Annandale Community Insider - November 7

Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful fall weekend. I spent the weekend coaching my daughter Regan’s final softball game of the season, cheering on Ohio State vs. Nebraska and watching both my daughters play volleyball.

This past Monday, staff came together virtually to reflect on all of the ways we have grown this year, both individually and in our teams. In addition, we used our time together to reground in our priorities: relationships & support, high quality instruction, and strong collaboration. 

We heard from some students about how learning targets are helpful to them. Then, a few teachers shared ways their teams have gotten better at implementing high quality learning targets and academic tasks. We acknowledged that this year is challenging, and how through challenges we grow. In the wise words of Ted Lasso, "Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, If you're comfortable while you're doing it, you're probably doing it wrong."

With that in mind, we believe that our staff is truly unparalleled, and that the work they do for our students deserves celebration and recognition beyond our building. Each year, FCPS looks to honor several staff members for outstanding excellence in their roles, including Outstanding Teacher, New Teacher, Leader, Professional Employee, Operational Employee and Principal. We hope you will help us to celebrate the amazing work done every day at Annandale High School by highlighting some of our amazing staff members! 

To nominate an Annandale HS staff member, please complete the AHS Outstanding Employee Nomination Form. If you are interested in learning more about the overall FCPS awards process, you may visit the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Website. Nominations are due by Friday, November 19. Contact Bryan Molle at BCMolle@fcps.edu with any questions.

As always, reach out with questions or concerns. Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

November 8 - Winter Sports Begin

November 10 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving 

November 11 - 2 Hour Early Release

November 13 - PTSA Sponsored Monopoly Tournament

November 15 - Winter Meet the Coach Night, 6:30pm

November 15-16 - Fairfax County Youth Survey Administered

November 16 - Fall Sports Banquet, 6pm

November 16 - PTSA Meeting, 7:30pm

November 18-21 - AHS Theatre Company Performance of Puffs

November 24-26 - Thanksgiving Holiday

Winter Sports Begin - November 8: Winter sports tryouts start on Monday! Winter sports include basketball, swim & dive, wrestling, gymnastics and indoor track. Athletes must 1) register, 2) turn in a physical, 3) and a copy of your vaccination card to the Activities Office before being allowed to participate in tryouts. If athletes have not turned in your vaccination card yet, please email a copy of that to Mr. Pacak as soon as possible at pmpacak@fcps.edu. Please see the tryout schedule below and reach out to coaches with any questions.

Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PSTD) - November 10: The Partners for Safe Driving presentation is a required component of the Drivers Education classroom curriculum and will be hosted virtually on Wednesday, November 10. Students must sign up to receive a link to the presentation. Any student enrolled in Drivers Education this year or any student who has completed Driver's Education but was unable to attend the 90-minute PSTD presentation last year due to the school shut down may attend. Parents/guardians must attend the presentation with their student. Presentations will start promptly at 6:30pm and are available for AHS students only. The meeting link will be emailed on the day of the presentation to students who sign up. Reach out to Craig Dodd at Cjdodd@fcps.edu  with any questions.

2 Hour Early Release - November 11: As a reminder, Thursday, November 11, is a two-hour early release for students for the Veterans Day holiday. Classes will resume on Friday, November 12. See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.

First Quarter Reports Cards: First Quarter report cards will be distributed to students this week. Students and families can also access Report Card and Grade Book information in ParentVUE and StudentVUE beginning November 13. Because we use a rolling gradebook, report card grades are no longer averaged to determine a student's final grade, but rather serve as a report on student progress.

PTSA Sponsored Monopoly Tournament - November 13: The Annandale High School PTSA is sponsoring the third Annual Monopoly Tournament on Saturday, November 13 beginning at 9:30am. The event will be fun for the whole family! Food! Prizes! Play for fun! Play to win! Both ways support the Annandale community. Cost is Adults: $15, Students: $10, which includes lunch of two slices of pizza and one soda or water. The Grand Prize is $200 and a MONOPOLY® Game! Register online today!

Fairfax County Youth Survey - November 15-16: The Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors work together to administer the Fairfax County Youth Survey. The survey provides a wealth of information about a variety of topics related to our youth and is given to all students in grades 10 and 12. This year, the survey will be administered through Health & PE 10 and English 12 classes November 15 and 16. For more information, please see the FCPS Youth Survey webpage.

Annandale Theatre Company Presents Puffs - November 18-21: Annandale Theatre Company is proud to present our first live show in two years, Puffs on November 18-21! Overview: For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs... who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.

No knowledge of wizards or magic schools required to enjoy this comedic journey! The show will be approximately 90 minutes and is suitable for all ages. Tickets on sale now at annandaletheatre.org.

Awesome Atoms!

Annandale Students Featured on NBC4! Annandale students enrolled in Medical Assistance were recently featured on NBC4 as they supported eye, ear exams at Annandale High School. Here is a link and description of the story: "With kids stuck at home during the pandemic, a lot of students fell behind on the eye and ear exams they normally get in school. News4’s Aimee Cho reports Fairfax County Public Schools says it’s solving the problem with help from other students."

