Annandale Students, Families, and Community:
I hope you have been able to enjoy this wonderful spring weather. Yesterday was a perfect day for Annandale to host schools from throughout FCPS and surrounding divisions at the Special Olympics Inclusion Track Meet! This was a great opportunity for students with disabilities to cheer each other on and participate in a variety of fun events. Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Reid came out to cheer on all of the athletes and chat with staff and families. A big thank you to Head Coach Janan Hawthorne, and Assistant Coaches Katie Shaw and Paul Fink, for supporting this event!
With spring comes graduation preparation. Tomorrow, we will host our first Senior end-of-year event. Our Senior Breakfast will be held during W4 and PRIDE Time. At this event, students will receive important information about end-of-the-year activities, including senior final exams, senior activities, graduation, and the All Night Grad Party. Parents, we need your assistance making this event a success. Please sign up here to support this event through volunteering and/or money to purchase breakfast items.
As a reminder, SOLs and IB exams begin on Monday, April 22, starting with Biology and Earth Science SOLs, as well as Physics and Business IB exams. In addition to the targeted support students receive in class, PRIDE Time and ASAP, we also host “Super Saturdays,” which is held on the Saturday prior to that week’s SOLs. This coming Saturday, our Biology and Geosystems teachers will be working with students to provide one more SOL prep opportunity. For those of you whose students are testing this year, please reach out to your student’s teachers with any questions about ways you can support your student on these important assessments.
Finally, we are excited to share that Annie Ray and our orchestra students will be playing the National Anthem at the Nats game on Friday, April 19! Discounted tickets are available for students, families, and community members in section 405. Purchase your tickets via the Washington Nationals Group Ticket Office for just $16. I hope you are able to join us!
As always, reach out with any questions. Have a great week Atom Nation!
Shawn DeRose, Principal
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Important Dates
April 15 - Senior Breakfast
April 16 - Junior Parent/Student College Night
April 17 - Purple Up for Military Families
April 17 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving, 6:30pm
April 19 - Annandale Orchestra Performs at Nats Park
April 20 - Biology and Earth Science Super Saturday
April 22 - SOL Testing Begins
April 25 - IB Testing Begins
April 25 - Autism Acceptance Night
April 25, 26 and May 3, 4 - Spring Musical
April 15 - Senior Breakfast: Our Senior Breakfast will be held tomorrow during W4 and PRIDE Time. At this event, students will receive important information about end-of-the-year events, including senior final exams, senior activities, graduation, and the All Night Grad Party. Parents, we need your assistance making this event a success by volunteering or donating funds to purchase breakfast items.
April 16 - Junior Parent/Student College Night: Please join us on Tuesday, April 16 from 6:00-7:30pm. Our Lead AVID teacher Ms. Wells, and College & Career Specialist, Mr. Yeagley, will talk about how Juniors should prepare for the college application process. After the presentation we will have a panel of admissions representatives from George Mason, Marymount, and Virginia Tech speak about what they look for when reviewing college applications. Students and parents will also have the opportunity to ask the panel questions. The event will take place in Clausen Hall. We hope to see you there! Email Mr. Yeagley if you have questions.
April 17 - Purple Up for Military Families: April is the Month of the Military Child! FCPS is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. On Wednesday, April 17, all FCPS employees, students, families, and community members are encouraged to “Purple Up” to show our support for all military-connected families. Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.
April 17 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PTSD), 6:30pm: Annandale High School will be hosting Partners for Safe Teen Driving on April 17 at 6:30pm. The state of Virginia requires students and their parents to attend one session of Partners for Safe Teen Driving in order to receive their Pink Card (DEC-8). If the parent and student are not in the auditorium at 6:30pm then they will be asked to attend another session. If you have any questions, please email Lizzie McManus.
