MHS PTSA eNews 10-25-16

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eNews October 25, 2016

 

  

Your Source for News about the Highlander Community


McSpirit Wear Sales in Rock Lobby

It’s HOMECOMING! Boosters will $5 t-shirts for sale during lunches on Wednesday and Thursday while supplies last in the Rock Lobby. Other items will be available as well.

GO HIGHLANDERS! BEAT FAIRFAX!


Vision and Hearing Screening Volunteers Needed, New Dates: 11/1 and 11/2

On Tuesday, Nov 1 and Wednesday, Nov 2, we will be conducting our Vision and Hearing Screening in the Lecture Hall. All 10th graders and any new to FCPS in 9th, 11th, and 12th will be screened. Students who wear glasses/contacts need to bring/wear them on those days.

If you are able to volunteer, click HERE. Or contact Julie Gamboa, School Health Aide for MHS.


MHS Band 39th Annual Fruit & Pecan Sale 

Order fresh navel oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, and mixed fruit straight from the Florida grove. We also sell pecans and cashews. These make wonderful holiday gifts for family, friends, and teachers.

Go to www.mcleanband.org before Nov. 10 to order. Order pick-up is Saturday, December 10th, 9am-1pm at MHS (during Holiday Bazaar)

Questions? e-mail MHSBandFruitSale@gmail.comAll proceeds of the sale benefits McLean's band program. Please support their efforts!


White House Ornament Pre-Sale Has Begun

When you purchase this beautiful White House Christmas ornament, proceeds go to support the All Night Grad Party. Ornaments are being sold at discounted prices prior to December 1st.  All orders must be picked up at the ANGP table at the MHS Boosters Holiday Bazaar on December 10 from 10am-3pm. Click HERE to buy your ornaments

After  December 1,  ornaments will only be available at the MHS Boosters Holiday Bazaar for $25. Questions? Contact Allyson Burgess.


ANGP Volunteers

Thank you everyone who has stepped up to help in the planning of the 2017 All Night Grad Party. All we are missing is someone to shadow this year’s Chair. There is no obligation but if you think you might enjoy planning next year’s festivities this is a great way to see what it is all about. 

We will need many, many volunteers the days leading up to and the night of ANGP. If you are interested contact Frances Wilson to be added to the list for future emails. You do NOT need to have a senior to help with this fun event. In fact, maybe it's more fun if your student isn't there and if you don't have guests in town for graduation!

Senior Parents – Register your senior student for the ANGP. To register, click here. Make sure your senior does not miss out on this hugely popular party that provides a safe environment for your seniors to celebrate their high school graduation.  


Annual Mental Health and Wellness Conference Oct. 29

FCPS presents this year’s Mental Health and Wellness Conference on Saturday, October 29, at Fairfax High School.  A focus on student mental health includes topics such as resiliency, brain-based disorders, parenting, expressing and managing stress, executive functioning, and recognizing and managing depression and anxiety. The keynote speaker is the director of education at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.  Teens, parents, coaches, educators, mental health providers, and individuals connected with organizations that work with teens are welcome to participate in the conference, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Online registration is available.  More information is available online.


A Story of Addiction:  Chris Herren, Former NBA Star, November 30, 7:30pm Langley High School Auditorium

Save the Date on Nov. 30 for Chris Herren's powerful insights, painful struggles, and daily commitment to living sober. A former NBA star whose addiction started with alcohol and marijuana in high school, Chris Herren shares his very personal story of addiction to oxycontin and heroin. His compelling message is a transformative experience for both parents and students.  

Program Starts at 7:30pm at Langley High School Auditorium. Additional details and ticket sale information will be available in the coming weeks. For further information on Chris Herren and his mission, visit http://www.theherrenproject.org/. (We've heard that link doesn't work for all browsers, so you can try a related site.)


Stop Hunger Now

Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging Event continues this year on November 5, 8 am until 4:30 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church (1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean). To donate to Stop Hunger Now McLean or to register to volunteer for the November 5 meal packing event, please click here.


TGIF Tea Station

Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far! Our faculty and staff look forward to Friday treats! We still have openings for this week and next. Click HERE to sign up. This is perfect for parents who want to help with PTSA programs, but can't find the time for hands-on volunteering.


Resources for parents of students with disabilities

The FCPS Parent Resource Center (PRC) helps parents of students with disabilities. It sponsors workshops, has a lending library, and has Parent Liaisons to help parents solve problems. The PRC provides services relating to twice exceptional students, special needs life planning, parent stress, postsecondary education, resource fairs for students, access to support groups for students and adults, and many more! Read more HERE.


Join the PTSA or Donate Today!

Thank you to the nearly 600 families that have joined the PTSA to date! We will be working with AtoZ to get your Student Directories printed and mailed out to you as soon as possible. We hope to have them in your home mailboxes during the last week of October or the first week of November.

For those families that have not yet joined the PTSA: It's never too late! We appreciated your support and welcome your membership anytime through the school year. Those of you who join after October 3rd will be able to access to the AtoZ Student Directory App.

Questions? Contact membership@mcleanptsa.org.


Free and Reduced Fees

Financial challenges should not prevent your child from fully participating and enjoying all aspects of student life at MHS. Yet the costs of activities and supplies for high school may be beyond your family's budget. We understand.  That's why McLean High School and FCPS proudly make available for free or at reduced fees great things that can make school life a better experience for your child.  

If your child receives a free or reduced lunch at McLean High School, a variety of items are available to him or her, either for free or at reduced fees. Please do not let costs and fees stop your child from enjoying activities and supplies, like the ones listed here. The assortment and availability vary, but here are some typical benefits available for free or at reduced costs:     

  • McLean spirit wear - Highlander sweatpants, sweatshirts & t-shirts 
  • School Supplies - backpacks, binders, etc
  • Athletic uniforms and equipment 
  • Field trips (which often entail fees)
  • Student participation for various activities
  • Use of musical instruments
  • Equipment for classes, such as calculators
  • ACT/SAT 
  • And more!

Just complete this form. Designated FCPS professionals use your form ONLY to help you find all available benefits for your child. YOUR INFORMATION WILL NOT BE SHARED with anyone else, within or outside FCPS.

Drop off your completed form in the McLean High School front office, or mail your completed form to:

Fairfax County Public Schools, Office of Food and Nutrition Services, 6840 Industrial Road, Springfield, VA 22151-9922

If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Otal, MHS School Counselor, at 703-714-5745 or kjotal@fcps.edu. These communications are confidential. Please reach out now so that MHS and FCPS can work with you to give your children the best possible experience at McLean High School.


Calendar

Looking Ahead

October 28, 7 pm: Homecoming Game

October 29: Homecoming Dance

October 29: Mental Health and Wellness Conference

November 1-2: Hearing and Vision Screening, volunteers needed

November 30: Chris Herren addiction event, information