MHS PTSA eNews, February 17, 2021

MHS PTSA black logo

                    February 17, 2021

Your Source for News about the Highlander Community


Important Upcoming Dates

February 16 - New Bell Schedule (February 16th - February 26th)

February 23 - Teachers Return to the High School Building

February 25 - Virtual Parent Education Session Part 1 - Teenage Brain: Building Connections

March 1 - Virginia PTA 2021 Scholarship Program Deadline

March 2 - Grades 9 and 12 Return to the Building

March 2 - New Bell Schedule (March 2nd - End of the School Year)

March 5 - MHS International Night

March 9 - Grades 10 and 11 Return to the Building


Bell

New Bell Schedule 

MHS will start a new bell schedule that will apply to all classes both virtual and in-person. Bell schedules are adjusted to accommodate social distancing requirements which limit capacity on school buses.

Please remind students of the changes in both the class times and the start and end time each day. 

The first schedule begins on Tuesday, February 16th, and ends Friday, February 26th:

School will begin at 8:20am and end at 2:50pm.

During this time, students will only have one lunch period. 

The schedule will change AGAIN on March 2nd until the End of the School Year:

School will begin at 8:20am and end at 2:50pm.

This schedule will accommodate 4 lunch shifts for everyone.  

Bell schedules can also be found on the school's website


Georgetown Learning Center

Recording and Resources
for College Admission 
Tests 

Last week, Georgetown Learning Center presented an overview of the college admission tests (SAT, ACT), timelines and planning, important changes in the past year (due to COVID), and the impact on the College Journey going forward. 

You can find the meeting materials, recording, and resources on our website here


Volunteers Needed

MHS PTSA Needs You!

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, the PTSA needs you!

Please consider the following open positions:

Nominating Committee Member:

Volunteer to help identify and recruit PTSA executive leaders for next school year. This is a short-term commitment, ending by early April or sooner (if we can quickly recruit for the open positions). 

President-Elect:
Serve the 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.

For more information and to view other open positions click here.


Thanks

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.


Thank you Teachers

 This Week's

Highlander Shout-Outs to MHS Teachers and Staff

A Message from a Parent of a 9th Grader to Mr. Keuning:

"Thank you so much Mr. Keuning for personally going out of your way to make sure [our son] has the materials he needs to be successful in Latin II!!"

A Message from a 10th Grader to Mr. Koop:

"Shout-Out to Mr. Koop for being an amazing teacher even during rough COVID times. You're always making class fun and inspiring us to give our 100 percent."


ACT - SAT

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 a MHS student on the registration form to ensure that the PTSA receives credit; the fees support our programs.


Kelly Rankin

Join the Parent Education Series Part 1 - Teenage Brain:
Building Connections

February 25th 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, the impact of drugs on brain development, and will help parents to become more aware of the current drug trends. These series are available to the entire McLean pyramid and its 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.


Yard Sign

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, is 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.

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.


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.

cause

Earn rewards while you shopHelp 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.

smile

Amazon Smile: Please use this link to set up your AmazonSmile account to donate to McLean High School PTSA and to shop.

teeter

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.

SIlver Diner

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/


Youth Creativity Project

The Youth Creativity Project (YCP) is Looking for Student Volunteers - Earn Service Hours

YCP is a youth-led non-profit organization established in September 2020 by high-schoolers in the DMV area with a passion for art. It is dedicated to bringing youth and their families in healthcare facilities a sense of connection and healing by providing them with engaging art activities that foster creative thinking.

YCP is looking for student volunteers that can commit at least 2 hours each week (depending on role). For more information about this opportunity, visit their site


International Night Logo

Calling Student Volunteers to Host or Perform at the MHS International Night 

The International Club, the 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).

The organizers are currently looking for students who would like to be hosts, volunteers, or performers. Students are encouraged to sign-up here (using their fcpsschools.net email) by February 26th at 11:59pm. Service hours provided.

All McLean students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend or perform to celebrate the diverse cultures of the McLean community!

All questions on the event can be directed to mcleanaaa@gmail.com.


NOVA PTA

The Fairfax County Council PTA and NOVA District PTA Invite Parents to Participate
in the Upcoming Webinar

What to Expect When You're Returning to School: 
How to Support Your Students

Monday, February 22nd, 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Whether your child is returning to face-to-face learning or remaining virtual, big changes are scheduled in the upcoming months. Learn how we can prepare as families and by providing help to students, using the latest brain science on resiliency.

Presented by Jenna White, FCCPTA Representative to the Fairfax County Trauma Informed Community Network.

If interested in participating, register here.


Share

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.


VA PTSA Logo

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


McLean High School Logo

Looking for McLean High School Gear?

The Athletic Boosters Club sells McLean HS spirit gear.

Their website is:  https://www.mcleanboosters.org/  


McLean-Langley Boundary

MHS/Langley Boundary Adjustment

The LHS/McLean HS boundary adjustment Option B was recently approved by the School Board. Option B reassigns students in the Colvin Run ES split feeder area, a portion of the Spring Hill ES split feeder, and a small portion of Westbriar ES to Cooper Middle and Langley High Schools.

The adjustment begins next year but will occur slowly due to substantial phasing and grandfathering options. An estimated 190 high school students will be moved to Langley HS from McLean HS over the phasing period. For more details, see our Dranesville District FCPS Representative Elaine Tholen's message here.


Helpful Links


Attendance


Bell Schedule


Red/Silver Calendar


Office and Support Staff


Student Services


Student Activities

Special Education Resources


Virtual Back to School Night

Teacher Office Hours 

FCPS Return to School Site

 

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.