Annandale Community Insider - February 27

Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

Over the past several weeks, I have been highlighting ways Annandale staff have been building strong relationships to meet the needs of our students. However, relationships alone will not overcome the fact that the lives of our students, both inside and outside of school, have been greatly impacted over the last two years. Schools must also prioritize the importance of collaboration, providing high quality classroom instruction and creating robust systems of support.

As we prepare for the end of year assessments, specifically the SOLs and IB exams, we know that providing high quality instruction every day, throughout the year, has the biggest impact on students’ success. In addition, great schools are intentional when it comes to intervention. They support students by name and need and find creative ways to meet the needs of students who require additional support. One way we do this is through PRIDE Time.

Since October, we have used PRIDE Time to support our students’ diverse academic needs. Over the past several months, we have made incremental improvements to our PRIDE Time structure, rolling out PRIDE Time 2.0 in November and PRIDE Time 3.0 in February. On March 7, PRIDE Time 4.0 is scheduled to start. This latest iteration of PRIDE Time will focus on identifying students in need of preparation for the upcoming SOLs. 

Our After School Academic Program, or ASAP for short, is another way we can support students who need intervention in more than one subject area. Students selected to participate in ASAP will work with an assigned teacher one day per week after school from 3:10-4:10pm. Later this week, selected students will receive a letter from their teacher outlining their ASAP assignment. Students are expected to attend ASAP before any other extra curricular activity. Late buses will be available for transportation home at 4:45pm. If you have questions about your student’s ASAP assignment, please reach out to our ASAP Coordinator, Mike Ward.

As always, please reach out with any other questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

February 28 - Spring Meet the Coaches Night

March 1 - Winter Sports Banquet

March 2 - Orchestra Concert

March 3 - 2 Hour Early Release

March 4 - Staff Development Day (No School for Students)

March 7-11 - Inclusion Revolution Week

March 7 - PRIDE Time 4.0 Begins

March 8 - Chorus Concert

March 11 - Class Elections

March 11 - FanQuest Pep Rally

March 11 - Just World Festival

March 11 - Heritage Night

March 15 - PTSA Meeting

March 31 - 2 Hour Early Release; End of 3rd Quarter

April 1 - Teacher Workday (No School for Students)

April 4-8 - Spring Break 

February 28 - Spring Meet the Coaches Night: Spring Meet the Coach Night is tomorrow, Monday, February 28 at 6:30pm in the cafeteria. Parents of baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse and soccer should plan on attending to meet their student athlete’s coach and learn more about the upcoming season.

March 1 - Winter Sports Banquet: The Atoms Student Activities Department will celebrate our Winter athletes with a banquet on March 1 at 6:30pm.  The celebration will begin with dinner in the cafeteria then transition to the auditorium where we will honor our team MVP’s and Booster’s Atomic Achievement Award winners. After the presentation in the auditorium, each team will meet separately to celebrate their season.  Please reach out to Mr. Ellenberger at jellenberger@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

March 2 - Orchestra Concert: AHS Orchestra will be having their Pre-Assessment Concert on Wednesday, March 2 at 7:00pm to practice for their upcoming Assessment performances! The event is free and open to the public. Come support the students in their preparation and swing by the Performing Arts wing after school on this day to buy some baked goods to help fund our program.

March 8 - Chorus Concert: The AHS Choirs also perform their Pyramid Pre-Assessment concert on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00pm pm. Choirs from Holmes and Poe Middle Schools will be performing as well. The event is free and open to the public.

March 7-11 - Inclusion Revolution Week: In celebration of the Just World Festival, Heritage Night, and FanQuest, will be hosting “Inclusion Revolution Week” at Annandale! Show your #AtomNation pride by wearing the following: 

• Monday – Blue Out – Dress in blue and support the anti-bullying campaign to kick off our Annandale Inclusion Revolution Week!
• Tuesday – Favorite Number Day – Wear your favorite number, because everyone counts!
• Wednesday – Rainbow Day – Show your support for the LGBTGQ+ Community by wearing a color of the rainbow with a group or wearing all the colors yourself!
• Thursday – Olympic/Heritage Day – Represent your country or heritage by wearing traditional garb or “Olympic” spirit with your country’s flag or colors!
• Friday – Atom Pride – Wear Red or White Atom gear to show your support for our Special Olympic Athletes! We are asking our 9th and 11th graders to wear red and our 10th and 12th graders to wear white!

