next Chapter of their life. For example, some graduates will enroll in a college, university, or trade school. Others will enlist in the military, and some will go directly into the working world. Each slide will have the student’s picture, plan, and any awards or scholarships they would like to highlight. The slides will be put together, so they run on a loop with music in the background. The slideshow will be available for students to view on Senior Day, and a recording will be made available for parents. In addition to the slideshow, we will have a keynote address. This will take the place of our annual Awards Day.
MSA Senior Ceremony
We are pleased to announce we intend to host a Senior Ceremony this year for the MSA Class of 2021. However, we do not have all the details because we are waiting for more information from the CDC and VBCPS about COVID protocols and in-person participation limitations. We ask that you reserve the evening of June 14, 2021, as this will be the date for the ceremony. Worst case scenario, we live-stream the event with students only attending in-person (1:00 p.m.). In the best-case scenario, we can have an in-person program with students and their parents in attendance (6:30 p.m.). Once we know more, we will send more detailed information about the ceremony. Thank you for your continued support and patience as we safely prepare for this event.
Senior Yard Signs
Order Your Yearbook!
There's nothing like your school yearbook. Get your hands on the limited edition collection of our stories from the year. Share it with your friends and hang on to it for years to come! Since copies are limited, order your yearbook today. Yearbooks cost $85.00
The link below can be used to order a yearbook.
Update on Mask Requirements
Please keep in mind that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using masks by all individuals in crowded outdoor venues and settings. Therefore, face coverings are still required indoors and outdoors at large crowded events such as concerts, fine arts performances, sporting events, and graduation ceremonies.
Vaccinations Available to All Persons 16 Years and Older
All Virginians 16 and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Virginia’s pre-registration website includes a link to the CDC’s VaccineFinder tool. That database allows you to search for available vaccine appointments at providers near you by entering your ZIP code. The platform then directs you to each provider’s scheduling system. The clinic even takes walk-ups and allows registration on-site.
VBCPS is also working with the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health to offer school day vaccination clinics for eligible students at our high schools. Students 16 years of age and older are currently approved to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and approval may be given for students 12 years of age and older in the coming weeks. High school families should expect to receive a separate email on Monday regarding this opportunity.
Non-Writing SOL Testing
The spring non-writing SOL dates are listed below, and the Master Testing Calendar will be updated to reflect these dates on Monday. On June 1 through June 4, we will have a second bus run for high schools. All Option 1 and 2 students who need to take a test on a date listed below may get on a bus in the morning. Transportation will do a second bus run after 10 and bring A-K or L-Z students (based on the existing hybrid schedule) who did not need to take a test to school, arriving about 10:30 am. More specific information about the second bus run will be communicated soon.
Tuesday, June 1 – History SOL Tests
Wednesday, June 2 – Science SOL Tests
Thursday, June 3 – Reading SOL Tests
Friday, June 4 – Math SOL Tests
Makeup and Expedited June 7 - 17
Coach Nestor and Girls' Cross Country Team - STATE CHAMPS!
Congratulations to the Girls Cross Country team for winning the 6A State Championship! Our Ocean Lakes girls' cross country team is the first Virginia Beach team to win the girls' cross country state championship since 1979. The Dolphins won by 15 points over West Springfield and 20 points over Battlefield. Ocean Lakes junior Aniya Mosley was ninth overall in a time of 19:44. She was followed by teammates Maggie Reed (17th), Ryan Smith (19th), Austin Heft (21st), Sophia Pommerenk (29th), Elise Richardson (30th), and Maggie Furco (33rd).
“We packed it in really well. That was the key,” said Coach Nestor, whose teams have placed second in 2011 and third in 2019. Coach Nestor noted that our girls fought like crazy to secure the win despite the grueling course and the long commute (longest of any Class 6 team). Also, Virginia Beach does not offer the hills to prepare like other teams. And if that wasn’t enough, the fire alarm in the team's hotel went off at midnight! The team spent an hour outside waiting for the okay to go back into the hotel. Coach Nestor and the team could have had many excuses for not performing well, but they had at least seven reasons to do well (referring to the seven girls representing OLHS). Their reasons outweighed the excuses. Way to go, Coach Nestor, Maggie Furco, Austin Heft, Aniya Mosley, Sophia Pommerenk, Maggie Reed, Ryan Smith, and Elise Richardson!
Congratulations to the Boys' Cross Country team for their 6th place finish in the state meet. A special congrats to Harrison Ladd for making the All-State team.
Congratulations, Rebecca Sun
Rebecca Sun competed in the Girls' Open State Championship on April 26 at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Harrisonburg. She had a great round of 79 (for non-golfers, an excellent score!) to finish in the top 20. In a typical year, the Virginia girls’ golf championship would have come an entire month after the team championship. The pandemic-shortened campaign, though, condensed the postseason, strung together district, region, team, and girls’ open tournaments in back-to-back-to-back-to-back weeks. All of this considered, Rebecca competed very well. Congratulations!
Congratulations to our POLICY DEBATE TEAM - THIRD PLACE IN STATES!
The Ocean Lakes Policy Debate Team of Nick Sadri and Reena Assassa placed third in the weekend's 6A State Debate competition. The competition is a two-on-two debate that focuses on a policy question for the academic year's duration. This format tests a student’s research, analytical, and delivery skills. The debate involves proposing a plan by the affirmative team to enact a policy, while the opposing team offers reasons to reject that proposal. Throughout the debate, students have the opportunity to cross-examine one another. A panel of judges determines the winner based on the arguments presented. Policy Debate students must be able to work well with a partner. Nick and Reena were a balanced team in terms of preparation before debates and contributions within a debate. This helped provide a competitive advantage during the tournament season. Their depth of research also contributed to their success as Policy debaters. Policy Debate is commonly viewed as the most technical debate event within the Association. Congratulations, Abby Sulivan, Nick, and Reena. Woohoo!
Ocean Lakes High School
Email: Claire.Leblanc@VBSchools.com
Website: https://oceanlakeshs.vbschools.com/
Location: 885 Schumann Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phone: (757) 648-5550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olhsdolphins/
Twitter: @oceanlakeshs