Annandale Community Insider - September 1

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community:

Happy Labor Day weekend! I hope you’re enjoying this long weekend and finding time to relax. I spent most of the weekend hanging out with my mom and dad who were in town from Ohio.

As we embark on another school year, I want to highlight the incredible academic success of our students. Since mid-August, our teachers and staff have been reviewing data that showcases the progress we’ve made, and we've heard firsthand from students and families about the positive impact of our work. I encourage you to read our 2023-24 End-of-Year Report that highlights our students’ academic achievements.

Research shows that when students feel connected to their school, they are more likely to excel academically. One of the most effective ways we foster these connections is through the diverse clubs and activities we offer. At our upcoming Clubs & Activities Fair on Tuesday, September 3, during W4, students will have an opportunity to explore the wide range of extracurricular activities available at Annandale. By getting involved, students not only pursue their interests but also build relationships that support their academic and personal growth. Our Activities Department is dedicated to increasing student involvement, and we encourage all students to take full advantage of the opportunities to connect and thrive. For a list of clubs currently offered at Annandale, visit this website.

Our commitment to connecting with students, both in and out of the classroom, has made the start of this school year smooth and successful. Our staff’s dedication to fostering these relationships and setting clear expectations has been evident in every class and hallway transition. 

To ensure that all students can fully benefit from the learning opportunities in our classrooms, we have reinforced with students that our Atoms Agreement of "Determination" means we show up on time. In addition, we will once again rely on our Start on Time program. In this building-wide initiative, our entire team—teachers, counselors, administrators, coaches, and staff—will be working together to ensure that students make it to class on time.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

September 3 - Activities Fair (During W4)

September 4 - SAT School Day Intent Form Due

September 9 - Lockdown Drill

September 9 - Atoms Booster Club Meeting

September 9 - Late Busses Begin

September 10 - PTSA Meeting

September 10 & 11 - Underclass Pictures

September 11 & 13 - SR&R Lessons in W4

September 14 - Annandale Performing Arts Tag Day

September 16-20 - Hispanic Spirit week

September 19 - Back to School Night 

September 23-27 - Homecoming Week

September 26 - Senior Student/Parent College Night 

September 28 - Homecoming Dance

September 3 - Student Lockers Requests Available: Student lockers will be available by request beginning on Tuesday, September 3. Students will receive information about how to request a locker during W4.

September 3 - Club & Activities Fair: On Tuesday, September 3, we will be hosting our annual Clubs & Activities Fair during W4. Our goal as an Activities Department is increasing involvement and participation by our students in extracurricular offerings and the Activities Fair is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about everything that Annandale has to offer. For an up-to-date list of clubs currently offered at Annandale, visit this website. 

September 4 - SAT School Day Intent Form Due: On Wednesday, October 9, Annandale High School students in grade 12 will have the opportunity to take the SAT School Day. FCPS will cover the cost for any senior to take this test. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day. To reserve a seat for your senior to take this exam and ensure appropriate test materials are available for your student, families are asked to complete this form by Wednesday, September 4. Your student will need to use an @fcpsschools.net email account to access and complete this form. A translated version of the form may be found on the SAT School Day Intent Form webpage.

General information about the SAT School Day test format is available on the College Board webpage. We will share exam day schedules and additional details in the coming weeks. If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration at Annandale High School, please contact our College and Career Specialist/SAT School Day Coordinator, Viri Acosta.

September 9 - Late Buses Begin: Beginning on Monday, September 9, students who stay after school will have the opportunity to ride the late bus home. Late bus days are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Buses will pick students up in the back of the building with a departure time of approximately 4:45pm. Please check StudentVue and ParentVue for your student’s late bus number and stop. 

September 9 - Atoms Booster Club Meeting: Come learn more about how you can support our Atoms Athletics teams! This is a great opportunity to meet fellow supporters, hear about upcoming events, and find out how you can get involved. We look forward to seeing you there! We will meet at 6:30pm in the Driver’s Education room. Enter at Door 10.

September 10 - PTSA Meeting: The first PTSA of the 2024-25 school year will be on Tuesday, September 10 at 7:00pm. PTSA meetings are bilingual and Spanish translation is provided. Las reuniones de PTSA son bilingües y se proporciona traducción al español. Join us in Clausen Hall or virtually! Visit the Annandale PTSA website for more information.