April 19 - Annandale Orchestra Performs at Nationals Game! We are excited to share that Annie Ray and our orchestra students will be playing the National Anthem at the Nats game on Friday, April 19! Discounted tickets are available for students, families, and community members in section 405. Purchase your tickets via the Washington Nationals Group Ticket Office for just $16.
April 20 - Biology and Earth Science Super Saturday: 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. This week we will host students preparing for the Biology and Earth Science SOL. Students will receive breakfast and lunch. Invitations to students and families were sent out last week. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s teacher(s).
April 22 - Signing Day for Future College Athletes: The Activities Office will be hosting a signing day for our future college athletes on April 22 at 3:15pm in the main gym to honor our student athletes who will be continuing their athletic career in college. Parents, teachers, and coaches will also be invited to honor and recognize the hard work and dedication of our athletes. If you have any questions, please email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities.
April 26, 27 and May 3, 4 - Annandale Theater Company Presents The Mean Girls Musical! The Mean Girls Musical: High School Version brings the beloved teen comedy to life on stage. Follow Cady Heron as she navigates the treacherous world of high school cliques, led by the infamous Plastics: Regina George, Gretchen Wieners, and Karen Smith. With catchy tunes, sharp humor, and a timely message about the perils of gossip and social hierarchy, this musical adaptation captures the essence of adolescent drama and the quest for acceptance. Join Cady and her classmates as they learn valuable lessons about friendship, betrayal, and the true meaning of being "fetch." Tickets on sale now!
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Parent Volunteers and Donations Needed!
The final two months of school include a number of exciting events and many opportunities to donate or volunteer at Annandale High School. Your support is not just appreciated; it's essential.
Volunteering or donating is a testament to the strength and unity of our school community. Your willingness to contribute not only enriches our school culture and supports our students’ success, but also serves as a powerful model of community engagement for our students. See detailed opportunities below.
April 15 - Donations and Volunteers Needed for Senior Breakfast: We will be hosting a Senior Breakfast on April 15 and need your assistance making this event a success by volunteering or donating funds to purchase breakfast items.
The event will begin in the auditorium, where students will receive important information about end-of-year events, including senior exams, senior activities, graduation, and All Night Grad Celebration. After the presentation, students will report to the cafeteria for a breakfast and celebration with their classmates.
April 25 - May 17 - Proctors Needed for IB Exams: IB exams are starting soon and we are in need of help to proctor the exams. Volunteers are needed to walk around the testing room occasionally and sit/monitor students. No special training is needed. Each testing room will have at least one experienced proctor that will be in charge of administering the test. We just need additional adult supervision. Volunteers must be 21 or older. Bring your driver’s license to check-in at the main office. Dress casually with comfortable shoes!
Check out this Sign Up Genius. Questions? Please email Linda Bradshaw, IB DP Coordinator.
Help Recognize our Amazing Teachers! Seeking $5-$10 Gift Card Donations: This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is from May 6-10. As a gesture of our appreciation of all the hard work and flexibility our teachers have demonstrated this year, we would like to offer a small gift to teachers. We are asking that you please donate $5-$10 gift cards, to any establishment of your choice, from now until May 3. If you are able to donate, please drop off gift cards to the Main Office or purchase gift cards via Amazon and have them shipped to Annandale High School. We appreciate your support in celebrating the amazing work our teachers are doing this year.
Concession Stand Coverage - Help Wanted! Click on a link below to sign up and support our Atoms Booster club! If anyone has trouble with the above links, please email odessapmurray@gmail.com. Thank you for your support!
Varsity Softball: Sign Up Here
JV Softball: Sign Up Here
Varsity Baseball: Sign Up Here
JV Baseball: Sign Up Here
Donate to the All Night Grad Party Online Auction! Do you own a business or love a local business? We’re gathering donations for our Annual Silent Auction, which benefits our All Night Grad Celebration. All donations are tax deductible and the business that donated will be advertised in our auction. If you would like to donate, please contact ANGC Chair Rheanna Bernard at annandaleangc@gmail.com.
