Annandale Community Insider - January 11

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

This week brings several important events for students to explore new interests, build meaningful connections, and gain insights for their next steps. Tomorrow, during our monthly W4 Activities Day, students will explore clubs and activities, connect with peers, and collaborate with staff around shared interests. As part of the day, the Class of 2026 will participate in the Love Like Adam program, created in memory of Adam Oakes. This program focuses on hazing prevention and the dangers of alcohol intoxication and features a presentation, a video about Adam's story, and a Q&A session with his family. The program addresses critical safety issues as our seniors prepare for life beyond high school. The event is designed to educate and support our seniors 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 Wednesday, 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.

As always, please reach out with any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

January 12 - W4 Activities Day
January 12 - Love Like Adam Assembly
January 13 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm
January 14 - Course & Electives Fair
January 14 - Rising 9th Grade Open House, 6pm
January 15 - Financial Aid Completion Workshop, 5:30pm
January 16 - Course Selection Day
January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr Holiday (No School)
January 20-23 - Winter Spirit Week
January 20 - February 28 - Individual Academic Advising Meetings
January 21 - Winter Guitar Concert, 7pm
January 21 - Virginia Climate and Working Conditions Survey
January 23 - Winter Pep Rally
January 24 - Saturday Academic Coaching
January 28 - End of Second Quarter
January 28 - FCPS Gap Year Fair
January 29 - Staff Development Day (No School)
January 30 - Teacher Workday (No School)


January 12 - W4 Activities Day: Tomorrow 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 prior to winter break and a reminder email was sent to each student’s FCPS account today. If you have any questions, please contact Jared Sronce.

January 12 - Love Like Adam Assembly during W4 Activities Day: We are excited to announce that on Monday, January 12 during W4 Activities Day, Annandale High School will be hosting the Love Like Adam program for the Class of 2026. 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 Jared Sronce.

January 12 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, January 12 at 7pm. 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. For more information about the Annandale PTSA contact us at atoms.ahs.president@gmail.com.

January 14 - 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 14 - Rising 9th Grade Open House, 6pm: On January 14 from 6:00–8:00pm, Annandale High School will welcome rising 9th grade students and their families for an Open House designed to showcase what high school at Annandale is all about. Throughout the evening, teachers will be in their classrooms to share information about our core and elective courses, and we will offer several short, optional sessions highlighting key programs and opportunities available to our students.

The goal is for students and parents to leave feeling excited about becoming Annandale Atoms and ready to complete the course request form when they meet with their middle school counselors. Breakout sessions will be offered on the following topics: 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 15 - Financial Aid Completion Workshop, 5:30pm: Annandale High School will hold a College Financial Aid Workshop on January 15 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. Mahieu, 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 16 - 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 - Virginia Climate and Working Conditions Survey: On Wednesday January 21, during W4, students will participate in the Virginia School Climate Survey. The purpose of the survey is to provide schools with information on school climate, safety, and working conditions in order to maintain a safe and orderly school environment conducive to learning. The survey measures student perceptions of school rules and discipline, teacher-student relationships, student engagement in school, and the extent of bullying and teasing at school. The survey is a component of the annual school safety audit which school divisions are required to submit to the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety (VCSCS). You may preview the questions asked in the student survey at this website. If you do not wish for your child to participate, please complete and return the opt out form to the main office by January 12.

Important Information

Upcoming Student Experience Survey: In the coming weeks, FCPS will be administering the Student Experience Survey to all students in grades 3-12. It will help the school division better understand students’ experiences in our schools. The survey takes about 30 minutes and will be completed during school on Tuesday, February 24. If you would like to view the survey, please visit the Student Experience Survey webpage. If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, you may opt them out using the online form on the Student Experience Survey webpage or by completing the paper opt-out form by Friday, February 13. Thank you for supporting our efforts to make improvements in FCPS schools. If you have questions about the Student Experience Survey, please contact research@fcps.edu.

January 21 - CIEE Scholarship Applications Due: Our school is a Global Navigator School partner with the Council on International Education and Exchange (CIEE). This provides students with the unique opportunity to apply for scholarships 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! FCPS 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 application deadline for scholarships is January 21.  For more information and to start your application, please visit the CIEE website. Schoology Group Code is: S8X6-X3HK-RZJQT.  If you have questions or need help, please contact Ms. Hedrick in room 286.

Upcoming Events
January 12 - Application Support during Activities Day
January 14 - Application Support in the Career Center during PRIDE Time
January 20 - Application Workshop (Virtual)

February 7 - Edison Academy Open House: Edison Academy invites you to attend our in-person Open House event on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 10:00am - 1:00pm (snow date is Saturday, February 21). We are located at 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA.  Our entrance is located at Door #13. You will have the opportunity to tour our state-of-the-art facilities, meet our instructors and current students, and learn more about our incredible courses!  Please feel free to contact Cassandra Deedy at (703) 924-8101 or cjdeedy@fcps.edu if you need any additional information. 

