Happy Holidays, Atom Nation!
As we wrap up the year, I want to thank you for your continued support and dedication to our students and community. Together, we’ve accomplished so much, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead in 2025.
I hope this holiday season brings you joy, relaxation, and time with loved ones. Just a quick reminder: school will resume on Monday, January 6.
Have a safe and restful break, and we’ll see you in the new year!
Shawn
Donate Gift Cards for AHS Staff
At events throughout the year, we recognize staff who go above and beyond with gift cards donated by community members at the beginning of the year. It has been a huge hit and I am requesting your help again since we are not permitted to use any kind of FCPS funds, local or otherwise, for this purpose. It is amazing how much a $5 or $10 gift card is appreciated. If you are so inclined, please feel free to drop them off at the main office or place them in the mail. Attention: Jen Buchanan. It can be for any business you want to support, in any amount. Nothing is too small.
|
Give the Gift of Kindness This Holiday Season!
Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays? This year, consider donating to the AHS PTSA Pantry in honor of someone special!
Your donation will provide food and essential items to families in need within our community, all while spreading love and generosity. Whether it's for a teacher, friend, or family member, a donation in their name is a thoughtful way to make a difference.
How to contribute:
- Visit our donation page
- Select a donation amount
- Dedicate your gift to someone special
- Receive a personalized e-card to share with your honoree!
Let’s work together to make this season brighter for everyone.
|
Important Dates
December 23-January 3 - Winter Break
January 9 - IB Diploma Recognition Ceremony
January 13 - Hidden in Plain Sight, 6:30pm
January 15 - Rising 9th Grade Open House
January 9 - IB Diploma Recognition Ceremony, W4/Pride Time: Our 76 IB Graduates of 2024 will be returning on Thursday, January 9 during W4/Pride Time to share their post high school/college experiences as well as receive their IB certificates. We also invited our current IB diploma juniors and seniors and all sophomores enrolled in advanced chemistry to attend. We will open with a panel led by our graduates about their IB experiences and then distribute certificates. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony in the IB office. Please be welcoming as graduates may visit teachers in the afternoon.
January 13 - Hidden in Plain Sight: The Annandale PTSA invites you to “Hidden In Plain Sight” on Monday, January 13 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. Find out more information and to register here for this free event!
January 15 - Rising 9th Grade Open House, 6pm: On January 15 from 6-8pm Annandale High School will host an Open House for our rising 9th grade students and families to learn more about what high school at Annandale is all about! We will offer short optional sessions on our various programs, and teachers will be in their classrooms to share all about our core and elective courses. The goal is for students and parents to leave this event excited about all the opportunities students will have as an Annandale Atom and prepared to complete the course request form when students meet with their middle school counselors! Breakout Sessions on the following topics will be offered throughout the evening: Welcome to Annandale, Course Request 101; IB/MYP Program; Activities and Athletics; English for Speakers of Other Languages Program; Special Education Office, and Student Life.
|
Important Information
Follow Annandale HS on Social Media: Stay connected with Annandale High School by following us on social media! It's the best way to keep up with our latest news, celebrate student achievements, and keep up with everything going on in #AtomNation. Links: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.
Preparing for Winter Weather: Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made. FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Winter Break Office Hours: The Annandale administrative offices will be open by appointment only from Monday, December 23 through Friday, January 3. Offices will re-open on Monday, January 6 at 7:00am.
Assignments Over Winter Break: In the spirit of ensuring a restful holiday for all, we are continuing our tradition of a homework-free break. Teachers will not assign homework, projects, or papers during the break and will avoid scheduling major assessments or project deadlines during the first two days back. This time is an opportunity for students, staff, and families to relax and recharge in their favorite ways. At the same time, we encourage students to use this break as an opportunity to catch up on any outstanding work so they can return to school feeling prepared and ready for success. Please take a moment to check SIS and Schoology with Miral. Remember, FCPS provides free, on-demand tutoring through Varsity Tutors for support with any challenging topics.
No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students: The holiday season can be a joyful time, but it can also bring stress or emotional challenges. 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.
|
 |
Opportunities
Winter Olympics Camp Coming to Annandale! Winter Break Camp will again run from 8:30am-3pm, with drop off as early as 8am on Thursday and Friday, January 2 & 3. Sign up now! The cost is $75. Sign up at https://bit.ly/OlympicsCamp25.
|
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 program, 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.
|
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.
|
Shop Locally
|
Please see our list of most frequently needed items here, you can shop in your local store. Items may be brought to the front office during school hours.
|
|
Amazon
|
Items can be shipped directly from our Amazon Wishlist.
|
|
Funding
|
Make a monetary donation through PayPal by clicking the Donate button below or by check made payable AHS PTSA (Please write AHS Pantry in the memo line and mail it to AHS PTSA, 4700 Medford Drive, Annandale, VA 22003)
|
|
Sign up to be a Food For Neighbors Red Bag Donor
|
It is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Sign up to be a red bag donor.
- Fill the red bag with the list provided
- Put the red bag outside your door by 8:30am on the donation days.
|
|
|
