Annandale Community Insider - August 13

Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

I am excited to welcome our teachers back tomorrow for the opening of the 2023-24 school year! We will come together for our opening General Session, titled “Who We Are.” We will ground in the people who make Annandale special - our students, community, and staff, and share the tremendous success we had this past year. Over the course of the week, we will reground in our priorities of relationships and support, high quality instruction, and strong collaboration and share how we will continue to get better in service of our students and community. 

We are a little more than a week away from welcoming your students back to school! While the end of summer can be bittersweet, we hope that your child is excited to start a new school year. Hopefully this edition of the Insider will answer many of the questions that you may have before the start of school next Monday. 

This Thursday, August 17, we are excited to welcome students and families into the building at our Freshmen & New Student Orientation and Open House. The Freshmen & New Student Orientation will begin at 1:30pm, and Open House, for all students and families, will begin at 3:30pm. Below are the highlights of the event. Free bus transportation to and from the event is available. Check out the orientation transportation route schedule to find the bus stop nearest to your location. The event will include:

• Annandale Welcome & Pep Rally: Students and families will meet in the gym and be welcomed to Annandale HS with a performance by our band & cheerleaders. Students and families will meet the school principal, administration team, counselors, and student leaders, and students will also receive their schedules.
• Scavenger Hunt: After receiving their schedules, students will have the opportunity to explore Annandale and find important places throughout the building.
• Parent Information Session: While students explore the school, families can visit tables set up in the cafeteria as well as Clausen Hall to get important information about school.
• Closure: At this time, students will return to the main gym and get their class t-shirts. 

Open House will be held from 3:30-4:30pm and provide 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 our school.  

Student schedules will be available in SIS StudentVue and SIS ParentVue this Thursday, August 17 at 6:00am. For more information about obtaining a ParentVue account, please click here to access support on the FCPS website. 

Finally, we thank our PTSA for hosting our staff Welcome Back breakfast on Thursday! This is just one of the many examples of the ways they support Atom Nation. Please consider joining by filling out the online Membership Form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website. 

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

August 17 - Student Schedules Available in SIS

August 17 - Parent Information Session

August 17 - New Student Orientation/Open House

August 18 - Marching Band Showcase

August 21 - First Day of School for Students

September 1 & 4 - Labor Day (No School)

September 18-22 - Senior Pictures

September 21 - Back to School Night

September 25 - Yom Kippur (No School)

September 26-29 - Homecoming Week

September 30 - Homecoming Dance

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.

August 17 - Parent Information Session: During our New Student Orientation, families are invited to join us in the Cafeteria for a Family Coffee session from 1:30-3:30pm. During this information session, you will learn more about Annandale High School, our values, and what to expect as your student(s) join Atom Nation. Topics covered range from course selections to extra-curricular activities. At the end of the 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 our school. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Kara Franklin Taylor.

Back to School Information

Bell Schedule: The bell schedule for the 2023-2024 school year is the same as last year. See below for the detailed schedule. Click here for the red/white day calendar and a complete list of alternative bell schedules at Annandale High School.

Student Schedules: 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. If you have any questions, please email Stephany Fuentes, Administrative Assistant.

Student Laptops: We are excited to share that all students who turned in their school-issued computers last year will be issued brand new Chromebooks in their W4 class on the first day of school, August 21. The first day of school will feature a special schedule with all students reporting to their W4 class at the beginning of the school day to receive their laptop.

If your student wishes to use a family-owned device, please ensure the device meets the required specifications. Then, log into your ParentVUE account and select “Opt-out of FCPS device.” This will ensure that your student is not responsible for an FCPS device.

Student Lockers: Student lockers will be available by request only beginning on Tuesday, September 5. Students will receive information about how to request a locker during W4.

Transportation Information

Student Bus Route Assignments: FCPS Office of Transportation Services emailed student bus route assignments last week. Parents should have receive an e-notify to check their ParentVue accounts for transportation information. Please note that the provided times are estimates and that buses may be delayed due to weather, traffic conditions, and a national and regional driver shortage. Please check the Here Comes the Bus app or FCPS School Bus Delays website for potential delays. Students are expected to be at their bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. A double back route assignment may require your bus schedule to be adjusted earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. 

Kiss & Ride: Student drop off/pick up (aka Kiss & Ride) is conducted at the main entrance (Door 1). Parents should drop off their student(s) beginning at 7:45am. Students are dismissed from school at 2:55pm. If you have any questions, please email Phillip Taylor, Safety and Security Specialist.

Student Parking: This year, students will have the opportunity to purchase parking permits to park on the Annandale campus. Information about how to purchase a parking permit for the 2023-24 school year will be shared soon after the school year begins. Stay tuned for more information! In the meantime, students can park in any designated student parking space until permits are issued. If you have any questions, please email Phillip Taylor, Safety and Security Specialist.

Parent To-Do Checklist

Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE: Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Parents should receive an activation code when they register their student. Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Update Your Students’ Information Online: FCPS is excited to announce that parents can now update student information online using the Online Verification Update Packet. Parents can conveniently update phone numbers, emergency contacts, health conditions, and immunization dates for students in grades K-12. Accessible through SIS ParentVUE, the online update feature streamlines registration for parents and staff.

