Annandale Community Insider - August 1

Annandale Community:

This past week, my family got to spend time with friends and my wife’s family in the Outer Banks. This trip, which has become an annual tradition, was special to us all. Cousins got to run around on the beach together while the adults sat around and shared stories of the past year. 

As we approach the start of the school year, I want to encourage all students to get vaccinated, if they have not done so already. The Health Department is partnering with FCPS to host additional special COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students ages 12 or older. For students at Annandale, Justice High School is hosting a vaccination site on Thursday, August 5 from 2:00pm – 7:00pm. To make an appointment, visit the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). In addition, the clinic site will also offer walk-in options.

We continue to prepare for our staff and students’ return in just a few weeks. We are excited to host our New Student Orientation and Open House on Thursday, August 19 from 1:30-3:30pm. Students will meet administrators, counselors, teachers, and other essential school personnel and have an opportunity to explore the school building and learn more about student life at Annandale. Families are welcome to attend and learn more about AHS during the Family Coffee event that will be taking place simultaneously. 

Following the orientation, we would like to invite all Annandale students and their families to our Open House on August 19 from 3:30-4:30. The Open House provides returning juniors and seniors an opportunity to walk the halls, find their classes for next year and familiarize themselves with the campus. There is no formal program during this time, but rather an informal chance to get reacquainted with AHS. As a reminder, per FCPS, masks must be worn indoors at all schools, regardless of vaccination status. 

I look forward to seeing students and families in just a few weeks.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Employment Opportunities

Annandale High School is seeking candidates to support with classroom instruction, hallway/lunch supervision and after school academic/club support. For more information, please email their resume to Karen Bryan at kabryan@fcps.edu.

Important Dates

August 2 - Band Camp, Fall Sports Begin

August 4 - Bus Ridership Survey Due

August 5 - FCPS Vaccination Clinic at Justice HS 

August 13 - First Day for Teachers

August 19 - Grades 9 & 10 and New Student Orientation

August 19 - Open House

August 23 - First Day of School for Students

September 3-6 -Labor Day Holiday (No school on Friday, Sept. 3 or Monday, Sept. 6)

September 30 - Back to School Night 2021

October 4-8 - Homecoming Week

October 9 - Homecoming Dance

Band Camp - August 2: The Marching Atoms band camp begins on August 2 at 8:30am. For more information, visit the Annandale Bands website or email our new Band Director, Mr. Tryon Barnes at tcbarnes@fcps.edu. The Marching Atoms are also looking to add members from other fine arts departments to join the color guard and front ensemble. The color guard is choreographed dance and spinning of flags, sabers and rifles. Front ensemble includes mallet instruments such as the marimba chimes, xylophone. Guitar and bass players are also welcome! 

Bus Ridership Survey - Due August 4: On Friday, the Office of Transportation Services (OTS) sent out a student ridership survey for all eligible riders. It is important that parents respond to the survey by August 4, and submit a separate survey for each of their children enrolled in FCPS. During the school year, changes to the intent form can be made with your school's Student Information Assistant if the need for transportation changes or the survey is not completed. It may take up to five days to update transportation schedules. 

This is a reminder that all students, drivers, and attendants must wear face coverings when boarding or riding on a school bus. Parents/guardians should review their Parent Vue account for updated bus route assignment information after August 10.

Vaccination Clinic at Justice High School - August 5: The Health Department is partnering with FCPS to host additional special COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students ages 12 or older who have not received the two dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine series or for students ages 12 or older who have received one vaccine and are due to receive their second vaccine (at least 21 days after the first dose). 

For students at Annandale, Justice High School is hosting a vaccination site on Thursday, August 5 from 2:00pm-7:00pm. To make an appointment, visit the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). In addition, each school clinic site will also offer walk-in options. Parents who are unable to bring their child to a COVID-19 vaccination clinic during the work day, may send their child with a responsible adult who is age of 18 or older and can give permission for the vaccination on behalf of the parent. Many locations also offer evening and weekend hours. Parents can find locations that suit their schedule at www.vaccines.gov.

