Annandale Community Insider - February 8

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

After a full week away from school and a week of two hour delayed openings, the student and staff came back to school ready to learn and reconnect. Students did a great job getting back into their routines, staying engaged, and finding their rhythm again, even with a few extra mornings to sleep in. Thank you to the many families who teamed up to carpool and clear sidewalks and streets, helping make the trip to school safer for everyone. This week was a great reminder of what makes Annandale such a special place, and I am proud to be part of this community.

Also this week, we had the opportunity to celebrate and appreciate our incredible school counselors during Counselor Appreciation Week! Each day, our counselors were recognized with heartfelt cards from students, special breakfasts and lunches, and small gifts. If you have not done so already, please reach out to our counselors to show them your appreciation! Their contact information can be found here. 

Finally, on Tuesday, we will hold our monthly W4 Activities Day, a time for students to explore clubs and activities, connect with classmates and staff, and engage in shared interests. In addition, from now through the end of the month, teachers are conducting one-on-one check-ins with students in their W4 Advisory classes to support their social and emotional wellness. These conversations help build caring and trusting relationships, and create a supportive environment where every student feels seen and heard.

Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out with any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

February 9 - ASAP 3.0 Begins
February 10 - W4 Activities Day
February 10 - Family Literacy Night, 6pm
February 10 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm
February 11 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
February 11 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving
February 12 - PRIDE Time 3.0 Begins
February 13 - Just World Festival, 4pm
February 13 - Heritage Night, 7pm
February 16 - President's Day (No School)
February 17 - Teacher Work Day (No School)
February 19 - Singing Valentines
February 19 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm
February 19 - Financial Aid Completion Workshop, 5:30pm
February 23 - Spring Sports Tryouts Begin
February 24 & 25 - WIDA Testing
February 25 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
February 28 - Saturday Academic Coaching
March 6 - FanQuest Pep Rally

February 10 - Family Literacy Night: Join us on Tuesday, February 10, from 6-7pm, for our Annandale Family Literacy Info Session, where we will share important information on ways to support your English learners with school success. Topics will include how to support students on their upcoming WIDA Access Test, how WIDA scores inform course programming, how to use ParentVue to help your student stay on track, and ways students can access learning at home. We look forward to seeing you! Please reach out to assistant principal, Jeniva Miller, with any questions.

Feburary 10 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, February 10 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.

February 11 - New Date! Partners for Safe Teen Driving: To get your driver’s license in Virginia, you must successfully pass the classroom portion of driver education. Included in the passing requirements, is the PSTD, or Partners for Safe Teen Driving--a student and their parent/guardian must attend a 90-minute parent-teen traffic safety program. Our January 27 date was canceled due to snowy weather, but we have rescheduled that to next week, Wednesday, February 11, 2026. The PSTD presentation will be in the AHS auditorium from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. You must arrive on time and remain for the duration of the presentation for your attendance to be verified. Register here for the newly added date or two future dates during the 25-26 school year. 

February 19 - Singing Valentines New Date! With the delayed starts this past week, the choir has not been able to sell Singing Valentines during lunches. Therefore, we have pushed the date back to Thursday, February 19. Please note that in your calendars. Students can purchase a song for another student during all lunches, February 9-13.

February 15 - School Resource Officer Appreciation Day: On February 15, School Resource Officers are nationally recognized for their service in schools. SROs serve as liaisons to community services that support the well-being of youth and their families. SROs help educate students on crime prevention, safety measures, drug awareness, conflict resolution strategies, and insights into the legal system and law enforcement operations.  Annandale High School thanks SRO Hannah Isabella for her service to our school community. 

February 16 - Presidents Day (No School): As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday. The following day is a Teacher Workday. See the complete School Year Calendar for more information.

Annandale Celebrates Black History Month

February is Black History Month. This year’s theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” Throughout the month, we will celebrate and honor the experiences, achievements, and contributions made by African Americans and their central role in US History.

Our Social Studies teams are offering students opportunities to make their own connections to curriculum content and providing resources to further their learning. Recently, our US/VA History classes finished their Reconstruction unit, studying the African American experience during the Reconstruction era and the empowerment of Black elected officials into government office. In their next unit on Urbanization and Progressivism, students will be looking at the contributions of Black workers, progressivists, and the rise of Black Wall Street. In their Great Migration PBA, students will analyze factors that influenced the migration of African Americans from Southern states and the social and economic impacts the Great Migration had on the United States.

