November 17, 2021
Your Source for News about
the Highlander Community
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Holiday Friday Breakfast Station
SignUp (Nov 19th, Dec 3rd, 10th, & 17th)
We hope to treat our wonderful teachers and staff to some breakfast treats and bring in the Holiday Cheer! We need food donations for this Friday, November 19th.
Please sign up via the Signup Genius here to contribute.
Thank you so much for your help. The teachers & staff will appreciate it!
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Relax Your Mind and Body with Highlander Yoga for Students and Staff
Win a Prize by Participating in the Highlander Yoga Raffle!
Date: Monday, November 22nd
Location: MHS Dance Studio (Room 183)
Time: 3:15pm-4:00pm
Snacks and water will be distributed after the class.
There will also be a raffle in which one lucky participant will win a Yoga mat.
Join to reset for the second quarter and start your week with a mindful Monday!
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In a previous Highlander Yoga class - one lucky student won a yoga mat!
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Supporting Our Community
Holiday Gift Card Drive!
McLean High School has approximately 75 students who are at, or below, the poverty level. Some are homeless.
If you would like to contribute to this important community effort, please click HERE to sign-up to donate $25 or $50 gift cards to Safeway, Target, or Walmart for McLean High School families to assist them over the holidays.
There are three ways you can purchase Gift Cards:
1. Go to a Safeway, Target, or Walmart store and purchase gift card(s) for $25 or $50
Please use the following address for all mailed gift cards:
Sue Tabish
McLean High School
1633 Davidson Road
McLean VA 22101
Gift cards are needed by Friday, December 3rd
NOTE: Please indicate the dollar $ amount of the gift card(s) when you mail/drop off your cards.
Let's show our fellow Highlanders some love this holiday season because McLean Matters!
If you have any questions, please contact McLean Matters Chair Emma Blankenbaker at eblankenbaker@verizon.net.
Join Us for a Week of Gratitude
Donation Call for all MHS Community!
The PTSA is excited to partner with two student organizations that are conducting donation drives for the holidays this week to benefit our local community partner SHARE.
Show a little gratitude this month and
bring in donations for SHARE of McLean
Between November 15th and November 19th
The Student Government Association (SGA) and the PTSA are cosponsoring the McShare Donation Drive to collect the following personal care/toiletry items that are high need items for Share’s community-based clients this holiday season:
- Bar of Soap
- Chapstick
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
Collection boxes will be located around the school or stop by the
McLean High School's administrative office (door 1)
to drop off your donation.
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The McLean National Honor Society (NHS) is also hosting a food and donation drive. Please drop off:
- Any unexpired food products.
Items in highest demand can be found here, but all donations are appreciated!
- Toiletries and personal care items including: bar of soap, chapstick, deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.
Collection bins are located around the school or stop by the
McLean High School's administrative office (door 1)
to drop off your donation.
Please Help Us Support Other Members
of the Community by Donating this Week!
White House Ornaments Fundraiser
The PTSA is once again selling the Official 2021 White House Historical Christmas Ornaments.
This year's ornament honors President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Blue Room Christmas Tree.
Your Purchase Supports the
Graduation Party for Class of 2022
Ornaments can be ordered until December 11th.
To purchase click on this form.
After your purchase, you will be able to pick up the ornament from the school front office
Between 8.30am-10.30am and 12:00pm-2:00pm on December 9th, 11th, 14th, and 16th.
Questions please email the Class of 2022 Graduation Party Chair at angp@mcleanptsa.org.
Thank you for your support!
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Support Your McLean High School PTSA
If You Haven't Joined
the PTSA Yet…
Thanks to those who have purchased their 2021-2022 PTSA memberships this year! Your show of support for our parent organization is truly appreciated.
It is never too late to join.
Join the PTSA and purchase your 2021 PTSA family membership today!
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PTSA Funds Enhance
Student Learning
Did you know that your PTSA donations and membership fees make the grants program possible? Some of the grants awarded so far this year include:
- Adobe Creative Suite for STEM Classes
- Chairs and storage bin for outdoor Spanish instruction
- Foreign language fiction materials for the MHS Library
- Funds for the Sunshine Committee
- Journalism and broadcast journalism videography equipment
- Live performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet for 9th Grade
- Reading library for upper-level Spanish students
- Smart carts for physics demos
- Startup money for the CAT B car wash vocational program
- Supplies for Helping Highlanders
- VersaTiles® helps students build math and literacy proficiency in a challenging, rewarding way.
