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Annandale Community:
February is Black History Month. This year’s theme at Annandale is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” Throughout the month, we will celebrate and honor the experiences, achievements, and contributions made by African Americans and their central role in US History both inside and outside the classroom.
We will be celebrating Black History Month in our PRIDE Time classes throughout the month. Our Social Studies teams are honoring Black History Month by offering students opportunities to make their own connections to curriculum content and providing resources to further their learning. Several classes are focusing on historical African leaders. Our US/Va History classes are starting a month long project which will focus on the African American experience in the years immediately following the Civil War. Government students are practicing their source analysis skills by reading articles about prominent African Americans such as John Lewis. Recently, Honors World History 2 students made several personal connections to the Black Lives Matter movement when studying the Enlightenment and the shift in thought during the 18th century challenging traditional views and ideas of freedom and equality.
Outside the classroom, we will be launching a social media campaign, hosting a virtual student-led assembly after school, and participating in various community virtual events throughout the month.
This past week, we welcomed over 20 Seniors back into the building. One senior shared that it was “challenging” to complete work at home and found the quiet, socially distanced space in a classroom this week was very helpful. Beginning on Tuesday, we invited any student, grades 9-12, who are struggling academically into the building. We know that returning to school will make a big difference for many of our students.
On Monday, we welcome our Level 1 and 2 ESOL students back into the building for WiDA testing. This in-person assessment will measure the four linguistic domains: listening, reading, writing, and speaking of our students and will continue to be administered on Mondays through mid-March.
Having students and staff back into the building will also give us the opportunity to practice our mitigation and logistics plans in real time and make minor adjustments to ensure we return strong. However, while the Board vote this week provides clarity on the timeline, I recognize that for many this clarity might create apprehension and raise additional questions. I plan on hosting a Town Hall in the near future to answer any questions that you may have about the return to school protocol and process at Annandale High School. Stay tuned for more information.
Thank you for your continued support.
Shawn DeRose, Principal
Contact Information:
Twitter: @ShawnDeRose
Website: https://annandalehs.fcps.edu/
Important Dates
February 8 - Counselor Office Hours for rising 9th Grade Students and Families
February 8 - WiDA Testing Begins
February 9 - CAT B Teachers Returns
February 10 - Fall Sports: Meet the Coaches Night
February 11 - IB Information Night
February 15 - President’s Day Holiday
February 16 - New Bell Schedule Starts (w/ one lunch)
February 16 - CAT B Students Return
February 16 - PTSA Meeting
February 23 - Teachers Return to Building
February 25-26 - Asynchronous Day for Students (Teacher Prep Day)
March 2 - New Bell Schedule Begins (w/ multiple lunches)
March 2 - Grades 9 and 12 Return
March 9 - Grades 10 and 11 Return
Fall Sports Meet the Coaches Night - February 10 at 6:30pm: Interested in playing volleyball, golf, field hockey or cross country? Join us for Fall Sports Meet the Coaches Night on Thursday, February 10 at 6:30pm. Here is the link to the event.
IB Information Night- Thursday, February 11 7:00-8:00pm: Meagan Padgett, IB MYP Coordinator and Linda Bradshaw, IB DP Coordinator will be hosting IB Info Night on Thursday, February 11 from 7:00-8:00pm. The event is for students and parents, grades 7 through 10 interested in learning more about the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programs at Annandale High School. Please share this event with your classes and if they have any questions, fill out this google form.
Link: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/ca5ae244de364503b6e370a80d0e0310
Come hear about the IB MYP Personal Project and certificate as well as the IB Diploma requirements and course sequencing. Current students will be speaking to the rigor and benefits of this outstanding program! Whether you want to pursue the full diploma or just take a single course this is a great night to be exposed to the IB program offerings for Grades 11 and 12 and discover more about the MYP. If you are unable to attend, the program will be recorded. Questions about IB? Contact Meagan Padgett, IB MYP Coordinator (grades 9-10) at mapadgett@fcps.edu or Linda Bradshaw, IB DP Coordinator (grades 11-12) at lmbradshaw@fcps.edu.
