OHS

August 12- Deadline to return a Schedule Change Form by 2:30pm

August 15- New Student Orientation

August 18- Returning Student Open House

August 20- First Day of School!

September 15- Upcoming College Information Night (more information below)

October 8- PSAT date ( Payment accepted from 8/11 through 9/5 only)

The school counseling office at Oakdale High School is ready for an exciting year! We look forward to working with students and families in order to promote academic success and college and career readiness. Please note that counselors do not return to work full-time until August 13th, so do not be concerned if you do not get an immediate reply to your email prior to that date.

Student Schedule Information

Students can request an academic schedule change August 11 and 12.

To request an academic schedule change, please follow these steps below (requests sent via email, Schoology, or over the phone will not be honored):

Please read the schedule process outline. If appropriate, complete a Schedule Change Request Form Fill out the form and obtain a parent/guardian signature

1. Return the form to the front office vestibule by 2:30 PM on August 12.

Counselors will do their best to accommodate academic schedule change requests if there are available seats in the new course requested and if the course fits in the student's schedule without disrupting graduation requirements. However, please keep in mind that submission of a Schedule Change Form is not a guarantee of a change. If your counselor is able to make a change to your schedule, the change will show up in Schoology 24 hours after the counselor makes the change.

All Work Study, Apprenticeship and Internship paperwork can be turned into Mrs. McGrew by email or by dropping it off at the OHS front office. Forms can be downloaded from the OHS website and completed. All work-based learning experiences need to be approved by Mrs. McGrew before the Counseling Office can make the schedule change. Email: Amanda.McGrew@fcps.org with any questions.

New Student Orientation: August 15th 10 a.m. (Last names A-L) 1p.m.(Last names M-Z)

Returning Students Open House: Monday, August 18 from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

First Day of School: Wednesday, August 20

The Digital PSAT/NMSQT will be administered for 10th and 11th graders

on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (9th graders can also sign up but is recommended for 9th graders enrolled in upper-level math courses such as Algebra 2). The PSAT is an assessment to prepare students for the SAT.

While the cost of the PSAT is $18.00, the total charge will be $19.00 due to a transaction fee of $1.00. Payments can be made through School Cash Online. Payment for the PSAT automatically registers the student to take the exam at OHS and there are no further steps to sign up.

School Cash payments will be accepted from
Monday, August 11th through Friday, September 5th.

After September 5th, no students will be permitted to pay/register for the exam and no refunds will be processed.

Questions regarding the PSAT/NMSQT, please email Mrs. Pyles at amy.pyles@fcps.org

GETTING STARTED ON COLLEGE APPLICATIONS:

Xello Getting Started

Seniors have been assigned the SENIOR INFORMATION SHEET survey in Xello. This information sheet helps counselors complete a counselor letter of recommendation for students applying to colleges or scholarships. The survey can be found under "Surveys.”

SENIOR MEETINGS:

• On Wednesday, August 27, 9:45 am (A-L) and 1:30 pm (M-Z) seniors will receive additional information on Xello (the web-based system used to request and deliver transcripts and letters of recommendation to colleges)
• Counselors will review the college process and other important senior information.
• Counselors will soon begin meeting individually with seniors to assist with the college application process.
• Official transcripts will be ready for release in September.

UPCOMING COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT

On Monday, September 15 at 6:00 pm in the OHS AUDITORIUM, counselors will present information on the college application process to include:

• Admissions terminology, types of college applications - Common Application, School-Specific application
• Xello - Applying for colleges, scholarships, signing up for college visits at OHS, and other features
• Requesting and sending Transcripts
• Requesting Letters of Recommendation from teachers
• Completing the Student Information Sheet in Xello
• Requesting Official SAT/ACT scores

COLLEGE VISITS:

We have many college representatives visiting Oakdale High School. Sign-up information will be shared soon.

