MHS PTSA eNews, December 8, 2021

Holiday Friday Breakfast Station
for Teachers and Staff

December 10th and 17th

The PTSA needs your help to treat our wonderful teachers and staff to some home-baked breakfast treats and bring in the holiday cheer!

Please sign up here to contribute.

You can have your student drop off the item(s) either December 10th or December 17th before 8:00am at the school's main office (door 1).

Thank you in advance for your continued help and support to celebrate the amazing MHS teachers and staff.

White House Ornament Fundraiser 

Your Purchase Supports the
Graduation Party for Class of 2022

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. 

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 14^th, and 16^th.

Questions please email the Class of 2022 Graduation Party Chair at angp@mcleanptsa.org.

Thank you for your support!

PTSA Sponsored
Mock ACT/SAT Tests

EC Tutoring is offering the last Mock SAT Test of the year this coming Saturday, December 11th
9:00am-1:00pm  
Registration Form

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.

McLean High School Orchestra Restaurant Fundraiser

Support the MHS Orchestra on December 15th, with a delicious meal from Moby Dick House of Kabob in McLean, 5:00pm - 9:30pm. 

Click here for details.

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! Thank you!

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!

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:

• iPad for use with the Speech/Language Pathology programs
• 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!

Local Restaurant Fundraisers

Show Highlander Spirit and Support Your Community

While Dining In or Carrying Out

Pie-tanza is Tomorrow!

December 9th, 11:30am - 9:30pm

Lee Harrison Center, 2503B N. Harrison St., Arlington, VA 22207

Santini's - 3rd Wednesday

December 15th, 11:00am - 9:00pm

1443 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101

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!

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.

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

Details about the program are here.

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!

If you have any questions, please email angp@mcleanptsa.org.

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.

Recording Last Month PTSA Panel Discussion on Mental Health Trends

Panelists will share information on the mental health of students, impacts during COVID-19, and how we can help students in our various roles at the school, FCPS, and more importantly as parents and guardians.

You can access the recording here. 

On July 1^st, 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.

Freshman Transition to High School

Do you remember what it was like to begin high school?

If you do, chances are likely that the experience you had as an adolescent passing through the doors of your high school for the first time is different today than they were in your youth.

Listen to the first McLean Parent Podcast for parents of freshmen, hosted by Ashley Lowry featuring the MHS school's experts in the Student Services Office: 

• Paul Stansbery, Director of Student Services
• Kathleen Otal, MHS School Counselor and 2020 VSCA Secondary Counselor of the Year 

They offer their wisdom and guidance about the transition from middle school to high school and how to support your student toward a successful high school experience. 

You can access here a comprehensive list of scholarships for high school students to help pay for school their freshman year of college and beyond.

A free, 100% online Jeopardy-style Capture the Flag competition for students in grades 4-12 to sharpen their problem-solving skills through cyber-based challenges. 

 For more information, please look here. 

Registration opens on March 1, 2022. 

The Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association want to increase high school students' knowledge and understanding of the importance of independent media to our lives.

A list of 70 academic competitions and contests selected by the College Transitions.

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.

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.

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.