Annandale Community Insider - March 19

Annandale Students, Families, and Community:

First, I would like to offer congratulations to Kathleen Mathis, English teacher, who was recently recognized at the FCPS School Board meeting for earning National Board Certification. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. Congratulations, Kathleen!

I also want to share more information about the incident last Wednesday. Our security and administrative teams quickly identified every student involved in the incident. Creating unsafe conditions at school is unacceptable and we are committed to responding to such actions swiftly and with the highest levels of accountability.

I want to thank our staff, as their presence in the hallway ensured we were able to take immediate action. Students quickly turned to trusted adults to share information that allowed us to identify and address the students involved. I also want to thank the many community members who reached out with information or feedback around this incident. Our community's collective presence and relationships are what help us to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

This week, we will hold a review of the day’s events. This meeting will include our admin and security team as well as representatives from the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and the Fairfax County Police Department. We will use this opportunity to further improve our safety precautions and response protocols moving forward.

Finally, throughout the month of March, we have been conducting our required safety drills. Last week we conducted our annual tornado drill. On Tuesday, we will hold a previously scheduled lockdown drill and conduct a fire drill at the end of the month. These drills are an opportunity for us to review protocols and procedures.

Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out with questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

March 21-April 21 - Ramadan Begins

March 21 - Lockdown Drill

March 27 - W4 Activities Day

March 27 - Love Like Adam Assembly

March 28 - Fire Drill

March 28 - Annandale Pyramid Art Show

April 3-7 - Spring Break

April 13 - End of 3rd Quarter

April 13 - 2 Hour Early Release

April 14 - Student Holiday

April 21 - Eid al Fitr (No School)

May 31 - Sports and Band Physicals Night

March 21-April 21 - Ramadan: This year Ramadan begins at sunset the evening of March and ends at sunset the evening of April 21. During this time, many of our Muslim students may be fasting and it is important for those students to have a quiet, alternative location to go to during lunchtime. Therefore, the library will be open to students who would prefer to go there during lunch rather than the cafeteria. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Eqab at seqab@fcps.edu.

March 21 - Lockdown Drill: This week we will conduct our second required lockdown drill of the school year. Your student may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your student about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Here are some helpful tips for families to use to support their students before and after school lockdown drills. 

March 27 - W4 Activities Day: Our next W4 Activities Day is on Monday, February 13. W4 Activities Day is a time set aside for students to explore clubs and activities and connect with classmates and staff over shared interests. If you have any questions, please contact Bryan Harris.

March 27 - Love Like Adam Assembly during W4 Activities Day: We are excited to announce that on Monday, March 27 during W4 Activities Day, Annandale High School will be hosting the Love Like Adam program for the Class of 2023. Love Like Adam is a non-profit foundation established with the goal to “support, educate, and equip graduating seniors and their families with the transition from high school to higher education,” particularly around the dangers of hazing and alcohol intoxication. It was established in honor of Adam Oakes, a recent hazing victim, who died in a hazing incident while attending VCU during his freshman year of college.

The program will consist of a presentation on hazing prevention, a video about Adam Oakes’ story and a panel question and answer session with Adam’s family and two of the boys involved in the hazing. You can read more about Adam’s story in an article on the LoudounNow and the VCU website. If you have any questions about this special event, please contact Bryan Harris.

March 28 - Fire Drill: We will be conducting our required monthly fire drill on March 28. 

April 3-7 - Spring Break: Schools and school offices will be closed. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

April 13 - Two Hour Early Dismissal: Students will be dismissed two hours early on Thursday, April 13. Grab-n-Go Lunch will be available for pick up during dismissal. 

April 14 - Teacher Workday: Friday, April 14 is a teacher workday and a holiday for students. 

May 31 - Sports and Band Physicals for the 2023-24 School Year: Save the Date! Students who would like to participate in sports or band next year will need a valid VHSL physical dated after May 1, 2023. On May 31 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 $40 pre-registration and $50 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.

