Annandale Students, Parents and Community:
Welcome to the official start of the 2024-25 school year!
I just returned from vacation in Ohio, where I spent time with my family on the shores of Lake Erie. We had fun boating, tubing, and skiing. In addition, our trip included attending a Cleveland Guardians game, taking in Back to the Future: The Musical and experiencing the thrill of riding roller coasters at Cedar Point.
Each and every week, I will send out an " Annandale Community Insider" to students, parents and community members that communicates the amazing things that are happening here at Annandale and outlines ways to get involved. In addition, I hope this newsletter will not only keep you up to date on all things Annandale, but will also serve as a conversation starter between students and parents about specific events here at Annandale.
The start of our fall sports season begins in a few weeks, and I want to encourage students to participate in after school activities, especially sports, this upcoming school year. The benefits of participating in athletics, arts and other activities in high school is well documented. Students who participate in athletics in high school, for example, perform better academically than their peers. In fact, the National Association of State High School Associations recently stated that students who participate high school athletics 1) have a stronger sense of self-confidence in building relationships with others and having an expanded capacity for empathy; 2) develop a better understanding of self and how their actions affect others; and 3) build foundations for lifelong fitness habit.
Fall sports, which include cheer, cross-country, football, field hockey, and volleyball will begin on Monday, August 5. Golf tryouts will begin on Thursday, August 1. No experience is necessary. All are welcome! To participate, students need to complete a VHSL physical form and register online to play. Here is the link to the physical form that must be completed by a doctor. To register online, click here. Directions can be found here in English and in Spanish. Once you have completed the physical form, turn in the form at the Activities Office. The office is open every day from 8:00am-2:00pm. See detailed tryout information below and if you have any questions, email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities.
The Marching Atoms Band Camp begins on July 30 from 8:00am to 4:00pm. This year, professional instructors and alumni from Carolina Crown, James Madison University, University of North Texas, George Mason University, Florida State University, and University of Virginia will be working with our students. Please use the following link to register: Marching Atoms. If you have any questions, email Dr. Chad Steffey, Director of Bands.
Finally, throughout the coming weeks and once school has started, I will continue to share the many opportunities we offer to students to help them deepen their connections with our Annandale High School community.
As always, please reach out with questions and Go Atoms!
Shawn DeRose, Principal
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Important Dates
July 30 - Band Camp Begins
August 1 - Golf Tryouts Begin
August 2-4 - Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday
August 5 - Fall Sports Tryouts Begin
August 14 - Meet the Coaches Night
August 15 - Student Schedules Available
August 15 - Parent Information Session
August 15 - New Student Orientation/Open House
August 16 - Marching Band Showcase
August 19 - First Day of School for Students
August 30 and September 2 - No School (Labor Day Holiday)
September 19 - Back to School Night 2023
September 23-27 - Homecoming Week
September 28 - Homecoming Dance
July 30 - Band Camp Begins: The Marching Atoms Band Camp begins on July 30 from 8:00am to 4:00pm. We will be greeting all students at Door 2 on the first day of band camp. We have a full staff of professional instructors ready to work with our students, including alumni from Carolina Crown, the JMU Marching Royal Dukes, the University of North Texas, George Mason University, Florida State University, and University of Virginia. Register here!
Band Camp will run from July 30-August 16, culminating in our annual Family Night and Showcase. A full schedule will be provided on the first day of camp. In the meantime, please see important information about parent volunteers and required forms at the Annandale Bands website or email our Director of Bands, Chad Steffey. All marching band participants will need a VHSL Physical. You may download the form here: VHSL Physical Exam form.
The Marching Atoms are eager to welcome members from other fine arts departments to join the color guard, tech crew, and front ensemble. Color guard involves choreographed dance, flags, sabers, and rifles. The tech crew involves audio equipment, props, and support equipment. The front ensemble includes mallet keyboards, percussion, and other electronic instruments. Violin, piano, and bass players are also welcome!
August 1 - Golf Tryouts Begin: Golf tryouts being Thursday, August 1 from 10:00am-12:00pm at Pinecrest Golf Course. If you have any questions please reach out to Frank Stevens, Golf Coach.
