Annandale Community Insider - August 2
Celebrating the Annandale Rotary Club’s commitment to our students, staff, and community.
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Annandale Students, Parents and Community:

Earlier this week, we celebrated the incredible dedication of our Annandale staff. Every day, our teachers, counselors, support staff, and administrators create opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed. One of the reasons Annandale is such a special place is that our staff are not doing this work alone. They are joined by community partners who believe in our students and invest in our school.

The Annandale Rotary Club is one example of that partnership. For decades, Rotary has lived its motto of Service Above Self by investing in education, developing young leaders, and strengthening our community. Their commitment to Annandale High School has created opportunities for countless students to discover their talents, build confidence, and prepare for life beyond high school through scholarships, leadership experiences, and community engagement.

This past year, Rotary sponsored both a Speech Contest and a Music Contest, giving our students the chance to strengthen their public speaking and performance skills while competing for scholarships and advancing to regional competitions. Rotary also sponsors our Teacher of the Year award, recognizing the educators who inspire, challenge, and support our students every day. By celebrating excellence in both students and educators, Rotary continues to strengthen the entire Annandale community. 

Thank you to the Annandale Rotary Club for believing in our students, celebrating our staff, and for their continuing partnership with Annandale High School. Together, our staff and community partners are helping every student discover what is possible when an entire community believes in them.

Shawn DeRose, Principal
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Awesome Atoms!

Annandale Teacher Builds Belonging Through Soccer: Annandale's Sara Kugler and Oak View Elementary's Amanda Dey were recently featured by NBC4 Washington for their inspiring work connecting recently arrived students through soccer. What began as an effort to help a small group of students join a community team quickly grew into multiple teams supported by families, educators, and community partners. Their work strengthened students' attendance, confidence, sense of belonging, and engagement in school. It is a powerful reminder that strong relationships, creative thinking, and caring educators can make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.
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Congratulations, Annandale Summer School Graduates! We are proud to celebrate the Annandale students who participated in the summer commencement ceremony at West Springfield High School on Wednesday, July 29. Their hard work, perseverance, and determination have paid off, and we look forward to seeing all they will accomplish next. Congratulations, Class of 2026!

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Wrestling Camp Welcomes Athletes from Across the Region: Annandale welcomed 70 wrestlers from Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and West Virginia for a five-day Purler Wrestling Academy Technique Camp. Led by Coach Jeremiah Reed, athletes ages 8–17 completed 20 hours of intensive drills and the equivalent of 40 matches of live competition. Campers strengthened their technique, developed a competitive mindset, and received complimentary access to the Purler Wrestling Video Series. A special thank-you goes to Josh Damico for helping bring this opportunity to Annandale.

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Annie Ray Honored for Music Education Advocacy: Congratulations to Annie Ray on her outstanding leadership and advocacy for music education across Virginia. Annie played a key role in helping establish the Virginia Diploma Seal for Excellence in Fine Arts, creating new opportunities for students to be recognized for their achievements in the arts. Her advocacy also contributed to the Virginia Music Educators Association receiving the National Association for Music Education's Excellence in Advocacy Award. Annie's work will positively impact students across the Commonwealth for years to come, and we are incredibly proud to celebrate this well deserved recognition.

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Annandale Basketball Camp was a huge success! Campers enjoyed a week filled with engaging guest speakers, skill-development sessions, and competitive activities that challenged and encouraged them. We welcomed more participants than last year, reflecting our continued commitment to expanding opportunities through community outreach. A special thank-you goes to our student-athletes, whose enthusiasm and leadership as camp counselors helped create a positive and memorable experience for every camper.

