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Annandale Student, Families, and Community:
It was great to welcome students, parents and families into the building this past Thursday at Student Orientation and Open House.
We are even more excited to welcome students tomorrow for the start of the 2021-22 school year. WJLA (ABC Channel 7) will be broadcasting live from Annandale High School beginning at 5:00am. Be sure to tune in!
We know that every one of our students has been impacted by COVID. We recognize that our students have faced challenges academically, behaviorally, socially and emotionally over the last 17 months. At Annandale, we are committed to supporting all our students in their academics, their actions, and their wellness.
When students arrive tomorrow, they will report directly to their 4th period (aka W4) Our W4 serves as an advisory period and will meet throughout the year with the purpose of 1) building relationships 2) creating community 3) clarifying expectations and 4) sharing and cultivating our values. During W4 tomorrow, students will receive their laptop and a hard copy of their schedule. Student schedules are also viewable in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE. For more information about obtaining a ParentVue account, please click here to access support on the FCPS website.
Finally, this week’s Insider will provide you with important and detailed information about the first day of school. As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Shawn DeRose, Principal
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1st Day of School Logistics
Student Schedules: Student schedules are available for viewing in SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE. In addition, students will receive a hard copy of their schedule when they report to their 4th period (W4) class on Monday morning. If a student forgets or does not know their W4 class, staff members will be stationed in the hallways to assist.
Note: We are continuing to update the master schedule and there is a possibility that a small number of student schedules may have changed since Orientation and Open House this past Thursday. Erik Healey, our Director of Student Services recently sent an email to students and families about student schedules. If you have any questions about SIS ParentVUE, please email Nicole Salgado Lopez, Administrative Assistant at nasalgadolop@fcps.edu.
Finding Classes: Throughout the year, and especially during the first week of school, all staff members will be in the hallways helping students find their classes during each transition. We realize that a little extra time may be needed as many of our students have not been in school since March 2020. They will get the hang of their new routine sooner than they think and we are all here to help!
Schedule Change Requests: Our Student Services team is working hard to make sure our students have accurate schedules. We know some of our students will want to request schedule changes. In an effort to streamline and prioritize schedule change requests, we will be asking students to complete this Course Change Request Form if they would like to make changes to their course schedule. We will work on these changes during the first few weeks if space allows in the courses. Please reach out to Erik Healey, ejhealey@fcps.edu, if you have any questions.
Student Laptop Distribution: Students will receive their FCPS issued laptop in their W4 class tomorrow morning. The first day of school will feature a special schedule with all students reporting to their W4 class at 8:10am. This special schedule will provide teachers the opportunity to plan activities that include technology on the first day of school and is in alignment with our priorities of providing social-emotional support in our W4 lessons. If you have any questions, please email Brian Valentine at bvalentine@fcps.edu.
Student Lockers: Students locker will be available by request only beginning on Monday, September 6. Stay tuned for more information.
Free Breakfast & Lunch for All Annandale Students: The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended schools’ abilities to provide the meals, by giving special exemptions last year when schools were shut down due to COVID-19. This exemption has been extended for the 2021-22 school year. For Annandale and FCPS, this means that all students, regardless of their families’ incomes, will receive free breakfast and lunch through June 2022.
1st Day of School Bell Schedule: Students will report to their 4th period or W4 class to pick up their laptop and receive a hard copy of their student schedule. See below for the detailed schedule.
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Transportation
Student Bus Route Assignments: FCPS Office of Transportation Services emailed student bus route assignments on Friday, August 20. Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage. Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Please note that a national bus driver shortage is impacting FCPS and some routes may be longer or occasionally delayed as we work through the situation. Your patience and understanding as we make adjustments is appreciated. FCPS is working hard to address the need for drivers and plan for transportation in a way that has the least impact on students. Students should consider driving, walking, or biking to school while we work through the driver shortage and adjust routes. Car pools or group walks and bikes are also encouraged for those who are able to help relieve pressure on buses.
Kiss and Ride: Student drop off/pick up (aka Kiss and Ride) is conducted at the main entrance (door #1). Parents should drop their student(s) off no earlier than 7:45am. Students are dismissed from school at 2:55pm. If you have any questions, please email Phillip Taylor, Safety and Security Specialist, at pjtaylor1@fcps.edu.
Student Parking Information: This year, students will have the opportunity to purchase parking permits to park on the Annandale campus. Information about how to purchase a parking permit for the 2021-22 school year will be shared soon after the school year begins. Stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, students can park in any designated student parking space until permits are issued. If you have any questions, please email Phillip Taylor, Safety and Security Specialist, at pjtaylor1@fcps.edu.
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Other Information
Student Attendance: In order for our students to get the most out of their education, they must be in school and on time to class every day. Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half of the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. If your student must be absent from school, please inform the school. The attendance phone number is 703-642-4151.
