Annandale Community Insider - January 19

Annandale Students, Families, and Community:

Tomorrow, we honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his dedication to equity, equality, and service. I encourage everyone to use this day as an opportunity to reflect as well as serve. Please see below for opportunities for community members of all ages and abilities to volunteer!

This past Wednesday, we hosted our Rising 9th Grade Open House, one of my favorite events of the year. It was wonderful to meet our incoming students and their families and have the opportunity to showcase our incredible staff. This event is not just about academic programs but also highlights how we support students in their social and emotional development. As I shared during the event, I recently navigated this transition as a parent and understand how overwhelming it can feel. I’ve included links to all the presentations below. If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help.

As the second quarter concludes on Tuesday, January 28, I encourage everyone to focus on finishing strong. Last week students who have an F in any course, as well as their families, received an email which included steps they might take or resources they might rely on to improve their grade. While semester grades are finalized on Tuesday, our rolling gradebook policy ensures that students have ongoing opportunities to demonstrate progress and improve their performance. So, there is still time to improve your grade!

Looking ahead, Wednesday, January 29 is a teacher workday. There will be no school for students. We will return to school on Thursday, January 30 to begin the third quarter. As always, reach out with any questions.

Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

School-Family Partnership

Families recently received a personalized student progress report email which includes students’ grades as well as any academic interventions or supports the student is receiving.

Research shows that the single most impactful thing parents can do to support their student’s education is to talk with them about school. As the end of the semester approaches, we encourage you to talk with your student about their classes and how they are taking advantage of PRIDE Time. Here is a question to help get the conversation started...

Which teachers should you stay after school with this week to make sure you are caught up for the end of the quarter?

Thank you for everything you do to support us and your student - we truly work together to support our students’ needs!

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday weekend is a great opportunity for students and families to connect with impactful service opportunities while also teaching students about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Here are 5 Ways to Volunteer and Give Back in Fairfax County. 

Important Dates

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

January 21 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm

January 21-February 28 - Individual Academic Advising Meetings

January 21 - Heritage Night Tickets on Sale

January 22 - NOVA Virtual Session

January 22 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm

January 24 - Student of the Month Celebration

January 25 - Blizzard Breakfast, 9am

January 27-31 - Winter Spirit Week

January 28 - W4 Check-ins Begin

January 28 - FCPS Gap Year Fair

January 28-February 4 - StudentVue & ParentVue Gradebook Unavailable

January 29 - Student Holiday

January 29 - Pizza & Pizzicato

January 31 - Winter Pep Rally

February 1 - Edison Academy Open House, 10am-1pm

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 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, January 21 ay 7:00pm 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.

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 through February 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! Get your tickets today!

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 27-January 31 - Winter Spirit Week: Show your Atom Pride, get creative, and have fun dressing up with the following daily themes. Annandale Leadership students will be taking photos of participants to be featured on their Instagram!

Monday: PJ’s/Onsies - Take a deep breath and wear your pajamas and onesies straight from home! You can rest and recharge and remember to stress less!

Tuesday: Crocs/ Slippers - Get comfy by wearing your favorite pair of crocs or slippers. Regular crocs, furry crocs, crazy jibbitz, silly slippers, we want to see it all!

Thursday: Twin Day - Grab a friend and dress alike for Twin Day, Now is the time to show your style with matching outfits, colors, or accessories!

Friday: Class Colors - Represent your class at the pep rally by wearing your class color and cheer on your fellow peers! Freshman will wear warm colors like red, orange, or yellow. Sophomores will wear cold colors such as green, blue, or purple. Juniors will wear neutral colors like white, gray, or tan. Lastly, Seniors will wear black or brown.

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 28-February 4 - StudentVue & ParentVue Gradebook Unavailable: 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.

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

Annandale Welcomes Back AVID Alumni! On Friday, January 10 and Monday January 13 the AHS AVID program welcomed back 13 AVID alumni from the classes of 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, representing seven different colleges and nine different majors, for the annual AVID Alumni celebration. Alumni spoke to current AVID juniors and seniors about the challenge of transitioning from high school to challenge and gave advice about how to overcome that challenge, as well as specific information about their colleges and majors.

Basketball Team Featured for Mentor Program: Recently, FCPS featured the Annandale High School basketball team for their mentoring program. Each Wednesday afternoon during the winter months, the Annandale High School boys and girls basketball teams make the short walk to Braddock Elementary School for a very important match-up. The Atoms athletes are there to mentor third graders who could benefit from a little extra support in reading comprehension. For ten weeks the athletes and younger students sit down on benches in the cafeteria and work through literacy skills in collaboration with the Herndon non-profit, Readers Are Leaders. It’s a successful partnership that has been running between the schools since 2018.

Opportunities

January 21 through February 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! Get your tickets today!

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 26 - 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! 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.

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.

February 1 - Edison Academy Open House: Explore Your Future at the Edison Academy Open House! Attend an exciting in-person Open House event at Edison Academy on Saturday, February 1 from 10:00am to 1:00pm (with a snow date of Saturday, February 8). Discover what makes Edison Academy unique by touring the state-of-the-art facilities, meeting talented instructors and students, and exploring the incredible courses offered. The event will take place at 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA, with the entrance located at Door 13. Don’t miss this opportunity to see firsthand how Edison Academy can shape your future. For more information, contact Cassandra Deedy at (703) 924-8101.

AHS Library Pride Time Student Access: Do you have a student who has not been requested for intervention and wants a quiet place to work during Pride Time? The library offers a calm and supportive environment for focused study.  Take advantage of this valuable resource to enhance your learning! How it works: The W4 teacher signs the student up for the library. The Pride Time teacher writes the pass to the library. The student gets to the library by the Pride Time bell. The library accepts up to 75 students.

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.

Edu-Futuro Emerging Leaders Program: Edu-Futuro offers a dynamic 5-week Leadership and College Readiness Program designed for high school students in grades 9-12. Through engaging workshops, facilitators guide students through the college and scholarship application process, explaining all the requirements and necessary documentation to achieve their career goals. Students will also explore their interests and potential career paths, virtually attend a college tour, and connect with professionals from various fields. Highlights of the program include the opportunity to compete for scholarships of $1,000 and $500, as well as fun competitions with gift card prizes. If you’re interested in joining, please complete this interest form by January 28. Once you sign up, more details will be sent to you.

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.

Rising 9th Grade Open House Presentations: It was great seeing many of you at Annandale High School's Rising 9th Grade Open House this week. 

If you were unable to attend, we have links to all the presentations from the event available for you to view below. If you have any questions about the information provided, please feel free to contact our presenters directly. 

Welcome to Annandale! - Presenter: Shawn DeRose

Course Requests 101 - Presenter: Erin Crowley 

IB/MYP Program - Presenters: Jeniva Miller, Linda Bradshaw

Student Life: Activities and Athletics - Presenters: Brandon Sutphin

Special Education Office - Presenters: Donna Higgins, Kristin Lillis

English for Speakers of Other Languages Program - Presenters: Sarah Eqab, Meredith Hedrick

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?
• 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 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 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.