January 6, 2021
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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Dear Highlander Families,
A healthy and happy new year to all! Hope everyone had a restful break.
In 2021, we are focused on offering programming that educates and empowers students and families in a virtual environment as well as in safe and socially distanced connections. Thanks to your support, we are able to assist with academic enhancements, develop innovative learning programs, provide staff appreciation, and offer health and wellness programs such as suicide prevention, substance abuse prevention, mental resilience, and parent education events. In addition, we are enhancing the school building and facilities such as the courtyard rejuvenation for safe use of outdoor space. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Remember to encourage your students to participate in the Citizenship Essay Contest, recognize their hard work especially during distance learning, and reaffirm your unconditional support for your student.
Best wishes to a brighter 2021!
Sincerely,
Savitha Parvataneni Sagar
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Upcoming MHS PTSA Meetings
- February 3, 2021
- April 14, 2021
- June 2, 2021
All meetings are held from 7:00 – 8:15pm
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Restaurant Night in January
Show Highlander Spirit and Support Your Community While Dining In or Carrying Out
Thursday, January 7th 5:00- 8:00pm
Tysons Silver Diner
8101 Fletcher Street
McLean, VA 22102
20% of sales from dine-in, outdoor patio, and carryout/curbside orders (excludes online ordering) will be donated to our MHS PTSA.
Orders can be placed in-person or over the phone for pick up. Tell them you are supporting the "McLean HS PTSA.”
Or use the carhop: park your car in front, call 703-821-5666, and your order will be brought to you. Do not forget to mention that you are supporting the "McLean HS PTSA.”
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MHS Parent Connection Walk in January
Come meet and walk with parents in our MHS community.
McLean High School parents are invited to take a stroll around the MHS track and connect with other parents. All are very welcome!
When: Sunday, January 10th, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Where: McLean High School Track, Masks Required
Hosted by the PTSA Health and Wellness Committee
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Highlander Shout-Out to MHS Teachers and Staff
Starting this Week, the PTSA is Proud to Include in the eNews a Selection of Thank You Notes Received Each Week to Addressed to MHS Teachers and Staff. Enjoy Them!
A message from a 9th grader to Ms. Painter
"Ms. Painter, thank you for a lovely Spanish class. Each red day, you enliven the class with a healthy mix of notes, discussion, and activity. As you said, you try and keep the balance between TTT and STT. As a new teacher at McLean, I think you are doing a wonderful job of teaching and keeping MHS goals. I am very grateful to have you as a teacher this year."
Parent of an 11th grader to all their daughter’s teachers (Ms. Musick, Ms. Singh, Mr. Brocketti, Mr. Stone, Ms. Beskenis, Ms. Percival, Ms. Kreeger, Dr. Reilly, and the MHS staff)
"To ALL my daughter's teachers this year - YOU ROCK! I just wanted to reach out and tell you that you make a difference in her life every single day. She (and we) recognizes how much time, thought, effort, communication, and creativity you have put into connecting with your students, finding ways to help them to connect to each other, making them feel seen and heard, retooling all your lessons to fit this crazy time, and all amidst trying to keep things running with your own families and maintaining your own health. You are amazing! We are SO grateful for you - where would be without you this year?"
Parent of 12th grader to Mr. Letkiewicz
"Thanks for being an inspiring teacher and making our son want to follow in your teaching footsteps!"
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Help Us Continue to 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. We will post them on a weekly basis in the eNews.
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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 They 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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Thank You For Activating the Rewards Programs When Shopping this Year!
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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2021 Virginia PTA Citizenship Essay Contest
Calling all Highlanders!
Encourage your students to show off their creative writing skills. The 2021 Citizenship Essay Theme is: "How do we stand together when we are so far apart?" Entries are due by 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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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 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.
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
January 12th- Adjusted School Hours Begins - 8:20am-2:50pm
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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