Annandale Students, Parents and Community:
I hope you had a nice weekend and were able to enjoy the beautiful weather. Friday night I attended the Wizards v. Cleveland Cavs basketball game. On Saturday, Regan, Jack and I all got our COVID booster shot. I don’t know if it was the booster shot or the sight of seeing Michigan in the BIG Championship Game, but I went to bed early.
At this time of year, we often look back in celebration of the great things we have accomplished together. We celebrate the relationships we have built, the ways we have grown, and the work we have done that is better because we have done it together. We also seek out feedback, identify areas for improvement and work with all stakeholders to find solutions to the issues we have identified.
This week, students will be looking to the future as our counselors conduct academic advising in W4 classes. During this time, students will receive important information to help them make decisions about the courses they will take next year. All information about academic advising, including the presentations presented, will be posted on Annandale’s Academic Advising webpage. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s counselor.
Our First Annual Deck the Doors competition, in which W4 classes will build community by working together to adorn their classroom doors begins this week. Prizes will be awarded. Keep an eye on the progress by following our school Twitter account @AnnandaleAtoms.
These are just a few examples of how our W4 classes support students’ academic, social and emotional growth as well as support them in building relationships and making connections to our school community. And the relationship building doesn’t stop in the classroom. Our admin team has been visiting W4 classes in order to deepen relationships with students as well as gather their perspectives on how we can continue to help all students feel belonging at Annandale. As part of our weekly Admin meeting, we are working to develop other ways to gather students’ perspectives as well - through focus groups, surveys, and informal conversations.
As always, reach out with questions or concerns. Go Atoms!
Shawn DeRose, Principal
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Annandale High School Featured in National School Board Journal
Annandale students, and Assistant Principal, Dr. Sarah Eqab were featured in the December issue of the National School Boards Association Journal for their work on our Newcomer program. Check out the article to see the amazing things our staff and students are doing to support newly arrived students.
Important Dates
December 6, 8, 10 - Academic Advising Presentations via W4
December 7 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm
December 8 - Bodhi Day
December 14 - Chorus Concert
December 16 - Band Concert
December 20-31 - Winter Break
Academic Advising Presentations via W4 - December 6, 8, and 10: Our counselors will be conducting academic advising presentations for each grade level during our W4 classes this week. These presentations will help students with course selection for next year. Current juniors will receive their presentation on Monday, sophomores on Wednesday, and freshmen on Friday. All information about academic advising, including the presentations presented, will be posted on Annandale’s Academic Advising webpage. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s counselor.
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Orchestra Concert - December 7: On Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00 pm, join the Annandale High School Orchestra for their Winter Concert in the auditorium. There will be a bake sale right after school and before the concert benefiting the Orchestra Boosters. The boosters will be using this money to provide the students with enrichment opportunities such as sectional coaches, student scholarships, and more!
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Annandale Choirs Spread Holiday Cheer!: The choirs at Annandale have been busy preparing for a wonderful season of concerts throughout the next two weeks. If you are able, please come and celebrate the season with us!
Wednesday, December 8: Women's Chamber Ensemble sings for Shepherd's Center Christmas Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. - Annandale United Methodist Church
Friday, December 10: Annandale Singers perform songs of the season in the Lobby of the Willard Hotel, 5:30-6:15 p.m. and 6:45-7:30 p.m. - Willard Hotel, 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Tuesday, December 14: Come Ring Out the Bells with the Annandale Singers, Atom Chorale, Men's Chorale, and the Women's Chamber Ensemble!, 7:00 p.m. - Watson Auditorium, Annandale High School
Wednesday, December 15: Annandale Singers and Women's Chamber Ensemble sing for the Noonday Noël at Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 12:05 p.m. - Old Presbyterian Meeting House, 323 South Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA
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Important Information
Inclement Weather Preparations: The first snowflakes of the season fell Tuesday morning and were a reminder to prepare for inclement weather. Earlier this year, FCPS announced that the first five inclement weather days will be traditional snow days. After those five days, FCPS will use the flexibility provided by the General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, whenever possible, to maintain the continuity of learning. There are several ways you can find out if inclement weather will affect the school or work day. The FCPS website is generally the first and fastest mode of communication during emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be updated as quickly as possible including email, text, website, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Student Check Out Procedures: In an effort to ease the process of checking students out early, such as for scheduled appointments, please provide students with a note to bring to the Attendance Office in the morning so students can receive a pass and are ready to leave at pick up time. As a friendly reminder and for students’ safety, parents are asked to come to the Attendance Office to sign the student out when picking them up early.
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Donate Gift Cards for AHS Staff
At events throughout the year, we recognize staff who are going above and beyond with gift cards donated by a community member at the beginning of the year. It has been a huge hit and I am requesting your help again since we are not permitted to use any kind of FCPS funds, local or otherwise, for this purpose. It is amazing how much a $5 or $10 gift card is appreciated. If you are so inclined, please feel free to drop them off at the main office or place them in the mail. Attention: Shawn DeRose. It can be for any business you want to support, in any amount. Nothing is too small.
