Annandale Community Insider - March 8

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

At Annandale, we have long held a shared belief that our diversity is our greatest strength. This week, we celebrated Inclusion Revolution Week, honoring the many perspectives and experiences that make our school community so special. It is one of my favorite weeks of the year because it truly showcases the very best of Atom Nation.

The week concluded with our annual FanQuest pep rally, where students on the Special Olympics teams from Annandale and Centreville took to the court in front of a packed gym of cheering fans. FanQuest is a powerful celebration of inclusion and respect. Moreover, it is opportunity to honor the unique strengths of every student. There is something incredibly moving about watching our entire student body rally around our Special Olympics athletes and cheer on both teams with such enthusiasm and pride.

This year’s event also featured a halftime performance by our Adapted Theatre Arts program and Crescendo Orchestra. Their performance showcased the talent, preparation, and confidence of our students and added even more excitement to an already special morning.

Important Dates

March 9 - ASAP 4.0 Begins
March 10 - PTSA Meeting
March 10 - Choir Concert, 7pm
March 11 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
March 12 - ASVAB Testing
March 14 - Saturday Academic Coaching
March 16 - W4 Activities Day
March 18 - Junior Parent Night, 6pm
March 20 - Eid Al Fitr (No School)
March 25 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
March 27 - Quarter 3 Ends
March 30-April 3 - Spring Break (No School)
April 6 - Teacher Workday (No School)
April 7 - IB Art Show
April 8 - Senior Breakfast
April 8 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
April 10 - School Planning Day (No School)
April 14 - Annandale Pyramid Art Show
April 15 - ASVAB Testing


March 9-10 - PRIDE Time & ASAP 4.0 Begin: Students will begin their new PRIDE Time and ASAP assignments the week of March 9. This latest iteration of PRIDE Time and ASAP will focus on identifying students in need of preparation for the upcoming SOLs. 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 4.0 begins Monday, March 9 and PRIDE Time 3.0 begins Tuesday, March 10. On March 6, students will be able to view their new PRIDE Time assignment in SIS StudentVue as their period 11 class.

March 10 - PTSA Meeting: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, March 10. 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.

March 12 - ASVAB Testing: The ASVAB is not just for students considering military service—it is a valuable career planning tool that can help them make informed decisions about their future. Note: The results of this assessment will only be shared with the armed services if your student specifically requests it. The ASVAB will be offered on Thursday, March 12 and April 15 during school. Students who are interested in taking the ASVAB, can sign up here.

March 14 - 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. Additional Academic Coaching sessions will be offered on April 18, May 2, 16, & 30, June 6, & 13. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

March 16 - W4 Activities Day: Our final W4 Activities Day is on Monday, March 16. W4 Activities Day is a time set aside for students to explore clubs and activities and connect with classmates and staff over shared interests. Students were given the opportunity to sign up for choice activities in W4 and Schoology and will receive an email with their assigned activity. If you have any questions, please contact Lizzy McManus.

March 18 - Junior Parent Night, 6pm: This is a program for junior parents and students. During the evening, participants will receive an overview of what to expect during senior year, including important academic milestones, graduation requirements, and key timelines. We will also explore post–high school options such as four-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, and military service. Juniors who attend the event will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship, so we strongly encourage student participation. The event will take place in the Auditorium. For questions contact Viri Acosta, College and Career Specialist.

April 6 - Annandale High School Golf Tournament Fundraiser: Get ready to hit the links in support of Annandale Athletics. Our annual Annandale High School Golf Tournament will take place on Monday, April 6 at 8:30am at Chantilly National Golf and Country Club. This event is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a great day of golf while directly supporting our student athletes and athletic programs. Gather your friends, teammates, colleagues, or family members and register as a team, or sign up as an individual player. Individual and Team registration is now open. The cost is $150 for individuals or $560 per team. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those who would like to further support Annandale Athletics. Email Brandon Sutphin for more information.

Important Information

March 12 & 13 - AP Seminar Performance Assessment: AP Seminar assessment season is underway, and students in grade 10 have been preparing all year by building strong research, analysis, and presentation skills. On March 12 and 13, students enrolled in AP Seminar will participate in the College Board group presentation assessment. Students may miss approximately 30 minutes of one class period on their assigned day, and families have been notified of specific times and locations. The school community is proud of the dedication students have shown and looks forward to their success. We are proud of our students and know they will do a great job! Please reach out to your student's AP Seminar teacher or to Jeniva Miller, assistant principal, with any questions.

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. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this expectation at home and helping all our Atoms stay focused on learning throughout the day.

