MHS PTSA eNews, March 24, 2021

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                    March 24, 2021

Your Source for News about the Highlander Community


Important Upcoming Dates

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 1 - PTSA Fundraiser (Silver Diner)

April 1 - Deadline to Submit Senior Ads for the Yearbook

April 10 - Mock ACT - Registration Required

April 13 - SCC program - "A Brighter 2021: Ending the School Year Strong"

April 14 - MHS PTSA General Meeting

April 23 - MHS PTSA & Staff - Junior Parent Hour

April 24 - Mock ACT - Registration Required


Thank You Custodians

 

Highlander Custodian Appreciation

Dear Custodians - On behalf of the PTSA, we thank you for rolling up your sleeves, working hard, and helping with the chaos of COVID cleaning. Thanks for showing up and being an essential part of our school's healthy environment. Thanks for keeping our students safe!
With much appreciation,  Your Parents, Teachers, and Students @McLeanHigh 

****

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.


Tartan Magazine

MHS Literary Magazine Fundraiser

Support Your Highlander Community While
Dining In or Carrying Out

Today!!!

Wednesday, March 24th, 4:00pm - 8:00pm   

Chipotle on 6707 Old Dominion Drive

33% of sales will be donated to The Tartan Literary Magazine. 

Remember to show the flyer, tell the cashier you are supporting MHS, or order online with the promo code M3BJ7TN before checkout.

Thank you for your support!


Substance Abuse Presentation

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 Prevention Specialist, Kelly Rankin, is scheduled for March 25th

Kelly will provide a 20-minute overview for parents 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.


SAT and ACT

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 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.


Signs

1/2 Price 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!

Sign costs reduced to $12.50 while supplies last. It 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.


MHS Graduation Sign

Class of 2021 Personalized Graduation Yard Signs

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


Silver Diner

Restaurant Night Fundraiser
on April 1st

Support Your Highlander Community While Dining In or Carrying Out

Thursday, April 1st, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Tysons Silver Diner (8101 Fletcher St)

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.” 


Yearbook

Deadline to Submit
Senior Ads for the Yearbook

Interested in posting an ad in the yearbook. Review the submission guidelines here. All ad space is sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Visit www.YearbookOrderCenter.com and you will need to enter Job Number 5024.

Deadline is April 1st 

For more information click here

Questions about senior yearbook ads, contact mcleanyearbook@fcps.edu.

For technical assistance, call the Herff Jones Tech help line at 1-866-287-3096


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. 


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 if you prefer to volunteer for an hour at an occasional event, the PTSA needs you!

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.

Graduation Party Committee Chairs (4) 

Lead and assist with the planning and delivery of the Graduation Party for the Senior Class of 2021. This year is obviously different, yet we still want to send off our Class of 2021 with a celebration. Most of the parameters are defined in collaboration with the school administration. A committee has already been formed but we need someone to lead it!

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


Safe Community Coalition

A Brighter 2021:
Ending the School Year Strong

The Safe Community Coalition (SCC) is excited to host author Ana Homayoun as she discusses how to set students up socially, emotionally and academically in the midst of remote and hybrid schooling. Ana will address ways to be organized during hybrid and remote learning and discuss how to support healthy socialization and a sense of curiosity and discovery as we head into summer break.

For more information, and to sign up, without charge, click on this registration link.

Tuesday, April 13th at 12:00 p.m. (noon) 


Virginia Mathematics Pathways Initiative

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:  

  • Tuesday, April 13th - How does VMPI affect VA Children’s Futures?
  • Tuesday, April 27th - Essential Concepts in Grades 8 - 10
  • 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.


Congressional Art Competition

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. 

To review the rules and participate in the competition, visit here.

Submissions are due April 30th


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


MHS PTSA Logo

Want to Support PTSA?

Your contribution translates directly into academic enhancements, virtual programs, improved technology, and courtyard and facilities renovations.   Click here to donate.

Remember to enroll in rewards programs.


Share

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.

More information about bringing donations directly to SHARE is on our MHS PTSA website.   Click here for more information about SHARE.


Missed Webinar

Link to Webinar Recording Student-Athletes: Opportunities for Competition &
Success in College

On 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. 


Looking for McLean High School Gear?

The Athletic Boosters Club sells McLean HS spirit gear.

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

McLean High School Logo

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.