Important Upcoming Dates
April 18 - Partners for Safe Teen Driving program
April 20 - Month of the Military Day - Purple Up Day
April 22 - April 22 Orthodox Good Friday
April 23 - Passover ends at sunset
May 3 - Eid al Fitr Religious Observance
May 14 - Prom at
May 30 - Memorial Day Holiday
June 1 - Graduation
June 2 - Physical Night at McLean High School
Virtual Helping Highlanders
Math and English teachers began hosting virtual study sessions via Zoom in the afternoons/evenings. Subjects offering study sessions include: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 and Precalculus, English 10 and English 11. The schedule for each session and Zoom links are posted to the All Students course in Schoology each week for all students to access. Please consider encouraging your student to attend a study session for extra support in the offered subject areas!
After-School Counseling
The Department of Student Services will be offering counseling opportunities for all students every Wednesday and Thursday after school. Select counselors will be available to meet with students until 4:30pm. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this extra availability and can meet with the counselors on staff regardless of their alphabetical designation. Late bus transportation will be provided every Wednesday and Thursday for all students.
Student Equity Ambassador Leaders
Student voice is imperative for the implementation of Equity centered work we strive for in FCPS. Our students have the answers and it’s time that we empower them. Student Equity Ambassador Leaders is a leadership program that amplifies student voice and provides an increased understanding of diversity, inclusion and equity through leadership development, projects and relevant experiences. The goal is to empower students to take an active role in fostering a school culture of inclusiveness and creating a welcoming and culturally responsive environment for students, families and staff. All applications are due by May 6, 2022
SEAL Information
SEAL Application
Physical Night - June 2
McLean Sports Physical Night is Thursday, June 2nd. If you are interested in playing a sport during the 2022-23 school year you must have a sports physical on file at the school dated after May 1 of 2022. This will satisfy that requirement. Details below
When: Thursday, June 2
Where: McLean HS
Cost: tax deductible donation of $50 (all proceeds go to the athletic training program for supplies and equipment.)
MySchool Bucks link coming soon!
Student Registration: https://forms.gle/dSNCjto7nUtkr4Uk7
We are in need of volunteers for this event. If you, or someone you know, think you might be interested in volunteering, please email Michael Tierney, mstierney@fcps.edu for more information. We are in need of medical professionals, specifically MDs, DOs, PAs, and NPs. We are also looking for PTs as well. If you would like to register as a volunteer, please follow this link: https://forms.gle/zJrGabyD7xunnvYS9
Girls' Leadership Committee Annual Networking Event - Monday April 18
The virtual nature of the event will allow us to connect with women on a broader scale than just the McLean area. We will begin with a moderated panel discussion at 6 PM EST, followed by an audience facilitated Q&A which should conclude by 7:30. The panel will include 6 women, in a variety of fields like Finance, Law, Medicine, Engineering, Art, and Technology. We will cover topics such as how they decided on their career, the best and most challenging aspects of their profession, and any advice they may have for high school girls.
If you can join us, please either RSVP here:RSVP
or click this link:https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/93831703985?pwd=K1psZFQ5YzZudVN1YTZvbjVCeFp5QT09 at the time of event.
Upon sending an RSVP, you will receive emails with the biographies of our panelists and any reminders for the event beforehand, so we strongly recommend completing that form.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at mcleanglc@gmail.com or contact us through our Instagram @mcleanglc.
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April is the Month of the Military Child, providing an opportunity to recognize and honor the service of Virginia’s youngest heroes, over 80,000 military connected children. Wear purple on Wednesday, April 20th to celebrate military kids! Purple references the joint environment of the military, encompassing all service branches, Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Veterans. Purple combines each branch’s colors into one: the Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard all use shades of blue, the Army uses green, and the Marines use red. |
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Prom tickets are on sale! Juniors and Seniors may purchase their tickets through MySchoolBucks for $65. Prom will be at the McLean Hilton from 8:00-12:00am on May 14. |
AP Exam Information
AP Exam Proctors: Parent Volunteers Wanted!
Due to the large number of AP exams being given this year, we are in search of parent volunteers to help with proctoring between May 2nd and May 17th. Primary responsibilities include monitoring test takers and assisting with material distribution/collection. All proctors will be asked to review a brief virtual training and sign a non-disclosure agreement from the College Board. Please be advised that parent volunteers CANNOT proctor their own children (if your student is taking an AP exam, you cannot proctor that specific test).
If you would like to volunteer your time to help proctor an AP Exam, please see the link below to a sign up form including dates and times we are in need of volunteers. Forms should be submitted by Wednesday, April 20th. Thanks in advance for your help!
AP Proctor Volunteer SIgn Up Link
AP Exam Schedule
After careful consideration, FCPS leadership decided to continue with the established AP exam schedule for May 2, 2022. Students registered for AP exams on May 2nd (Chemistry, Spanish Literature, Japanese Language, US Government) will need to request late testing if they are unable to attend due to the Eid religious observance. May 3rd exams that were previously rescheduled for May 17th will remain on May 17th.