PTSA Nominations for the 2024-25 School Year Are Now Open! If you are interested in serving as an officer or would like to volunteer on a PTSA committee please complete the engagement form. Officer training is provided and committees will be supported by an experienced Board. There are roles for all talents and experience levels. Committee roles range from communication, social media, fundraising, scholarships and awards, All Night Grad, running an online auction and so much more. We need you to make the PTSA successful. The officer application deadline is May 1st. Committee interest is ongoing.
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SOL and IB Exam Schedule
April 22 - May 31 - SOL Testing: SOL testing will begin on Monday, April 22 and continue through Friday, May 31. Students will receive an email with their detailed testing schedule.
April 25 - May 17- IB Testing: IB Testing will begin on April 25 and be held in various locations in the building. Here is the link to the detailed IB Testing calendar with arrival time and test duration. Locations will be added two weeks prior to testing which will mostly consist of the main gym and the library. Students testing in the afternoon should eat A lunch. Students are required to remain in the testing room for the full duration of each exam. Students should bring pens and pencils as well as a calculator. Backpacks and cell phones will be stored in the back of the room and can not be accessed during testing. If the exam is scheduled to continue after the final school bell, students need to arrange for alternative transportation home. Students with IB approved testing accommodations will be notified prior to testing. Late arrival/early dismissal forms for IB testing dates can be found in the Attendance office after spring break. Contact Linda Bradshaw with any questions.
Important Information
April 15 - 26 - FCHD School Health Services Survey: The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in FCPS. A survey has been developed by the FCHD to provide feedback on the level of satisfaction with School Health Services provided to the school community. The survey will be distributed electronically via FCPS This Week, and can be found here. The survey window is April 15 - April 26.
April 20 - 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. Students will receive breakfast and lunch. Invitations to students and families will be sent out beginning this week. Below is the Saturday School schedule: April 20 - Biology and Earth Science; April 27 - Algebra 1 and Chemistry; May 4 - Algebra 2 and Geometry; May 11 - Reading. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s teacher(s).
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Awesome Atoms
Superintendent Michelle Reid Visits Annandale’s Inclusion Track Meet: Annandale hosted Dr. Michelle Reid and schools from throughout FCPS and surrounding divisions at the Special Olympics Inclusion Track Meet! This event was a great opportunity for students with disabilities to cheer each other on and participate in a variety of fun events. A big thank you to Head Coach Janan Hawthorne, and Assistant Coaches Katie Shaw and Paul Fink, for supporting this event.
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 W4 Activities Day Creates Connection to AHS! We held our final 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 friendship bracelets, learning Latin dance, scarf making, or just relaxing. Very few other schools the size of Annandale manage to organize an event like this, which we offer once a month. A huge thank you to our Activities Department for taking on this complex planning!
Student Services Hosts Post Secondary Planning Night: Our Student Services department hosted a double feature Post Secondary Planning Night and FAFSA Workshop. Students and families had the opportunity to visit with representatives from partner organizations such as EduFuturo, NoVA, Fairfax Fire & Rescue, and several branches of our military as well as get support completing the FAFSA Financial Aid Application. It was an incredible opportunity for students to learn about many of the options available to them post high school.
 Annandale Hosts Realtor Open House Event: Annandale High School welcomed local Real Estate Agents this past Tuesday to share information with realtors that will empower them to speak about the current strengths and future direction of the school. In addition, we provided insight into our school and what it offers families who choose to move into our boundaries. If you know of any potential home buys in the area and they have questions about Annadnale High School, please have them reach out to Shawn DeRose.