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Important Dates

August 3 - Fall Sports Tryouts Begin
August 3 - Band Camp Begins
August 7-9 - Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday
August 10-13 - New Teacher Orientation
August 11 - Meet the Coaches Night
August 14 - First Day for Teachers
August 20 - Student Schedules Available
August 20 - Parent Information Session
August 20 - New Student Orientation & Open House
August 21 - Family Band Night Showcase 
August 24 - First Day of School for Students
August 26 - PTSA Pantry Distribution
September 4 & 7 - Labor Day Holiday (No School)
September 9 - PTSA Pantry Distribution
September 21 - Yom Kippur (No School)
September 17 - Back to School Night
September 23 - PTSA Pantry Distribution
September 28-October 2 - Homecoming Week
October 2 - Homecoming Football Game
October 3 - Homecoming Dance

Tomorrow - Band Camp Begins: The Marching Atoms Band Camp begins on August 3 and will run through three weeks of rehearsals and section-specific camp. Our students will be supported by a full staff of professional instructors, including alumni from George Mason University, James Madison University, Florida State University, Virginia Tech, and the Washington Commanders Marching Band. If you have any questions, please contact Zach Wadsworth, Director of Bands.

  • During Week 1, August 3-7, Percussion and Color Guard Camp will take place from 9:00am to 1:00pm for all percussion and color guard members. Student Leadership Camp will meet from 2:00pm to 4:00pm Monday through Wednesday for the leadership team, and New Marcher Camp will meet from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Thursday and Friday for all new students and the leadership team.
  • During Week 2, August 10-14, all marching band members will meet from 8:00am to 8:00pm.
  • During Week 3, August 17-21, all marching band members will meet from 3:30pm to 6:00pm, followed by the Family Night Showcase from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. 

August 3 - Fall Sports Begin: Fall sports, which include Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Field Hockey, and Volleyball will begin Monday, August 3. No experience is necessary. All are welcome! To participate, students need to complete a VHSL physical form and register online to play. Here is the link to the physical form that must be completed by a doctor. Once you have completed the physical form, turn in the form at the Activities Office. The office is open every day from 8:00am-2:00pm. See detailed tryout information below and if you have any questions, email Brandon Sutphin, Director of Student Activities.

August 7-9 - Virginia Sales Tax Holiday: Save on School Supplies! Mark your calendars! Virginia’s annual three-day Sales Tax Holiday kicks off on Friday, August 7 at 12:01am and runs through Sunday, August 9 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 11 - Meet the Coaches Night: We invite all parents and guardians of our fall athletes to join us for Meet the Coaches Night on Tuesday, August 11 at 6:30pm in the Annandale High School Auditorium. This event is a valuable opportunity to hear important information from our athletic office staff, athletic trainer, and Athletic Boosters, as well as to meet your student’s coach and learn more about the upcoming season. The evening will begin with a general session in the auditorium, followed by individual team breakout meetings. We look forward to seeing you there and working together for a successful fall season.

August 14 - PTA Staff Breakfast Event: Help us welcome the teachers back in style! The PTSA welcome back breakfast will be on Thursday, August 14. This special event is our way of showing appreciation for their hard work and commitment to our students. Whether you can volunteer your time, donate breakfast items, or make a financial contribution, your support will make a huge difference. Together, we can create a warm and welcoming start to the new school year for our amazing educators. Sign up here!

August 20 - Student Schedules Available: Beginning Thursday, August 20 at 6:00am, all students and parents will have access to class schedules in SIS StudentVUE and ParentVUE. SIS (Student Information System) is the application to see attendance, class performance, and demographic data.

August 20 - Freshmen (Grade 9) and New Student Orientation: Annandale High School is excited to welcome rising freshmen as well as new students to our school orientation on August 20 from 1:30-3:30pm. Students and parents will meet administrators, counselors, teachers, and other essential school personnel and have an opportunity to explore the school building and learn more about student life at Annandale. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Kara Franklin Taylor.

August 20 - Parent Information Session: We would like to also invite parents to a Family Info session that will be held during New Student Orientation from 1:30-3:30pm. During this information session, you will learn more about Annandale High School, our values, and what to expect as your student(s) matriculates through high school from course selections to extra-curricular activities. At the end of the session, you will have an opportunity to visit various stations to acquire additional information from counselors, sports activities, and clubs.

August 20 - Open House: All returning Annandale students and their families are invited to our Open House on August 20 from 3:30-4:30pm. Open House provides students an opportunity to walk through our halls and find their classes for next year. There is no formal program during this time, but rather an informal chance to get reacquainted with AHS. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Kara Franklin Taylor.