March 7 - PRIDE Time 4.0 Begins: Beginning on March 7, PRIDE Time 4.0 is scheduled to start. This latest iteration of PRIDE Time will focus on identifying students in need of preparation for the upcoming SOLs. Students who are not identified for intervention will be assigned a Study Hall PRIDE Time and will have the ability to complete assignments or request assistance from another Study Hall PRIDE Time teacher.

Students will receive an email on Sunday, March 6, from our Director of Student Services, Erik Healy, with their PRIDE Time assignment. They will also be able to view it in StudentVue as their period 11 class. Please ask your student about their PRIDE Time assignment and how they are using this time to their advantage.

March 11 - Just World Festival & Heritage Night: Annandale High School leadership students are excited to join the Just World Interact Club for the 16th annual Just World Festival and Heritage Night on March 11. The festival will take place from 4:00-6:30pm at Annandale. The Heritage Night performance will begin shortly after at 7:00pm in the auditorium. 

This year's theme for the Just World festival is "Reconnecting." By coming together, we hope to inspire others to take action and be active in their local and global communities. The festival aims to inspire youth that they are not only a part of their local community but a global one as well. We want to educate the community about global and environmental issues, fair trade, human rights, equality, and most importantly, social action. More information on our website. You can participate in one of the following ways:

• Just come to enjoy the festival which includes food, an interactive exhibition hall, workshops, and cultural events.
• Register to host a booth in our exhibition hall and/or sell items in our fair trade marketplace.
• Donate to our festival raffle or general fund to host the event.
• Volunteer to support the event (sign up coming out next week).

The Heritage Night performance will take place directly after at 7pm and is another opportunity for Annandale students to showcase their culture through music, dance, fashion, and more. Tickets are only available for pre-purchase here and are $5. This event has been incredibly popular in the past so we highly recommend pre-purchasing a ticket to ensure a spot at this incredible performance! No tickets will be available for purchase at the door!

For any questions about the Just World Festival please contact Meredith Hedrick and for any questions on Heritage Night please reach out to Jae Lee.

March 11 - FanQuest Pep Rally: On Friday, March 11, Annandale HS will be hosting a “FanQuest'' Pep Rally. FanQuest is an event that promotes inclusion and respect for students with disabilities and features the Annandale Special Olympics Basketball team. This event will give our Special Olympics athletes an opportunity to showcase their basketball skills through an exhibition “Red & White Game” and experience a real game day atmosphere in front of their peers. If you have any questions, please contact Jae Lee at jmlee3@fcps.edu. 

Important Information

Mask Guidance Update: Starting March 1, parents and guardians may elect for their student not to wear a mask at school. There will be no formal process required for those who elect for their student not to wear a mask on school property. In addition, the CDC issued new guidance on Friday. As a result, more than 70% of the US population now reside in areas where the COVID-19 Community Levels are designated as low or medium. With these new metrics, Fairfax County's Community Level is classified as low. To learn more about the CDC's new guidance, click here. With new guidance from the CDC, we anticipate FCPS will provide additional updates early next week.

We know changes are welcomed by some and an anxiety stressor to others. As a school, we are committed to ensuring that all students are healthy, safe, and feel valued in our community. We will continue to focus our attention and energy on providing high quality instruction, collaboration and building strong relationships and systems of support for our students.

CTE Department Industry Credential Testing: The CTE Department has begun certifying students in Workplace Readiness Skills. Students who pass this assessment will receive an industry credential showcasing their soft skills and that they're ready for employment.  This is another way to highlight student success and reflect how AHS students are prepared for life after high school!  Students currently taking CTE classes will be testing for certifications in Workplace Readiness or other industry certifications in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information.

Academic Support

Every Thursday - College Help Workshops: These workshops are open to Juniors and Seniors, who want information on applying to college. Students who need individual assistance with college applications can ask questions about the Common Application, Transcript Request Forms, Scholarships, SAT/ACT exam registration, or anything else related to college.

Every Monday and Wednesday - Math Honor Society Tutoring: Students who need support in their math class are encouraged to attend after school tutoring sessions hosted by the Math Honor Society. Students should fill out this form with their name, course, email, and date requested to meet. A MHS tutor will fill out the form and contact the tutee.

