Annandale Community Insider - May 2

Annandale Community:

This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week. It would be an understatement to say that the last year has been challenging for teachers. They have been asked to learn entirely new methods for teaching in online and hybrid environments. They have been asked to address the trauma and stress students are experiencing as we continue to navigate the pandemic, all while managing their own stresses, both professional and personal.

With the support of the Annandale PTSA, we have organized daily events to show our appreciation for teachers and staff members. It's not too late to help recognize our amazing staff. We are seeking $5 gift cards, to any establishment of your choice, from now until May 4. If you are able to donate, please drop off gift cards to the Main Office. You can also purchase gift cards via Amazon and have them shipped to Annandale High School.

As we enter the month of May, the Annandale High School staff continues to be committed to supporting students academically. Our targeted interventions during PRIDE Time are having a positive impact on student achievement. Almost 50% of students who are assigned to PRIDE Time have improved their grade in the targeted subject area by at least one letter grade! 

In addition, on Thursdays through June 3, we will be offering after school academic support for students in each core content area: Math, Social Studies, English and Science. No need to sign up, just show up for additional help. Late buses will be provided to any student who needs transportation. See below for additional information.

As always, please reach out to me with any questions. 

Shawn DeRose, Principal

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

Important Dates

May 3 - Algebra 1 SOL

May 3 - Senior T-Shirt Pick Up

May 3 - Chipotle Fundraiser - Class of 2022

May 10 - Reading SOL

May 17 - Biology, Chemistry, Geosystems SOL 

May 17 - Outdoor Orchestra Concert

May 11&12 - Catch-up Days

May 12 - Senior Parent Townhall

May 19-25 - Senior Exams

May 25 - Senior Reflection Ceremony

June 4 - Annandale HS Sports Physicals Night

June 4-10 - Underclass Exams

June 11 - Last Day of School (2hr Early Release)

Algebra 1 SOL - May 3: Annandale High School has invited all students who need a verified credit for graduation or if they have not yet met the federal testing requirement to participate in SOL testing. This week, we will be conducting the Algebra 1 SOLs. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kristin Reagan, Assessment Coach at kdreagan@fcps.edu.

Senior T-Shirt Pick-up - May 3 from 12-2pm: The Annandale Class of 2021 will be having the Senior T-Shirt Pick-up event tomorrow, May 3 from 12:00-2:00pm. Drivers can receive their shirts through their car windows by driving to Doorway #1 (front of the building). Walkers can pick up their t-shirts at the same location. Reminder: Only those who placed orders in March are eligible to receive t-shirts.

Class of 2022 Chipotle Fundraiser - May 3: Join the AHS Class of 2022 at the Chipotle on Little River in Alexandria again on Monday, May 3rd! Last time we raised $181 so our goal for Monday is at least $200! Order in store and show one of the attached flyers or order on Chipotle.com or through the app for pick up using the promo code 66GXJ8K. 

Teacher Appreciation Week: May 3-7

This week marks Teacher Appreciation Week. With the support of the Annandale PTSA, we have organized daily events to show our appreciation for teachers and staff members.

Monday, May 3 – Teacher Appreciation Video on Social Media

Tuesday, May 4 – Donuts and Coffee

Wednesday, May 5 – PTSA Sponsored Breakfast

Thursday, May 6 – Gift Cards for Teachers

Friday, May 7 – Ice Cream

Seeking $5 Gift Card Donations: It's not too late to help recognize our amazing staff. We are seeking $5 gift cards, to any establishment of your choice, from now until May 4. If you are able to donate, please drop off gift cards to the Main Office or purchase gift cards via Amazon and have them shipped to Annandale High School.

Important Information

Academic Support Available Thursdays After School - On Thursdays through June 3, Annandale High School will be offering after school academic support for students in each core content area: Math, Social Studies, English and Science. No need to sign up, just show up for additional help. Late buses will be provided to any student who needs transportation. See below for additional information.

Math: The Math department is running a Math Help Center on Thursdays after school to support students in Algebra 1, Geometry, AFDA, and Algebra 2. Students can come to room 201 after school for help in any of these classes.

Social Studies: The Social Studies department is offering a Help Center each Thursday afternoon from 3pm-4pm in Room 283. Social Studies Teachers from several subjects will offer students support with their PBAs for verified credit in WHI, WH2, or US/Va History. They will also be available to remediate content and help students complete missing work. Any student that feels they would benefit from one on one or small group support should plan to attend! 

English: The English department is offering support to any student who needs extra help with their course content or writing support every Thursday from 3pm-4pm.

