Annandale Community Insider - September 27

Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

It is Homecoming Week at Annandale, and there are lots of opportunities for students to get involved. From the full week of Spirit Days, to W4 Activities Day on Tuesday, Friday’s Pep Rally and football game to Saturday’s Homecoming Dance, this week is about bringing our students together and building connections across our school.

On Tuesday, students will participate in our first W4 Activities Day of the year. Students had the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of activities based on their interests, giving them time to try something new, connect with classmates, and build relationships with staff. Whether through clubs, activities, athletics, or events like Homecoming, getting involved helps students find their place at Annandale and strengthens the sense of belonging that makes our community special.

That spirit will continue throughout the week as students and staff participate in our Homecoming dress-up days. On Friday, we will come together for our Homecoming Pep Rally before cheering on our Atoms as they take on Justice High School at 7:00pm. The celebration continues Saturday night with the Homecoming Dance from 8:00-11:00pm.

I encourage all of our students to find a way to participate this week. Wear your class colors, try something new during W4, come cheer on our Atoms, or join us at the dance. There are many ways to get involved, and each one is an opportunity to strengthen relationships and feel more connected to Annandale.

Have a great week, Atom Nation! As always, reach out if you have any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

Now through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 28-October 2 - Homecoming Week
September 29 - W4 Activities Day
September 30 - SR&R Acknowledge Form Due
October 2 - Homecoming Pep Rally
October 2 - Homecoming Football Game
October 3 - Homecoming Dance
October 5 - PRIDE Time and ASAP Begin
October 5 - Late Busses Begin
October 5 - Atoms Athletics Booster Club Meeting
October 7 - SAT, PSAT, ASVAB Testing Day
October 7 - Early Release, 12:55pm
October 9 - Social and Emotional Learning Screener
October 13 - PTSA Meeting
October 16 - Underclassmen Picture Makeups/Retakes
October 18 - FCPS College Fair
June 3 - Class of 2027 Graduation, 9am 

Now through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month: Fairfax County Public Schools and Annandale High School proudly celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latino community members. This month honors individuals whose heritage is rooted in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America — recognizing their enduring impact on our school, our community, and our country.

September 28-October 2 - Homecoming Spirit Week: Students and staff are encouraged to show their spirit by dressing in each day’s theme. 

Monday: Slumber on Mt. Olympus (Pajama Day)

Tuesday: Olympic Games (Jersey Day)

Wednesday: Touch of Midas (Wear Gold or Yellow)

Thursday: Clash of the Doppelgängers (Twin Day)

Friday: Clash of the Greek Gods (Class Colors): Freshmen: Gray, Sophomores: Black, Juniors: Red, Seniors: White

September 29 - W4 Activities Day: A continued focus at Annandale is to increase student involvement in activities outside of the classroom. One way we are doing this is by providing opportunities for students to explore clubs and activities and connect with classmates and staff over shared interests during the school day through our W4 Activities Day. These opportunities will occur each month from September to April, during W4 and Pride Time. Students selected their preferred activity via a Google form shared through their W4 lessons. We are excited to offer this experience for our students and look forward to offering more ways to help our students feel connected to school.

September 30 - Student Rights and Responsibilities Acknowledge Form Due: FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Parents please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet by Wednesday, September 30.

October 2 - Homecoming Pep Rally: Our fall pep rally will be held Friday, October 2. We will follow a special white day pep rally schedule. Students will be released from class at 1:55pm to attend the single pep rally in the stadium from 2:10-2:55pm. Students will be dismissed from school immediately following the pep rally.

October 3 - Community Shredding Event & Food Drive: Annandale community members are invited to safely dispose of old or confidential documents at a free community shredding event on Saturday, October 3, from 11:00am-2:00pm in the Annandale High School parking lot. An industrial shredding truck will be available on site throughout the event. We are also partnering with the Annandale High School Food Pantry to support our students and families. Attendees are encouraged to bring items from the Food Pantry donation list to help stock our shelves and support members of our Annandale community. Donations are appreciated but not required to participate in the shredding event.

October 3 - Homecoming Dance: A Night in Athens: Step into an enchanted Greek evening on Saturday, October 3 from 8:00-11:00pm. Gather under the moonlit sky for a magical night of music, dancing, and timeless glamour with friends. Leadership is actively seeking faculty and staff to help bring this historic evening to life; if you are available to assist for all or part of the night, please sign up using this form.

October 5 - PRIDE Time and ASAP Begin: At Annandale, we work together to support our students’ needs. One way we do this is through our approach to targeted intervention through PRIDE Time and our After School Academic Program, ASAP. This year, PRIDE Time and ASAP will begin on October 5. To support our students’ diverse academic needs, students were assigned to either an Intervention PRIDE Time or an Academic Coaching PRIDE Time. Students may also have been assigned to one or two ASAP days. Students will be able to view their PRIDE Time assignment in StudentVue as their period 11 class by October 4. Students and families will receive emails regarding ASAP assignments next week. We encourage you to talk with your student about how they’re making the most of these valuable opportunities.