UPCOMING FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATION:

TBD a representative from the Frederick Community College Financial Aid office will present information about How to Pay for College, including grants, loans, scholarships, applying for financial aid, including completing the FAFSA. A FAFSA finish event will follow the presentation. (Students & Parent/Guardians are welcome to attend)

COUNSELING OFFICE NEWSLETTER:

Please check out the OHS Counseling Office newsletter which contains updated scholarships, college visits, SAT/ACT schedule, and upcoming events, and more.

The newsletter is distributed weekly through School Messenger.

CLASS OF 2026 Website:

Please visit our Class of 2026 website for important dates for seniors and graduation information.

https://secure.smore.com/n/pwu6v-class-of-2026

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS

Important Dates for Class of 2026

Michelle Printz is Oakdale's Career Coach. If you have any questions please feel free to email her at Michelle.Printz@fcps.org

Be sure to check on Naviance to sign up for College visits. Visits are scheduled by Ms. Printz and held during all lunches in the Counseling Office.

Frederick County Public Schools offers many opportunities for students to explore career pathways, increase the rigor and value of their high school education, and prepare for college. These programs are open to all FCPS high school students. Some require shadowing for a day prior to applying and being accepted into the program.

• The Academy for the Fine Arts (AFA)
• Career & Technology Center (CTC)
• Frederick Community College Dual Enrollment program (DE)
• International Baccalaureate program (IB)
• Navy Junior ROTC (NJROTC)

For more information, see link below:

FCPS College & Career Programs

Amanda McGrew handles internships, apprenticeships, work based learning and community service hours. Please reach out to her at Amanda.McGrew@fcps.org

If you need log in or password help for your Frederick Community College (FCC) Dual Enrollment Course

FCC Website: https://www.frederick.edu/
MyFCC Student Portal: https://myfcc.frederick.edu/

1) Find and know your FCC Student User ID#:
-Students should have received an admissions letter with a Student User ID number.

-Your HS based instructor has access to your ID# in Blackboard and PeopleSoft.

-You can contact DualEnrollment@frederick.edu to receive your ID number.

2) Create or Reset your FCC Password:
-.pdf instructions here

-IT Help Desk: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/it-services.aspx

3) Log on to Blackboard

-Your username for Blackboard and Outlook email will be W + ID#@myfcc.frederick.edu

(ex. W1234567@myfcc.frederick.edu)

-Video instructions here

4) Understand the basics of Blackboard

-Overview here

5) Know the FCC Resources available to you as a college student

-MyFCC Student Portal: https://myfcc.frederick.edu/

-Student Resources: https://frederick.edu/student-resources/student-resources.aspx

-Student Handbook: https://www.frederick.edu/handbook.aspx

-Gladhill Learning Commons: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/gladhill-learning-commons.aspx

-Learning Centers and Tutoring Services: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/gladhill-learning-commons/learning-centers-tutoring-services.aspx

-Know your instructor’s “Office Hours.” This is a time to seek help, ask questions, and get tutoring. You are not bothering your instructor during this time. It is set up for you.

6) Log on to Outlook email

-Instructions here

7) Contact and Request Disability Access Services, if applicable
-High School Special Education accommodations (extended time, IEP, 504, etc.) do not automatically transfer to college. YOU must request them and meet with your instructor.

-Disability Access Services DAS: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/das.aspx

Colleges may require your FCC Transcript as part of the application process, and possibly only if you have already completed and received a final grade in the course. To determine if you need to send your FCC transcript, please check your admissions checklist on the college website/portal.

If you have determined that you need to send your official FCC transcript, use the following link to request it: FCC Transcript

To have your transcript uploaded to the NAIA site, please fill out the form below and drop off to Ms. Harding in the Counseling Office or email it to diane.harding@fcps.org

Planning on playing sports in college? Do you have an NCAA Account?

If so, you need your transcript uploaded to the NCAA site. To have your transcript uploaded to your NCAA account, please fill out the form below. You can drop it off to Ms. Harding in the Counseling Office or email it to diane.harding@fcps.org

REMEMBER I am unable to upload your transcript without the signed release form.

