Annandale Students, Families, and Community:
This week is Atom Nation’s annual Inclusion Revolution week! During this time, our vision that “we find strength in diversity and foster belonging” is on full display. Students and staff are encouraged to show their spirit and support inclusion throughout the week. W4 (advisory) classes will compete to see which class demonstrates the most spirit. See all of the creativity and community building on Twitter by searching the hashtag #AtomNation!
The end of the week brings some of my favorite events of the year, starting with our FanQuest pep rally on Thursday. FanQuest is an event that promotes inclusion and respect for students with disabilities. During W4, students will attend the Pep Rally where they will cheer on our Special Olympics basketball team as they showcase their skills in a game against the Lewis Lancers. This is a unique opportunity for our Special Olympics athletes to experience a real game day atmosphere in front of their peers. Over the past few weeks, our Special Olympics team has been fundraising through our first ever “Pie the Admin” contest. During lunch, students (and staff) have had the opportunity to donate to our Special Olympics program, voting for the administrator they would like to see get “pied.” The pep rally will culminate with the “winning” administrator being pied in the face (and so far, for some reason, I seem to be in the lead!)
After school on Friday, we will host our annual Just World Festival beginning at 4:00pm, followed by Heritage Night beginning at 7:00pm. This year's theme for the Just World festival is "Belonging." The festival aims to inspire youth to view themselves as not only a part of their local community, but a global one as well.
The evening will conclude with our annual Heritage Night performance. This Annandale tradition is an opportunity for our students to showcase their culture through music, dance, fashion, and more. Tickets are only available for pre-purchase through March 8. The cost is $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 sold at the door!
Finally, in addition to the Inclusion Revolution week events, we will also begin two programs focused on supporting students in preparation for end of year testing. PRIDE Time 4.0 will begin on Tuesday, March 7. Students can view their new PRIDE Time class in SIS StudentVue. On Wednesday, March 8, our second round of After School Academic Program (ASAP) will begin. On Monday or Tuesday, students will receive a letter from their teacher if they have been 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. Buses are available to take students home at 4:45pm. Students also received this information in an email sent on Friday, March 4. In addition, parents will receive an email and an automated phone call if their student has been selected for ASAP.
Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out with questions.
Shawn DeRose, Principal
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Important Dates
March 6 - Preparing for Difficult Conversations Presentation, 6pm
March 7 - PRIDE Time 4.0 Begins
March 7 - NOVA Information Night, 7pm
March 8 - ASAP Begins
March 9 - FanQuest
March 10 - Just World Festival & Heritage Night
March 11 - PTSA Mulch Madness
March 18 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm
April 3-7 - Spring Break
Now through March 8 - Heritage Night Tickets on Sale: The Heritage Night performance will take place directly after Just World Festival at 7pm. This event is an opportunity for Annandale students to showcase their culture through music, dance, fashion, and more. Tickets are only available for pre-purchase and are on sale from now until March 8. 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 at the door! For any questions about Heritage Night please reach out to Willa Boothe.
March 6 - Preparing for Difficult Conversations about Drugs Presentation, 6-8pm: FCPS is dedicated to providing parents and community members with the most accurate and up-to-date information on youth substance use, prevention, addiction, interventions, and available supports. Please join us and our partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board on Monday, March 6 from 6-8pm in the Annandale High School Library as we share knowledge and information that will help parents and caregivers engage in meaningful conversations with their students about drugs.
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. Beginning March 6, students will also be able to view their assignment 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 8 - ASAP 2.0 Begins: Our After School Academic Program, or ASAP for short, is another way we support students who need intervention in more than one subject area. Students selected to participate in ASAP will work with an assigned teacher after school from 3:10-4:10pm. This week, selected students will receive a letter from their teacher outlining their updated 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, Jacquie Blair.
March 9 - FanQuest Pep Rally: This is a pep rally that highlights our amazing Cat B students on our Unified Basketball Team. During the pep rally you will see your Annandale High School Special Olympics Team take on the Lewis Lancers in a riveting basketball match followed by the pieing of the admin of your choosing! Come down to all lunches leading to FanQuest to donate to Special Olympics and vote for your favorite admin. Please fill the stands, cheer loud, and purchase a T-shirt created by one of our very talented Cat B students to help show we are all Unified here at Annandale!
March 10 - Just World Festival & Heritage Night: Annandale High School leadership students are excited to join the Just World Interact Club for the 17th annual Just World Festival and Heritage Night on March 10. The Just World Festival will take place from 4:00-6:00pm at Annandale. The Heritage Night performance will begin shortly after, at 7:00pm in the auditorium. The theme for this year’s Just World festival is "Belonging." 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. The Heritage Night performance will take place directly after the festival starting 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 and are on sale from now until March 8. 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 at the door! For any questions about Heritage Night please reach out to Willa Boothe.
