Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

I hope you were able to stay safe and warm and enjoy some winter fun during last week’s snow days. We are grateful to our custodial team, who worked tirelessly to clear parking lots and sidewalks to ensure a safe return to school.

Before the winter weather arrived, the Annandale community packed in a great deal of learning and celebration. Students and staff came together for a spirited pep rally last Friday, celebrating school pride and our winter athletes. In addition, more than 130 students chose to spend their Saturday morning at school participating in Academic Coaching, using the time to complete outstanding assignments and prepare for the end of the quarter. As a reminder, due to weather related school closures, the division has extended the semester to Tuesday, February 3. Students are encouraged to check SIS and Schoology and work closely with their teachers this week to ensure all outstanding assignments are completed.

February is Black History Month. This year’s theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations, highlights the ways Black history has been honored, preserved, and uplifted over time. Throughout the month, Annandale High School will celebrate and recognize the experiences, achievements, and contributions of African Americans and their central role in United States history. We remain committed to providing students with meaningful opportunities to engage with these important stories during February and throughout the school year.

This week also marks National School Counseling Week, a time to recognize the important role school counselors play in student success. Our counseling team supports students in a variety of ways, including classroom lessons, group sessions, and individual counseling. We thank our counselors for their dedication to supporting students academically, socially, and as they plan for life beyond high school, and encourage you to reach out to your student’s counselor to share a note of appreciation.

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

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

February 2-6 - National School Counseling Week
February 2-12 - W4 Check-Ins
February 3 - End of Second Quarter
February 6 - Student of the Month Celebration
February 9 - ASAP 3.0 Begins
February 10 - W4 Activities Day
February 10 - Family Literacy Night, 6pm
February 10 - PTSA Meeting, 7pm
February 11 - Singing Valentines
February 11 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
February 12 - PRIDE Time 3.0 Begins
February 13 - Just World Festival, 4pm
February 13 - Heritage Night, 7pm
February 16 - President's Day (No School)
February 17 - Teacher Work Day (No School)
February 19 - Orchestra Concert, 7pm
February 19 - Financial Aid Completion Workshop, 5:30pm
February 23 - Spring Sports Tryouts Begin
February 24 & 25 - WIDA Testing
February 25 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
February 28 - Saturday Academic Coaching
March 6 - FanQuest Pep Rally

Now - February 28 - Individual Academic Advising Meetings: Students will meet one-on-one with their counselors to finalize their course selections for next year. Students will be given specific appointment times through their English classes. Students will receive their appointment times via email. We will begin with current juniors and will conclude with current freshmen later this month.

February 2 - W4 Check-ins Begin: The social and emotional wellness of our students continues to be a priority at Annandale. Beginning February 2, teachers will be conducting one-on-one check-ins with students in their W4 advisory class. These conversations are another opportunity to build a caring and trusting environment for all students, cultivate positive relationships, and identify student needs.

February 3 - End of Semester Extended: Due to the weather related school closures, FCPS recently announced adjustments to the end-of-quarter and grading timelines. These updates are intended to provide clarity and ensure that students and staff have the time needed to complete academic and professional responsibilities. The final day of the second quarter will now be Tuesday, February 3. SIS ParentVue will be inaccessible Tuesday, February 3 through Monday, February 9.

February 7 - Immunization Events for FCPS Students: FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. The event will be held at Frost Middle School. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. View immunization resources on the FCPS website. 

February 10 - Family Literacy Night: Join us on Tuesday, February 10, from 6-7pm, for our Annandale Family Literacy Info Session, where we will share important information on ways to support your English learners with school success. Topics will include how to support students on their upcoming WIDA Access Test, how WIDA scores inform course programming, how to use ParentVue to help your student stay on track, and ways students can access learning at home. We look forward to seeing you! Please reach out to assistant principal, Jeniva Miller, with any questions.

February 11 - Singing Valentines: On Wednesday, February 11, the Choirs of AHS will deliver Singing Valentines throughout the day. Students can purchase a serenade during all lunches, February 2-9.

February 15 - School Resource Officer Appreciation Day: On February 15, School Resource Officers are nationally recognized for their service in schools. SROs serve as liaisons to community services that support the well-being of youth and their families. SROs help educate students on crime prevention, safety measures, drug awareness, conflict resolution strategies, and insights into the legal system and law enforcement operations.  Annandale High School thanks SRO Hannah Isabella for her service to our school community.

February 16 - Presidents Day (No School): As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 16, for the Presidents Day holiday. The following day is a Teacher Workday. See the complete School Year Calendar for more information. 

Important Information

Winter Resources for Families: A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter weather. Please visit the FCPS winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

Application Open for the 2026 Student Representative to the School Board: The School Board student representative represents the interests of Fairfax County Public Schools students. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity. Students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible. To learn more and apply, check out the FCPS Website. Applications are due Monday, February 23.

Upcoming Student Experience Survey: In the coming weeks, FCPS will be administering the Student Experience Survey to all students in grades 3-12. It will help the school division better understand students’ experiences in our schools. The survey takes about 30 minutes and will be completed during school on Tuesday, February 24. If you would like to view the survey, please visit the Student Experience Survey webpage. If you do not want your child to participate in the survey, you may opt them out using the online form on the Student Experience Survey webpage or by completing the paper opt-out form by Friday, February 13. Thank you for supporting our efforts to make improvements in FCPS schools. If you have questions about the Student Experience Survey, please contact research@fcps.edu.

