Annandale Community Insider - July 28

Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

This summer, I had the pleasure of spending time back home in Ohio with family and friends. Being there reminded me of the profound impact a strong community has on the life of a young person. This is precisely why I am so grateful to be part of Atom Nation, where a strong sense of community thrives both inside and outside the walls of our school.

It's heartening to see that many of you share this feeling of community. Recently, the division released the results of the Family Engagement Survey, and the responses highlighted the deep sense of connection we foster here at Annandale. You acknowledged the efforts of our staff to be actively engaged and present, such as our visibility in hallways and at school events. You also expressed appreciation for the personal relationships we build with students, which create an environment where every student feels valued and included. In addition, you recognized our commitment to regular and transparent communication with parents, as well as initiatives like parent coffees, principal town halls, and language interpretation services. Clearly, our staff, students, and families all contribute to the strong sense of community in Atom Nation.

At Annandale, we believe that while it's okay to be where you are, it's not okay to stay there. We rely heavily on feedback from staff, students, and our community to guide our improvement efforts. You asked for more support in developing students' social-emotional skills and more resources for parents to help their children thrive in high school. Additionally, there was a call for increased two-way communication among teachers, students, families, and the school. Based on your input, we will focus on these areas to continue to get better and ensure that Annandale is a great school for all students.

As always, please reach out with questions and Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

NOTE: Last week's newsletter was incorrectly titled June 21 instead of July 21. If you missed it, check out last week's Annandale Community Insider here.

Important Dates

July 30 - Band Camp Begins

August 1 - Golf Tryouts Begin

August 1 - Meet & Greet at Chick-fil-A

August 2-4 - Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday

August 5 - Fall Sports Tryouts Begin

August 8 - Our Voices, Our Future

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 17 - INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fair

August 19 - First Day of School for Students

August 30 and September 2 - No School (Labor Day Holiday)

September 19 - Back to School Night

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. 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 1 - Meet & Greet with Principal DeRose: Join Principal Shawn DeRose on Thursday, August 1 from 11:30am-1:00pm at Chick-fil-A Annandale to answer any questions that you may have about the upcoming school year.

August 2-4 - Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday: Virginia’s three-day sales tax holiday is Friday, August 2 though 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 must 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 8 - Our Voices, Our Future: Inspiration for Multilingual Learners: Jose Luis Zelaya will share his motivating life story at an event for middle and high school multilingual learners. Born in Honduras, he migrated to the United States and was the first in his family to graduate from high school — and attend college and earn a doctorate degree. Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners Summit will take place on Thursday, August 8 from 5-8:30pm at Annandale High School. Information will be available on colleges and career planning. Registration is not required, but it will help us plan. Language interpretation services will be available.

August 14 - Meet the Coaches Night, 6:30pm: The Activities Office will be hosting Meet the Coaches Night on Wednesday, August 14 at 6:30pm. The event will begin with a general session followed by individual team breakout sessions where you can meet your student's coaches and learn about their sports program and the upcoming season.

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 where families can see attendance, grades, and other important information.

August 15 - Freshmen (Grade 9) and New Student Orientation: Annandale High School is excited to welcome rising freshmen and new students to our school orientation on August 15 from 1:30-3:30pm. Students and families will meet administrators, counselors, teachers, and other essential school personnel. In addition, attendees will 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 and Information Session that will be held during New Student Orientation. 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. Find out about course selections, extra-curricular activities, and more! At the end of the session, families will have an opportunity to visit various stations for 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. It is an informal opportunity to get reacquainted with AHS. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Kara Franklin-Taylor.

Awesome Atoms!

Algebra 1 Bootcamp a Great Success! Students in Algebra 1 who passed the class but failed the SOL were recently invited to attend summer bootcamp at Annandale. Of the students that participated, more than 80% were able to earn a verified credit in math. Many thanks to Jen Kirk, Glenn Loup, Mariah Trigo Lee, and Karen Olarinde for supporting our Algebra 1 SOL Bootcamp!

