Important Upcoming Dates
February 17 - Presidents' Day - School Holiday
February 18 - Spring College Planning Night
February 19 - Junior Focus Day
March 3 - Student Holiday
April 3 - End of the 3rd quarter
April 6-10 - Spring Break
April 13 - Student Holiday
April 20 - Safe Teen Driving Presentation
May 25 - Memorial Day
General Information
Report Card Distribution
Printed copies of report cards were distributed during 3rd period on Friday, February 7.
Spring College Planning Night, Tuesday, February 18 - 7:00pm in the Auditorium
MHS Student Services invites parents and students to join us for college planning night! Six admission counselors will speak about the college process and answer your questions. Parents of juniors and sophomores in particular – don't miss this opportunity to hear from admissions professionals about the college search process.
Seniors celebrated "75 days until graduation" with donuts in the morning.
Junior Focus Day - Feb 19
Student Services will be hosting our annual Junior Focus Day for our 11th grade students on February 19. We will be hosting 36 sessions with 11 topics that include information on the college fit, a mock admissions committee session, scholarships, understanding the college application components, military options, NOVA, the testing process for college admissions, NCAA Eligibility, employment skills, an “Ask the Deans” panel with Deans from several universities, and information for international students. All 11th grade students will participate in the program for the first two blocks of the day. We would like our students to make a good impression on all of the guests we will have that morning, so we are asking them to dress in business casual attire for the day.
American Sign Language students went to Gallaudet University to attend the Model Secondary School for the Deaf Dance Perfromance.
Registration Process
Rising juniors will meet with counselors through their PE class between January 15 – January 24.
Rising seniors will meet with counselors through their history class between January 29 – February 18.
Rising sophomores will meet with counselors through their PE class between February 14 – February 28. I
f you would like to see the schedule of when classes will come to Student Services for registration, here is a link https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PguBh8zuf7FIFqQNiuXYHUTXB7owwi0-o5-T8TZuapo/edit?usp=sharing.
For resources, such as our Course Catalog and specific AP course information, please see our Academic Advising page (https://mcleanhs.fcps.edu/index.php/student-services/academic-advising).
Parents Safe Teen Driving Presentation - 6:30pm
McLean High School will be hosting safe teen driving presentations on
April 20
All presentations start at 6:30 pm.
The state of Virginia requires all 10th grade students and their parent/guardian to attend a 90-minute traffic safety program as part of the classroom driver education instruction. This condition must be met before a student will receive a Driver Education Certificate of Completion (DEC-District 8 card).
The Virginia Department of Education has said that students who complete classroom instruction in a public school must also complete PSTD at the public school. It is not acceptable for a student to complete PSTD at a commercial driving school and receive a DEC-District 8 card from FCPS.
No one will be admitted after the doors have been closed. You are strongly encouraged to attend the program at McLean. If you are unable to attend one of these dates, additional program dates and locations can be found on the Fairfax County Public Schools website at www.fcps.edu.
Recognitions
Science Olympiad Team moves forward to States
The McLean HS Science Olympiad Team had 39 students compete in the VASO regional tournament this past weekend at the University of Mary Washington. Out of 22 teams competing, McLean finished 4th overall, qualifying the team for the VASO State Championship being held at the University of Virginia on March 28th.
The team is led by captains Katie Cox, Nora Mayer, Ethan Li, and Seth Eshraghi, who did a fantastic job preparing and organizing the team for the regional tournament.
Members that placed in their individual events include (in no particular order) Seth Eshraghi, Ethan Li, Katie Cox, Nora Mayer, Youngmin Kwon, Changhyan Gil, Jackson Chadwick, Paurav Kananur, Audrey Yin, Gloria Sun, Kelvin Yuan, Sophia Stagarescu, Nathan Li, Soo Jin Jung, Ratik Mathur, and Woojin Koh.
Good luck at States!
Science Olympiad Team
National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA)
The National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) announced its list of online journalism Pacemaker finalists yesterday, and McLean High’s online publication, The Highlander, is one of just 28 high school websites nationwide to be named a Pacemaker finalist. The Highlander is the only website in FCPS and one of just two in Virginia to earn this distinction. Unlike most awards that honor the previous school year’s staff, this award is for this year’s work, and the staff of The Highlander will be actively competing to secure the Pacemaker. Winners will be announced at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention on April 18. Since 1927, NSPA's Pacemaker competition has been considered by many to be student journalism's highest honor. Contact adviser Lindsay Benedict at lbbenedict@fcps.edu.
