Annandale Community Insider - November 30

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving Break. This year, my brother-in-law and his family came down from Staten Island to spend the holiday with us, and it was great to have everyone together.

Thanksgiving weekend would not be complete without watching The Game (Ohio State vs. Michigan). As an Ohio State grad, watching the Buckeyes defeat Michigan today brought some extra excitement to the holiday. This game reminds me of what I value most about sports and activities: the dedication of players, performers, teachers, and coaches to their teams and their school. That same dedication can be found right here at Annandale, and over the next three weeks, there will be plenty of opportunities to see it in action.

Our winter sports season kicks off this week, and our performing arts department is gearing up for a full slate of concerts and events, including performances from orchestra, chorus, and band. It is inspiring to see our students develop and showcase their talents while building a strong sense of community. I encourage you to attend one of these events with family or friends. For a full list of upcoming events, visit the Annandale Activities and Athletics website.

Additionally, the Fall Sports Recap is now available. From playoff runs and championship moments to standout individual performances, this season was a testament to the resilience, growth, and spirit of Atoms Athletics. I also want to recognize the Atoms student-athletes who earned postseason All-District and All-Region honors. Their hard work and achievements deserve to be celebrated. Check out the recipients here: Fall 2025 All District and Region Recognition.

Finally, Giving Tuesday marks the beginning of the holiday giving season. As we reflect on all that we are thankful for and the ways we can support our community, I encourage you to consider giving to the PTSA Pantry. Your generosity helps provide essential support for students and families experiencing food insecurity.

Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out with any questions, and Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Support our SOS Campaign this Giving Tuesday!  

Support our SOS Campaign this Giving Tuesday, December 2! We are striving to reach our new fundraising goal of $20,000 and we are SO close!  This Giving Tuesday, thanks to the generosity of a community member, each individual donation will be matched up to a cumulative total of $1,500. Meaning your donation will have double the impact.  Every contribution helps us Stock Our Shelves and provide for students facing food insecurity. 

Important Dates

December 1, 3, and 5 - Course Selection Presentations
December 3 - Federal Impact Aid Survey Due
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)

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.

December 3 - (Deadline Extended!) 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 by Wednesday, December 3.

December 3 - Deck the Doors W4 Contest Begins: Annandale’s Leadership Class is excited to kick off this year’s Deck the Doors holiday contest. As part of the Atoms Games, each W4 class will join with other classes in their Nation to choose a shared theme and bring it to life through creative and festive door designs. Three W4 classes will be selected as individual winners, and one Nation will earn the title of Best Overall. Winning classes and Nations will earn valuable points in the Atoms Games competition.

December 4 - Take the ASVAB Test: 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 to students in Grade 10, 11, and 12. Click here to register. 

December 6 - Saturday Academic Coaching Session: Annandale will host its next Saturday Academic Coaching Session on December 6, from 8:30-11:00am in the Annandale High School Library. This session offers students a valuable opportunity to strengthen their grades and finish the quarter with confidence. Teachers and staff will be available to support students as they complete assignments, retake assessments, and get caught up before the end of the quarter. Students should enter through Door 1. Snacks will be provided. For questions, please reach out to Cass Hersh, Academic Coaching Coordinator.

Annandale Winter Performances

The Choirs, Band, and Orchestra at Annandale have been busy preparing for a wonderful season of concerts and outreach events during the month of December.

December 4 - Caroling for the Shepherd’s Center Luncheon: The Annandale Singers and Chamber Ensemble will be providing a program for the Shepherd’s Center Luncheon in Wright Hall at the Annandale United Methodist Church (6935 Columbia Pike) at 12:00pm.

December 8 - Caroling for the Retired Teachers Luncheon: The Annandale Singers and Chamber Ensemble will be providing a program for the Retired Teachers Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church in Alexandria (2932 King St., Alexandria) at 1:00pm.

December 11 - Caroling at the Willard Hotel (DC): Join the Annandale Singers as they bring the spirit of the season to life with two enchanting mini-concerts at the historic Willard Hotel in Washington, DC. Performances will be held on December 11 from 6:00–6:45pm and 7:15–8:00pm at 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC. Celebrate the holidays in the heart of the city with music that warms the soul!

