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Annandale Students, Parents and Community:
I am excited to welcome our staff back in just a little over a week, and students not soon after! Across the building, we have been busy preparing for everyone’s return. Here is just a sampling of the activity throughout AHS.
Our custodial staff has been hard at work cleaning, addressing maintenance issues, and waxing floors. We have a new HVAC system, and new roofing was installed across parts of our building. Student Services has been busy registering new students and finalizing schedules. Our tech team has been ensuring computers for teachers and students are updated, as well as planning a smooth laptop distribution. And our admin team has been planning staff and students’ return, developing clarity around expectations such as cell phone use and tardies, and working through logistics such as room assignments.
We are also excited that the Fall Sports season has begun! It has been great to see students and our coaching staff in and out of the building. I have run into many familiar faces as our students turn in their physicals or grab water during practice. We know how important students’ connection to school is, and sports are one way we help students feel connection and belonging. Between our coaches, our returning staff and our new hires, we have an incredible staff that is committed to ensuring we are working together to support every student, every day.
Tomorrow, August 8, from 6:00-7:00pm, I will host a Virtual Student/Parent Information Session. The purpose of this event is to answer any questions students or families may have about the upcoming school year. Whether or not you have questions, please join us. A link for the event was sent out via eNotify on Monday, August 1 and will be sent out again tomorrow. The session will also be recorded if you are unable to join us tomorrow evening.
Looking ahead, I am excited to welcome all of you on Thursday, August 18 to our Freshmen & New Student Orientation from 1:30-3:30pm, as well as our Open House for all students from 3:30-4:30pm. Additionally, on this day, students and families can access schedules in StudentVUE and ParentVUE starting at 6:00am.
Enjoy your last days of summer break. I look forward to seeing you all. As always, please reach out with any questions.
Shawn DeRose, Principal
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Important Dates
August 8 - Virtual Student/Parent Information Session, 6pm
August 12 - First Day Back for Teachers
August 18 - Student Schedules Available in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue
August 18 - New Student Orientation/Open House
August 22 - First Day of School for Students
September 2 and 5 - No School (Labor Day Holiday)
September 26 - Teacher Workday
September 29 - Back to School Night 2022
October 5 - No School (Yom Kippur)
October 10 - Staff Development Day (Indigenous Peoples' Day)
October 11-14 - Homecoming Week
October 15 - Homecoming Dance
October 24 - No School (Diwali)
Virtual Student/Parent Information Session - August 8 at 6pm: Principal, Shawn DeRose will be hosting a virtual Student/Parent Information Session from 6:00-7:00pm on Monday, August 8. The purpose of the event is to answer any questions you have about the upcoming school year. A link for the event was sent out via eNotify on Monday, August 1 and will be sent out again tomorrow. The session will also be recorded if you are unable to join us tomorrow evening.
Student Schedules Available - August 18: Beginning Thursday, August 18 at 6:00am, all students and parents will have access to class schedules in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE. SIS (Student Information System) is the application to see attendance, class performance, and demographic data.
Freshmen (Grade 9) and New Student Orientation - August 18: Annandale High School is excited to welcome rising freshmen as well as new students to our school orientation on August 18 from 1:30-3:30pm. Students and parents will meet administrators, counselors, teachers, and other essential school personnel and have an opportunity to explore the school building and learn more about student life at Annandale. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Sarah Eqab.
Open House - August 18: We would like to invite all Annandale students and their families to our Open House on August 18 from 3:30-4:30. The Open House provides students an opportunity to walk through our halls and find their classes for next year. There is no formal program during this time, but rather an informal chance to get reacquainted with AHS. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Sarah Eqab.
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Awesome Atoms!
New Annandale Teachers Featured in FCPS News Article: Check out the latest article from FCPS News featuring two new Annandale High School teachers. “Jeonga Hong was a paralegal assisting with patent and trademark applications before she realized she really wanted to teach high school math. Christiana Edinborough came to the U.S. from the Caribbean five years ago with no idea what she wanted to do for a career. She began tutoring FCPS students during college and she’s now entering her second year of teaching. These teachers are just a few of the hundreds of new hires joining Fairfax County Public Schools. At a time when the national teacher shortage is making headlines, many on the ground are eager to share why they’re stepping up in this community.”
Christiana Edinborough, New Math Teacher, Featured on ABC 7 WJLA: "I just loved the kids, I loved interacting with them, loved making math fun for them, so I decided after I graduated to go back to George Mason and do their teacher program, their teacher prep masters program." - Christiana Edinborough, new math teacher at Annandale featured on ABC 7 WJLA.
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Important Information
Student Rights & Responsibilities Update - Cell Phone Use: An important update made to the Student Rights & Responsibilities document (SR&R) for the coming school year is the regulation to prohibit cell phone use in classrooms. Students will not be permitted to use their cell phones during class unless directed to by the teacher for instructional purposes. We acknowledge this new policy will be a shift for many students and families this year, but research shows that managing phone use during class time will support students’ attention and ability to fully engage in their learning. Schools are partnering with parents to ensure students understand the importance of putting their phones away to minimize distractions during class. Please talk to your child(ren) before the start of the school year about these expectations. Families may also review the parental controls available for all iPhone and Android users.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications Now Available: Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications are now available. Students approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meals may qualify for additional benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes. To take advantage of those benefits, complete this form. Schools also benefit from funding opportunities based on Free and Reduced Price Meal application numbers. Visit the FCPS Free and Reduced-Price Meals website for more information.
