Annandale Community Insider - March 2

Annandale Students, Families, and Community,

Thank you to everyone who joined our recent Virtual Principal Check-In. It was a great opportunity to share important updates about our school’s priorities, student support systems, and our continued commitment to academic success and community engagement.

During the session, we discussed our vision for Annandale High School as a community that finds strength in diversity, fosters belonging, and inspires lifelong learning. We also highlighted our three key priorities: relationships and support, high-quality instruction, and strong collaboration. Additionally, we shared insights into our interventions, including W4 Check-Ins, after-school support, the retake room, and structured interventions during PRIDE Time, all designed to ensure student success.

We also emphasized the importance of sharing our story as a school. While many in our community witness firsthand the incredible work happening at Annandale, misconceptions about our school are sometimes shared online or in passing. That’s why we are committed to highlighting the achievements of our students and staff and reinforcing what makes Annandale a special place.

Our one-page document, "Separating Fact from Fiction: Discover the Truth About Annandale High School," highlights key facts about our academic achievements, college preparation programs, and student success, ensuring our community has an accurate picture of what Annandale has to offer. Check it out and share it with friends and neighbors!

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

March 3 - Atoms Booster Club Meeting, 6pm

March 3-7 - National School Social Worker Week

March 3, 4, & 7 - Spring Sports Picture Days

March 5 - Student Experience Survey

March 10 - ASVAB Testing, 8am

March 10 - Spring Meet the Coaches Night, 6:30pm

March 11 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm

March 12 - Virginia Boys State Interest Form Due

March 12 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm

March 12 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving, 6:30pm

March 14 - Careers in Music w/DJ Hapa, 6:30pm

March 17-21 Inclusion Revolution Week

March 17 - W4 Activities Day

March 19 - SEL Screener

March 20 - Junior Parent Night, 6pm

March 21 - FanQuest Pep Rally

March 3 - Atoms Booster Club Meeting, 6pm: Join us on Monday, March 3 in-person at Annandale High School in the Driver’s Education Room. The meeting will begin at 6pm. All members of the Atoms Booster Club are invited to attend to hear the latest updates on our Spring sports activities and support plans.

March 3-7 - National School Social Worker Week: This week, we honor and appreciate the incredible work of our school social workers, Ghada Khalaf and Christina Ferrari, during National School Social Work Week! Our school social workers play a vital role in supporting our students' emotional well-being, academic success, and overall personal growth. Whether providing one-on-one counseling, leading group sessions, or connecting families with valuable resources, Ms. Khalaf and Ms. Ferrari are always there with a compassionate heart and expert guidance.

March 3, 4, & 7 - Spring Sports Picture Days: Team and individual pictures for spring sports will take place on Monday, March 3, Tuesday, March 4, and Friday, March 7. Photos can be accessed online through Legacy Studios Events by visiting events.legacystudios.com and entering the code 4542E25 to view your images. If your photos are not yet available, you may receive a "Gallery not found" notification—please allow seven days after picture day for images to be uploaded before checking again. Don't miss the chance to capture this season's memories!

March 5 - Student Experience Survey: On March 5, Annandale students will have the opportunity to participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This important initiative aims to provide valuable insights into students’ experiences within our schools. It will take approximately 30 minutes and offers a meaningful way for students to share their perspectives to help shape the future of FCPS. Students will take the survey in their W4 classes.

March 8 - Virginia One-Act State Championship: The Annandale Theatre Company (ATC) is heading to the Virginia One-Act State Championship after an incredible season of success. Following their first-place victories at both Districts and Regionals, the cast and crew will take the stage once again with Juliet Wakes Up, a performance that has impressed audiences and judges alike. The state competition will take place on Saturday, March 8, at 4:30pm at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville. 

March 10 - ASVAB Testing: The ASVAB is not just for students considering military service—it is a valuable career planning tool that can help them make informed decisions about their future. Note: The results of this assessment will only be shared with the armed services if your student specifically requests it. The ASVAB will be offered on March 10 and April 11. Students who are interested in taking the ASVAB, can sign up here. Additionally, we will be hosting a virtual event to help families understand how to interpret ASVAB results and use them for postsecondary planning. Stay tuned for more details!

March 12 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving: Annandale High School is hosting Partners for Safe Teen Driving for students in Health & PE 10 on March 12 at 6:30pm in the auditorium. This 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety program is required for both student and parent/guardian. Participants must arrive on time as doors close at 6:30pm. Parents and their teen must stay for the duration of the presentation for your attendance to be verified. If you have any questions, contact Lizzie McManus. Additional sessions of Partners for Safe Teen Driving at Annandale High School are: April 2; and May 14.

March 14 - Careers in Music with DJ Hapa, 6:30pm: Join us Friday, March 14, at 6:30 PM in the Annandale Auditorium for an interactive, high-energy experience with DJ Hapa! A nationally recognized DJ and keynote speaker, Hapa will share live music, mixing, and behind-the-scenes industry insights. This free event is open to all FCPS students and community members—a must-see for music lovers! Special thanks to local music shop, Day Violins, who have supported our students with professional-level instruments, helping Annandale graduates pursue music in college.