October 5 - Late Buses Begin: Beginning on Monday, October 5, students who stay after school will have the opportunity to ride the late bus home. Late bus days are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Buses will pick students up in the back of the building with a departure time of approximately 4:45pm. Please check StudentVue and ParentVue for your student’s late bus number and stop.

October 7 - SAT, PSAT and ASVAB Testing Day: On Wednesday, October 7, Annandale High School will administer several important assessments at no cost to families. Students in grades 10 and 11 will take the digital PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). All seniors will take either the digital SAT School Day exam or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

Seniors who did not register for the SAT will automatically be scheduled to take the ASVAB. In addition to measuring skills for potential military careers, the ASVAB provides students with a personalized score report that can help them identify their strengths and explore possible career paths. Additional information about testing schedules will be shared in the coming weeks.

Because of testing, October 7 will be an unscheduled day for most ninth-grade students. Students are encouraged to use the day to complete missing assignments and prepare for the end of the first quarter. Ninth-grade students with disabilities who receive low-incidence special education services will attend school for in-person instruction and be released two hours early. Families may learn more about the SAT and PSAT assessments on the FCPS website.

Awesome Atoms

PACE Pours Builds Skills Through Community Partnership: Our PACE Pours students recently took their student-run business into the community, putting their classroom learning into action while building communication, financial literacy, life, and job skills. Through this hands-on experience, our students practiced navigating a new workplace environment while connecting with and serving others. A special thank you to Ms. Anai Moreno for making this partnership possible and to our community partners for welcoming and supporting our students. We are proud of our Awesome Atoms for continuing to build the skills, confidence, and independence that will prepare them for life after high school!

Adjusted Schedules for Wednesday, October 7

On Wednesday, October 7, Annandale High School will provide students in grades 10-12 with an opportunity to take the SAT, PSAT, or the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). All students will be released two hours early.

Grade 9 - Catch Up Day: On October 7, there will be no school for students in Grade 9. Instead, students should use this time to work on any outstanding assignments and prepare for the end of the first quarter.

Grades 10 and 11 - PSAT School Day: All students in Grades 10 and 11 will participate in the PSAT. No registration is required. The test is offered at no cost to families. Annandale students now have access to Kaplan online PSAT preparation resources. To get started, students should log in at https://tinyurl.com/FCPSKaplan using their FCPS username and password.

All students MUST bring their school assigned school laptops and chargers as tests are online. Students will be using the BlueBook App for all PSAT testing. Students are allowed to bring a calculator for testing. Acceptable calculator policy is linked here for your review.

Grade 12 – SAT/ASVAB School Day: Students in Grade 12 who registered will have the opportunity to take the SAT. FCPS will cover the cost for any twelfth-grade student to take this test. General information about the SAT School Day test format is available on the College Board webpage. Students are responsible for bringing their own calculators and pencils for testing and calculators must comply with the acceptable calculator policy. Annandale students now have access to Kaplan online SAT preparation resources. To get started, students should log in at https://tinyurl.com/FCPSKaplan using their FCPS username and password.

Seniors who did not register for the SAT School Day will take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) which provides a score report that helps identify potential career pathways. Additional information about ASVAB can be found here. 

CAT B Students: Students with disabilities taught on an adapted curriculum (Category B) who are not participating in PSAT or SAT exams receive normal in-person instruction for the shortened school day.

Important Information

2026-27 AP/IB Test Opt-Out Timeline and Fees: As part of the FCPS budget, FCPS is continuing to pay for the first six IB/AP tests a student wishes to take. Students will be assessed Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) test fees for any tests beyond the first six funded by FCPS. Students that have free/reduced lunch status and have completed the consent to share form, will not be charged these fees. FCPS and Annandale High School encourage all students to take IB/AP tests for courses in which they are enrolled. This is an excellent opportunity to practice taking a college level exam. Here are links to the IB exam calendar and the AP exam calendar. When scores are released in July 2027, students have the ability to share their scores with their colleges. However, if students wish to not test they will have the opportunity to opt-out. To obtain the opt-out form, students must see Mrs. Bradshaw, IB Diploma Coordinator, in the library. Opt-Out forms are due by October 30 to Student Services. Parents will be billed in December through MySchoolBucks for any test fees beyond the six FCPS funded tests. These fees are non-refundable and there is no spring cancellation option.

October 9 - Social and Emotional Learning Screener: One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener. The screener is offered to all students in grades 3-12 in October and again in March. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful. SEL Screener results are sent to families via postal mail. Families who wish to opt their child out should complete the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or in the Digital Parental Consent App. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. Families recently received an e-notify with hard copy opt-out forms as well. Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey.

