Annandale Community Insider - April 19

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

This week is a great example of how Annandale continues to distinguish itself as one of the top schools in FCPS.

We are proud to share that Zoe Ligairi, co-editor-in-chief of The A-Blast, has been named the VHSL 2026 Virginia Student Journalist of the Year and recipient of the Col. Charles E. Savedge Scholarship. Selected as the top student journalist in Virginia, she earned this recognition for her extensive body of work, including dozens of published stories and leadership of a large student media staff.

In addition, we celebrate Katie Shaw, who was recognized as the SETPA Outstanding Secondary Special Education Teacher at the FCPS Special Education Family Conference this weekend at Marshall High School. She was recognized for her commitment to high quality instruction, strong family engagement, and expanding inclusive opportunities for students, including her leadership of Special Olympics programming and the “PACE Pours” student run coffee and snack program that builds vocational and financial skills.

These recognitions reflect the strong systems of support and high expectations that define the Annandale experience. As we move into the final stretch of the school year, our focus remains on ensuring every student is prepared and supported. This week, teachers began W4 check-ins, meeting individually with students to review grades and help them prioritize their work. These conversations, along with our ongoing academic support, are part of why Annandale students consistently meet and exceed expectations.

As a reminder, this Tuesday, April 21, is a state-wide election day and student holiday. However, we are offering two opportunities for students to prepare to finish strong. This Tuesday, we will host Academic Coaching from 8:30am-11:00am in the Library. Annandale teachers will be available to support students in prioritizing their work, completing outstanding assignments, and facilitating assessment retakes. This is a great opportunity to spend some focused, distraction-free time and get individualized help, improve grades, and stay on track. Students who are struggling will receive an invitation, but all students are welcome.

In addition, students in IB Business, Physics, and Environmental Systems have been invited to our Super Tuesday IB Test Review to prepare for exams, which begin April 28. This is the first of a series of focused review sessions designed to help students prepare for upcoming SOL, IB, and AP assessments and provide focused time for students to get ahead and finish the year strong.

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

Shawn DeRose, Principal

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.

Show your Appreciation for AHS Teachers and Staff - Donate Today! As we approach the end of the school year, Teacher Appreciation Week is our chance to say "thank you" to the incredible teachers and staff at AHS who work tirelessly to support our students.  Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8 and the PTSA has planned a week filled with fun activities and surprises!  With nearly 300 teachers and staff at AHS, we are seeking donations to help cover the cost of these activities. Any amount you are able to donate is truly appreciated! Donations to the AHS PTSA are tax-deductible. Click here to donate.

Seeking $5 Gift Card Donations: This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is from May 4-8. As a gesture of our appreciation for all their hard work, we would like to offer a small gift to teachers. We are asking that you please donate $5 gift cards, to any establishment of your choice, from now until May 1. If you are able to donate, please drop off gift cards to the Main Office or purchase gift cards via Amazon and have them shipped to Annandale High School. We appreciate your support in celebrating the amazing work our teachers do each and every day!

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 sign up here. Reach out to Linda Bradshaw with any questions.

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.

June 9 - 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.

Important Dates

April 21 - Special Election (No School)
April 21 - Super Tuesday IB Test Prep
April 21 - Academic Coaching, 8:30-11:00am
April 22 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
April 22 - Postsecondary Education and Employment Options Event
April 23 - Frost & Lake Braddock Rising 9th Grade Parent & Student Coffee
April 23-25 - Spring Play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
April 28 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
April 28 - IB Testing Begins
May 2 - Saturday Academic Coaching
May 2 - Super Saturday: Math & IB Geography
May 2 - Senior Decision Day
May 4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5 - Guitar Concert, 7pm
May 6 - PTSA Pantry Distribution
May 7 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm
May 8 - Prom, 8-11pm
May 9 - Super Saturday: Reading, AP Seminar, IB Math & Biology
May 11-12 - Senior Survey
May 12 - Band Concert
May 14 - Senior Art Show, 6pm
May 16 - Student of the Month Celebration
May 16 - Saturday Academic Coaching
May 16 - Super Saturday: Science

April 20-24 - FCPS Earth Week: FCPS Get2Green is excited to host the first division-wide Earth Week 2026! Join the Green Atoms and the rest of FCPS by participating in the Earth Themed Spirit Week shown below.
  -  Monday, April 20: Wildlife Day - wear nature print
  -  Tuesday, April 21: Zero Waste Day - wear white (from home!)
  -  Wednesday, April 22: Earth Day - wear green
  -  Thursday, April 23: Climate Change Day - wear red
  -  Friday, April 24: Watershed Day - wear blue

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. FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, April 21, at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available for the children. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.

