Annandale Community Insider - September 17

Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

I hope you were able to get outside and enjoy the amazing weather. I spent the weekend in Columbus, Ohio, with my oldest daughter, Claire. On Friday, we toured the Ohio State campus and watched the Ohio State field hockey team defeat #8 ranked Michigan (The Team Up North), 5-1. Then on Saturday, we watched Ohio State football crush Western Kentucky 63-10. 

This week, we began our Environmental Scans process. The scans provide a structured opportunity for classroom administrators and coaches to visit classrooms, as well as team and individual reflection and an opportunity for staff to learn together by examining data and reflecting on our practices. During the process, our staff collaboratively reflects on teaching and learning, identifies instructional practices that have the biggest impact, and develops a high-leverage move to amplify that impact. This deep reflection on our practice is just one way that we live our vision that Annandale High School is a community that “finds strength in diversity, fosters belonging, and inspires lifelong learning.”

To that end, we are excited for the opportunity to share with you the work happening in your student’s classrooms at Back to School Night. BTSN will be held this Thursday, September 21, from 6:00-8:00pm on our football field. This event is an opportunity for families to learn more about their student’s education and how to best support them. Similar to last year, families will get to have conversations with their student’s teachers and briefly discuss their student’s progress. Here are some reminders for this event:

• Bring a copy of your student’s schedule with you so that you can identify their teachers.
• Remember that these are brief conversations of no more than five minutes each. You may always arrange for a longer parent-teacher conference at a different time to discuss your student in more detail.
• Translation services will be limited. Students are welcome to attend, as needed. 
• Be mindful of time and prioritize which teachers you want to meet with.
• Parking is limited and we recommend parking in the back of the school. 
• For questions about this event, please contact Dr. Sarah Eqab.

We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday evening! As always, reach out if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Awesome Atoms

On Time Graduation Team Recognized in the 2023 FCPS Team Excellence Award: Congratulations to the On-Time Graduation Dashboard Team on receiving the 2023 FCPS Team Excellence Award! This award recognizes a team's commitment to serving FCPS with the highest degree of dedication and professionalism. The On-Time Graduation Dashboard Team is responsible for developing and maintaining a system that tracks student progress towards graduation. Lead by our Director of Student Services, Erik Healey, the team's work has helped to improve graduation rates in FCPS. We are proud of our OTG team's accomplishments!

Congrats to Thanh Nguyen! National Merit Semi-Finalist: Congratulations to Annandale Senior Thanh Nguyen who has been named as a semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for 2024. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represents less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. All Semifinalists are eligible to compete for 7,500 National Merit Scholarship awards worth nearly $28 million, to be awarded in spring 2024. Semifinalists advance to finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and other requirements including a recommendation from a high school official.

Annandale Performing Arts Tag Day A Success! Thank you to those who donated during Tag Day this weekend, which is a major performing arts fundraiser where members of the Annandale Bands, Theater Chorus and Orchestra go door to door within the community to ask for donations. The donations assist in funding uniforms, costumes, instruments, scholarships, clinicians, music, supplies, and registration for competitions. Your continued support enables us to proudly represent our school and community throughout the year.

Stephany Fuentes Promoted to Administrative Assistant II: Congratulations to Stephany Fuentes for her promotion to Administrative Assistant II at Davis Career Center. Stephany has been supporting the front office for the past several years. We wish her all the best in her new position.

Social Studies Classes Reflect On Events of September 11: Our Social Studies teachers engaged students in discussion and reflection around the 9/11 events 22 years ago. For many teachers, they still remember where they were when they learned of these tragic events. Teachers shared their experiences and students analyzed newspaper headlines, pictures, and other primary sources to fully understand the significance of the attacks. Teachers provided structured opportunities for students to reflect on how the world has changed since 9/11.

