Annandale Community Insider - January 9

Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

I hope you were able to enjoy some of the snow we got during the past week. The snow storm hit my neighborhood pretty hard. We had several trees down and lost power for over 16 hours. However, it was nice to see neighbors helping each other clear driveways, sidewalks and streets. Speaking of clearing snow, shoutout to our custodians and FCPS operational staff who have been working hard over the past few days to clear snow from school buildings, parking lots, and sidewalks to enable students and staff members to return to school safely. 

As I shared last week, our intent as a school division is to remain open and in person as we navigate this COVID spike. At Annandale, we are tightening and improving our mitigation as well as preparing for any shifts we may need to make. Non-essential instructional activities such as second chance breakfast, Spirit Week activities, field trips, etc., will be put on hold for the present time. In addition, our rising ninth grade open house will be moved to a virtual format. In-person aspects of this event will be rescheduled to a later date. 

Knowing that sub coverage will be an issue, we have asked all non-teaching staff to be ready and available to support classroom coverage. Additionally, FCPS is deploying central office staff to schools to support coverage. We will do everything possible to hold classes in their regular locations. If it becomes necessary, we will combine classes and use large spaces as overflow rooms. Our approach will be to continue to prioritize safety and learning. 

Staffing shortages are also impacting our operational staff. Please expect that there will be delays in bus routes with more “double-backs”, which means more students will arrive after the bell. Students arriving on a bus that has been delayed will get a pass and will be welcomed into their classes. 

In the unlikely event that we will need to shift to virtual learning, we will use W4 this week to ensure all students’ Schoology and Zoom are up to date and gather information about any tech needs students may have. Students who do not have internet access at home can request a MiFi at the Technology Help Desk in Room 328.

Finally, it is clear we will continue to see higher COVID case numbers at least for the short term. Thanks to layered mitigation strategies and especially to vaccination, the likelihood of serious illness is significantly reduced as compared to last winter. However, we expect to experience some disruption to our teaching and learning routines. As a reminder, if students are not feeling well, they should stay home. In case a student is paused, they should access their assignments through Schoology for all of their classes. We also encourage students to reach out to teachers with any questions they may have.

We will continue to share any updates to our approach moving forward. As always, reach out with any questions you may have. 

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

January 17 - Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday) 

January 18 - Rising 9th Grade Course Registration Night, 6pm

January 18 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm

January 19 - Religious and Cultural Observance (Orthodox Epiphany)

January 20 - End of Second Quarter - 2-hour Early Release

January 21 - Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)

January 24 - Student Holiday (Professional Development Day)

January 25 - Beginning of 3rd Quarter

January 29 - Edison Academy Open House, 10am-1pm

Winter Spirit Week Activities POSTPONED: The Winter Spirit Week activities scheduled for January 10-14 have been postponed. The Activities will be working with the Leadership Class to reschedule Spirit Days, the Snowball Tournament, the Winter Pep Rally, the Winter Bonfire, and the Winter Whiteout Basketball Game.

Rising 9th Grade Open House Changed to Virtual Course Registration Night - January 18, 6pm: Given the current circumstances, Annandale HS will be postponing Open House. Instead we will be offering Virtual Course Registration Night to rising 9th grade students and parents on the same date and time, January 18 at 6:00pm (link coming soon). This event will provide guidance as students prepare to complete their course request form when they meet with their middle school counselor in the coming weeks. 

In preparation for this event, students and families are encouraged to access all the information needed for course selection on our Academic Advising website. This site has grade level information that will be presented by counselors, videos made by teachers describing elective and IB options, the 9th grade course catalog, and the course selection Google form that will need to be completed by each student. If you have any questions, please contact Erik Healey at ejhealey@fcps.edu.

PTSA Meeting - January 18, 7pm: The Next Annandale PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. PTSA meetings are bilingual and Spanish translation is provided. Las reuniones de PTSA son bilingües y se proporciona traducción al español. Here is a link to the meeting. See you there!

Navigating the COVID Surge

FCPS has been working hard to prepare for staffing shortages with the recent COVID surge. These shortages will impact schools in every way, from classroom instruction to operations. 