Requesting a late AP Exam due to May 2nd Eid Observance
Students who are unable to attend May 2nd AP exams (Chemistry, Spanish Literature, Japanese Language, or US Government) at McLean High School due to the Eid religious observance need to contact Jennifer Beach, Assessment Coach ( jabeach@fcps.edu) no later than April 22nd to request late testing. Late testing follows the College Board Late Testing Schedule. The dates and times for the May 2nd late testing are listed in the table below. Early Release/Late Arrival Permission Slips for AP Test Days
If students have a morning exam and wish to go home after its completion, or if they wish to come late to school to report for their afternoon exam only, they must submit a signed permission slip for each exam to Renee Yates in the Attendance Office by April 22nd.
Early Release Permission Slip.
Late Arrival Permission Slip.
Congratulations to our Latin students who placed in the National Latin Exam
John Farrell (9) – summa cum laude, gold medal, perfect score
Amelie Yan (9) – summa cum laude, gold medal
Karina Bhatt (10) – summa cum laude, gold medal
Vidya Suri (11) – summa cum laude, gold medal
Zhicheng Zhao (12) – summa cum laude, gold medal
Elliott Berry (9) – maxima cum laude, silver medal
Abigail Sterner (10) – maxima cum laude, silver medal
Eleanor Ague (10) – magna cum laude
Taylor Konditi (10) – magna cum laude
Olivia Anglin (10) – magna cum laude
Ethan Zhou (11) – magna cum laude
Philip Rotondo (10) – cum laude
Ryan Chun (9) – cum laude
Meghana Thondaiman (10) – cum laude
Jane Smith (11) – cum laude
Eli Cartwright (11) – cum laude
The Tartan and The Highlander Receive Top Recognition
McLean High School’s literary magazine, The Tartan, and news publications, The Highlander newsmagazine and website, earned national recognition from both the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) and Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) over the past few weeks.
The Tartan, advised by Lindsay Benedict and Seth LeBlanc and led by editors-in-chief Hyohyun Jung and Marina Qu, was one of just six literary magazines in the country and the only one in Virginia to receive the prestigious 2021 NSPA Pacemaker at an awards ceremony on April 9. “The literary arts magazines selected by the judges reflect both classic and contemporary formats,” said Gary Lundgren, associate director and coordinator of the Pacemaker competition. “The quality of the art, photography, poetry and prose showcased on the pages of these magazines is amazing.”
https://studentpress.org/nspa/2021-literary-arts-magazine-pacemakers/
In addition, The Tartan was named a 2022 CSPA Gold Crown recipient in the literary magazine category at an awards ceremony on March 18. McLean’s literary magazine was one of three Virginia literary magazines and the only in FCPS to earn this award from Columbia University. According to the judges’ comments, “The Tartan presents an exceptionally balanced literary arts magazine. The writing shows a mature command of language, aware not just of meaning but also of the potential beauty in the sound of words. The art is inventive and heartfelt. The designs are strong, confident and elegant. The staff has created a publication with many different topics that blend into one voice.”
The Highlander newsmagazine and website (thehighlandernews.com), advised by Lindsay Benedict and led by editors-in-chief Akash Balenalli, Heran Essayas, Marina Qu and Jack Shields, received a 2022 CSPA Gold Crown recipient in the hybrid news category. The Highlander was one of three hybrid news publications in Virginia to earn this award from Columbia University; tjTODAY from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology was also a recipient. According to the judges’ comments, “What is distinctive about The Highlander is the quality of the verbal reporting and the page designs which complement the content and create a reader-friendly ‘whole publication look.’ Writers focus on what happened and why it matters to the readership in stories on the rise of student polarization over the presidential election, problems with equity issues over virtual learning and the parallel world people of color face.”
https://cspa.columbia.edu/recepient-lists/2022-awards-student-work-crown-awards-scholastic-recipients
Thank you all for your continued support of McLean’s publications!
Parent Events
Fairfax County Youth Substance Use Trends and Support Webinar
Due to the rise in opioid overdoses in the Fairfax Health District, which is consistent with national and state trends, Fairfax County Public Schools has partnered with Fairfax County Government to provide an educational webinar on youth substance use trends and supports.
The topics covered will be:
- Most Commonly Used Substances
- In Depth Opioid Information
- Reasons Why Youth Use Substances
- Ways Parents Can Support their Children
- Available FCPS and Fairfax County Resources
- Ways Students, Parents, and Community Members can connect with Support Providers
It is being offered virtually in every language at 7:00PM on 4/20, 4/26 and 4/28. Kelly Rankin, McLean's Alcohol and Other Drug counselor, will be one of the presenters. Here is the link.
McLean Community Center Photo Updates for Students
Is your current profile picture outdated? Is it a cropped picture from Prom or Homecoming? If so, sign up now to get a professional headshot made at MCC! You can use this headshot on your social media profiles, résumé or collage applications. Hilary Schwab Photography will be onsite to provide you with a professional headshot, all you have to do is register for a 15-minute time slot on Wednesday, April 27th at the McLean Community Center. A limited number of time slots are available, so sign up quickly if you want access to an amazing new headshot! Sign-ups for the event can be found here
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April 26 - Book Talk with Julie Lythcott-Haims |
Former Stanford dean and New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult Julie Lythcott-Haims explains why our culture of over-parenting is hurting our children and making them ill-equipped for college and adulthood.