Click the link below for more information about NCAA

NCAA - Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete

The Service Academy Process:

1. Open Applicant File

Request Pre-Candidate Questionnaire from the Admissions Office of the applicable Academy.

• United States Military Academy - apply online at admissions.usma.edu.
• United States Air Force Academy - (800) 443-9266; apply online at academyadmissions.com.
• United States Naval Academy - (410) 293-4361; apply online at usna.edu/Admissions
• United States Coast Guard Academy - (800) 883-8724; apply online at uscga.edu/admissions/
• United States Merchant Marine Academy - (866) 546-4778; apply online at usmma.edu/admissions

2. Request Nominations (see more information below)

3. Complete Testing

• Take ACT or SAT tests, schedule Physical Aptitude Exam & Medical Exam.
• Complete Forms
• Complete all forms and return to academy or academies by their deadline.

4. Visit Service Academies: Call Admissions Office to set up a tour of academies.

Nominations:
If you are interested in applying to a service academy, you must obtain a nomination as part of the very competitive application process for most of those academies. Nominations may be requested from multiple sources including but not limited to your US Congressman or either of your state's US Senators, and the Vice President of the United States. Congressmen and Senators sometimes have information sessions about how their offices handle the process.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: USMA, West Point, NY; USNA, Annapolis, MD; USAFA, Colorado Springs, CO; and USMMA, Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Signing Up for SchoolMessenger

For Anyone Interested in Receiving FCPS and/or School Updates

https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/fcpss/subscriber

Frederick County Public Schools uses SchoolMessenger for email, text messages and automated phone calls.

Community members can sign up to receive SchoolMessenger updates. This step-by-step guide will show you how to quickly sign up to get messages!

Who can sign up

Anyone interested in receiving FCPS and/or school updates. This can include family members not already signed up for messages and community members.

Who Does Not Need to Sign Up

All FCPS employees automatically receive messages to their work email address and contact information they have entered in via PeopleSoft.

All FCPS family members who are listed as a primary contact in our Student Information System do not need to sign up.

Step by Step Directions

FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE MEALS

The Electronic Meal Benefits Application for the 2025-2026 school year will be available on August 4, 2025 at LINQ Connect. Families can apply for free or reduced price meal benefits all year long. All students at all Frederick County Public Schools can apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits.

Before the start of each school year, we remind families that they can apply for free or reduced-priced meal benefits. Benefits from the previous school year expired on October 3, 2025. A child's meal status will change to a "paid" status on October 6, 2025 if the child did not have a new application or direct certification from the state by October 3, 2025. We encourage families who feel they qualify, or families who are not sure if they qualify, to fill out an online free and reduced meal benefit application. Families can access the confidential application at LINQ Connect. The USDA publishes new income eligibility guidelines to qualify for free or reduced-price meals yearly. If you didn't qualify last year, you may qualify this year. For any questions, visit the Free and Reduced Meals FAQs, email FNS at food.service@fcps.org, or call 240-586-8152.

2025-2026 MEAL PRICES

MEAL PRICES

Breakfast

Lunch

Breakfast & lunch are free to students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Adult meals are $4.50.
Milk purchased a la carte (not as part of a meal) is $0.60.

Bus information for School Year 2026 is now available!

***Be sure to check back for changes that may still occur right before school starts***

• If you have already contacted the school and requested bus information (allowing 5-10 days for routing) your information will appear on-line as noted
  • Click on either the School Bus Stop Information link or the School Bus (below)
  • Enter your child's Student ID & Birthdate
  • Continue to check below for bus information. Your child may begin riding the bus when their bus information appears on-line.
  • As we continue to route, times may change. Be sure to check your bus stop times right before school starts for any updates.
• If your bus information does not appear on the screen, please contact your child's school directly. Click here for school phone numbers.
• Please do NOT contact Transportation. All bus requests come from the schools.
• If you need to request or change school bus transportation, please contact your childs school directly. Click here for school phone numbers.
• All transportation requests, changes, and questions MUST go through the school. Click here for school phone numbers.

