Annandale Community Insider - August 23

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Annandale Community:

We are a little more than two weeks aways from the beginning of the 2020-21 school year. This past week, we came together as a staff and in our teams to build a community of collaborators. Our goal is to build upon our success from the spring and collaboratively plan the highest quality instruction for our students in a virtual setting. 

In addition, we also are working hard to ensure all students have a laptop and internet to access instruction. We will be distributing laptop computers throughout the week to all 9th grade and new students. While appointments are not required, they are strongly encouraged and will be given priority when they arrive. To schedule an appointment click here. Masks/face coverings are required. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Valentine at bvalentine@fcps.edu. Below is the laptop distribution schedule: 

  • Monday, August 24 - Last names A - G 
  • Tuesday, August 25 - Last names H - O
  • Wednesday, August 26 - Last names P - Z 
  • Thursday, August 27 - Walk-ups
  • Friday, August 28 - Walk-ups

For those needing internet access, Cox has announced new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company's low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up by September 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support. 

Parents are encouraged to learn some of the technology applications their students may be using this fall by viewing the “Virtual Learning: Tips and Tricks” YouTube Channel. The list will be continuously updated. 

On Wednesday, September 2, all Annandale students will attend their W4 class for a virtual opening. The purpose of this event is to ensure all students can access virtual instruction prior to school starting and will help us identify and troubleshoot needs. This will also be a time when we can start to build relationships and classroom communities, provide information to students, and answer questions students and families may have. We will share more information as we get closer to this date.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

 

Contact Information:
Twitter: @ShawnDeRose
Website: https://annandalehs.fcps.edu/


Important Dates

September 2 - Student Schedules Released

September 2 - Virtual Opening

September 8 - First Day of School (Virtual)

September 23 - Back to School Night (New Date)

 

Student Schedules Released - September 2: Students and parents will be able to access their students’ schedule in StudentVue or ParentVue on September 2.  For more information about obtaining a Parent View account, please go to the FCPS 24-7 Learning : Parent View website. If you already have a Parent View account, this link will allow you to sign into your account or reset your password. If you do not yet have a Parent View account, please email Nicole Salgado Lopez at nasalgadolop@fcps.edu to receive your activation code and create your account.

 

Virtual Opening - September 2: On Wednesday, September 2, all Annandale students will attend their W4 class for a virtual opening. The purpose of this event is to ensure all students can access virtual instruction prior to school starting and will help us identify and troubleshoot needs. This will also be a time when we can start to build relationships and classroom communities, provide information to students, and answer questions students and families may have. We will share more information as we get closer to this date.

 

First Day of School - September 8: The 2020-21 school year will begin on Septemeber 8. Students will be receiving a Google Meet link to each of their classes prior to the start of school. Here is a link to the bell schedule. We are still finalizing Annandale High School’s bell schedule structure as it relates to Mondays and W4/Pride Time. Stay tuned for more information.

 

Back to School Night Moved to September 23 - Due to a conflict with one of our feeder elementary schools, we have moved out Back to School Night date to Wednesday, September 23.


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Student Laptop Distribution

Laptop distribution for 9th graders and students new to Annandale will take place from August 24 through August 28. Distribution will take place at Door 10 (outside of gym lobby) from 9:00-11:30am and 12:30-3:00pm. Note: Students must have returned laptops to other FCPS schools in order to receive one from AHS. 

While appointments are not required, they are strongly encouraged and will be given priority when they arrive. To schedule an appointment click here. Masks/face coverings are required to be worn while on school grounds. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Valentine at bvalentine@fcps.edu. Below is the laptop distribution schedule: 

  • Monday, August 24 - Last names A - G 
  • Tuesday, August 25 - Last names H - O
  • Wednesday, August 26 - Last names P - Z 
  • Thursday, August 27 - Walk-ups
  • Friday, August 28 - Walk-ups

For those needing internet access, Cox has announced new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company's low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up by September 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support.

