Annandale Community Insider - January 12

Annandale Students, Families, and Community:

This week at Annandale promises to be an exciting one, filled with opportunities for our students to engage, learn, and prepare for the future.  

On Monday, during our monthly W4 Activities Day, students will have the chance to explore clubs and activities, connect with peers, and collaborate with staff around shared interests. As part of the day, the Class of 2025 will participate in the Love Like Adam program, a powerful presentation created in memory of Adam Oakes. This program focuses on hazing prevention and the dangers of alcohol intoxication, featuring a presentation, a video about Adam’s story, and a Q&A session with his family. The event is designed to educate and support our students as they prepare for life beyond high school.  

On Wednesday, we will host our annual Electives Fair. Students will have the opportunity to attend information sessions for three courses of their choosing, with each session offering a 15-minute overview led by our electives and IB teachers. This event is a great way for students to make informed decisions about their course selections for the upcoming year.  

That same evening, we are excited to welcome our future Atoms and their families to the Rising 9th Grade Open House at 6:00pm. This event is one of the highlights of the year, as it provides an opportunity to introduce incoming students to our incredible staff and showcase the many ways we support their academic success and social-emotional growth. As someone who recently experienced this transition as a parent, I understand the excitement and nerves that often come with it. We are here to make the journey as smooth as possible, and I encourage families to reach out with any questions after the event.

Looking ahead, the second quarter will come to a close on Tuesday, January 28. Now is an important time for students to review their grades and assignments, ensuring that any outstanding work is completed and assessments retaken if needed. Please encourage your student to check SIS and Schoology for any missing assignments or reassessment opportunities. Our teachers are available to provide support.

Have a great week and Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

January 13 - W4 Activities Day

January 13 - Love Like Adam Assembly

January 14 - Financial Aid Completion Workshop, 5:30pm

January 15 - Electives Fair

January 15 - Rising 9th Grade Open House, 6pm

January 17 - Course Selection Day

January 18 - Red Bag Collection

January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday (No School)

January 21-February 28 - Individual Academic Advising Meetings

January 21 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm

January 21 - Heritage Night Tickets on Sale

January 22 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm

January 24 - Student of the Month Celebration

January 25 - Blizzard Breakfast, 9am

January 29 - Student Holiday

January 13 - W4 Activities Day: Tomorrow, January 13 is our next W4 Activities Day, a time set aside for students to explore clubs and activities and connect with classmates and staff over shared interests. The schedule for the period will remain unchanged. Students were given access to the preview slideshow and registration form through their W4 and Schoology and will be emailed to each student’s FCPS account. If you have any questions, please contact Bryan Harris.

January 13 - Love Like Adam Assembly during W4 Activities Day: We are excited to announce that on tomorrow, January 13 during W4 Activities Day, Annandale High School will be hosting the Love Like Adam program for the Class of 2025. Love Like Adam is a non-profit foundation established with the goal to “support, educate, and equip graduating seniors and their families with the transition from high school to higher education,” particularly around the dangers of hazing and alcohol intoxication. It was established in honor of Adam Oakes, a recent hazing victim, who died in a hazing incident while attending VCU during his freshman year of college.

The program will consist of a presentation on hazing prevention, a video about Adam Oakes’ story and a panel question and answer session with Adam’s family and two of the boys involved in the hazing. You can read more about Adam’s story in an article on the LoudounNow and the VCU website. If you have any questions about this special event, please contact Bryan Harris.

POSTPONED! January 13 - Hidden in Plain Sight: Due to the weather related schedule changes from last week, Annandale’s Hidden in Plain Sight presentation has been postponed. We will share the new date as soon as it has been rescheduled. Thank you to everyone for their interest!

January 14 - Financial Aid Completion Workshop, 5:30pm: Annandale High School will hold a College Financial Aid Workshop on January 14 at 5:30pm where students and families can get assistance completing the FAFSA financial aid application or VASA financial aid application for undocumented students. Students may also sign up to meet with Ms. Mayhieu, our financial aid champion, on Fridays during lunch. Students can ask their counselor or Ms. Acosta to sign them up for the appropriate lunch block. Ms. Mahieu can help students with both account creation and completing the FAFSA.

January 15 - Electives Fair: Students will visit information sessions on three courses of their choosing during our Course & Elective Fair. Our electives and IB teachers will provide a 15 minute overview of the course to help students make informed decisions about their course selections for next year. 

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.

