Annandale Community:
I am grateful for the many conversations I had with so many of you, Annandale staff and other educators throughout FCPS this past week about racism. Earlier this week, the principals in the Annandale Pyramid came together to send out an email stating that racism and hate have no place in the world and no place in the Annandale Pyramid. Diversity makes us stronger, and we are proud to lead a diverse Annandale Pyramid community.
Many of you reached out and shared your own experiences as well as the conversations you are having with your families. These are conversations we must continue. Let us be unrelenting in our responsibility to each other, our students and community, and society to confront and combat hate.
This week, we will continue to celebrate the Class of 2020. On Monday, Seniors will be able to pick-up their diploma, cap & gown. To comply with social distancing guidelines and make this a safe event, students should arrive to the school during the time designated:
- 9:00am - 11:00am - Last names A-L
- 12:00pm - 2:00pm - Last names M-Z
On June 9, 10 and 11, we will be hosting a “Class of 2020 Photo Op.” With the school as a backdrop and Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background, a counselor will announce the graduate’s name as they walk onto a small stage in front of the school wearing their cap & gown and holding their diploma. A professional photographer will be there to take photos as they walk across the stage, and again with any family members present.
See calendar below or check out the email sent to seniors and parents this past week listing all upcoming end of the year events. Have a great week and as always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Shawn DeRose
Contact Information:
Twitter: @ShawnDeRose
Website: https://annandalehs.fcps.edu/
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Upcoming Events
June 8 - Senior Cap and Gown Pick Up
June 9, 10, 11 - Cap & Gown Graduation Photo Op
June 15-16 - Underclassmen Drop Off/Pick-up
July 3 - Virtual Graduation and Celebration
Senior Cap and Gown Pick Up - Monday, June 8 from 9:00am-2:00pm: Students will have the opportunity to pick up their cap and gown, tassel, and diploma case. In order to receive their cap and gown, students must have returned all items and paid all fees. Fees can be paid online via myschoolbucks.com using the myschoolbucks mobile app or in person on this day.
To comply with social distancing guidelines and make this a safe event for our Seniors and our staff, please arrive to the school during the time designated for your student’s last name:
- 9:00am - 11:00am - Last names A-L
- 12:00pm - 2:00pm - Last names M-Z
Graduation Celebration & Photo Op - June 9, 10 or 11: With the school as a backdrop and Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background, a counselor will announce your name as you walk onto a small stage wearing your cap & gown and holding your diploma. A professional photographer will be there to take your picture as you walk across the stage, and again with any family that accompanies you.
In order to do this safely, we have developed a plan based on current data and guidance from the Fairfax County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We ask for everyone’s cooperation to make sure all Seniors and their families have a safe and enjoyable experience during their scheduled time. The photo op event will be hosted outside. It will be facilitated in an expedited drive-thru fashion (5 minutes per student) over multiple days. Graduates (dressed in cap and gown) and their families will remain in their vehicle until it is time to be called to the set-up area. All photographs must be taken within a 5-minute time frame to allow for seamless transition to the next student. One vehicle per family, please. Graduates and their family who choose to walk to the school will be accommodated.
Sign up for a time slot below. The hours of the event are from 8:00am-5:00pm each day. Students, please dress in your cap and gown and bring your diploma in the cover to carry across our small stage.
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/gradphotoahs; Use Code: 2020
Senior Virtual Graduation and Celebration - Photos Due June 12: In addition to the cap & gown graduation photo opportunity, we are excited to announce the production of our Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation and Celebration Video. The video will be live streamed on July 3 at 11:00am on YouTube, as well as Channels 11 and 99. The purpose of this video is to celebrate our Seniors, acknowledge their achievement of earning their high school diploma, and create a keepsake memory for them. The format of this video will be a hybrid between a traditional graduation ceremony and a celebration of our Seniors’ accomplishments.
This virtual celebration will be compiled by our partners, Marching Orders and Stage Clips. Students will receive an email from these organizations detailing how to upload a photo and video clip. They must upload their information by Friday, June 12. If your student prefers that we use their yearbook photo, they must indicate their wishes to participate by filling out this form from their FCPS account by Friday, June 12 in order to be included in the virtual celebration.
Underclassmen Item Drop Off/Pick-up - June 15 and 16: Underclassmen will have the opportunity to retrieve items left in their lockers as well as return any materials they have borrowed from the school. Essential items for drop off include textbooks and library books. Students may keep their laptop and any musical instruments over the summer unless they will not be returning to Annandale next year. Stay tuned for more information.
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Senior Yard Signs - Limited Supply Remaining!
Do you have a senior? Know a senior? Or just want to celebrate the Class of 2020? Please consider purchasing a yard sign to congratulate a graduate. Our hope is that as life resumes to normal and we begin to move about Annandale again, seniors and their families will see the signs and know that they are not only celebrated, but supported by our community during a most unusual senior year.
Signs can be purchased for $15 here and will be delivered to your yard as soon as we are able to in a safe manner adhering to the social distancing requirements. All funds raised through the sign sales will help to fund the four AHS PTSA Scholarships.