Science: The science department is running several Science Help Centers on Thursdays after school to support students in their science courses. This time can be used for asking questions, work time, extra practice, making up work, and SOL preparation. Active Physics and Physics (Room 109), Biology (Room 124), Chemistry (Room 125), Environmental Science (Room 126), and Geosystems (Room 104).

Eating Disorder Parent Information - Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. While no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Eating disorders are not fads or phases, and can have serious consequences for health, productivity, and relationships.

Eating disorders can develop or re-emerge at any age. Eating disorder specialists are reporting an increase in the diagnosis of children, some as young as five or six. Many eating disorder sufferers report that their thoughts and behaviors started much earlier than anyone realized, sometimes even in early childhood. Although most people report the onset of their eating disorder in their teens and young adulthood, there is some evidence that people are being diagnosed at younger ages.

In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed eating disorder documents with detailed information to be provided to parents and guardians of Fairfax County Public Schools. The letter and fact sheet have been translated and posted on the following webpage: http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu/ssse/translations/dss-healthmedical.htm

Awesome Atoms!

Annandale Seniors Rock the Vote: Last week, all Government 12 students had the opportunity to register to vote. The League of Women Voters presented virtually to all Government 12 classes and took students step by step through the registration process, both online and by paper/pencil. If you did not have the opportunity to register, or missed class, it’s not too late! You can still register to vote online using this link. You must have a DMV issued photo ID to register online. Video instructions to help you register to vote online can be found here. You can also print a paper ballot to register to vote by mail using this link. Video instructions to complete a paper registration form can be found here.

The last day to register to vote is May 17. Election Day is June 8 for the Democratic and Republican primaries. For more information on voting, check out this website. 

Class of 2021 Information

All class of 2021 Information can be found on our new Senior Page. See the school website or the Student Portal for the latest on senior activities and graduation. Note: You must be signed in to your FCPS Google account to access the Student Portal. 

Senior Parent Townhall - May 12 at 6:30pm: Join us on BBCU for the latest information about senior events and graduation! Join here.

Opportunities

Summer School Registration Now Open: Summer Credit Recovery is an opportunity for students to recover two high-school course credits. Students may take one course per session. Please contact your student's counselor for more information, or see the Summer School Registration Website.

Annandale High School Student Equity Ambassador Leader (SEAL) - Interest Form Due May 17: Student voices are imperative for the implementation of equity centered work that we strive for at Annandale High School and in FCPS. Student Equity Ambassador Leaders (SEAL) is a leadership program that amplifies student voices and provides an increased understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion through leadership development projects and relevant experiences of high school students. After a successful inaugural year, the SEALs program is growing in influence and numbers.

Any student interested in becoming a part of the AHS Student Equity Ambassador Leadership (SEAL) Program, please submit the SEAL Interest Form by Monday, May 17 at 3:00pm. For more information or any questions, contact our Equity Leads, Ingrid St. Clair at ihstclair@fcps.edu and Brent Roberson at blroberson@fcps.edu.

Yearbooks Available While Supplies Last: Buy your 2020-2021 yearbook, Disruption! Yearbooks can be purchased at www.yearbookforever.com for $85 – get yours before we sell out! Yearbooks can be picked up on July 12 and 13 from 2-5pm in front of the school. Mark your calendars! If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Hanneman at jehanneman@fcps.edu.

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 

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.

Unable to attend Annandale HS athletic events in person? Check out this weeks events that will be live streamed on the NHFS network.

Monday, May 3

Boys' Lacrosse @ Herndon - 5:45/7:15pm - Live Stream

Girls' Lacrosse vs. Herndon - 6:00/7:30pm - Live Stream

Tuesday, May 4

Boys' Soccer @ Hayfield - 5:45/7:15pm - Live Stream

Girls' Soccer vs. Hayfield - 5:45/7:15pm - Live Stream

Wednesday, May 5

Boys' Lacrosse vs. Falls Church - 5:45/7:15pm - Live Stream

Girls' Lacrosse @ Falls Church - 6:00/7:30pm - Live Stream

Thursday, May 6

Boys' Soccer vs. Alexandria City HS - 5:45/7:15pm - Live Stream

Friday, May 7

Boys' Lacrosse @ West Potomac - 5:45/7:15pm - Live Stream

Girls' Lacrosse vs. West Potomac - 6:00/7:30pm - Live Stream

News from the PTSA

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: May 18, and June 8.

2021-2022 PTSA Officers: Membership vote will occur at the May meeting and floor nominations for any position will be accepted at the meeting prior to the vote. Any questions, please contact a member of the nominating committee, Alyssa Geysey, Stephanie Muth or Suzan Yungner. 

President - Vacant

Vice President Membership- Thurraya Kent 

Vice President Programs - Vacant

Treasurer - Kimberly Bellem

Secretary- Andre McGinity 

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