November 18, 2020
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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PTSA General Membership Meeting is Tonight!
Wednesday, November 18th, 7:00pm.
Special Guest Elaine Tholen, School Board Member- Fairfax County Public Schools representing Dranesville District, will join us to discuss what the school board is working on and answer any questions you may have during this moderated session.
Parents, guardians, family members, and students are invited and encouraged to use the following link to submit questions prior to the meeting, so they can be addressed during the meeting:
Form to Submit Questions
A link to participate in the meeting will be sent one hour prior to the meeting.
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Help Us Thank Teachers and Staff with a Highlander Shout-Out!
Help us recognize our wonderful MHS teachers and staff with a “Shout-out” for all the wonderful work they are doing!
MHS parents and students are invited to use this form to thank teachers and staff going above and beyond in our virtual learning environment. The PTSA will forward the messages.
There is no deadline - send as many shout-outs as you like.
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Volunteer Openings at McLean PTSA
The McLean PTSA is an all-volunteer organization. Whether you have the time and energy to chair a committee or prefer to volunteer an hour at an occasional event, YOUR PTSA NEEDS YOU and appreciates all that you do!
Please consider the following open position:
eNews Team
Responsible for sending weekly PTSA e-newsletter. Share relevant information, promote events and enhance parent engagement. Proof-reading skills are a plus.
All open positions can be found here.
Each year, the National PTA Reflections program invites students to create and submit original works of art in the areas of Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. This year's topic is “I Matter Because...”:
Congratulations to McLean HS Reflections contest winners, whose submissions were moved onto the District level of competition:
Ella Park (Grade 11) for Visual Arts
Peter Hinckley (Grade 10) for Music Composition
Melina Turnage (Grade 9) for Dance Choreography
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Student Recognition Yard/Home Signs
Want to motivate and recognize your Freshman, Sophomore and Junior student(s) for all their hard work during this distance learning year at MHS?
What better way to acknowledge and praise them then with a recognition sign? Show them how proud you are of the fact that they are doing their best in this unprecedented time and to keep up the hard work!
Signs cost $25 each and are personalized with student’s class year and will be delivered directly to your home when ready. Signs come with a metal stand to push into the ground. Adhesive may be requested at no extra charge if window or door mounting is preferred.
Order your Student Recognition Sign today at MHS PTSA website.
All proceeds will benefit the MHS PTSA.
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McLean Matters!
Holiday Gift Card Drive Until December 7th
and Headset Charity Wish List
Thank you to the 10 parents and teachers that have signed up to provide gift cards for our MHS students in need. McLean High School has approximately 75 students who are at, or below, the poverty level. These students and their families need our help more than ever.
If you would like to contribute to this important community effort, please click HERE to sign-up to donate $25 or $50 gift cards to Safeway, Target, or Walmart for McLean High School families to assist them over the holidays.
There are three ways you can purchase gift cards:
- Go to a Safeway, Target, or Walmart store and purchase gift card(s) for $25 or $50 and mail to/drop off at MHS.
- Go online to Target Gift Cards or Walmart Gift Cards and purchase “plastic gift card(s)” to mail/drop off at MHS.
- Go online to Target Gift Cards or Walmart Gift Cards and purchase “electronic gift card(s)”, print out the paper copy, and mail/drop off at MHS.
Please use the following address for all mailed gift cards:
Sue Tabish
McLean High School
1633 Davidson Road
McLean, VA 22101
Gift cards are needed by December 7th.
Let's show our fellow Highlanders some love this holiday season
because McLean Matters!
Headset Donation Charity Wish List
Thank you to the parents that have purchased 46 headsets from the charity wish list. Only 29 more headsets are needed to complete the wish list and provide a headset for each and every MHS student in need. Many of the students-in-need are faced with virtual learning alongside several siblings, all in one room at their home. They are challenged with not being able to hear the teacher speak, or speak to the teacher clearly. We are collecting donations of headsets for virtual learning for our MHS students-in-need.
Please click the Amazon Wish List Here to purchase a headset for donation.
If you have any questions, please contact McLean Matters Chair Emma Blankenbaker at eblankenbaker@verizon.net.
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Annual White House Ornament Sale Fundraiser
The McLean HS PTSA is once again selling the Official 2020 White House Historical Christmas Ornaments. This year's ornament honors President John F. Kennedy.
Ornaments can be ordered online HERE until December 11th. Upon purchase, someone from the PTSA will reach out to explain pick up options (either at the MHS main office during office hours or a porch pick up from our Treasurer's house in Vienna, VA).
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Upcoming Virtual ACT and SAT Tests
EC Tutoring is offering a virtual mock ACT and SAT tests in the upcoming months. These tests are available to students at area schools for $20.