Now through March 19 - Ramadan: This year Ramadan begins at sunset the evening of February 17 and ends at sunset the evening of March 19. During this time, many of our Muslim students may be fasting and it is important for those students to have a quiet, alternative location to go to during lunchtime. Therefore, the library will be open to students who would prefer to go there during lunch rather than the cafeteria. If you have questions, please contact Katie Padilla.

Now through March 19 - Student Fasting Meal Kits Available: FCPS is offering a new meal kit program for students who are fasting during the school day from now through March 19. These meal kits include balanced, nutritious meals—protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk—similar to those served at school. Meals will be kept cold for freshness and can be heated at home. To sign up, parents/guardians must complete a Fasting Meals Request Form each week for each student. Students can grab their meal kits at the end of the school day at any point in the school day in the cafeteria. Any student fasting during the school day can participate. If a student eats breakfast or lunch at school, they are not eligible for a meal kit that day. Meal kits will be charged to student meal accounts based on their usual eligibility status—free for students who qualify, and regular pricing for paid-status students. be sure to complete the Fasting Meals Request Form each week to ensure your student receives a meal kit. Find out more and submit requests on the FCPS FNS website. March 9 - Deadline to register for meal kits for the week of March 16.

Upcoming Safety Drills: Keeping students and staff safe is a priority at Annandale High School. We recently conducted our our bus evacuation drill and our semi-annual lockdown drill. In the coming weeks we will hold and our annual tornado drill. Your student may share about their experience. We encourage you to talk with your student about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Working together, we create a safe, secure environment for students to learn and grow in our schools.

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

Jeremiah Nelson Wins High Jump State Championship! Congratulations to Jeremiah Nelson on winning the VHSL 6A High Jump State Championship. His first place finish adds another state title to our school’s track and field program and reflects the continued success of our student athletes at the highest level of competition.

Academic Support & Tutoring Opportunities

Kaplan PSAT & SAT Prep Access: All students in grades 9-11 now have access to Kaplan online PSAT and SAT preparation resources. Students should log in at https://tinyurl.com/FCPSKaplan using their FCPS username and password. Access will remain active through October 31, allowing students to prepare for multiple SAT administrations as well as the October PSAT.

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.

Need to Make Up a Test? Sign Up for the Retake Room! 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 March 14, April 18, May 2, 16, & 30, June 6, & 13. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

Opportunities

Former Annandale Student in World Premiere Production: Annandale High School student Janiyah Strickland will take the stage as the Mad Hatter and Mrs. Watson in the world premiere of Sherlock in Wonderland at Encore Stage and Studio. Performances will run March 20-29, 2026 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre in Arlington, VA, with shows on Fridays at 7:00pm, Saturdays at 11:00am and 3:00pm, and Sundays at 3:00pm. This original production blends mystery and imagination in a creative retelling that brings Sherlock Holmes into the world of Wonderland. Families and community members are encouraged to attend and support Janiyah in this exciting opportunity. Tickets range from $13-$16 and are available at www.encorestage.org.

Families Reunite Class: We invite families to join our Families Reunite Class, a three-session series focused on strategies to help bring families closer together and strengthen relationships at home. Sessions will be held on Wednesday, March 11, from 6:00 to 8:30pm at Annandale High School in the Family Resource Room (Door 1). Free snacks, childcare, and all materials will be provided. Participants will receive a certificate of completion. For more information, please contact Ms. Tunon at 571-363-0340 or Ms. Sanchez at 703-642-7403.

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.

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.

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.

News from Students Services

March 18 - FCPS Virtual Military Fair, 6pm-8pm: FCPS students and their families are invited to our Virtual FCPS Military Night. This event is designed for high school students and their families who are interested in learning more about the military pathways and opportunities. At 6pm there will be a panel discussion followed by the following breakout sessions Enlistment, Service Academies, and ROTC at 7pm. All presentations are virtual. Learn More on the FCPS App.

April 7 - Northern Virginia Regional College Fair: The Northern Virginia Regional College Fair will be held on Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at George Mason University. This annual event connects more than 1,500 students with representatives from over 200 colleges and universities from across the country. The fair provides a valuable opportunity for students and families to explore post secondary options and gather resources to support the college search and application process. Learn more at https://events.admissions.gmu.edu/nvrcf/.

Earn Credit Toward Graduation This Summer: Take advantage of the opportunity to earn a high school course credit via this summer’s Online Campus program. Registration is now open. Students must register by Friday, June 5. Mathematics, health and physical education, career and technical education, English, science, social studies, and world language courses are available to eligible middle and high school students. For more information, visit this Summer Learning page.

