Annandale Students, Parents, and Community,

At Annandale, our diversity continues to be one of our greatest strengths. This week, that strength was on full display through two of our signature events that celebrated the backgrounds, stories, and traditions that shape our community.

On Friday afternoon, the Interact Club hosted the annual Just World Festival. This year’s theme, Passport to the World, focused on promoting sustainability and global awareness by highlighting critical issues facing today’s world and encouraging participants to take meaningful action within their local and global communities. Student-led workshops explored topics connected to environmental responsibility, human rights, and social impact, while cultural food and interactive experiences created space for learning and connection and local organizations partnered with students to share resources and pathways for involvement.

The celebration continued into the evening with Heritage Night, a longstanding Annandale tradition. Students took the stage for a fashion show and dance performances that reflected the many cultures represented in our community. It is amazing to see our families filled with joy as they watched their students celebrate their heritage, and to watch our students cheering for and celebrating one another with such genuine excitement and respect.

Together, these events highlight what makes Annandale so special. I am proud to be part of a community that not only values diversity but actively celebrates it. Thank you to the students, staff, families, and community partners whose time and effort made this week’s events so meaningful.

As a reminder, there is no school on tomorrow and Tuesday. We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, February 19.

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

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

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 2-6 - National School Social Work Week
March 6 - FanQuest Pep Rally
March 9 - ASAP 4.0 Begins
March 10 - PTSA Meeting
March 10 - Choir Concert, 7pm
March 11 - PTSA Pantry Distribution, 3:30pm
March 12 - ASVAB Testing
March 14 - Saturday Academic Coaching
March 16 - W4 Activities Day
March 18 - Junior Parent Night, 6pm
March 20 - Eid Al Fitr (No School)

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.

February 19 - Singing Valentines New Date! With the delayed starts this past week, the choir has not been able to sell Singing Valentines during lunches. Therefore, we have pushed the date back to Thursday, February 19.

February 19 - Financial Aid Completion Workshop, 5:30pm: Annandale High School will hold a College Financial Aid Workshop on February 19 at 5:30pm where students and families can get assistance completing the FAFSA financial aid application or VASA financial aid application for undocumented students. Students may also sign up to meet with Ms. Mahieu, our financial aid champion, on Fridays during lunch. Students can ask their counselor or Ms. Acosta to sign them up for the appropriate lunch block. Ms. Mahieu can help students with both account creation and completing the FAFSA.

February 23 - Spring Sports Tryouts Begin! Spring sports tryouts are just around the corner, starting on Monday, February 23. This season includes lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, and outdoor track. To participate, all athletes must complete two requirements prior to Friday, February 20: submit a completed sports physical to Athletic Trainer Ryan Hughes and complete the online activity registration, which includes the Emergency Care Form and Concussion Education Training.

Athletes who do not have these items on file by February 20 will not be allowed to try out on February 23. Those who submit their physical and registration after this date will become eligible to try out starting the day after their forms are received. For more information and updates, visit www.annandaleatoms.net. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action - get ready to represent Atom Nation this spring!

Annandale Celebrates Black History Month

February is Black History Month. This year’s theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” Throughout the month, we will celebrate and honor the experiences, achievements, and contributions made by African Americans and their central role in US History.

Our Social Studies teams are offering students opportunities to make their own connections to curriculum content and providing resources to further their learning. Recently, our US/VA History classes finished their Reconstruction unit, studying the African American experience during the Reconstruction era and the empowerment of Black elected officials into government office. In their next unit on Urbanization and Progressivism, students will be looking at the contributions of Black workers, progressivists, and the rise of Black Wall Street. In their Great Migration PBA, students will analyze factors that influenced the migration of African Americans from Southern states and the social and economic impacts the Great Migration had on the United States.

In World History, students are beginning their Imperialism unit, learning about how African nations were impacted by imperialism. Students will soon learn about WWI and the role African Americans played in the war effort. In Government, students are learning about the Executive Branch, specifically how a president can extend his power through executive orders to address racial equality.

Over the past few years, students have created school-wide lessons to highlight the contributions African Americans have made in shaping our country’s history. These lessons will be used again during W4 this year, as a wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn from and with each other.

Awesome Atoms

Annandale AI Challenge Winners Advance to FCPS Competition: Congratulations to Nuh Yesuf, Samuel Mulat, and Robel Teklebirhan, whose AI Challenge team earned top honors in the Annandale AI Challenge. Their app, Smart Cart, is an AI powered grocery assistant designed to help users compare local prices, plan affordable meals, and make informed shopping decisions while considering dietary needs and cultural preferences. The project highlights how technology can promote financial resilience, reduce food waste, and support healthier communities. As school level winners, they will advance to represent Annandale in the upcoming FCPS AI Challenge this Tuesday at Herndon High School. Learn more about their app here.

Just World Festival - A Celebration of Culture and Service: On Friday, the Just World Club hosted its 20th annual Just World Festival with the theme "passport to the World." Keynote speaker Edward Osborne, FCPS Global Education Specialist, spoke about the importance if global competence. More than 20 student clubs and community organizations participated, offering food, games, and raffle prizes. The festival also focused on giving back, with participants packing 60 dental hygiene bags for the AHS food pantry. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success!

Important Information

February 23 - Application for the 2026 Student Representative to the School Board Due: 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.

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 Monday, March 2. If you would like to view the survey, please visit the Student Experience Survey webpage.

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.

Lightspeed Parent Portal Allows Parents to Manage Student Screen Time: FCPS has introduced new parent controls in the Lightspeed Parent Portal to help families manage screen time on FCPS-issued devices. Through the portal, parents can control their child's access to YouTube and pause web browsing during designated After-School Hours while students are off the FCPS network. These controls are active Monday - Friday from 3:30pm to 6:00am (even on student holidays) and all day Saturday and Sunday. They do not affect district filtering policies during the instructional day. Parents can register for the Lightspeed Parent Portal using the link provided in their weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email. For more information about the Parent Portal, please visit the Lightspeed Parent Portal page on the FCPS website.

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.

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.

February 24 - Virtual Gap Year Fair 6-7pm: FCPS is co-hosting a Virtual Gap Year Fair with Go Overseas, whose mission is to empower human connection through perspective-changing travel. At the Virtual Gap Year Fair, students and their families can connect with gap year program providers, counselors, and alumni to learn everything needed about taking a gap year. See the Gap Year Fair Flyer for more information! Students are encouraged to pre-register for this event.

February 25 - CPP Application Due: Students in grades 8-10 whole fit into one or more of the following categories are encouraged to apply: 1) first in your family to attend college in the US, 2) need financial support to attend college, 3) current GPA 2.5 or above, 4) determined to go to college, 5) willing to take some advanced coursework, 6) have a good attendance record, or 7) not currently enrolled in an FCPS College Success Program. This program is designed to support students interested in exploring, applying to, and enrolling in college. Apply at https://tinyurl.com/CPPAPP2026.

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. 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.

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 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 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 in February.

Now-February 24 - High School Academy Open Houses: FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January. A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses. Click here to learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.

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, for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA, is now open.  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.

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 q