Annandale Community Insider - October 4

Important Dates

Now through October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month
October 5 - PRIDE Time and ASAP Begin
October 5 - Late Buses Begin
October 5 - Atoms Athletics Booster Club Meeting
October 6 - Band Concert, 7pm
October 7 - PSAT/SAT/ASVAB
October 7 - Early Release, 12:55pm
October 7 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
October 9 - Fall SEL Screener
October 10 - Saturday Academic Coaching
October 12 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day (No School)
October 13 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm
October 15 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm
October 16 - Underclassmen Picture Makeups/Retakes
October 16 - Football vs. Hayfield, 7pm
October 17 - Special Olympics Soccer Tournament, 9am
October 18 - FCPS College Fair, 4-6pm
October 19-23 - Virginia College Application Week
October 19 - FCPS Virtual Postsecondary Night
October 20 - Chorus Concert, 7pm
October 21 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
October 24 - Academic Coaching
October 24 - Annandale Parade, 10am
October 26 - W4 Activities Day
October 28 - Student of the Month Celebration
October 30 - End of the Quarter (Early Release)

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.

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.

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.

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. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

October 16 - Underclassmen Picture Makeups/Retakes: Did you miss picture day or want to retake your photo? Please go to Clausen Hall (with a pass from your teacher!) between 8:00am and 2:30pm to have your picture taken. Bring your original photo slip or an index card with the following information on it: First and Last Name, Student ID#, Grade, English Teacher to give to the photographer. These pictures will be included in the yearbook, and you will receive a school ID card. If you have questions, please contact the yearbook advisers, Mrs. Hedrick and Mrs. Kapuscinski.

October 19-23 - Virginia College Application Week (VCAW): During the week of October 19-23, students will have an opportunity to take advantage of College Application Week. Throughout this week, students can receive college application fee waivers for most Virginia colleges and universities, helping to reduce the financial burden of applying to multiple schools. In addition to the fee waivers, support will be available in the Career Center during all lunch periods, where counselors will be on hand to answer questions, review application materials, and guide students through the submission process. Please remember that fee waivers are only valid if your application is submitted during this designated week.

Awesome Atoms

AHS Seniors Earn Regional Orchestra Recognition! Congratulations to Kelly AuNguyen and Nattha Poolchuay for earning spots in the Senior Regional Orchestra! This highly competitive ensemble brings together outstanding student musicians from across the region. We are also proud of all of our Annandale musicians who auditioned. Preparing for an audition at this level takes tremendous dedication, practice, and courage, and each student grew through the experience. Congratulations to Kelly and Nattha, and to all of our students for representing Annandale with talent and pride!

Eagles in Flight Launch - The new Eagles in Flight program recently held its first meeting at Annandale High School! In partnership with the University of Mary Washington, AHS introduced a new college-readiness opportunity, currently available at just two FCPS high schools. Designed to support students beginning in 9th grade, Eagles in Flight helps students explore college and career pathways while building the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need for success after high school. We’re excited to see where this new opportunity takes our students!

Adjusted Schedules for Wednesday, October 7

This 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 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. 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 charged Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) test fees for any tests beyond the first six funded by FCPS. Students who 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.

Ensure Your Student Has Access To School Resources: Families can now easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more. Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.

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 the FCPS Free and Reduced Priced Meals website for more information.

Opportunities

Speak Another Language? Earn High School Credit! This year, the WLCBE will take place at Annandale HS for students who have registered. This exam is optional and assesses how well students can speak and write in languages other than English. Students can earn up to 3 language credits, which can help them qualify for the Advanced Studies Diploma and the Seal of Biliteracy. Click here for more info about the exam. If your students are testing, you’ll get an email reminder before the exam. If your student would like to register for the World Languages Credit By Exam, please complete this interest form by October 9 and your counselor will reach out to you to schedule your registration.

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. 

Registration Now for Parent Orchestra! Registration is now open for the ninth 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.

October 20 - College Essay Workshop in the Atoms Writing Center: 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.

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 Now Open! The 2027–28 FAFSA is now open. 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.

Upcoming College Visits – Register Now! Our College & Career Center hosts visits from representatives for colleges and universities throughout the country. Find out which schools are visiting here. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are interested in attending must log into Naviance to register. Click on "Colleges" at the top of the page and then click on "college visits." Click "register now" for the visits you would like to attend. Once you have signed up, you should receive a confirmation email. Please show the confirmation email to your teacher and get permission to attend.  Passes will be delivered to your first class (R1/W2) the morning of the scheduled visit. If you do not have a first class you may pick up your pass from the Career Center (Room 103). Students who are not registered in Naviance for a college visit will be denied entry.

College & Career Planning Site: Check out the 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.

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!

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, 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
• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School

Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr: FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place. Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff. Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day. A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings.

Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey: As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school. The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns. Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15. Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.