Important Dates

Now Through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 18-22 - Senior Pictures

September 21 - Back to School Night, 6-8pm

September 25 - Yom Kippur (No School)

September 26-29 - Homecoming Week

September 27 - Flag Football 

September 28 - Movie Night, 6-8pm

September 29 - Homecoming Pep Rally

September 29 - Homecoming Tailgate

September 30 - Homecoming Dance

October 2 - Atoms Booster Club Meeting, 6pm

October 4 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving

October 5 - World Language Credit Exam Deadline

October 9 - Indigenous Peoples' Day (No School for Students)

October 11 - PSAT/SAT Day

October 15 - FCPS College Fair

October 16 & 17 - Virtual Postsecondary Night

October 19 - IB Senior Diploma Library Day

June 3 - AHS Graduation, 9:30am

Now Through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month: From now until October 15, FCPS and Annandale High School recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

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 applicable - note, there is no fee for a yearbook picture). Once your appointment is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email.

September 21 - Back to School Night: This year, Back to School Night will be held on September 21 from 6:00-8:00pm on our football field. This is an opportunity for families to learn more about what your student is learning in school and how to better support them. Similar to last year, we would like to provide an opportunity for families to interact with their student’s teachers in a meaningful way and briefly discuss the student’s progress. Families will have brief conversations with their student’s teachers to gain a snapshot of how the student is performing so far this school year. Here are some reminders for this event:

• Bring a copy of your student’s schedule with you so that you can identify your student’s teachers
• Remember that these are very brief conversations that should last no more than five minutes each. You may always arrange for a longer parent-teacher conference at a different time to discuss your student in more detail.
• Translation services will be limited and you are welcome to bring your student with you to attend, as needed. 
• Be mindful of time and prioritize which teachers you would like to conference with since you may not be able to connect with every teacher.

This event will take place outdoors on our football field. It will begin at 6:00pm and end at 8:00pm. Please be mindful that parking is limited and we recommend parking at the back of the school. For questions about this event, please contact Sarah Eqab.

September 21 - IB Diploma Parent Meeting: Parents of IB Diploma Juniors and Seniors are invited to attend a meeting to discuss IB requirements and support structures Annandale offer to ensure students are successful. The meeting will be held during Back to School Night, Thursday, September 21. Linda Bradshaw, IB Diploma Coordinator, will meet with parents of Juniors from 7:15-7:35pm, and parents of Seniors from 7:40-8:00pm, in the Main Gym.

How do you know if your child is an IB Diploma candidate? Check their 4th period Learning Seminar in their schedule. IB Diploma candidates have one of the following teachers: Consumano, Duran-Russell, Dwyer, Hanneman, Herman, Mathis, Obando, Weintraut. If you are unable to attend, the presentation slides will be posted in the Insider following the meeting. Questions? Please email Linda Bradshaw.

October 19 - IB Senior Diploma Library Day: On Thursday, October 19, IB Seniors will be in the library all day working on their Extended Essays.  If you are supervising a student and have any time this day, students can be released to come to your classroom to get help or you are welcome to come down anytime in the library.  Students will not be released to attend class.  Please do not cover new content if a majority of your students are IB diploma seniors. 

June 3 - Class of 2024 Graduation: Mark your calendars! The Annandale Class of 2024 will graduate on Monday, June 3, at 9:30am, at EagleBank Arena on the campus of George Mason University.

Opportunities

Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R): At Annandale, we work to help facilitate student conversations and build community in our classes. This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage. This form should be signed and returned by Friday, September 29.

Scoliosis Fact Sheet: Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A spine affected by scoliosis has a sideways curve, making it appear more like an “S” or a “C” than a straight line. Untreated scoliosis can lead to limited motion, back pain, deformity, and in extreme cases, impaired function of the heart and lungs. Early detection and treatment may prevent scoliosis from progressing. Learn more here.

October 4 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving: Included in Grade 10 Health & PE is one quarter, or 30-36 hours, of in-classroom driver education. To get your driver’s license in Virginia, you must successfully complete, or pass, the classroom portion of driver education. You must also attend a 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety program, Partners for Safe Teen Driving, or PSTD, with a parent/guardian. Annandale High School is hosting five (5) PSTD presentations this school year, one each quarter and two during the fourth quarter. They are free to students enrolled in Health & PE 10 at Annandale HS and begin at 6:30pm in the auditorium. You must attend with a parent/guardian, arrive ON TIME, and remain the duration of the presentation for your attendance to be verified. Choose a date convenient for you and your parent/guardian. You may attend a session outside of your Driver Education quarter. 