Awesome Atoms

Financial Aid Event a Success! Annandale High School recently hosted its second Financial Aid Completion Event with the support of College Access Fairfax and Northern Virginia Community College. Seniors and their families received valuable assistance in completing their financial aid applications for college. It was great to see so many families take advantage of this opportunity.

Congressman Beyer Visits Annandale – Celebrating the Power of the Arts: We were honored to welcome Congressman Don Beyer to Annandale, where we had the opportunity to showcase the incredible impact that performing arts has on our students. He spent time with Annie Ray and our Crescendo Orchestra students where he engaged with different bow rhythms and hearing upcoming concert pieces. Congressman Beyer also visited our award-winning theatre program where he explored creative movement with Kylie Murray and our Spotlight Ensemble students. We were also joined by Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez and FCPS School Board members Ricardy Anderson and Ilryong Moon, whose presence highlighted the strong community support for performing arts education.

Important Information

Make Sure Your Student is Up-to-Date on Immunizations: Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy! Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE.

Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!

Now through March 29 - Ramadan: This year Ramadan begins at sunset the evening of February 28 and ends at sunset the evening of March 29. During this time, many of our Muslim students may be fasting and it is important for those students to have a quiet, alternative location to go to during lunchtime. Therefore, the library will be open to students who would prefer to go there during lunch rather than the cafeteria. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Eqab.

Eating Disorder Awareness Resources: Eating disorders can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, but with the right support, recovery is possible. Nearly 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives, influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. To help families navigate this important topic, FCPS has partnered with the Fairfax County Health Department to provide a dedicated web page with helpful information and resources. Parents and guardians of students in grades five through twelve will receive this information electronically.

Safety Drills in March: Keeping students and staff safe is a priority at Annandale High School. This month, we will conduct our monthly fire drill, our semi-annual lockdown drill and our annual tornado drill. Your student may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your student about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Here are some helpful tips for families to use to support their students before and after school lockdown drills. Working together, we create a safe, secure environment for students to learn and grow in our schools.

Opportunities

Now through March 28 - Student Fasting Meal Kits Available: FCPS is offering a new meal kit program for students who are fasting during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025. These meal kits include balanced, nutritious meals—protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk—similar to those served at school. Meals will be kept cold for freshness and can be heated at home. To sign up, parents/guardians must complete a Fasting Meals Request Form each week for each student. Students can grab their meal kits at the end of the school day at any point in the school day in the cafeteria. Any student fasting during the school day can participate. If a student eats breakfast or lunch at school, they are not eligible for a meal kit that day. Meal kits will be charged to student meal accounts based on their usual eligibility status—free for students who qualify, and regular pricing for paid-status students. be sure to complete the Fasting Meals Request Form each week to ensure your student receives a meal kit.

Find out more and submit requests on the FCPS FNS website.

Registration Deadlines: March 3, 2025 - Deadline to register for meal kits for the week of March 10. March 10, 2025 - Deadline to register for meal kits for the week of March 17. March 17, 2025 - Deadline to register for meal kits for the week of March 24. 

March 12 - Virginia Boys State Interest Form Due: Virginia Boys State is a week-long study of government and the operation, laws and procedures of the Commonwealth of Virginia. AHS Student Services is currently identifying Juniors who are interested in submitting applications for this summer enrichment opportunity. Participants represent AHS at the 2025 Boys State convention. To participate students must be United States citizens or legal residents of the United States. Candidates are evaluated on their leadership abilities, interest in government, service to others, and academics. For more details, go to the Virginia Boys State website. Boys State will be held at Radford University from Saturday, June 15 to Friday, June 21, 2025. If you are a Junior and interested in applying, request a nomination form by emailing Mr. Perla.

CTE & Institute for the Arts Summer Camp: CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. 

IFTA is a two- or three-week summer enrichment program for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, Health and Physical Education 9 (graduation requirement), music, and theater. 

CTE and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30am to 2pm. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.

Application Open for the 2025 Student Representative to the School Board: The School Board student representative represents the interests of Fairfax County Public Schools students. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity. Students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible. To learn more and apply check out the FCPS Website.

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.

Purple Up! Gear On Sale Now! April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor and celebrate the resilience, courage, and contributions of FCPS military-connected children. To show our support, FCPS will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Please note that this date has been adjusted to align with our spring break schedule. On this day, school staff and students are encouraged to wear purple, symbolizing unity and support for military families across all service branches. Purchase the FCPS Purple Up! T-shirt and/or hoodie between now and March 7 to wear on Purple Up! Day!

News from Student Services

Become Unskippable - Practical Guidance for Talking With Teens About Fentanyl: Teens skip things that don't interest them, including lectures from their parents. But young people die from fentanyl overdoses in Fairfax County each year — so it's important to have short, impactful talks with your teen, whether or not you think they’re at risk. As a parent or caregiver, you have the power to become “unskippable” and talk with your teen in a way they will listen. See our tips for talking with your teen about fentanyl and other difficult subjects. Watch this video to learn more about becoming unskippable.

