Important Upcoming Dates
April 21-23 - Tech Tool Training for Parents @ 3:30
April 22 - Virtual Senior Parent Coffee - 9:00-10:00
April 22 - Virtual Parent Town Hall Meeting - 11:00-12:00
April 24 - End of the third quarter - all work from 3rd quarter due -
May 1 - AP Test Q&A - 12:00 pm
May 25 - Memorial Day
General Information
Senior Parent Coffee
This has been a difficult time for all of our students, but we truly understand that our Seniors are really missing so many end of the year celebrations. Many parents have questions about how to support your Senior, how to order transcripts, possibilities of end of the year celebrations, Senior dues, and much more. Join us this Wednesday, April 22, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. to go over any remaining questions you have for your Seniors students.The PTSA will moderate this question and answer session. Also, it is a great time for our parents to connect with each other and share how they are supporting their Seniors at home.
School staff who will be attending the meeting: Ellen Reilly, Principal; Paul Stansbery, Director of Student Services; Beth Werfel, School Psychologist; Marly Jerome-Featherson, School Social Worker; and Nishi Langhorne, Technology Specialist.
We will send out the link one-hour before the meeting to parents' email addresses.
Virtual Parent Town Hall Meeting
Please join us for a Virtual Parent Town Hall with McLean's Administrative Team on Wednesday, April 22nd from 11:00 am-12:00 pm. With distance learning officially starting, this is an opportunity to share your questions and concerns, as well as connect with other parents.
We will send out the link one-hour before the meeting to parents' email addresses.
The PTSA will moderate this question and answer session. School staff attending the meeting are: Ellen Reilly, Principal; Paul Stansbery, Director of Student Services; Beth Werfel, School Psychologist; Marly Jerome-Featherson, School Social Worker; and Nishi Langhorne, Technology Specialist.
AP Exam Q&A – Virtual Parent Meeting
Please join the MHS AP testing coordinators for a virtual AP Exam Q&A session on Friday, May 1 at 12:00pm. We will cover a variety of AP testing topics and be available to answer questions. FCPS recently shared an AP FAQ document that covers much of the subject matter we will discuss during the meeting. College Board’s website is also a great resource that is continuously being updated with new information regarding AP testing. Bring your burning AP testing questions and we’ll do our best to provide answers!
The AP Exam Q&A – Virtual Parent Meeting collaborate ultra link will be sent to parents via email one hour prior to the meeting start time. We will post a recording of the meeting to the MHS website for anyone who is unable to join us live on Friday, May 1.
Tech Tool Demos for Parents
Parents: If you are interested in learning about some of the tech tools our students are using, please join us in our virtual sessions. You can watch how the tool is used and ask questions to learn more.
We will send out the link one-hour before the meeting to parents' email addresses.
Google Classroom—Tuesday, April 21 @ 3:30 pm—In this demo, we will walk you through the various instructional features of Google Classroom and how both students and teachers utilize this robust distance learning tool.
Flipgrid & Padlet – Wednesday, April 22 @ 3:30 pm—In this demo, we will show the features of both Flipgrid and Padlet, two innovative applications that foster student engagement. We will show classroom examples of both tools.
EdPuzzle & Pear Deck—Thursday, April 23 @ 3:30 pm – In this demo, we will show the features of EdPuzzle and Pear Deck, two applications McLean has purchased premium licenses for. We will show classroom examples of both tools.
Mental Health and Wellness Support Services and Resources
We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during these challenging times. We want to let you know that McLean’s mental health clinical team is here to support you, so please reach out for help when needed.
Beth Werfel, School Psychologist, bawerfel@fcps.edu
Beverly Parker-Lewis, School Psychologist, baparkerlewi@fcps.edu
Marly Jerome-Featherson, School Social Worker, Mjeromefeath@fcps.edu
Siena Lee, School Social Worker Intern, slee7@fcps.edu
Services We Can Provide
Short-term supportive counseling (by phone)
Community referral/resources
Online resources (articles, websites, activities to do at home, etc.)
Individual Appointments upon Request
Please use this link to set up an individual appointment.