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Awesome Atoms!
Welcome Stuart Converse and Nick Brown! Annandale is proud to welcome two new Instructional Assistants, Stuart Converse and Nick Brown. Mr. Converse is an FCPS graduate who studied Spanish at Radford University. During his studies he tutored his peers and discovered a passion for teaching. He is happy to be joining the Annandale High School staff to support our ESOL department.
Nick Brown is joining us this year as an ESOL Instructional Assistant as well. Before coming to Annandale, Mr. Brown worked on political campaigns, helping to elect legislators who now represent their local communities. After pursuing a degree in Arabic and English at the University of Maryland. As an aspiring teacher and diehard Maryland fan, he’s ready for a great year at Annandale and, hopefully, a Big Ten Championship in basketball for the Terps. We wish an Atom Nation welcome to Mr. Converse and Mr. Brown!
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Opportunities
Yearbook and Senior Tribute Ads: The 2022 Antenna Yearbook and Senior Tribute Ads can be purchased at www.yearbookforever.com. Buy your yearbook now! Price is $85.
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Atoms Writing Center Offering Science Fair Support: Need help preparing for the Science Fair? Come to the Atoms Writing Center's Science Fair workshop after school in Room 274 on Wednesday, December 8 or Monday, December 13.
Last Chance for Senior Pictures! Seniors who haven’t taken their senior pictures yet can sign up to do so December 7-10. Pictures will be taken in the dance room (back of upstairs gym) and are after school (3:00-9:00pm). Seniors can begin book appointments NOW on https://prestigeportraits.com. They can find their name by utilizing the “Search by City & State” feature or using the appointment code they were sent in the mail. If they have any questions, they should contact Lifetouch Prestige at 855-918-2930. This will be the last opportunity to take senior pictures!
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 Substitute Teaching Opportunities: Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Fairfax County Public Schools is looking for enthusiastic, engaged, and dedicated substitute teachers. Substitutes help our students thrive when their teacher must be out of the classroom and are essential members of every school’s team. More information about the application process and requirements is available online.
News from the PTSA
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.
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Personal Hygiene
Items
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Razors
Deodorant
Body Wash
Hand Soap
Dental Floss
Chapstick
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Food
White Rice
Breakfast Cereal
Tomato Sauce
Cooking Oil
Corn Flour
Sugar
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Crackers
Boxes of Granola Bars
Diced Tomatoes
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Household Items
Tissues
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Dish Detergent
Dishwasher Detergent
Laundry Detergent
Cleaning Supplies
Sponges
Uber/Lift Gift Cards
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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.
This Week's Events:
Monday, December 6
Improv Club - 3:00 - 4:00pm - Room - 324
Key Club - 3:00 - 4:00pm - Room 283
National Science Honor Society - Induction Ceremony - 3:00pm - Lecture Hall
Step Team Tryouts - 3:00 - 4:30pm - Dance Room
Girls Who Code - 3:15 - 4:15 - Room 223
Varsity Girls' Basketball vs. Hylton - 6:00pm
Gymnastics at West Potomac - 6:00pm
Varsity Boys' Basketball vs. Hylton - 8:00pm
Tuesday, December 7
Orchestra - Winter Concert - 7:00pm - Auditorium
Wednesday, December 8
Fellowship of Christian Athletes - 7:15am - Upper Gym
Atoms Writing Center - English 11 Remediation - 10:15am - Lecture Hall
AA LEAD - 3:00pm - Bistro
Best Buddies - 3:10 - 4:30pm - Room 22
Step Team Tryouts - 3:00 - 4:30pm - Dance Room
Atoms Writing Center - 3:00 - 4:00pm - Room 274
Atoms Writing Center - Science Fair Project - 3:00 - 4:00pm - Room 274
National Honor Society Meeting - 3:00 - 3:30pm - Room 249
Technology Student Association - Mandatory meeting - 3:30pm - Room 346
Thursday, December 9
AVID - College Application Workshop - 3:00 - 4:00pm - Room 90
Tennis - Interest Meeting - 3:10pm - Cafeteria
JV Wrestling at Alexandria City - 6:00pm
Girls' Basketball at Wakefield - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm
Boys' Basketball vs. Wakefield - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm
Dance Team - Halftime Performance at the basketball game
Friday, December 10
Varsity Wrestling Invitational at Sherando - 1:00pm
Swim/Dive at Lee District Rec Center vs. Hayfield - 8:30pm
Saturday, December 11
Varsity Wrestling Invitational at Sherando - 9:00am
Indoor Track at Falls Church - 11:00am
Swim/Dive at Audrey Moore Rec Center vs. Falls Church - 6:00pm
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