Annandale Community Insider - March 14

Annandale Community:

We had another great week at Annandale High School as our halls were filled with over 400 students each day for in-person learning. I am so proud of our students and their ability to adapt to these circumstances, adhere to safety protocols, and continue their learning. One thing that jumped out to me was seeing all of the adults in the building during transitions setting the climate of caring and belonging. As a school, we know that before students can do rigorous learning, they need to feel like they belong and that they are cared for.

On Monday, the building will be full of students for testing. Our Level 3 and 4 ESOL students will take the writing and speaking portion of the WiDA test. Students enrolled in English 11 will take the first part of the Writing SOL beginning at 8:30am in the Cafeteria and select classrooms. 

This Thursday and Friday, we will conduct our required Catch Up Days to address student stress/workload reduction. In preparation for our Catch Up Days, and to set students up to use this time as best as possible, teachers will ensure collected work has been graded and entered into SIS. Students who attend in-person on Thursdays and Fridays will still be expected to attend school on these days. 

Finally, FCPS has created an additional attendance code in SIS labeled “SYV” for students participating in classes virtually when expected to attend in-person. Moving forward, if a student is attending a class virtually but was designated to attend in-person on that day, we need to use the code “SYV” in SIS. This will generate an automatic phone call home to parents, letting them know that their student was not attending school for in-person learning. 

Thank you for your continued support and please reach out if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

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

Important Dates

March 15 - WiDA Testing (Levels 3 &4)

March 15 and 22 - English Writing SOLs

March 16 - PTSA Meeting

March 18 and 19 - Catch Up Days: In-Person for Students & Staff

March 22 - Class of 2021 Social

March 26 - 2 HR Early Release

March 26 - End of 3rd Quarter

March 29 - April 2 - Spring Break

April 5 - Staff Development Day (No School for Students)

April 12 - Spring Sports Begin

Writing SOLs - March 15 and 22 - Grade 11 students will take the March Writing SOL on Monday, March 15 and Monday, March 22. Testing will be in the Cafeteria and select classrooms beginning each day at 8:30am. Students who still need to take the EOC Writing SOL should prepare their FCPS issued laptops by restarting daily to ensure all updates are installed before test day and that TestNav is up to date. If you have any questions, please email our Assessment Coach Kristin Reagan at kdreagan@fcps.edu. 

PTSA Meeting - March 16: We will be hosting our monthly PTSA Meeting this Tuesday, March 16 at 7:00pm. The meeting link can be found on the AHS PTSA Homepage or join our meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone here. You can also dial in using your phone. 

Catch Up Days - March 18 and 19: Per FCPS, schools shall schedule two catch up days each quarter to address student stress/workload reduction. Students who attend in-person will still be expected to attend school on these days. In preparation for our Catch Up Days on March 18-19, and to set students up to use this time as best as possible, teachers will ensure collected work has been graded and entered into SIS by Tuesday, March 16.

Class of 2021 Social - March 22, 12:00–3:00pm: The Annandale Class of 2021 will be having a senior social on Monday, March 22. Seniors can pick up t-shirts and donuts from 12:00-2:00pm. Students who are driving can drive to the back parking lot in order to be handed their t-shirt and donuts through their car window. Alternatively, walkers can pick their t-shirt and donuts at a station in the back parking lot. Afterward, from 2:00pm-3:00pm, there will be a senior social event where seniors can socially distance and hang-out with their classmates. You MUST register at bit.ly/2021march in order to receive a t-shirt and donuts.

In addition, as part of our Senior Celebration in March and April, there will be a county-wide talent show. If you have a special talent that you would like to share with our school and county, please send an email to jksmith1@fcps.edu.

Spring Sports Begin April 12: Spring sports include Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, Boys and Girls Tennis, and Outdoor Track. Check out the Annandale Activities Office website for the latest information.

Return to School Information

Student Bus Information - Student bus information is now available for viewing in StudentVue and ParentVue. Information includes the bus stop location and pick-up/drop off times. Transportation will not be provided the first week of school for student changes that were submitted after February 19. Students are reminded to wear a face covering when riding the school bus. In addition, students will be required to sit in seats as marked on the school bus. Check out this Riding the Bus video 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.

