Annandale Students, Families, and Community:
This past week, Annandale faculty and staff came together to recognize the nominees for the FCPS Outstanding Awards, as well as announce our school level winners. Thank you to those of you who nominated a staff member back in November/early December and congratulations to our winners:
- Outstanding Operational Employee - Rosario Carrasco, Family Liaison
- Outstanding New Teacher - Katie Shaw, Severe Disabilities Teacher & Pyramid Winner
- Outstanding Teacher - Lauren Paz Soldan, Spanish Teacher
- Outstanding Professional Employee - Terri Pendleton, Technology Support Specialist
- Outstanding Leader - Erik Healey, Director of Student Services & Pyramid Winner
Moreover, a huge congratulations to Erik Healey and Katie Shaw who advanced to represent the Annandale Pyramid!
The celebrations continue in Atom Nation this coming week. Our Winter Spirit Week kicks off with College Gear Day. We encourage all students and staff members to represent their favorite College or University. The rest of the week will be represented with Crocs/Slippers, Onesies, and Music Tees. Friday, students are encouraged to wear their class colors for our Winter Pep Rally, where we will celebrate our Winter Athletes and determine which class has the most spirit!
Also this week, we begin our Winter W4 Check-Ins. Over the next several weeks W4 teachers will be conducting one-on-one check-ins with each W4 student. These W4 check-ins are an opportunity to build a caring and trusting environment for all students, cultivate positive relationships with students, and identify student needs.
Just as it is important to check in with students, it is equally important to check-in with our families. I invite all families to join us virtually on Thursday at 6:30pm for a Principal Check-In, where I will share information about our practices as well as how we are supporting students with a focus on our priorities. Check your email later this week for a link to join.
Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out with any questions.
Shawn DeRose, Principal
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School-Family Partnership
Families recently received a personalized student progress report email which includes students’ grades as well as any academic interventions or supports the student is receiving.
Research shows that the single most impactful thing parents can do to support their student’s education is to talk with them about school. We encourage you to talk with your student about their classes and how they are taking advantage of PRIDE Time. Here is a question to help get the conversation started...
"This week is Winter Spirit Week. Will you be dressing up for the Spirit days? Can I help you plan for it?"
Thank you for everything you do to support us and your student - we truly work together to support our students’ needs!
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Important Dates
January 29 - W4 Check-ins Begin
January 29 - February 2 - Winter Spirit Week
January 31 - WiDA Testing Begins
January 31 - Guitar Concert, 7pm
January 31 - Science Fair
January 29 - February 2 - Winter Spirit Week
February 1 - GRAMMY Educator
February 2 - Winter Pep Rally
February 6 - PRIDE Time 3.0 Begins
February 12 - W4 Activities Day
February 13 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm
February 14 - PTSA Pantry Distribution
February 19 - President’s Day (No School)
February 19 - Spring Sports Begin
February 24 - PTSA MONOPOLY® Tournament
March 5 - School Planning Day (No School)
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January 29 - W4 Check-ins Begin: The social and emotional wellness of our students continue to be a priority at Annandale. Once again this semester, teachers will be conducting one-on-one check-ins with students in their advisory (W4) class beginning later this week. These conversations are another opportunity to build a caring and trusting environment for all students, cultivate positive relationships, and identify student needs.
January 29 - February 2 - Winter Spirit Week: Show your Atom Pride, get creative, and have fun dressing up with the following daily themes. Annandale Leadership students will be taking photos of participants to be featured on their Instagram!
Monday - College/ University Day: Stressed about high school? Don’t worry, it gets better! Relieve your mind and think about the happiness you will have in the future! Wear the merch of the college/university (or any representation of your postsecondary plans) and show your pride for it!
Tuesday - Crocs/ Slippers: Get comfy this Tuesday by wearing your favorite pair of crocs or slippers. We know how hard you’ve been working, so take a load off of your feet! Regular crocs, furry crocs, crazy jibbitz, silly slippers, we want to see it all!
Wednesday - Onesie Day: Are you feeling under the weather? Do you need something to cheer up your mood and school spirit? Wear your cozy onesie to school to help you de-stress from the cold and school load!
Thursday - Music Tees: Love listening to music? Do you have a favorite band that makes you feel less stressed? For Music Tees, dress in your favorite band’s, artist’s, or musical group’s attire! By doing so, you are not just expressing what makes you happy, but doing it comfortably!
Friday - Class Colors: Want to support your class by wearing your grade colors? Here are your designated grade colors; Freshmen - White, Sophomores - Purple, Juniors - Red, Seniors - Pink.