April 21 - Academic Coaching: This Tuesday, April 21, Annandale High School will host Academic Coaching from 8:30am-11:00am in the Library. Annandale teachers will be available to support students in prioritizing their work, completing outstanding assignments, and facilitating assessment retakes. This is a great opportunity to spend some focused, distraction-free time and get individualized help, improve grades, and stay on track. All students are welcome. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

April 29 - BINGO! Night Fundraiser for the Class of 2026: Join us for an exciting evening of games and prizes!  Wednesday, April 29 in the Cafeteria (Door 7). Doors will open at 5:45 pm, the first of 10 rounds will begin at 6:15 pm. Visit https://bit.ly/ahsbingo2026 to purchase game cards, raffle tickets and pizza in advance to receive Pre-Sale special pricing and discounted rates for AHS Students!  Concessions will be available for purchase at the event. We also need volunteers to support this event. Sign up here to donate concessions or volunteer. Sponsored and hosted by the Annandale High School PTSA, benefiting the Class of 2026.

May 2 - Super Saturday Testing Prep: Super Saturday, a series of focused review sessions designed to help students prepare for upcoming SOL, IB, and AP assessments. These sessions are excellent opportunities to reinforce content, build confidence, and improve outcomes. Here are the dates of our upcoming sessions:
  -  May 2 -  Math & IB Geography
  -  May 6 - Reading, AP Seminar, IB Math & Biology
  -  May 16 - Science

Awesome Atoms

Zoe Ligairi Earns Top Journalism Honor: Congratulations to Zoe Ligairi, co-editor-in-chief of The A-Blast, who has been named the 2026 Virginia Student Journalist of the Year and recipient of the Col. Charles E. Savedge Scholarship. This prestigious statewide honor recognizes students who have made sustained contributions to scholastic journalism and demonstrated outstanding leadership, writing skill, creativity, and character. Zoe’s recognition is a proud reflection of her talent, dedication, and the strength of Annandale’s student publications program.

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

Opportunities

May 2 - PTSA Community Yard Sale & Market: Reserve a Vendor Space NOW! Join us on Saturday, May 2 from 9:00am-2:00pm in the Annandale High School front parking lot for a PTSA-hosted Community Yard Sale & Market! Whether you’re an artist, baker, crafter, or student entrepreneur, this is a great opportunity to showcase your work and connect with the community. Vendor spaces start at just $25 for a single spot, or $15 for FCPS students. Email AHSPTSAVPPrograms@gmail.com to reserve a space!

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.

News from Students Services

April 22 - Postsecondary Education and Employment Options Event: Fairfax County Public Schools’ Career and Transition Services will host Flash Forward: Postsecondary Education and Employment Options on Wednesday, April 22, from 6:00-7:30pm, in the cafeteria at Woodson High School. The event is designed for students with disabilities pursuing a standard or advanced diploma and their families. It offers an introduction to postsecondary pathways, including education, employment, and community programs. Representatives from adult education, workforce programs, and community organizations will be available to share resources and answer questions. Families are encouraged to register in advance.

Longwood EPF Dual Enrollment - Fall 2026: Longwood University will offer Economics & Personal Finance (EPF) Dual Enrollment (DE) for the Fall 2026 semester. This option will transfer back to satisfy the Economics and Personal Finance graduation requirement and will come with a 1.0 GPA bump for a Dual Enrollment Course. The fee is $62.50. This is open to all rising juniors and seniors, and to select students in grades 9 & 10 who meet certain GPA and math readiness requirements. Longwood asks that interested students complete this interest form using a personal email address. The official registration opens in July. Students who register will also need to complete this request form prior to the start of the course in order to have the credit transferred back to FCPS. For more information, please contact your student’s counselor or Erin Crowley.

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.

June 1 - Save the Date! Athletic Physical Exams: On Monday, June 1, 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, register today! Contact Ryan Hughes with any questions. 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

Celebrate Your Senior with a Yard Sign! Recognize your student's hard work and determination by displaying a graduation sign in your yard. Each sign sold helps support PTSA initiatives like student scholarships, teacher and student grants, events like the All Night Grad Celebration, teacher appreciation activities, and more! Purchase your sign here - $15 picked up, or $20 delivered. Signs will be ready for pickup/delivery during the first week of May.  

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, April 25. The deadline to become a new donor before the April 25 collection is Wednesday, April 15. 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. We also appreciate personal care items like deodorant, bar soap, feminine hygiene pads, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

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