October 16 - World Language Credit Exam Registration Deadline: Does your student speak, read, and write in a language other than English? If so, they may be eligible to earn high school credit through the World Languages Credit By Exam. This exam allows students to earn credits to help fulfill requirements for the Advanced Studies Diploma and Virginia's Seal of Biliteracy. If your student would like to register for the World Languages Credit by Exam, please reach out to your counselor by Friday, October 16 to ensure you meet the registration deadline. Students need parent permission to take the test. Please print and sign the testing permission form and return it to your student’s counselor. If you have any questions, contact Jacquelyn Costa.

IB Parent Meeting Information: Thank you to the many families who attended our IB Junior and Senior Parent Meetings during Back to School Night. If you were unable to attend or would like to review the information shared, please view the IB Junior Parent Meeting slides and IB Senior Parent Meeting slides. If you have questions, please contact Linda Bradshaw, IB Coordinator.

Signs of Suicide Prevention Program: The teen years are marked by a rollercoaster ride of emotions that may be difficult for teens, their parents, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil, however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age, and the past decade has seen teen suicide rates double. The FCPS Signs of Suicide Wellness Lessons and Screenings for Grade 9 will take place on October 1. Grade 11 will take place in November. Families of these grade levels received a targeted notification with lesson and screening goals, as well as opt out procedures. Please contact Erin Crowley with any questions.

Free Breakfast and Lunch for Every Student! We are excited to announce that all Annandale students will receive free breakfast and lunch every day of the school year, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This USDA program ensures that every student, regardless of their family's income level, can enjoy nutritious meals at no cost. The meal service will remain the same as other schools, with a la carte items available for purchase. Check out the menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.

Note: Even though all students receive free meals, families who may qualify for additional benefits, such as waivers for lab fees, summer school tuition, and more, should still complete the Consent to Share form. Visit FCPS Free and Reduced Priced Meals website for more information.

Reporting Student Attendance: Regular attendance is essential for student success. Research shows that absenteeism in the first month of school often predicts poor attendance for the rest of the year—half of the students who miss 2–4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school. To help your student get the most out of their education, please make sure they are in school and on time every day.

If your student must be absent, please notify the school by calling the attendance line at 703-642-4151. Families also have the option to submit full-day absences directly through SIS ParentVUE. Step-by-step instructions are available on the Attendance page.

Supporting Students Getting to Class On-Time: As part of our commitment to ensure our students are accessing high quality instruction and arriving to all their classes on time, every day, we will be implementing our Start on Time tardy sweep stations during every class transition. Students who are still in the hallways after the late bell will be escorted to their classes, where teachers will update their attendance accordingly. If students are arriving late to school with a note from a parent/guardian to explain their tardiness, they should report to the Attendance Office.

Opportunities

Registration Now for Parent Orchestra! Registration is now open for the 9th year of Parent Orchestra at Annandale High School! This adult ensemble welcomes musicians of all experience levels, from complete beginners to advanced players, with six ensemble levels available. No prior music experience is required. Participants may use their child’s instrument, bring their own, or obtain one for the season. Financial assistance is available by emailing parent.orchestra@gmail.com

Rehearsals are held twice a month on Thursdays from 7:00–8:00pm at Annandale High School. Please note that Parent Orchestra is an adult-only ensemble, and children may not attend rehearsals. Spots fill quickly! Bit.ly/parentorch27.

Thursday College Application Workshops: Every Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm in F151 in the art hallway, AVID teachers and 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.

Visit the AHS Library! The AHS Library welcomes you! No pass is needed to visit before school (7:45-8:10am), during Second Chance Breakfast, or after school until 3:15pm. Passes to use the library during the lunch block are available every day in the library before school and during Second Chance Breakfast. We look forward to seeing you! For any questions, please contact Jessica Bombardier. 

Atoms Writing Center Opening Soon! The Atoms Writing Center will reopen the first week of October to help students with academic writing, including college essays and supplemental questions. We will also be hosting a College Essay Workshop with College and Career Specialist Ms. Acosta during PRIDE Time on Tuesday, October 20, which you can register for on Naviance. Join our school-wide info page on Schoology (access code: 9MSF-KSDM-B7HCP) to keep up-to-date on our other writing workshops, events, and tutoring availability.

Nominate AHS to Win a Teacher’s Lounge Makeover! The Virginia Lottery and The Supply Room are awarding two K-12 public schools a Teachers' Lounge Makeover valued at $10,000 each! It’s simple to enter by using the form below to nominate your favorite school(s)! Adults 18+ may enter any K-12 public school. So, go ahead, get that entry form completed and give your favorite school a chance to win!