Summer is also an excellent time for high school students to fulfill the Economics and Personal Finance graduation requirement through the self-directed course option. In this format, students work independently to complete all course requirements while maintaining flexibility over the summer months. For additional details and registration information, please visit the Summer Learning information page.

Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps: Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30am to 2:00pm. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.

CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.

Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!

Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.

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.

Save the Date! Athletic Physical Exams: On Monday, June 1, 2026, Annandale High School will host an opportunity for student-athletes to complete their Pre-Participation Physical Exam (PPE) for the 2026-27 academic year. This exam will ensure eligibility for all sports through June 30, 2027. The event also serves as the primary fundraiser for the Annandale Athletic Training Program, which relies entirely on donations to cover essential medical supplies and equipment. Your support makes a tremendous difference for our athletes and trainers!

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

REDUCED PRICE! Purchase Your 'Atoms Pass': The Atoms Booster Club’s All-Season pass is now at a reduced price! The "Atoms Pass" provides you general admission access to all regular season home soccer, baseball, softball and lacrosse. You can save BIG with this pass! To purchase your Click here to purchase your 2025-26 Atoms Booster Pass!

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!

News from the PTSA

Are You a Food For Neighbors Red Bag Donor? Food For Neighbors is the primary means the AHS PTSA pantry uses to stock our student centered grab n go snack stations in school with donations from the community five times each school year. You sign-up, receive reminders to set out a bag of food, shop for food items to include in your bag and leave it outside on the appointed Saturday morning. If you can, please sign-up to become a FFN Red Bag Donor. The next FFN collection will be Saturday, March 7. The deadline to become a new donor before the March 7 collection is Wednesday, February 25. https://www.foodforneighbors.org/red-bag-program Questions? Email: ahspantry@gmail.com.

Items our pantry LOVES to receive in Red Bags are snacks and personal hygiene products like:  

• Juice boxes, chocolate milk, beef and turkey sticks, granola bars, peanut butter crackers, tuna snack packs, trail mix, cereal cups, protein bars, microwave complete meals

Deodorant, bar soap, feminine hygiene pads, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

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!

All-Night Graduation Celebration Auction Items Needed! The Annandale High School PTSA is seeking community donations to support the All-Night Graduation Celebration, a safe, alcohol and drug-free event for graduating seniors that is organized and staffed by parent volunteers. To help keep ticket prices affordable for all students, the PTSA hosts an annual online auction to raise funds for the event. This year’s auction will run from April 9 through April 17, 2026. Community members are invited to donate items, experiences, or services, with donors recognized through school and community promotions unless anonymity is requested. The PTSA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Donations may be mailed to Annandale High School, Attention: PTSA All-Night Grad, or questions can be directed to annandaleptsa.donations@gmail.com.

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.

Annandale Summer Camps

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

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

Olympics Camp - June 22-26: Campers will have fun playing a variety of sports including basketball, kickball, volleyball, soccer, and touch football. They will participate in fun contests and win medals! Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. To register for Olympics Camps, click HERE. For questions about Olympics Camp, please reach out to Christopher Bagot.

Wrestling Camp - July 6-10: Annandale is hosting a 5-day camp with Purler Wrestling Academy! Open to ALL Wrestlers age 7-18; THERE ARE ONLY 100 SLOTS! It is recommended that your child pack their lunch; however, the concession stand will be open during breaks to sell pizza and other items.

Participants will get 20 Hours of Drill time and 40 Matches worth of live competition. These small-group, drill-intensive camps have a proven track record! Camp includes FREE access to the Purler Wrestling Video Series for all those that complete camp ($200 value)! To register for wrestling camp, click HERE. For questions about the wrestling camp, reach out to Josh Damico.

Boys & Girls Basketball - July 20-24: Campers will spend each day focused on developing their basketball skills. They will also receive a t-shirt and a chance to win trophies. Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp. Hours are 9am to 3pm. We accept early pickups at 8am and late pickups at 4PM. To register for basketball camp click HERE. For questions about Basketball Camp please reach out to Jerome McAvoy and Chelsea Harrison.

Baseball Skills Camp - August 10-14: This camp is designed for 3rd - 9th graders and will be held on the baseball field at Annandale High. Focus will be on preparation for fall season and overall skill development. Camp will be conducted by Annandale High School Coaches and current college baseball players. Camp will run from 5pm-7pm. To register for the Baseball Skills Camp, click HERE. Questions reach out to head baseball coach and camp director Kevin Rudd