Robotics Receives the Excellence Award
Team 22101A McRoboto won the Excellence Award at our competition this weekend. This is the highest award that a team can receive at a competition. They have now qualified for the State Vex Competition. The members of the team are Mia Hsu, Veda Hedge, and Alex Zaccardelli.
The Excellence Award is the highest award presented in the VEX Robotics competition. This award is presented to a team that exemplifies overall excellence in building a high-quality robotics program. This team is a strong contender in numerous award categories.
Key Criteria
- Engineering Notebook must be submitted (usually at team check-in)
- Ranking for Design Award
- Ranking for Qualification Matches
- Ranking for Robot Skills
- Ranking for other judged awards
- Quality of the team’s interview with the Judges
- High-quality robotics program
- be at or near the top of the Design Award rankings;
- be ranked in the top 10 or top 30% of teams (whichever is larger) in qualifying rounds during the last round of qualification matches played;
- be ranked in the top 5 or top 20% of teams (whichever is larger) in Robot Skills;
- rank among the top teams in other judged awards;
- exhibit a high-quality team interview with the Judges;
- exhibit a high-quality robotics program; Judge Guide 16 10/28/2019 ©REC Foundation 2019
- be student-centered, show positive team conduct and dynamics, sportsmanship, and professionalism.
Robotics team receives the Excellence Award!
Scholastic Writing Awards
The results of the 2020 DC Metro Scholastic Writing Awards were announced at the end of last week. McLean Creative Writing 1, 2, & 3 students had an impressive number of awards!
Interfaith Primary School Literary Awards for Faith and Spiritual Awareness ($100 Prize)
- Isaac Lamoreaux – “East of Zion” (Personal Essay / Memoir)
Gold Key Recipients
- Elizabeth “Libby” Eick – “Alive” (Flash Fiction)
- Isaac Lamoreaux – “East of Zion” (Personal Essay / Memoir)
- Jennifer Li – “Gemini” (Flash Fiction)
- Abby Powell – “Makeup” (Flash Fiction)
Silver Key Recipients
- Jennifer Li – Untitled (Flash Fiction)
- Ethan Switzer – “Erasure” (Science Fiction & Fantasy)
- Aidan Turley – “End” (Poetry)
Honorable Mentions
- Hope Akard – “Was it the Father or the Mother?” (Flash Fiction)
- Sophia Camus – “Betty Klenck and the Needle in the Sea” (Short Story)
- Sophia Camus – “Aftermath” (Flash Fiction)
- Izabela Firlej – “Feeble wave of Memory” (Personal Essay / Memoir)
- Annika Harley – “At the End of the World” (Poetry)
- Annika Harley – “Planetary Alignment” (Poetry)
- Salsabila Hasan – “Doves and Roses” (Short Story)
- Lauren Hill – “The Battle of Stigma” (Personal Essay / Memoir)
- Joan Kim – “The Fire” (Flash Fiction)
- Janna Serrao – “3-4%” (Personal Essay / Memoir)
- Sofia Silva De Araujo – “Glass Ceilings” (Poetry)
- Marina Wang – “Envelope Me” (Flash Fiction)
Field Hockey National Academic Squad
The following athletes represent McLean High School and the McLean Field Hockey program on the 2019 OPA Winning Teams/NFHCA High School National Academic Squad.
Eliza Bell
Eliana Durkee*
Heran Essayas*
Maya Kalish
Kylie Keysor
Miranda Rennert
Delaney Slavik
Emma Steel
Lyndsey Sydnor
Skylar Tennant
This squad is comprised of juniors and seniors on High School Varsity Field Hockey teams across the nation who earned a 3.5-4.0 GPA (unweighted) during the 1st quarter of the 2019-20 school year.
* recognizes student-athletes that earned a 3.9-4.0 and are thus, Scholars of Distinction.
Boys Basketball Senior Night
The boys basketball team recognized their five Seniors at Friday night's game.
