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Annandale Community:
I hope you had an opportunity to enjoy the spring weather that has finally arrived. My Saturday included coaching my daughter Regan’s softball game and cheering on my son, Jack, at his baseball game.
This past week was full of excitement and celebration at Annandale high School. On Monday, we came together as a faculty to look at how our instructional focus on collaboratively developing high quality academic tasks has supported our growth as a school. We asked our staff members to share their thoughts about how collaboration has shifted their instruction. I am so proud of the work we have done and I would like to share with you what they said.
I am also excited to share that we will have the opportunity to invite more students to attend school four days a week. As FCPS communicated on Thursday, all FCPS middle and high schools will move to 3ft social distancing in all classrooms based on the updated CDC guidance of March 12, 2021. The ability to decrease social distancing from 6ft to 3ft means that middle and high schools will be expanding the number of students returning to four days of in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year.
At Annandale, we already have many students attending school 4 days a week. So, as a first step, we are continuing to focus on using MTSS and student preference to invite groups of students back into the building.
- Beginning Tuesday, April 13, any student who is currently attending in-person who has an F in a course needed for graduation will be invited to attend in-person full time.
- Beginning Tuesday, April 20, any student who is currently attending in-person 2 days per week who would like to attend in-person full time will be invited to do so.
We sent out communication to those students who are struggling academically in at least one class needed for graduation asking them to confirm their intent to take advantage of this opportunity. We will be sending out communication to all students who are currently attending in-person 2 days per week who would like to attend in-person full time on Monday.
This week also marked the conclusion of many of our fall sports programs. On Monday, I had the opportunity to watch our varsity girls volleyball team compete at Mt. Vernon and our varsity football team finish their season with a 5-2 record with a victory at McLean, 41-14. Congrats to all teams and a special thank you to all of our coaches for their dedication to our extra-curricular activities. Spring sports begin tomorrow. Here is a link to tryout information.
Finally, as Ramadan begins on Tuesday, April 13, per FCPS guidance just released, teachers will avoid any new graded assignments or activities such as tests, quizzes, or other assignments during religious and cultural observances in the 4th Quarter. As we mentioned last week, It is important for our students who are fasting to have a quiet, alternative location to go to during lunchtime. Therefore, the library will be open to students who would prefer to go there during lunch rather than the cafeteria. This will begin on April 13 through May 12. If you have questions, please contact Jack Jennison at jmjennison@fcps.edu.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Shawn DeRose, Principal
Contact Information:
Twitter: @ShawnDeRose
Website: https://annandalehs.fcps.edu/
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Awesome Atoms!
PTSA Mulch Sale a Huge Success! Annandale High School PTSA's biggest and most critical fundraiser this year was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who ordered mulch. Proceeds from the sale support the PTSA Senior Scholarships and All Night Graduation Celebration, which provides a fun, safe, alcohol and drug-free parent-chaperoned celebration for our AHS seniors the night of graduation. Special thank you to Mulch Co-Chairs Rita Zimmerman and Sharon Miller.
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Class of 2021 Information
Graduation - June 1 at 9:00am (June 2 Rain Date): We are excited to announce that this year’s graduation ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 1 at 9:00am at Annandale High School on our stadium field! Due to current guidance regarding capacity, students will be issued two tickets to the ceremony. We will be meeting with the graduation committee and senior class leaders in the near future to begin the planning process and will be sure to keep you posted as we receive additional information.
Senior Dues: Senior dues are now available through myschoolbucks.com and will be $50 this year. Please be sure to enter your height in the appropriate field for gown measurements.
2021 End of the Year Events: In addition to graduation, FCPS and Annandale High School are committed to holding as many as possible traditional end of the year events. We are currently working through these new guidelines to understand the health and safety requirements and laws for culminating events such as all night graduation parties, prom, and other end- of-year celebrations. FCPS will promptly notify school staff, students, and parents as soon as they have the additional updates and plans.
Scholarship Opportunity for Graduating Seniors - Due April 23: The Emerging Leader in Innovation Scholarship was created to encourage a college-bound Annandale High School student, who demonstrates a passion for learning, curiosity in the world around them, and an ambition to build a better future. The application is open to graduating seniors students who are pursuing a STEM related major at an accredited 4-year university and require financial assistance. The scholarship committee will give special consideration to those students who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The selected student will receive a $10,000 scholarship, renewable for up to an additional three years. All applications must be delivered in person to the AHS Career Center no later than April 23rd. Applications that fail to meet that deadline will not be considered. The full description and application are available on the Annandale PTSA website.
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Important Dates
April 12 - Spring Sports Begin
April 16 - Just World Festival
April 19 - PSAT 10
April 19 - Geometry and Algebra 2 Super Monday
April 19 - Virtual Career Exploration Fair
April 20 - PTSA Meeting
April 20-23 - SOL Writing Retakes
April 26 - Geometry and Algebra 2 SOL
April 26 - Algebra 1 Super Monday
May 3 - Algebra 1 SOL
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.
Just World Festival - April 16, 4:00-5:30pm: The annual Just World Festival is back in a virtual setting! Hosted annually by the AHS Just World Club, the festival aims to remind us all that we are part of a global community. This year’s theme is “Peacebuilding through Making Connections.” We will have discussions, guest speakers, and hands-on community service projects that students of all ages can participate in from home. View the schedule and join us on Zoom!
FCPS Virtual Career Exploration Fair - April 19: A county-wide Virtual Career Exploration Fair for students, parents, and teachers, will be held from April 19-30. High school students will be able to connect with over 100 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields. Additionally, students can attend college and career ready workshops and information sessions. See the event page to find out more and to register.
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Return to School Information
Grading Policy Updates: FCPS is adjusting the grading policy for the 2020-21school year to ensure students are not penalized by the challenges brought on by pandemic learning. Key policy changes for high school students are:
- Final Exam flexibility that ensures an exam can only serve to improve a student’s grade for the year. Teachers will apply this in their grading practices for each class.
- Use of No Mark, “NM”, instead of “F” grades for all courses. This will be automatically applied for any course in which a student receives an “F.”
- Allowing high school students to select a mark of “P” for pass for up to two courses for which a passing grade is earned for the final mark. As referenced above, for the 2020-21 school year, final marks of “F” will automatically receive a No Mark, “NM.”
Action Needed: Should you wish to designate one or two courses as Pass - No Mark status, the following form must be submitted to your school counselor by May 10, 2021: https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/se359.pdf
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.
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. 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.
FCPS Computer Restart: Beginning this afternoon, any FCPS student laptop that needs a restart to install important updates will receive a notification in the bottom right corner of their screen. If the student does not reboot the computer by the date indicated in the message, the computer will automatically be restarted at the time indicated in the message.
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Opportunities
IB Mid-Atlantic Student Excellence Award - Due April 15: The IB Mid-Atlantic Student Excellence Award application process is now open! We will once again be recognizing outstanding PYP, MYP, CP, and DP students from our member schools who represent the ideals of the IB Learner Profile and who have displayed a commitment to service. The award is $500 for at least one student in a PYP or MYP Programme, and $1,000 for at least one student in a DP or CP Programme. The application can be accessed using the following link. Award guidelines are here. Applications are due by April 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. No late applications will be considered.
Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council Seeks Student Representative - Applications Due May 15 - Calling all rising juniors and seniors interested in environmental science or environmental policy! Fairfax County's Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is seeking a student representative for the 2021-22 school year! Any current sophomore or junior in good standing who is interested is encouraged to apply today.
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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: 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
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4700 Medford Drive Annandale, VA 22003 | Main Office: 703.642.4100
Attendance: 703.642.4150 | Web | Twitter
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