Annandale Community Insider - November 11

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community:

Happy Veterans Day, Atom Nation! Today, we honor the veterans who have bravely served our country. Last Friday, Annandale High School marked this special day with a W4 lesson dedicated to recognizing the sacrifices of veterans and their families. During W4 Advisory, students had the opportunity to reflect on the contributions of service members, especially those in our own AHS community. We are proud to recognize Annandale staff members who have served in the Armed Forces: Herb Eggert, Regina Jackson, PJ Taylor, Leonard Bumbaca, and Chad Steffey.

This coming weekend marks the opening of the Annandale Theatre Company’s performance of Peter Pan and Wendy, a reimagined classic that follows budding scientist Wendy Darling as she chooses adventure and discovery over finishing school. Together with Peter Pan, Tiger Lily, and friends, Wendy faces fairies, mermaids, and the notorious Captain Hook as she learns the power of courage and standing up for what’s right. This family-friendly production brings a new perspective to J.M. Barrie’s beloved story. Performances are scheduled for November 15 at 7:00pm and November 16 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are $5 for children under ten, $10 for students, and $15 for general admission. Purchase your tickets today!

Finally, we have extended the deadline for FCPS Honors nominations to Monday, November 18. These awards recognize exceptional educators and staff across FCPS, and we encourage you to nominate Annandale staff members who have made a difference. This is a opportunity to celebrate those who go above and beyond for our students. To nominate an Annandale staff member, please complete the AHS Outstanding Employee Nomination Form.

Have a great week and as always, please reach out with any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Deadline Extended! FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Nominations!

At Annandale High School, we believe our staff is truly exceptional, and the work they do for our students deserves to be celebrated outside of Atom Nation! Each year, FCPS recognizes staff members who demonstrate outstanding excellence in their roles, including Outstanding Teacher, New Teacher, Leader, Professional Employee, Operational Employee, and Principal. We invite you to join us in honoring the incredible contributions made every day by highlighting some of our amazing staff members. Let’s shine a spotlight on the excellence that makes Annandale special!

To nominate an Annandale staff member, please complete the AHS Outstanding Employee Nomination Form. If you are interested in learning more about the overall FCPS awards process, you can visit the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Website. Nominations are due on Monday, November 18. Contact Jae Lee with any questions.

Important Dates

November 11 - Veterans Day (No School)

November 11 - Winter Sport Tryouts Begin

November 12 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm

November 12 - FCPS Honors Nominations Due

November 13 - Fall Check-In Survey Closes

November 15 - Federal Impact Aid Survey Due

November 15 & 16 - Fall Play

November 16 - Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service

November 18 - PTSA Hidden in Plain Sight, 6:30pm

November 18 - Boundary Review Community Meeting

November 19 - PRIDE Time 2.0 Begins

November 19 - Meet the Coaches Night, 6:30pm

November 21 - Thanksgiving Lunch

November 21 - FAFSA Completion Event, 6pm

November 25 - W4 Activities Day

November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break (No School)

November 11 - Winter Sport Tryouts Begin: Winter sports include basketball, swim & dive, wrestling, gymnastics, sideline cheer, and indoor track. In order to participate, there are 2 items that need to be completed prior to the first day of tryouts: 1) Sports Physical - Completed and turned in to Athletic Trainers Ryan Hughes and 2) Activity Registration. This is an online submission that encompasses the Emergency Care Form and Concussion Education Training. Students interested in participating in a winter sport can submit their physicals and register for a sport on Monday, November 11 from 9:00am-12:00pm in the main gym lobby. The first official day for winter tryouts will be Tuesday, November 12. For more information about tryouts, check out www.annandaleatoms.net. 

November 12 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30pm: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, November 12 at 6:30pm in the library. Spanish translation will be available. If you can't attend in person, consider joining us virtually on Zoom. The link will be active 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. Also, if you have not done so already, please consider joining the PTSA by filling out the online Membership Form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website.

November 13 - Fall Check-In Survey Closes: With the school year well underway, we want to hear from our staff, students and families. Specifically, we would like to hear what is going well for you and your student, what is a challenge you would like to work together to problem-solve, who is someone who has helped you, and answer any questions. Yesterday, families received a reminder email with a link to the survey. We would appreciate your feedback by Wednesday, November 13. In the coming weeks, we will share survey trends as well as how we are responding to your feedback.

November 15 - Federal Impact Aid Survey Due: FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year to ensure that all students in FCPS receive an excellent education. This year, families will have access to the Federal Impact Aid Survey in electronic format via ParentVUE. All parents with a ParentVUE account will have received an email from the division last week and can complete the survey online. Step by step directions for filling out the online form can be found here. For families who are unable to complete the survey on-line or do not do so prior to November 11, a paper form will be provided to students on November 15 during their W4 class.

