Annandale Community Insider - November 23

Dear Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

We are excited to kick off the second year of The Atoms Games, our school-wide competition that brings students and staff together in the spirit of friendly rivalry, school spirit, and a shared commitment to giving back to our community.

Here is how it works. Students in W4 classes have been grouped into 12 Nations, each represented by a unique color. Throughout the Games, Nations will compete in a variety of fun and impactful activities to earn points. The Nation with the most points at the end will win the ultimate prize—a breakfast party! Every member of Atom Nation counts. To earn points for your Nation participate in the Atoms Games Challenges:

• 🎁 Winning 4 Giving (Now-Nov. 24): Support local families by bringing in items for the AHS Pantry.
• 🧠 Winter Trivia (Dec. 1): Compete in a holiday-themed trivia challenge. 
• 👕 Show Your Colors (Dec. 5 & 11): Wear your Nation’s color.
• ❄️ Snowflake Scavenger Hunt (Dec. 1-9): Find snowflakes hidden around the school!
• 🎉 Holiday Spirit Dress-Up Days (Dec. 15 & 17): Participate in themed dress days.
• 🎨 Deck the Doors (Dec. 3-19): Decorate your classroom door in your Nation’s theme.

Whether it’s through donating, decorating, dressing up, or cheering on your Nation, every contribution makes a difference. Let the games begin!

As a reminder, this is a short week. Schools will be closed November 24–25 for Thanksgiving Break. Once again, we will continue our tradition of allowing everyone to relax and refresh over holiday breaks. Teachers will not assign homework, projects, or papers over breaks, and will refrain from scheduling any major assessments or due dates on the first two days back. We want our staff and students to enjoy a wellness break and have time to connect with family and friends this Thanksgiving holiday.

As always, please reach out with any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

November 24 - W4 Activities Day
November 24 - Winning 4 Giving Collection
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break (No School)
December 3 - Deck the Doors Begins
December 3 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
December 4 - ASVAB Testing
December 5 - Atoms Games - Nation’s Colors
December 6 - Saturday Academic Coaching
December 9 - Band Concert, 7pm
December 9 - PTSA Meeting
December 11 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm
December 15-19 - Winter Spirit Week
December 15-19 - Holiday Hallways
December 16 - Choir Concert, 7pm
December 17 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
December 19 - Atoms Games Winners Announced
December 22-January 2 - Winter Break (No School)

November 24 - W4 Activities Day: On Monday, November 24, Annandale will host W4 Activities Day. Students will have an opportunity to attend club meetings or join in on a variety of other activities. Students selected their preferred activity via a Google form shared through their W-4 lessons and on Schoology and an email was sent out this weekend sharing their assigned session. We are excited to offer this experience for our students and look forward to offering more ways to help our students feel connected to school.

November 25 - Federal Impact Aid Survey Due: The Federal Impact Aid Survey forms were distributed to students during W4. Our school can receive additional funding if we have families federally connected. Each year, every school is required to survey their families. Parents/Guardians, please complete the form, sign it, and return it to school with your child by Tuesday, November 25.

November 25 - Free Thanksgiving Dinner: Annandale High School is excited to host one of FCPS’s Community Thanksgiving Dinners, presented by the Office of Food and Nutrition Services in partnership with Educate Fairfax with the purpose of bringing families together for a warm and welcoming celebration of the season. All students and families are invited to enjoy a free, Thanksgiving-inspired meal on Tuesday, November 25, from 6:00-7:00pm. No registration is needed, and meals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests can look forward to a festive dinner featuring a main entrée, side items, fresh fruits and vegetables, and dessert. All meals must be enjoyed on-site.

December 1, 3, and 5 - Course Selection Presentations: Counselors will be presenting the 2026-2027 course selection process to students in W4 Advisory on December 1, 3, and 5. The presentations will cover important information including course options for next school year and the process for how to select their courses. The presentation will be recorded and posted on the Student Services Webpage for students who do not have a W4 class. Students should reach out to their counselor if they have any questions.

Important Information

Federal Impact Aid Survey: 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. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget and are critical to ensuring that all children 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 be able to complete the survey online using their computer at home. Step by step directions for filling out the online form can be found here. For families unable to complete the survey on-line, a paper form will be available. Students whose families have not yet completed the form were provided a paper copy in W4 Advisory.

Cell Phone Policy Reminder: All cell phones, headphones, and phone accessories must remain off and away all day, including during hallway transitions. Students may only use their devices in the cafeteria during lunch. Any devices seen in use outside of that time will be confiscated. Students can pick up their devices after school in the cafeteria. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this expectation at home and helping all of our Atoms stay focused on learning throughout the day.

