Annandale Community Insider - November 27

Annandale Students, Families, and Community:

I hope you had a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving Break. I spent time with friends and family, cleaning and organizing and picking up leaves. I also spent a lot of time watching my daughter, Regan, play basketball. And Thanksgiving weekend wouldn’t be complete without watching The Game (aka Ohio State v. Michigan). It reminds me what I love most about high school sports and activities: the commitment of the players, performers, teachers, and coaches to their teams and their school. I am continually amazed at the time and effort our students put into representing Atom Nation on the field, on the stage, and in the classroom. I have also been impressed by the number of staff and community members who take time to support our students at games and events.

Over the next three weeks, there are many opportunities for you to see our Annandale students represent Atom Nation through performances and athletic events. Orchestra, chorus and band will each perform this month. Winter sports contests, which include basketball, wrestling, indoor track, gymnastics and swim & dive, begin this week, as well. If you have never done so, I encourage you to attend one of these events with friends or family. It is inspiring to see the ways our performing arts department and athletic teams give students opportunities to develop and showcase their talents! Check out the upcoming events on the Annandale Activities and Athletics website.

As always, reach out with questions or concerns. Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

November 29 - Superintendent Community Conversations

November 29 - PISA Testing

December 5 - W4 Activities Day

December 5-9 - Computer Science Week

December 7 - Winter Orchestra Concert

December 8 - Bodhi Day

December 9 - Winter Band Concert

December 13 - Winter Chorus Concert

December 19-30 - Winter Break

January 2 - No School (New Year’s Day Observed)

January 16 - No School (Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday)

January 25 - 2 Hour Early Release (End of the 2nd Quarter)

January 26-27 - Student Holiday

November 29 - PISA Testing: We will be administering the PISA-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Test for Schools after the Thanksgiving holiday. The OECD Test for Schools measures 15-year-olds’ skills and creative application of knowledge in reading, mathematics, and science using real world problems to generate data for the School Board and to help drive continuous improvement within the school. A group of 85 students have been selected to participate in this assessment with an additional 20 students who will serve as alternates. 

November 29 - Superintendent Community Conversations: Annandale Pyramid, 6:30-7:30pm: Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting Superintendent Community Conversations across the division this fall to get to know our communities. On Tuesday, November 29, Dr. Reid will be at Annandale from 6:30-7:30pm. Interpretation services, child care, and light refreshments will be provided. Register here.

Computer Science Education Week, December, 5-9: Computer Science (CS) Education Week is December 5 through 9. CS Week is an important opportunity to inspire students through computer science (CS). Students and parents can explore free resources on the FCPS CS Week Educator Page and visit the FCPS STEAM and Computer Science public page. Please be aware that some digital resources may require parental consent before they can be used. Find more information about parental consent for digital resources in the Digital Ecosystem Library or reach out to Jen Cory, our School-Based Technology Specialist (SBTS).

December 7 - Orchestra Winter Concert, 7pm: Orchestra will be having their Winter Concert on Wednesday, December 7 at 7:00pm with Parent Orchestra’s Advanced Ensemble and Crescendo (CAT B) Orchestra’s debut! The challenging program has pushed students to the next level and spotlights soloists in several of the ensembles. Support the program by purchasing baked goods (including our famous giant chocolate chip cookies!) after school by the auditorium and by coming to hear the student’s hard work in the evening. We encourage you to come wearing an ugly holiday sweater or a festive hat!

Donate Gift Cards for AHS Staff

At events throughout the year, we recognize staff who go above and beyond with gift cards donated by community members 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: Jen Buchanan. It can be for any business you want to support, in any amount. Nothing is too small.

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards - Nomination Deadline Extended!

We believe that our staff is truly unparalleled, and that the work we do for our students deserves celebration and recognition beyond our building. Each year, FCPS looks to honor several staff members for outstanding excellence in their roles, including Outstanding Teacher, New Teacher, Leader, Professional Employee, Operational Employee and Principal. We both appreciate and welcome nominations from families and other members of our community. 

To nominate an Annandale staff member, please complete the AHS Outstanding Employee Nomination Form. Nominations have been extended to today, November 27. Contact Melissa Smith, Dean of Students, with any questions.

Important Information

Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony Update: The Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 5. The rain date will be Tuesday, June 6. Detailed information coming soon!

Free Live Tutoring Service Available to all Annandale Students: To support our students with a strong start to the second quarter, we are using W4 to equip them with strategies they can use for their continued learning. Our Atoms Agreement of Determination means that we try, even when it is difficult; do our best; are present and engaged; show up on time; and create goals and strive to achieve them. 

To support students in demonstrating Determination, a recent W4 lesson shared detailed information about ways students can take control of their own learning, including preparing for retakes and accessing supports such as Tutor.com. We will continue to use W4 lessons to build students skills around self-advocacy and determination. Click here to learn more.

FCPS Adopts Two-Way Messaging App TalkingPoints: FCPS has recently adopted TalkingPoints, a two-way messaging app that allows parents and caregivers to communicate with teachers and schools. Look for messages from your child’s school on how they are implementing the app. For more information, visit the FCPS TalkingPoints webpage. The app translates messages, so teachers can input messages in English and parents can respond in their preferred language. TalkingPoints supports 125 languages, making it easier and faster for our FCPS families to connect with their schools. If you need to update your preferred correspondence language, contact the main office.

Awesome Atoms!