Annandale HS Students Earn International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma! Annandale High Schol students were among the 408 FCPS students who earned the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. In addition, 58 students earned the IB Career-related Certificate during the 2020-21 school year. The IB Diploma Program (IB DP) is a two-year program for juniors and seniors that comprises the DP core curriculum and six subject groups. Students complete internal and external assessments as well as exams, community service, and a 4,000-word extended essay. Students who earned the IB diploma attended Annandale, Edison, Justice, Lewis, Marshall, Mount Vernon, and South Lakes high schools and Robinson Secondary School.

Welcome Denise Riley, New School Counselor! Annandale is excited to welcome Denise Riley. Originally from Buffalo, NY, she received a BS in Sociology from SUNY College at Buffalo and a master’s degree in School Counseling from Canisius College. Denise has lived in Sanford, NC for the past 19 years where she worked as a School Counselor at East Lee Middle School and Lee County High School. She will be serving students with last names beginning in Gard-Leb.

Welcome Mayra Velasco, Student Monitor! Mayra joins the Annandale staff as a student monitor, which includes providing assistance in the clinic, care room and attendance office.  She was born and raised in Annandale She graduated from Annandale High school and served in the United States Marine Corps. Mayra received an associates degree in Allied Health Science and bachelor’s degree in Public Health from South University. Mayra has two beautiful children and enjoys exercising, dancing, cooking, and reading. 

Welcome Deborah March! With Aaron Schneider out until Thanksgiving, we are excited to welcome Deborah to assist in supporting students, staff and admin in his absence. Deborah currently supports FCPS Social Studies as a Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Specialist. In that role, she works with educators, students, and community members to build a social studies curriculum that affirms diverse identities, prioritizes student thinking, and empowers students to change the world. Prior to her FCPS central office position, she spent four years as a humanities teacher and administrator at Loudoun School for Advanced Studies, where she supported instructional innovation with a focus on project-based and place-based learning. Deborah is from Queens, New York and holds a B.A. in English Literature from City College of New York and an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in African American Studies and American Studies from Yale University.

Opportunities

Atom Writing Center Now Offers Support on Weekends! The Atoms Writing Center has expanded their online tutoring option to weekends now! So, you can get non-judgmental feedback from AWC tutors any day of the week! Please request weekend tutoring sessions by Friday afternoon. To request an in-person or online tutoring conference, complete our new Second Quarter Cover Sheet: https://forms.gle/LkG1eRXGkndoKryz6. 

Please join the AWC Schoology Group for easy access to links and information as well as announcements about upcoming events. When you click on “Groups,” click on “My Groups” on the right, then click the blue “Join Group” button on the right and enter this join code: 9MSF-KSDM-B7HCP.

Atoms Writing Center Recruiting New Tutors: Are you interested in becoming a tutor for the Atoms Writing Center? The AWC will be holding two interest meetings to provide information and answer any questions you may have about becoming a tutor. Please attend the interest meeting on Wednesday, November 10 from 3:30pm-4:00pm or on Wednesday, November 17 from 3:00pm-3:30pm in Room 274. New Tutor Applications are due by midnight on November 19.

Summer Residential Governor's School Application Closes November 9: Each summer, Virginia Governor’s School programs provide four-week residential opportunities on college campuses. Current sophomores and juniors can apply to one of the Governor’s Schools for Academics & Mentorship or Visual & Performing Arts. Students must indicate interest by completing the Interest Form no later than Tuesday, November 9 in order to be considered. Late submissions will not be accepted. To learn more about these opportunities, you can also visit the Virginia Department of Education website and view the promotional video. Contacts: Cheryl Kim or Lisa Foliaco. Link: Visual and Performing Arts Interest Form; Academic Interest Form

Shark Tank Technology Challenge Open to All Students: Calling all high school students! The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee has announced this year’s Shark Tank Technology Challenge, with a focus on new or improved existing technology that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, wounded warriors, or caregivers. Students are encouraged to consider projects that offer assistance in the following areas: 1) Active free time activities, 2) Participation in the arts, and 3) Caregiving.

Students can submit an innovative or creative project as an individual or a team. The deadline to submit the initial proposal is December 6. Final proposals are due February 22, 2022. The Shark Tank event will be held in April 2022. The winning projects will receive a cash prize. More details are available by visiting the Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge webpage.

Yearbook and Senior Tribute Ads: The 2022 Antenna Yearbook and Senior Tribute Ads can be purchased now www.yearbookforever.com. Buy your yearbook now! Price is $85.

Important Information

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards - Now Accepting Nominations! We believe that our staff is truly unparalleled, and that the work we do for our students deserves celebration and recognition beyond our building. Each year, FCPS looks to honor several staff members for outstanding excellence in their roles, including Outstanding Teacher, New Teacher, Leader, Professional Employee, Operational Employee and Principal. We hope you will help us to celebrate the amazing work done every day at Annandale High School by highlighting some of our amazing staff members! 

