Annandale Community Insider - July 30

Dear Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

I hope you have been having a wonderful, energizing summer. As we do each summer, we spent a week in Ohio where we had the opportunity to reconnect with my family, have fun at Cedar Point and enjoy beautiful Lake Erie. 

Returning home each summer provides me the time and space I need to reflect and rejuvenate so that I am ready for the upcoming school year. I have been thinking a lot about how strong the community is in Atom Nation, both inside and outside the walls of our school.

That reflection has inspired me to be more purposeful and intentional around deepening the sense of community and connection. This year, we will be hosting more staff and community gatherings, celebrating the incredible work that is being done here in Atom Nation, and sharing who we are with local businesses and organizations.

I invite you to join me and members of our administrative team at our Student & Parent Info Session, held on Thursday, August 3, in Clausen Hall. At these sessions, we will answer questions you have about the upcoming school year. To accommodate student and parent schedules, we will be offering both morning and evening sessions from 8:30-9:30am and 6:30-7:30pm.

This event is designed to help alleviate anxiety and concerns families may have about attending a new school and generate excitement about the opportunities that await students in Atom Nation. In addition, we will share information about our approach at Annandale and ways we work together to support your student(s). Email Jen Buchanan with questions.

As always, please reach out if you have questions and Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

July 31 - Fall Sports Begin

August 1 - Band Camp Begins

August 3 - New Student/Parent Information Session(s)

August 11 - First Day Back for Teachers

August 17 - Student Schedules Available in SIS StudentVue and ParentVue

August 17 - Parent Information Session

August 17 - New Student Orientation/Open House

August 21 - First Day of School for Students

September 1 and 4 - No School (Labor Day Holiday)

September 21 - Back to School Night 2023

September 25 - No School (Yom Kippur)

September 26-29 - Homecoming Week

September 30 - Homecoming Dance

July 31 - Fall Sports Begin: Fall sports, which include Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Field Hockey, and Volleyball begins tomorrow, July 31. No experience is necessary. All are welcome! Students who wish to participate in fall sports must have a physical form completed by a doctor to be eligible to play. To register online, click here. Directions can be found here - English and Spanish. Once you have completed the Physical Form, turn in the form at the Activities Office. The office is open every day from 9:00am-2:00pm. Questions, email Brandon Sutphin at basutphin@fcps.edu. 

August 1 - Band Camp Begins: The Marching Atoms band camp begins on August 1 from 8:00am to 4:00pm. We will be greeting all students at Door 2 on the first day of band camp. We have a full staff of professional instructors ready to work with our students, including alumni from Carolina Crown, Santa Clara Vanguard, the JMU Marching Dukes, the University of North Texas, and UVA. Please follow these two links to register: Marching Atoms roster and Pre-camp survey.

Band Camp will run from August 1-18, culminating in our annual Family Night and Showcase. A full schedule will be sent next week. All marching band participants will need a VHSJ Physical. You may download the form here: VHSL Physical Exam form. In the meantime, please see important information about parent volunteers and required forms at the Annandale Bands website or email our Director of Bands, Chad Steffey.

The Marching Atoms are eager to welcome members from other fine arts departments to join the color guard, tech crew, and front ensemble. Color guard involves choreographed dance, flags, sabers, and rifles. The tech crew involves audio equipment, props, and support equipment. The front ensemble includes mallet keyboards, percussion, and other electronic instruments. Violin, piano, and bass players are also welcome!

August 3 - Student/Parent Information Session(s): Join Principal Shawn DeRose and members of the Annandale Administrative Team in Clausen Hall on August 3 to answer questions you have about the upcoming school year. To accommodate student and parent schedules, we will be offering a morning and evening session: 8:30-9:30am or 6:30-7:30pm. 

This event is designed to help alleviate anxiety and concerns families may have about attending a new school and generate excitement about the opportunities that await students in Atom Nation. In addition, we will share information about our approach at Annandale and ways we work together to support your student(s). Email Jen Buchanan at jkbuchanan@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

August 9 - Meet & Greet w/ Principal DeRose: Join Principal Shawn DeRose from 11:30am-12:30pm at Chick-fil-A Annandale to answer any questions that you may have about the upcoming school year.

August 17 - Student Schedules Available: Beginning Thursday, August 17 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.

August 17 - Freshmen (Grade 9) and New Student Orientation: Annandale High School is excited to welcome rising freshmen as well as new students to our school orientation on August 17 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 Kara Franklin Taylor at kafranklinta@fcps.edu.

August 17 - Parent Information Session: We would like to also invite parents to a Family Coffee session that will be held during New Student Orientation from 1:30-3:30pm. During this information session, you will learn more about Annandale HS, our values, and what to expect as your student(s) matriculates through high school from course selections to extra-curricular activities. At the end of session, you will have an opportunity to visit various stations to acquire additional information from counselors, sports activities, and clubs.

August 17 - Open House: We would like to invite all Annandale students and their families to our Open House on August 17 from 3:30-4:30pm. 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 Kara Franklin Taylor at kafranklinta@fcps.edu.

Awesome Atoms!

Jae Lee, Dean of Students: Congratulations to our new Dean of Students, Jae Lee! Jae has been an integral part of our Annandale community for the past 6 years in a variety of different roles. He began as a multiple disabilities teacher in our Cat B. program then transitioned into the role of department lead. Jae also founded the Special Olympics program at Annandale along and has lead the best buddies club. He has also supported our school as the mentoring coordinator and leadership sponsor. Jae is an advocate for inclusion and excited to continue supporting Annandale in his new role.  