January 31 - WiDA Testing Begins: WiDA testing will begin on Wednesday, January 31 with more than 720 students at Annandale scheduled to complete the four-part WiDA annual assessment. Federal law (ESSA) requires that all Level 1-5 English Learners (ELs) participate annually in an English language proficiency assessment.
WiDA ACCESS for ELs consists of the following parts (domains): Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. Each domain is a separate test and students must complete all 4 domains to meet the testing requirement. This assessment is used to determine a student’s English language proficiency level, eligibility for ESOL services and testing accommodations. It also provides teachers with information they can use to plan for and support their students’ learning. Participation in this assessment is a critical part of how we measure our students' growth and progress as well as plan for their continued success. Additional details will be provided prior to the start of testing.
January 31 - AHS Science Fair: On Wednesday, January 31 (after school), Annandale will be holding our in-school science fair. From there, Annandale will select projects to compete in the Regional Science Fair that will take place the weekend of March 15-17. A huge shout-out to all of the teachers who guided students through the science fair project process. Over the last few months our science teams have been working to support students as they prepare their Science Fair Projects.
January 31 - Guitar Concert, 7pm: The Annandale Guitar Ensemble will present a concert featuring music spanning 500 years from Russian Folk songs to Disney favorites. All are encouraged to come support our guitar students and hear some great music on January 31, doors open at 7pm in the auditorium. Admission is free.
February 1 - Principal Check-In: Please join me on Thursday, February 1 at 6:30pm for a Virtual Winter Principal Check-In, where I will share information about our approach to instruction and assessment, as well as how we are supporting students with a focus on our priorities. Please submit questions that you would like to be addressed in the presentation here. A link to the meeting will be sent later this week.
February 2 - Winter Pep Rally: Get ready to rumble for our annual 2024 Winter Pep Rally on February 2nd! From whipped cream pies to our sports walk, we have a ton of fun activities prepared. Don’t forget to show your Atom Pride by wearing your class colors the day of the Pep Rally: Freshmen - White, Sophomores - Purple, Juniors - Red, Seniors - Pink.
Academic Support
Sign up for a writing conference with the AWC in 3rd Quarter: The trained peer tutors of the Atoms Writing Center will continue to provide support for students with writing in any class. Use this link to sign up for a writing conference. If you haven’t already, you should also join our Schoology group to get important updates and announcements from the AWC all year by going to “Groups” > ”My Groups” > ”Join Group” then putting in this code: 9MSF-KSDM-B7HCP. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Contact Mrs. Crowley with any questions.
Need Help in Your Class? Stay With Your Teacher After School! Annandale High School offers late bus transportation three (3) days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. All teachers stay after school at least one day a week to provide academic support for students. Please refer to this list to see which day your student’s teacher is available after school.
Annandale Tutoring Center Open Mondays: Students can now get tutoring from AVID and honor society members, every Monday in Room 287 from 3:00-4:00pm. Tutors will be available to help in math, science and social studies. Contact Ms. Michelle Lukacs, AVID and History teacher, with questions.
Sign Up for a Writing Conference with the Atoms Writing Center: The trained peer tutors of the Atoms Writing Center will continue to provide support for students with writing in any class. Use this link to sign up for a writing conference during 2nd quarter. If you haven’t already, you should also join our Schoology group to get important updates and announcements from the AWC all year by going to “Groups” > ”My Groups” > ”Join Group” then putting in this code: 9MSF-KSDM-B7HCP. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AtomsWC. Contact Mrs. Stephanie Hanson with any questions.
Work with Live Tutors for Free! Does your student need help getting up to speed in math, science, or English? Tutor.com offers diagnostic quizzes to help students test their knowledge and find areas where they may need help. Quizzes can be taken anytime, and students can connect immediately to a tutor. Find out more here.
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Awesome Atoms
Atoms Writing Center Inducts 28 New Tutors: During PRIDE Time last week, the Atoms Writing Center officially trained 28 new tutors who will help provide non-judgmental feedback to their peers about writing assignments in any subject through the end of this year and into next year. After a rigorous application process with many students interested in the honor of becoming an AWC tutor, this week the selected tutors learned the rules and procedures for the club and practiced tutoring one another. We will be sad to say goodbye to over 30 senior AWC Tutors at the end of this year, so we are glad we have so many new tutors training under their wings this fall, ready to provide strong support for the AHS student body next year.
