January 13, 2021
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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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 and a link will be sent out before each meeting.
- January 21, 2021 at 7:00pm
We are hosting a Parent Information Session on Substance Abuse Prevention with Kelly Rankin on January 21st at 7:00pm. It is a 30-minute session on early signs of substance use disorder, how to have a conversation with your child about addiction and ask questions. McLean's 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.
Kelly holds a Master's degree in Social Work from George Mason University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She has been working in the field of substance abuse and mental health with both adults and adolescents since 2007. Kelly worked at Phoenix House as a Program Director of the women’s residential facility from 2011-2017, then moved to treating adults in an outpatient setting from 2017-2018. After witnessing the opioid epidemic destroy families, and patients overdosing, she made the decision to work with Fairfax County Public Schools as a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist.
For more information, here is a link to her flyer.
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Thank You MHS Community
McLean Matters would like to thank the parents and teachers for their overwhelmingly generous effort to donate gift cards for McLean High School families-in-need for the Winter Gift Card Drive in December.
The community came forward, and the amount of money that was raised is truly remarkable, gift cards came in the mail, digitally, and parents were continually coming to the office to drop off gift cards. To date, we have collected over $12,000 for our families.
Thanks to your generosity we were able to provide gift cards to over 75 Highlander families. We cannot thank you enough!
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McLean High School Boundary Adjustment-Timeline
The following is a copy of a bulletin sent on behalf of Elaine Tholen, School Board Member listing the dates for the McLean High School/Langley High School Boundary adjustment timeline:
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Thursday, January 21st at 7:00pm
Regular Meeting: FCPS Staff will present an option to the School Board during the presentation portion of the meeting.
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Thursday, January 28th at 6:00pm
McLean HS/Langley HS Boundary Public Hearing.
Speakers list will open on 1/18/21
Sign up to speak here once the list is open.
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Thursday, February 4th at 7:00pm
Regular Meeting: School Board will vote on the boundary adjustment.
Please visit here to view the options, December 7th community meeting comments, and email comments.
You may share your opinions and ideas on the boundary adjustment at McLeanboundary@fcps.edu.
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Call to Help
McLean Athletics Boosters
Reach 1,000 YouTube Subscribers
To live stream all home sporting events using a mobile device, the McLean Athletics channel will need to have at least 1,000 subscribers. Please click here and press subscribe (or search for McLean Athletics on YouTube).
After subscribing, send the link to your friends and family and encourage them to subscribe too.
Your help will mean so much to the athletes, their families, coaches, and everyone involved in MHS athletics events. Plus, it is fun to watch the events.
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This Week's
Highlander Shout-Out to MHS Teachers and Staff
A Message from a Parent of a 9th Grader to Mr. Josh Koop:
"Thank you for clearly communicating the pacing guide, syllabus, and standards. I have seen an improvement with my daughter’s writing already! She is fully engaged in your class and enjoys English class. Thank you very much for your hard work. We are grateful that [our student] has you as her teacher."
A Message from a Parent of a 10th Grader to Ms. Denson and Mr. Weise:
"Great work pushing through with Fall virtual concerts - amazing work!"
Message From a 11th Grader to Ms. Musick:
"Hey Ms. Musick!! I really just wanted to tell you how awesome you are and how good of a math teacher you are. Math has never been my favorite subject and I've always found it fairly frustrating in the past. And in all honesty I expected to hate this class because math is hard for me, especially during online school, but I'm really happy to say your class is one of my favorites for sure. I think you do an incredible job teaching math online and I actually understand a lot of this math because of the way you teach! I also just really like you as a person. Even though through online classes it's hard to get to know your teachers and students, the before class warm ups or occasional small conversations we have always make me happy. If we do go back in person, I'm excited to go into your class and see you. It is always such a good feeling when I don't understand a question and then I work it out and finally understand with your help. It makes me feel like I'm really learning, which in all honesty is hard to feel like in online school. I really do appreciate all you, and every other staff member, are doing to help us learn online, so I thought I should let you know! :) Thank you so so much!!"
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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 Student Recognition Sign! Show them how proud you are of them during this unprecedented time!
Each sign costs $25 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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Virginia PTA 2021
Scholarship Program
Virginia PTA is proud to offer $1,000 scholarships to graduating Virginia high school students from an active PTA/PTSA in good standing. In keeping with the Vision and Mission of PTA, these scholarships are awarded based on a demonstrated commitment to, and engagement in, volunteerism and community service.
Deadline: March 1st (electronic submissions will not be accepted)
Detailed information is available on this link.
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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 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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Upcoming Virtual ACT Test This Month
EC Tutoring is offering a virtual mock ACT test. This test is available to students at area schools for $20.
Virtual Proctored Mock ACT Test, Saturday, Jan. 30th Registration Form
Please remember to indicate that you are an MHS student on the registration form to ensure that the PTSA receives credit; the fees support our programs.
Eat Well, Do Well Silver
Diner Program
Silver Diner is proud to be a key part of the local community, nurturing its’ growth, providing food for healthier lifestyles, and supporting local schools and non-profits. The Eat Well, Do Well program has helped schools in Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey to implement a variety of exciting nutrition and fitness programs such as organic vegetable gardens, walking clubs, healthy snack campaigns, and more.
Use the Silver Diner Mobile App to link your Eat Well, Do Well account to McLean High School and Silver Diner will donate 5% of your spending to support healthier lifestyles for kids. All you need to do to earn benefits AND support MHS is:
- Login to your Eat Well Do Well (EWDW) account at https://www.silverdiner.com/content/eat-well-do-well-rewards
- Click on “Choose School” under the Link My Card to a school section.
- Select “McLean High School” at the bottom of the drop-down list (it is not alphabetical).
From the Mobile App: Click the menu icon on the top left of the app, scroll down and select “Link to a school.” You will be asked to enter your username and password to access your account and link.
You can also sign up online by visiting silverdiner.com/ewdw. You will be asked to enter your username and password to access your account and link. If you are not yet a member of Silver Diner’s EWDW program, you can request an EWDW card.
If you received an EWDW card at the restaurant but have not registered it yet click on Register and enter the 16-digit code. Then follow the steps above to link your card to McLean HS.
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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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New 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:
Treasurer’s Assistant
Are you good with numbers and interested at getting involved at MHS?
We are currently looking for a Treasurer’s Assistant who could help with things like bank reconciliations and financial reporting in Excel and QuickBooks. Training will be provided.
Contact our Treasurer - Tammy Piper at treasurer@mcleanptsa.org for more details.
Graduation Party Committee Chairs (4) and Team Members (4) for 2021
Lead and assist with the planning and delivery of the Graduation Party for the Senior Class of 2021. This year is different, yet we want to send off our Class of 2021 with a celebration. Most of the parameters are defined in collaboration with the school administration.
Our planning begins in February to make it a memorable gathering for our graduating students. Resources are available to provide a smooth transition along with providing helpful documentation for a safe and secure celebration. I
Interested parents should contact angp@mcleanptsa.org.
All open positions can be found here.
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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
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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