Annandale HS Student Services Newsletter

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 01/04/2023 03:45 PM EST

Annandale Student Services

Dear Atom Nation,

Happy New Year to all our Annandale families!

As we turn the calendar to 2023, we begin planning for the 2023-2024 school year. Next week, we have several events to support students with course selection for next school year. Although there are details below, I wanted to highlight just a few of these events:

 

  • Academic Advising Begins - January 9: Our counselors will meet one-on-one with students through their English classes beginning on Monday, January 9th. We begin by meeting with our rising seniors and then will work through the other grade levels over the next several weeks. Students will be sent an email with their appointment time the weekend before they are scheduled to meet with their counselor. As always, students and families can get more information about course selection on our Academic Advising website. 
  • Electives Fair during W4/PRIDE Time - January 11: Students will have an opportunity to learn more about electives and courses of their interest during our Electives/Course Fair. Students were asked to sign-up during W4 on January 3rd using this Electives/Course Fair Registration Form.
  • Rising 9th Grade Open House - January 11: On January 11 from 6-8pm Annandale HS will host an Open House for our rising 9th grade students and families to learn more about what high school at Annandale is all about! We will offer short optional sessions on our various Annandale programs, and teachers will be in their classrooms throughout the evening to share all about our core and elective courses for 9th graders. The goal is for students and parents to leave this event excited about all the opportunities our students will have as an Annandale Atom! Breakout Sessions on the following topics will be offered throughout the evening: Welcome to Annandale, Course Request 101; IB/MYP Program; Activities and Athletics; English for Speakers of Other Languages Program; Special Education Office and Math Course Placement. 

Erik Healey

Director of Student Services

Important Dates

  • January 10 - Start of Family Project for Spanish Speaking Parents
  • January 11 - Elective Fair
  • January 11 - Rising 9th Grade Open House
  • January 12 - Scholarship Help with College Access Fairfax
  • February 1 - FCPS Gap Year Fair at West Springfield HS

Course Selection Dates for 2023-2024 School Year

  • January 9 to 19 - Juniors meet with Counselors
  • January 10 to February 3 - Sophomores meet with Counselors
  • February 3 to 17 - Freshmen meet with Counselors
  • February 24 - final deadline to change course requests

Last Minute College Help Sessions: Are you still working on completing college applications before the final deadline to apply and need help? Use the URL below to be requested during Pride Time on January 18, 24, or 30 for extra help with your college application(s).

https://tinyurl.com/collegepridetime

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 at 703-642-7411.

January 11 - Elective Fair: During W4/PT, all 9th-11th grade students will have the opportunity to check out three courses that they are interested in for next school year. Presenters will cover most of the elective courses that will be offered, in addition to IB courses. Representatives from FCPS Academies will also participate. 

January 11 - Rising 9th Grade Open House: From 6:00-8:00pm, rising 9th graders and their families are invited to learn more about Annandale HS. Attendees will have chance to meet teachers and participate in a variety of informational sessions: 

  • Welcome to Annandale
  • Course Requests 101
  • IB/MYP Programs
  • Activities and Athletics
  • ESOL Program
  • Special Education Office
  • Math Course Placement

January 12 - Scholarship Help with College Access Fairfax: Are you interested in learning more about what scholarships are out there and how to apply? Please join us in room 90 (Ms. Wells' room)  on Thursday, January 12 from 3:00-4:00pm to hear from our financial aid champions from College Access Fairfax! The financial aid champion will talk about finding scholarships, and how to apply for these scholarships!

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about how to get FREE money to pay for college!

2023 Gap Year Fair for Students and Families: FCPS School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at West Springfield High School from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event.

For more information, visit USA Gap Year Fairs or FCPS Gap Year Fair, or contact Pamela White, Special Projects Liaison, at pcwhite@fcps.edu or 571-423-4431. 

**In the event of inclement weather on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. The Gap Year Fair will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Family ProjectGap Year

College & Career Corner

Register to Take the ASVAB: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test measures a young adult’s strengths and weaknesses and provides feedback on potential for future career success. Students are encouraged to take the test because it is a valuable career assessment tool which can help identify which career is best for each student. Though the test is developed by the Department of Defense, it is not just for those going into the military. It’s a great start to finding the perfect career for students by highlighting those skills which students naturally have. To sign up for the ASVAB test you may go see your school counselor or contact your local recruiter, Staff Sergeant Meas at 703-424-8923.

“Growing Your Career” Career & Education Expo for Military Families: January 18, 2023 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM; National Museum of the United States Army (Ft. Belvoir)

This event is for transitioning service members, military spouses, dependents, and veterans. It will include opportunities for summer hire for military dependents. There will be 12 colleges/universities present, and 12 agencies that will be hiring for summer and other employment. The event will also touch on how to apply for the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program as well. See attached flier for more information and to register.

Transcript Requests for College Applications & Scholarships: Seniors need to request official high school transcripts ONE MONTH prior to application deadlines. Please take into account winter break. Students who have early January application deadlines should have submitted Transcript Requests before the end of November. The Student Services staff needs adequate time to process the large number of requests that we receive. For step-by-step instructions and forms for submitting Transcript Requests, go to the AHS College & Career Google site. 

Fridays FAFSA/VASA Help During Lunch: 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.

Career Expo
NOVA info sessions

Scholarships

Enrichment Opportunities

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