Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

Thank you for an amazing year! I often say that no one can educate our students alone. The work is too complex and schools face challenges that are constantly evolving. At Annandale, we overcome these challenges by remaining focused on our priorities of relationships and support, high quality instruction, and strong collaboration. As a result, our students continue to learn and perform at the highest of levels.

Relationships & Support - This year, we prioritized social-emotional learning in our W4 advisory classes, holding three rounds of individual check-ins with students to build connections with their teachers. In addition, Students of the Month were recognized and celebrated for demonstrating our Atoms Agreements of empathy, determination, and safety. We continued to refine our approach to supporting students’ wellness and behavior through our student support and attendance teams. Finally, to develop relationships outside of the classroom, we held a W4 Activities Day each month, explored intramural sports, and held the first annual Atoms Games this past December.

In addition, this year, Annandale High School was one of only nine schools across the Commonwealth to receive recognition as a Special Olympics National Unified Champion School! This honor highlights our dedication to fostering inclusion through Unified Sports, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement. 

High Quality Instruction - Our teachers met in teams multiple times each week to collaboratively plan lessons, create common assessments and respond to student data. When planning high quality instruction, our focus was on learning targets, high level academic tasks, scaffolds, and using evidence to empower students, staff, and families. For students who struggled academically, we provided intervention during class time. In addition, we expanded our PRIDE time and After School Academic Program (ASAP) to provide targeted intervention for academic needs of students in on-level and advanced courses. Moreover, we expanded our Super Saturdays to include Academic Coaching to provide students with a quiet space to work with support from Annandale staff.

Strong Collaboration - Throughout the year, we as a staff learned together by examining data and reflecting on our practices. Our environmental scans process gave teachers and teams opportunities to identify what would have the biggest impact on student learning, develop a high-leverage move to amplify that impact, and collaboratively reflect on teaching and learning. One teacher shared, “I am grateful for being encouraged to grow professionally at this point in my career. With nearly 20 years of teaching experience, one would think I have mastered my pedagogy. Environmental Scans have given me the impetus to think about how I can better support student learning without changing everything about how I teach.” 

I hope you will take time this summer to relax and rejuvenate with loved ones. I will keep you updated periodically throughout the summer via the Insider, and we will see you back here in August.

Shawn DeRose, Principal

Important Dates

June 16 - Annandale High School Summer Camps Begin

June 19 - Juneteenth Holiday (Offices Closed)

July 4 - Fourth of July Holiday (Offices Closed)

July 7-25 - Summer Meals at Annandale High School

July 7-25 – FCPS Summer School Credit Recovery

July 7-25 – CTE Summer Academy Program

August 1-3 - Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday

August 4 - Fall Sports Tryouts Begin

August 4-7 - New Teacher Orientation

August 11 - First Day for Teachers

August 14 - New Student Orientation & Open House

August 18 - First Day of School for Students

August 29 and September 1 - Labor Day Holiday (No School)

June 16 - Annandale Summer Camps Begin: Looking for fun activities for your child this summer? Annandale High School is offering a variety of summer camps this year for current elementary and middle school students led by our own Annandale coaches. Help spread the word to friends, family and neighbors! More information on signups upcoming!

Registration for all camps can be found here. See descriptions of the various camps below. More information can be found at AnnandaleAtoms.net. 

Campers can bring their lunch or purchase lunch at camp, and they should bring a snack and a water bottle each day. Cash or checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to “Annandale Athletic Boosters.” Payment is due on the first day of camp.

July 7-25 - FCPS Summer School Credit Recovery: As the school year came to a close, counselors had conversations with students about possible summer learning opportunities. For students needing credit recovery, classes will be in-person at Annandale from July 7-25. Attendance is mandatory and is tracked by the minute (300 minutes per day). If a student misses over 600 minutes, they will be removed from the program. The registration deadline is June 24. Communicate with your student’s counselor if there are questions.

July 7-25 – CTE Summer Academy Program: For students interested in taking a deeper dive into Career and Technical Education (CTE) program areas, the CTE Summer Academy Program does an exploration of Business and Information Technology, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology/Engineering Education, and more! Housed at Lake Braddock Secondary School, this program will provide students 4 hours daily of enriching programming and career exploration. Please consult the link for tuition details, transportation, and schedule.

July 7-25 - Summer Meals at Annandale High School: Free breakfast and lunch will be served to all children ages 18 and under at Annandale High School from July 7 to July 25, Monday through Friday. Breakfast will be available from 9:00am to 10:00am, and lunch will be served from 12:00pm to 1:00pm. Meals are first come, first served, and children must remain on site while eating. Please note that no meals will be served on the June 19 and July 4 holidays. If you have any questions regarding the Summer 2025 meal service, please contact us at SummerMeals@fcps.edu or at 703-813-4800. For more information and additional sites, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.

August 2-4 - Virginia Sales Tax Holiday: Save on School Supplies! Mark your calendars! Virginia’s annual 3-day Sales Tax Holiday kicks off on Friday, August 2 at 12:01am and runs through Sunday, August 4 at 11:59pm. This is a great opportunity for families to save on back-to-school essentials and more. For more details and a full list of eligible items, visit the Virginia Department of Taxation website.

August 4 - Start of Fall Season: Mark your calendars for Fall 2025 sports tryout dates. Sports include golf, football, cheer, field hockey, cross-country & volleyball.

August 18 - First Day of School: Monday, August 18 is the first day of school for the 2025-26 school year. View the 2025-26 school year calendar. 

Awesome Atoms!

Awesome Atoms: Celebrating Our Staff! Last week we came together as a staff to celebrate one of the things that makes Annandale so special—our incredible staff. The celebration featured our annual Fred Awards. Staff members nominate their colleagues who make the ordinary, extraordinary. We received over 400 Fred Award nominations! Congratulations again to our 2025 Fred Award winners: Mary Johnson, Jen Buchanan, and Emily Lockwood!

