Phinsider
Back to School Edition
Welcome to School Year 2021-2022! As we plan for the beginning of the year, our focus as a faculty and staff will be to ensure that every child, every day, is finding a way to feel connected, challenged, and cared for. Last year required our staff and students to engage in different forms of teaching and learning, connect in new ways, and in many cases, support from afar. I witnessed a high level of professionalism and commitment from our teachers as our students continued to work hard, and our parents supported their children, however possible. This reinforced what I appreciate most about Ocean Lakes High School – we are a caring community.
At Ocean Lakes High School, our staff prides itself on ensuring that our students have many educational and extra-curricular opportunities. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards so that there will be no shortage of opportunities for your student to feel challenged with high-quality instruction and have a wide variety of options to connect to the school and fellow students. In addition, we must ensure that every child knows that when they need a caring adult, OLHS will provide them with one. Our mission is that Ocean Lakes, in partnership with family and community, will provide a safe, challenging, and innovative learning environment where all students are encouraged and empowered to achieve their full potential.
I remain committed to communicating important information to our families. Please be on the lookout for additional 2021-2022 school year information in the coming weeks via the OLHS website, AlertNow, Facebook, and Twitter.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
COVID-19 Information
With the COVID-19 pandemic still a reality for our community, it is our primary goal to maintain a safe learning environment for our students, teachers, staff, and families. Visit https://www.vbschools.com/ for the latest information on VBCPS’ commitment to employee and student safety, access to resources, guidance from national and regional health officials, and more.
Contact Information
Now is an excellent time to make sure you are connected to our rapid notification system AlertNow, which is how the division sends important messages to families. Parents and guardians are asked to ensure their contact information is up-to-date at their child's school. In addition, parents, guardians, and staff members must choose to opt-in to receive text messages from the division. Visit vbschools.com for instructions.
Changes in Return to School Event
Due to recent changes in COVID protocols, we will NOT be hosting our in-person Return to School events on August 31 and September 1. Instead, we will shift to an asynchronous virtual format. Information on how to access the program will come out tomorrow, Sept. 1. If you have questions, please direct them to Mr. King at James.King2@VBSchools.com.
Important Information Regarding Schedules
- VBCPS has moved back to an A/B schedule. Typically, students take a total of 6 or 7 classes with an A/B schedule and have one or two "It's Academic."
- It’s Academic is a study block. Therefore, there will be tutoring support available during most It's Academic blocks.
- An A/B or “alternating-day” block schedule is one in which students have four 90-minute classes that meet every other day.
- You should be able to view your student's schedule in Student VUE and Parent VUE.
- 12th Grade Excused Block requests are honored if scheduling allows and students meet the criteria for excused blocks. Qualified seniors must complete an application that is available in the School Counseling Office. Students can ask their counselor for a form.
- OLHS is still leveling classes, so schedules are subject to change as a result.
- Academic Support is not a class your child will attend. However, this is on your schedule to show you who your student's counselor is.
Schedule Changes
We are working to finalize schedules, so they are still subject to change. We do not typically entertain requests for a schedule change. We use the following parameters when considering a schedule change:
Schedule changes can be made if:
- A student is missing a block altogether (i.e., the student is not scheduled for block 2A)
- A student is missing a required core course
- A senior is missing a course needed for graduation
Schedule changes will NOT be authorized for any of the following reasons:
- A student is requesting a specific teacher
- A student is requesting to move a class to a different block
- A student has changed their mind about their elective
- A student wants to drop an AP class (the deadline to drop AP classes was July 31st)
NOTE: On your child's schedule, the teacher listed with Academic Support is their school counselor. Please get in touch with them if you or your child have any questions or concerns regarding the schedule.
