Annandale Community Insider - March 15

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

I hope you enjoyed the sunny weather this weekend! With the weather starting to warm up, now is the perfect time to start prepping your yard. Support the Class of 2026 by purchasing mulch from Annandale High School’s annual Mulch Sale. This is one of the PTSA’s most impactful fundraisers and contributes to the support of the All Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC), a safe and memorable send-off for our seniors. Orders are due by April 4, and mulch will be available for pick-up at AHS on Saturday, April 11, from 8:00 to 11:30am Order today! In addition to purchasing mulch, we need volunteers to help with this event. Every effort makes a difference!

As we approach the end of the third quarter (March 27) and begin preparing for end of year testing, our focus remains on ensuring every student is supported and ready for success. PRIDE Time and ASAP 4.0 began last week and provide structured opportunities during the school day for targeted academic support, reteaching, and enrichment. These supports help strengthen skills and build confidence as students prepare for upcoming assessments.

The next two weeks are an important time for families and school staff to work together to support student progress. Families can support this effort by reviewing grades in SIS ParentVUE, checking in with students about assignments and upcoming assessments, and contacting teachers with any questions about a specific class. Contact information is available in ParentVUE or on our website. School counselors are also available to support students and families as needed. Additional information about academic support and tutoring opportunities is included below.

Please note that this is a short week. There will be no school on Friday, March 20 in observance of Eid al Fitr. Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, reach out if you have questions. Go Atoms!

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

March 16 - W4 Activities Day
March 18 - Junior Parent Night, 6pm
March 18 - FCPS Virtual Military Fair
March 20 - Eid Al Fitr (No School)
March 21 - Saturday Academic Coaching
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 7 - Northern Virginia Regional College Fair
April 8 - Senior Breakfast
April 8 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
April 10 - School Planning Day (No School)
April 14 - Annandale Pyramid Art Show, 6pm
April 15 - FCPS Purple Up Day!
April 15 - ASVAB Testing

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 received an email with their assigned activity. If you have any questions, please contact Morgan Neild.

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.

April 8 - Senior Breakfast, W4 & PRIDE Time: We will be hosting a Senior Breakfast on April 8 during W4 and PRIDE Time. The event will begin in the auditorium, where students will receive important information about end-of-year events, including senior exams, senior activities, graduation, and All Night Grad Party. After the presentation, students will report to the cafeteria for a breakfast and celebration with their classmates.

This is a parent-sponsored event, and we need your support to make it a success. Sign up today to volunteer! If you’re unable to volunteer, please consider making a donation to help make this event a success.

April 14 - Annandale Pyramid Art Show, 6pm: Every spring our K-12 Annandale Pyramid artists are celebrated in an art show hosted at Annandale High School. The show includes 2D and 3D artwork from Annandale Terrace ES, Braddock ES, Bren Mar Park ES, Columbia ES, North Springfield ES, Weyanoke ES, Holmes MS, Poe MS, and Annandale HS in Clausen Hall on April 14 6:00-8:00pm. This year our theme is Our Artists are Out of This World and will have space themed awards for the artwork and activities for kids of all ages hosted by our NAHS students. Come support all of our galactic artists big and small!

Important Information

April 21 - Statewide Election and No School for Students: There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled. Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.

Academic Advising Update - Parent Acknowledgement Feature: As the Academic Advising and Course Selection period draws to a close, we want to ensure all families feel confident about their child's educational path. To facilitate this, SIS ParentVUE now allows parents and guardians to review and acknowledge their student's course requests for the 2026-27 school year. This acknowledgement window is open from March 16-March 27, 2026. Please note that this information is not a schedule, it is a list of courses only. Schedules will be finalized and released in August before school starts. 

Instructions to view and acknowledge course requests, log into your ParentVUE account and navigate to the Course Request module. Review your student’s course request list for next school year. Navigate to the Student Info module and click Edit Information. Then, locate the Course Request Acknowledgment field and update to “Yes.” Please reach out to Director of Student Services, Erin Crowley, with any questions.