Gear up with Official Atoms Spirit Wear!

Annandale Atoms Apparel: 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. Visit spiritwear.atomsboosters.org to see the latest Atoms gear.

Annandale Orchestra Merchandise: Our long-anticipated Orchestra Merchandise store is LIVE and can be found at tinyurl.com/AHSOrchMerch. We have a ton of items ready to go with several items able to be personalized.

Annandale Baseball Gear: Baseball season is here! Click on the link below to purchase Annandale Baseball gear. Go Atoms! Link: https://fancloth.shop/xdyyd 

Annandale Special Olympics Gear: Help support Special Olympics through purchasing some gear! Partial proceeds go to our team so be sure to purchase before the store closes end of March. Share the link with friends near and far because it ships directly to you. Link: https://annandaleatoms.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Awesome Atoms!

Student Leaders Visit Feeder Middle Schools: This week a group of Annandale student leaders visited Holmes and Poe Middle Schools to build greater connection and provide insight on the transition to Annandale from the student perspective. Our students talked about preparing for the IB diploma, the importance of building relationships with teachers, and how to get engaged in student life and activities. Thank you to these student leaders for all their work! 

Kathleen Mathis, English Teacher, Recognized for NBCT: English Teacher, Kathleen Mathis was recognized at the School Board Meeting for earning National Board Certification. National Board Certification is the most respected professional certification available in education and was designed to develop, retain and recognize accomplished teachers and to generate ongoing improvement in schools nationwide. Congratulations to Ms. Mathis for earning this incredible recognition.

Annandale Administrators Visit Pulley Career Center: On Wednesday, Donna Higgins and Jae Lee visited the Pulley Career Center. Pulley Center is one of two Fairfax County Public Schools centers designed to serve students with disabilities aged 18-22 years who require instruction through a modified curriculum focused on life and career skills. The purpose of the visit was to strengthen the alignment between the two schools to ensure that Annandale students are equipped with the experience and skills necessary to be successful in their post-secondary education. During the visit, our team saw many former Annandale Atoms!

Students Visit NOVA Medical Education Campus: This past week, 39 sophomores and juniors attended a field trip to the NOVA Medical Education Campus with funding from Educate Fairfax. Students learned about the many programs available there in the information session and then look a tour of the many labs on campus. Students even had the opportunity to draw blood in the phlebotomy lab.

Senior Jenna Saykhamphone Awarded UVA Walentas Scholarship: Senior Jenna Sykhamphone has received the prestigious Walentas scholarship, which covers the complete cost of tuition for all four years at UVA. The selection process is based on demonstrated excellence and exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship. Walentas Scholarships are awarded to individuals who have undergone a rigorous selection process and who possess an exceptional record of accomplishment both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations, Jenna!

Important Information

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.

High School Assessment and Grading Survey: Instructional Services is conducting a survey to gather perceptions and preferences around assessments and grading elements. High school students, their families, and high school-based staff will be surveyed. Students and their families will be asked about their current classes and how they feel about assessment, grading, and grading practices and policies. The survey results will be used along with information from student focus groups, research, best practices, and benchmarking to propose recommendations to the School Board later this spring. Surveys will be sent Monday, March 20, and individuals will have until Friday, March 31, to respond. For more information, contact Michael Gillespie in Instructional Services.

Safety Drills in March: Keeping students and staff safe is a priority at Annandale High School. Last week, we conducted our annual tornado drill. This week we will conduct our second required lockdown drill of the school year. Your student may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your student about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Here are some helpful tips for families to use to support their students before and after school lockdown drills. Working together, we create a safe, secure environment for students to learn and grow in our schools. 