Important Information

Summer Office Hours: The Annandale Main Office is open on weekdays from 8:00am-3:30pm. Registrations are by appointment only. Please contact Annandale registrar, Esther Amenyah at emamenyah@fcps.edu to schedule an appointment.

Class of 2024 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 2023-24 school year. For more information on this requirement, visit this FCPS website.

New Epinephrine Authorization Form - FCPS has updated its Epinephrine Authorization form and will be requiring the new form for 2023-24 school year. This form aligns with updated guidance from the Virginia Department of Health. If you have any questions about this new form, please contact the school public health nurse, Katherine Estrada, at kestrada@fcps.edu.

Summer Meal Program - Free Breakfast and Lunch for Students! The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is offering no-cost breakfast and lunch to all children 18 years of age and younger. There is no registration involved and everyone is welcome! Click here for more information. The nearest locations are the following: 

• Annandale Terrace ES
• Braddock ES
• Glasgow MS
• Mason Crest ES
• Poe MS
• Thomas Jefferson HS
• Weyanoke ES

Building Improvements

New Stadium Bathrooms: New stadium restrooms are scheduled to be built later this year. As a first step, utilities are currently being connected and run to the site along with the installation of a pad for the stadium restroom facility to be placed. As a result of the construction, parking will be limited in the back of the building for the next several weeks.

Tile and Carpet Replacement: Carpet in the Main Office, Students Services, Learning Center is currently being removed and will be replaced with new tile and carpet. Check out the photos below.

News from Student Services

Virtual Therapy Services for High School Students: Teletherapy services will continue to be available this summer for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00am-7:00pm. Hazel Health’s highly-qualified therapists specialize in speaking “teen.” Learn more on FCPS’ teletherapy webpage. 

Mental Wellness Summer Supports: The FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer free virtual mental wellness consultations now through Friday, August 4. Caregivers and secondary students can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or online: 

• Parents/caregivers of students in any grade level can receive information on community resources and/or guidance on how to support their child’s social, emotional, and academic success.
• Students in middle or high school can receive guidance and support for concerns related to anxiety, mood, behavior, peer or family interactions, or school transitions and changes. Strategies and tools can also be provided to address academic challenges such as organization and time management.

 All parents/caregivers and secondary students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Request consultations online or call 703-503-2520 and leave a message.

Opportunities

Summer Access to Tutor.com: Annandale students will continue to have unlimited access to 24/7, on-demand, online tutoring support services through Tutor.com during summer 2023. Students are able to use Tutor.com during the summer to review and/or practice in subject areas of interest or need. Students may also choose to access other tools and services such as practice quizzes in a variety of subject areas as well as self-paced study courses for SAT/ACT preparation. 

Details about how students can access Tutor.com via archived courses in Schoology are provided in Summer Access at Tutor.com - Online Tutoring Services, including a Summer Access Flyer. Students enrolled in summer programs such as SOAR, Young Scholars, IMAGINE, Credit Recovery Academy, Online Campus, Online Economics & Personal Finance, and TJHSST summer courses will be able to access Tutor.com via their active summer course in Schoology.

Free Student Bus Pass Program: Did you know that middle school students and high school students attending FCPS are eligible to participate in our Free Student Bus Pass Program. This allows students to ride the Connector, Metro (Falls Church HS, Justice HS, Annandale HS, Davis Ctr and Marshall HS), and Cue buses for free, seven days a week between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm. Click here for more information on the program. 

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 if you have any questions.

August 8 - Meet the Coaches Night: The Activities Office will be hosting Meet the Coaches Night on Tuesday, August 8 at 7:00pm. The event will begin with a general session and be followed by individual team breakout sessions where you can meet your student's coaches and learn about their sports program and the upcoming season. 

Fall Sports Physicals and Registration: To participate in marching band or a fall sport, students need to complete a VHSL physical form and register online. Here is the link to the physical form that must be completed by a doctor. To register online, click here. Directions can be found here - English and Spanish. Once you have completed the Physical Form, turn in the form at the Activities Office. The office is open every day from 9:00am-2:00pm. Questions, email Bryan Harris at bcharris@fcps.edu.

For last minute physicals, visit local CVS minute clinics and urgent care facilities below.

CVS Minute Clinic Locations 

• 3921 Prosperity Ave, Fairfax, VA 
• 7205 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA

Progressive Urgent and Primary Care

• 7306 Maple Pl, Annandale, VA

Annandale's Fall Sports Programs Begin on July 31: Here is a link to the Fall Sports Tryout Schedule and below is the fall coaches contact information. If you have any questions, please reach out directly to the coach of that sport.

News from the PTSA

Congrats Newly Elected 2023-2024 PTSA Officers! The PTSA is pleased to announce its officers for the 2023-2024 school year, elected at the May 2023 general membership meeting: President - Angela Torres, Vice President Programs - Thurraya Kent, Vice President, Membership - Tammy Murphy, Treasurer - Jose Mercado, Secretary - Andre McGinity.

Annandale PTSA Pantry: Our summer produce pop up is offered on Sunday's throughout the summer from 3:00-4:00pm. The schedule can be found below or by clicking on this link. 

Looking ahead to next year, we will be partnering with Food for Neighbors to help stock our shelves. Please sign up to be a red bag donor. It is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just sign up to be a red bag donor. Fill the red bag with the list provided by email of full-sized items needed. Then, put the red bag outside your door by 8:30am on the donation days.