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Important Information
IB Scores Posted After July 4 - If your student took an IB course this year, information on how to access the scores have been sent to students via their school email back in April. Students should log into their fcps gmail account and search up the email from Mrs. Bradshaw. Please have your student take a picture of the pin and password in the email and save this important information. Seniors will not have access to their gmail after graduation. Scores should be posted after July 4, 2020. There may be a delay. All seniors that fill out the senior survey by June 5 will have their IB transcript sent to the school they listed in the survey. Please contact Linda Bradshaw, IB Diploma coordinator, at Linda.Bradshaw@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
Student Services - Counselors Available - If you have concerns regarding your socio-emotional health or mental well-being, please contact your counselor for support. Counselors are available to check in with students through email or the voice-dial feature on Google Meets. Unless you has been opted out of counseling services, counselors may be reaching out if they have requested an appointment or if staff members have noticed concerns that may prompt a check in.
Counselors are currently working on additional plans of support for students, parents, and staff during the COVID-19 closures. In the meantime, please reach out to your student's counselor if you need support or have any questions.
If you have any other questions please feel free to reach out to Director of Student Services, Dr. Paula L. DiSalvo at pdisalvo@fcps.edu
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News from the PTSA
Join the Annandale PTSA! - Please consider joining as it is a great way to become actively involved in your student's education and the AHS community. Moreover, the PTSA works very hard to stay on top of critical activity and decisions being made by the school board, school system and local government. Click here to join today!
Final PTSA Meeting, June 9 at 7pm - Please join us for our next PTSA virtual meeting this Tuesday, June 9 at 7pm. An invite link will be sent via e-mail prior to the meeting to all PTSA members. The PTSA makes every attempt to communicate on multiple platforms through membership emails, ATOMail, PTSA website and our social media accounts. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook!
2020-2021 AHS PTSA Officers: We are pleased to announce that the following PTSA officers were unanimously elected by membership vote at our Tuesday, May 19, 2020 meeting:
President: Norma Foti
VP, Membership: Thurraya (Rai) Kent
VP, Programs: Rachel Gomez
Secretary: Andre McGinity
Treasurer: Kimberly Bellem
PTSA Food Pantry Update - The Annandale PTSA Food Pantry recently distributed over 40 bags of food to AHS families in need of food assistance. As it has become more difficult to restock our shelves and for the safety of the families we serve and our volunteers we will are transitioning to the distribution of grocery store gift cards. Please consider a monetary donation to the AHS PTSA Pantry all monies raised during the COVID-19 shut down will be used to purchase grocery store gift cards. To make a donation to this effort please click here. Thank you for your continued support of the AHS PTSA Pantry.
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Food Distribution and Assistance
FCPS Food Distribution - Fairfax County Public Schools is providing "grab and go" breakfasts and lunches at no cost for students at multiple sites to students. Both breakfast and lunch are available for pick up between 10:00am - 1:00pm. Below are the nearest locations:
- Annandale Terrace ES, 7604 Herald St., Annandale
- Braddock ES, 7825 Heritage Dr., Annandale
- Bren Mar Park ES, Bren Mar Park ES, 6344 Beryl Rd., Alexandria
- Bailey’s ES, 6111 Knollwood Dr., Falls Church
- Crestwood ES, 6010 Hanover Ave., Springfield
- Graham Road ES, 2831 Graham Rd., Falls Church
- Weyanoke ES, 6520 Braddock Rd., Alexandria
All meals are available at no cost to children 18 years and under. Adult meals are available for purchase for $2. Check out the "Coronavirus Update - Food Resources for Families" for the latest information and other "pop-up" and grab and go locations.
Annandale Community Based Services
Mondays: Hot meal distribution at AUMC Mission Center at 3:00pm (World Central Kitchen-Chef Jose Andres’ effort
Tuesdays: Emergency food distribution (by referral) at AUMC Mission Center from 5:00-6:30pm and at The Parliaments from 5:00-6:30pm
Wednesdays: Burrito distribution at The Parliaments at 5:30pm
Thursdays: Food distribution at Fairmont Gardens from 4:30-6:00pm and at AUMC Mission Center from 5:00-6:30pm
Fridays: Hot meal distribution at AUMC Mission Center at 3:00pm(World Central Kitchen-Chef Jose Andres’ effort)
Saturdays: Pizza distribution at ACCA Child Development Center at 2:30pm
Sundays: Pizza distribution at John Calvin Presbyterian Church at 2:30pm
HUGE THANK YOU to the large network of partners who are supporting these efforts. Annandale United Methodist Church, Christ Central Presbyterian Church, Fairfax County Government- Fastran, Fairfax County Public Schools, Food for Others, Genesis 12 Christian Fellowship Church, Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation, Pizzeria Paradiso, Real Food For Kids/Chefs Feeding Families, SevaTruck, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, World Central Kitchen by Chef Jose Andres.
Other Local Community Based Services
Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA) - ACCA provides emergency food for individuals and families referred by social workers and ACCA member churches. Volunteer “food captains” receive these requests and arrange for volunteer drivers to pick up the food from the ACCA Food Pantry and deliver it to client’s home.
Britepaths - Food assistance is by referral only from a social worker or case worker from the Fairfax County Health and Human Services or a Fairfax County Community Based Organization (CBO) or Faith Based Organization (FBO). Please go to website link for more information.
Food for Others - If you are in need of food, you may come to one of the neighborhood site distributions. Click on website link for specific locations and times. The only question that is asked is, “How many people are in your household?” Please bring your own grocery bags!
Real Food for Kids - Chefs Feeding Families is collaborating with Pizzeria Paradiso to distribute whole grain, veggie pizzas on Saturdays and Sundays in the Annandale area through June. The effort will begin this weekend, April 12, at 2:30 pm each day, until supplies last at:
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