Thank you to all of you and continue to donate and if you have not joined the PTSA.
Please join the PTSA today!
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Local Restaurant Fundraisers
Show Highlander Spirit and Support Your Community
While Dining In or Carrying Out
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Santini's is Today!
November 17th, 11:00am - 9:00pm
1443 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101
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Sweet Leaf Cafe - 4th Wednesday
November 24th, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
1359 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, VA 22101
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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 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
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Earn Rewards While Shopping
Remember to enroll in our rewards programs. You can raise money that enriches the educational, social and physical health of MHS students and staff at no extra cost to you!
Earn Money for the PTSA When You Purchase Through our Amazon Link
Simply bookmark: Amazon
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!
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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.
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Up to 10% of your shopping, booking travel, and donating electronics and vehicles.
Details about the program are here.
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Office Depot – MHS Code: 70104184
MHS receives 5% of your purchases.
Details about the program are here
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PTSA Volunteer Openings
YOUR PTSA NEEDS YOU and appreciates all that you do!
Signup for 2022 Graduation
Party Committee
It is time to start planning the Graduation Party for the Class of 2022!
The graduation ceremony is planned for June 1st at 2.30pm, and the Graduation Party will be hosted by the PTSA later that evening on June 1st.
We are looking for Co-Chairs to lead the planning and execution of the event. We also need parents' help with fundraising, entertainment/decor, food, budget, and other activities for the event.
We cannot do this without parent/guardian volunteers.
Please sign up here. Thank you!
Questions? Email angp@mcleanptsa.org
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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.
Please consider the following open position:
eNews Team
Responsible for sending weekly PTSA e-newsletter. Share relevant information, promote events and enhance parent engagement. Proofreading skills are a plus.
All open positions can be found here.
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Other News From McLean HS
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Purchase a 2022 McLean
High School Yearbook
2022 Yearbooks will be for sale on MYSCHOOLBUCKS by the end of this week.
Make sure to order early, as prices go up to $10 on December 1st.
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On July 1st, 2021 Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana.
The FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists teamed up to create a video explaining the law and what it means to our community. McLean High School’s Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Kelly Rankin was part of that team.
Here is the link to the video in English.
Here is the link to the video in Spanish.
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Upcoming Programs, Workshops & Webinars
Fairfax County STEAM Opportunities for Youth Page!
The first step in finding fun STEAM activities, information and career ideas for students and their families who have an interest in science, technology, engineering and math, as well as students who want to learn more about STEAM career options.
The goal is to engage families and community partners to help inspire and prepare all Fairfax County youth to succeed and lead in STEAM fields and beyond.
Interested in learning more visit this site.
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Did You Know?
The Unique Voice for Parents - Our Children e-Newsletter
The PTA Children Magazine is the unique voice for parents, published by National PTA, created for the parent who is always on the go and looking for the best info to help their child excel at school and in life.
Topics in Our Children Magazine include parenting, wellness, education, PTA Community.
Sign up to receive the Our Children e-newsletter. Get access to ideas and tips that will help your kids—and the whole family—throughout the year!
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Substance Abuse Prevention Support at McLean High School McLean High School has a full-time Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
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.
If you need more information, take a look at this flyer.
November is PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month!
Explore resources to help your family maintain healthy minds, healthy bodies and a healthy Earth.
Learn more here.
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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.
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Calendar Reminders |
Upcoming Important Dates |
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November 15-November 19 - Donation Drives (SGA and NHS)
November 17 - Santini's Restuarant Fundraiser, 11:00am - 9:00pm
November 24 - Sweet Leaf Restaurant Fundraiser 4:00pm-8:00pm
November 24-26 - Thanksgiving Break
December 8 - Bodhi Day - Religious and Cultural Observance Day
December 20-31 - Winter Break
Student Contests
The Search is On for a Future Reflections Theme
The National PTSA is looking for students’ original and creative theme ideas to shape the future of our Reflections program. Through our annual search process, one winning student's theme will inspire hundreds of thousands of student artists that participate in the 2023-2024 Reflections program.
The winning student will also receive a $100 award and national recognition.
Check out the winning themes from the past 50+ years here.
Students can participate in the annual Theme Search Contest according to their State PTA Reflections Program guidelines.
The contest runs from October 1st – December 1st
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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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Thank you to our Business Sponsors
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