September 10 & 11 - Underclassmen Pictures: Underclassmen pictures will be taken through English classes on September 10 and 11 in the auditorium. Parents should receive an email from Legacy Studios with online ordering instructions and mailing options. Families can order ahead of time or after picture days. For assistance, please contact Legacy Studios Customer Care team directly at customercare@legacystudios.com or 716-512-6336.

September 11 & 13 - SR&R Lessons in W4: On Wednesday, September 11, we will start our Student Rights and Responsibilities lessons in W4. The lessons are divided into two different parts to help facilitate student conversations and build community in our classes. Part 1 will be an interactive lesson to build community and understanding around our school norms. Students will also receive a hard copy of the SR&R Signature Sheet for parents/guardians to sign. The form should be turned into their W4 teacher on Friday, September 13. Part 2 will include the SR&R test.

September 14 - Annandale Performing Arts Tag Day: Tag day is a major performing arts fundraiser where members of the Annandale Bands, Theater Chorus and Orchestra go door to door within the community to ask for donations. The donations assist in funding uniforms, costumes, instruments, scholarships, clinicians, music, supplies, and registration for competitions. Your continued support enables us to proudly represent our school and community throughout the year.

September 15 through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month: National Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15 through October 15. FCPS and Annandale High School recognize and celebrate the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month on the FCPS webpage.

September 16-20 - Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week: The Hispanic Student Union is hosting its Spirit Week to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from September 16-20. Dress for each day’s theme to show your support! Monday: Jersey Day (Wear a Latin country jersey or colors); Tuesday: Dress like your favorite Latino role model, celebrity, or athlete; Wednesday: Latin Heritage Day (Wear a traditional dress or shirt representing a Hispanic country; Thursday: Dress as your future self (Doctor, teacher, firefighter, police, etc); Friday: “Sí se puede” Day (Wear your favorite college colors or Annandale’s colors to show your commitment to graduating from high school).

September 18 - Annual Open House for the Public Safety Cadets: The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is hosting their annual Open House for the Public Safety Cadets Unit 505 on Wednesday, September 18 beginning at 7:00pm in the AHS Auditorium. We'll discuss the program and explain how young people can join. Find more information on our website.

September 19 - Back to School Night, 6-8pm: Back to School Night (BTSN) will be on Thursday, September 19 from 6-8pm. BTSN is an opportunity to share with families what their student is learning in school and how to better support them. Similar to years past, this event will be an opportunity for families to have a brief, one-on-one, mini-conference with their students’ teachers. 

September 19 - IB Diploma Parent Meeting: Parents of IB Diploma Juniors and Seniors are invited to attend a meeting to discuss IB requirements and support structures Annandale offers to ensure students are successful. The meeting will be held during Back to School Night, Thursday, September 19. Linda Bradshaw, IB Diploma Coordinator, will meet with parents of Juniors from 7:15-7:35 pm, and parents of Seniors from 7:40-8:00 pm, in the Main Gym. How do you know if your child is an IB Diploma candidate? Check their 4th period/Teacher Advisory in their schedule. IB Diploma candidates have one of the following teachers: Consumano, Duran-Russell, Dwyer, Hanneman, Herman, Layaly, Mathis, Obando, or Weintraut. If you are unable to attend, the presentation slides will be posted in the Community Insider following the meeting. Questions? Please email Linda Bradshaw.

September 26 - Senior Student/Parent College Night, 6-8pm: Are you undecided about what path to pursue after high school? Please join us on Thursday, September 26 to learn about various postsecondary options and what seniors can do now to prepare. Representatives from 4-year universities, community college, trade, and military will speak about their opportunities. Students and parents will be given the opportunity to ask the speakers questions. The event will take place in Clausen Hall. Questions? Email College and Career Specialist, Viri Acosta.

Important Information

Monitoring Bathrooms: Schools across Fairfax County and the nation have faced alarming incidents related to drug use and overdoses, including the use of substances like fentanyl. The bathrooms, being private areas, are unfortunately susceptible to such illicit activities. Students who are loitering in the school bathrooms with other students multiple times during the school day will be verbally warned, issued a bathroom loitering letter and a parent conference will be held with the administrator.

Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE: Want to get ahead of the back-to-school forms and checklists? Make sure you have a SIS ParentVUE account for your family and log in to find forms and updates. Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Update Your Student’s Immunizations and Records: Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office. Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website. 

