Cougar Connection
Oakton High School Student Services Newsletter: June 2020
School counselors are off for the summer and will return to school on August 6, 2020. During the summer, we will have limited access to our email and will reply upon our return. We look forward to working with you in the fall!
FAQs During Summer Break
1. My student would like to make a change to his/her schedule for next year.
Course request changes were due June 16, 2020; however, another opportunity to request course changes will be provided upon our return on August 6, 2020. Students may email his/her individual counselor to receive an automated response that includes a form that students can submit requests. Please keep in mind all requests will be made based on space availability.
2. My student plans on enrolling in Entrepreneurship I or II during next school year.
Dual Enrollment (DE) at NOVA – Students who are registered for Entrepeuneurship I and II (at Oakton) must complete NOVA’s DE procedures. Please complete the steps here. For more info, check out FCPS DE site.
NOVA course code: BUS 116 Entrepreneurship = 3 credits = Entrepeneurship 1 at Oakton
NOVA course code: BUS 165 Small Business Management = 3 credits = Entrepreneurship 2 at Oakton
3. We are moving either into or out of Oakton's boundaries. What do we need to do?
All students either leaving or coming into Oakton’s boundaries may reach out to our registrar, Ms. Nancy Buscemi, at nlbuscemi@fcps.edu. For more info, please click here.
4. My student needs an official transcript.
Transcript requests can be made directly to our transcript assistant, Ms. Magda Milkowska, at mmilkowska1@fcps.edu. For more info, please click here.
5. My student would like to enroll in DE classes at NOVA during the fall.
Students may explore Dual Enrollment classes at NOVA during the school year (as long as they meet the requirements). Students can begin their research using NOVA's resources here. Dual enrollment does require counselor input and can be discussed upon counselors return in August to ensure appropriate course load and course selection.
6 How does my student access AP Exam scores?
Students in Virginia will receive access to their AP scores on July 17 at 8 a.m. ET. Students will access scores via their College Board account. If students don't remember their username or password, they can recover them on the College Board website—they should NOT create a new account. Students who are unable to reset usernames or passwords online, can call AP Services at 888-225-5427 or 212-632-1780 for assistance.
After all AP exams have been administered, the parents, guardians, or students that are due a refund will be identified by Financial Services. Refunds will be processed in late June/July.
7. What classes will be offered next year either in-person or virtually?
Oakton staff is currently working with the county on the details. Unfortunately, we do not have any specific information about courses yet and we anticipate knowing more about student schedules in August.
More information about the Return to School is provided below.
Student Services Highlights
Virtual Junior Workshops
School counselors also offered three different virtual junior workshops to all juniors the week of June 8. Over 300 students were able to join us on the topics of Senior Materials, College Applications and College Essay Brainstorming. For juniors who missed the presentations, they can access the slideshows on the Counseling Department's Class of 2021 Google Classroom. To join, use code id6r4bc.
To access Oakton's updated transcript request forms, deadlines for next year as well as the senior profile, click here.
Need a counselor letter of recommendation? Please click on the link above for the senior profile. Juniors can get a head start on this questionnaire before the fall. It is not due; however, until the transcript request form is turned in.
Preparing Diplomas
The graduation bags that were created was a huge undertaking by administration and administrative assistants, which included senior award info, caps and gowns, senior programs, and honor cords. What an amazing collective feat to award each of our 650 seniors with their regalia.
Parent Resources
The Virginia Department of Education provided this handout on Social Emotional Wellness for Parents and Caregivers
Mental Health First Aid: Tips to Help Teens Cope During COVID-19
American Psychological Association: News Articles about COVID-19
Society of Adolescent Health & Medicine: COVID-19 Resources for Parents and Teens
Return to School 2020-2021
This is a difficult decision to make both for families and staff. To assist you in that decision-making process, Dr. Brabrand shared the resources below that will be updated daily as more information becomes available.
In-person Instruction with Social Distancing
Also, Principal Lane will be offering an opportunity for parents in a virtual parent meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 6:30pm - 7:30pm. A link will be sent out on Tuesday morning to all parents via eNotify. Please submit questions here so that a compiled list with any answers will be provided.
Mental Health Consultation
The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will continue to offer mental wellness consultations throughout the summer. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being or if your child would like to speak with a school psychologist or school social worker, please request a consultation. Our FCPS mental health providers are available to help families get needed support through a 45-minute phone consultation or through secure video conferencing. Appointments are open to all FCPS families.
Consultations are offered in two ways:
- Directly to parents of students in any grade level. This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their child’s social-emotional, behavioral, or academic functioning. Information about community resources will also be made available.
- Directly to students in middle or high school. This consultation provides support and strategies to students who may be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood, behavior, or peer or family interactions; as well as academic challenges such as organization, time-management, or adjusting to a new school.
We encourage parents to take advantage of this service. Click here to request a consultation. You may also leave a message at 571-423-4276.
Counselor Spotlight
Ms. Laura Osborne is in her 10th year at Oakton HS as a counselor. Prior to becoming a counselor, she earned a Master's Degree in Sports Management and worked in professional sports and television production of sporting events for 8 years. She has two children, one is a senior at Amherst College where he plays lacrosse, and a daughter who is a senior in high school (not Oakton) and starting the college application process. She is originally from Miami and spent many years living in the Philadelphia area. She attended Tulane and Penn State as an undergrad and earned her Master's at Temple University and another Master's in Counseling at Villanova. She keeps very busy with her kids and dog, traveling, and trying to squeeze in a workout when she can.