Awesome Atoms

Celebrating Our Students of the Month: We recently celebrated our Students of the Month, recognizing Atoms who exemplify our school values of empathy, determination, and safety. These outstanding students were nominated by their teachers for demonstrating academic excellence, positive character, and meaningful contributions to our school community. Each month, we honor students who go above and beyond in the classroom and make Annandale a better place for everyone. Congratulations to all our Students of the Month! Atom Nation is proud of you!

Opportunities

Take the ASVAB Test - December 4: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test measures a young adult’s strengths and weaknesses and provides feedback on potential for future career success. Students are encouraged to take the test because it is a valuable career assessment tool which can help identify which career is best for each student. Though the test is developed by the Department of Defense, it is not just for those going into the military. It’s a great start to finding the perfect career for students by highlighting those skills which students naturally have. The test will be offered on Thursday, December 4. Click here to register. 

Winter Break Olympics Camp: Calling all second through eighth graders! Winter Break Camp will again run from 8:30am-3:00pm, with drop off as early as 8:00am. Camp Runs December 22-23 at Poe Middle School and Dec 29-30 at Annandale High School. Sign up at: https://bit.ly/Winter25Camp.

Learner's Permit Testing at Annandale: Are you 15 and a half years old (or older) and ready to start your driving journey? Annandale High School is offering the Virginia Learner’s Permit Test after school in Room 43 throughout the school year. Find out more here or reach out to Driver’s Ed Teachers, Lizzie McManus or Morgan Neild with questions.

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.

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.

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.

Saturday Academic Coaching: Annandale teachers will be available on select Saturdays from 8:30am to 11:00am to support students in prioritizing their work, completing outstanding assignments, and facilitating assessment retakes. This is a focused, distraction-free window to get individualized help, improve grades, and stay on track. Academic Coaching sessions will be offered on December 6, January 10, January 24, February 28, March 14, April 18, May 2, 16, & 30, June 6, & 13. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

News from Students Services

Family Engagement Month: November is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.  Annandale High School has two Family Liaisons, Gisela Sanchez and Arlene Tunon. The Family Liaison Room is just past the main entrance and is a hub of support for family needs in FCPS.

2026-27 FAFSA Form Now Open! Federal Student Aid has released the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account if you have not already done so, and fill out the FAFSA.

The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application has not yet opened, but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website. 

Get Help Filling Out the FAFSA: Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will offer several programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website. College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to help complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.

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 December 15, the Transcript Request Form is due on November 15. 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 Student Services Website .

Thursday College Application Workshops: Every Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm in Trailer 14, Counselors and AVID students will be assisting students with various topics: Making a College List; Transcript Request Form; Common App; Recommendation Requests. Students are welcome to drop in with questions about any aspect of the process.

College & Career Planning Site: Check out Student Services: Annandale High School | Schoology (fcps.edu), which offers a variety of postsecondary planning resources including the college application process, community college, military and trade pathways, financial aid and scholarship opportunities. The Student Services Team also uses this platform to share updates on new college and career opportunities, so be sure to check it regularly for the latest information. Parents should use SIS ParentVUE account to login.

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. Check out their weekly newsletter to learn more about Annandale's activities, clubs and sports programs. You can also visit their website, AHS Athletics Twitter or Instagram page. 

Purchase Your 'Atoms Pass' for 2025-2026! 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! Click here to purchase your 2025-26 Atoms Booster Pass!

News from the PTSA

June 9 - Save the Date: All Night Grad Celebration! Mark your calendars — our All Night Grad party is Tuesday, June 9! This beloved tradition gives our seniors one last night to celebrate together in a fun, safe, and fully chaperoned environment. Students will enjoy music from a live DJ, games, prizes, delicious food, a photo booth, and even pool access at the rec center!

Stock Our Shelves: Help Us Reach $20,000! This fall marks seven years of the AHS PTSA Pantry supporting Annandale families—and it’s all thanks to our generous community. What began as a small initiative has grown into a vital resource for students facing food insecurity.

Through our Stock Our Shelves (SOS) Fundraising Campaign we’ve already met our first $10,000 milestone—but we’re not stopping there. Let’s double our impact and raise $20,000 to keep shelves stocked and students nourished through the end of the school year. 100% of donations go directly to the pantry. Help us continue this essential work! 👉 bit.ly/AhsPtsaPantrySOS

In addition, there are many ways you can make a difference:

• Become a Red Bag donor through our partnership with Food for Neighbors. Annandale is a proud recipient of these generous collections five times a year.
• Volunteer your time as a driver to help with pick-ups from Food for Others or lend a hand at our distribution events.
• Donate items through our Amazon Wishlist, where you can easily provide our most needed supplies.
• Give financially—every contribution, no matter the size, directly supports students and families who are food insecure.

PTSA Membership for the 2025-26 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 2025-2026 school year by purchasing membership in our new store. Don't forget to sign your students up as well! For more information about the Annandale PTSA contact us at atoms.ahs.president@gmail.com.