December 11 - Orchestra Winter Concert: Orchestra will be having their Winter Concert on Thursday, December 11 at 7:00pm. Support the program by purchasing baked goods (including our famous giant chocolate chip cookies!) after school by the auditorium and by coming to hear the student’s hard work in the evening. We encourage you to come wearing an ugly holiday sweater or wearing a festive hat!

December 13 & 14 - A Candlelight Christmas - Special Concert with the Washington Chorus and Annandale Singers at Strathmore: Join the Annandale Singers for a magical holiday experience as they perform alongside The Washington Chorus at Strathmore. Concerts will take place on December 13 and 14 at 4:00pm and 7:30pm. Don’t miss this festive celebration of music and community! Click here to purchase tickets. 

December 15-19 - Holiday Hallways: Enjoy festive music every morning, during second chance breakfast, and at dismissal brought to you by Orchestra and Tri-M!

December 16 - Winter Chorus Concert: Gaudete (Rejoice): Our Winter Concert with the Annandale Singers, Atom Chorale, Men's Chorale, and the Chamber Ensemble at 7:00pm in the Auditorium. 

December 17 - Noonday Noël: Annandale Singers and Chamber Ensemble sing for the Noonday Noël at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House at 12:05pm (323 South Fairfax St., Alexandria, VA).

Fall Sports Recap

Teams showed growth and determination throughout the season, with athletes achieving personal bests and programs taking important steps forward. From postseason runs to individual performances, there were many highlights this fall. With strong senior leadership and a wave of promising young talent returning, Atoms Athletics is well-positioned for continued success. Check out the Fall Sports Recap here!

To cap off an incredible season, we are also celebrating many of our Atoms student-athletes earning postseason All-District and All-Region recognition. These athletes worked hard throughout the season and their accomplishments deserve recognition. Check out the recipients in the Fall 2025 All District and Region Recognition.

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.

Prepare for Winter Weather: Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS. 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, the new FCPS mobile app, 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 emergency child care if needed.

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.

Lightspeed Parent Portal Allows Parents to Manage Student Screen Time: FCPS has introduced new parent controls in the Lightspeed Parent Portal to help families manage screen time on FCPS-issued devices. Through the portal, parents can control their child's access to YouTube and pause web browsing during designated After-School Hours while students are off the FCPS network. These controls are active Monday - Friday from 3:30pm to 6:00am (even on student holidays) and all day Saturday and Sunday. They do not affect district filtering policies during the instructional day. Parents can register for the Lightspeed Parent Portal using the link provided in their weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email. For more information about the Parent Portal, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website.

Awesome Atoms

Atoms Selected for Junior and Senior District Honor Orchestra: Annandale Orchestra students auditioned on Tuesday, November 19, for Junior and Senior District Honor Orchestra, and we are proud to announce an outstanding group of students who earned a place this year. Congratulations to Kaylee Argueta, Kelly AuNguyen, Ava Carlos, James Chilton, Umi Dalton, Isobel Davis, Katie Jackson, Samira Khalif, Adonis Kim, Nicholas Kreamer, Giselle Moreno, Laura Nguyen, Nattha Poolchuay, Andrea Rivera Perez, Sophia Theissen, Tyson Trieu, Riya Vlcan, Han Vo, and Lyana Vo for their achievement. Their hard work and talent will be showcased at their performance on Saturday, January 17, at Alexandria City High School.

Congratulations to our seven outstanding AHS students who attended the SDG Youth Summit at Georgetown University! They spent the day exploring global issues through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and discussing how these challenges show up in the DMV community. Each student engaged in a hands-on workshop led by Georgetown professors, campus organizations, and local advocacy groups. They collaborated with peers to think critically about local advocacy and the role young people can play in creating meaningful change. We are incredibly proud of their leadership, curiosity, and commitment to becoming changemakers in our community and beyond.

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.

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.