March 17, 2021
Your Source for News about the Highlander Community
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Important Upcoming Dates
March 20 - Mock SAT - Registration Required
March 22 - Freshman Highlander Hangout
March 25 - Parent Education Series Part 2 - Drugs and the Teenage Brain
March 26 - End of Third Quarter - 2-hour Early Release
March 27 - Mock ACT - Registration Required
March 28 - Graduation Yard Sign Order Deadline
March 29-April 2 - Spring Break
April 5 - Baccalaureate Service
April 10 - Mock ACT - Registration Required
April 24 - Mock ACT - Registration Required
Freshman Highlander Hangout
Come join fellow freshmen at the MHS track (Davidson Road entrance) on Monday, March 22nd.
There will be cornhole, footballs, soccer balls, spike ball, frisbees, and plenty of room to spread out and connect with your classmates!
Masks and social distancing required.
Register here and choose from two event times. The first event will take place from 12:30p.m.-1:30p.m. and the second one from 1:30pm - 2:30pm.
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9th, 10th & 11th Graders Yearbook Pictures
The week of March 22nd, freshman, sophomores, and junior students will have the opportunity to get their photo taken or submit a photo to be included in the yearbook. There is no make-up day, so review the following instructions carefully:
For students attending school in-person:
- 9th & 10th graders will be photographed during their physical education | health | drivers ed class.
- 11th graders will be photographed during their US/VA History class.
For students attending school 100% virtually:
Sign up for a photo appointment using this link to keep our groups small, shorten the wait time and maintain social distancing.
For students who do not feel comfortable or would prefer not to travel to MHS for a school picture:
Submit their own photo by April 1st to this site (code: mcyearbook) after watching this video and following these submission instructions:
- Photo should be in color, rectangular in shape, plain, neutral background is preferred.
- Full face view and facing forward.
- Clothing and jewelry must fit school dress code guidelines and is encouraged to be free of words or images.
- No creative filters or photographic treatments.
- No props, weapons or hand signs of any kind.,
Any question regarding the yearbook, send it to: mcleanyearbook@fcps.edu.
Interested in Ordering Pictures Taken at the School
Visit my.lifetouch.com and enter your Picture Day ID: EVT8JZSTS.
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Parent Education Series Part 2 – Drugs and the Teenage Brain
The second session of the Parent Education Series on Substance Abuse Prevention hosted by FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, Kelly Rankin, is scheduled for March 25th.
Kelly will provide a 20-minute education session for parents to learn about the impact of drugs on teenage brain development. There will be two sessions held at 12:00pm and 7:00pm.
Mark your calendars so you can learn how to play an important role in prevention, and how to have a conversation with your child about addiction.
Click here to join a session.
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Upcoming Virtual Mock ACT and SAT Tests
EC Tutoring continues to offer virtual mock ACT and SAT tests to area students for $20 each.
The upcoming dates are:
Mock SAT, Saturday, March 20th https://conta.cc/2NrMuaS
Mock ACT, Saturday, March 27th https://conta.cc/3pkvRes
Mock SAT, Saturday, April 10th https://conta.cc/2Oy3fSb
Mock ACT, Saturday, April 24th https://conta.cc/3dqKs5A
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.
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Class of 2021 Personalized Graduation Yard Signs
Now Available for Purchase!!
It is time to celebrate your senior's accomplishment with a Graduation Yard Sign! Optional adhesive is available for window or door mounting.
Signs can be personalized with your senior’s first name or ordered with the word GRADUATE in the name space.
Signs are $25 each and will be delivered to your yard by PTSA volunteers. Order deadline is March 28th for delivery starting in early April.
For more information, 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 do it 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.
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MHS PTSA Needs You!
The McLean PTSA is an all-volunteer organization. Whether you have the time and energy to chair a committee or if you prefer to volunteer for 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).
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 monthly. 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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A Conversation on "Fighting and Overcoming Addiction in Times of COVID-19: Support System and Community Resources"
The McLean District Station Citizens Advisory Committee invites you to participate in this panel of experts. MHS Substance Abuse Counselor Kelly Rankin, along with panelists from the FBI and the Chris Atwood Foundation, will provide valuable information, current challenges, the mental health aspects of addiction, and community resources.