Silent Space for Prayer & Reflection: The Annandale High School Reflection and Silent Space is available in the library for students who need to pray, meditate, or engage in silent reflection. This space is inclusive of all students’ religious and non-religious beliefs. Students may access the Reflection and Silent Space before school, after school, and during lunch. Students who need to access this space during class time will need to have the Parent/Guardian Authorization for Reflection Space Access form completed and submitted to the main office. Forms are available in the main office and the library. Students will receive a laminated prayer room pass once their form is turned in and they are added to the list. The teachers of students who have parent permission to access the prayer room will be contacted directly.

Free Kaplan PSAT & SAT Prep Access: Annandale students now have access to Kaplan online PSAT and SAT preparation resources. To get started, students should log in at https://tinyurl.com/FCPSKaplan using their FCPS username and password. 

PTSA Holiday Market: Calling All Vendors! The Annandale High School PTSA is excited to host its 2026 Holiday Market on Sunday, November 15, from 10:00am-4:00pm at Annandale High School. Local crafters, artists, bakers, students, and community members are invited to reserve a space and share their products with our Annandale community. Vendor spaces are $40, with an early bird rate of $30 for vendors who register by October 16 and a special $15 rate for FCPS students. To reserve a space, email Sarah Henken at ahsptsavpprograms@gmail.com.

News from Students Services

FAFSA Opens October 1: The 2027–28 FAFSA is scheduled to open October 1, 2026. All college-bound seniors seeking federal, state, or school financial aid should complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid website for deadlines and required forms. The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application is expected to open in late January for students unable to complete the FAFSA. Visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website for guidance on which application to use.

Annandale High School will host College Financial Aid Workshops on November 4, December 1, and January 21, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Students and their families can receive hands-on assistance completing their financial aid applications. In addition, College Access Fairfax will visit Annandale High School on Fridays during all lunch periods beginning in November and December to support students. They will also offer FAFSA/VASA and scholarship programs, along with virtual one-on-one assistance. To request an appointment, email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.

College & Career Planning Site: Check out College and Career Resources Site, 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 Career Center also shares updates about new college and career opportunities through Naviance. These updates generate an email, so be sure to check your email regularly for the latest information.

Class of 2027 News

Annandale is Here to Support Your Senior Year College Journey! Annandale High School is committed to partnering with students and families as they navigate the college application process. Check out our recent Class of 2027 Newsletter that includes valuable resources, events, and personalized assistance to help seniors and families plan for life after high school with confidence.

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 or Instagram page.

Purchase a Red Card: Each fall, our sports programs sell a discount “Red Card” to raise money for their teams. The red cards include various discounts at local businesses including: Buffalo Wild Wings, Glory Days, Hangry Joes, Jet’s Pizza, Jiffy Lube, Kilroy’s, and Wingstop. Red Cards are only $20 and can be used at any of the businesses through October 2027. If you would like to purchase a Red Card, please reach out to a fall athlete or email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities. The Activities Office thanks you in advance for your support of our student athletes. Go Atoms!

Atoms Booster All-Season Passes Are Back: Support our Atoms and enjoy a full year of Annandale athletics with an Atoms Booster All-Season Pass! The Atoms Pass provides general admission to all regular season home football, baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, and wrestling events. With nine sports included, it is a great way to cheer on our student-athletes throughout the year while supporting Annandale Athletics.

Passes for the 2026-27 school year are $80 for adults and $40 for students. Parking passes are also available for $30. The Atoms Athletic Boosters are transitioning to digital passes this year, with additional details coming soon. Purchase your Adult Pass or Student Pass today!

October 5 - Atoms Athletics Booster Club Meeting: The Atoms Athletics Booster Club will hold their next meeting on Monday, October 5 at 6:30pm. Please join us in person or online and hear more about how the Atoms Boosters supports all the athletic programs at Annandale. Meetings will be held *November 2, December 7, January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, and June 7. Click here to join virtually *Date subject to change due to teacher workday.

News from the PTSA

Join Our PTSA: The Annandale High School PTSA plays an important role in supporting our students, staff, and school community throughout the year. Your membership helps fund teacher grants, the AHS Food Pantry, community outreach events, the All Night Graduation Celebration, senior scholarships, and many other programs that enrich the student experience. Membership for the 2026-27 school year is just $20 for parents/community members and $10 for students. We encourage all families, staff, and community members to join and support the great work of our PTSA.

October 13 - PTSA Meeting: Join us for our first PTSA meeting of the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00pm in the library. Students, families, and community members are welcome! Meetings are bilingual, with Spanish translation provided. Las reuniones de PTSA son bilingües y se proporciona traducción al español. You can also join virtually. While you are at it, consider joining the PTSA for the 2026-27 school year. Questions? Contact atoms.ahs.president@gmail.com.

FCPS News

Superintendent Community Conversations: Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

• Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
• Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School