MHS PTSA eNews 3-6-2018

Mclean PTSA

eNews March 6, 2018

                                              

Your Source for News about the Highlander Community


PTSA Information Session for parents/students – THIS THURSDAY

SAT or ACT – Selecting the better test for you

Thursday, March 8th
7:00pm, McLean High School Cafeteria (new location)
Guest Speaker: Tina Craun, Georgetown Learning Center


PTSA Sponsored Event

Kaplan SAT/ACT Practice Test 

Saturday, April 7th

9:00am-1:00pm, McLean High School Cafeteria

Kaplan’s practice test provides students the opportunity to try the content, timing and format of both tests in a proctored setting. Cost is $20. 

Registration information on the attached flyer and at www.mcleanptsa.org 


McLeanBand

 

McLean Band & Color Guard Fundraiser

Don't forget our fundraiser at Pizzeria Orso on Thursday, March 8 from 11am - 9pm for both dine in and carryout. Click here to print the flyer   in order for us to receive a donation for 15% of your order.  Pizzeria Orso is located on 400 South Maple Street in Falls Church.  To see their menu click here.  They have won tons of awards, so give them a try on March 8th!


WTOP Click for Kids

WTOP is holding a contest for schools from March 5 - March 16.  The school with the most votes can win $10,000, $7,500, or $5,000.  We are asking students, parents, and community members to vote for us every day.  Here is the link:

https://wtop.com/2018-click-for-kids/2018-click-kids-voting/


TheatreMcLean Hamilton Dance Camp

TheatreMcLean is excited to host a Broadway Connection workshop with a cast member from the National Touring Company of Hamilton the Musical, who will lead a half-day dance camp at McLean HS on June 18 while the show is in town. What a wonderful opportunity to learn from a professional triple-threat. The Hamilton cast member will share insider information on Broadway shows, help students polish their dance techniques and provide insider advice on training, education and the pursuit of Broadway dreams. Dance experience helpful but not required.

Date: Monday June 18, 2018, 10am-1pm. Arrive at 9:45am to check in.

Place: McLean High School Auditorium. 1633 Davidson Rd., McLean VA 22101

Cost: $65. 

Registration: Register via Eventbrite. Search for “TheatreMcLean” or click here.


TheatreMcLean logo

TheatreMclean Students WISH to F-L-Y!  

Our Spring Musical “9 to 5” will be performed April 26-29th and we need your help!  We are raising money so that we can use a professional flying-rigging system that will enable our actors to fly!  It is an integral part of the production, and one that we don’t want to miss. With your contributions, we will be able to achieve theatre magic!  

You'll receive some one-of-a-kind perks when you support us today--including photos with our leading ladies, a TheatreMcLean season subscription, and a backstage tour to see the rigging system in action!

$3,000 is an ambitious goal, but with the help of our biggest fans (like YOU), we hope we can reach this funding level in the next 28 days. If we do not reach the goal, all funds raised will still be applied to the cost of the rigging system and training for student technicians and actors.  

Click here: http://bit.ly/theatremclean9to5 to view our online giving campaign. TheatreMcLean Boosters are a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.


angpmortarboardfeb2018

Less Than 100 Days Until Graduation!

Senior Parents………….The countdown to graduation begins. February 28 marks 100 days until graduation and the All Night Grad Party Celebration!

If you have not purchased an ANGP ticket for your senior yet, please do it NOW!

Early ticket sales help us with planning and allow you to purchase at a lower price. The ticket price increases on April 1.

The All Night Grad Party begins at 11pm on June 8 (well after graduation in the afternoon) and ends at 4:30am. It is a really fun opportunity for the senior class to celebrate together one last time. The party will take place at McLean High, and there will be entertainment (laser tag, casino, hypnotist, DJ, money machine and more), food and prizes!

To purchase a ticket, click HERE.  Please note the ticket form must be printed out, legibly completed, and signed by both the parent and student. Forms and checks can be dropped off at MHS front office or mailed to: ANGP Ticket, Attn: Robin Hatanpaa, 3954 North Dumbarton, McLean VA 22101.  Your cancelled check will be proof of purchase; no physical ticket will be issued.

Tickets must be purchased in advance of the party, and will not be sold at the door the night of the party!  Questions? Contact mhsangp@gmail.com.


Yoga

Highlander 8 Yoga

Last week the PTSA Health and Wellness Committee and the MHS administration offered Yoga during Highlander 8 along with the already popular open gym basketball. Highlander parent Sarah Collett showed about 20 students how to move and breathe away some of their stress. Tell your students to look for Yoga and Zumba during the next Highlander 8 on March 13!


FCCPTA Advocacy Event

The Fairfax County Council of PTAs is hosting an advocacy event with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to discuss how the FY2019 county advertised budget impacts students, teachers, school leaders, school support staff, schools, and families.

This event is scheduled for Thursday, March 15 from 7 pm - 9 pm at the County Government Center in conference rooms 9-11.