Curriculum for Core Content Added to Public FCPS Website: Curriculum overviews and unit standards from the planning and pacing guides have been posted on the FCPS public web and shared with the School Board. Over 86 web pages have been developed to reflect the scope and sequence of core content areas across K-12. The goal is to provide families a comprehensive overview of what students are learning and when they are learning it. Information will be updated at the start of each school year to reflect curriculum updates. To access the grade level and/or course web pages directly, first search for the level within the Academics page, select grade level or content, and click on Year at a Glance.

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.

Opportunities

Free Prom Dresses and Suits at Promise: Do you need a dress or suit for Prom? Do you know someone that might need one? We got you! Prom is coming up on May 20, at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks, and Annandale’s premiere prom fashion shop has you covered. Promise offers gently used, yet stylish dresses, suits, shoes, clutches and accessories for you to wear to prom – and to keep! Check out our updated inventory that offers a style for everyone’s taste. Please request a pass to visit Mr. Henceroth’s marketing classroom (210) during Pride Time. For further information reach out to Mr. Henceroth at dehenceroth@fcps.edu. We "Promise" Annandale Prom 2023 will be a night to remember!

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!

March 29 - Mason District Roundtable - Join Dr. Ricardy Anderson on Wednesday, March 29 from 6:30-8:00pm for a virtual Mason District Roundtable. Spanish interpretation will be available. Click here to register to attend. Guest presenters, Joash Chung, Manager of Tutoring Services, will provide an introduction to Tutor.com, highlighting the many online tutoring services available to students. In addition, Leigh Burden, Assistant Superintendent of Financial Services, will provide an overview of the FY 2024 Advertised Budget.

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.

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.

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.

This Week: 

Monday, March 20

Girls Tennis @ Hayfield (Rescheduled) - 4:00pm

Boys Tennis @ Mt. Vernon (Rescheduled) - 4:00pm

V Girls Lacrosse vs Osbourn - 5:30 pm

JV Boys Lacrosse @ Fairfax - 6:30 pm

Tuesday, March 21

Boys Tennis vs Falls Church - 4:00pm

Girls Tennis vs Falls Church @ Jefferson District Park - 4:00pm

Track @ Lewis - 5:00pm

V Girls/Boys Soccer @ Fairfax - 5:30/7:15pm

JV Baseball @ Falls Church - 6:30pm

V Baseball vs Falls Church - 6:30pm

V Softball vs Falls Church - 6:30pm

Wednesday, March 22

No Events

Thursday, March 23

No Events

Friday, March 24

Boys Tennis vs Justice @ Mason District Park - 4:00pm

Girls Tennis vs Justice - 4:00pm

JV/V Boys Lacrosse vs Washington Liberty - 5:45/7:15pm

V Baseball @ Justice - 6:00pm

V Softball @ Justice - 6:00pm

JV Baseball vs Justice - 6:30pm

Saturday, March 25

V Girls Lacrosse vs Wakefield - 9:00am

V Girls Lacrosse vs Chantilly - 1:30pm

V Girls Lacrosse vs South Lakes - 3:00pm

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 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.

March 25 - 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair: The final 2023 Fairfax County Teen Job Fair, hosted by Pat Herrity, Springfield District Supervisor, Connection Newspapers, Fairfax County Public Schools, will be on March 25 at Chantilly HS from 1:00-3:00 PM. Register now! Please see the event webpage for more information.

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 23 - FAFSA
• March 30 - Course Planning

News from the PTSA

All Night Grad Celebration - Tickets Now on Sale: The All Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC) provides a safe, chaperoned, alcohol-free and drug-free event for the Class of 2023 to celebrate together one last time.  Buy your tickets now for this fun and memorable event. Parents can join the fun by volunteering to help: Sign-Up is Coming Soon!

In addition, we want all graduating seniors to have the opportunity to attend the ANGC. Click here to sponsor a senior. All students attending ANGC in the Class of 2023 MUST submit a parental consent form that can be found here. If you purchase your ticket online you do not need to submit a paper copy of the consent form - it is part of the online checkout process.

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.