Annandale Community Insider - May 26

Annandale Students, Families, and Community:

Happy Memorial Day! Today, we honor those who served and gave their lives to defend our freedom.

This past week was filled with awesome events for our graduating seniors and the entire school community. Senior exams concluded on Friday. Immediately following their last exam, seniors gathered at Ossian Hall Park, where they enjoyed a light breakfast, reminisced with their classmates and signed yearbooks. On Thursday and Friday, at Broadway Desserts, all five of the AHS Choirs performed songs from the stage. The students’ talents were on full display as they prepared the music, picked their costumes and coordinated their choreography for a fantastic evening of entertainment. 

This coming week we have many events to celebrate the Class of 2024 and prepare for graduation. Seniors can find more information about the schedule this week in the Class of 2024 Newsletter or in the Class of 2024 Schoology Group. Use the join code K8K2-FV6B-PBZCJ.

Next Monday, June 3, we will hold our graduation ceremony at 9:30am at Eagle Bank Arena on the George Mason Campus. As a reminder, underclassmen will not come to school on June 3 and are encouraged to use this time to catch up on any missing work and study for exams. There are just under two weeks of class left before final exams. We encourage all to continue to show their determination and finish the year strong!

Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out with questions. 

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

May 27 - Memorial Day (No School)

May 28 - Year End Athlete Ceremony

May 28 - Senior Sunset

May 29 - Senior Awards Ceremony

May 30 - Senior Obligations & Cap and Gown Distribution

May 30 - Annandale Dance Clinics

May 31 - Graduation Rehearsal

June 3 - Graduation, 9:30am

June 4 - All Night Grad Celebration

June 6-11 - Final Exams (Dismissal 11:25am)

June 11 - PTSA Meeting

June 12 - Last Day of School (Dismissal 10:10am)

May 27 - Memorial Day (No School): All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.

May 28, 6:00pm - Future College Athlete Ceremony: The Activities Office will be hosting a ceremony for our future college athletes on May 28 at 6:00pm in the auditorium 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.

May 28, 6:00pm - Year End Athlete Ceremony: We are cordially inviting ALL of our student-athletes and families to the annual Annandale All Athletes End of Year Celebration. The event is set up to reflect, recognize, and celebrate all programs and student-athletes accomplishments from this year. If you played on an athletic team this year, you are invited to this event and we are encouraging business casual attire for this evening. At the conclusion of the event, we will serve cake and drinks in the auditorium lobby for some socializing and mingling, so mark your calendars!

Finish Strong!

End of Year Attendance Requirements: The last day of school for underclass students is Friday, June 12. While SOL testing is coming to an end, there is still much going on in our classrooms. Teachers and teams are continuing to plan high quality instruction that will prepare students to be successful not only on final exams, but in the coming years. In some cases, students are working on certifications or other requirements for graduation. All students are expected to attend school each day to complete these activities and finish the year strong.

June 6-11, school will be held from 8:10-11:25am. During this time, students will complete their end of course exams. These culminating activities assess students’ mastery of the standards and skills they have been learning throughout the year. 

Final Exams: In each class, the final exam or culminating activity counts for 10% of a student’s grade, regardless of the impact on the final grade. Per FCPS policy, a student whose absence from the final examination or activity is unexcused will receive an F for that examination. Exceptions to this must be approved by the principal. Final exams are not eligible for retakes.

It is important for students to recognize the impact their final exams will have on their grades, and take steps to prepare so they can do their best. In W4 Advisory, students had one-on-one check-ins with their teacher, reviewed their current grades, and created a plan to prepare.

Awesome Atoms

Orchestra Concert Success! The AHS Orchestra program had their end of year concert on Thursday featuring international music! Students introduced each piece sharing about their heritage music, wore traditional family clothing, and performed the Senior Sendoff. They were joined by The United States Air Force Strolling Strings and premiered our commissioned piece, ATOMS! alongside composer and this year’s artist-in-residence Katie O’Hara LaBrie. Following the concert was the Orchestra Banquet catered by the Annandale culinary program.