Read more, register, and submit questions.


Wendy Mogel book

The Art and Science of Talking with Your Kids, featuring Dr. Wendy Mogel

Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at 7 p.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom in McLean

Buy your tickets here for this essential guide to the art of talking with children of all ages. Learn how to cultivate the art of conversation – from infancy to adulthood – in an age of hurry, worry, and digital distraction. Presented by the Safe Community Coalition, Dr. Mogel is known for combining cutting-edge psychological research with timeless wisdom in guiding parents through the rough waters of child rearing in today’s competitive world.

In her new book, Voice Lessons for Parents: What to Say, How to Say it, and When to Listen, Dr. Mogel shows us how a change in voice can transform communication and ease the relationship between parents and children. Her research-based guidelines help parents communicate with more warmth, respect, and sincerity, as well as foster open parent-child relationships that will help ensure our children’s success in the classroom and in life. Find more information at the Safe Community Coalition.


Be a Part of the Future of McLean High School’s PTSA

Have you:

  • Read previous newsletter requests?
  • Assumed others will volunteer?
  • Wondered about the time commitment?
  • Questioned your qualifications?

Put all those thoughts aside and reach out for more information.  We need you!

President-Elect

  • Serve our Highlander community before stepping into the role of President
  • Share your valuable insights and contributions, while allowing time to learn
  • Remove the need to seek a President the following year

Interested in learning more or know someone who is? Please reach out today by emailing Sue Ellen BeggsThank you for your consideration.  


If You Haven't Done So Already,

Click HERE to JOIN THE  PTSA. 
Questions? Email Alison Senold.

mcleanptsalogo

Earn Money for MHS When You Purchase Through Our Amazon Link

Simply bookmark: http://www.amazon.com/?tag=mcleanhs.20

And use the link to access Amazon BEFORE you add items to your cart and check out promptly. Items that are left in your cart for 24 hours or more do not qualify. To save items to purchase later, please use your Wish List. Every purchase counts!


mcleanptsalogo

Mid-Year Donation Drive

McLean HS Needs Your Support for this School Year!  Click Here to Donate

Fellow Parents,

McLean HS students and teachers need our financial support to build and maintain school-wide programming that supports personal growth, encourages academic excellence and builds community. Each year, through the PTSA, we provide the financial resources necessary for enrichment programs and projects not funded by tax dollars.  Items to be fully or partially funded by the PTSA for 2017-18 include:

School-based Enrichment and Support

  • Grants Program: funding for staff identified needs in English, Fine Arts, Science, Special Education, Student Services, Technology Education and World Language Departments. 
  • Building and grounds improvements: landscaping, new score board, security cameras, hallway and auditorium signage
  • Staff support:  Welcome Back Breakfast (August), Friday Hospitality Cart, Highlander Appreciation (May)
  • Student Support: Lexus-Nexis Database, School Supplies

Community Building and Support

  • Community Health and Wellness: Ethics Day, Sources of Strength Program, Stress Reduction Activities during Highlander 8, Parent Information Session on Vaping
  • McLean PTSA Website: community resource with quick links to MHS related sites and parent resources, student access to the MHS slideshow for club and activities information, and “Class of” information.  

Please click here today to make a contribution in support of your student and McLean HS! 

We appreciate the contributions already received and hope the mid-year campaign allows everyone an opportunity to support the efforts to ensure funding this year. Please donate in the amount comfortable for your family; all donations are warmly welcomed. Thank you in advance for your support.


Friday Tea Station - Donations Needed

The Hospitality Committee and parents run a Friday Tea Station to provide a much-needed pick-me-up to MHS teachers and staff. Have a favorite teacher you'd like to reward or just want to help staff have a good start to the day? 

Sign up to send in an item(s) on a Friday(s). On the assigned morning, your student can drop off your donation at the school office. The tea station is set up at the end of the first hall near the kitchen as you enter office. A link to sign up can be found HERE.

We're also always recruiting for other Hospitality Committee activities.  If you'd like to join this fun and rewarding team, please send an email to sue@wydlerbrothers.com and we'll add you to our email list.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Sue Hutchings Hazen, MHS Hospitality Chair sue@wydlerbrothers.com, 703-328-4767


Resources for Parents Related to Special Education

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! 

For all the current events, information, and groups: Click here (updated 2/20/2018)


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Upcoming Events

Mar 8 - PTSA Parent Information Session on SAT vs ACT, 7 pm MHS Lecture Hall

Mar 8 - McLean Band and Guard Fundraiser at Pizzeria Orso, 400 South Maple Street in Falls Church

Mar 26 - Apr 2 - Spring Break and Student Holiday

April 13 - 2-hour student release, end of 3rd quarter

April 16 - Student Holiday

May 2 - Wendy Mogel, The Art and Science of Talking with Your Kids, 7 pm Temple Rodef Shalom, tickets 

Any time is a good time to join the McLean PTSA!