Virtual Proctored Mock ACT Test, Saturday, Nov. 21st Registration Form
Virtual Proctored Mock ACT Test, Saturday, Dec. 5th Registration Form
Virtual Proctored Mock SAT Test, Saturday, Dec. 12th Registration Form
Virtual Proctored Mock ACT Test, Saturday, Dec. 19th Registration Form
Virtual Proctored Mock SAT Test, Saturday, Jan. 9th Registration Form
Virtual Proctored Mock ACT Test, Saturday, Jan. 30th Registration Form
Please remember to indicate your status as an MHS student on the registration form to ensure that the PTSA receives credit; the fees support our programs.
Children's Winter Clothing Drive
Our local community partner, SHARE, has asked for our assistance in obtaining the following high need items for children of all ages:
- Winter Coats
- Boots and Sneakers
- Hats and Mittens
New or almost new items are appreciated, as SHARE does not have the resources to sort clothing and shoes.
All donations can be brought to the following locations:
Collection Box located between the glass door at McLean HS's Main Entrance
SHARE at McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
In person on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:30am – 12:00pm
If neither of these options work, please contact Sherri.share@outlook.com to arrange an alternate drop-off time.
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National Award-Winning Student Publication
McLean’s student journalists need your support to continue publishing this year!
Subscribers to The Highlander will receive all this year’s issues of our award-winning newsmagazine by mail, including the special Senior Edition.
The first issue of the print edition comes out this week, so don’t delay! Subscription for the entire year costs only $25.
Patrons who donate $50 or more may choose to have their names (individual, family or business name) printed in each issue of the magazine. If you have any questions or are interested in advertising opportunities, contact lbbenedict@fcps.edu.
Subscriptions and other donation options are available on MySchoolBucks.
Please complete this form to finalize your subscription or donation.
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McWelcomers’ Transfer Student Get Together
Are you a transfer student to McLean HS? Are you new to the McLean area, Virginia, or the U.S.?
This event is for you! Join us November 18th for the 2nd half of Highlander Time 10:25AM-11:00AM to meet other transfer students, Big Macs, and get to know a little more about McLean HS! BBCU links will be sent to your school emails that Monday.
If you are interested in attending, please fill out this Google Form as an RSVP. Formal invitations will be sent to your school emails. If you have any questions, feel free to contact your counselor. See you then!
Safe Community Coalition Rolls Out "Managing the Moments" Video Series
The Safe Community Coalition (SSC) has launched a series of short videos for the community featuring the psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers of the SCC’s Mental Health Committee.
The short segments, approximately 10 minutes each, touch on a wide variety of topics designed to help parents and students in dealing with a range of issues, from younger children’s challenges staying focused while distance learning to effective communication strategies when families feel the strain of too much togetherness.
The first six videos include:
- De-escalating Conflict
- Effective Communication
- How to Talk to Your Parents
- Brain Breaks During Distance Learning
- Self-Care and Calming Techniques
- How Are You?
Additional videos will be rolling out in the weeks to come.
All videos and any accompanying tip sheets are free and available on the SCC website, mcleanscc.org.
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Curbside Pickup for Library Books Every Monday
Students can now pick up books they put on hold through the online catalog.
Students are encouraged to watch the following tutorial video on how to place a hold on a book that they may wish to check out from the online catalog.
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Substance Abuse Prevention Support at McLean High School
McLean High School has a full-time Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist. Kelly Rankin serves as a resource for students and parents interested in finding out more information on substance use or discussing concerns of use and addiction.
If you need more information, take a look at this flyer.
Verify Your Information for the School Directory and Stay Connected and Informed
It only takes five minutes for parents to verify or update their contact information in the AtoZ Connect school directory.
To access the AtoZConnect use this link.
Then, join the PTSA through AtoZ Connect! We need your engagement to make the PTSA as effective as possible.
Please email fundraising@mcleanptsa.org if you need assistance.
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How to Donate and Rewards Programs
Please consider making a tax-free donation to the PTSA.
Your contribution translates directly into academic enhancements, virtual programs, improved technology, and courtyard and facilities renovations.
Click here to donate.
Earn rewards while you shop: Help Our Cause (NEW this year!): Check out a one-stop shop to earn rewards while shopping at 1000+ stores online or on your phone. Simply register once and use it often to get shopping discounts, travel rebates, discounted textbook purchases, electronics, and vehicle donations, and much more. Details about the program here.
Amazon Smile: Please use this link to set up your AmazonSmile account to donate to McLean High School PTSA and to shop.
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Harris Teeter Together in Education: Visit this link to register your card or register with the cashier next time you shop at Harris Teeter. MHS Code: 5560; Phone: (800) 432-6111.
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Upcoming Important Dates
November 18th - PTSA General Membership Meeting
November 21st - Virtual Mock ACT Test
November 25th-27th - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 21st-January 1st - Winter Break
January 18th - Martin Luther King Day Holiday
January 20th - Inauguration Day Holiday
January 22nd - End of 2nd quarter - 2-hour Early Release
January 25th - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
Helpful Links
FCPS Support for Parents & Families
FCPS Parent Resource Center
Provides access to information and resources to support all families, educators, and students, including those with special needs, learning challenges, and disabilities.
FCPS has Parent Information Phone Lines
Available in eight (8) languages to assist with general questions about FCPS.
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