Relevant to parents of toddlers as well as of twentysomethings, How to Raise an Adult is a rallying cry for those who wish to ensure that the next generation can take charge of their own lives with competence and confidence.
This FREE program takes place April 26th from 7-9pm at Temple Rodef Shalom. It’s open to all, but registration is required. Visit the Safe Community Coalition website for more information and registration: http://mcleanscc.org/.
Brought to you through a partnership between the Safe Community Coalition and The Potomac School.
Partners for Safe Teen Driving - Virtual
McLean High School will be offering Partners for Safe Teen Driving (PSTD) seminars throughout the school year. All students enrolled in classroom driver education must attend one 90-minute PSTD presentation. The presentation is connected to classroom instruction and must be completed in addition to successful completion of classroom instruction in order for a student to receive a DEC-District 8 (pink) card.
McLean High School’s last date for the 2021-2022 calendar year is:
April 18
To register for the April 18 PSTD seminar, students can register with a parent or legal guardian here. To access the registration form, students must be logged into their fcpsschools.net account.
All seminars will be held from 6:30-8:00 PM virtually via Schoology Zoom. Registrants will receive an email with the PSTD ZOOM Meeting Link prior to the meeting. We encourage registrants to enter the meeting ten minutes prior to the meeting to avoid technical issues. Attendees who arrive late will NOT BE allowed entry and WILL NOT earn credit for attending. Students and a minimum of one of their parent/guardian(s) must attend a presentation during the calendar year in which the student is enrolled in 10th grade Health and PE. While it is recommended that the PSTD seminar requirement be satisfied during the quarter in which the student is taking classroom driver education, students are welcome to attend any quarter. Important: Students who successfully complete their classroom driver education quarter but have not satisfied the PSTD requirement will have earned an Incomplete for the class grade until the requirement is met.
This program is only available to FCPS students enrolled in grade 10 health and physical education at no charge. Students who are completing classroom instruction through a commercial driving school, are home schooled, are enrolled in another school division, or are FCPS students in grade 11 or 12 must register to attend the 90-minute PSTD seminar through FCPS Adult and Community Education (aceclasses.fcps.edu); a $30 fee will apply. Students enrolled in grade 10 health and physical education do not have to register.
Upcoming Cultural and/or Religious Days
Orthodox Good Friday
April 22, 2022
Millions of Orthodox Christians commemorate Good Friday, also known as “Great Friday” to remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. The Orthodox Easter dates usually differ from the dates used by western churches because most Orthodox churches retained some version of the Julian calendar, which is older than the Gregorian calendar, commonly used today. FCPS has designated Orthodox Good Friday as a religious and cultural observance day designed to allow students the opportunity to miss school for observances not already designated as school holidays.
April 23, 2022
(Passover begins at sunset on April 15 and ends on April 23)
Many Jewish communities in the United States mark the last day of Passover (April 23) as the end of a Jewish holiday that celebrates the deliverance of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Passover is also known as Pesah, Pesach, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Many Jewish families in the United States eat a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which involves telling the story of the exodus from Egypt as well as eating various symbolic foods, such as meat of the paschal lamb and bitter herbs, recalling the harsh life of slavery. (This holiday occurs when school is not in session.)
Weekly Reminders
McLean HS Tech Support for Students
If you are experiencing issues with your FCPS issued laptop, please use the link below to enter your information. The tech support team will then get back to you as soon as possible.
We will continue to support students remotely as much as possible. If a computer has been identified as needing hands-on repair, we will schedule an appointment for you to come to the school to exchange it.
Description: This form should be filled out by a student if they are experiencing issues with their FCPSOn laptop.
Please click on the link below to access the Tech Support Request Form.
Parent/Student Support Portal Link:
https://itweb.fcps.edu/itsupport/
Social-Emotional Support Information
Mental Health and Wellness Support Services and Resources
McLean’s Clinical Staff are available to consult with parents and students regarding mental health related concerns and behaviors. They are also able to provide community resources as needed. Please see their contact information below:
Carol Ann Forrest, School Psychologist, CMForrest@fcps.edu
Beverly Parker-Lewis, School Psychologist, baparkerlewi@fcps.edu
Marly Jerome-Featherson, School Social Worker, mjeromefeath@fcps.edu
For more Mental Health and Wellness Information, please check out these Student Wellness Resources, FCPS’s Healthy Minds Blog and the FCPS’s Parent Resource Center.
Emergency Resources
Crisis Link Regional Hotline 703-527-4077
Crisis Text Text NEEDHELP to 85511
Dominion Hospital Emergency 703-536-2000
INOVA Emergency 703-289-7560
Merrifield Center Emergency 703-573-5979 TTY dial 711
Life Threatening 911
FCPS Cares
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Do you know a McLean High School or FCPS employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone. |
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