August 2-4 - Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday: Virginia’s three-day sales tax holiday is Friday, August 2- Sunday, August 4. During the sales tax holiday, you can buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star and WaterSense products without paying sales tax. For more information on eligible items, visit Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday webpage.
August 5 - Fall Sports Begin: Fall sports, which include Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Field Hockey, and Volleyball will begin, Monday, August 5. No experience is necessary. All are welcome! Students who wish to participate in fall sports need to complete a VHSL physical form and register online to play. Here is the link to the physical form that must be completed by a doctor. To register online, click here. Directions can be found here in English and in Spanish. Once you have completed the Physical Form, turn it into the Activities Office inside Door 10. The office is open every day from 8:00am-2:00pm. Questions, email Brandon Sutphin.
August 15 - Student Schedules Available: Beginning Thursday, August 15 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 15 - 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 15 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 15 - Parent Information Session: We would like to also invite parents to a Family Coffee session that will be held during New Student Orientation from 1:30-3:30pm. During this information session, you will learn more about Annandale HS, our values, and what to expect as your student(s) matriculates through high school 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 15 - Open House: All returning Annandale students and their families are invited to our Open House on August 15 from 3:30-4:30pm. 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 AHS. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Kara Franklin Taylor.
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Awesome Atoms!
Building Improvements Continue This Summer! Special shoutout to our custodians, who are working hard to prepare for the return of staff and students. In addition to cleaning classrooms and waxing floors, they are ensuring that our school is in top shape for the new academic year. Their dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed, and we are incredibly grateful for their efforts in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
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Cooper Holtz Accepted to Virginia Summer Residential Governor’s School for Spanish: Congratulations to rising senior, Cooper Holtz, who participated in a rigorous selection process for the Spanish Language Governor’s School Summer Residential Program. Summer Residential Governor’s Schools provide high school juniors and seniors with intensive educational experiences. Cooper has shown exceptional determination to become fluent in Spanish. In his spare time, he volunteers at the Culmore Clinic, where he has an opportunity to practice Spanish with patients as he assists them in setting appointments. Way to go, Cooper!
Multi-Sport Camp A Huge Success! Our Multi-Sport Camp for rising 2nd-9th graders, which took place from June 17-21, was a huge success! Campers had a fantastic time playing a variety of sports, including basketball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and touch football. They also enjoyed participating in fun contests and winning exciting prizes. It was a wonderful opportunity for our young athletes to stay active, make new friends, and enjoy a week full of fun and games.
Important Information
Summer Office Hours: The Annandale Main Office will be open on weekdays from 8:00am-2:00pm this summer. Registrations are by appointment only. Please contact Annandale registrar, Esther Amenyah to schedule an appointment.
IB Transcript Requests: Graduates who filled out the Senior Survey in May will have an IB transcript sent to the college that was listed in the survey. IB will send out transcripts in August. If you have questions, please contact Linda Bradshaw.
IB Scores Released: Information on how to obtain IB scores was handed out during IB testing. Results are now posted and can be found at https://candidates.ibo.org. Please reach out to Linda Bradshaw, IB Diploma Coordinator if you need login information or have questions.
SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE: Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests. Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines. Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Free Breakfast, Lunch and Afternoon Snack All Summer! - Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack are provided free of charge! Here is the weekly menu. There is no registration involved and everyone is welcome! Click here for more information. The nearest locations from Annandale High School are Braddock ES and Weyanoke ES.
Free Student Bus Pass Program: Did you know that middle school students and high school students attending FCPS are eligible to participate in our Free Student Bus Pass Program. This allows students to ride the Connector, Metro (Falls Church HS, Justice HS, Annandale HS, Davis Ctr and Marshall HS), and Cue buses for free, seven days a week between the hours of 7:00am and 10:00pm. Click here for more information on the program.