Register here for a PSTD session that works for you! If you have any questions, please contact Lizzie McManus. Partners for Safe Teen Driving Dates at Annandale High School: October 4, January 10, March 13, April 17 and May 8.

World Languages Credit Exam: The 2023 World Languages Credit Exam will be administered on November 8, 9, and 13, 2023. Thirty (30) languages will be included: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Registration opens on Tuesday, September 5 at 8:00am and closes on Thursday, October 5 at 4:00pm. Late registrations will not be accepted. School counselors at Annandale will register interested students. Credit exam information can be accessed at on the FCPS website.

Honor Societies

Students at Annandale High School have the opportunity to join many different honor societies. Below you will find the elegibility criteria and application information, including deadlines.

Due September 29 - National English Honor Society: Juniors or Seniors who are interested in and have a passion for English class, literature, or writing, are dedicated to helping students strengthen English skills, and would like to do literacy-based service activities within the Annandale community, are invited to join the National English Honor Society. NEHS is open to all juniors and seniors with at least a 3.5 GPA in English, and a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all classes.NEHS meets approximately 8-9 times throughout the school year. Members must be committed and may only miss 2 meetings. Apply here!

Due September 29 - Math Honor Society: Students who have completed Geometry, are currently enrolled in a Math class and maintain a 3.0 GPA overall and a 3.5 GPA in Math are eligible to join! Boost your math skills, collaborate with peers, and earn community service hours. If interested, see Mr. Obando or Mr. Martins to pick up an application.

Due September 29 - Social Studies Honor Society: Juniors and Seniors interested in history, politics, and the social sciences, may apply to join the Social Studies National Honor Society RHO KAPPA. Members will have a positive impact on campus and in the Annandale Community. You must be a Senior or Junior with a GPA of 3.0 as well as have a recommendation from a previous social studies teacher. Check with your social studies teacher for an application or stop by Room 292 or 289B.

Due October 6 - Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica: The Spanish Honor Society is an honor society for high school students enrolled in Spanish and/or Portuguese. Eligible students maintain a 3.5 GPA in the study of Spanish for a minimum of three semesters at the High School Level. Freshmen cannot be inducted without special permission from the SHH Director. Current members don’t need to reapply. Meetings are held during W4 Clubs & Activities Days. Applications for membership are available in room M23 during the month of September. The application deadline for the current year is October 6. Acceptance decisions will be shared with students via emails by October 16.

Due October 13 - Science National Honor Society: Juniors or Seniors enrolled in an IB Science course with a GPA of 3.5 are eligible to apply to be a member of the Science Honor Society. Members of SNHS are recognized for excellence in encouraging and recognizing scientific and intellectual thought. Application link is available here.

Due October 16 - Computer Science Honor Society: All students who are interested in learning and sharing information related to computer science topics and who will participate in community service to teach others in the community about CS. Meetings will be held one or two times per month where students can learn about Computer Science topics and also receive support if they are currently enrolled in a Computer Science course. Apply here!

October 31 - National Honor Society: Applications for Annandale National Honor Society will begin in October. In order to make ensure every student who us interested in applying recieves application information, students can sign up early using this Google Form that will put them on an email list used to share the application when it is available. Eligible students who wish to apply will receive an acceptance invitation in November via their school emails with further information.

Students in grades 10-12 who currently have an overall unweighted GPA of 3.5 are eligible to apply. The application will also consider students’ previous service, leadership and character examples/experiences. Current members do not need to reapply this year and will receive information about our first members meeting for this school year by the end of September. If students have any questions, they can email Michelle Luka.

Due November 10 - National Art Honor Society: Students in grades 10-12 who maintain a B or better in an upper level art course are taking an art class are eligible to join this society of artists who hold each other accountable, lift up our members, give back to our community, and stand out as artistic leaders. We take on cool service projects and collaborate across different mediums of art to make Annandale a better place. Applications open up toward the end of the first quarter and are due by November 10. Questions? See Ms. Lucas in Rm 148 or Ms. Mahoney in Rm 146.