Academy Students: Students taking Academy courses should report to the Auditorium during 4th period (W4) when they arrive to school on Monday morning. Moving forward, academy students should report to T-9 before getting on the shuttle and upon their return.
Academy students will receive an email with shuttle information before Monday. Given the shuttle times this year, there will be instances in which students may be arriving approximately 15 minutes late to the class immediately after their Academy course.
Updated Mask Requirements: This week, FCPS updated mask requirements for staff. FCPS’ universal indoor masking requirement is now extended to everyone inside an FCPS building. Please note: Governor Northam just announced universal masking indoors for all K-12 schools so FCPS is aligned with the state mandate.
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Important Dates
August 23 - First Day of School for Students
August 28 - Public Safety Day and Vaccination Clinic, 11am-3pm
September 3-6 - Labor Day Holiday (No school on Friday, Sept. 3 or Monday, Sept. 6)
September 21 - First PTSA Meeting, 7:00pm
September 30 - Back to School Night 2021
October 4-8 - Homecoming Week
October 9 - Homecoming Dance
October 13 - PSAT/SAT Day
Public Safety Day and Vaccine Clinic - August 28, from 11am-3pm: Annandale High School, in partnership with Communities of Trust, will be hosting a Public Safety Day event on August 28 from 11:00am to 3:00pm. This free event will include activities for families such as face painting, games, food and drinks, and more. This is an opportunity for members of the community to learn more about the public safety services that are available and interact with public safety officials from various departments. During this event, there will also be an opportunity to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine. Those interested in the vaccine should register through the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). Free transportation from Poe MS, Holmes MS, Annandale Terrace ES, Braddock ES, Bren Mar Park ES, Columbia ES, and Weyanoke ES will be available.
SAT School Day - October 13: On Wednesday, October 13, Annandale High School students in grade 12 will have the opportunity to take the SAT School Day. FCPS will cover the cost for any twelfth grade student to take this test. To reserve a seat for your senior to take this exam, families are asked to complete the Annandale HS: SAT School Day Intent to Participate Form by Wednesday, September 8. General information about the SAT School Day test format is available on the College Board webpage. We will share exam day schedules and additional details in the coming weeks. If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration at Annandale High School, please contact our College and Career Specialist/SAT School Day Coordinator, Niko Centeno-Monroy at bcentenomon1@fcps.edu.
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Support our Student Athletes!
Purchase a Red Card! Each fall, our sports programs sell a discount “Red Card” to raise money for their teams. The red cards include various discounts at eleven local businesses including: Community Car Care, Domino’s, Firehouse Subs, Food Corner, Jersey Mike’s, Jukebox Diner, Kilroy’s, Loopy’s, Papa Johns, Popeye’s, and Valentino’s. Red Cards are only $20 and can be used at any of the businesses through August 2022. If you would like to purchase a Red Card please reach out to a fall athlete or email John Ellenberger. The Activities Office thanks you in advance for your support of our student athletes. Go Atoms!
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Awesome Atoms!
Congrats Annandale Summer Graduates! Congrats to the seven (7) students from Annandale High School who completed graduation requirements this summer and graduated on August 10 at Woodson High School. FCPS staff including Mr. DeRose and school board members celebrated their students’ success at the commencement ceremony.
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News from the Activities Office
Check out this week's Atoms Athletics and Activities newsletter. You can also check out important information from the Activities Office on the Annandale High School Athletics and Activities website or AHS Athletics Twitter page. Please email John Ellenberger at jellenberger@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
Get Involved, Join a Club or Sport! Here at Annandale, we value community and belonging. There is no better way to get involved than through our athletics & activities! Check out our complete list of sports, clubs, and organizations here. Feel free to reach out to the coaches and sponsors with any questions.
Still Time to Play a Fall Sport! If you are interested in joining one of our Fall sports programs, there is still time. The coaches listed below are still accepting players, no experience is needed:
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News from the PTSA
PTSA Membership: On behalf of the Annandale High School Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA), we would like to welcome you to the 2021–2022 school year. The key ingredient to our success is YOU. Please dare to make a difference, be better informed and join the PTSA today by filling out the online 2021–22 Membership Form. For more information about membership, visit our Membership page.
PTSA Meeting - September 21, 7:00pm: The first PTSA of the 2021-22 school year will be on Tuesday, September 21 at 7:00pm. PTSA meetings are bilingual and Spanish translation is provided. Las reuniones de PTSA son bilingües y se proporciona traducción al español. Join us in Clausen Hall or virtually! Visit the Annandale PTSA website for more information.
Pantry Distribution: The AHS PTSA pantry is available to students of Annandale High School. Students or families can pick up a bag of food in the Annandale Neighborhood Center at the rear of the building. The next pick-up date is Friday, August 27 from 3:00-4:00pm. Email questions about the pantry to pantry@annandalehsptsa.org.
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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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