Annandale CAT B Program Hosts Field Day: The Annandale CAT B program hosted their annual end of year Field Day event. Students had fun outside playing field games including relay races, frisbee golf, hula hooping, dancing, and face painting. Big thank you to the PE department for collaborating and creating a fun and inclusive experience for all!

Annandale Choir Student Secures Place In All-Virginia Chorus: Annandale placed one student in the SATB choir and two alternates. Those students are Tyler Miller (First Chair – Bass Section), Andrew Salazar (Second Alternate – Alto Section), Noah Plank (Second Alternate – Bass Section). For Tyler, this is his second year in a row to make the All-Virginia Chorus both as a freshman and a sophomore. Congratulations to all three of these students on this great accomplishment!

Annandale CAT B Program Hosts Awards and Prom: The Annandale CAT B program hosted their annual end of the year awards and Prom on Friday. Students received awards to celebrate their amazing accomplishments for the school year. Followed by an 80’s themed prom with lots of dancing and fun. Big thank you to the National Art Honor Society for collaborating and creating a fun and inclusive art experience. Also, a big thank you to Monk’s BBQ for sponsoring the event and serving delicious food for the second year in a row! 

Important Information

Medication Pickup: The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 12:00pm on Wednesday, June 12. Medications left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian, however, with parent or guardian written permission, a high school student may transport over-the-counter medications to and from the health room. If you have any questions, please contact the School Health Aide Larry Cooper at 703-642-4110 or the Public Health Nurse Michelle Dierkes.

Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance! It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on families’ plates. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to remember to check your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance. Families that earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2024-25 school year will be available this summer. If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application here.. Get more information about free and reduced-price lunch.

Student Testing Results Coming Soon: Later this month, you will begin receiving your student’s spring assessment results. How test results are delivered depends on the test. Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Contact your student's teacher with any testing questions.

Class of 2024 Information

We are just one week away from celebrating the graduating Class of 2024 and we wanted to share important information and dates that will assist seniors, parents and community members in preparing and planning for the end of the school year. 

Check out the latest Class of 2024 Newsletter that was sent out last week (May 23). It contains info about this week’s upcoming events as well as information about the tasks seniors must complete prior to picking up their cap and gown on Thursday, May 30.

For more details on any of these events or to stay up-to-date, check the information shared in our Schoology group. Use the join code K8K2-FV6B-PBZCJ. If you have any questions about upcoming senior events, Jeff Smith, Pat Brown, and Jane Scharankov, or our senior administrator, Aaron Schneider.

Graduation Flowers Available Now! Want to purchase flowers to give to your graduate on graduation day and support the Class of 2025 at the same time? Click here to pre-purchase a red and white carnation mini bouquet for just $5 to be picked up at Eagle Bank Arena the morning of graduation. Proceeds support the Class of 2025. All orders must be placed by May 29.

May 28 - Senior Sunset, 7pm: Senior Sunset will take place on May 28 from 7:00-9:00pm. Students are encouraged to come watch the sunset on the football field with music, drinks, and food to celebrate the last day of their senior year.

May 29 - Senior Awards Ceremony: Our annual Senior Awards Ceremony will be held on May 29 from 10:00-11:15am at Annandale High School. This ceremony provides us an opportunity to recognize seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in each content area, as well as celebrate those seniors who have been selected for community based awards and scholarships. We will be communicating directly with the students and families of our award recipients. If you have questions or concerns, please email Erik Healey, Director of Student Services. 

May 30 - Senior Obligations & Cap and Gown Distribution: Seniors must pay all outstanding obligations, including Senior Dues, prior to receiving their cap and gown. Financial obligations can be paid online via myschoolbucks.com, by using the myschoolbucks mobile app, or in person on May 30. Here are instructions on how to access MySchoolBucks.com. All senior obligations must be paid before picking up their cap and gown. If you have any questions, please email Jeremy DeBoe, Finance Technician.

Students can pick up their cap and gown and senior gift on May 30 during their assigned times listed below.

• 10:00-11:00am - Last names A-L
• 11:30-12:30pm - Last names M-Z

Students enter through Door 11, at the front of the building, to the upper gym where they will turn in all equipment and supplies and pay any obligations in order to become eligible to graduate. 

