February 20, 2019
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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Student Voter Registration Challenge Coming to MHS
For the second year in a row, the Fairfax County Council PTA and the League of Women Voters have joined forces to promote high school voter registration through the FCPS High School Registration Challenge. In 2017-18, the challenge helped approximately 5,000 eligible students register to vote! Students who are US citizens and are 18 can register now AND US citizens who are 17 but will turn 18 before November 5th, 2019, can also register now and vote in primaries and special elections.
McLean Highlanders will have the chance to register through the FCPS High School Registration Challenge later this week. On Friday, Feb 22 and Monday, Feb 25, the Fairfax County Office of Elections will be visiting government classes to help eligible seniors register to vote.To vote in class, each student will need to:
- Know their social security number
- Bring their driver's license (or any government issued ID card)
Tea Station for Teachers Needs Your Support
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The PTSA Hospitality Committee has established a tea station for the teachers and staff. It's a favorite and great way to show our appreciation. |
This year, we are asking for some healthy items to supplement the many delicious baked treats that the teachers enjoy. Please sign up to send in items on as many Fridays as you like. Your student can drop them off in the office on your assigned mornings. The tea station is located down the first hall you see as you enter the office at the end near the kitchen.
Thank you
Sharon & Solat - PTSA Hospitality Committee Chairs, hospitality@mcleanptsa.org
A Volunteer Opportunity for Book Lovers
Do you love libraries and books? Would you like to get a peek into the awesome MHS library? Do you have an hour every other week to work with our wonderful library staff? If you said yes to these questions, then we have the volunteer opportunity for you! Contact Petrina at petrinam1@aol.com to get more information.
Senior Parent Coffee – The Road Ahead
Come join us as we feature conversations with Senior Class Administrator, Assistant Principal Sean Rolon; parents of recent graduates; Math Teacher, Dr. Crissie Ricketts; and, Counselor, Ms. Kathleen Otal. Learn important details regarding events and end of year activities and gain perspective regarding this time of transition. Enjoy refreshments and connect with other senior families on Friday, March 1, at 8:30 am in the Dance Room.
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McLean Varsity Dance Team's 3rd Annual Pie Sale for Pi Day
Once again the McLean Varsity Dance Team is excited to provide tasty pies from Heidelberg Pastry Shop in Arlington. Choose from Apple, Apple Cranberry, Apple Caramel Nut, Cherry, and Rhubarb. The order form is available here and is due to the Dance Team by February 27.
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Critical Support Needed for Ethics Day, Please Consider Volunteering
The Safe Community Coalition’s annual 6th Grade Ethics Day workshops for all 6th graders in the McLean and Langley school pyramids are coming soon. Volunteers are needed to serve as table leaders for small groups of students from 9 am-1 pm on the following dates: March 1, 8, 15, and 29. No prior experience is needed and training is provided. It is not necessary to have a child in 6th grade. Please join us one or more days! Volunteer here.
Upcoming Safe Community Coalition Events
The SCC has adopted the theme of ANXIETY for the 2018-2019 year of events and programs and based on the large turnout at our showing of ANGST at McLean HS in December, the topic seems to be resonating. Upcoming events include:
ANGST: We will have a second showing of ANGST at Langley High School on February 28 at 7 pm due to the outstanding turnout for our ANGST screening at McLean HS. This free event is open to all parents in the area and their kids (however, we think that the film is more appropriate for students in 6th grade and above).
Reducing Anxiety: Strategies to Interrupt the Worry Cycle: The SCC is proud to bring Lynn Lyons, LICSW, to McLean on April 1 at 7 pm at the McLean Community Center’s Alden Theater. Lynn will provide practical and straightforward strategies that parents and educators can use to break the cycle of anxious worrying.