Thanks to Mr. Cole
Mr. Cole was recognized Friday night by the boys basketball team as being their number one fan. Mr. Cole's own children and grandchild graduated from McLean High School. For the past 30 plus years, Mr. Cole has attended football, basketball, and softball games regularly. You can find him at practice too! Thanks to Mr. Cole for all of his support and we look forward to seeing you at many more games!
The boys basketball team recognized Mr. Cole at Friday night's basketball game for being the best fan!
Senior Information
The MHS All Night Grad Party (ANGP) is a highly anticipated event for graduating seniors. Held the night of graduation, Monday, June 1, it is an opportunity for the new graduates to celebrate their accomplishments together in a safe, drug and alcohol-free environment.
This fun, activity-filled event takes place at the high school from11:00pm - 5:00am, and is chaperoned by parent volunteers.
Click HERE to purchase a ticket or learn more. For financial assistance, contact Paul Stansbery at pwstansbery@fcps.edu.
Questions about ANGP can be sent to angp@mcleanptsa.org
Senior Announcements Ordering
Attention Senior Parents: To order the official 2020 McLean High School graduation announcements please go to http://www.balfour.com our vendor for those products.The form can be found on McLean's homepage and the Senior's homepage. Please contact Balfour with any questions 703-941-1436 or balfournova@yahoo.com.
FCPS Family Resources
Operation Drug Prevention - February 29
Great Falls Civic Association will hold a discussion on drug prevention. Learn how to recognize and address the signs of drug use. Family involvement is key.
Saturday, February 29 - 10-11:30 am
Christ the King Lutheran Church
10550 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls
Super Transition Saturday
On Saturday, February 22, 2020, Career and Transition Services (CTS), the FCPS Parent Resource Center, and several Fairfax County adult service providers will host “Super Transition Saturday” from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School. This is a free event for parents/guardians and educators of students of all ages with IEPs. Breakout sessions will cover postsecondary education support, the importance of student self-determination beginning in the elementary years, employment support programs, future planning considerations, such as funding needed for services, and CTS support services that are available to students as they progress through the secondary years toward graduation and beyond. A highlight of the day is a parent/guardian and student panel representing a range of challenges and successes. Members of the panel will convey personal experiences and answer parent/guardian and student questions from their perspectives of having been through the transition process. The snow date is March 14, 2020
FCPS Summer Courses
FCPS Online Campus summer courses will be available to eligible high and middle school students who meet prerequisites and technical requirements. Students may take one online course for first time or repeat credit. Middle school students may not take a mathematics course during the summer as their first-high school level mathematics course. Courses are rigorous; therefore, students should consult their counselor prior to registering. Program information is available at Summer Learning. Registration for summer Online Campus courses is currently open.
Fairfax County Institute for the Arts
Do you have a child interested in the Arts? Don’t miss out on registering for Fairfax County’s Institute for the Arts starting on February 3rd! Classes are first come first serve!
Visit the FCPS IFTA website at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning-programs/camps-and-institutes-institute-arts-ifta
or follow IFTA on social media!
Eating Disorders Information
Eating disorders are behaviors that can lead to serious health problems. These behaviors can begin as a child, and affect both girls and boys. When discovered early, eating disorders are treatable. In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system provide information to parents annually about eating disorders. This information is given to parents of students in the fifth through twelfth grades.
It is important to note that eating disorders are not identified based on weight changes as much as behaviors and attitudes. Signs of eating disorders may differ between males and females and in different age groups. Often, a young person may not recognize the signs that they might have an eating disorder. Parents/guardians and family members are in a position to notice behaviors that cause concern. It is important that a child with an eating disorder be treated early by someone who understands this type of care.
After reviewing the Eating Disorders Fact Sheet, if you think your child may be showing signs of a possible eating disorder, please contact your doctor, school nurse, or one of the resources listed below.
Additional resources may be found at:
Eating Disorder Fact Sheet .pdf
FCPS Cares
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My School Bucks
Learn more about this online payment portal for many school fees. Parents can set up an account which they link their student(s) to so there is one account per family. Course fees, lunch funds, some ticket events can be taken care of online. MySchoolBucks eliminates the need for students to carry cash to school and for multiple checks to be written. Learn more and sign up at https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home
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