March 10 - Spring SEL Screener: Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. The SEL Screener elevates the voices of our students by making sure their perspectives are considered in decision-making. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. The SEL in FCPS webpage includes information about what the screener is, how it benefits our students, and how screener results are used to create a positive and inclusive learning environment. Our students will be taking the SEL Screener on March 10 during W4 Advisory. SEL screener notification and opt-out information can be found within the Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms booklets.

Awesome Atoms

ARTiFAX Art Awards Recognition: Annandale High School art students were recognized as award winners in the inaugural ARTiFAX Art Awards, a districtwide art competition and exhibition open to FCPS students in grades 7-12. Annandale students were selected from more than 900 entries submitted across the division. Award winning artwork will be displayed at Northern Virginia Community College Annandale from February 5 through March 12. Congratulations to Mikayla Nguyen, Renna Charles, Alice Banks, Diego Gomez, Ellanor Lee, Kai Rumpf, Margaret Moreland, Cody Calvin, and Kaylee Hunter on this outstanding achievement.

AHS Celebrates Student Achievements! Annandale senior, Fatmata Musa earned a full-tuition Posse Scholarship to William & Mary! The Posse Foundation is an organization that identifies, recruits, and trains exceptional young leaders from public high schools and awards full-tuition merit scholarships to students to attend top colleges and universities nationwide as part of multicultural teams called Posses. Out of more than 17,500 nominees this year, only 800 students were selected for this prestigious honor.  In addition, junior Soliyana Degefa earned a $500 college scholarship through BigFuture by College Board, a free online tool that rewards students for completing college and career planning activities on their dashboard. Atoms, keep staying engaged and proactive, there are real opportunities to earn money for college!

Opportunities

Rotary Unite for Good Speech Contest Win Up to $500! Annandale High School students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in the Annandale Rotary Club Speech Contest, centered on the Rotary International theme Unite for Good. The school level contest will take place on March 9 at 3:30pm in Room C-59, with cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $150 for third place. Students will have the opportunity to build public speaking skills, earn scholarship money, and advance to area and district level competitions. Winners will advance to the district competition, where they will compete for the top prize of $1,000. Register to participate in the school level competition here.

Rotary Music Contest Win Up to $500! Annandale High School students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in the Annandale Rotary Club Music Contest, which features solo vocal, keyboard, or instrumental performances. The school level contest will take place on March 16 at 3:30pm in Room C-59, with cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $150 for third place. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their musical talents, earn scholarship money, and advance to area and district level competitions. To enter, complete the Rotary Music Contest submission form by Sunday, March 15.

Emerging Leaders Program Opportunity: Edu-Futuro is inviting Annandale High School students in grades 9 through 12 to apply for the Emerging Leaders Program, a free five-week online leadership and college readiness program offered this winter. The interactive program provides a supportive space for students and families to explore college options, career pathways, and leadership skills together. Participants will build confidence, receive guidance on college preparation and applications, and learn about career opportunities, scholarships, and college tours. Edu-Futuro serves students from all backgrounds and offers programming in both English and Spanish to ensure access for families across the community. Students who are interested can apply here.

Heritage Night Tickets On Sale Now! Heritage Night, one of the biggest events at Annandale High School, is coming up! On February 13, at 7pm, our students will showcase their culture’s music, dance, and fashion, through solo, duet, and group performances. Tickets can be purchased here. Cost is $10. No tickets will be available for purchase at the door! Doors will close once the performance starts and will not re-open. This event has been popular in the past, so we highly recommend purchasing your tickets now to ensure a spot at this incredible performance! If you would like to volunteer your time at the event, please contact Lizzie McManus or JuJu Norvell. 

February 7 - Mason District Health Fair: Families are invited to attend the Mason District Health Fair on Saturday, February 7, from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the James Lee Community Center. Hosted in partnership with Andrés Jiménez’s office, this free, all-ages event brings together community organizations, county departments, and service providers to share valuable health information, services, and resources.

Available services will include vaccine appointment registration and information, Medicaid enrollment assistance, hearing and vision screenings, substance abuse prevention resources, child development screenings, breast cancer awareness information, HIV screening and prevention resources, guidance on healthy eating, and more. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to connect with trusted supports in a welcoming, accessible setting.

Winter Sale: 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. Winter Sale tickets are available for $45 through January 31. After that date, ticket prices will increase to $55. 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.

Yearbook Ads for Sale: As the calendar flips to 2026, the countdown to graduation begins. Senior year is a milestone, and a personal ad in the 202 yearbook is the perfect space to include a heartfelt note or a special family photo. Your message will be something your graduate cherishes for years to come. Don’t miss your opportunity to create a meaningful keepsake here today! All senior ads are due by February 13, 2026.

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.

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 February 28, March 14, April 18, May 2, 16, & 30, June 6, & 13. Reach out to Cass Hersh with questions.

Academic Advising for the 2026-2027 School Year

At Annandale, we want to ensure students and families know where to access all the information needed for course selection. Our Academic Advising page has the grade level information presented by counselors and the course selection Google forms that students must complete. We encourage you to visit this site with your student to discuss courses for next year. Here are some questions you can use to engage with your student about course selection:

• Which classes most excite you about next year?
• When looking at your classes, what are your electives and why did you select those?
• What type of diploma are you going for?
• Where would you like to be challenged?
• Where do you think you might need support?

Please reach out to our counselors if any questions or concerns arise. Their emails and phone numbers can be found on our Student Services page. We are here to help and look forward to supporting our students through this process! In addition, below is an overview of how we are supporting students with the course selection process.

Now-February 28 - Individual Academic Advising Meetings: Students will