Coming in March - Société Honoraire de Français: Members of the National French Honor Society excel in the areas of scholarship, character, and leadership. The goals of the organization are to promote and reward high standards of scholarship, stimulate interest in the study of French, and create enthusiasm for and an understanding of francophone culture and civilization.

FHS is invitation only. Personal letters of invitation sent in March to students in grades 10, 11, or 12 who are enrolled in or have completed French III or higher, maintain an “A” in French coursework, maintain an exemplary discipline record. Upon acceptance, new members will participate in the induction ceremony in the Spring and attend FHS meetings through the end of the year. Current members will receive updated information in September via email and Schoology regarding future meetings, activities and opportunities.

News from Student Services

College & Career Planning Google Site: Check out the College & Career Planning Google site, which provides up-to-date information on the college application process; college representative visits; financial aid and FAFSA/VASA workshops; military options; information on apprenticeships; as well as resources for finding a job. The website also provides contact information for our School Counselors, as well as our College and Career Specialist.

Register For College Rep Visits: Are you interested in hearing from college admissions representatives from colleges you are interested in applying to? Please follow the directions below to register. (Juniors and Seniors ONLY). Log into Naviance and click "Student Naviance Login." Click on "Colleges" at the top of the page and then click on "college visits." You will then see a list of all the colleges that are visiting, along with the dates and times. Click "register now" for the visits you would like to attend. Students must show the email to their teacher and get permission at attend. Students who are not registered in Naviance for a college visit will be denied entry. Please note that students are limited to registering for up to six college visits!

Thursday College Application Workshops: Every Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm in Room 90 (near the Cafeteria), Counselors and AVID students will be assisting students with various topics: Making a College List; Transcript Request Form; Common App; Recommendation Requests. These topics will be repeated, starting September 21. Students are welcome to drop in with questions about any aspect of the process. 

October 15 - FCPS College Fair: High school students and their families are invited to attend the FCPS College Fair at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena on Sunday, October 15, 4-7pm. The fair will feature admissions representatives from more than 250 colleges and universities from across the United States and abroad. Register here!

October 16 & 17 - Virtual Postsecondary Night: FCPS will offer two virtual events on Monday  & Tuesday, October 16 & 17 from 5-8pm. The events will feature workshops related to the college admissions process, financial aid, and other postsecondary educational opportunities. 

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.

Annandale Hosts Youth Field Hockey Clinics: Annandale Field Hockey will be holding Youth Field Hockey Clinics for players in K-Grade 8 on September 19, October 3, 17 and 24. The cost is only $75 per player. Please register on the following link. Please contact Coach Uviedo if you have any questions. 

This Week’s Schedule: 

Monday, September 18

JV/V Field Hockey vs Colonial Forge - 6:15/7:30pm

F/JV/V Volleyball @ Edison - 5:00/6:00/7:15pm

Wednesday, September 20

F/JV/V Volleyball @ Mount Vernon - 5:00/6:00/7:15pm

Cross Country vs Edison @ Burke Lake - 5:00pm

Thursday, September 21

Back to School Night - 6:00-8:00pm

Saturday, September 23

Atomic Cheer Competition - 8:00am

Varsity Volleyball @ Mount Vernon Tournament - 8:00am

Support Annandale Booster Organizations!

Purchase a Discount Red Card! Each fall, our sports programs sell a discount “Red Card” to raise money for their teams. The red cards include various discounts at local businesses including: Community Car Care, Firehouse Subs, Jersey Mike’s, Sunoco, Kilroy’s, Subway, D1 Training, Barnside Diner, and AHS Sports Camps. Red Cards are only $20 and can be used at any of the businesses through August 2024. If you would like to purchase a Red Card, please reach out to a fall athlete or email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities.

Join the Annandale 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. 

Purchase an All-Season Pass 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! 

Cost: Student Pass - $30; Adult Pass - $60; Parking Pass - $30; Fan Pass - $25. To purchase your Atoms Pass, click here! 23-24 Atoms Booster Pass.

Gear Up with Official Atoms Spirit Wear: 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. Our online shop has items for any occasion. Visit spiritwear.atomsboosters.org to see the latest Atoms gear.

Support the Annandale PTSA Pantry, Be a Red Bag Donor! This year, we are 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.