Annandale Community Insider - September 8

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community:

Friday night marked the first home football game of the season, kicking off with a beautiful performance of the national anthem by students from across the Annandale pyramid. The performance set the tone for a night that brought together students, families, and staff from every corner of the community, showcasing the strong connections that define Annandale. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our students! We hope to see you again this Friday as we take on Hayfield.

At Annandale, we are deeply committed to being a school where every student can thrive. We work collaboratively to ensure that all students have access to the resources and support they need to succeed, both academically and personally. And as we continue to see, this approach is making a real difference.

One of our most effective tools for student success is PRIDE Time, a dedicated period where students receive targeted academic interventions. Right now, teacher teams and our Instructional Coaches are working to assess student needs and identify students for PRIDE Time Intervention. This year, PRIDE Time will begin on Monday, October 7. 

We also encourage students to take advantage of our After School Academic Program (ASAP). While some students will be assigned to ASAP beginning on Monday, October 7, students who stay after school will have the opportunity to ride the late bus home starting this Monday. Late bus days are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. All teachers stay after school at least one of these days to provide academic help. Please refer to this list to see which day your student’s teacher is available for after-school support.

In addition to after school academic support, Annandale offers a range of opportunities to get involved. This past Tuesday, students had an opportunity to visit with members of over 60 of Annandale's clubs, organizations, and athletic teams at our annual Activities Fair. Students were able to learn more about each organization, their meetings, and how to join. We encourage families to talk with their students about taking advantage of these opportunities.

I could not be more proud of our staff’s ability to work together to cultivate a community of belonging for every student and ensure high quality instruction and support in every class. I also know that we could not accomplish this amazing work without the support of our families and community. Thank you for all that you do to make Atom Nation such an amazing place.

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

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

September 9 & 11 - SR&R Lessons in W4

September 9 - Late Buses Begin

September 9 - Atoms Booster Club Meeting

September 10 - PTSA Meeting

September 10 & 11 - Underclass Pictures

September 14 - Annandale Performing Arts Tag Day

September 15 through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month

September 16-20 - Hispanic Spirit week

September 18 - Public Safety Cadets Open House

September 19 - Lockdown Drill

September 19 - Back to School Night, 6-8pm

September 19 - IB Diploma Parent Meeting

September 26 - Senior Student/Parent College Night, 6-8pm

September 23-27 - Homecoming Week

September 26 - Senior Student/Parent College Night 

September 28 - Homecoming Dance

October 3 - Rosh Hashanah (No School)

October 4 - Teacher Work Day (No School)

October 9 - PSAT/SAT Day

October 14 - Staff Development Day (No School)

September 9 & 11 - SR&R Lessons in W4: Tomorrow, September 9, 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 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 in-person 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 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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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 Singers Invited to Sing the National Anthem for FCPS School Board: Once again, the Annandale Singers have been invited to represent Annandale High School and sing the National Anthem for the FCPS Board Meeting which is to be held Thursday, September 12 at 7:00pm at Luther Jackson MS. Families and friends may watch in person at Jackson Middle School or streaming live on Channel 21.

Boys Volleyball Earns First Win in Program History! Congratulations to our Boys Volleyball Team, who notched their first win in program history on Thursday night in an away match against Hayfield! After winning a close first set, the Atoms went on to lose the next two, including a 25-7 loss (yikes) in the third set. Even when the game seemed out of reach, tremendous positivity and leadership from senior captains Tyson Perkins and Logan Noyes spurred on a fourth set comeback win. In truly dramatic fashion, the Atoms overcame a seemingly impossible 14-10 deficit in the 5th set to win 19-17 and secure their first ever win! Each and every player demonstrated admirable determination and a strong will to overcome adversity that should make everyone in the Annandale community proud.

Activities Fair a Huge Success! This past Tuesday, students had an opportunity to visit with members of over 60 of Annandale's clubs, organizations, and athletic teams at the annual Activities Fair. Students were able to learn more about each organization, their meetings, and how to join. This event will be followed by our first W4 Day during W4/Pride Time on Monday, October 28. Be on the lookout for more information during an upcoming W4 Lesson.

Opportunities

September 11 National Day of Service: With the upcoming 23rd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.

All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.

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.

October 10 - Camp Night for Annandale Football: Any camper who wears their camp shirt to the football game gets in free with a payment. Up to four campers per adult. Come watch the Atoms play and reunite with some friends from camp!

Winter Olympics Camp Early Bird Sign-up: Winter Break Camp will again run from 8:30am-3pm, with drop off as early as 8am on Thursday and Friday Jan 2 and 3rd, 2025. Sign up now for the early bird rate of $60. Regular Rate is $75. Sign up at https://bit.ly/OlympicsCamp25.

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 fitness and 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 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.

Upcoming College Visits – Register Now! Beginning next week, Our College & Career Center will host visits from representatives for colleges and universities throughout the country. Next week, we will be hosting Virginia Commonwealth University, Randolph College, Columbia University, Bridgewater College, George Mason University, the University of Chicago.

Juniors and Seniors who are interested in attending must log into Naviance to register. Click on "Colleges" at the top of the page and then click on "college visits." Click "register now" for the visits you would like to attend. Then, visit the College & Career Center (Room 103) to pick up your pass. Students will need permission from their teacher to attend. Students who are not registered in Naviance for a college visit will be denied entry. Please note that students are limited to registering 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.