December 1, 2021
Your Source for News about
the Highlander Community
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TODAY!!!
Health & Wellness Therapy Dogs Return
Our 5 therapy dog friends are visiting today, December 1st
From 11:00am - 1:30 pm
They had a wonderful visit last month!
Our thanks to the PTSA Health & Wellness Committee for organizing.
Holiday Friday Breakfast Station
SignUp (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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Supporting Our Community
Last Call - Holiday Gift Card Drive
It is our last call for this calendar year to support 75 MHS families in need.
We still need 56 gift cards for $25 and $50.
All gift cards go directly to the families for their grocery needs. This year has been a struggle for all of us, yet the ongoing pandemic has adversely impacted families who are already at, or below, the poverty line.
Please Read One Family’s Story
One of McLean’s freshmen is 14 and registered as a homeless student, having lost her home when her mother had a stroke three years ago. Secondary to the stroke, other chronic medical conditions developed and have left her mother permanently disabled, and unable to work. She currently resides with her mother in her grandmother’s one-bedroom apartment as she copes with so many losses in her life.
This student frequently stops by my office to chat and talk about her resilience, how well she’s coping, facing so many challenges. I recently began to ask honest questions about her coping, she subsequently broke into tears. She shared that her mother’s income from disability supplements her grandmother’s Social Security check monthly, to that extent there are no funds available once the cost of necessities has been paid. She desperately needs clothing, her shoes are worn, her family visits the local food bank for food supplies, and occasionally the school has been able to provide a grocery gift card.
Your donation makes an immediate impact on MHS families in need, so please consider donating gift cards for $25 or $50. You can donate one, two, or multiple gift cards, here’s how:
STEP 1: Click HERE to sign up to donate a gift card, then
STEP 2: There are three ways you can purchase gift cards:
- Go to a Safeway, Target, or Walmart store and purchase gift card(s) for $25 or $50
- Go online to Safeway Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, or Walmart Gift Cards and purchase “plastic gift card(s)" to mail/drop off to Sue Tabish.
- Go online to Safeway Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, or Walmart Gift Cards and purchase “electronic gift card(s)”, print out the paper copy, and mail/drop off to Sue Tabish.
NOTE: Please indicate the $ amount of the gift card(s) when you mail/drop off your cards.
Please use the following address for all mailed gift cards:
Sue Tabish
McLean High School
1633 Davidson Road, McLean VA 22101
The deadline for gift cards is extended to Monday, December 6th, so that the cards can be distributed before the winter break.
We are grateful for your generosity and charitable donation.
If you have any questions, please contact McLean Matters Chair Emma Blankenbaker at eblankenbaker@verizon.net.
With much gratitude,
The McLean Matters Committee
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
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 - December 4th, 9:00am-1:00pm Registration Form
Mock SAT Test - December 11th, 9:00am-1:00pm Registration Form
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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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Tysons Silver Diner is TODAY!
December 1st, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
8101 Fletcher Street, McLean, VA 22102
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Pie-tanza - 2nd Thursday of Month
December 9th, 11:30am - 9:30pm
Lee Harrison Center, 2503B N. Harrison St., Arlington, VA 22207
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Santini's - 3rd Wednesday
December 15th, 11:00am - 9:00pm
1443 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101
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Sweet Leaf Cafe - 4th Wednesday
December 22nd, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
1359 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, VA 22101
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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:
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.
All open positions can be found here.
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Other News From McLean High School
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McLean High School Orchestra Restaurant Fundraiser
Support the McLean HS Orchestra on December 15th, with a delicious meal from Moby Dick House of Kabob in McLean, 5:00-9:30pm. Click here for details.
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Purchase a 2022 McLean
High School Yearbook
2022 Yearbooks are for sale on MYSCHOOLBUCKS.
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. The 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.
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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December 1 - Therapy Dogs at MHS
December 1 - Tysons Silver Diner PTSA Fundraiser
December 4 - Mock ACT Test
December 8 - Bodhi Day - Religious and Cultural Observance Day
December 9 - Pie-tanza PTSA Fundraiser
December 11 - Mock SAT Test
December 15 - Santini's PTSA Fundraiser
December 15 - Moby Dick House of Kebab MHS Orchestra Fundraiser
December 29 - Sweet Leaf Cafe PTSA Fundraiser
December 20-31 - Winter Break
January 12 - PTSA General Meeting
January 17 - Martin Luther King Day - Holiday
January 20 - End of 2nd quarter - 2-hour early release
January 21 - Teacher Workday/Student Holiday
January 24 - Teacher Workday/Student Holiday
June 1 - Graduation at 2:30 at Constitution Hall
Student Contests
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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