FCPS Vaping Information to Share with Your Teen
FCPS has created a student-focused website that provides information about vaping risks, resources, and videos featuring FCPS students. Many students believe e-cigarettes are harmless, but that is not true. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can impact adolescent brain development beyond the teen years. Some e-cigarettes also contain other harmful chemicals. While usage is primarily seen at the high school level, middle school students are also engaging in this harmful activity.
FCPS encourages all parents to become better informed about this subject and to discuss the issue with your students, as appropriate. Get started with these tips from the Surgeon General and click here for more parent information.
Opportunity to Speak with FCPS Superintendent Dr. Brabrand
On Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 pm, the McLean Community Association (MCA) will be hosting an open forum meeting with Superintendent Dr. Brabrand and Dranesville District School Board Member Janie Strauss. The event will be held at the McLean Community Center and will focus on mental health, academic pressure, and the vision for McLean-area schools. Bring the entire family. Students will be given priority to ask questions.
Feb 21st School Safety Meeting
The February McLean Police District Station Citizens Advisory Committee Program will focus on School Safety. Sergeant Brett Choyce, the School Resource Officer (SRO) Supervisor, will discuss school safety, the SRO program, overview on current trends (social media, alcohol, drugs, vaping, threats, sexting), and what parents and community members can do to help. The meeting will be held at the McLean Community Center, Thursday, February 21, 6:30 pm.
For more information about the Fairfax County School Resource Officers, please visit: https://www.fcps.edu/node/36803. For more information about Citizens Advisory Committees in Fairfax County, please visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/getinvolved/citizenadvisorycommittee
A Public Meeting about Next Year's County Budget
On Thursday, February 28 at 7pm, the MCA is sponsoring a public meeting featuring Supervisor John Foust and County CFO Joe Mondoro. The theme is "What Are Our Priorities and How Do We Pay for Them?" Education-related matters will be included in the discussion. This public-invited meeting will also serve as the MCA Winter Membership Meeting.
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! Click HERE for the PRC's latest list of events and activities.
Support McLean HS Crew Club by Munching and Mulching
Upcoming Restaurant Fundraiser to Support McLean Crew Club
Eat at Cava at 1445 Chain Bridge Road on February 20th (today) from 6 pm to 10 pm. Tell the cashier you are supporting the McLean Crew Club to earn the club a donation of 10% of your order. Tell your friends! Thank you for supporting your crew club.
The annual McLean Crew Club Mulch Madness Fundraiser has kicked off and will run through February 28th for delivery, March 10th for pick-up. Your purchase of high-quality, double shredded hardwood mulch will help to keep the membership fees manageable for more of our students. Our mulch comes from the same supplier we've used for five years and is not chemically treated. Save 5% per bag if you skip delivery and pick it up yourself.
Mulch orders will be delivered March 16-17th, or available for pickup at MHS on the same days. Click on this link to order TODAY. Don't forget to credit a Rower when you order.
Updated MHS PTSA Bylaws
Every 5 years the Virginia PTA requires that we revisit our bylaws and update them to include any Virginia-specific amendments as well as our own. Our only changes this year are to our vice president positions:
- Combine Fundraising and Membership vice presidents into one position, since membership is our major fundraiser
- Add a vice president responsible for Communications to encompass our newsletter, website, and emerging social media presence
- Add a vice president for Programs to oversee all current and future offerings
The revised bylaws are posted on our website for members to review. We will be voting on these revisions in a short meeting prior to our March 20, 7 pm author talk for The Self-Driven Child. Any questions about the revisions can be directed to Laurie Plishker, Bylaws Chair at lplishker@gmail.com.
Tuesday Chats
9:30 am at Star Nut, sponsored by your PTSA Health and Wellness Committee
Come connect with other parents every Tuesday as we continue the conversation about empowering our students. Questions or ideas? Email health.wellness@mcleanptsa.org.
Your Amazon Purchases Can Help Our School (at no extra cost to you)
Simply bookmark: http://www.amazon.com/?tag=mcleanhs.20
And use the link to access Amazon BEFORE you add items to your cart. 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! Thank you!
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