Below is the FCPS plan to provide instruction as we return from this extended winter break.

Classroom Coverage: When a classroom teacher is out, we will consider providing sub coverage in the following order:

• a substitute teacher from the sub pool
• another teacher or staff member
• Central Office volunteer subs who have instructional experience. 
• Pairing two classes together with one teacher.
• Grouping multiple classes to provide supervision during asynchronous instruction.

Teachers will be reminded to upload classroom materials to Schoology, when students need to access lessons asynchronously.

Transportation: Staffing shortages are impacting our operational staff as well. Expect that there will be delays in bus routes with more double-backs that may mean students will arrive after the bell. We will adjust instruction to ensure that no student is missing important classroom time. Access the Bus Delay App to receive current bus delay information. When possible, please consider driving to school, or walking or biking if you are nearby.

Food Services: Breakfast before school and lunch service has not been impacted at this time, but it is possible that with greater staff absences, we may need to change to providing bag lunches, instead of the regular menu. 

Health and Safety: Below are some ways that you can partner with us to keep our schools safe and open for learning.

• Keep your children home when sick.
• We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated or boosted, which is the best protection against serious illness caused by COVID-19. 
• Sign your child up for optional screening testing and make use of our diagnostic testing if your child has symptoms. 
• Remind your child about our layered prevention strategies including proper mask wearing, hand washing and using hand sanitizer. 
• Be sure your child brings home their laptop and charger every night.
  
  

Supporting Our Classrooms: Apply to be a substitute teacher. Watch for emails from your school leadership for other volunteer opportunities.

FCPS will follow this operational plan for the next 2-3 weeks. During this time, we must adjust our expectations about instruction and give our staff the space needed to make adjustments and on the spot decisions needed to combat this COVID spike. 

Please know that while things will not be perfect, we are all doing our best. We are all in this together as a community, and it will take all of us to keep our schools open.

Important Information

Academic Advising Begins This Week! It is hard to believe, but we are already beginning to plan for the 2022-2023 school year. Over the next several weeks, our counselors will meet individually with their students through English classes to discuss course selection. Our Academic Advising page has the grade level information presented by counselors, videos made by teachers describing our elective and IB options, and the course selection Google forms that need to be completed by students. We encourage students and parents to visit this site and discuss courses for next year. Students are asked to complete the appropriate grade-level course selection Google form prior to meeting with their counselor. All course selection forms are due no later than February 25. Please reach out to your student’s counselor, or Erik Healey, Director of Student Services, if you have any questions.

Second Chance Breakfast Canceled: It is clear that we will continue to see higher COVID case numbers at least for the short term. To better tighten our mitigation strategies, we have canceled 2nd chance breakfast. Students can still access a free breakfast before the start of school. As the landscape changes over the coming weeks, we will continue to reassess and update staff and students. We will continue to follow our current bell schedule moving forward.

PSAT Score Reports Released: Within the past couple of weeks, College Board released PSAT scores for the October exam. Students who completed the test should have received their score reports via the email address that they indicated on their PSAT answer sheet. Students should check their junk and spam folders for an email from College Board. During the winter break, students also received an email to the their school email account from Erik Healey, AHS Director of Student Services. This email included test scores and an Access Code, which can be used to access the full score report on the College Board website. From this score report, students can utilize a free SAT prep course through Khan Academy, based on their individual PSAT scores.

Students Can Start Their College Courses Early at NOVA: The Early Online College program at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) allows FCPS juniors or seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses this spring. Textbook and other course materials purchases may be required. Early Online College courses begin on February 1 and end on April 25. Minimum qualifications apply. The deadline to submit a completed application is January 14. More information is available online.

Awesome Atoms!

Thank You Annandale Custodians and FCPS Operational Staff! Shoutout to our custodians and FCPS operational staff who have been working hard over the past few days to clear snow from school buildings, parking lots, and sidewalks to enable students and staff members to return to school safely. 

Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather this winter season, here is a link to the various Annandale High School Bell Schedules.

Now that we have exhausted our five (5) snow 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.