Course Change Process: Our counselors will continue to make modifications to student schedules that have errors. Students seeking a schedule change need to complete the Schedule Change Request Form located in Student Services. This form will only be available from August 25-September 6. Counselors will prioritize these requests based on student need and will contact students as necessary.  Written parent permission will be required for changes resulting in a different diploma type or moving down a level of rigor.  Please reach out to your student’s counselor or Erin Crowley if you have any questions.

Monitor Your Student’s Online Activity: FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service. Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

Reporting Student Attendance: In order for our students to get the most out of their education, they must be in school and on time to class every day. Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half of the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. If your student must be absent from school, please inform the school. The attendance phone number is 703-642-4151.

In addition, parents now have the option to submit full-day absences through ParentVUE. Parent instructions are available on the Attendance page.

Safety Drills During the School Year: Keeping students and staff safe is a priority at Annandale High School. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including fire and lockdown drills, each year. 

Next week, we will conduct our first lockdown drill of the school year. Your student may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your student about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Here are some helpful tips for families to use to support their students before and after school lockdown drills. Working together, we create a safe, secure environment for students to learn and grow in our schools.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Every Student! We're excited to announce that all Annandale students will receive free breakfast and lunch every day of the school year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This USDA program ensures that every student, regardless of their family's income level, can enjoy nutritious meals at no cost. The meal service will remain the same as other schools, with a la carte items available for purchase.

Note: Even though all students receive free meals, families who may qualify for additional benefits, such as fee waivers for lab fees, summer school tuition, and more, should still complete the Consent to Share form. Visit FCPS Free and Reduced Priced Meals website for more information.

Cell Phone Policy: Phones and accessories must be silenced and put away during all instructional periods. Watches that serve a dual purpose (e.g., smart watch) may be worn; however, phone features (e.g., texting, Internet, calls, etc.) are to be off when phone use is prohibited. Students are prohibited from using phones, tablets, and other mobile devices in restrooms and locker rooms, unless there is a medical necessity or emergency. Teachers may allow usage of cell phone for instructional activities where they are the most appropriate tool, however one-to-one FCPS devices should meet most needs.

If you have an emergency and need to be in touch with your student, please contact the front office. Complete information can be found in the Student Rights & Responsibilities document.

Awesome Atoms

Annandale Alumni Making a Difference at GW! Former Annandale High School students, Husna Basiri and Sosan Barakzai, have embarked on their academic journeys at George Washington University, bringing with them a legacy of compassion and leadership. Husna and Sosan were instrumental in founding the Dunya Club at Annandale, a group that provided community, support, and cultural adaptation resources to newly arrived Afghan refugees. As public health majors, their dedication to helping others has continued at GW, where they are both pursuing careers in medicine. Driven by a strong desire to give back and support those facing significant barriers to education and personal growth, they are both pursuing degrees, Husna in biological studies at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and Sosan at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, with sights set on one day going to medical school. Check out the article in GW Today.

Annandale Performing Arts Recruitment Tour - The Annandale Performing Arts Recruitment Tour recently took place, with our talented students visiting feeder elementary schools to promote the excitement and creativity of our performing arts programs. It was an inspiring and successful tour, and we were thrilled to share our passion for the arts with the next generation of performers!

AHS 2023-24 End of Year Report Highlights Academic Success! Annandale High School achieved outstanding academic success during the 2023-24 school year, with English scores rising to 97%, Math scores at 90%, and a remarkable 9% increase in Science. These results reflect our commitment to academic excellence and collaboration, earning us recognition as the only high school in Virginia to be named a Model Professional Learning Community at Work®. Read more about our achievements in the End-of-Year Report.

Opportunities

Student Leadership Development Program Applications Open: The FCPS School Board is accepting applications for the Student Leadership Development Program, open to high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in good academic standing with an interest in law, government, or public policy. Twelve students will be selected to work closely with the School Board, participate in advisory committees, and even run for student representative. Applications are due by September 30, 2024. For more details and to apply, visit FCPS Student Leadership Development Program.

*Atoms Football Seven-Day Wellness Challenge: Are you ready to transform your fitness, health, and wellness while supporting a great cause? Join our 7-Day Online Fitness & Wellness Challenge with Atoms Football Strength Coach and Online Trainer Matt Stevens and Atoms Defensive Coordinator and Life Coach Cory Daise. Experience a week of expertly designed workouts and nutrition challenges that will kickstart your journey to a healthier, fitter you. This isn't just about fitness – it's about making a positive impact. All proceeds go to Annandale High School Football, helping us fund equipment for the team.