August 24 - First Day of School: Monday, August 24 is the first day of school for the 2026-27 school year. View the 2026-27 school year calendar.
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Important Information

Updated FCPS Cellphone Policy: Under a new Virginia cellphone law (SB108) and the updated FCPS Cellphone Policy, high school students at FCPS will no longer be able to use cellphones and other smart devices during lunch time, starting July 1. This includes watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other items connected to the internet. During the school day, including during lunch time, high school students will have to keep cellphones and other smart devices off and stored in a locker, backpack, pouch, purse, etc. This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. Visit the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage for more information.

New Student ID Cards This Fall: This fall, all Annandale High School students will receive a new FCPS student ID card. Students will be expected to wear their ID throughout the school day, and students who ride the school bus will use their ID to tap on and tap off the bus each day. These new ID cards are part of a divisionwide effort to improve student safety, modernize school transportation, and strengthen communication with families. We will distribute student ID cards during the first few weeks of school, and additional information will be shared with families soon. Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards on the FCPS website.

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.

Opportunities

Support Our Staff at the Welcome Back Teacher Breakfast: As we prepare to welcome our teachers and staff back for another exciting school year, our PTSA is organizing a Welcome Back Teacher Breakfast to help kick off the year with appreciation and encouragement. If you would like to thank our incredible educators for all they do, please consider donating breakfast items or volunteering to help. Every contribution, big or small, helps us show our staff how much they are valued by the Annandale community. Sign up here.

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 the 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.

Summer 2026 Inspire Immunization Events for All FCPS Students: Inspire Health Alliance, in partnership with FCPS, will be providing school-required immunizations during Summer 2026. Immunizations will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to students or families. Registering families will be required to provide insurance information, if applicable, but students without insurance may still participate. Summer 2026 event dates are available on our FCPS and Inspire Health Alliance Student Immunization Events | Fairfax County Public Schools webpage. Additional event dates will be made available throughout the upcoming school year, 4-5 weeks before the event, on the public webpage. Additional immunization resources are also available.

Stay Connected with the FCPS Mobile App: Stay informed wherever you are by downloading the free FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app makes it easy to view school calendars, check breakfast and lunch menus, contact school staff, access ParentVUE and Schoology, and stay up to date on the latest FCPS news. Best of all, there is no login required. Simply download the app and stay connected to everything happening at Annandale High School and across FCPS.

New ParentVUE Mobile App Now Available: FCPS families can now download the new ParentVUE mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The updated app offers a more secure sign-in experience and includes the option to enable multi-factor authentication for added account security. The current ParentVUE app will continue to work for approximately six months, but families should download the new app by December 2026 to ensure uninterrupted access to their student's information. Learn more about the new app and installation instructions on the FCPS website. Parents who need assistance can submit a Parent Support Request.

Free Bus Passes Available: All Fairfax County middle and 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 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, all year. Learn more about the Student Pass and access the application, which can be returned to the front office. Additionally, our students can ride Metrobus for free. Visit the Fairfax County website for details and approved Metrobus routes and to access the application. Children 12 and younger ride for free on the Fairfax Connector with a paying adult. It’s not just for kids! Fairfax Connector’s Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) provides 50% off fares for low-income residents ages 18-65. Learn more about the TRIP program and how to apply.
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News from Student Services

No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students: Virtual therapy sessions are available to FCPS high school students at no cost to provide a safe space to address concerns such as: Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss; Anxiety, worry, fears; Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships; Academic stress.

Students can be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. You may refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or by contacting our school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.

SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT 2026: SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams for the 2026-27 school year will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 7, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students. 

Because these exams are operated by the College Board, students do not automatically receive testing accommodations or multilingual learner (ML) supports. If you have a student with disabilities entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, please review the accommodations request process and return forms to the high school by Monday, August 3, to request new or updated College Board testing accommodations. 

If you have a multilingual learner entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, please review the ML support request process and return forms by Thursday, August 27, if you wish to request ML supports for the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day. Find out more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.

Class of 2027 News