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Annie Ray Named Finalist for the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator Award! Annie Ray, FCPS Secondary Teacher of the Year, was named as a finalist for the 2024 GRAMMY Music Educator Award! This annual honor recognizes current educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the music education field and who also demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in schools. The 10 finalists, who hail from nine states, were selected from more than 2,000 initial nominations submitted from across all 50 U.S. states. The winner will receive a $10,000 honorarium and matching grant for their school's music program. The winner will be announced this Thursday, February 1 at 8:00am on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson.
W4 Activities Day Creates Connection to AHS! We held our fourth W4 Activities Day this past Monday. It was so fun to see students connect with each other and staff through activities such as playing games and sports, making felt flowers, learning Latin dance, cross-stitching, or just relaxing. Very few other schools the size of Annandale manage to organize an event like this, which we will offer once a month. A huge thank you to our Activities Department for taking on this complex planning! Our next W4 Activities Day will be on Monday, February 12. We look forward to continuing to embed opportunities for our students to deepen their sense of connection and belonging at school.
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AHS Hosts Love Like Adam Foundation - Annandale High School recently hosted the Love Like Adam foundation for the Class of 2024. Love Like Adam is a non-profit 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.
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Annandale Teacher, Sandra Benitez, Featured in FCPS News: Sandra Benitez was recently featured for being a first year U.S. Government teacher for English Learners at Annandale High School, her alma mater. She decided to become a teacher while working as a counselor-in-training for the Fairfax County Park Authority. Throughout her experience at Annandale High School, she volunteered at elementary schools and as a peer tutor. She shared about the connection she still has with her former teachers and how they supported her dream of becoming a teacher. She also shares how her past helps her connect with current students.
Annandale Hosts Pizza and Pizzicato: On Thursday, January 25, close to 400 Strings and Orchestra students from the Annandale feeder schools came to AHS to perform in two back-to-back concerts featuring our AHS Philharmonic Orchestra. There were electric instruments, neon glow bows, and more! Students participated in clinics to make music together, unify as a pyramid, and learn about everything our programs have to offer!
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Important Information
Now thru February 13 - Academic Advising: Our counselors began meeting one-on-one with students through their English classes. We began with our rising seniors and then will work through the other grade levels over the next several weeks. Students will be sent an email with their appointment time the weekend before they are scheduled to meet with their counselor. As always, students and families can get more information about course selection on our Academic Advising website.
Safe Students, Safe Schools: Fairfax County Public Schools believes that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. This includes physical safety, and mental health and wellness. FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. The division has created the Safe Students, Safe Schools Brochure (PDF) to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips for how you can help. Visit the FCPS website for more information.
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Opportunities
January 30 - 2024 FCPS Gap Year Fair, 6pm: FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available.
Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. Registration is open to students and families up to and including the day of the fair. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.
**In the event of inclement weather on Tuesday, January 30. The Gap Year Fair will be held on Thursday, February 1, at the same time and location.
February 3 - Edison Academy Open House - Edison Academy invites you to attend their in-person Open House event on Saturday, February 3, 2023 from 10:00am-1:00pm (snow date is Saturday, February 10). We are located at 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA. Our entrance is located at Door #13. You will have the opportunity to tour our state-of-the-art facilities, meet our instructors and current students, and learn more about our incredible courses! Please feel free to contact Cassandra Deedy at (703) 924-8101 for additional information.
February 24 - Annual MONOPOLY® Tournament: Join us for the 2024 MONOPOLY® Tournament sponsored by the Annandale HS PTSA on February 24, 2024 in Clausen Hall. This is an official tournament so registration is required for players and spectators. Grand Prize is $300 and a MONOPOLY® Game. Sign up now!
February 6 - All Night Grad Pampered Chef Fundraiser Orders Due: Hosted by the PTSA, you’re invited to the Annual All Night Grad's Pampered Chef FUN'draiser! 25% of your order will be donated to ANGC... and the FREE products will be donated to ANGC! Don’t miss out. Get a free gift with $90 purchase, free shipping on orders $150+. Order here! Share the link, share the love! Products may be shipped anywhere in the US.
Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo Events: In February, school divisions across the region will team up with Virginia Ed Strategies to host the annual Instruction 2 Industry Career Expo event. This Northern Virginia regional event will allow high school students to connect virtually and in person, with more than 60 local industry professionals from in-demand career fields.
The purpose of these FREE career exploration events is to provide students with opportunities to prepare for tomorrow’s workforce today. Virtual sessions will be held on February 5-8, from 4-7 p.m., and the in-person Career Expo and Job Fair event will be held on Saturday, February 17, from 1-4 p.m., in the North Hall of the Dulles Expo Center. Students should register today on the Instruction 2 Industry Events Page
High School Academy Open Houses: FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January. A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses. Click here to learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.