Essential Items for In-person Learning - Students who have selected in-person instruction should bring their laptop fully charged, their laptop charger, headphones and a water bottle to school everyday.

Important Information

Atoms Social Media Accounts - Want the latest news from around Atom Nation? Follow our Social Media Accounts!

FFX County Virtual Teen Job Fair: Annandale High School students looking for their first part-time job, summer and seasonal job opportunities, or who want more information about potential career pathways are invited to attend one of six upcoming teen job fairs and resume building workshops in Fairfax County. Local businesses and agencies will be on hand to offer a range of opportunities including part-time employment, internships, and volunteer work for prospective students.

Volunteer opportunities and resume building workshops will also be available for younger students. Free booth spaces are provided to local businesses. The next job fair will be held on Saturday, March 20, from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Students can register for the Job Fair here.

Become a Member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC): Each year, FCPS students have the opportunity to apply for the position of the student representative to the School Board.  The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students of Fairfax County Public Schools. Students who are currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply. Applications are due April 7, 2021. The application and related details can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/blog/application-2021-student-representative-school-board

News from the AHS Library – Return Overdue Library Books - Please look for any AHS  library books your students may have at home. Your student will receive an email notice through their FCPS school gmail telling them if they have a book that is overdue.

 A library book is easily identifiable with labels

• on the spine (white with letters or letters and numbers) or
• on the back of the book you will see a barcode that says “Fairfax County Public Schools”.

Students may bring the books to school and drop them off on labeled carts sitting just outside the library entrance door. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the AHS Librarians: Mrs. Pat Brown or Ms. Jane Scharankov.

Awesome Atoms

Atoms Writing Center Students Present at SSWCA Conference - Students from the Atoms Writing Center Sophomore, Kennedy Beal, and Juniors Andrew Nguyen and Adwoa Owusuwill be presenting this week at the Annual Secondary Schools Writing Center Association Conference.

News from the Activities Office

Check out important information from the Activities Office in this week's “Atoms Athletics and Activities” newsletter. Please email John Ellenberger at jellenberger@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

Annandale Theater Company Presents: “The Death of Theatre: 100 Years of Sad Plays Crammed Into Less Than 100 Sad Minutes”: Episode 1 of Annandale Theatre Company’s 4-part mini-series, “The Death of Theatre: 100 Years of Sad Plays Crammed Into Less Than 100 Sad Minutes,” premiered on their YouTube Channel on March 4! Be sure to watch previous episodes any time after they premiere before you tune in live for later episodes every Thursday in March at 7pm! The show is free! If you tune in live, you will be able to chat and ask questions to the actors in real time! We hope to see you at the show(s)! The show stars AHS students Atlas Martindale, Amanda Weaver, Hunter Duggan, and Isaac Nebyu. 

News from the PTSA

Check out the latest edition of the PTSA newsletter, ATOMail, which is sent the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. The newsletter highlights PTSA programs and opportunities to support our students, teachers, and staff.

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: March 16, April 20, May 18, June 8.

AHS PTSA Pantry - Volunteers Needed: The AHS PTSA Pantry is open for 2021 for bi-monthly distributions and our shelves need to be stocked. Please help us Stock Our Shelves (SOS)! The pantry is looking for a volunteer to do a weekly pick up at Food for Others on Tuesdays or Wednesdays between 11-1. If interested, please contact Norma Foti at president@annandalehsptsa.org. 

We are currently in need of the following items: Boxed Cereal, Shampoo, Cereal, Bars of Soap, Shelf Stable Milk, Canned Vegetables, Dried Beans, Bags of White Rice, Dish Soap. Please visit the AHS Pantry Page to donate now! Thank you for your continued support of the AHS PTSA Pantry!

Senior Yard Signs - Want to help celebrate the AHS Class of 2021? Buy a yard sign here to congratulate a graduate! Signs are $15 for pickup or $20 delivered to your yard. Proceeds help to fund our four AHS PTSA Scholarships. 

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