Class of 2023 Meningococcal Vaccine Reminder: The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into one of its schools. All students in grade 12 are required to have been immunized with one dose of the Meningococcal Vaccine given at the age of 16 or older. Please review the immunization requirements here. Proof of immunization must be submitted to the school. These documents need to be returned prior to the start of the 2022-23 school year. For more information on this requirement, visit this FCPS website.
Free Vaccine Clinics: The Fairfax County Health Department will host on-site school vaccine clinics that offer three (3) required immunizations: Meningococcal (MenACWY), Tdap, and HPV. Note: The Meningococcal vaccine is required for grade 12 students. The clinics are walk-in, no appointment necessary. See below for more information:
Jackson MS: Tuesday, August 9 - 2:00-7:00pm
Whitman MS: Thursday, August 11 - 2:00-7:00pm
South County MS: Wednesday, August 17 - 2:00-7:00pm
Herndon MS: Friday, August 19 - 2:00-7:00pm
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Welcome New Staff Members!
Welcome, Paul Mock, Social Studies Teacher! Paul is joining us as a new Social Studies teacher from Maryland. He previously worked at Prince George County Public Schools in Maryland as a Social Studies Department Chair and Instructor. He attended Loyola University Maryland where he received his Bachelor’s in History, and his Masters in Teaching. He went on to Notre Dame of Maryland University to receive his Ph. D in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations.
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Welcome, Esther Kim, Biology Teacher! Esther is a recent graduate from George Washington University where she received her Bachelors in Biological Anthropology and STEM Teaching. During her time at GWU, she was the Education Chair and Director of Prospects for Delta Epsilon Mu, and a part of the Women's Leadership Program. Esther has supported her community by volunteering as a kindergarten teacher at Shining Star Community Church. Before coming to Annandale, she worked as an EMT.
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Welcome, Miles Meijer, New Spanish Teacher! Miles is joining the Atom Nation from Illinois as a new Spanish teacher. Miles is originally from California, but moved to Vermont to complete his Bachelors in Spanish and Religion at Middlebury College. He participated in the Cross Country and Track team. After graduating, he moved to Boston, MA and worked as a Spanish Language Instructor at the AES World Languages and Culture Institute. He also taught at Boston University in Resident Life. He recently graduated from Northwestern University with a Masters in Education.
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Welcome, Isabelle Glancy, New SPED Teacher! Isabelle will be a new SPED teacher for Annandale High this upcoming school year. This will be her 4th year teaching in the Special Education field. She previously taught at Jack Jouett Middle School as a Special Education teacher, and at Doris Klaussen Developmental Center as a Special Education teacher for Autism. Originally hailing from Michigan, she attended Michigan State University and received her Bachelors in Kinesiology. Isabelle made the move to Virginia and completed her Masters at the University of Virginia in Kinesiology for Individuals with Disabilities. She is looking forward to joining the AHS team.
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Welcome, Kwaku Kwakye, New ESOL Teacher! Kwaku is joining us from Hampton Middle School in Prince William County. He’s an experienced teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience both domestically and internationally. He received his Bachelor’s in Agriculture from the University of Ghana. Kwaku was an agricultural science teacher of 11 years at Tema Parents’ Association School in Ghana . Later, he received his Master’s from the University of Maryland Global Campus in Management and Liberty University in Education.
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News from the Activities Office
Check out the latest information from the Activities Office in their weekly newsletter. In addition, learn more about Annandale High School Athletics and Activities by visiting their website or the AHS Athletics Twitter page. Please email Brandon Sutphin, Dire tor of Student Activities, if you have any questions.
It's Not Too Late To Play a Fall Sport! Last week we welcomed back student athletes from Football, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Golf, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, and Band. It was great to see so many familiar and new faces in the gym and on the fields. If you weren’t able to make it to our first week of Fall Sports tryouts and practices, there is still time to join! The following teams are still open to new athletes coming out and no experience is necessary:
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News from the PTSA
PTSA Membership for the 2022-23 School Year: On behalf of the Annandale High School Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA), we would like to welcome you to the 2022–2023 school year. The key ingredient to our success is YOU. Please dare to make a positive difference, be better informed and join your PTSA today by filling out the online Membership Form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website.
Pantry Summer Distribution - Volunteers Needed! The PTSA sponsored AHS Pantry distributes food to AHS students and families in need. This summer, in addition to three standard distributions, we are holding pop up farmers markets on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer in the parking lot near the pantry. Fresh produce that is gleaned from the Mosaic Farmers Market in Partnership with Food Rescue.
Thank you to the volunteers who have helped this summer. If you are interested in helping, sign up here: Pantry Sign Up. Please email Norma Foti, AHS PTSA Pantry Coordinator, at pantry@annandalehsptsa.org with questions.
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4700 Medford Drive Annandale, VA 22003 | Main Office: 703.642.4100
Attendance: 703.642.4150 | Web | Twitter
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