Annandale Community Insider - January 16

Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

It was exciting to welcome back students and staff after an extended winter break. I am proud of how Atom Nation mobilized to address challenges brought on by the COVID surge and the winter weather this past week. Students did a great job of wearing their masks, and teacher teams came together to adjust pacing and develop lessons to engage students through the end of the quarter (January 20) and beyond.  

High quality instruction, strong collaboration, and relationships & support continue to be our priorities as a school. This past week, our staff’s commitment to these priorities was featured in the Washington Post. The article spotlights the dedication and commitment of Annie Ray, orchestra teacher, who teaches music to our severely disabled (Category B) students. Below are highlights of the article that illustrate just how inspiring Annie’s program is.

• “… what she appreciates most about Ray is how the teacher tailors her lessons to meet the student’s needs, but without underestimating them.” 
• “She is assuming competence, and the students are rising to expectations. If they assume little [student] is going to give them little. If they assume more, [they are] going to give them more.” 
• “I’m so grateful to Miss Ray for this opportunity. She was able to see that he was capable of more than was immediately obvious.” 

On another side of the building, the boys varsity basketball team is currently on a six game winning streak, beating Falls Church, TJ, and Mt. Vernon this week. With limited spectators currently allowed to watch athletic contests, be sure to watch upcoming games live on the Atoms NFHS Network. Here is a link to upcoming events.

This past week, counselors began to meet individually with their students through English classes to discuss course selection for the 2022-23 school year. Our Academic Advising page has grade level information presented by counselors, videos made by teachers describing our elective and IB options, and the course selection Google forms that must be completed by students. We encourage both students and parents to visit this site and discuss course selections for next year.

Finally, I wanted to extend my gratitude for the outpouring of support during this Principal Appreciation Week. It is an honor to be part of such an active, supportive, and inclusive community. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that the work we do together is making a difference. 

As always, reach out with any questions you may have. 

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

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 18 During W4 - Virginia School Survey: On Tuesday, January 18 during W4, Annandale will be conducting the Virginia Climate and Working Conditions School Survey. The purpose of this survey is to measure student support, student engagement, school discipline, and safety conditions. Here is a link to the student survey. If you do not wish for your student to participate, please email Hanna Langstein at hblangstein@fcps.edu. 

January 18, 6pm - Rising 9th Grade Virtual Course Registration Night: Given the current circumstances, Annandale HS has postponed Rising 9th Grade Open House scheduled for January 18 (Zoom link here). Instead, we will be offering Virtual Course Registration Night for rising 9th grade students and their families. This event will be held on the same date and time: January 18 at 6:00pm. 

Virtual Course Registration Night will provide guidance for students as they 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.

January 18, 7pm - PTSA Meeting: 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.

January 20 - End of Quarter: The 2nd Quarter ends on January 20 and will be a two hour early release. Students are encouraged to work with their teachers to complete any retakes or make up work. Late buses are provided to students who stay after school on Wednesdays throughout the school year. 

Navigating the COVID Surge

Keeping Up With COVID: A lot of new and updated information is available for schools and families due to the current COVID-19 surge and recent changes to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance. Earlier this week, FCPS shared how the new CDC recommendations for quarantine and isolation periods would affect students and staff. Check out the Health and Safety Guidance Document on the FCPS website for the most up-to-date information.

FCPS Policy on Masks: As we return to school after the holiday weekend, FCPS will continue universal masking for all students and staff. FCPS continues to require universal mask wearing in alignment with CDC guidance. Our layered prevention strategies have proven effective in keeping transmission rates low in our schools. We know our students are best served by in-person instruction. Adhering to our layered prevention strategies, especially universal masking, keeps our schools open and safe places for students to learn. FCPS is reviewing Governor Youngkin’s executive order issued this weekend. As we have throughout the pandemic, FCPS will continue to share any updated information with you around FCPS COVID-19 practices and protocols as needed. You can review current health and safety guidelines on our website.

Direct Line at Annandale HS for COVID Communication: Annandale High School will now have a direct phone line and email for any COVID-related matters. If your student either has COVID or was in close contact with someone with COVID, or you have any questions or concerns about COVID-related policies and procedures, please email AHS COVID at ahscovid@fcps.edu or call 703-642-4363. Please leave a message if no one picks up and our COVID case manager, Nathan Park, will get back to you.

Important Information

Annandale Students Prepared for Virtual Learning: FCPS recently sent out guidance regarding how to prepare for an inclement weather virtual learning day. At Annandale, we have already taken the steps recommended by the division to ensure that students, staff, and their technology are prepared if inclement weather interrupts in-person instruction. Last week, students ensured that they have access to their Schoology course for each of their classes. They also had the opportunity to report any technical difficulties and/or any needs they might have for internet access at home. In addition, students and staff tested Zoom functionality to ensure all students know how to log into their classes in the event of a virtual school day. 