Hazel Health - Virtual Therapy for High School Students: Teletherapy services are available for all FCPS high school students at no cost. Sessions can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7am -7pm Hazel Health’s highly qualified therapists specialize in working with teens. Learn more on FCPS’ teletherapy webpage

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.

March 10 - Spring Meet the Coaches Night: Parents and guardians of spring athletes are invited to join us for Spring Meet the Coaches Night on Monday, March 10, at 6:30 PM in the Annandale Cafeteria. This informative session will provide an opportunity to hear from the athletic office staff, athletic trainer, athletic boosters, and your student-athlete’s coach. The evening will begin with a general session in the cafeteria, followed by team-specific breakout meetings. We look forward to seeing you there and kicking off a great spring season!

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 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! 

Save the Date! Athletic Physical Exams: On Monday, June 2, 2025, Annandale High School will host an opportunity for student-athletes to complete their Pre-Participation Physical Exam (PPE) for the 2025-26 academic year. This exam will ensure eligibility for all sports through June 30, 2026. The event also serves as the primary fundraiser for the Annandale Athletic Training Program, which relies entirely on donations to cover essential medical supplies and equipment. Your support makes a tremendous difference for our athletes and trainers!

Appointments will run from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, and slots are expected to fill quickly, so don’t wait. Walk-in exams are $60; however, if you pre-register, the cost is reduced to $50. To take advantage of the discounted rate and secure your appointment, email Mr. Ryan Hughes at rhughes@fcps.edu as soon as possible. Thank you for supporting our student-athletes and helping ensure a healthy, successful season ahead!

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

Join the PTSA! 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 by filling out the online Membership Form. For more information about membership visit the Annandale PTSA website.

March 11 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, March 11 at 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.

Support Our Seniors! Donate Your Time or Items to Our Auction: We're gearing up for our All Night Grad Auction, and we need your help to make it unforgettable! We're seeking item donations to auction off, with all proceeds benefiting the All Night Grad Celebration, an amazing event for our graduating class. Items We’re Looking For: Gift cards, themed baskets, vacation or getaway donations, event tickets, services, or any creative contributions! Ready to donate? Visit http://bit.ly/40jc0AZ. Deadline to Donate: March 1. Thank you for your generosity!

Volunteers Needed for the All Night Grad Celebration: We also need volunteers to support the All Night Grad Celebration! Lets keep the legacy of this amazing event, providing a safe environment for our Seniors to celebrate their graduation. Sign up here to support the day of the event.

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. 

Summer Sports Camps - Registration Now Open!

Looking for fun activities for your child this summer? Annandale High School is offering a variety of summer camps this year for current elementary and middle school students led by our own Annandale coaches. Help spread the word to friends, family and neighbors! More information on signups upcoming!

Registration for all camps can be found here. See descriptions of the various camps below. More information can be found at AnnandaleAtoms.net. 

Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp, and they should bring a snack and a water bottle each day. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to “Annandale Athletic Boosters.” Payment is due on the first day of camp.

Multi-Sport Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 16-18, 20 ($120): Campers will have fun playing a variety of sports including basketball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and touch football. They will participate in fun contests and win prizes! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 8:30am-3:00pm. 

Olympics Camp - Rising 2nd-9th Graders - June 23-27 ($120): This exciting camp features team activities including soccer, volleyball, basketball, touch football, and relay races. Campers will also get a chance to compete and earn medals! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 8:30am-3:00pm. For questions about Multi-Sport or Olympics Camps, please reach out to Christopher Bagot, Camp Director and Varsity Coach.

Wrestling Camp – K-12 - July 7-11 ($120 individual/$200 sibling): This camp is for all ages wrestling camp will spend time developing the skills in all three styles of wrestling, one style each of the first three days. In addition to technique and various games, on the last two days of camp there will be a takedown tournament and individually bracketed tournament! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm. For questions about Wrestling Camp please reach out to Josh Damico, Camp Director and Varsity Coach.

Basketball Camp - Rising 3rd-9th Graders - July 21-25 ($225): Campers will spend each day focused on developing their basketball skills. They will also receive a report card on their basketball abilities, a t-shirt, and a chance to win trophies. Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 9:00am to 3:00pm. For questions about Basketball Camp please reach out to Jerome McAvoy or Chelsea Harrison Camp Directors and Varsity Coaches.

Baseball Skills Camp -  Rising 3rd-9th Graders - August 12-16, 5pm-7pm ($110, or $25 a session) This camp is designed for 3rd - 9th graders and will be held on the baseball field at Annandale High. Focus will be on preparation for fall season and overall skill development. Camp will be conducted by Annandale High School Coaches and current college baseball players. Camp will run from 5pm-7pm. Questions, reach out to head baseball coach and camp director Kevin Rudd