Shawn DeRose Elected VASSP President: Congratulations to Shawn DeRose who has been elected as the President of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP). Founded in 1906, VASSP is a leading organization dedicated to promoting quality education and supporting school administrators in Virginia. As the seventh largest school administrators’ organization within the National Association of Secondary School Principals' network, VASSP provides unparalleled professional development and advocacy for its members. Mr. DeRose’s election is a testament to his dedication and leadership in the field of education. Congratulations, Mr. DeRose!

Katie Shaw Honored as Finalist for FCPS Outstanding New Secondary Teacher: Katie Shaw, Cat B teacher at Annandale High School, was recognized as a finalist for the FCPS Honors Outstanding New Secondary Teacher award. Katie teaches Pathways to Accessing Community Environments (PACE), a program serving students ages 18-22, where she emphasizes the importance of independence in life and job skills to ensure a seamless transition from high school to adulthood. Beyond her classroom duties, Katie is actively engaged in Atom Nation, supporting various school activities and serving as a Special Olympics coach. Congratulations Katie!

Mario Ramos Offers Inspirational Speech at the NOVA Advisory Council: Aspiring teacher, Annandale Instructional Assistant, and 2021 Graduation Speaker, Mario Ramos, shared his inspiring journey from El Salvador to becoming an educator this past week with the NOVA Advisory Council. In his speech, he expressed his gratitude for the support he received from Annandale High School and Northern Virginia Community College as he pursues his education. He also expressed his gratitude for the support of the Annandale community in achieving his dream of inspiring immigrant students.

Great Turnout at Annandale Summer Basketball Camp: This summer, campers at Annandale High School's basketball camp spent each day honing their basketball skills through a variety of drills and activities. Each participant received a detailed report card assessing their abilities, a camp t-shirt, and had the opportunity to compete for trophies. Directed by Jerome McAvoy, our Varsity basketball coach, the camp provided expert guidance and training, ensuring all attendees received top-notch instruction and support.

Upcoming Summer Camps

Annandale High School is offering two more camps this summer for 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 purchase lunch or bring one from home. They should also 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).

Baseball Skills Camp - August 12-16 from 5-7pm: Annandale is hosting a baseball skills camp designed for 3rd-9th graders on the baseball field at Annandale High. Focus will be on preparation for fall season and overall skill development. Camp will be conducted by Annandale High School Coaches and current college baseball players. Camp will run from 5-7pm. Questions? Reach out to head baseball coach and camp director Kevin Rudd. Each Session is $25 payable at check in. Register HERE. Multiple Campers - please complete the form for each child. 

Important Information

Support the PTSA Welcome Back Breakfast! As we gear up for another exciting school year, we invite you to contribute to the PTSA Welcome Back Breakfast for our dedicated teachers and staff on Thursday, August 15. This special event is our way of showing appreciation for their hard work and commitment to our students. Whether you can volunteer your time, donate breakfast items, or make a financial contribution, your support will make a huge difference. Together, we can create a warm and welcoming start to the new school year for our amazing educators. Sign Up here!

Class of 2024 Meningococcal Vaccine Reminder: The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into one of its schools. All students in grade 12 are required to have been immunized with one dose of the Meningococcal Vaccine given at the age of 16 or older. Please review the immunization requirements here. Proof of immunization must be submitted to the school. These documents need to be returned prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year. For more information on this requirement, visit this FCPS website.

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 completed 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 distributed 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 Elementary and Weyanoke Elementary.

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. 

News from Student Services

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.

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.

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.

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. 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. See below for detailed information.

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

News from the PTSA

PTSA Membership for the 2024-25 School Year: 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 2024-2025 school year by filling out the membership form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website. 

Support the PTSA Welcome Back Breakfast! As we gear up for another exciting school year, we invite you to contribute to the PTSA Welcome Back Breakfast for our dedicated teachers and staff on Thursday, August 15. This special event is our way of showing appreciation for their hard work and commitment to our students. Whether you can volunteer your time, donate breakfast items, or make a financial contribution, your support will make a huge difference. Together, we can create a warm and welcoming start to the new school year for our amazing educators. Sign Up here!

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!

1. Just sign up to be a red bag donor.
2. Fill the red bag with the list provided
3. 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.