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May 13, 2020
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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Executive Committee Nominees for 2020-21
We are excited to announce the following members for next year. They are a seasoned group of nominees with extensive experience at McLean High. (You can learn more about the candidates here.) The Executive Committee nominees are aligned to providing student enrichment and parent engagement by working alongside the school administration. We will be voting online to elect the 2020-21 Executive Committee members. Details on voting instructions to follow soon.
President - Savitha Parvataneni Sagar
President-Elect - Vacant
VP, Programs - Sue Ellen Beggs
VP, Fundraising - Olivia Ma
VP, Communications - Deena Gordon Parla
Treasurer - Tammy Piper
Secretary - Natalie Coburn
There are Still a Few MHS PTSA Open Board Positions for 2020-21
Get Involved! Come join us in our efforts to enrich the education of students, support administration and staff, and build an informed, connected community. Our 2020-2021 Board needs you for the following positions, contact president.elect@mcleanptsa.org for more information.
President Elect
Serve our Highlander community before stepping into the role of President. Share your valuable insights and contributions and shape the following year, while allowing time to learn on the job.
All Night Grad Party (ANGP) Committee Chairs for 2021
Lead planning and delivery of our all night grad party for the Senior class of 2021. Our planning begins in May 2020 to make it a memorable gathering for our graduating students. Current year committee chairs are available to provide a smooth transition along with providing helpful documentation.
Last Chance to Order Senior Yard Signs - Cut-Off is May 15
The ANGP committee is still selling yard signs that will announce the graduation of your senior and you can proudly display the sign in your front yard! The order form has been revised to reflect that the signs will be delivered right to your front yard when ready.
Please go to the McLean High School PTSA website (https://mcleanptsa.org/?page_id=96) for more information about how to order a yard sign and how to pay. You will find instructions on how to make a payment using Square or you can still pay by check, if you wish.
Baccalaureate Service for MHS Class of 2020
A Baccalaureate Service for the MHS Class of 2020 is in the works. It will be a prerecorded virtual service this year. The Baccalaureate Service is a multi-faith service of worship, reflection and celebration for all MHS senior students, their families and friends.
The planning committee is looking for senior student participants to submit video recorded reflections and/or musical performances. The committee has come up with some suggested prompts for the student reflections, but encourages creativity and would love to discuss ideas with any student interested in participating. Suggested prompts include: (1) How has your faith supported you in dealing with disappointment and/or uncertainty? (2) How will your faith support you into the next phase of your life? (3) Share a quote or scripture writing from your faith tradition and its importance to you. (4) Share how a specific value will guide you into the future. Videos should be short (5 minutes maximum). Students interested in participating should reach out to Laura Alexander at lalaexa7206@aol.com or Robyne Davis at rdavis1830@aol.com. The deadline for video submissions is May 22, 2020. Information on the release date of the video service is still to be determined and will be based on the MHS graduation plans once determined.
ANGP Ticket Refunds
All Night Graduation Party ticket refund checks were mailed on May 4th (unless you opted not to receive one.) Please look out for them and cash them as soon as possible. This will help us close the books in June without lots of outstanding checks. If you have any questions about your refund, please contact our treasurer, Tammy Piper, at treasurer@mcleanptsa.org.
Practice ACT Exam
We are offering virtual mock ACT and SAT exams again this spring for $20 each. Students will complete the mock exams on a Zoom meeting with exam booklets and scantrons emailed prior to the test. There will be a proctor in the Zoom room during the exam.
Registration for Virtual Mock ACT, May 16, 9 am-1 pm: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eh16rzu9d00094c4&oseq=&c=&
Harris Teeter Together in Education Program
Earn a percentage for the McLean PTSA when you shop Harris Teeter brands. Link your VIC card to the MHS PTSA here or register with the cashier next time you shop at Harris Teeter. The MHS PTSA code is 5560.
Changes to Amazon Program
With all the online shopping we are doing while at home, we want to plug our Amazon account again! We have been switched to the AmazonSmile program. Please use this new link and search/select McLean High School PTSA as your beneficiary. There is an option to select an organization just under the Amazon search bar. See image below.
Did You Know...?
The FCPS website (https://www.fcps.edu) has daily updates, and a special education planning update was recently added (https://www.fcps.edu/node/40612).
Virtual Book Club
Counselor Kathleen Otal, School Psychologist Beth Werfel, Instructional Coach Nishi Langhorne, and PTSA Past President Sue Ellen Beggs are excited to share McLean's first ever book talk podcast, featuring the book How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims. Our co-hosts, who are McLean educators and parents themselves, discuss Part 1 and Part 2 at the links below. Please take an hour to listen to them share how to break free of the overparenting trap and prepare your child for success in a practical way. Parenting in the age of the coronavirus is also discussed. It's the perfect time to hone your parenting skills!
How to Raise an Adult Part 1
How to Raise an Adult Part 2
AP Exam Q&A
A video of the recent virtual parent meeting is now available here. In addition, FCPS recently shared an AP FAQ document that provides important information. College Board’s website is also a great resource that is continuously being updated with new information regarding AP testing.
 Children’s National Hospital has received a tremendous amount of support and interest from the region regarding donations of critical supplies. The hospital has identified three ways that members of our community can support local kids and families:
McDance-a-thon at McLean High School
If you would like to continue to help support the impact Children’s National is making in the community, you may do so on behalf of McDance-a-thon by making a donation to the organization’s DonorDrive page. All donations at this time will be directed to Children’s National’s COVID-19 Emergency Action Fund.
Registry for Good
Those who wish to donate PPE and other critical supplies can do so without leaving their home by purchasing items from Children’s National’s Registry for Good on Walmart.com. Items will be shipped directly to Children’s National.
Staples Stores
Staples is partnering with Children’s National to collect the personal protective equipment and supplies listed here. Only unused PPE and supply donations can be accepted. Donations can be dropped off at participating, open Staples locations. Staples is committed to following the safety guidelines outlined by federal, state and local authorities. Customers should follow appropriate social distancing and other public health guidelines when dropping off PPE donations. If you drop off a donation at Staples, please complete this form.
If you have any questions, please reference the Children’s National Hospital website or email Matt Tripsas at mtripsas@childrensnational.org
Share Donations Needed
Share is currently in need of food donations, as well as toiletry items for clients during this difficult time. A list of the most needed items can be found at the Share website and is changing daily due to demand and where we have shortages. They are currently utilizing a "Grab and Go" system in the parking lot at McLean Baptist Church to allow our clients to drive through to pick up pre-packed boxes on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The church is closed, so food and clothing rooms are currently closed, too. Food donations can be dropped off during the week in the food bins at Share. Donations can also be made online through PayPal or mailing a check to the address listed on website. In addition, Giant is assisting by enabling shoppers to purchase gift cards at customer service and leave in the Share box at customer service which are picked up daily. Please consider supporting Share as they continue to support the many individuals, families, and seniors in our community who rely on share for food or emergency financial assistance.
*No clothing donations at this time or furniture donations/pickups.
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