News and Announcements September 23rd Edition

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/23/2022 05:00 PM EDT

Majors achieve and thrive together with purpose and pride!

Mural

Principal Chat

The first Principal Chat was a success.  We were able to engage in dialogue around effective family-school partnerships and how we can continue to strengthen our partnership.  You can review the slidedeck here. We look forward to having you join subsequent meetings on the following dates:

  • October 18th @11:00am (Virtual)
  • November 17th @6:00pm
  • December 16th @11:00am (Virtual)
  • January 18th @6:00pm
  • February 14th @11:00am (Virtual)
  • March 15th @6:00pm
  • April 19th @11:00am (Virtual)
  • May 17th @6:00pm

We are also thrilled to announce our new PTSA Executive Board.

  • Kristin Whitridge--President
  • Kate Offringa--Vice President
  • Tracey Hubbard--Treasurer
  • Mary Christesen--Secretary

The next PTSA meeting dates are October 19th and November 16th.  More dates to be announced soon.

Parent Council Meetings

Join families in your child’s “class” (Class of…) to learn more about level-specific information such as fundraising, PSAT,  IB classes, College Preparation, MYP personal project, course selections, and life after high school.  Meeting dates can be found below:

The Class of 2023 Parent Council Meeting is scheduled for October 6, 2022, immediately following the College Senior Night.  Senior Night is scheduled in the Little Theater, 5:30-7:00, and Parent Council will meet at 7:00 in the library.  You can enter through Door 4.  We will be discussing fundraising options including our Spring Mulch Sale, and the Seniorfest activity (formerly All Night Grad Party) scheduled for June 9. 

The Class of 2024 Parent Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 26th at 6:00pm in the Library.  Please enter through Door 1. We will be discussing plans for Homecoming, the PSAT schedule, and upcoming fundraising events (i.e. Fall Mulch Sale, Prom).  We look forward to seeing you there!

Class of 2025 Parent Council Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 29th at 6:00pm in the Library.  Please enter through Door 4. We will be discussing plans for Homecoming, the PSAT schedule, and upcoming fundraising events (i.e. Breakfast with Santa and Valentine’s Day Candy Grams). We will also be brainstorming other fundraising ideas that we can host this school year.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Class of 2026 Parent Council Meeting is scheduled for Thursday October 27th at 6pm in the Library.  Please enter through Door 4.  We will be discussing various fundraising activities that the class will engage in throughout the year, as well as discussing attendance, academic success, building relationships, and getting connected!  We look forward to seeing you there. 

Fall Mulch Sale

Mulch Pic

The Class of 2024 is holding the Fall Mulch Sale Fundraiser! Each bag is $7.  Order forms are in the front office and on the MVHS School Website.  The last day to order is Friday, October 7th.  The mulch distribution day is Saturday, October 15th.  Volunteers are needed for delivery!  

If you have a My School Bucks account, you may purchase online using this link.

Thank you, we appreciate your support!

Logo

Please mark your calendars with the important dates below.

NYC Calendar

E-Hallpass

During our September’s Principal Chat we introduced E-Hallpass, a digital pass management system, to parents. By implementing E-Hallpass we will have the ability to manage hall traffic and strengthen our security measures within the building. If you were unable to attend and have questions regarding this new system, please submit your questions here. This new system is scheduled to go live mid to late October.

Yearbooks are on SALE now!

From now until Friday, September 30th you can get your yearbook for ONLY $55! Prices go up to $65 starting on October 1st, so you want to make sure you buy NOW!

Just go to https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ and the code 4224 to order now.

Don't have enough money RIGHT NOW? Don't worry, if you pay using Paypal, you can break up your $55 payment in 4 smaller monthly payments!

Buy your yearbook NOW!

Senior Portraits

Seniors will be able to sign up and take their senior portrait pictures for the yearbook during the last week of September, the 26th-30th from 3pm-9pm. This is the LAST and ONLY window left for taking senior pictures. There will be NO retake or makeup days after that week. While students are getting their pictures taken, they will be able to choose their photo for the yearbook right then and there, so they can see their pictures as they are taking them. Students will also receive their student ID at the picture session.

The yearbook picture is FREE, anything in addition to that will have to be paid for. If you are not sure if you have signed up for your picture yet or you still need to sign up, please go to the following website (https://seniors.legacystudios.com/mount-vernon-hs-alexandria-va/).

Senior Yearbook Ads

You can buy a senior ad for your student now! Just go to https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/product/yearbook_ads and enter the code 4224 to select which senior ad page option you would like. A FULL PAGE is $250, a HALF PAGE is $135, a QUARTER PAGE is $80, and an EIGHTH PAGE is $50. Buy now to celebrate your senior and support the creation of their school's yearbook.