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

Annandale High School Featured in Mason District Behind the Scenes Series: Annandale High School is proud to be featured as the first stop in Mason District’s new behind the scenes video series, highlighting the people and programs that make our community exceptional. This episode spotlights our performing arts program with longtime arts advocate and Grammy winner Annie Ray, joined by special guest Christylez Bacon, Grammy nominated beatboxer and dynamic performer. Check out the trailer now.

Annandale Students Advance in Rotary Unite for Good Contest: Congratulations to Lily Rumpf for earning First Place in the Annandale Rotary Club Unite for Good Speech Contest. Lily impressed judges with a thoughtful message and strong presentation skills, and now advances to the next level of competition on the path toward the district contest, where participants compete for a $1,000 prize. Congratulations also to Adelein Mamani Arias for earning Second Place and receiving a $250 award in recognition of this accomplishment.

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 April 18, May 2, 16, & 30, June 6, & 13. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

Opportunities

Spring Break College Application Bootcamp And SAT Intensive: Seniors from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology are hosting a virtual Spring Break College Application Bootcamp and SAT Intensive from March 30-April 3 via Zoom. The SAT Intensive will be held from 9:00am-12:00pm, and the College Application Bootcamp will take place from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Programming includes one-on-one consultations, essay workshops, and focused lessons on commonly missed SAT problem types. Families may register for the SAT Intensive for $249, the College Application Bootcamp for $349, or a bundled option for $549. Space is limited to support individualized attention, and interested students can register here or email jemini.prep@gmail.com for additional information.

Exploring Careers in Law Enforcement: Students interested in careers in law enforcement or public service have an opportunity to learn directly from the Fairfax County Police Department through the Community Police Academy. This program offers participants an inside look at many areas of policing, including investigations, training, and specialized units, while providing valuable insight into how officers serve and support the community. Students who are curious about a future in public safety are encouraged to explore this opportunity. More information is available on the Police Academy website.

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.

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. Tickets are available for $55 but will increase to $65 soon. 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.

Career Exploration Opportunity - Sign Up to Take the ASVAB! The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a free career exploration assessment that helps students identify their strengths and explore career options in fields like skilled trades, healthcare, technology, and the military. This test isn’t just for those considering military service. It is a valuable tool for any student looking to understand their skills and plan for life after high school. Plus, students who earn a qualifying score will receive the Career Readiness Medal to wear at graduation. Additionally, we will host an after-school meeting to help students learn how to interpret their ASVAB results and use them to guide their postsecondary planning. More details will be shared soon—stay tuned! The ASVAB will be offered during the school day on April 15, so sign up today! For questions, see Ms. Acosta, College & Career Specialist. Sign up to take the ASVAB today!

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.

Parent Volunteers and Donations Needed! 

The final few months of the school year include several important events and opportunities to support Annandale High School through donations or volunteering. Community involvement helps make these events possible and strengthens the experiences we provide for students. Thank you for considering how you may be able to contribute. Detailed opportunities are listed below.

April 8 - Donations and Volunteers Needed for Senior Breakfast: We will be hosting a Senior Breakfast on April 15 and need your assistance making this event a success. Sign up today to volunteer! If you’re unable to volunteer, please consider making a donation to help make this event a success.

April 28-May 20 - Proctors Needed for IB Exams: Calling all Volunteers! The IB exams are starting soon and we are in need of help to proctor the exams. Volunteers are needed to walk around the testing room occasionally and sit/monitor students. No special training is needed ahead of time. Each testing room will have at least one experienced proctor that will be in charge of administering the test. We just need additional adult supervision. Volunteers must be 21 or older. Bring your driver’s license to check-in at the main office. Dress casually with comfortable shoes! If you are available to assist, please reach out to Linda Bradshaw.

May 9 - Prom Chaperones Needed: The Class of 2026 is seeking volunteers to chaperone Prom. Annandale’s prom is on Saturday, May 9 from 8pm - 11pm at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314). This is a great time to dance and celebrate with the Class of 2026 in a beautiful location on the water in Old Town Alexandria! Please use this link to sign up to be a chaperone at the greatest event of the year! Email Erin Mahoney or Chase Cole 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.

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