Cougar Connection
Oakton High School Student Services Newsletter: April 2020
Students Services would like to give a huge thank you to all of Oakton's teachers, instructional assistants and coaches as well as our School-Based Technology Specialist. They all have worked relentlessly to the changing demands to provide our students continued valuable instruction. Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week!
Student Services Highlights
Stress Less Week
Students and Parents can access the Counseling Department's Distance Learning Site for more ideas and students can access the Cougar Chill Spot for more ways to manage stress.
Mindful Monday
Thoughtful Tuesday
Wellness Wednesday
Thankful Thursday
Animal Friends Friday
OHS Virtual Stress Less Week Video
College Board Updates
AP Exams
Oakton's Most Recent Announcement (May 1)
To learn more about Oakton's procedures, check out AP Exam Reminders.
For College Board's AP Exam info, click here.
Here are some reminders:
- Students do not need to email Ms. Warehime if they are planning to not take an AP Exam.
- Students cannot opt back in or register for a new AP Exam.
- We encourage students to take their AP Exams.
- Students are expected to take their AP Exam(s) during May 11-22 as scheduled by College Board.
- FCPS has announced that refunds will be processed after June 8, 2020.
The SAT
College & Career Center
Senior Survey - Required for the Class of 2020
The YouTube video linked will show students how to complete the Senior Survey in Naviance Student.
For any questions about the survey, please contact Mrs. Banbury -dbbanbury@fcps.edu or Mrs. Evans -naevans@fcps.edu.
Please complete the Senior Survey by May 22. This is a requirement for every senior.
********IMPORTANT:
If a student has not submitted a Transcript Request Form or will be adding a new college that was not requested previously, students need to make sure to email our transcript secretary, Ms. Milkowska, the Transcript Request Form (mmilkowska1@fcps.edu ). If she doesn’t have this paperwork, we won’t be able send your final transcripts.
More information can be found in emails from the Career Center as well as in the senior Student Services Google Classroom.
College Signing Day and #CelebrateYourPlan
Seniors! We want to #celebrateyourplan. FCPS is starting a county wide campaign to honor the Class of 2020. Starting May 1st they want all FCPS seniors to share their plans for life after high school. Use Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. Don't forget to tag Oakton and #ourFCPS and #celebrateyourplan. You can also share your photos with us here and they may be used in Oakton’s social media. No matter what your plan is, we want to celebrate you!
If you have decided by Tuesday, May 5 and Thursday, May 7 please wear a college t-shirt to your virtual classes to show us where you are headed!
It’s not just about college so we want everyone to participate – check out the examples below.
• What are you planning to major in and which college are you planning to attend?
• What entry level career are you planning to begin and with which company?
• Why did you plan to do a gap year and with which gap year program?
• Why are you planning to join the military and with which branch have you signed up?
Do not forget to view this FCPS Google Site for Seniors for helpful information and resources just for seniors and to find out what it means to #celebrateyourplan.
Scholarships
As a reminder, students log into their BB account, go to Naviance-Student, click on colleges, scroll down to Scholarship&Money for all of the information pertaining to each scholarship.
Additionally, students can check their emails weekly updates as well as google classroom.
Northern Virginia Community College Updates
NOVA is also offering a program for graduating seniors called JumpStart. This program offers free college classes for college credit only. Check out their site to learn more info. Questions about this program can be directed to NOVA directly at JumpStart@nvcc.edu.
Parent Resources
Here are some school resources in one place:
Parent and Student Links
Oakton HS ESOL Community Site (it's translated in both English and Spanish)
Oakton HS Distance Learning Resource Page
Oakton HS Distance Learning Grading Info
FCPS Food Services During COVID
Our Minds Matter Wellness Resource
FCPS Digital Citizenship Resource
Student Links
Class of 2020 Next Steps (provided by FCPS Student Services Support)
Class of 2021 Preparing for Your Next Steps (provided by FCPS Student Services Support)
Parent/Student Clinic for Mental Health Consultation
School counselors are the first point of contact for any academic, personal, or social-emotional concerns. Any FCPS parent may schedule a 30-minute phone consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker, for either themselves or their middle or high school student. To schedule a phone consultation, parents should click the following link: https://forms.gle/WKchwGnv4LkezQwG8 This consultation provides an opportunity for parents to receive guidance on how to support their student’s emotional well-being during their time away from school.
Student consultations will provide support and strategies to students who may be experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood, behavior, or peer or family interactions during this unprecedented and challenging time. Information about community resources will also be made available.
This service is not intended for mental health emergencies and if an emergency is suspected or indicated, please call 911. Additionally, students and families can access mental health support.
If there is a crisis of emergency during the time of the closure through the following link: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-psychology-services/mental-health-resources-and.
Parenting Teens During COVID-19
Child Mind Institute Article: "Supporting Teenagers and Adolescents During the Coronavirus Crisis"
LA Times Article: "Teens are feeling lonely and anxious in isolation. Here's how parents can help."
Upcoming Events
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
To learn more about the Asian/Pacific American culture, check out these two great resources:
https://asianpacificheritage.gov/ and PBS series of stories.Teacher Appreciation Week
Summer School Info
Counselor Spotlight
An avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions Football Teams, Ms. Chase-Kang enjoys cheering on her teams each fall. She also spends her free time chasing around her three children (ages 4, 6, and 8), bike riding, building puzzles, leading girl scout troop meetings, novice hiking and camping.
Ms. Chase-Kang's why focuses on her core values of empathy, humor and education. She is continually inspired by her students and their individual stories. She wants each student to feel respected and valued in her office because she recognizes the importance of having a trusted adult in all students' lives.