FCPS will implement synchronous virtual learning on days when school buildings are closed due to inclement weather and follow this FCPS Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Day Bell Schedule. The schedule includes a two-hour delay in order to provide time for teachers to prepare for virtual instruction.

Technology Support for Students and Families: If you have any issues with your FCPS device or account, including virtual learning or Zoom, students and parents can access the Tech Support for Families page, to submit a help request ticket.

Academic Advising Underway: This week, counselors began to meet individually with their students through English classes to discuss course selection for the 2022-23 school year. 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 must be completed by students. We encourage both students and parents to visit this site and discuss course selections 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.

Student Leadership Interest Meeting: The Student Leadership Class is an elective with admission based on an application and interview process. Students in this class contribute to building the culture at AHS by helping plan events such as Homecoming, Spirit Weeks, Heritage Night, etc. We are striving for the class to be truly representative of our entire school population. The interest meeting will be held on January 25 from 3:45-4:15pm. This meeting will be virtual and the link can be accessed in the Schoology group.

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 second 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.

Awesome Atoms!

Annie Ray, Orchestra Teacher, Featured in the Washington Post: High quality instruction, strong collaboration and relationships and support continue to be our priority as a school. This past week, our staff’s commitment to these priorities was featured in the Washington Post. The article spotlights the dedication and commitment of Annie Ray, orchestra teacher, who teaches music to our severely disbled (Category B) students. Below are just some of the highlights from the article:

• “… what she appreciates most about Ray is how the teacher tailors her lessons to meet the student’s needs, but without underestimating them.” 
• “She is assuming competence, and the students are rising to expectations. If they assume little [student] is going to give them little. IF they assume more, [they are] going to give them more.” 
• “I’m so grateful to Miss Ray for this opportunity. She was able to see that he was capable of more than was immediately obvious.” 

Welcome Terri Pendleton - Technology Specialist! Terri Pendleton has spent 23 years with FCPS and is looking forward to being the new Technology Support Specialist (TSSpec) at Annandale High School and supporting the Atoms community. Before becoming a TSSpec, she worked at the Nancy Sprague Technology Center managing the FCPS help desk support system, RequestIT. Terri is a graduate of Falls Church High School where she has been the assistant JV girls' basketball coach for the past 8 years. Terri and her husband Clarence have three daughters: two currently attending FCPS and one who will graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University next year.

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.

Support the Class of 2022 by purchasing a Winter Whiteout Shirt! Annandale Seniors will be selling white long sleeve Atom Nation shirts for Spirit Week. Make sure you purchase them before our Winter Whiteout spirit day on Friday, February 4! T-shirts will be sold in the cafeteria during A and C lunch from January 18 - February 3 (or until sold out). Shirts cost $10. 

Learn More about FCPS High School Academies - A high school academy is a center within an existing high school that offers students the opportunity to explore career interests. By taking advanced technical and specialized courses students gain practical skills and education to help them succeed. High school students interested in taking classes at FCPS Academies can sign up to participate in an upcoming open house to learn more about each school. 

The open house dates (see link to flyers below):

• Chantilly Academy: Virtual, January 20, 7pm (Zoom link)
• Edison Academy: In-person, January 29, 10:00am-1:00pm
• Fairfax Academy: In-person, February 8, 6:3000pm
• Marshall Academy: Virtual and asynchronous, January 26
• West Potomac Academy: Virtual, January 26, 6:15-7:30pm

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 3:00-4:00pm in Trailer 8 at the rear of the school. The pantry distribution schedule for the school year can be found here. 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 make a donation to the Pantry here. To ease the distribution process, we always need donations of both paper grocery bags (preferably with handles) and reusable grocery bags (for families and students who walk home).  Grocery 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 Is Always Restocking and Needs Your Help! The following items are always needed to restock. 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:

Tuesday, January 18

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

Girls' Basketball at Edison - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm

Wednesday, January 19

Fellowship of Christian Athletes - 7:00-8:00am - Upper Gym

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

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

National Honor Society - Induction Ceremony - 3:00-4:00pm - Lecture Hall

Thursday, January 20

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

Gymnastics at Lake Braddock - 6:00pm

Varsity Wrestling at Edison - 6:00pm

Friday, January 21

JV Wrestling at Justice - 11:00am

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

Girls' Basketball vs. Lewis - JV - 5:30, Varsity - 7:00pm (Senior Night)

Swim/Dive vs. Edison at Lee District Rec Center - 6:00pm

Saturday, January 22

Varsity Wrestling vs. Edison, Huguenot, Morgantown, Ocean Lakes, Park View, South County, Woodson - Atoms Fallout Duals - 11:00am

Winter Track at Edison - 11:00am