To nominate an Annandale HS staff member, please complete the AHS Outstanding Employee Nomination Form. If you are interested in learning more about the overall FCPS awards process, you may visit the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Website. Nominations are due by Friday, November 19. Contact Bryan Molle at BCMolle@fcps.edu with any questions.

Attendance Matters! Now that students are familiar with transitioning between classes, 2nd chance breakfast, W4, PRIDE TIme, and lunch, we will be putting greater emphasis on student tardies. Moving forward, administrators and MTSS coordinators will be speaking with students who are frequently late to class and will be assigning them an after school detention. However, we need the assistance of parents as well. According to our data, students are most frequently tardy to 1st and 2nd period. Parents are strongly encouraged to drop off your student beginning at 7:45am and no later than 8:00am. School starts at 8:10am. 

Scoliosis Fact Sheet: Fairfax County requires that each school notifies parents and guardians with educational information on scoliosis. Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. It occurs in otherwise healthy children and can be a serious health problem if it becomes severe. For more information on scoliosis, please refer to the Scoliosis Fact Sheet. For more resources regarding Student Safety and Wellness, please visit the School Health Services website.

Student Food Delivery: Students are not permitted to order food deliveries during the school day. Breakfast, Second Chance Breakfast, and Lunch are all available free of charge for all students. Food orders delivered to the mail office will be held until the end of the day. If you have questions, please reach out to your student’s administrator.

Scheduled Student Check-out: When checking your student out, the fastest and easiest way to ensure your student is released in a timely manner is to send a note to the Attendance Office with your student. Your student will be issued a check-out pass for the scheduled time. For your convenience, you may also call and leave a message with the Attendance Office at 703-642-4151. Please provide your student's name and the time you want your student dismissed. It is preferable for this to be completed in the morning in order to create the checkout information and pass for the student.

Unscheduled Student Check-out: The deadline for picking up a student for unscheduled checkout is 2:30pm. Parents and/or emergency contact(s) should report to the Attendance Office. Please allow at least 15 minutes and bring a photo ID to complete the checkout process.

News from the PTSA

PTSA Meeting - November 16, 7:30pm: The next PTSA Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 16 at 7:30pm in the Library. Note the time change to accommodate the Fall Sports Banquet being held the same night. Participants can also join virtually using this link. Meetings are held in Spanish and English. Also, if you have not done so already, please consider joining the PTSA by filling out the online 2021–2022 Membership Form. For more information about membership, visit our Membership page.

PTSA Food Pantry Distribution: The PTSA sponsored AHS Pantry distributes food to AHS students and families in need. Distribution will take place on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 3:15-4:15pm in Trailer 8 at the rear of the school. The pantry distribution schedule for the school year can be found here. Bags will contain several meals and fresh produce is also available and will be distributed first come, first served. There will also be a limited supply of household products (cleaning supplies, hygiene items, paper towels and toilet paper) available. Click here for additional food and community services. Contact Alissa Green, School Social Worker at adgreen@fcps.edu with questions related to resources. 

You can donate to the Pantry to help Atom families in need here. A back to school wish list of needed items can be found here. Also, please consider donating paper grocery bags (preferably with handles) to ease the distribution process. Paper bags and food donations for the Pantry can be dropped off in the main office. Contact Norma Foti, Pantry Coordinator at pantry@annandalehsptsa.org with questions . 

PTSA Pantry Needs Your Help! The AHS PTSA pantry is seeking the following items below to restock their shelves. Items can be dropped off in the main office. All donations to the AHS PTSA Pantry are tax deductible.

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.

Winter Tryouts - First Day

Boys' Basketball - November 8

3:30 - 5:30pm - Main Gym – Boys Varsity

7:00 - 8:30pm - Main Gym – Boys JV

7:00 - 8:30pm - Upper Gym – Boys Frosh

Questions – email Coach Hypnar at ajhypnar@fcps.edu

Girls' Basketball - November 8

5:00 - 7:00pm - Upper Gym – Girls Varsity

5:30 - 7:00pm - Upper Gym – Girls JV/Frosh

Questions – email Coach DeCou at mtdecou@fcps.edu

Gymnastics - November 8

3:30 - 5:30pm - Lake Braddock - Bus leave at 3:05

Questions – email Coach Cooper at mccooper@fcps.edu

Indoor Track - November 15

3:30 - 5:00pm – Track

Questions – email Coach Harris at pcharris@fcps.edu

Swim/Dive - November 8

3:30 - 4:30pm - Audrey Moore Rec Center - Bus leave at 3:05 

Questions – email Coach Lucas at celucas1@fcps.edu

Wrestling - November 8

3:15 - 6:30pm - Wrestling Room

Questions – email Coach Damico at jwdamico@fcps.edu