MHS PTSA eNews, October 27, 2021

MHS PTSA black logo

October 27, 2021

Your Source for News about the Highlander Community


GM meeting

General PTSA Meeting Tonight!

Date: October 27th

Time: 7:00pm-8:15pm

After the business portion of the meeting, the following Special Guest Speakers will address the PTSA members:

• Paul Stansbery, Director of Students Services, McLean High School

• Gregory (Greg) Olcott, School Counselor, McLean High School

• Olivia Zhang, President, McLean High School Student Government Association (SGA)

• Arman Nikmorad, McLean High School SGA Officer

• Rowan Frew, Student Speaker

Use this Zoom link to participate in the PTSA meeting

** In case you need it: the Meeting ID is : 954 9956 8462 and the Passcode is: 884229. If you will join by phone dial: +1 301 715 8592

Further information and Meeting minutes from the last General PTSA Membership meeting can be found here.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the PTSA President at president@mcleanptsa.org.


Health & Wellness Therapy Dogs Return

Due to the popularity of Charlie, Oliver, Sammy, and Daisy, we have invited them to visit us again on November 3rd between 11:00am -1:00 pm.

Please welcome them back!

therapy dogs 1therapy dogs 2

McLean HS Band

 Support McLean Band and Guard - Fruit Sale Fundraiser

Please support the McLean High School Band programs by purchasing fresh fruit from Florida! Orders will be accepted through November 10th here for (socially distanced) pick-up on Saturday, December 11th.

Questions or concerns? Please email MHSBandFruitSale@gmail.com


coffee-tea station

Join the MHS Hospitality Committee

Donate to Friday Tea Station

The Hospitality Committee and parents of MHS students have established a Tea Station for the teachers and staff to provide them with a much-needed pick-me-up on Fridays. Please sign up to send in items on as many Fridays as you like. Items can be dropped off by your son or daughter in the main office on your assigned mornings.

A link to sign up can be found HERE.

If you are also interested in participating in the Hospitality Committee, please let us know by sending a message to the PTSA Secretary, Sooa Kang and secretary@mcleanptsa.org.

Thank you so much in advance for your help!


volunteer

Help Build a Connected Community!

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!

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.

See the complete list of open volunteer roles.

If you are interested in volunteering contact our Secretary- Sooa Kang at secretary@mcleanptsa.org for more details. 


MARK YOUR CALENDAR!



Reality Check Teen driving safety

Virtual Reality Check Registration Opens November 1st

Car crashes are the leading cause of injury and death for teens. Reality Check is a unique program that focuses on driver safety and education.

This free three-session webinar series is designed for teen drivers and their parents or guardians and will be split in three one-hour sessions:

  • November 1st - Graduated License Procedure
  • November 8th – Drug/Alcohol Presentation, How Teens Affect My Car Insurance, A Trip to the ED, and Sharing the Road
  • November 15th – Trauma Surgeon Presentation and Survivor Speakers

Sessions are progressive, building upon each other. The series concludes with a debrief at the end of the third session.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Linda Watkins, Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator, Safe Kids Fairfax County Coalition Coordinator at Inova Fairfax Medical Campus via email at linda.watkins@inova.org or phone or 703-776-3259.

Interested in more information, consult the flyer, QR Code or sign-up here.


Support Your McLean High School PTSA



MHS PTSA logo different

Have You Donated to the
PTSA this Year?

McLean HS Needs Your Support for this School Year! 

Click Here to Donate

McLean HS students and teachers need our financial support to build and maintain school-wide programming that supports personal growth, encourages academic excellence, and builds community. Each year, through the PTSA, we provide the financial resources necessary for school-based enrichment programs, community building and support projects not funded by tax dollars.

We appreciate the contributions already received and hope that you consider donating if you have not done yet. Your donation will allow you the opportunity to support the efforts to ensure funding this year.

Please donate in the amount comfortable for your family; all donations are warmly welcomed

Thank you in advance for your support.


SAT ACT

PTSA Sponsored
Mock ACT/SAT Tests

EC Tutoring is offering mock ACT and SAT tests in October and November. These tests are available to students at area schools for $20.

*** Please remember to indicate your status as an MHS student on the registration form to ensure that the PTSA receives credit;
the fees support our programs.

Mock SAT Test - November 13th, 9:00am-1:00pm  Registration Form

Mock ACT Test - November 20th, 9:00am-1:00pm  Registration Form

Mock ACT Test - December 4th, 9:00am-1:00pm    Registration Form

Mock SAT Test - December 11th, 9:00am-1:00pm   Registration Form


join ptsa

PTSA Membership 2021-2022

Join the McLean High School PTSA today and play an active role in your student’s education!

Please use the AtoZConnect button below to join by verifying your directory information, paying membership dues and contributing to the Direct Donation  Fundraiser.

Important Note: If this is the first time you are trying to access AtoZ Connect this school year, please click the "AtoZConnect" button above and choose "Create Account" under "New User" to set up an account (do this even if you have used AtoZConnect before). AtoZ updated the database platform over the summer - new and existing users both need to register to (re)gain access."

Questions or Need Help – Click here or ask our Membership chair at membership@mcleanptsa.org. 


restaurant night

Local Restaurant Fundraisers

Show Highlander Spirit and Support Your Community

While Dining In or Carrying Out



Sweet Leaf Cafe is Today!