Important Information

Cell Phone Policy Update for High Schools: Beginning in August, high school students can only use their cell phones and other personal devices (AirPods, smart watches, etc.) during lunch and before or after school. This is a change from FCPS’ current cell phone policy, which allows high schoolers to use devices during passing periods. Next school year, students must keep devices off and away during classroom time and during passing periods between classes. Read more about the Cell Phone Policy.

SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE: Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests. Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines. Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.

Summer Assignments: All FCPS middle school and high schools will not give summer assignments. Instead, schools may recommend optional enrichment activities that are not for a grade. At Annandale, we highly encourage students to select texts or books to read over the summer.

Summer Office Hours: The Annandale Main Office will be open on weekdays from 8:00am-2:00pm this summer. The office will be closed on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, July 4. Registrations are by appointment only. Please contact Annandale registrar, Esther Amenyah at emamenyah@fcps.edu to schedule an appointment.

Report Cards Mailed - Week of June 23: Report cards will be mailed out the week of June 23. For questions about a specific progress report or grade you can login into your SIS ParentVUE Account to find detailed grade book information.

Student Laptop Collection: All students are required to turn in their FCPS. Any student who has not already returned their FCPS issued laptop must drop off their computer this week in the main office. If your student is participating in an FCPS summer program they will be issued a laptop and power cord at that site. 

Opportunities

Student Bus Passes Offer Free Transportation All Year: Annandale High School students can get a Student Bus Pass SmarTrip card to ride the Fairfax Connector and Fairfax CUE buses for free! With the pass, fares are free from 5am to 10pm, seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass. Complete the application and return it to our front office. Our students can ride Metrobus for free, in addition to the Fairfax Connector and City of Fairfax CUE. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes. Complete the application and return it to Student Services.

Is Your Student Ready to Drive? If you have logged hours behind the wheel, have your Virginia Learner’s Permit, and have earned your pink card, then you may be ready to obtain your license! Consider enrolling in Behind the Wheel through ACE. Conveniently, you can meet instructor and the car at Annandale HS on various dates throughout the summer. Check out the many sessions offered and enroll here: Driver Education Behind the Wheel at Annandale HS. If you have any questions, email Lizzie McManus.

July 19 - Free Edu-Family Event - Held at George Mason University (Fairfax Campus) from 9:00am–3:30pm, this one-day event offers a preview of Edu-Futuro’s programs for students (grades 6–12) and parents, including Robotics and SEL for middle students, College prep and career skills for high students, Finance and tech workshops for parents. The day also features interactive learning stations, a career panel, a college fair, and giveaways. Sign up now – space is limited! Students: bit.ly/ELPbootcamp2025; Parents: bit.ly/PESbootcamp2025.

Annandale PTSA Pantry

During the 2024-2025 school year we have experienced a 27% increase in the numbers of families served. We held 18 pantry distributions which supported 1,399 families totaling 6,841individuals.  An average of 78 families per distribution. 

An ATOMic shout out to our pantry volunteers. We could not do it without you. A huge thank you to Karen Hughes, Sarah Henken, Al and Rai Kent, Mary Johnson, Terry Boyd, Mary Padrutt, Rose Paljug, Chris Peck, Pat Hughes, T.J. Foti, Tyler Foti, Jennifer Ellis, Amy Mahoney, Janine Taylor, Gisela Sanchez, Craign Eres, AHS Staff Volunteers, AHS Student Volunteers, our community partners: Food for Others, BRAWS and individual members of the AHS greater community who continue to amaze and support us with your donations both in kind and financially. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Summer produce pop up has begun on Sundays at Braddock Elementary School from 3:30-4:30. The pantry will be open for a summer distribution for AHS students on Wednesday, July 16, 11:00-2:00. 

Looking ahead to next year, we are continuing our partnership with  Food for Neighbors to help stock our student centered snacks. Please sign up to be a red bag donor. It is as easy as 1, 2, 3!  For more information on the Red Bag Program and how to sign up, more information can be found here.

We look forward to the next school year. We will reopen for the 2025-2026 school year on August 27. 

News from Student Services

July 7-25 - FCPS Summer School Credit Recovery: Registration is open for students who need to take a summer credit recovery course. Credit Recovery Academy is for students who receive an F or NM for a course required for graduation. Students can take one course, in-person. For more information, visit the FCPS website and contact your counselor. The registration deadline is June 23. Below is detailed information:

• No cost
• Location: Annandale High School (transportation provided from designated pick-up spots)
• Monday, July 7 - Friday, July 25 (most courses)
• 8:00am - 1:00pm

Virtual Mental Wellness Consultations: This summer, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual Mental Wellness Consultations from Monday, June 23, through Friday, August 1. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or social worker by phone or videoconference. We encourage all families to take advantage of this service. Request a consultation or call and leave a message at 703-503-2520.

NOVA Early Online College Fall 2025 Semester Registration: NOVA Early Online College (EOC) allows rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses. EOC courses for the fall semester take place Monday, September 22, through Tuesday, December 16. Students should register by Friday, July 25, at 5 p.m. Courses are asynchronous, online, and for college credit only. Thirteen courses are offered along with courses that fulfill the IT Technical Support Career Studies Certificate. EOC courses meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degrees as well as being highly transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities.

July 26 - INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fair: Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5+ with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at their summer health fair on July 26 in Falls Church. This event is for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. Appointments are required. No walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment. 

News from the Student 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. To learn more about Annandale's Spring sports programs, visit their website, AHS Athletics Twitter or Instagram page.