School Bus Stop Information

Have your child's student ID and birthdate available to find bus information.

Notes:

• Parents of Special Needs students have the option to look up bus information on-line. Your child may begin riding the bus once you are contacted by the bus driver or bus assistant with final bus information.
• Parents in temporary housing: If you need special transportation for your child, please notify your child's school as soon as possible.
• Some stops may change subject to route reviews.
• We work diligently to resolve concerns. Safety concerns receive top priority.

FLU VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE FOR FREE TO ALL FAMILIES
The Frederick County Health Department encourages all Frederick County residents to get an influenza vaccination this season. Flu vaccine is readily available in our community, and the health department will continue to prioritize children who are uninsured or who do not have a medical home. The Health Department will be offering flu vaccinations at no cost to children 6 months through 18 years of age who do not have health insurance, have health insurance that does not cover the cost of immunizations or who are unable to get vaccinated by their healthcare provider.

How can I schedule a vaccination?

• Call 301-600-1733 and ask to schedule an appointment.
• If you are scheduling for your child, please Click the link below to upload your child's immunization record to provide a copy to our immunization staff. You should hear back from our staff within 1 business day.
  https://frederickcountymd-immi-training.app.transform.civicplus.com/forms/40373

The Frederick County Library has an online tutoring platform called Brainfuse HelpNow. This service can be used with a Frederick County Public Library Card Number. HelpNow is a resource designed for K-12 students and beyond. Live tutoring is available in English and Spanish from 2:00-11:00 p.m. to provide homework help for core subjects, including mathematics, science, and English language arts. Practice long division, improve reading comprehension, and learn other key skills. Practice for standardized tests. Students may submit papers to HelpNow’s Writing Lab for expert assistance and feedback, or collaborate with peers in virtual study spaces. More information is available at the FCPL website, https://www.fcpl.org/learn/brainfuse-helpnow.

Mental Health Resources

The Maryland Department of Health released a “Student and Young Adult Resource Guide for Coping During COVID-19”. Click here to see it. It’s a handy, comprehensive guide created for secondary and college students to spotlight issues and find resources on how to help themselves and each other through the continued adjustment to pandemic-created changes. Many of the resources also support elementary students. The FCPS Mental Health Matters page can be found here. Students and family members who are experiencing difficulty may wish to contact the Frederick County Mental Health Association (MHA).

Walk-In Behavioral Health Services
The Walk-in Service has resumed seeing clients in person at their office located at 340 Montevue Lane in Frederick for those who prefer to see someone face to face. They are also continuing to offer their Virtual Walk-In platform for those who feel more comfortable with that.

The MHA's call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From intervention, a caring and supporting voice at a moment of crisis, to connecting to resources and information, dial 211.

Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464 Help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.

Crisis Services: Dial 211 - Help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe.
Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233 - Report threats or situations that put your safety, or others' safety, at risk.

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 - Help if you are thinking about suicide.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Marylanders who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis have a new way to get immediate help. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988. Learn more at 988.maryland.gov.

Not My Kid: Our dynamic team offers trauma-informed prevention programs using best-practice strategies including:

• The IMBR model focuses on Information, Motivation, Behavior skills, and Resources.

• A peer-to-peer model with an emphasis on how to make healthy choices rather than on scare tactics.
• The parent-child relationship is an important focus to address risk and protective factors.
• A strength-based approach with caring adults, family support, and access to care. https://notmykid.org/

erin.pierorazio@fcps.org

Kelli Connolly- Registrar

kelli.connolly@fcps.org

Diane Harding- Secretary

diane.harding@fcps.org

Debbie Nester-Secretary

debra.nester@fcps.org

Counseling Office Fax: 227-203-3447

Nick DeWaal

Tara Ketteringham

Judy Whims McGraw

Ilana Blum

Christy Polce