May 31 - Graduation Rehearsal, 10:00-11:00am or 11:30-12:30pm: Graduation rehearsal will be held on the Annandale High School stadium field. Seniors who choose to participate in the Graduation Ceremony must attend graduation rehearsal. Seniors who choose to participate in the Graduation Ceremony must attend graduation rehearsal during their assigned times below. 

• 10:00-11:00am - Last names A-L
• 11:30-12:30pm - Last names M-Z

Students should meet on the home side stadium bleachers where they will receive information about the ceremony.

Opportunities

NOVA Early Online College Fall 2024 Semester Registration: NOVA Early Online College (EOC) allows rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses. EOC courses for the fall semester take place Monday, September 23, through Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Students should register by Friday, July 26, at 5 p.m. Courses are asynchronous, online, and for college credit only. Thirteen courses are offered along with courses that fulfill the IT Technical Support Career Studies Certificate. EOC courses meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degrees as well as being highly transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities. 

All Night Grad Celebration - Tickets on Sale Now! As we close this school year out we are so excited for our graduating Seniors. We are once again holding our All Night Grad Celebration, on June 4, 2024. All Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC) provides a safe, fun, chaperoned, alcohol-free, and drug-free event for the Class of 2024 to celebrate together one last time. It will be held at the Audrey Moore Rec-center. ANGC goes from 11pm until 5am the following morning. There will be swimming, dancing, a photo booth, prizes, loads of food and more! Tickets are on sale for only $45 now through May 31. After May 31 tickets are available at the door for $60.

Yearbooks Are Here! Yearbooks are available for pick-up and cash purchase in room 262 after school on Monday, May 20 and during all Red day lunches. If you pre-ordered a yearbook, bring your student ID when you come pick up your book. In-person sales must show purchase confirmation or bring cash. Use yearbookforever.com to purchase. Yearbooks are $85.

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students: Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as, mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss, anxiety, worry, fears, social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships, and academic stress. In order for students to participate, caregivers must give permission for FCPS to share basic demographic information with Hazel Health in ParentVUE and provide consent. Students can then be referred to therapy by a guardian or school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting your student’s counselor. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

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.

News from the PTSA

All Night Grad Celebration Volunteers Needed: Annandale High School’s All Night Grad Celebration is June 4 from 11:00pm-5:00am at Audrey Moore Rec Center! Parents can join the fun by volunteering to help! It takes a lot of volunteers to make this a successful night for our seniors. Please look at the sign-up and find a shift that works for you.

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.

Annandale HS Summer Camps

Looking for fun activities for your child this summer? Annandale High School is offering a variety of summer camps this year for current elementary and middle school students led by our own Annandale coaches. Help spread the word to friends, family and neighbors! More information on signups upcoming!

Registration for all camps can be found HERE. See descriptions of the various camps below. More information can be found at AnnandaleAtoms.net. Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp, and they should bring a snack and a water bottle each day. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to “Annandale Athletic Boosters.”

Payment is due on the first day of camp or can be made online by clicking on the camps link below (When paying online, there is an additional small fee for processing). Save the dates for our camps below!

Multi-Sport Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 17-21 ($120): Campers will have fun playing a variety of sports including basketball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and touch football. They will participate in fun contests and win prizes! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 8:30am-3:00pm. To pay online for the Multi-Sport Camp: Click Here.

Olympics Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 24-27 ($120): This exciting camp features team activities including soccer, volleyball, basketball, touch football, and relay races. Campers will also get a chance to compete and earn medals! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 8:30am-3:00pm. For questions about Multi-Sport or Olympics Camps, please reach out to Christopher Bagot, Camp Director and Varsity Coach. To pay online for the Olympics Camp: Click Here.

Basketball - Rising 4th-9th Graders - July 8-12 ($200): Campers will spend each day focused on developing their basketball skills. They will also receive a report card on their basketball abilities, a t-shirt, and a chance to win trophies. Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm. For questions about Basketball Camp please reach out to Jerome McAvoy, Camp Director and Varsity Coach. To pay online for the Basketball Camp: Click Here.