COVID Mitigation and Expectations
All students and staff must be masked in the school building regardless of vaccination status. Masks must cover the nose and mouth. When masks fit well and are worn correctly and consistently, they are effective and safe to wear for long periods. Students may relax their masks when eating or drinking in a common area. However, masks must be returned to the face when students finish eating or drinking. Masks are not required outdoors. Social distancing should be maintained whenever possible (a minimum of 3-feet of separation). Students are encouraged to wash/sanitize their hands frequently and to stay home when feeling sick.
Attendance Procedures for Quarantined Students SY 2021-2022
Students who are absent due to quarantine will not receive concurrent instruction. In quarantine cases, a student who is not ill and can participate in remote asynchronous learning will be offered the opportunity to do so. A student who accesses remote asynchronous learning will be counted present if work is accessed daily. Teachers are expected to develop a process for checking in with quarantined students to monitor progress, provide feedback and clarify learning tasks. For example, teachers may schedule office hours. If a student with an IEP or 504 must stay home because of COVID-19, provisions will be made to maintain educational services. Should you have any questions regarding attendance procedures for quarantined students, please contact Dr. Le Blanc.
In Case You Have Questions
Do you have a question about transportation services or a bus schedule?
Email: VBCPS Bus Stop
Transportation Dispatch: 263-1545
After-hours dispatch: 263-2949
Please note that Transportation does experience a higher-than-normal volume of calls at the beginning of the school year, but someone in Transportation will answer your call. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Note: Complete bus stop location, bus arrival time, and bus number information will be uploaded to your ParentVue account after August 31, 2021. ParentVue will provide the most complete and up-to-date school bus transportation information available. Please continue to check the bus information in your ParentVue account through the first day of school, as school bus routes will continue to be modified to accommodate new and moved students.
Do you have a question about Free or Reduced Meal Prices?
Enrolled students will be provided a nutritious meal for breakfast and lunch each day at no charge to the household. Households will not be required to submit a meal application form to receive meals at no cost. However, the new school year requires a new meal application. Although school meals will be provided free to all children, school funding and eligibility for other programs depend on completed meal applications. A new meal application must be completed if you have not already turned in an application for the new school year. School meal eligibility does not roll over from year to year. Therefore, it is essential to submit a completed meal application as soon as possible.
- Only one meal application is needed for each household.
- Applications are available online at www.schoolcafe.com.
Eligibility to Participate in VHSL Sports and Activities
When using an A/B scheduling model, for a student to be eligible to participate in a VHSL sport or activity, they must be enrolled in no fewer than five subjects offered for credit and have passed five subjects offered for credit the preceding year. Since the high schools were on a 4X4 schedule last year (offering students four classes each term), students must have passed three classes to be eligible this fall (first semester). Additionally, the Beach District requires students to have a GPA of 2.0 or above for the semester immediately preceding the season in which the student wishes to participate. However, there is a one-time waiver of the 2.0 rule. This may not be very clear so if you need clarification, contact John Williams or Dr. Le Blanc at 648-5550.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, Sept. 2 – First Home Football Game vs. Kellam @ OLHS @ 7:00 pm
Monday, Sept. 6 – Labor Day
Thursday, Sept. 9 – First Day of School
Wednesday, Oct. 13 – Progress Reports Issued
Friday, Oct. 22 – Homecoming (Football Game vs. FC @ Home @ 7:00 pm)
Tuesday, Nov. 2 – Election Day
Friday, Nov. 12 – First Grading Period Ends (Adjusted Dismissal for Students)
Thursday, Nov. 18 – Report Cards Issued
Wednesday, Nov. 24 – Asynchronous Virtual Learning Day for Students (All Day)
Thursday, Nov. 25 – Thanksgiving Holiday (Schools Closed)
Friday, Nov. 26 – Thanksgiving Holiday (Schools Closed)
Ocean Lakes High School
Email: Claire.Leblanc@VBSchools.com
Website: https://oceanlakeshs.vbschools.com/
Location: 885 Schumann Drive, Virginia Beach, VA
Phone: (757) 648-5550
Twitter: @OceanLakesHS