February 10, 2021
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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Important Upcoming Dates
February 12 - Senior Social for Class of 2021
February 15 - Presidents' Day
February 15 - PTSA Restaurant Night at Del Grano
February 16 - New Bell Schedule
February 16 - CAT B Students Return
February 23 - Teachers Return to Building
February 25 - Virtual Parent Education Session Part 1 - Teenage Brain: Building Connections
March 2 - Grades 9 and 12 Return
March 5 - MHS International Night
March 9 - Grades 10 and 11 Return (Tentative)
Restaurant Nights in February
Show Highlander Spirit and Support Your Community While Dining or Carrying Out
Del Grano
Langley Shopping Center
McLean, Virginia
Monday, February 15th, 5:00pm – 8:30pm
15% of sales will be donated to McLean HS PTSA. Remember to show the flyer or tell the cashier you are supporting the McLean High School.
Thank you for your support!
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Your Support is Needed to
Celebrate MHS Seniors!
This Friday, February 12th, the school is organizing a one-hour socializing event for seniors after class. We want to prepare Valentine’s bags of treats for them to snack on while socializing with their friends, so we need your help!
We are asking parents to drop off pre-wrapped snacks/candy, as well as some gluten-free and nut-free snacks in the main office or leave them in the box outside between February 8th and February 12th. The main office is open every day from 8:00am - 3:00pm.
Unfortunately, homemade treats will not be accepted due to COVID restrictions.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Senior Social for Class of 2021
Friday, February 12th from 3:15pm - 4:15pm
All MHS seniors are invited to go to the school's lower parking lot to socialize and catch up with each other during this event organized by the school.
Chairs will be placed six (6) feet apart, so seniors can catch up with their friends in an outdoor, socially distanced space.
Remember to dress warmly and bring a blanket!
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Recording and Resources
for College Admission Tests
Last week, Georgetown Learning Center presented 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.
You can find the meeting materials, recording, and resources on our website 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.
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.
February 25, 2021 at noon and 7:00pm
We are offering a three-part Parent Education Series on Substance Abuse Prevention in collaboration with the FCPS 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 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. Get details here.
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 can 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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MHS International Night
The International Club, Asian American Association, and McXDance Club have teamed up to continue the tradition of International Night at McLean.
The event will take place on March 5th at 7:00pm through an FCPS-approved platform (TBD).
All McLean students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend or perform to celebrate the diverse cultures of the McLean community!
The organizers are currently looking for students who would like to be hosts, volunteers, or performers. Students interested are encouraged to sign-up here (using their fcpsschools.net email) by February 26th at 11:59pm. Service hours provided.
All questions on the event can be directed to mcleanaaa@gmail.com.
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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 at:
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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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:
eNews Team Committee:
Responsible for publishing weekly PTSA e-newsletter. The role of the weekly PTSA eNews is to enhance engagement with and provide relevant information to our McLean HS parent/teacher-staff/student community.
eNews Team volunteers rotate responsibilities on a monthly basis. The Committee Chair remains constant--only the Proofreader and Publisher rotate each month.
Committee Chair: Receive content and organize content for the week’s newsletter into the editorial content template. Maintain monthly schedule of who is the assigned publisher and proofreader.
Proofreader: Review draft of e-newsletter to test links, catch typos, and verify consistency with format standard.
Publisher: use Gov.Delivery tool to enter prepared content, images and links. Follow committee developed format standards. Send test version to proofreader and incorporate changes. Schedule final version in tool for publishing at noon on Wednesdays.
For more information and to view other open positions click here.
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Student Recognition
Yard/Home Signs
Want to recognize your Freshman, Sophomore or Junior student(s) for all their hard work during this distance learning year?
What better way to acknowledge their effort 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 11th Grader to Ms. Taraday:
"Many thanks to Ms. Taraday for her patience and support -- she is kind and looks out for all her students in History class; encouraging everyone to do well. Thank you so much!"
Message From a Parent of a 9th Grader to Mr. Koop:
"My son really appreciates having Mr. Koop as his English teacher. Apart from teaching the lessons well, he shows his students that he cares by encouraging them to communicate with him at any time. He is quick to respond to questions. My son feels like Mr. Koop really cares about his students. This year has been hard, even for kids like my son, who is motivated to stay on top of schoolwork. A big thank you to Mr. Koop for all that you do for your students!
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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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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/ |
Helpful Links
fairtest.org - Resource to find out which colleges will be test optional next year.
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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