November 15 & 16 - Fall Play: The Annandale Theatre Company is proud to present “Peter Pan and Wendy.” Bold, budding scientist Wendy Darling dreams of earning a Nobel Prize. When Peter Pan arrives at her bedroom window, she takes a leap and leaves finishing school behind, chasing adventure among the stars. Facing down fairies, mermaids, and the dastardly Captain Hook, Wendy, Peter, Tiger Lily and their friends discover the power of standing up together for what’s right. J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan is reimagined for a new generation of theatre goers as a bright, charming, feminist, anti-colonial, empowering play for all ages. Performances are on November 15 at 7:00pm and November 16 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are $5 for children under ten, $10 for students, and $15 general admission.

Exclusive Opportunity: $25 Dinner & Show Ticket (Friday, Nov 15 only) – Enjoy a delicious meal before the show prepared by our AHS Culinary Program. Purchase your tickets today!

November 16 - Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service: Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service will be offered for FCPS secondary students on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 9:00-11:30am at Edison High School. Dr. José Luis Zelaya, keynote speaker at the Multilingual Learners’ Summit this past summer, will be returning as the featured guest for this student workshop. Dr. Zelaya will engage and empower students with the strengths of multilingualism, as students explore leadership skills to plan for future success. Reflective service learning practices allow students to impact their communities through advocacy, engagement, and empowerment. All FCPS secondary students who attend will earn service learning credit for participating. Students planning to attend should register and bring their FCPS laptop to the event. Light refreshments and family resources will be available for parents/caregivers during the student workshop.

Awesome Atoms

Honoring Our Heroes: Veterans Day at AHS: On Friday, we celebrated Veterans Day by honoring AHS staff and their family members who served in the Armed Forces. We also held a special lesson during W4, giving students a chance to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our AHS veterans: Herb Eggert, Chad Steffey, Regina Jackson, PJ Taylor, and Leonard Bumbaca. We honor and appreciate your service to our nation.

AHS Speech Team Competes in First Tournament! On Saturday, Ms. Mooney and the Annandale High School Speech Team, supported by enthusiastic parents, attended their first tournament at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. Competing in Declamation and Dramatic Interpretation, our team gained valuable experience through multiple rounds and attended a seminar offering insights from a judge’s perspective. As this is AHS’s inaugural year with a Speech Team, the day was both enlightening and inspiring. Below are our team captains, Cecilia Marigliano and Julia Gallo Wedolowski, pictured proudly with tournament head, Mr. Mark Deaton.

AHS Alumni Delivers Keynote at Center for International Education Exchange: Alison Coria Tarazona (Class of 2024) was one of the keynote speakers at the Center for International Education and Exchange (CIEE) annual conference held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Alison studied the Leadership and Service in Public Health in the Dominican Republic program. At the conference, Alison shared the impact study abroad had on her life and how it influenced her post-secondary options to study neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. Here is the blog post Alison wrote when she returned. In her reflection, Alison shared how the experience influenced her educational pathway, as well as, her confidence, independence, and ability to overcome challenges. 

Fall Intramural Soccer Tournament Scores Big! The Fall Intramural Soccer Tournament, hosted by our Student Life Team was a great success! Dedicated students gathered at the AHS Stadium at 7:15am for some friendly competition. Information about morning intramurals is shared on the All Students Schoology page, with activities moving to the Main Gym when needed. Morning Intramurals are open to all students who are looking for a little morning physical and social activity, and set a positive tone for the academic day.

Congrats to AHS Art Teachers Erin Mahoney and Luis Navas Reyes! Kudos to Erin Mahoney and Luis Navas Reyes for having their artwork featured in the 17th Annual Artist Teacher Exhibition: Materiality. This show features original works by FCPS art teachers, with this year’s theme focusing on "Materiality"—exploring how artists experiment with and push the boundaries of different media and materials in their creations. We are proud of Erin and Luis for representing AHS in this inspiring exhibition!

Top Ten Reasons to Love Annandale Revealed: FCPS recently released the Top Ten Reasons to Love Annandale High School page! From our vibrant, diverse community (#1) and welcoming environment (#2) to our extensive academic programs (#3) and wide range of extracurriculars (#5), AHS truly has something for everyone. Our dedicated staff (#4) supports each student, and our College and Career Center (#8) offers valuable resources for future planning. Explore the full list to see why AHS is a place where students thrive! #AtomNation

Alumni Spotlight Pathways to Success Panel: On our first W4 Activities Day, AHS senior Leyla Yilma and our College Career Specialist Viri Acosta hosted the Alumni Spotlight Pathways to Success panel.  The virtual panel consisted of Annandale High School alumni sharing their experiences transitioning to college. Participants had the opportunity to ask them questions about the college application process, their academic journey, and what life is like at their universities. 