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News from Student Services
Support Still Available for Seniors Applying for College Financial Aid! Parents and students from the Class of 2024 who would like help completing or correcting your FAFSA or VASA? College Access Fairfax will be holding free clinics throughout the summer at various locations in the county. Clinics are currently scheduled throughout June and July. Both the student and a parent/guardian must attend the clinic. Applicants should bring a laptop to the events that are not at FCPS sites. Spanish Translation will be available. For more information, to register for a clinic, or to request a one-on-one appointment, please visit www.collegeaccessfairfax.org. These services are free of charge.
Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations: This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from now through Friday, August 2. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or social worker by phone or videoconference. We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.
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 5pm. 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.
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.
August 17 - INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fair: Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5+ with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at their summer health fair on August 17 in Falls Church. This event is for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. Appointments are required. No walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.
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News from the Activities Office
At Annandale, we foster belonging both inside and outside the classroom. Sports and activities are another way for students to deepen a sense of belonging at school. To learn more about Annandale's Spring sports programs, check out this week’s “Atoms Athletics and Activities Newsletter." In addition, learn more about Annandale High School Athletics and Activities by visiting their website, AHS Athletics Twitter or Instagram page.
Annandale Athletics Yearlong Recap: Thank you to our student-athletes, coaches, staff, parents, and community for making the 2023-2024 year a success at Annandale. Check out this week’s “Atoms Athletics and Activities Newsletter" for a recap of the past school year that includes fall, winter, and spring sports.
Add Your name to the Atoms Legacy Wall: The Annandale High School history of success, community support, and strong alumni base stretches back to its creation in 1954. To help commemorate and preserve that legacy, students, alumni, and community members have the opportunity to purchase an acrylic block on the Legacy Wall as a graduation or birthday gift, or to simply share a legacy with the Annandale community. Each acrylic block can be purchased for $100 and will be displayed along the stadium field wall. To purchase a block, visit myschoolbucks.com. *Note orders will be made once the quantity reaches 50 purchased blocks* For more information, contact Brandon Sutphin or Bryan Harris.
Band Camp Begins July 30: The Marching Atoms band camp begins on July 30 from 8:00am to 4:00pm. We will be greeting all students at Door 2 on the first day of band camp. This year, professional instructors and alumni from Carolina Crown, James Madison University, University of North Texas, George Mason University, Florida State University, and University of Virginia will be working with our students. Please use the following link to register: Marching Atoms. If you have any questions, email Dr. Chad Steffey, Director of Bands.
Interested in Playing a Fall Sport? Complete the AHS Fall Interest Form to receive information about green days, program expectations, tryouts, etc. from one of our fall head coaches.
Fall 2024 Sports Tryout Dates: Mark your calendars for Fall 2024 sports tryout dates. Golf tryouts begin on Thursday, August 1 and all other fall sports (football, cheer, field hockey, cross-country & volleyball) will begin on Monday, August 5.
Fall Sports Physicals and Registration: To participate in marching band or any fall sport, students need to complete a VHSL physical form and register online. Here is the link to the physical form that must be completed by a doctor. To register online, click here. Directions can be found here in English and in Spanish. Once you have completed the physical form, turn in the form at the Activities Office. The office is open every day from 8:00am-2:00pm. See detailed tryout information below and if you have any questions, email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities.
For last minute physicals, visit local CVS minute clinics and urgent care facilities below.
CVS Minute Clinic Locations
- 3921 Prosperity Ave, Fairfax, VA
- 7205 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA
Progressive Urgent and Primary Care
- 7306 Maple Pl, Annandale, VA
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News from the PTSA
Annandale PTSA Pantry: Throughout the summer, Annandale High School pantry families are invited to attend a fresh produce pop up on Sunday afternoons at Luther Jackson Middle School from 3:00-3:45 (may close earlier if all the produce has been distributed)
Looking ahead to next year, we will again be partnering with Food for Neighbors and participating in their Red Bag drives, which help stock our shelves and provide student centered snacks. 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
- Put the red bag outside your door by 8:30am on the donation days.
A little extra help is needed, one of our refrigerators is no longer working properly and we hope to replace it over the summer. We are really close to our fundraising goal. Please consider making a donation toward helping us plug in a new refrigerator. Donations of all sizes will help us reach our goal and any additional funds raised will be used to stock our shelves.
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