Yearbooks are on sale now! You can buy it for as little as $55 until September 30th! Prices will go up to $65 starting on October 1st! You can buy online at https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ and just enter the code 4224! Buy now before this promotional offer is gone!

Message From Dr. Reid About Attending Sporting Events

We appreciate all of our fans who attend high school sporting events. Before attending any games, we ask caregivers review the following, and discuss relevant information below with their children:

  • No backpacks or other bags are allowed in stadiums. (Students and adults)
  • No outside food or drinks. Concession stands are available.
  • We cheer FOR our teams and not against our opponents. All cheers should be positive.
  • All students should pre-arrange for transportation and plan to leave immediately after the game.
  • All elementary and middle school-aged children should be supervised by an adult.
  • Anyone who leaves must pay to re-enter.
  • Whistles and similar noisemakers are not allowed.
  • Anyone caught trying to enter the game without paying will be removed and can be banned from attending future games.

Our goal is to create a positive community event. Any behaviors that take away from this goal may result in being removed from the game and not being allowed to attend future games.

Student Services Updates

The MVHS College and Career Center is open!  Students can come to receive help with college applications, scholarship searching and financial aid.  The College and Career Center will be open on odd days, even days during lunch and after school on late bus days Monday and Thursdays.      

Below is an updated list of upcoming College Rep Visits, dates and times are subject to change.  Students interested must register in advance in Naviance Student.  

  • Sept 23rd @ 12:30 Gettysburg College (PA) 
  • Sept 27th @ 11:15 Virginia Military Institute (VMI)
  • Sept 27th @ 11:45 William & Mary
  • Sept 28th @ 9:45 George Mason University
  • Sept 28th @ 11:15 VCU
  • Sept 29th @ 11:45 Marymount University
  • Sept 30th @11:45 Virginia Tech

This is how students register to hear a college representative.

1) Login in: https://www.fcps.edu/ Naviance (or when on Schoology, top right of page look for 4 little square dots and find Naviance)

2) Scroll down that page and find "Student Naviance Log In"

3) Scroll down your page to find a heading called “What’s New”

4) Click on more information for that school, and it will open up

5) Click on the BIG teal colored “Register Now” button

College Fair and Post-Secondary Week

High school students and their families are invited to attend the annual FCPS College Fair and Postsecondary Week events.  

The College Fair, which will feature admissions representatives from more than 250 colleges and universities from across the United States and abroad, will be held at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena on Sunday, October 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. Postsecondary Week will be held virtually Monday, October 17, to Thursday, October 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. Postsecondary week will feature virtual workshops related to the college admissions process, financial aid, and other postsecondary educational opportunities.  

Students are highly encouraged to register in advance for these events

High school students and their families are invited to attend the annual FCPS College Fair and Postsecondary Week events.  

The College Fair, which will feature admissions representatives from more than 250 colleges and universities from across the United States and abroad, will be held at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena on Sunday, October 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. Postsecondary Week will be held virtually Monday, October 17, to Thursday, October 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. Postsecondary week will feature virtual workshops related to the college admissions process, financial aid, and other postsecondary educational opportunities.  

Students are highly encouraged to register in advance for these events

SAT & PSAT/NMSQT Test

Wednesday, October 12th will be a 2-hour Early Release schedule for Mount Vernon High School.  We will administer the PSAT/NMSQT for all 10th and 11th grade students and the SAT to the 12th grade students who signed up.  9th grade students will stay home.  More details will be shared from Ms. Ihle, our Assessment Coach, at a later date.

Financial Aid Information

Region 3 will be hosting Financial Aid Night for seniors and their parents on October 20, 2022 at Lewis HS in the auditorium from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. College Access Fairfax will be presenting.

Mount Vernon will host a FAFSA Completion event on October 26th. More details are coming soon.

Virginia Application week is coming back to Mount Vernon

College Application Week

For the past ten years, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has partnered with the Office of the Secretary of Education, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia and national education non-profit ECMC to coordinate Virginia College Application Week (VCAW). This year’s events will be held during the week of October 24-28, 2022. The purpose of Virginia College Application Week is to provide a structured opportunity and support for under-resourced Virginia high schools to assist seniors in applying to at least one postsecondary institution. 

Scholarships

  • National Alliance of Black School Educators Foundation Scholarship – deadline Nov. 7, 2022 - $1,000 - Application in Naviance.
  • Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards - deadline Nov. 13, 2022 - $4,000 - https://hispanicheritage.org/programs/leadership/youth-awards/
  • Anthony Richard Tilghman Memorial Scholarship – deadline March 1, 2023 - $5,000 - Application in Naviance.
  • Harris Goodall Squires Memorial Scholarship – deadline April 1, 2023 - $5,000 - Application in Naviance.

Enrichment Programs