Important Information

Prayer Room/Reflection and Silent Space: The Annandale High School prayer room is available in the library for students who need to pray, meditate, or engage in silent reflection and is inclusive of all students’ religious and non-religious beliefs. Students may access the reflection and silent space before school, after school, and during lunch. Students who need to access this space during class time will need to have the Parent/Guardian Authorization for Reflection Space Access Form completed and submitted to the main office. Forms are available in the main office and the library as well. 

Academic Support & Tutoring Opportunities

Need Help in Your Class? Stay After School With Your Teacher: Stay With Your Teacher After School! Annandale High School offers late bus transportation three (3) days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. All teachers stay after school at least one day a week to provide academic support for students. Please refer to this list to see which day your student’s teacher is available after school.

After School Tutoring Available on Wednesdays: Tutoring is available every Wednesday from 3:00-4:30 pm in Trailer 12. Students can receive help with any class from Honor Society members, IB Diploma students, and AVID students. No sign-up is required—just drop in for extra support!

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.

Retake Room is Up and Running! To support students in retaking assessments or making up missed assignments, the retake room is located in room 299 at the end of the Social Studies hall. Retakes are available on Late Bus Days after school, and every White Day during PRIDE Time. Students who would like to take advantage of the retake room must work with their teacher to sign up.

Opportunities

PTSA Pantry Needs You! The AHS PTSA Pantry provides both shelf stable and perishable items as well as household and personal hygiene items.  All are distributed through our pantry to our AHS students and their families who have need. We work hard to continue to stock our shelves for our school community and during the holiday season, we hold small targeted fundraisers to provide a little extra.  Here you will find ways to donate to the pantry to support ongoing efforts to keep our shelves stocked. Thank you for your consideration.

November 18 - Boundary Review Community Meeting: FCPS invites all community members to participate in upcoming Boundary Review Community Meetings held across each of the six regions. Open to the entire FCPS community, these meetings will follow the same format at each location. While registration isn’t required, it helps us plan for childcare and language interpretation services. The first meeting will take place on Monday, November 18, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Glasgow Middle School. Register here to help us prepare!

Free Conversational English Sessions at AHS! Annandale High School is proud to announce that the AHS Family Resource Center will offer English sessions for parents on the first 3 Fridays of the month, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. We are partnering with county volunteers that teach at The English Empowerment Center (former Literacy Council of Northern Virginia) in our area. Stop by the Family Resource Center each Friday from 8am-3pm for support with SIS ParentVue, Health insurance forms, work skills, Parent coffees with the Principal, and more!

News from Student Services

College Application Help: Annandale High School offers free college application support twice each week. Wednesdays during Lunch in the Career Center (Room 103) and Thursdays 3-4pm in Trailer 14. In addition, the Atoms Writing Center will be available to help students with their college essays and supplemental application questions during PRIDE Time and Wednesdays after school from 3-4pm in room 274.

Transcript Requests for College Applications & Scholarships: Seniors need to request official high school transcripts one month prior to application deadlines. For example, if a college application is due on November 20, the Transcript Request Form is due on October 20. We will be receiving a very high volume of requests in the coming months, and our Student Services staff needs adequate time to process them. Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines are quickly approaching. For step-by-step instructions and forms for submitting Transcript Requests, go to the AHS College & Career Google site.

College & Career Resources Schoology Site: Check out the Student Services: Annandale High School | Schoology (fcps.edu), which provides up-to-date information on the college application process; college representative visits; financial aid and FAFSA/VASA workshops; military options; information on apprenticeships; as well as resources for finding a job.

November 21 - Financial Aid Completion Event: On Thursday, November 21 at 6:00pm in the cafeteria, staff will be on-site to assist families and seniors with completing their Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications.

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.

November 19 - Winter Meet the Coaches Night: For those parents of student-athletes on a winter team, join us Tuesday, November 19 at 6:30pm in the auditorium. We will hold a general session prior to breakout groups for each program. Come hear about the program, expectations, and more from each winter season coach.

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! 

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.

November 18 - Hidden in Plain Sight: The Annandale HS PTSA invites you to “Hidden In Plain Sight” on Monday, November 18 at 6:30pm in Clausen Hall. The Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) program is a unique in-person, interactive program for adults to be educated about the signs of risky behavior in teens and young adults. It touches on drug and alcohol use, vaping, mental health and behavioral concerns, risky sexual behaviors, trending "challenges” and more. Following the HIPS presentation, representatives from The Chris Atwood Foundation and Community Services Board (CSB) will provide additional information about resources available within our community. CSB will also be offering Narcan training to anyone who is interested.  For more information and to register for this free event please visit https://bit.ly/hipsmadisonhs24.

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.