February 3, 2021
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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Important Upcoming Dates
February 3 - PTSA General Meeting
February 7 - MHS Parent Connection Walk
February 8 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving - 7:00-8:30pm
February 9 - McLean HS Community Meeting with FCPS School Board - 7pm
February 15 - Presidents' Day
February 16 - New Bell Schedule (Tentative)
February 16 - CAT B Students Return (Tentative)
February 23 - Teachers Return to Building (Tentative)
March 2 - Grades 9 and 12 Return (Tentative)
March 9 - Grades 10 and 11 Return (Tentative)
MHS PTSA General Meeting Tonight
Wednesday, February 3rd at 7:00-8:15pm
Join our guest speaker, Jess Johnson, from the Georgetown Learning Center to learn the inside of the college admission tests (SAT, ACT), Timelines and Planning, Important Changes in the Past Year (due to COVID), and Impact to the College Journey going forward. Jess is a McLean High School alum (class of 1998), a UVA Engineering School graduate, and has over 13years of professional experience teaching and helping students achieve the college experience he enjoyed.
Parents, guardians, and students are invited and encouraged to attend and learn more about these testing options in the current environment.
A link to participate in the meeting will be sent one hour prior to the meeting.
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Restaurant Night in February
Show Highlander Spirit and Support Your Community While Dining In or Carrying Out
Thursday, February 4th 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.”
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McLean HS Community Meeting with FCPS School Board Members
Tuesday, February 9th at 7:00pm
We are hosting a community meeting with special guests from the FCPS School Board, Elaine Tholen, Dranesville District Representative, and Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Member-at-Large, to listen to recent updates and decisions related to Return to Schools and McLean boundary adjustment. Please submit your questions here.
A link to participate in the meeting will be sent one hour prior to the meeting.
Here are this week's updates from the school board:
- The School Board considered the Return to School decision on February 2nd. Here is the presentation and the report.
- The School Board will vote on the McLean boundary adjustment tomorrow (Feb 4th) at 7pm. Please visit this link to review all information pertaining to McLean High School's Proposed Boundary Adjustment. You may share your opinions and ideas on the boundary adjustment at McLeanboundary@fcps.edu.
MHS Parent Connection
Walks in February
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, February 7th, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Where: McLean High School Track, Masks Required
Hosted by the PTSA Health and Wellness Committee
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Substance Abuse Prevention
We are offering a three-part Parent Education Series on Substance Abuse Prevention in collaboration with the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, Kelly Rankin. The three-part series will provide 20-minute education sessions for parents to learn about the development of the teenage brain, impact of drugs on its development, and become aware of the current drug trends. These series are available to the entire McLean pyramid and their communities.
Our main goal is to build awareness and arm parents with the knowledge and tools to identify early signs of substance use disorder, how you can play an important role in prevention, and how to have a conversation with your child about addiction.
Part 1 - Teenage Brain: Building Connections on February 25, 2021 at noon and 7pm
Part 2 - Drugs and the Teenage Brain on March 25, 2021 at noon and 7pm
Part 3 - Drug Trends: Identifying Common Household Items and Drug Culture on April 22, 2021 at noon and 7pm
A Blackboard Collaborate meeting link will be sent in a reminder email on the day of the session. Use this link to join the session. No registration necessary. These live sessions allow parents to ask questions and accommodate up to 250 participants. Recorded sessions will be available the day after the live sessions on our website.
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. For more information, here is a link to her flyer.
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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:
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.
Nominating Committee Volunteers
We need parent volunteers to identify and recruit PTSA executive leaders for next school year.
For more information and to view other open positions click here.
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Upcoming Virtual Mock ACT and SAT Tests Including Extended Time Options
EC Tutoring continues to offer virtual mock ACT and SAT tests to area students for $20 each. February's offerings include two extended time tests for those eligible for accommodations.
Regular time Mock SAT on February 6th: Registration Form
Extended time Mock SAT on February 20th: Registration Form
Extended time Mock ACT on February 27th: 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.
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?
What better way to acknowledge and praise them than with a Student Recognition Sign!
Each sign costs $25, are personalized with the 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.
Support your PTSA and recognize your student today! Go to the PTSA website.
All proceeds will benefit the MHS PTSA.
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Coming Soon...
Graduation Yard Signs!
Yard signs to congratulate graduating Seniors will be available to purchase starting in March. These graduation yard signs are different from the free McAwesome Senior yard signs that were delivered by MHS staff before the holidays.
The graduation signs can be personalized with the graduate’s first name and will be delivered to the address specified in the order starting in April. Optional adhesive for hanging signs on doors or windows will be available upon request. All sign proceeds benefit the PTSA.
Please stay tuned for future details.
This Week's
Highlander Shout-Out to MHS Teachers and Staff
A Message from a 12th Grader to Mr. Weise:
"Thank you for making music theory really enjoyable, and for maintaining a sense of community in band, even though we are virtual. Thank you for all the hard work you put into the program!!"
Message From a 10th Grader to Mr Hays:
"Mr Hays is such a chill guy. He’s so nice and he makes the class so interesting and fun. I want to do sports marketing for a career."
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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.
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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Do You Know an Amazing Teen From Falls Church or McLean Who Deserves Recognition?
Arlington Magazine is now accepting nominations for its annual Extraordinary Teen Awards.
They are looking for candidates who excel in academics, extracurriculars and service, as well as individuals who have overcome significant life obstacles. Click here to read about previous years’ winners.
To be eligible, a candidate must be a senior in high school (public, private or home school) and must be a resident of Arlington, Falls Church or McLean.
Nominations may be submitted by anyone who knows the student well. The deadline for nominations is February 5th and to submit the nominee's information visit this link. Winners will be notified in late March.
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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
Please note that electronic submissions will not be accepted. Detailed information is available at this link.
Need Help? Ask president@mcleanptsa.org
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Remember to Activate
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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Silver Diner Eat Well, Do Well Program: 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 fitness and nutrition programs at McLean HS. https://mcleanptsa.org/join-rewards-programs/ |
Liquid Laundry Detergent Needed
Please help our local community partner, SHARE of McLean! They are desperately in need of liquid laundry detergent. Medium sized bottles (approximately 32 loads) are most useful.
You can leave the detergent at the MHS Front Entrance, between the glass doors, in a box marked “SHARE Detergent”. Please come during school hours to gain admittance. Donations can also be brought directly to Share’s volunteers between 8:30am – 12:00pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays to:
Share at McLean Baptist Church
1367 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, VA 22101
You can also place them in the outdoor donation sheds at the church anytime. Just follow the walkway from the parking lot.
Click here for more info about SHARE.
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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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