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New Bell Schedule Begins February 16
We will implement the below-revised bell schedule beginning on February 16 through February 26. The schedule maximizes instructional time while providing one lunch period.
Once students return on March 2, we will implement a new bell schedule with multiple lunch periods to accommodate social distancing and mitigation strategies in our cafeteria. This bell schedule will be shared with our community later this month.
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Course Registration Updates
Academic Advising for 2021-22 School Year is Underway! - Counselors have been meeting virtually with individual students through their English classes to answer questions and support students through the course selection process. Students can access information about course selection on our Academic Advising page, which includes the online course catalog and videos about electives being offered.
Counselor Office Hours for Rising 9th Graders - February 8: Annandale is excited to welcome the incoming class of 2025! To support students with course selection, our counselors will hold office hours from 8:00-11:00am Monday, February 8 for rising 8th graders. Students will be able to meet virtually with their assigned counselor using the Google Meet links below. We recommend students look at the resources on our Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising page for additional information.
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Awesome Atoms!
Alex Burita Earns Good Citizenship Award - The Henry Clay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution based in Annandale, VA has recognized Alex Burita as the recipient of the Good Citizenship Award. Recipients are selected as the school’s Good Citizen based their demonstration of Dependability (trustfulness, honesty, punctuality), Service (helpfulness, responsibility), Leadership (self-control, initiative), and Patriotism (unselfish loyalty to American ideals).
Abia Zahir Wins National Center for Woman and Information Technology National Honorable Mention - Abia was selected from over 4,200 applicants from all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. overseas military bases, and Canada. as 2021 NCWIT National Honorable Mention for her computing-related aspirations demonstrated interest in technology, leadership ability, persistence in pursuing her interests in computing, and plans for post-secondary education. Zahir is part of the STEM Impressionists group, an after school mentoring program that works with middle and high school minority girls interested in participating in career-related STEM activities. Through that organization, she has had the opportunity to teach other students and teachers what she has learned, and present at national conferences including ITEEA (International Technology and Engineering Educators Association) and MIT’s Scratch Conference.
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Gaby Deleon and Brandon Cao Participate in All-FCPS Virtual Choir - AHS Choirs are so proud of seniors Gaby Deleon and Brandon Cao who participated in the first ever All-FCPS Virtual Choir! Click on the link below for more information and how to view. FCCDA – We are the Voices. The event included interviews from students and adults about the power and need for music, and a lovely message from the composer, Jim Papoulis.
Rachel Irvin and Jewel Coulter serve as Annandale’s SEALS - Rachel Irvin and Jewel Coulter are serving as Annandale Student Equity Ambassador Leaders (SEALs). This new Student Leadership group is designed to amplify student voices and provide an increased understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion through leadership development, projects, and relevant experiences of high school students. Last week’s Insider mistakenly listed Jimmy Le instead of Rachel Irvin.
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Important Information
Atoms Social Media Accounts - Want the latest news from around Atom Nation? Follow our Social Media Accounts!
Health Screening Commitment Form - As we prepare for students to return to school, parents/caregivers will be asked to acknowledge a Health Screening Commitment form before their student(s) return to school buildings. This document confirms that a parent/caregiver/guardian will complete a daily health screening and will keep their children home when they are ill. The Health Commitment form can be submitted electronically through ParentVUE (PVUE).
FCPS Discontinuation of Temperature Checks - Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has discontinued required daily temperature checks for students, staff and visitors. This decision was based on:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not currently recommend schools conduct symptom screening for all students in grades K-12 on a routine (e.g. daily) basis.
- Symptom screening will identify only that a person might be sick, not that the person necessarily has COVID-19.
- Accuracy of thermometers is limited in extreme temperatures
The CDC recommends that parents, caregivers or guardians, should be strongly encouraged to monitor their children for symptoms of infectious illness every day through home-based symptom screening and students who are sick should not attend in-person instruction.