March 11 - Mulch Madness Volunteers Needed! The PTSA is in need of volunteers to donate items or their time to support Mulch Madness on Saturday, March 11. There are big and small volunteer opportunities but they all make a difference with our biggest and most critical fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the mulch sale go directly to support the PTSA’s ANGC and Senior Scholarships. All Night Graduation Celebration provides a fun, safe, alcohol and drug-free parent-chaperoned celebration for our seniors the night of graduation. Sign up here to volunteer and help make this event a success!
May 18 - Orchestra Concert: Orchestra is excited to welcome Grammy nominated artist, Christylez Bacon, to our classes next week to kick off his residency with us! We are lucky enough to be one of the seven schools in Virginia to be awarded the 2023 Wolf Trap Educator Grant, and are using these funds to explore improvisation, blending styles and cultures of music, and creating beats with Christylez. This residency ends with a day of performing our original work and exploring arts careers at Wolf Trap. Catch our performance with Christylez at Annandale High School on May 18 at 7:00 pm in the auditorium!
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Senior Decision Spotlight
Attention seniors – have you committed to a college, university, or other post-high school opportunity? If you would like to be featured in the senior spotlight of the insider, let us know where you’re headed after high school on this form.
Awesome Atoms!
Students Participate in UVA Women in STEM Program: This Thursday, four Annandale students had the opporutnity to tour the University of Virginia campus and visit a chemistry lab. The visit was organized by a former Atom and ESOL alumni, Qianqian Shao, who is working on her Ph.D. The students learned about Qianqian’s research project, which is focused on identifying MHC class I phosphopeptides as a potential neoantigen for vaccines against a variety of cancers and viruses. The visit to the chemistry lab was followed by a full campus tour including the Chemistry Department, Clark Library, the Rotunda, and more. The ESOL department is appreciative of our former students reaching out to support other first-generation immigrants interested in science.
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World Languages Students & Culinary Arts Classes Collaborate with Delicious Results: Last week, students in Arabic class learned to prepare traditional dishes from students in Culinary Arts as they worked together in the kitchen. What a delicious opportunity to learn from and with each other!
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AHS Hosts Unified Basketball Tournament: Last Sunday Annandale High School played host to the Unified Special Olympics basketball tournament. The Atoms squad took on Woodson and Yorktown, playing hard and having a great time in the process. Special thanks to Coach Jae Lee and Janan Gokturk for all of their hard work organizing and leading this event!
Important Information
FCPS Is Hiring Tutors: Looking for a Flexible Position? FCPS is now actively recruiting qualified tutors to provide in-person academic support to small groups of students. These new FCPS tutors will be paid an hourly rate of $47.17. The position is flexible, and the number of hours worked and location will be based on the tutor’s availability and qualifications, as well as the needs presented throughout FCPS. Apply now! Contact tutor@fcps.edu for more information. Tutors hired through this program will be strategically placed across the region where there is the most need for in-person tutoring.
Free Live Tutoring Service Available to Annandale Students: 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.
New Course Offering - Teachers for Tomorrow: During the 2023-24 school year, Annandale will be offering Teachers for Tomorrow. This course introduces juniors and seniors to a career in teaching and education. Students will learn the fundamentals of teaching practice, how to engage with learners, and the organizational context of schools. In addition to the fundamental curriculum components, all students are required to observe and participate in an internship outside the Teachers for Tomorrow classroom, which may involve the preschool level through grade 12. Any student interested in taking this course should complete this Annandale Teachers for Tomorrow Interest Form. Students who complete the form will be contacted by their counselor to discuss enrollment for the fall.
Mondays are for #AtomNation at Chick-fil-a Annandale: Every Monday in March, between 3pm and 10pm, students, faculty, and staff can show their StudentVue, or school ID and receive 50% off a meal at Chick-fil-a Annandale.
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Opportunities
SAT & ACT Test Prep Support: Did you know Tutor.com can help with more than just homework? This free, on-demand tutoring service also offers a comprehensive range of resources that include exam prep for AP, SAT, and ACT tests. Students can take practice quizzes at any time, and if they struggle in particular areas, they can immediately connect to a live tutor through voice or chat options for help. Learn more on the FCPS Tutor.com website.
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Now through March 10 - Senior Tribute Ads for Sale: Want to Celebrate Your Class of 2023 Senior? Senior Tribute Ads for the 2023 Yearbook can be purchased now through March 10 at www.yearbookforever.com.
Now through March 17 - Apply for Student Representative to the School Board: 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, and they do not need to be current members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC).
The application involves 2 components. Both are required to be considered for the Election.
- Written Applications are due March 17, 2023. 2023 Student Representative to the School Board
- A thirty second candidate statement via Flip Video is due March 31, 2023. Candidates will be emailed a link to record their video on March 20, 2023.
Now through June 12 - College Board Recognition Programs Applications Open: The College Board’s National Recognition Programs’ applications for students opened on Wednesday, February 15. You can find information about these opportunities in the student flier. College Board has identified students who are eligible to apply, and students identified by College Board will receive an email invitation from the College Board. Students are also able to nominate themselves by visiting bigfuture.org/NRP.