In World History, students are beginning their Imperialism unit, learning about how African nations were impacted by imperialism. Students will soon learn about WWI and the role African Americans played in the war effort. In Government, students are learning about the Executive Branch, specifically how a president can extend his power through executive orders to address racial equality.

Over the past few years, students have created school-wide lessons to highlight the contributions African Americans have made in shaping our country’s history. These lessons will be used again during W4 this year, as a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn from and with each other.

Important Information

PRIDE Time and ASAP 3.0 Begin: Students will begin their new PRIDE Time and ASAP assignments the week of February 9. Those who have been identified as needing additional academic support will begin new PRIDE Time intervention and possibly After School Academic Support (ASAP) assignments. ASAP 3.0 begins Monday, February 9 and PRIDE Time 3.0 begins Thursday, February 12. Students will be able to view their PRIDE Time assignment in StudentVue as their period 11 class by February 11. Students and families received emails regarding ASAP assignments on February 6. We encourage you to talk with your students about how they’re making the most of these valuable opportunities during PRIDE Time and ASAP.

February 23 - Application for the 2026 Student Representative to the School Board Due: 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. Applications are due Monday, February 23.

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.

Spring SEL Screener: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. The SEL Screener elevates the voices of our students by making sure their perspectives are considered in decision-making. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. The SEL in FCPS webpage includes information about what the screener is, how it benefits our students, and how screener results are used to create a positive and inclusive learning environment. Our students will be taking the SEL Screener on March 10 during W4 Advisory. SEL screener notification and opt-out information can be found within the Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms booklets.

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

Class of 2026 Blizzard Breakfast: The Class of 2026 hosted the annual Blizzard Breakfast, welcoming families for a morning of food, fun, and community connection in the Annandale High School cafeteria. Guests enjoyed a pancake breakfast along with crafts, a photo booth, and a story corner designed especially for younger children. A special appearance by Olaf from Frozen brought smiles and excitement throughout the event. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Class of 2026, helping make this tradition a success!

Opportunities

Rotary Unite for Good Speech Contest Win Up to $500! Annandale High School students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in the Annandale Rotary Club Speech Contest, centered on the Rotary International theme Unite for Good. The school level contest will take place on March 9 at 3:30pm in Room C-59, with cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $150 for third place. Students will have the opportunity to build public speaking skills, earn scholarship money, and advance to area and district level competitions. Winners will advance to the district competition, where they will compete for the top prize of $1,000. Register to participate in the school level competition here.

Rotary Music Contest Win Up to $500! Annandale High School students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in the Annandale Rotary Club Music Contest, which features solo vocal, keyboard, or instrumental performances. The school level contest will take place on March 16 at 3:30pm in Room C-59, with cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $150 for third place. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their musical talents, earn scholarship money, and advance to area and district level competitions. To enter, complete the Rotary Music Contest submission form by Sunday, March 15.

Emerging Leaders Program Opportunity: Edu-Futuro is inviting Annandale High School students in grades 9 through 12 to apply for the Emerging Leaders Program, a free five-week online leadership and college readiness program offered this winter. The interactive program provides a supportive space for students and families to explore college options, career pathways, and leadership skills together. Participants will build confidence, receive guidance on college preparation and applications, and learn about career opportunities, scholarships, and college tours. Edu-Futuro serves students from all backgrounds and offers programming in both English and Spanish to ensure access for families across the community. Students who are interested can apply here.

Heritage Night Tickets On Sale Now! 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. 

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. 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.

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 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.

Now-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 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

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, for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA, is now open.  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.

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.

February 23 - Spring Sports Tryouts Begin! Spring sports tryouts are just around the corner, starting on Monday, February 23. This season includes lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, and outdoor track. To participate, all athletes must complete two requirements prior to Friday, February 20: submit a completed sports physical to Athletic Trainer Ryan Hughes and complete the online activity registration, which includes the Emergency Care Form and Concussion Education Training. Athletes who do not have these items on file by February 20 will not be allowed to try out on February 23. Those who submit their physical and registration after this date will become eligible to try out starting the day after their forms are received. For more information and updates, visit www.annandaleatoms.net. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action - get ready to represent Atom Nation this spring!

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. The camp will be held on 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.

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!

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.