October 27th, 4:00pm - 8:00pm

1359 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, VA 22101

Sweet leaf

Tysons Silver Diner (1st Thursday)

November 4th, 4:00-8:00pm

8101 Fletcher Street, McLean, VA 22102

Silver Diner

Earn Rewards While Shopping

Remember to enroll in our rewards programsYou can raise money that enriches the educational, social and physical health of MHS students and staff at no extra cost to you!



Amazon Smile

Amazon Link Earn Money for the PTSA       

Simply bookmark: MHS PTSA Amazon Link 

And use the link to access Amazon BEFORE you add items to your cart and check out promptly. Items that are left in your cart for 24 hours or more do not qualify.
To save items to purchase later, please use your Wish List.  

Every Purchase Counts!


HarrisTeeter

Harris Teeter – MHS Code: 5560

Visit this link to register your card or register with the cashier next time you shop at Harris Teeter, and with every purchase, the store will donate to the MHS PTSA.


Cause Network

 Up to 10% of your shopping, booking travel, and donating electronics and vehicles. 

Details about the program are here.


Office Depot MHS Code: 70104184

MHS receives 5% of your purchases.
Details about the program are here

Office Depot

Corporate Sponsor

2021-2022 Corporate Sponsorship

If you are a McLean High School parent, friend, or relative and your place of business would like to become a corporate sponsor for our school at $400 per school year, we would welcome your support!

Funds raised through corporate sponsorships benefit various programs provided by the McLean HS PTSA.   

For more information click here.


Parent & Student Volunteer Opportunities



Be the bridge 1

Work-Based Learning -
Be the Bridge!

Help MHS Special Education Students Gain Work Experience within the Local Community

If you know of a worksite within five (5) miles of McLean HS that would be willing to support the MHS Special Education program by providing volunteer work opportunities during the school day, you can help!

This flyer contains details and if you have questions, please contact Anna Southworth, McLean High School Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) Alsouthworth@fcps.edu or call (703) 714-5956.


Upcoming Programs, Workshops & Webinars



EC Tutoring

Understanding PSAT Scores

A Roadmap for the SAT and College Admission in the
Years of COVID and Beyond

The recording for this successful PTSA sponsored program is here.



Did You Know?


LGBTQ+ student support

October is LGBTQ+ History Month

Explore PTA resources here to help ensure your school community is safe and supportive for all students.


Bus in Snow

Snow Days Will Stay 

FCPS has announced updates to its inclement weather policy for the 2021-22 school year.

  • The first five inclement weather days will be traditional inclement weather days. These five days may occur consecutively due to a single weather event or may take place as several individual events. 
  • Once these five days have been taken, FCPS will use the flexibility provided by the General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, wherever possible, to maintain continuity of learning. 

Find out more about 2021-22 inclement weather days.


Calendar Reminder

Calendar Reminders



Two-Hour Early Release on October 29,  Student Holidays November 1-2

As a reminder, Friday, October 29th, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Monday, November 1st, and Tuesday, November 2nd, for teacher work days. 

See the complete 2021-22 school year calendar.


Graduation

McLean High School Graduation

McLean High School's graduation will be on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 2:30pm at:

DAR Constitution Hall
1776 D Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20006


Upcoming Important Dates

Upcoming Events


October 27 - Sweet Leaf Cafe Restaurant Fundraiser, 4:00pm - 8:00pm

October 27 - PTSA General Membership Meeting, 7:00pm - 8:15pm, virtual

October 29 - End of 1st Quarter - 2-hour early release

November 1 & 2 - Teacher Work Days/Student Holidays

November 4 - Tysons Silver Diner Restaurant Fundraiser, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

 November 8 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving

November 11 - Veteran's Day - 2-hour early release

November 24-26 - Thanksgiving Break


Student Contests



Congressional App Challenge

2021 Congressional App Challenge

This challenge through November 1st and offers middle school and high school students interested in coding a chance to enhance their skills and interests in computer science and STEM.

Local judges will evaluate the student submissions and choose. a winning individual or team.

For additional details, you can visit here.


NASA TechRise

NASA TechRise
Student Challenge

School student Teams are invited to join NASA in its mission to advance space exploration and enhance our knowledge of Earth.

Student teams in sixth to 12th-grade at a U.S. public, private, or charter school, brainstorm and design an experiment or test an apparatus that could be selected to make a suborbital flight aboard a high altitude balloon or rocket. 

Entries are due by November 3th.


RVA Film contest

2022 Virginia Environmental
Film Contest

The 12th annual Richmond Virginia Environmental Film Festival (RVA EFF) is announcing the 2022 Virginia Environmental Film Contest.

Prizes are awarded in two categories: students 12 and under, and 13-18. The contest is open to Virginia residents with films based on environmental topics about Virginia. Films of all formats, genres, and lengths will be considered. 

The deadline for submissions is November 15th.



FCPS Parent Resource Center

FCPS Parent Resource Center Workshops

The FCPS Parent Resource Center is offering workshops, information and resources to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities.

For a list of upcoming events click here. 


New Recording Virtual Back to School Night

Back to School Night

Learn about our Student Services team, Student Activities information and Library resources.  Watch videos on College and Career Center, Fall Testing information and Attendance during virtual learning.  Join the McLean HS PTSA, order McLean merchandise from the McLean Booster club, purchase yearbooks, class rings and more!



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.

 


Thank you to our Business Sponsors

Georgetown Learning

LM Orthodontics

Policy Viz Business Sponsor