Annandale Baseball Host Weekly Winter Clinics: Annandale Baseball is hosting their Sunday Skills camps. Each week, the camp focuses on fundamentals and is instructed by the coaching staff and players. The camp will be held in the main and auxiliary gyms at Annandale High School. Information and sign up for the Sunday Baseball Camps here. Cost is $115 for all, or $25 each.
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News from Student Services
Course Selection Information: At Annandale, we want to ensure students and families know where to access all the information needed for course selection. Our Academic Advising page has the grade level information presented by counselors and the course selection Google forms that students must complete. We encourage you to visit this site with your student to discuss courses for next year. Here are some questions you can use to engage with your student about course selection:
- Which classes most excite you about next year?
- When looking at your classes, what are your electives and why did you select those?
- What type of diploma are you going for?
- Where would you like to be challenged?
- Where do you think you might need support?
Please reach out to our counselors if any questions or concerns arise. Their emails and phone numbers can be found on our Student Services page. We are here to help and look forward to supporting our students through this process!
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College Admission & Financial Aid
FAFSA Info for Class of 2024: The Federal Student Aid FAFSA form is now available (soft launch is working out glitches, so be patient with the website). The application is free and is the largest source of aid to help pay for college or career/trade school. Even if you don't think your family would qualify for financial assistance, you would still want to complete the application because some states and colleges use information from the FAFSA form to determine student eligibility for their grants, scholarships, and loans. If you need assistance, please contact Mr. Yeagley in our College and Career Center or your student’s counselor.
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.
Transcript Requests for College Applications & Scholarships: Seniors need to request official high school transcripts one month prior to application deadlines. For example, if a college application is due on January 10, the Transcript Request Form is due on December 10. We will be receiving a very high volume of requests in the coming months, and our Student Services staff needs adequate time to process them. Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines are quickly approaching. For step-by-step instructions and forms for submitting Transcript Requests, go to the College & Career Planning Google site.
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. Students are welcome to drop in with questions about any aspect of the process.
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 to 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!
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Senior Decision Spotlight
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, AHS Athletics Twitter or Instagram page. Please email Brandon Sutphin if you have any questions.
Recap from the week in winter sports: As we hit the final three weeks of the winter season, we would like to thank you for your continued support! Our crowds are getting bigger with each game and the excitement around our sports teams are buzzing throughout the community. We have a lot more action over the final few weeks and we hope that you continue to come out and show your support for our Atoms' athletes and coaches who are working hard to make the Annandale community proud! Make sure to not miss out on the action by getting your booster pass and supporting the Atoms!
February 19 - Spring Sports Tryouts: Spring sports tryouts are right around the corner. The dates for tryouts are Monday, February 19 through Wednesday, February 21.
Spring sports include lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, and outdoor track. In order to participate, there are 2 items that need to be completed prior to the first day of tryouts: 1) Sports Physical - Completed and turned in to Athletic Trainers Ryan Hughes and 2) Activity Registration. This is an online submission that encompasses the Emergency Care Form and Concussion Education Training.
Any athlete without a physical and registration on file by Friday, February 16 will not be allowed to tryout on Monday, February 19. Athletes submitting physicals and registration post February 16 will be eligible to tryout the day after the physical and registration have been submitted. For more information about tryouts, check www.annandaleatoms.net.
This Week:
Monday, January 29
National District Gymnastics Championships @ Mount Vernon - 5:30pm
Tuesday, January 30
Girls Basketball vs Lewis - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm (Senior Night)
Boys Basketball @ Lewis - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm
Wednesday, January 31
Guitar Concert - Auditorium 7:00pm
National District Indoor Track Championships - Day 1 - @ PG Sportsplex
Thursday, February 1
National District Wrestling Championships @ Lewis - 12:00pm
Friday, February 2
Boys Basketball vs TJ- 4:30/5:45/7:30pm
Girls Basketball @ TJ - 4:30/5:45/7:30pm
National District Indoor Track Championships - Day 2 - @ GMU Fieldhouse
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News from the PTSA
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.
AHS Pantry Distribution Every Second Wednesday: We offer bi-monthly family distributions as well as twice weekly student distributions and emergency needs and gift cards for emergency situations that are tracked and distributed with our AHS clinical staff. We have partnerships with Food for Others and Fairfax Diaper as well as other Community businesses, neighborhoods, girl scout troops and churches.
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