In addition, Math Honor Society is also running tutoring sessions for Standardized Testing (SAT and ACT) every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00-4:30pm in Room 231. Students should fill out this form to receive extra support. Students in need of transportation can take the late bus on these days at 4:45pm.

March 7 - PRIDE Time 4.0 Begins: Beginning on March 7, PRIDE Time 4.0 is scheduled to start. This latest iteration of PRIDE Time will focus on identifying students in need of preparation for the upcoming SOLs. Students who are not identified for intervention will be assigned a Study Hall PRIDE Time and will have the ability to complete assignments or request assistance from another Study Hally PRIDE Time teacher.

Students will receive an email on INSERT DATE from our Director of Student Services, Erik Healy, with their PRIDE Time assignment. They will also be able to view it in StudentVue as their period 11 class. Please ask your student about their PRIDE Time assignment and how they are using this time to their advantage.

March 7 - After School Academic Program Begins: Annandale's After School Academic Program, or ASAP for short, is another way we can meet the needs of students who need intervention in more than one subject area. Later this week, students will receive a letter from their teacher if they are selected for ASAP. The letter will include their ASAP day, subject, and teacher assignment. Students must arrive at their teacher’s classroom at 3:10pm with necessary supplies and stay until 4:10pm. Students are expected to attend ASAP before any other extra curricular activity. If your student participates in other extracurricular activities, they will receive a pass from their ASAP teacher at 4:10pm. Late buses will be available for transportation home at 4:45pm. If you have questions about Annandale’s ASAP program, please do not hesitate to call Mike Ward, ASAP Coordinator, at smward@fcps.edu or 703-642-7408.

Mid-April - Super Saturdays Begin: Annandale will continue the tradition of success that was established prior to, and even during COVID, by supporting students with Super Saturday SOL prep prior to testing. Invitations will be going out to students to attend these events beginning in late March/early April. Stay tuned for more information.

Awesome Atoms!

Annandale Students Participate in World-Wide Locura de Marzo Hype Video: Spanish 1 & 2 classes are participating in Locura de Marzo, a world-wide Spanish-language song contest in which top-rated songs compete in a bracket style competition for the chance to be named Campeón among Spanish classes world-wide. Students at Annandale had the opportunity to make two appearances in the video featuring students from across the world in the event’s hype video. Learn more about the event, and view the Annandale participants in the official hype video. Check out minute markers 0:18 & 2:58 for Annandale students. To see the participating songs and vote every day, check out the bracket and QR codes in the World Language hallway between M19 and M21.

Miles Lanham - VHSL 6A State Triple Jump Champion! Congrats to Miles Lanham who won the VHSL 6A State Triple Jump Championship this weekend. Miles also won the District and Regional Championship as well.  

Keely Norris Named Director of Training Initiatives for the Children's Defense Fund! Keely Norris, special education teacher and assistant director of student activities, has accepted a position with the Children’s Defense Fund as the Director of Training Initiatives for CDF Freedom Schools. She will work with school districts and Freedom School sites across the country to train teachers and staff in culturally responsive pedagogy and the CDF Freedom Schools integrated reading curriculum. After beginning as an intern with Children's Defense Fund in 2014, she continued her service as a consultant and is excited about this new opportunity with an organization that has done so much good on behalf of all children.

Opportunities

Now through March 1 - Mulch Madness PTSA Fundraiser: It may be chilly outside but Spring is just around the corner. So order your mulch now! Mulch Madness is the PTSA's biggest and most critical fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the mulch sale go directly to support the PTSA's All Night Graduation Celebration and Senior Scholarships. All Night Graduation Celebration provides a fun, safe, alcohol and drug-free parent-chaperoned celebration for our seniors.

Order now through March 1 online! Mulch will be available for pick-up at AHS on Saturday, March 12, from 8am-12pm or delivered to your location. Each mulch bag covers 3 cubic feet and weighs about 60 lbs. $6 per bag delivered (10 bag minimum and within five mile radius of AHS). $5 per bag self pick-up. For more information, email angcmulch@annandalehsptsa.org. 