The program will take place on March 18th from 4:30pm – 6:00pm.
To register for the event, please click here.
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A Baccalaureate Service for the MHS Class of 2021 is in the Works!
The Baccalaureate Service is a multi-faith service of worship, reflection, and celebration for MHS senior students, their families, and their friends. It will be a prerecorded virtual service this year.
The Planning Committee is looking for senior student participants to submit short video recorded faith reflections and/or musical performances.
Reach out to Natalie Legg at natlegg@me.com or Elizabeth Hale at halefamilyva@gmail.com by April 5th if you want to be involved!
The Baccalaureate Service link to be sent out closer to graduation.
Highlander Shout-Outs to MHS Teachers and Staff
A Message from a Parent of a 11th Grader to Mr. Weise and Ms. Denson:
"All the band students at McLean are so thankful for how Mr. Weise and Ms. Denson are keeping the band program going and getting ready for in-person music-making. Not an easy task at all, but so very much appreciated to give McLean musicians a chance to really play in a group again and interact with each other in person. McLean Band is the best!"
A Message from a Parent of a 11th Grader to Ms. Stephanie Taraday:
"Thank you for keeping in touch with me about my daughter's progress and taking the time to get to know her. It is so hard to make a connection with students in this environment and I appreciate your effort."
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Help us Continue These Shout-Outs and Show Our Appreciation to Highlander Teachers and Staff
Please submit a shout-out using this form.
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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Link to Webinar Recording
Student-Athletes: Opportunities for Competition & Success in College
Last Thursday, March 11th, the PTSA offered a 45-minute live webinar hosted by an expert from C2 Education. Participants learned how the (NCAA) provides pathways for student-athletes to attend college and compete.
Please click here to access the recording.
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Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative (VMPI) Informational Sessions
The Virginia Department of Education is organizing a series of one-hour VMPI community informational sessions during the next several months to provide parents and community members an opportunity to learn more about the initiative.
The Initiative supports the Profile of a Virginia Graduate by redefining mathematics pathways to strengthen the alignment between K-12 and higher education mathematics while ensuring that students are better prepared for college and career success.
Sessions will be live streamed on YouTube here at 6:30pm on the following dates:
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Tuesday, March 23rd - Why Change Mathematics Instruction?
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Tuesday, April 13th - How does VMPI affect Virginia Children’s Futures?
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Tuesday, April 27th - Essential Concepts in Grades 8 - 10
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Tuesday, May 25th - Advanced Pathways in Grades 11 - 12
The session recordings will be posted on this Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) webpage. Submit questions or comments using this form or via email to vdoe.mathematics@doe.virginia.gov.
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Feminine Product Drive Sponsored by The Girls Leadership Club
The McLean Girls Leadership Club is hosting a feminine product drive through March 19th.
Many women and girls have trouble affording food and basic necessities. Especially now during the pandemic, expensive yet necessary feminine hygiene products can take a toll on families living paycheck to paycheck.
Please consider purchasing feminine products (pads, tampons, etc.) this week and bringing them to MHS. There is a drop off box outside the main office. In-person students can drop them on their way to class.
2021 Congressional Art Competition
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district.
Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.
To review the rules and participate in the competition, visit here.
Submissions are due April 30th.
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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.
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Applications Wanted for Student Representative to the School Board for 2021-2022 School Year
Each year, FCPS students can apply for the position of the student representative to the School Board. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a non-voting, advisory capacity, representing the interests of the students at Fairfax County Public Schools.
Students who are currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply, and they do not need to be current members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SAC).
Applications are due by April 7th.
The application and more information about the opportunity are available here.
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Multiple Ways to Support the PTSA
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!
Remember to enroll in rewards programs.
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Use this link to set up your AmazonSmile account. |
Help SHARE Serve Our Community
SHARE of McLean is desperately in need of liquid laundry detergent and cooking oil.
Medium sized bottles of detergent (approximately 32 loads) and cooking oil (48 oz.) are ideal.
You can leave the detergent and oil at the MHS Front Entrance, between the glass doors, in a box marked “SHARE.” 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 information about SHARE.
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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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