January 17 - Course Selection Day: Students in grades 9-11 will select their courses for the 2025-2026 school year during W4 using a Google Form. This will help prepare students for their individual academic advising conversations with their counselors. Students will only be able to submit the form once and a copy will be emailed to their student email account. All students must have selected courses by February 28.

January 18 - Red Bag Collection: Reminder! Red Bag Collection was rescheduled to Saturday, January 18. Our pantry needs snack items and personal hygiene items for our students.  Please fill your bag with single serving sized snack items of cereal, nuts, tuna, chocolate milk, juice,  protein bars, granola bars, Mac n cheese, peanut butter crackers and trail mix. The personal hygiene items that are needed are bar soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene pads, toothpaste. Thank you! If you aren’t a Red Bag donor please consider signing up here.

January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday: Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. See the complete school year calendar.

January 21 - February 28 - Individual Academic Advising Meetings: Students will meet one-on-one with their counselors to finalize their course selections for next year. Students will be given specific appointment times through their English classes. Students will receive their appointment times via email. We will begin with current juniors on January 21 and will conclude with current freshmen in February.

January 21 - Heritage Night Tickets on Sale: Due to popular demand, we will hold two performances of Heritage Night. The performances will take place February 22 at 2:00pm and 6:00pm. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity for Annandale students to showcase their culture through music, dance, fashion, and more. Cost is $10. No tickets will be available for purchase at the door! This event has been incredibly popular in the past, so we highly recommend purchasing your tickets now to ensure a spot at this incredible performance!

January 25 - Blizzard Breakfast: This community pancake breakfast will be hosted by the AHS Class of 2026 on January 25 from 9:00-11:30am in the Annandale High School Cafeteria. In addition to breakfast the event will include activities geared towards kids such as crafts and a story corner. There will be a special guest appearance by Olaf from Frozen! Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased at the door. Please email Erin Mahoney, the Class of 2026 sponsor, with any questions.

January 28 - End of Semester: Tuesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter. SIS Gradebook will be unavailable beginning at 4:00pm.

January 29 - Lunar New Year (No School For Students): Lunar New Year falls at quarter end on Wednesday, January 29. The day will be a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar.

Awesome Atoms

AHS CAT B Teacher, Ariana Gallahan-Zarate Featured in FCPS Teacher Spotlight: Seven years ago, Ariana Gallahan-Zarate began her journey with FCPS as an Instructional Assistant, working with students with special needs. Her dedication to education and passion for helping students led her to pursue her teaching degree—taking classes after work while managing a full-time role. Now, as a second-year teacher at Annandale High School, Ms. Gallahan-Zarate reflects on her rewarding decision: "Building relationships with the students and their families has really been a great experience." We’re proud to have Ms. Gallahan-Zarate as part of the Atom Nation! Check out the Teachers Spotlight here!

Opportunities

January 15 - CIEE Scholarship Application Deadline: Annandale High School is a Global Navigator School partner with the Council on International Education and Exchange (CIEE). This allows Annandale High School students the unique opportunity to gain access to $25,000 worth of scholarships for students to study abroad this summer. The programs and scholarships are intended to open the world to students, helping them navigate across languages, connect with other cultures, and impact global/local issues in today’s interconnected world. Students are invited to choose 3-4 week-long experiential learning programs in over 30 study centers worldwide in Summer 2025! AHS students can learn a new language and culture or a topic they are passionate about like marine science, conservation, business, international relations, leadership, or the arts!   

You can view the website to see what opportunities are available. The application deadline for scholarships is January 15th. The deadline for non-scholarship applications is April 1 or until the program has reached capacity. For more information and to start your application, please visit the CIEE website. On Wednesday during Pride Time, we will have a help session to finalize essays and submit your final applications. If you have questions or need help, please contact Ms. Hedrick in room 286. 

January 22 - NOVA Virtual Session: Join a Virtual Discover NOVA webinar to explore program options, gain an understanding of our student support resources, and learn how to enroll in classes. All sessions begin at 6:30pm and run for approximately one hour. See the NOVA Virtual Sessions Flyer for all dates and to register.

January 28 - FCPS Gap Year Fair: FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Tuesday, January 28 at George C. Marshall High School from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. This event is for high school students and parents who are interested in learning more about the growing array of gap year opportunities. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Immediately following, the program fair will be held in the cafeteria from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., with representatives from over 30 programs offering gap year opportunities. Students and their families are encouraged to meet the representatives and learn about the variety of experiences available. Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event. Registration is open to students and families up to and including the day of the fair. For more information, visit: USA Gap Year Fairs.

