December 16, 2020
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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Dear Highlander Families,
On behalf of the PTSA Board, I want to wish you all a wonderful holiday season. This season may feel different in celebrations, yet the one shared value that has lifted spirits in our community is where we give thanks for the blessings we have and share with those who need help.
In that spirit of giving, many families donated gift cards and headsets to the McLean Matters initiative, helping over 75 families-in-need. Your generous donations of winter clothing were distributed to children and adults through the Share of McLean. Thank you for making the holidays brighter for everyone. I wish everyone a peaceful, joyous, and safe holiday season!
Best wishes for the New Year!
Sincerely,
Savitha Parvataneni Sagar
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Remember When Shopping on this Holiday Season to Activate the 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: 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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Winter Clothing Drive Will Continue Until the End of the Year!
Children and Adults Sizes Are Needed!
Our local community partner, SHARE, has asked for our assistance in obtaining the following high need items for children and adults 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 doors at MHS's Main Entrance (until Friday, December 18th).
SHARE at McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean in person on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8:30am – 12:00pm.
Once MHS is closed for the winter break (after December 18th), donations must be dropped at SHARE or please contact Sherri.share@outlook.com to arrange an alternate drop-off time.
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Student Recognition Yard/Home Signs
Want to motivate and recognize your Freshman, Sophomore or Junior student(s) for all their hard work during this distance learning year at MHS?
What better way to acknowledge and praise them than with a recognition sign! Show them how proud you are of them during this unprecedented time!
Each sign costs $25 each and are personalized with the student’s class year 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 the MHS PTSA website.
All proceeds will benefit the MHS PTSA.
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2021 Virginia PTA Citizenship Essay Contest
Calling all Highlanders!
Encourage your students to show off their creative writing skills. 2021 Citizenship Essay Theme: "How do we stand together when we are so far apart?" Entries are due February 1, 2021.
Enter ‘McLean High School PTSA’ under the local unit PTSA name. Submission details and entry form can be found here.
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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 positions:
Parent Ambassadors
Parent ambassadors can influence the planning of parent events, such as parent coffees, virtual events that assist in connecting parents with school, discussing important issues and getting your questions answered. Collaborate with the Student Services department to increase parent engagement. Identify parent liaison at each grade level, gather questions/concerns prior to the event, and maintain a repository of info relevant to each grade.
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.
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Sophomore Parent Resource
On December 11th the MHS PTSA hosted a very informative sophomore parent hour. If you were unable to join us, you can view it here.
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, 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 that you are a MHS student on the registration form to ensure that the PTSA receives credit; the fees support our programs.
Five New Managing the Moments Videos Just in Time for the Holidays
Too much togetherness cramping your communication style? Too much teenage anxiety taking over the household? Too much frustration with distance or hybrid learning with your kids? When it gets to be “too much,” take a few moments to check out a few new video offerings from The Safe Community Coalition’s Managing the Moments series.
These short videos are produced by the psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers of The Safe Community Coalition's mental health committee. Topics selected reflect what they are seeing both in their private practices and on the homefront.
The new videos include:
- Coping with the Holidays – how to make the most of an unprecedented holiday season
- Creating Coping Capacity – body awareness and mindfulness techniques to feel calmer and more relaxed
- Connecting Through Play – strategies for minimizing frustration of younger children
- Anxiety in School – an honest look at teenage anxiety straight from a teen being interviewed by his mother
- Your Daily Prescription to Cope with COVID– focusing on ways to nurture yourself
These new videos join the original six videos: Deescalating Conflict, Effective Communication, How to Talk to Your Parents, Brain Breaks During Distance Learning, Self-Care and Calming Techniques, and How Are You?
All videos and any accompanying tip sheets are free and available on the SCC website, mcleanscc.org.
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Help Us Thank Teachers and Staff with a Highlander Shout-Out!
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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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.
Upcoming Important Dates
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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