Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

This weekend, the Annandale Theatre Company wowed audiences with their production of the beloved musical "Annie"! Over 50 talented students dedicated months to preparing this show, and their hard work and determination were on full display. With catchy songs, showstopping choreography, and larger-than-life characters, the production brought joy to our "Annie-dale" community. To make the performances even more special, several Annandale staff members joined the cast for surprise guest appearances. A huge congratulations to the entire cast and crew for an outstanding production!

Looking ahead, this week we will begin our new PRIDE Time and ASAP assignments. PRIDE Time 2.0 begins Tuesday, November 18. Students who have been identified as needing additional academic support will start new PRIDE Time assignments, which they can view in StudentVue as their period 11 class. For students requiring additional help, ASAP 2.0 begins Monday, November 17. Students and families received emails regarding ASAP assignments on November 13. ASAP students should report to their assigned teacher after school, and late buses will be available at 4:45pm. We encourage you to talk with your students about how they're making the most of these valuable opportunities.

We will also kick off Atoms Games this week, bringing school-wide competition and spirit to Annandale! The school will be divided into Nations based on W4 class location, with each Nation represented by a specific color. This is a fun opportunity to build connections, show school spirit, and engage in friendly competition. First up is Winning4Giving, where W4 classes will compete to collect the most non-perishable items for our food pantry. Get ready to represent your Nation, have some fun, and support our school community!

Finally, we have extended the deadline for FCPS Honors nominations to tomorrow, November 17. These awards recognize exceptional educators and staff across FCPS, and we encourage you to nominate Annandale staff members who have made a difference. This is an opportunity to celebrate those who go above and beyond for our students. To nominate an Annandale staff member, please complete the AHS Outstanding Employee Nomination Form.

Have a great week, Atom Nation. As always, please reach out with any questions.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards - Now Accepting Nominations!

At Annandale High School, we believe our staff is truly exceptional, and the work they do for our students deserves to be celebrated outside of Atom Nation! Each year, FCPS recognizes staff members who demonstrate outstanding excellence in their roles, including Outstanding Teacher, New Teacher, Leader, Professional Employee, Operational Employee, and Principal. We invite you to join us in honoring the incredible contributions made every day by highlighting some of our amazing staff members. Let’s shine a spotlight on the excellence that makes Annandale special!

To nominate an Annandale staff member, please complete the AHS Outstanding Employee Nomination Form. If you are interested in learning more about the overall FCPS awards process, you can visit the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards Website. Nominations are due on tomorrow, November 17. Contact Jae Lee with any questions.

Important Dates

November 17 - MYP Certificate Celebration
November 18 - PRIDE Time 2.0 Begins
November 18 - PTSA Meeting
November 19 - Winter Meet the Coaches Night
November 19 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
November 20 - Atoms Games Begin
November 20 - Thanksgiving Lunch
November 20 - Winter Sport Pictures
November 21 - Mentor Open House, 3pm
November 24 - W4 Activities Day
November 24 - Winning 4 Giving Collection
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break (No School)
December 3 - Deck the Doors Begins
December 3 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
December 4 - ASVAB Testing
December 5 - Atoms Games - Nation’s Colors
December 6 - Saturday Academic Coaching
December 9 - Band Concert, 7pm
December 9 - PTSA Meeting
December 11 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm
December 15-19 - Winter Spirit Week
December 15-19 - Holiday Hallways
December 16 - Choir Concert, 7pm

November 17 - PRIDE Time and ASAP 2.0 Begin: Students will begin their new PRIDE Time and ASAP assignments this week. Those who have been identified as needing additional academic support will begin a new PRIDE Time intervention and possibly After School Academic Support (ASAP) assignments. ASAP 2.0 begins Monday, November 17 and PRIDE Time 2.0 begins Tuesday, November 18. Students will be able to view their PRIDE Time assignment in StudentVue as their period 11 class. Students and families received emails regarding ASAP assignments on November 13. We encourage you to talk with your students about how they’re making the most of these valuable opportunities during PRIDE Time and ASAP.

November 17 - MYP Certificate Ceremony, 7:00pm: Join us on Monday, November 17 at 7:00pm as we celebrate over 50 students who have earned the Middle Years Programme Certificate. These students have demonstrated incredible dedication through their language studies, volunteer service, and outstanding MYP Personal Projects. Edward Osborne, FCPS Global Specialist, will serve as keynote speaker for this year's theme, "Becoming Global Citizens: Connected, Compassionate, Curious." The evening will include recognition, reflection, cookies, and community. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and recognizing their hard work!

November 18 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm: Our next PTSA meeting will be on Tuesday, November 18. Spanish translation will be available. If you can't attend in person, consider joining us virtually on Zoom. The link will be active 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. Also, if you have not done so already, Please consider joining for the 2025-2026 school year by purchasing membership in our new store. For more information about the Annandale PTSA contact us at atoms.ahs.president@gmail.com.

November 19 - Meet the Coaches Night: On Wednesday, November 19, parents will have an opportunity to hear from the activities office, our athletic trainer and coaches to learn more about supporting their student-athlete. Meet the Coaches Night will start at 6:30pm in the cafeteria.

November 20 - Atoms Games Begin: Thursday, November 20 will mark the start of the Atoms Games! The Atoms Games is a school-wide competition designed to unite students and staff through friendly rivalry, school spirit, and a shared commitment to giving back to our community. Here’s how it works. Students in W4 classes have been grouped into 12 Nations, each represented by a unique color. Throughout the Games, Nations will compete in a variety of fun and impactful activities to earn points. The Nation with the most points at the end will win the ultimate prize—a breakfast party! 