Join the PTSA: The Annandale High School PTSA is committed to helping our students and community. Together, we sponsor many programs and activities for our students, parents, and staff, including teacher grants, community outreach events, AHS Food Pantry, All Night Grad Celebration, Senior Scholarships, and more! Please consider joining for the 2023-2024 school year by filling out the online Membership Form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website.

Have a Rising Senior? 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.

Awesome Atoms!

Annandale Staff Attend AVID Summer Institute in Baltimore: Our new AVID Elective Teacher, Michelle Lukacs, and Social Studies teachers Andrew Butts and Herb Eggert attended the AVID Summer Institute in Baltimore July 17-19. Educators from all over the country attend AVID summer trainings to get the latest AVID methodologies and strategies to take back and implement in their schools.

The team was sent to three different strands of focus. Michelle Lukacs participated in the advanced implementation strand which focused on engaging students and building relationships to improve the efficacy of AVID tutorials. Andrew Butts and Herb Eggert participated in the Social Science strand which focused on developing engaging, inquiry-based strategies that will increase students’ ability to think, read, and write like a historian. We are all looking forward to implementing the AVID strategies and hope to lead our students to success here at AHS and beyond.

Spanish Teacher, Miles Meijer Accepted for Publication: Spanish teacher, Miles Meijer's article, “Using Data to Create a Student-Centered Language Classroom: A First-Year Teacher’s Journey”, was accepted for publication in the Fall issue of ACTFL’s quarterly magazine called The Language Educator! ACTFL is the primary professional organization for world language teachers in the United States. We congratulations to Miles for this incredible accomplishment, and thank him for sharing his learning with the wider community.

Important Information

September 18-22 - Senior Pictures: It’s almost time for senior pictures for the Class of 2024! Students should have received an email from our photography company, Legacy Studios, with instructions to schedule their appointment September 18-22. Pictures will be during school hours in Clausen Hall. If you have any questions, please  contact the Legacy Studios Senior Portraits Assistance for Parents/Students line at 716-512-6336.

If you haven’t received an email, don’t worry! You can still register for your senior pictures by going to Legacy's Scheduling Website. Scroll down the page to view and select your sitting level - details of each sitting level are there for you to review. Once selected, scroll down the page a little further and click on your sitting level. Choose "set time zone" and a calendar will pop up. Select the date and times you prefer, then click "continue." Enter your name and payment information (if aplicable - note, there is no fee for a yearbook picture). Once your appointment is scheduled, you will recieve a confermation email.

Salad Bar Coming to Annandale HS! A salad bar is being added to the lunch line this year! The salad bar will offer a variety of nutritious choices every day and encourage students to consistently build meals based on a foundation of colorful fruits and vegetables. Science-based research proves that changing fresh food access and availability in school settings has a direct correlation to wellness. Check out the Salad Bar flyer for more information.

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.

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.

Check Out the New Atoms Booster Club Newsletter! Check it out here! The Atoms Booster Club is a group of committed supporters who are dedicated to enhancing the experiences of students at Annandale High School. The Boosters are devoted to supporting the school's athletic programs by providing financial assistance to the teams, helping with sports events, and most importantly cheering on the athletes at games. We are always looking for new members to join our team. If you are interested in getting involved and aren’t a member, please visit atomsboosters.org/membership to join.

August 18 - Annandale Marching Band Showcase: Come hear the Marching Atoms in their Family Night Showcase this Friday, August 18, at 6:30pm at the stadium! Band parents - we need volunteers to provide snacks and sign up for concession stand shifts! Please contact annandalebandboosters@gmail.com.

Order Fall Sports Pictures: Fall sports pictures were taken last week on August 10. If you would like to order pictures, go online to Legacy Studios Events and enter the school code, 4542E24. Here you may view and order team and individual pictures of your athlete. Please allow 5 days after picture day before trying to access your images. If the images have not been uploaded to the site yet, when entering that code you'll receive a 'Gallery not found' notification. For more information, please reach out to your coach.

Purchase an All-Season Athletic Pass! The Atoms Booster Club’s All-Season pass provides you general admission access to all regular season home football, baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, and wrestling events. With more than nine sports showcased, you can save BIG with the all-season pass! To purchase your Atoms Pass, click here! 23-24 Atoms Booster Pass. 

Events This Week: 

Monday, August 14

F/JV/V Volleyball vs Wakefield - 5:00/6:00/7:15pm

Tuesday, August 15

Golf vs Hayfield @ Pohick Bay - 3:30pm

JV/V Field Hockey @ Osbourn - 5:30/7:00pm

Wednesday, August 16

JV Field Hockey vs Woodson - 5:30pm

Thursday, August 17

Freshman/New Student Orientation - 1:30-4:00pm

Varsity Football vs Herndon - 6:00pm

Varsity Field Hockey @ St. John Paul the Great - 4:30pm

Friday, August 18

Marching Atoms Family Night Showcase - 6:30pm

News from the PTSA

PTSA Membership for the 2022-23 School Year: The Annandale High School PTSA is committed to helping our students and community. Together, we sponsor many programs and activities for our students, parents, and staff, including teacher grants, community outreach events, AHS Food Pantry, All Night Grad Celebration, Senior Scholarships, and more! Please consider joining for the 2023-2024 school year by filling out the online Membership Form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website.

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.