While FCPS will no longer be requiring daily temperature checks at bus stops and upon arrival in FCPS facilities, students, staff and visitors will still be required to continue to compete a daily health screening available here. Any student, staff or visitor demonstrating symptoms of illness should stay home to help “Stop the Spread” of COVID-19. Visit https://www.fcps.edu/blog/stop-spread for more information.
Family Guide for Return to School - Fairfax County Public Schools is partnering with families to ensure we keep students and staff safe and healthy as we return to school buildings for learning. Working together, we will follow recommended health guidance that focuses on student and staff health, safety, and emotional well-being. The FCPS Family Guide for Return to School has a wealth of information on topics like concurrent instruction, lunch, the mandatory mask policy, recess, laptops, health protocols, and more.
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News from the Activities Office
Check out important information from the Activities Office in this week's “Atoms Athletics and Activities” newsletter, including information about freshmen football, cheerleading, volleyball, golf and cross country. Please email John Ellenberger at jellenberger@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
Fall Sports Has Officially Begun! - Varsity and JV Football began their season last Thursday. This week marks the first day of practice for Freshmen Football, Cheerleading and Dance. Below is the detailed schedule for the first day of practice for all remaining “Fall” sports.
February 8:
Freshmen Football: 4:00 - 6:30pm - Track Turf Field
Cheer: 3:45 - 6:30pm - Upper Gym
Dance: 4:30pm - Dance Room
February 15:
Freshmen Volleyball: 4:00pm - Gym
Varsity and JV Volleyball: 5:30pm - Gym
Field Hockey: 3:45 - 5:45pm - Track Field
February 16:
Golf: 3:30pm - Pinecrest Golf Course
Boys' Cross Country: 4:00pm - Track Field
February 22:
Girls' Cross Country: 4:00pm - Track Field
Live Stream Annandale HS Sports! - If you do not have a ticket to an upcoming athletic event, you can watch home games Live Stream on our YouTube channel. See below for more information.
Monday, February 8:
Region Girls' Basketball @ Lake Braddock - 5:30pm Live Stream
Region Boys' Basketball vs. Robinson - 6:30pm Live Stream
Tuesday, February 9:
District Indoor Track Championship @ Hayfield - Time TBD - Live Stream
Wednesday, February 10:
Meet the Coach Night - XC, Volleyball, Golf, Field Hockey - 6:30 Live Stream
NEW! FCPS Athletics Online Registration - FCPS activities and athletic programs has transitioned to a new online student registration system. To participate, you MUST register. You will need your student’s school ID number, emergency contact info, health insurance card and emergency contact info. This new system offers a host of benefits for schools and community members including:
- One stop shop for registering your student for athletic programs and many common activities occurring throughout the school year.
- Electronic submission of the emergency care card and weight room waiver- only have to fill these out once!
- A new home for the state-mandated concussion education program. If you already submitted the form to the office, you still need to complete the concussion education portion online. Sorry for the inconvenience.
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VHSL Physical form will need to be turned into the Activities Office before participating.
If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Hughes, Athletic Trainer Certified at rhughes@fcps.edu or Patrick Pacak, Administrative Assistant at pmpacak@fcps.edu.
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News from the PTSA
PTSA Spirit Wear Masks - Breathable Atoms Face Mask! The @AtomsPTSA and AHS Athletic Boosters have joined together to bring you this limited edition mask featuring the Atoms logo! Pay $12 online and pick up at AHS. Details here: bit.ly/AtomsMask
Upcoming PTSA Meetings - Dates and Times: Mark your calendar for monthly PTSA meetings which are held the 3rd Tuesday at 7:00pm. All meetings are currently virtual. Meeting link can be found on the AHS PTSA Homepage or join our meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone here. These dates include: February 16, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 8.
Mental Health Resources: Mental health is always important and especially now. If you or anyone you know is in need of help. Please seek it out. Refer to the PTSA Mental Health and Wellness page on our website for resources in our area.
Yearbook Senior Ads: Now through March 1, Senior Ads for the Yearbook can be purchased here. It is a great way for parents to showcase their seniors, especially in light of this unique year! Yearbooks for the 2020/21 school year can be purchased online through the end of the year.
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.
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