November 20 - Thanksgiving Lunch: Students will be served a Thanksgiving Lunch in the cafeteria on Thursday, November 21! The menu will consist of turkey with gravy, chickenless bites, mashed potatoes, green beans, fresh apples and more. Check out the FCPS School Lunch page for more information about lunches!

November 21 - Mentor Open House: Interested in becoming a mentor? Join us for an open house on November 21 from 3:00-4:00pm in Clausen Hall to learn more about our mentoring program. We will have pizza and refreshments as we share information about this rewarding opportunity to support Annandale students. Please RSVP here so we can plan accordingly. Questions? Contact Chris Edmonds. We hope to see you there!

November 25 - Federal Impact Aid Survey Due: The Federal Impact Aid Survey forms were distributed to students during W4. Our school can receive additional funding if we have families federally connected. Each year, every school is required to survey their families. Parents/Guardians, please complete the form, sign it, and return it to school with your child by Tuesday, November 25.

Important Information

Federal Impact Aid Survey: FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Student-Parent Survey for Federal Impact Aid. Returning this form is important because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget and are critical to ensuring that all children in FCPS receive an excellent education. This year, families will have access to the Federal Impact Aid Survey in electronic format via ParentVUE. All parents with a ParentVUE account will be able to complete the survey online using their computer at home. Step by step directions for filling out the online form can be found here. For families unable to complete the survey on-line, a paper form will be available. Students whose families have not yet completed the form were provided a paper copy in W4 Advisory.

Understanding the State Accountability and Standards of Learning (SOL) Changes: The Virginia Board of Education and the General Assembly are planning significant changes to SOL assessments. These changes will have a significant and potentially detrimental impact on schools and students. FCPS is a model of excellence: home to 7 of Virginia’s top 10 high schools and 262 National Merit Semifinalists this year. But with these upcoming changes, many schools and students across the state could be unfairly labeled as failing. Learn more about these changes by the state of Virginia. Watch Dr. Reid’s message about the changes. 

Cell Phone Policy Reminder: All cell phones, headphones, and phone accessories must remain off and away all day, including during hallway transitions. Students may only use their devices in the cafeteria during lunch. Any devices seen in use outside of that time will be confiscated. Students can pick up their devices after school in the cafeteria. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this expectation at home and helping all of our Atoms stay focused on learning throughout the day.

Free Immunizations Available for All FCPS Students: Inspire Health Alliance, in partnership with FCPS, is providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. Families will need to provide insurance information if applicable, but students without insurance may still participate. Upcoming immunization clinics will be held at:

Willow Oaks Administrative Office 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, 3:00-6:30pm:
    • Tuesday, November 18
    • Wednesday, November 19
    • Thursday, November 20

To schedule an appointment or for more information, visit the FCPS Inspire Health Alliance Student Immunization Events webpage.

Awesome Atoms

National School Psychologist Week:  This past week we celebrated the contributions of school psychologists and the important role they play in schools and communities helping children thrive. Annandale High School is excited to introduce and celebrate our two School Psychologists, Elizabeth Halmon and Lara Jaramillo, to Atom Nation. Both have quickly integrated into our school community and have become a wonderful resource for our students and staff.

Debate Team Competes at Dragon Invitational Tournament: Annandale's Debate Team represented Atom Nation at the Urban Debate League's Dragon Invitational Tournament in Washington, D.C. this weekend. Sophie Yamaoka and Isabella Izaguirre competed in Policy debate, tackling the complex topic of US exploration and development in the Arctic. Both students demonstrated strong growth in their first tournament of the year, sharpening their arguments and strengthening their public speaking skills. Great work, Sophie and Isabella!

Celebrating Attendance Improvement: Leadership students recently delivered cupcakes to the top 50 students who made the greatest improvement in their full-day attendance from first quarter last year to first quarter this year. It's a joy to see students joining us more often, and we are proud of their efforts to grow and improve. These students were surprised with recognition while in class, celebrating their commitment to being present and engaged at Annandale. Way to go, Atoms!

Opportunities

Winter Break Olympics Camp: Calling all second through eighth graders! Winter Break Camp will again run from 8:30am-3:00pm, with drop off as early as 8:00am. Camp Runs December 22-23 at Poe Middle School and Dec 29-30 at Annandale High School. Sign up at: https://bit.ly/Winter25Camp.

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.

Academic Support & Tutoring Opportunities

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.

Retake Room is Up and Running! 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.

News from Students Services

2026-27 FAFSA Form Now Open! Federal Student Aid has released the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any college-bound high school senior — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to work with their students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible. Check each college’s financial aid office website for deadlines and financial aid forms. Then, create an account if you have not already done so, and fill out the FAFSA.

The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application has not yet opened, but should be available in late January for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA. To help determine which aid option is right for you, visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website. 

Get Help Filling Out the FAFSA: Over the next few months, College Access Fairfax will offer several programs on completing the FAFSA/VASA and finding and applying for scholarships. Get information on these programs and how to access them on the College Access Fairfax website. College Access Fairfax staff are available for virtual one-on-one help sessions to help complete the FAFSA/VASA. To request an appointment, families should email appointments@CollegeAccessFairfax.org.

Transcript Requests for College Applications & Scholarships: Seniors need to request official high school transcripts one month prior to application deadlines. For example, if a college application is due on December 15, the Transcript Request Form is due on November 15. We will be receiving a very high volume of requests in the coming months, and our Student Services staff needs adequate time to process them. Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines are quickly approaching. For step-by-step instructions and forms for submitting Transcript Requests, go to the AHS Student Services Website .

Thursday College Application Workshops: Every Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm in Trailer 14, Counselors and AVID 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.

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. 

November 19 - Winter Meet the Coaches Night: For those parents of student-athletes on a winter team, join us Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30pm in the cafeteria. We will hold a general session prior to breakout groups for each program. Come hear about the program, expectations, and more from each winter season coach.