Opportunities

College Help Workshops – Thursdays After School: Students who need individual assistance with college applications, can attend the College Help Workshops from 3:00-4:00 in room 90 throughout the month of January. Students can ask questions about the Common Application, Transcript Request Forms, Scholarships, SAT/ACT exam registration, or anything else related to college.

Edison Academy Open House - Saturday, January 29, 10:00am - 1:00pm: Depending on conditions, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Edison Academy state-of-the-art facilities in person or virtually, meet instructors and current students, and learn more about the incredible courses available! Please feel free to contact Cassandra Deedy at (703) 924-8101 or cjdeedy@fcps.edu if you need additional information.

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

News from the PTSA

Next PTSA Meeting - January 18, 7pm: The Next Annandale PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. PTSA meetings are bilingual and Spanish translation is provided. Las reuniones de PTSA son bilingües y se proporciona traducción al español. Here is a link to the meeting. See you there!

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.

Limited Spectators at Athletic Events: Athletic contests will continue with limited spectators. There will be no general admission to any sports contests through Friday, January 14. Spectators will be limited to family members of both the home and visiting teams and select guests. 

Watch Annandale HS Sports Online! Visit the Atoms NFHS Network to watch the events live. Our teams appreciate your support and are looking forward to having spectators again soon. If you have ay questions, please contact John Ellenberger at jellenberger@fcps.edu.

This Week's Events:

Monday, January 10

Girls' Who Code - 3:00 - 4:00pm - Room 223

Atoms Writing Center - New Tutor Training - 3:30-4:30pm - Room 274

Gymnastics at Jefferson - 6:00pm

Boys' Basketball at Falls Church - 4:30/5:45/7:30

Girls' Basketball vs. Manassas Park - JV - 5:45, Varsity - 7:30pm

Tuesday, January 11

Boys' Basketball at Jefferson - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm

Girls' Basketball vs. Jefferson - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm

Wednesday, January 12

AA LEAD - 3:00-5:00pm - Bistro

Atoms Writing Center - 3:00-4:00pm - Room 274

FBLA - 3:00-4:00pm - Cafeteria

National Honor Society - 3:00-3:30pm - Room 249

Girls' Basketball vs. Falls Church - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm

Varsity Wrestling at Lewis, Falls Church, Hayfield - 6:00pm

Thursday, January 13

AVID - College Essay Workshop - 3:00-4:00pm - Room 90

JV Wrestling at Falls Church - 6:00pm

Friday, January 14

Boys' Basketball vs. Mt. Vernon - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm

Girls' Basketball at Mt. Vernon - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm

Swim/Dive vs. Mt. Vernon at George Washington Rec Center - 6:30pm

Saturday, January 15

Varsity Wrestling at Freedom (South Riding) Invitational - 9:00am

Indoor Track at Edison - 11:00am

Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions

This spring our school, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Virginia Department of Education, is conducting the Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions of students, classroom instructors, and staff. The purpose of this survey is to measure student support, student engagement, school discipline, and safety conditions in each school. This information will be used to guide educational practices that produce a safe and supportive school environment.      

The online survey will be administered to all students grades 9-12 later this month. The survey does not ask for your child’s name and all answers are anonymous (no one will know how your child answered the survey). Parents and guardians will not have access to their child’s survey answers. You may review the student survey at this website: https://tinyurl.com/VaSchoolSurvey.

The survey will ask questions such as how students feel about their school, how students get along with one another and their teachers, how students feel about school rules, and their perceptions of their teachers’ willingness to help them. Students will also be asked what kinds of bullying they may have observed during school and whether they have been bullied themselves.

All students in your child’s grade level will be eligible to participate in the survey. Students participating in remote instruction and in-person instruction are both eligible to participate. The survey is voluntary and your child can decide not to participate. No action will be taken against you, your child, or the school if your child does not participate. If you do not wish for your child to participate, please email Hanna Langstein at hblangstein@fcps.edu.

Your child will not receive any immediate benefit from participating in the survey, but the survey will help us to maintain a safe, inviting, and supportive learning environment for your child