Emmy Award Winner Bernadette Bascom Visits Annandale: On Thursday, Emmy Award winner Bernadette Bascom visited Annandale High School and Annie Ray’s Crescendo Orchestra class. Ms. Bascom started the Music Project, a program designed to use singing to develop children's speaking skills and confidence. She discovered that many of her enrollees were neurodivergent and their speaking and ability to express themselves benefited greatly from the program. A documentary on the program called "Bernadette's Touch" earned her a 2012 Emmy Award for Human Interest Documentary. As a result of her success in the Music Project, Ms. Bascom collaborated with innovators at Microsoft Corporation to create a mobile application that teaches the principles from her in-person Music Project program. As of March 2023, the app called "Speak!" is available in the Apple store and as an early release in the Google play store.
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 2 at the River View in Occoquan, 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. Stay tuned for the announcement for our grand opening and we look forward to helping you find a perfect look for Prom 2024. For further information reach out to Mr. Henceroth or visit him in room 210. We "Promise" Annandale Prom 2024 will be a night to remember!
April 25 - Autism Acceptance Night: Please come join us this Thursday at 6:30pm as we cheer on our Varsity Baseball Team and celebrate Autism Acceptance. Our special guest stars Kevin Maldonado-Lopez and Andy Ocloo will be throwing out the first pitch for the game. Our classes have been working hard and we will be selling various items that they have created. We will also have baked goods and Inclusion Revolution Autism Acceptance t-shirts for sale. All proceeds will go to our Special Education Department. We will be selling Autism Acceptance gear at the game!
May 1 - Nominations for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award Due: The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families. This award recognizes staff or community members who have demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved. Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate an individual or group for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 1. The winner will be recognized at the FCPS Equity Symposium on Tuesday, June 18. Full details and the nomination information form are available on the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.
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College Admission & Financial Aid
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.
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.
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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.
Booster Membership Fee Reduced! The cost of Booster Memberships is now 50% less! The new low price will be Adults $30 and Students $15 (including Elementary, Middle, and High School Students). The Booster pass allows Free Admission to all regular season Freshman, JV, and Varsity games. This price drop will include the last 3 games of the basketball season and include ALL Spring season sports: Baseball, Soccer, and Lacrosse. Check Atoms Athletics schedules and buy your Booster Pass here.
This Week:
Monday, April 15
JV Boys Lacrosse vs Herndon - 5:45pm
Varsity Boys Lacrosse vs Lewis - 7:15pm
Girls Tennis vs Edison - 4:00pm
Varsity Baseball vs Lewis - 6:30pm
Boys Tennis @ Edison - 4:00pm
Varsity Girls Lacrosse @ Lewis - 6:30pm
Tuesday, April 16
Girls Tennis vs Justice - 4:00pm
JV Baseball/Softball vs Falls Church - 6:30pm
Boys Soccer vs Justice - 5:45/7:15pm
Boys Tennis @ Justice @ Mason District Park - 4:00pm
Varsity Baseball/Softball @ Falls Church - 6:30pm
Girls Soccer @ Justice - 5:45/7:15pm
Wednesday, April 17
JV Girls/Boys Lacrosse @ Fairfax - 6:00/7:15pm
Track @ Edison - 5:00pm
Thursday, April 18
Girls Tennis vs Lewis - 4:00pm
Boys Soccer vs Lewis - 5:45/7:15pm
Boys Tennis @ Lewis - 4:00pm
Girls Soccer @ Lewis - 5:45/7:15pm
Friday, April 19
JV Baseball/Softball vs Hayfield - 6:30pm
JV Boys/Girls Soccer vs TJ - 5:30/7:30pm
Varsity Baseball/Softball @ Hayfield - 6:00pm
JV Girls/Boys Lacrosse @ TJ - 6:00/7:30pm
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News from the PTSA
PTSA Nominations for the 2024-25 School Year Are Now Open! If you are interested in serving as an officer or would like to volunteer on a PTSA committee please complete the engagement form. Officer training is provided and committees will be supported by an experienced Board. There are roles for all talents and experience levels. Committee roles range from communication, social media, fundraising, scholarships and awards, All Night Grad, running an online auction and so much more. We need you to make the PTSA successful. The officer application deadline is May 1st. Committee interest is ongoing.
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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