(Address: https://forms.gle/xoHFMcmjKXGUtKJf8)
Google Classroom
Please visit the "MHS Mental Health Supports and Resources" class for more resources and wellness activities. (class code: poixzzq)
Emergency Resources
Crisis Link Regional Hotline 703-527-4077
Crisis Text Text NEEDHELP to 85511
Dominion Hospital Emergency 703-536-2000
INOVA Emergency 703-289-7560
Merrifield Center Emergency 703-573-5979 TTY dial 711
Life Threatening 911
For more information on how to help your children cope during this unprecedented time, please click here
Recognitions
Secondary School Counselor for the State of VA
Congratulations to Kathleen Otal! She has been named the 2020 VSCA Secondary School Counselor for the State of VA!
Ms. Otal wears many hats at McLean. In addition to her responsibilities as a counselor, Ms. Otal serves as a member of McLean’s attendance committee, runs Parent University sessions, regularly counsels parents on the transition from high school to college, sponsors the girl’s leadership committee, and coordinates stress less activities in McLean. She approaches all of these roles with the same mindset that she brings to her job, doing what is best for students.
2020 Northern Virginia TSA Regional Fair
Jennifer Yang’s project won FIRST PLACE in the Promotional Design competition for the Technology Student Association Regional Fair!
Camille Baron’s project placed in the top 5 in the Promotional Design competition for the Technology Student Association Regional Fair!
Parent Resources
Tips and Advice from the Safe Community Coalition’s Mental Health Committee
For 25 years, the Safe Community Coalition has been working to help families in McLean thrive. During this pandemic crisis, members of the SCC’s Mental Health Committee have been working to provide resources including videos and tips that are now posted on the SCC website at http://mcleanscc.org/.
Topics include:
- Grounding Techniques to Help Cope with Uncertainty
- How to Meet Kids’ Three Basic Needs: Competence, Connection, and Autonomy
- Healthy Coping Strategies During Uncertain Times
- Staying Positive
- Finding a Counselor: Tips and Advice
Check out the SCC’s Facebook and Twitter pages (both: @mcleanscc) for timely articles related to stress, anxiety, and coping during the pandemic. See you all next year at our many SCC events. Until then, stay well.
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Welcome to the Parent Resource Center's Virtual Workshops! Please check our website frequently as we will be adding new webinars.
April
How to Keep Distracted Kids in “Study Mode” (Even if They Have ADHD): A Webinar for Parents
Whether your child struggles with executive functioning skills, has ADHD, or would simply rather be playing Fortnite than doing online schooling, this webinar is for you. She’ll share tips to help you dial back the drama, get your child to focus, and create realistic expectations that make the next few months manageable.
Webinar Highlights:
- The ‘Framework 5’ for setting a daily routine that can work for just about any kid
- How to create the ideal structure for a positive homeschool experience
- Ways to collaborate and not dictate in order to get greater buy-in from your child
- The cup system that can help you get your own work done without interruption
- Simple yet powerful tools that teach kids to take ownership of their work
- Two ways to break up assignments to get more done
- Free software to teach your child so that you don’t have to be the ‘homeschool police’
- Top apps that allow kids to better manage their own media use, increase focus, and decrease procrastination
Presented by Ann Dolin, M.Ed., educational consultant and award-winning author. Ann is the President and Director of Educational Connections, Inc.
Friday, April 24, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
Register for How to Keep Distracted Kids in “Study Mode” (Even if They Have ADHD): A Webinar for PARENTS
May
Setting the Stage for Distance Learning Success: A Webinar for Parents
Transitioning to distance learning can be overwhelming. Join us to learn important strategies to help support your child’s learning in elementary, middle, or high school.
Webinar Highlights:
- Setting realistic expectations for this unique time period
- Setting new routines
- Designing organization systems for your home
- Building strategies to support everyone’s needs
- Preparing for and addressing challenges as they arise
Presented by Erika Deem and Valrie Eisele, FCPS Parent Resource Center Professionals.
Friday, May 1, 2020, 10 a.m.-noon.
Register for Setting the Stage for Distance Learning Success: A Webinar for PARENTS
FCPS Cares
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Do you know a McLean High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone. |
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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