March 1 - Summer Institute for the Arts Program Registration Opens: Does your child have plans for this summer?  If they love the arts, then the Institute for the Arts is for them! Check out this video for more information. More information can be found on their website. Registration begins March 1.

Now through March 23 - Become a Member of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC): Each year, FCPS students have the opportunity to apply for the position of the student representative to the School Board. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students of Fairfax County Public Schools. Students who are currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply. Applications are due March 23, 2022. The application and related details can be found on the FCPS Website.

Save the Date! June 6 - Sports and Band Physicals for the 2022-23 School Year: Students who would like to participate in sports or band next year will need a valid VHSL physical dated after May 1 2022. On June 6 at 6pm we will be hosting Sport and Activity Health Screenings. This physical will be good for all of next school year. There will be a sign-up genius available soon. The cost is $30 pre-registration and $40 dollars walk-in. This is a donation to the Athletic Training Program so that we can continue to provide state of the art care for our athletes and band members. For information about financial assistance for this event, please contact Kathy Ayers.

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.

February 28 - Spring Meet the Coaches Night: Spring Meet the Coach Night is tomorrow, Monday, February 28 at 6:30pm in the cafeteria. Parents of baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse and soccer should plan on attending to meet their student athlete’s coach and learn more about the upcoming season.

March 1 - Winter Sports Banquet: The Atoms Student Activities Department will celebrate our Winter athletes with a banquet on March 1 at 6:30pm.  The celebration will begin with dinner in the cafeteria then transition to the auditorium where we will honor our team MVP’s and Booster’s Atomic Achievement Award winners. After the presentation in the auditorium, each team will meet separately to celebrate their season.  Please reach out to Mr. Ellenberger at jellenberger@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

This Week’s Athletics and Activities Schedule

Monday, February 28

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

Spring Meet the Coach Night - 6:30pm - Cafeteria

Tuesday, March 1

Winter Sports Banquet - 6:30pm - Cafeteria

Wednesday, March 2

FCA - 7:15-8:00am - Upper Gym

AWC - Staff Meeting - 10:15-11:15am - Cafeteria

AA LEAD - 3:00-4:00pm - Bistro

Atoms Scholar Program - 3:00-4:00pm - Library

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

National Art Honor Society - 3:00-4:30pm - Room 148

Yoga Club - 3:00 - 4:30pm- Room 283

National English Honor Society - 3:15-4:15pm - Room 271A

National Social Studies Honor Society - 3:15-3:30pm - Room 283

Boys' Soccer Scrimmage at West Potomac - 5:45/7:15pm

Girls' Soccer Scrimmage vs. West Potomac - 5:45/7:15pm

Orchestra Pre Assessment Concert - 7:00pm - Auditorium

Thursday, March 3

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

Girls' Lacrosse Scrimmage vs. Osbourn Park - 6:00/7:15pm

Friday, March 4

Varsity Softball Scrimmage vs. Rock Ridge - 6:00pm

Saturday, March 5

JV Boys' Lacrosse Scrimmage vs. Hylton - 8:15am

V Boys' Lacrosse Scrimmage vs. Hylton - 9:30am, vs. Rock Ridge - 10:50am

News from the PTSA

Now through March 1 - Mulch Madness PTSA Fundraiser: It may be chilly outside but Spring is just around the corner. So order your mulch now! Mulch Madness is the PTSA's biggest and most critical fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the mulch sale go directly to support the PTSA's All Night Graduation Celebration and Senior Scholarships. All Night Graduation Celebration provides a fun, safe, alcohol and drug-free parent-chaperoned celebration for our seniors.

Order now through March 1 online! Mulch will be available for pick-up at AHS on Saturday, March 12, from 8am-12pm or delivered to your location. Each mulch bag covers 3 cubic feet and weighs about 60 lbs. $6 per bag delivered (10 bag minimum and within five mile radius of AHS). $5 per bag self pick-up. For more information, email angcmulch@annandalehsptsa.org. 

Next PTSA Meeting - March 15, 7pm: The Next Annandale PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, March 15 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. In addition, meeting notes from previous meetings are also on the PTSA website.  

PTSA Membership - Join Today! On behalf of the Annandale High School Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA), we hope that the 2021–2022 school year is going well. The key ingredient to our success as a school is YOU. Please dare to make a difference, be better informed and join the PTSA today 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 3:00-4:00pm 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.