You’ll get: 1) Accessible and effective daily workouts tailored for all fitness levels. 2) Simple, actionable nutrition challenges with tips and recipes to improve your diet. 3) A community of like-minded individuals to help you stay motivated, 4) Expert advice and coaching.

Boost Your Fitness and Jump start your wellness, contribute to the betterment of Annandale High School, build healthy habits, and have fun! Sign up now for just $15 and take the first step towards a healthier you while making a difference in our community.

September 4-6 - Auditions for Peter Pan & Wendy: The Annandale Theater Company invites all students to audition for our Fall Play, “Peter Pan & Wendy,” taking place from September 4-6. Prepare a 1-minute contemporary monologue and showcase your talent on stage! If you have questions or need help finding a monologue, visit Ms. Murray in Room 324. Don't miss this opportunity - sign up to audition here. See you on stage!

September 15 - VDOE Student Advisory Board Applications Due: The Student Advisory Board is a highly competitive opportunity consisting of one high school senior from each of the eight Superintendent’s Regions in the Commonwealth. Appointed by the Governor, the Board works closely with the VDOE to provide student perspectives on important issues and play a vital role in the creation of policy by the Virginia Board of Education. Applications are open to any Virginia rising high school senior. The application window closes September 15. Find out more information today!

Visit the AHS Library! The AHS Library welcomes you! No pass is needed to visit before school (7:45-8:10am), during Second Chance Breakfast, or after school until 3:15 pm. However, an official AHS pass is required during all instructional blocks. During Pride Time, the library is open for students who are signed up and have a pass - just talk to your W4 teacher to get signed up. We look forward to seeing you! For any questions, please contact Pat Brown or Jane Scharankov.

Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost: FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

September 21 - Taste of Annandale! The annual Taste of Annandale is a vibrant celebration of our community’s rich diversity and a testament to the power of collaboration. This family-friendly event brings together residents, local businesses, and restaurants, highlighting the unique flavors and cultures that make Annandale special. Organized by a dedicated team of volunteers and leaders from various Fairfax County agencies, the festival is rooted in a decade-long commitment to fostering community engagement that began with the “Dialogues on Diversity” at Annandale High School. Today, the Taste of Annandale not only showcases our community but also supports vital youth programs through its proceeds. Stay connected and learn more by visiting the Taste of Annandale Facebook page.

News from Student Services

College & Career Planning Resources: Check out our Student Services Schoology Course, which provides up-to-date information on the college application process; college representative visits; financial aid, FAFSA/VASA workshops; military options; information on apprenticeships and resources for finding a job. 

Thursday College Application Workshops: Every Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm in Trailer 14, Counselors and AVID students will be assisting students with various topics: Making a College List; Transcript Request Form; Common App; and 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 these directions 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. Show the confirmation email to your teacher and get permission to attend. Finally, visit the College & Career Center (Room 103) to pick up your pass. Students who are not registered in Naviance for a college visit will be denied entry. Please note that students can register for up to six college visits!

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; Academic stress. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information

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.

Purchase Your 'Atoms Pass' for 2024-2025! The Atoms Booster Club’s All-Season passes are back! The "Atoms Pass" provides you general admission access to all regular season home football, baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, and wrestling events. With more than nine sports showcased, you can save BIG with the all-season pass! To purchase your Click here to purchase your 2024-25 Atoms Booster Pass! 

Purchase a Red Card! Each fall, our sports programs sell a discount “Red Card” to raise money for their teams. The red cards include various discounts at local businesses including: Sweet Frog, Jersey Mike’s, Jet’s Pizza, Kilroy’s, Arby’s, Bowlero, Jiffy Lube, and AHS Sports Camps. Red Cards are only $20 and can be used at any of the businesses through September 1, 2025. If you would like to purchase a Red Card, please reach out to a fall athlete or email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities.

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.

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 online Membership Form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website.

PTSA Pantry Is Always Restocking and Needs Your Help! The AHS PTSA Pantry supports current AHS students who experience food insecurity. We are gearing up for the new school year and need your help to restock our shelves! In addition, the pantry distribution schedule for the school year can be found here. All donations to the AHS PTSA Pantry are tax deductible. Contact the pantry with questions.