Grades 9 & 10 and New Student Orientation - August 19: Annandale High School is excited to welcome rising freshmen and sophomores as well as new students to our school orientation on August 19 from 1:30-3:30pm. Students will meet administrators, counselors, teachers, and other essential school personnel and have an opportunity to explore the school building and learn more about student life at Annandale. Families are welcome to attend and learn more about AHS during the Family Coffee event that will be taking place simultaneously. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Sarah Eqab at seqab@fcps.edu.

Open House - August 19: We would like to invite all Annandale students and their families to our Open House on August 19 from 3:30-4:30. The Open House provides students an opportunity to walk through our halls and find their classes for next year. There is no formal program during this time, but rather an informal chance to get reacquainted with AHS. 

Mickey Girma - ESOL: Born in Ethiopia, Mickey is an Annandale Atoms alum, class of 1998. He played football for Coach Maglisceau. Prior to coming to Annandale, he taught ESOL for the past 5 years at Glasgow Middle School. Mr. Girma loves to travel and is a published author. In his spare time, he helps raise money for food, shoes, clothes, and books for a charity organization which supports children in schools and foster homes in Ethiopia.

Mikaela O’Conner - Social Studies: A class of 2002 graduate of Annandale High School, Mikaela is excited to be returning as a social studies teacher. Ms. O’Conner is in her 15th year teaching high school. She taught at both Falls Church and most recently, Justice High School. She loves all things New England: lobster, the New England Patriots, snowy winters, etc. She attended Boston College, lived and taught in Boston for a few years, and spends time at her family’s house on the coast of Maine each summer.

Important Information

Student Schedules Available in SIS - No Later Than August 19: Student schedules will go live in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE for all FCPS secondary students at 6:00am on August 19. To view your student’s class schedule when it becomes available, sign up for ParentVUE. 

FCPS and Annandale High School Moving to Schoology: FCPS is moving to a new learning management system called Schoology. Schoology is a learning space that enhances communication, collaboration, and personalized learning for students, teachers, and families. Our staff has already started their Schoology training as part of our Schoology transition and rollout for the upcoming school year and beyond. Be on the lookout for information coming soon about student and parent Schoology accounts and access.

Meningococcal Vaccine Requirement for Rising Seniors: Effective July 1, rising seniors are required to have one dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo). Parents or guardians should ask their private healthcare provider, or the health department, to review their student's immunization record to ensure that their student has received these required immunizations. More information on new immunization requirements is available here. Rising seniors cannot begin school in August without documentation of the Meningococcal vaccine with one dose given at age 16 or older. 

Yearbooks have arrived!

Yearbooks have arrived and can be purchased at online at www.yearbookforever.com for only $85 while supplies last! If you have any questions, please email Ms. Hanneman at jehanneman@fcps.edu. Don’t miss out on preserving the memories of this unique past school year!

Awesome Atoms!

Summer School Success! Congratulations to the more than 100 students who were able to recover credit they had lost during the pandemic. Many more are working hard during this second session to earn credit and stay on track for graduation. Thank you to the summer school staff who are supporting our students!

News from the Activities Office

Check out important information from the Activities Office in their latest newsletter. In addition, you can visit the Annandale High School Athletics and Activities website and the AHS Athletics Twitter page. Please email John Ellenberger at jellenberger@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

Great Turnout at Fall Sports Open House! Thank you to the many students and parents who attended our "Fall Sports Open House" this past Thursday. Attendees were able to meet the coaches, pick up or turn in physical forms, register for sports online, tour facilities and ask questions. Fall sports include cheerleading, cross country, golf, volleyball, football and field hockey.

Annandale's Fall Sports Programs Begin Tomorrow! Below is important information about the week of practice. If you have any questions, please email the head coach of that sport.