For more information and resources, check out the links below:

Information about the FCPS laptop program FCPSOn - https://www.fcps.edu/resources/technology/fcpson

Getting started virtually with the FCPS Distance Learning Program - https://www.fcps.edu/academics/distance-learning/complete-plan/in-fcps


Important Information

Return to School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Families - The changing course of the COVID-19 pandemic with infection rates surging both nationally and regionally has required FCPS to alter our plans for school year 2020-21. We will begin the school year with virtual learning for all students on September 8. 

Click here for the "Return to School Frequently Asked Quested for Families" website.

 

IB Score Update - In July, IB released scores from the 2019-2020 school year. Recently, IB has readjusted scores due to worldwide questions over how scores were derived. These adjustments resulted in a score increase for some students. 

Please have your student log into the IB portal to check their scores. Pins/Passwords were sent in April to all testing IB students through their fcpsschools.net email account from Mrs. Bradshaw. Please contact Linda Bradshaw at lmbradshaw@fcps.edu if you need pin/password information. IB will be resending out new transcripts to colleges for those students with score changes.

 

Athletic Physical Needed Starting September 8 - In order to continue to participate in athletic “Yellow Days-conditioning” and move into “Green Days-individual skill development”, athletes will need to have a physical dated after May 1, 2020.  We hope to start Green Days on September 8.  Physicals can be turned into the Activities Office now. The physical form and Emergency Care Form can be found at the following links. Physical Form and Emergency Care Form  Please email John Ellenberger if you have any questions.


Job Opportunity - Instructional Assistant

Annandale is seeking an Instructional Assistant to support students this upcoming school year. The position requires the following: performs curriculum, instructional, clerical, and support tasks to support teachers and other professional staff; assists with the daily management of the students and classroom; and performs related duties as required or assigned. 

Education/Experience/Skills - Graduation from high school, plus one year of progressively more responsible experience working with students and completion of an associate’s degree OR two years of college (48 credit hours). Spanish speaking preferred. If interested, please email Karen Bryan at kabryan@fcps.edu.


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PSATs for 11th Grade Students

This October, Annandale High School 11th graders will have the opportunity to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). General information about the test is available on the PSAT testing update webpage, and we will share more specifics about PSAT testing in September. Final testing decisions will be based on health department guidance.

Because the PSAT is operated by the College Board, students with disabilities may only access testing accommodations that have been approved by the College Board. If you have a student with disabilities in eleventh grade this school year who may need a new College Board testing accommodation, please review the PSAT accommodations information and return your input and consent by Tuesday, August 26, 2020.

If you have questions about PSAT accommodations, contact Kristin Lillis at kplillis@fcps.edu.


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News from the PTSA

Join the Annandale PTSA! - Please consider joining the PTSA as it is a great way to become actively involved in your student's education and the AHS community.

In addition, the PTSA 1) provides resources and support to help ALL Annandale HS students, teachers and staff succeed. 2) PTSA educates members on issues and decisions impacting Annandale HS and FCPS. 3) Studies show active PTSAs improve overall student. Click here to join today!

 

PTSA Meeting - Dates and Times: Mark your calendar for monthly PTSA meetings which are held the 3rd Tuesday at 7:00pm. We will start the school year with virtual meetings and details will follow on how to join us. These dates include: September 15, October 20, November 17, December 15, January 19, February 16, March 16,  April 20, May 18, June 8.

 

2020-2021 PTSA Board Members: President: Norma Foti, Vice President-Membership: Thurraya (Rai) Kent, Vice President-Programs: Rachel Gomez, Treasurer: Kimberly Bellem, Secretary: Andre McGinity 

 

Stay Connected - “Visit”, “Like” and “Follow” - Our e-newsletter, ATOMail, is sent the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month and highlights PTSA programs and opportunities to support our students, teachers, and staff. To receive ATOMail, please sign up and set your preferences on the FCPS "News You Choose" webpage. Select “Annandale High School” and check the box for “Annandale HS PTSA”. You can also stay up-to-date on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.