February 13 - Heritage Night: Heritage Night, one of the biggest events at Annandale High School, is coming up! On February 13, at 7pm, our students will showcase their culture’s music, dance, and fashion, through solo, duet, and group performances. Tickets can be purchased here. Cost is $10. No tickets will be available for purchase at the door! Doors will close once the performance starts and will not re-open. This event has been popular in the past, so we highly recommend purchasing your tickets now to ensure a spot at this incredible performance! If you would like to volunteer your time at the event, please contact Lizzie McManus or JuJu Norvell.

Prepare for Winter Weather: Winter weather has arrived! 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.

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

Anthony Nguyen Named Braddock District Young Person of the Year: Anthony Nguyen has been awarded the Braddock District Young Person of the Year! The Braddock District Office selected Anthony from many nominations for his outstanding contributions to the Annandale community. Anthony is an integral part of the Student Leadership class at Annandale High School and serves as a photographer at school events. He is a member of the Boys Volleyball team and participates in both National Honor Society and French Honor Society. Congratulations, Anthony, on this well-deserved recognition!

Opportunities

Winter Sale: All Night Grad Tickets On Sale Now! Tickets are now on sale for this year’s All Night Grad Celebration, a long-standing Annandale High School tradition made possible by the Annandale High School PTSA and the parent community. This safe, fun, and adult-supervised event is entirely volunteer-run and provides seniors with a memorable way to celebrate together.

The All Night Grad Celebration will take place on June 9, beginning at 11:00 PM, with doors closing at midnight. Winter Sale tickets are available for $45 through January 31. After that date, ticket prices will increase to $55. Students can look forward to great food, games, a DJ, top-notch entertainment, and exciting door prizes, including computers and televisions.

Discounted tickets are available for students in need, and interested students are encouraged to speak with their school counselor for more information. Parent volunteers are also essential to the success of this event, and families are encouraged to sign up to help if they are able. Email Annandale.angc@gmail.com with any questions.

February 7 - Mason District Health Fair: Families are invited to attend the Mason District Health Fair on Saturday, February 7, from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the James Lee Community Center. Hosted in partnership with Andrés Jiménez’s office, this free, all-ages event brings together community organizations, county departments, and service providers to share valuable health information, services, and resources.

Available services will include vaccine appointment registration and information, Medicaid enrollment assistance, hearing and vision screenings, substance abuse prevention resources, child development screenings, breast cancer awareness information, HIV screening and prevention resources, guidance on healthy eating, and more. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with trusted supports in a welcoming, accessible setting.

Yearbook Ads for Sale: As the calendar flips to 2026, the countdown to graduation begins. Senior year is a milestone, and a personal ad in the 202 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. Don’t miss your opportunity to create a meaningful keepsake here today! All senior ads are due by February 13, 2026.

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 January 24, February 28, March 14, April 18, May 2, 16, & 30, June 6, & 13. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

Academic Advising for the 2026-2027 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 14 - 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 16 - 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 20 - 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 20 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.

News from Students Services

January 28 - FCPS Gap Year Fair: FCPS’ School Counseling Services and Go Overseas are co-hosting the annual FCPS Gap Year Fair on Wednesday, 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.

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 January 15, the Transcript Request Form is due on December 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.

Support Annandale Athletics: Donate to Atoms Sports: The Annandale Atoms Sports Fundraiser helps generate financial support for our athletic programs. Our student-athletes spend many long hours preparing to be the best they can be, and they are very deserving of our community’s support. Donations go directly toward helping our teams obtain the equipment and resources they need to get their seasons up and running. We appreciate any amount you are able to give and thank you in advance for your generosity. Go Atoms!

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!

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 18 and 25 for throwing and defense, and February 1, February 8 and February 15 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.

There is an online payment option here: Pay for Baseball Camp Online. You can also pay at the door, cash or checks to "Atoms Boosters".

News from the PTSA

Pay It Forward: All Grade Level Parents Can Volunteer for All Night Grad Celebration! All Night Grad Celebration is a special Annandale High School tradition that depends on the support of parent volunteers from every grade level. Families of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to sign up and help make this safe, fun, and memorable celebration possible for our seniors.

Volunteering is a meaningful way to pay it forward, support the Annandale community, and ensure this important tradition continues for future classes. Whether helping with activities, supervision, or event support, every volunteer plays a key role in the success of the night.

Parents interested in volunteering are encouraged to sign up using this link. Thank you for supporting our students and helping keep this celebration strong for years to come.

January 12 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, January 12 at 7pm. 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. For more information about the Annandale PTSA contact us at atoms.ahs.president@gmail.com.