Marketing Students Launch Winning4giving Winter Food Drive: As part of their Business Marketing Class, Dayton Henceroth’s students launched a school-wide marketing campaign for a food drive to benefit the AHS PTSA Pantry. The students designed a logo and launched a four-week-long contest among W4 advisory classes. The classes that collect the most items for the pantry will win a donut breakfast. Keep up with the classes' progress by searching social media for #Winning4giving.

Annandale Alum Galilea Sejas-Machado Featured on Cover of Mason Magazine: Check out Galilea Sejas-Machado, Class of 2019, on the cover of GMU's Mason Magazine. Galilea earned an IB Diploma at Annandale and took journalism and French as her primary electives. 

Opportunities

November 30 - Last chance for Senior Pictures: There is one last chance to take senior pictures on November 30 after school in the library! Follow these steps to register: Go to the scheduling website, scroll down to “View” and select your sitting level - details of each sitting level are there for you to review. Then, select the date and time you prefer. Click “Continue” and enter your information. If applicable, select the “Pay Now” or “Pay with PayPal” (please note that there is a free option that allows you to just take your yearbook picture). You will receive a confirmation at the email provided.

December 3 - Annandale Hosts IEP Palooza: Fairfax County SEPTA and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are excited to invite parents, older students, FCPS staff, and others to two free special events at Annandale High School on Saturday, December 3. IEP Palooza will educate attendees about special education by presenting a simulated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting. Guests can also attend breakout sessions about different components of an IEP. A Community Resource Fair will happen at the same time, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about valuable community programs and resources related to Medicaid Waivers, disability services, respite care, health care, case management, and adjustment for newcomers.  CE credits are available for FCPS Staff. Click here to register.

December 19-21 - Winter Olympics Camp: Annandale High School will be leading a 3-day Winter Olympics Camp at Poe Middle School during Winter Break. Camp will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:30am-3:00pm. Cost is $75 if you sign up by December 1. After December 1, the cost will go up to $100. Payment will be accepted during drop off on the first day. Sign up for Winter Olympics Camp here.

Sundays in January & February - Baseball Skills Camp: Annandale Baseball is once again hosting their Sunday Skills camps starting in January. Sign up for Sunday Skills Camp here. Cost is $120 for all camps or $25 each.

Beginning January 10 - Annandale Hosts Family Project For Spanish Speaking Parents: A 10-sessions program, designed for parents with children from 10-17 years old. This class is designed to help you to improve the communication with your youth, boost your youth's self-esteem, and avoid arguments. Classes are taught in Spanish, in person, and begin on Wednesday, January 10, from 6-9pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Please contact Family Liaison, Rosario Carrasco, 703-642-7411.

News from Student Services

Transcript Requests for College Applications & Scholarships: Seniors need to request official high school transcripts one month prior to application deadlines. For example, if a college application is due on December 26, the Transcript Request Form is due on November 26. We will be receiving a very high volume of requests in the coming months, and our Student Services staff needs adequate time to process them. Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines are quickly approaching. For step-by-step instructions and forms for submitting Transcript Requests, go to the AHS College & Career Google site.

Fridays During Lunch - FAFSA/VASA Help! Need help filling out the FAFSA or VASA? Every Friday our Financial Aid Champion, Ms. Mahieu will be offering FAFSA and VASA help to students during their lunch period. If you are interested in registering for an appointment during your lunch period please email Ms. Wells at lcwells@fcps.edu or Mr. Yeagley at Byeagley@fcps.edu so they can schedule the appointment for you. Please be sure you include the Friday you would like to come in, as well as what lunch you have that day. You can also email Ms. Mahieu directly with questions about the FAFSA/VASA or to schedule a virtual or in person meeting with Ms. Mahieu. She can be reached at kmahieu@fcps.edu. 

Early Online College-Spring Session: Early Online College (EOC) allows current high school juniors or seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition free college courses. EOC courses for the spring semester begin on January 31, 2023, and end on April 24, 2023. Courses are for college credit only and designed to jumpstart students' college experience. These courses were selected because they meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degrees as well as being highly transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities. For more information, contact NOVA’s Office of Dual Enrollment at dualenrollment@nvcc.edu. Applications are due by December 31.

News from the PTSA

Annandale PTSA Pantry Needs Help Restocking! Below is a photo of our shelves before and after each distribution. We need help restocking regularly. Please consider donating, every donation helps. Visit the pantry website here to learn more and about ways to donate.

Support Annandale Booster Organizations!

Gear up with Official Atoms Spirit Wear: Gear up for another action-packed season with official Atoms gear. You can dress in team-spirited garb on game day and every day with the largest selection of Annandale Atoms apparel at the official Atoms Store. Cheer on your Atoms with t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and more. Our online Shop has items for any occasion. Visit spiritwear.atomsboosters.org to see the latest Atoms gear.

Join the Atoms Athletic Boosters! Purchase an Athletic Pass! We need you as an Atoms fan in the stands cheering on our athletes, as well as behind the scenes as an athletics supporter. 100% of your Booster contributions support the many athletic programs, facilities, and athletes at AHS. 

Cost: Student Pass - $30; Adult Pass - $60; Parking Pass - $30; Fan Pass - $25. For more information, visit the Boosters sight at www.atomsboosters.org.

The BENEFITS of purchasing an AHS Athletic Booster Membership/athletic passes include:

• SAVE MONEY! — Admission for free admission for Freshmen, Junior Varsity, and Varsity regular-season home athletic events (not valid for away games or postseason play).
• Ease and Convenience — Avoid the ticket line, just show your pass at the admissions gate; no need to carry cash.
• Support the Atoms — 100% of the money goes to AHS athletics. Normal gate fees are split between AHS and the opponent.