All Night Grad Tickets On Sale Now! We’re excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for this year’s All Night Grad Celebration. This event is a safe and fun place for your kids to enjoy a night out. This is adult supervised and volunteer run by Annandale High School PTSA and parents. This year the event takes place on June 4, beginning at 11pm, Doors will close at Midnight. The cost is $45 with prices increasing to $60 at the door. The evening will feature delicious food, games, DJ, and top-notch entertainment—there’s something for everyone to enjoy! *Discounted tickets are also available for students in need. If your child would like to apply, they can speak directly to their school counselor. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate in a welcoming and secure environment. Get your tickets now! To make this event a success, we need your help! Sign up to volunteer here. Email Rheanna Bernard with any questions.

Yearbook Ads for Sale: As the calendar flips to 2025, the countdown to graduation begins. Senior year is a milestone, and a personal ad in the 2025 yearbook is the perfect space to include a heartfelt note or a special family photo. Your message will be something your graduate cherishes for years to come. But hurry—there’s only one week left before winter break! Don’t miss your opportunity to create a meaningful keepsake here today!

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.

StudentVue & ParentVue Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter: Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4:00pm to Tuesday, February 4, 6:00am.

2024-25 School Improvement Plan Now Available: The 2024-2025 School Improvement and Innovation Plan (SIIP) for Annandale is now available on our website. The plan was developed in alignment with the FCPS Strategic Plan goals, and remains focused on supporting our students’ academic and social achievement. Measurable outcomes are focused on the following: Growth and Performance in Coursework, Successful Completion of Advanced Coursework, and Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered Students.

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.

News from Student Services

Academic Advising for the 2025-26 School Year: At Annandale, we want to ensure students and families know where to access all the information needed for course selection. Our Academic Advising page has the grade level information presented by counselors and the course selection Google forms that students must complete. We encourage you to visit this site with your student to discuss courses for next year. Here are some questions you can use to engage with your student about course selection:

• Which classes most excite you about next year?
• When looking at your classes, what are your electives and why did you select those?
• What type of diploma are you going for?
• Where would you like to be challenged?
• Where do you think you might need support?

Please reach out to our counselors if any questions or concerns arise. Their emails and phone numbers can be found on our Student Services page. We are here to help and look forward to supporting our students through this process! In addition, below is an overview of how we are supporting students with the course selection process.

January 15 - Course & Electives Fair: Students will visit information sessions on three courses of their choosing during our Course & Elective Fair. Our electives and IB teachers will provide a 15 minute overview of the course to help students make informed decisions about their course selections for next year. 

January 17 - Course Selection Day: Students in grades 9-11 will select their courses for the 2025-2026 school year during W4 using a Google Form. This will help prepare students for their individual academic advising conversations with their counselors. Students will only be able to submit the form once and a copy will be emailed to their student email account. All students must have selected courses by February 28.

January 21 - February 28 - Individual Academic Advising Meetings: Students will meet one-on-one with their counselors to finalize their course selections for next year. Students will be given specific appointment times through their English classes. Students will receive their appointment times via email. We will begin with current juniors on January 21 and will conclude with current freshmen in February. 

High School Academy Open Houses: FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January. A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses. Click here to learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

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.

College & Career Resources Schoology Site: Check out the Student Services: Annandale High School Schoology Page, 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.

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.

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! 

Annandale Baseball Winter Camp—Sign Up Today! Join us for the Annandale Baseball Winter Camp at Annandale High School, designed for players in grades K–8. These skill-focused sessions are led by the Atoms coaching staff and players and will take place in our main and auxiliary gyms. The camp covers key areas like throwing, defense, and hitting, with all necessary equipment provided if your player needs a glove, bat, or helmet. Just wear tennis shoes and come ready to play!

Each session runs from 9:30 to 11:00am, with a cost of $25 per session or $110 for all five sessions. The camp will be held on the following dates: January 12 and 19 for throwing and defense, and January 26, February 9, and February 16 for hitting. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to improve your skills and have fun with the Atoms! Click here to register for the Annandale Baseball Winter Camp.

Atoms Gear On Sale Now! We’re thrilled to share that we have a new Atoms online store! The new store has a variety of brands like Nike, Under Armour, Lululemon, and more. You will find hundreds of different design options, kids and toddler clothing, new accessories, and direct to your door shipping. Grab your gear now!

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.