March 10 - Atoms for Humanity Bake Sale: Atoms for Humanity is hosting a bake sale at Heritage Night on Friday, March 10. All proceeds will be donated to fund cataract surgeries and to build water wells in economically developing countries. Anyone interested in donating baked goods to the cause can contact AFH sponsor Bill Maglisceau. Anything helps!
March 21 - Springfield and Braddock District Town Hall: Join Springfield District Representative Laura Jane Cohen, Braddock District Representative Megan McLaughlin, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, and Student Representative to the School Board Michele Togbe for a town hall on Tuesday, March 21 from 7:00-8:30pm at Lake Braddock Secondary School. All Braddock and Springfield District parents/guardians, staff, students, and community members are welcome. We hope to see you there!
News from the Student Activities Office
At Annandale we foster belonging both inside and outside the classroom. Sports and activities are another way for students to deepen a sense of belonging at school. To learn more about Annandale's Spring sports programs, check out this week’s “Atoms Athletics and Activities 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 if you have any questions.
All Sports Booster Pass - Price Reduced! Atoms Booster Pass price have been reduced to $30 for adults and $15 for students for the spring season! Gain access to all home events for the spring season without having to bring cash every time. Atoms Booster Passes are good for home regular season events only. Visit membership.atomsboosters.org for more information or to purchase your all-season pass online.
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This Week:
Monday, March 6
Girls Tennis @ West Potomac - 4:00pm
Boys Tennis vs West Potomac - 4:00pm
JV/V Girls Soccer @ West Springfield - 5:45/7:15pm
JV/V Boys Soccer @ Unity Reed - 5:30/7:00pm
V Softball vs Parkview - 6:00pm
V Baseball vs Osbourn - 6:00pm
Tuesday, March 7
JV Baseball vs Mt. Vernon - 6:00pm
V Softball vs Osbourn - 6:30pm
Wednesday, March 8
JV/V Girls Lacrosse vs West Potomac - 6/7:30pm
Thursday, March 9
Girls Tennis vs Osbourn - 4:30pm
Boys Tennis @ Osbourn - 4:30pm
JV/V Boys Lacrosse vs Rock Ridge - 6/7:15pm
Friday, March 10
JV Baseball @ Alexandria City - 6:00pm
V Baseball vs Alexandria City - 6:00pm
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News from Student Services
Check out the latest information from the Student Services Department in their weekly newsletter. The newsletter provides important information, important dates, news from the college & career center and class news.
March 7 - NOVA Information Night: On Tuesday, March 7 we will be holding a Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Information Night from 6-7:30PM in Clausen Hall. Viri Acosta, Transition Counselor at NOVA, will be presenting information about the application process and the various programs and certificates available. She will also present the difference between transferable and non-transferable credits for students who seek to attend a four-year university after NOVA. We encourage anyone who is interested to join us next week!
March 20 - FCPS Virtual Military Night: On March 20 from 5:00-8:00pm. FCPS students and families will learn about the various pathways available, including enlistment, ROTC, Senior Military Colleges, and Service Academies. Visit their website for more information and to register.
2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs: The 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs, hosted by Pat Herrity, Springfield District Supervisor, Connection Newspapers, Fairfax County Public Schools, as well as local chambers and organizations, have been announced. There will be three Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs and Career-Building Workshops. The fairs will run on three Saturdays in March. Please see the event webpage for dates, times, locations, and all event related details!
The fairs are open to all teens in Fairfax County looking for employment, volunteer opportunities, or tips on building their resume. Register now!
Mid-Year Grade Reports for College Applications: Seniors, if you have submitted Transcript Requests for your college applications, your mid-year grades will be sent automatically in the coming weeks. You do not need to do anything. For step-by-step instructions and forms for submitting Transcript Requests, go to the AHS College & Career Google site.
Thursday NOVA Help Sessions: If you are planning to attend NOVA and need assistance, come to Room 90, from 3:00-4:00pm on Thursdays. Below are the topics for each session:
- March 9 - Choosing a program
- March 16 - Application and account set up
- March 23 - FAFSA
- March 30 - Course Planning
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News from the PTSA
Mulch Madness PTSA Fundraiser - Volunteers Needed! The PTSA is in need of volunteers to donate items or their time to support the Mulch Madness sale. There are big and small volunteer opportunities but they all make a difference with our biggest and most critical fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the mulch sale go directly to support the PTSA’s ANGC and Senior Scholarships. All Night Graduation Celebration provides a fun, safe, alcohol and drug-free parent-chaperoned celebration for our seniors the night of graduation. Sign up here to volunteer and help make this event a success!
Volunteers Wanted - AHS Pantry: The AHS Pantry needs your help! Each month, the Annandale Pantry distributes bags of food to Annandale families in need. Distribution dates are primarily on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 3:30-5:00pm. Please consider volunteering to assist in a distribution. Volunteers can sign up here.
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