McLean HS: Dr. Reilly's Monday Message 1/2/2023

Important Upcoming Dates


2022-2023 School Year

January 4 - Deadline for College Board AP Testing Accommodations Formal Request (see below)

January 5 - Alumni Panel (see below)

January 6 - Religious Observance - Three Kings Day/Epiphany

January 9 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar (see below)

January 10 - MHS Rising 9th Grade Curriculum Night (see below)

January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday - Schools and Offices will be closed

January 19 - Religious Observance - Orthodox Ephiphany

January 26 - Student Holiday - Staff Development Day

January 27 - Student Holiday - Teacher Workday


Happy New Year

New Year

Happy New Year!

Wishing you and your families a safe and Happy New Year!


This Week

Deadline for College Board AP Testing Accommodations Formal Request - 1/4

Students with disabilities may be eligible for testing accommodations and/or supports for AP Tests; however, the College Board requires schools to submit formal requests in advance. 

Students who would like to apply to the College Board for testing accommodations must submit application forms to the school before January 4, 2023 to meet the College Board deadline.  Please note that testing accommodations listed on IEPs or 504s are not automatically granted by the College Board for AP testing, so families must apply separately to the College Board using the forms above. If a student already has College Board accommodations approved from a previous PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, SAT, or AP test, then no further action is needed. Once instated, accommodations remain in place for all College Board testing.

We know this can be quite a confusing process for families.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rob Bouchard - RABouchard@fcps.edu for assistance with IEP accommodations or Bethany Davis BSDavis@fcps.edu for assistance with 504 accommodations.  Please get in all requests by January 4th or sooner to ensure that we can get in all accommodation requests in a timely manner.


Alumni Panel - 1/5

The annual McLean Alumni Panel will be held during HT1 on January 5th. We are excited to have recent McLean alumni from Boston U, UVA, NOVA, UPitt, St. Andrews, JMU and Emory & Henry College return to McLean to share their first semester experiences. Come hear the real deal on choosing a dorm, a roommate, living with a roommate, time management, college food and so much more from those who have just lived it.

This event is open to 11th and 12th grade students. Please register here.

By signing up, we will let your HT1 teacher know that you are attending this event. 

On January 5th please report directly to the auditorium. 


Three Kings Day/Epiphany (O-Day) - 1/6

Three Kings Day

Three Kings Day (January 6), also known as the Epiphany, is a Christian celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. This marks the official 12th day of Christmas. Learn more at National Geographic Kids


Next Week

Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar (PSTD) 1/9

As part of the FCPS Health and PE curriculum, all 10th grade students enrolled in Health & PE 10 complete one quarter of classroom Driver Education.  As part of the Driver Education curriculum, students are required to attend the Partners in Safe Teen Driving Presentation, in person, with at least one parent or guardian. Successful completion of classroom Driver Education AND attendance by the student and parent/guardian enables the student to obtain the DEC-District 8 completion card needed to pursue obtaining a Virginia driver’s license.  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 within their 10th grade year. All seminars will be held in-person from 6:30-8:00 PM in the auditorium. Please arrive early. Doors will close promptly at 6:30. Attendees who arrive late will not be allowed entry and will not earn credit for attending.

The 90-minute PSTD presentation will be offered once per quarter throughout the school year. McLean High School’s dates for the 2022-2023 calendar year are below. Please make sure to use your student’s fcpsschools.net account to log in and fill out the form.

January 9th -  1/9 Sign-Up Sheet - Deadline to sign up is January 8th. 

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 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. A $30 fee applies, and registration is available through FCPS Adult and Community Education (aceclasses.fcps.edu).


MHS Rising 9th Grade Curriculum Night - 1/10

McLean High School will be holding a Curriculum Night for parents of the class of 2027 (current 8th grade students) at McLean HS on January 10th at 6:30pm in the auditorium. The evening session aims to provide parents with information that will help their incoming 9th grade student with the transition to high school. Topics include getting involved with extracurricular activities, graduation requirements, and the registration process for 9th grade courses. Teachers from various departments will be available to answer questions about 9th grade classes during this event. 


News From Student Services

Important Upcoming Course Registration Information

The course registration season is upon us! During this exciting time of the year, students request their courses for the 2023-2024 school year. We have a number of upcoming events to support students in making their course selections. Please note the following important school-wide events and dates.

  • Jan 9: MHS “Did You Know?” (important advising information) and virtual exploration, Highlander Time
  • Jan 11: Elective Exploration, Highlander Time FLEX (10:34-11:14)

Rising Senior (current 11th graders) course registration meetings with counselors through USVA History

January 31-February 13

Rising Junior (current 10th graders) course registration meetings with counselors through HPE10

January 17-24

 

Rising Sophomore (current 9th graders) course registration meetings with counselors through HPE9

February 15-27

 

Be on the lookout this week for more detailed information, sent via email and Schoology.


Sophomore Career Talks - Parent Volunteers Needed

We are still looking for parents to volunteer their morning to share their experiences in their professional line of work. We would like you to share your education, work background and why you chose this profession. This year's event is March 21st from 8:10 AM - 11:15 AM. These talks consist of small panels grouped by career cluster for sophomores to learn not only about a particular career but what education is needed and what other roles intersect with that position. If interested in being on a panel, please complete this very short form.

Questions? Contact Jenna Jablonski, Director of Student Services: jmjablonski@fcps.edu


Testing Information

AP Exam Fees

The 2022-2023 AP Exam Fees are now available in MySchoolBucks

FCPS continues to pay for the first 6 AP exam fees for courses in which students are enrolled in for high school credit. Students and their families have been invoiced through MySchoolBucks $96 per test for AP exam(s) 7 or higher. All AP exam fees must be paid in MySchoolBucks by Wednesday, February 1, 2023.

To confirm which AP Exams your student is registered for, have your student log in to AP Classroom. If you have any questions, contact the McLean HS Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu)


SAT School Day Scores

Seniors, if you took the SAT on October 12th your scores are now available. Here’s a video on how to access your scores, what your scores mean, and how to send your SAT scores to schools. Contact your school counselor if you have any questions regarding your scores. If you have an issue with accessing your scores, please contact our Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu)


PSAT Score Reports

PSAT Scores from October 12 will be ready on December 6th. To view your scores log in to College Board with your unique access code. PSAT access codes were emailed to student’s FCPS Google Accounts earlier today. If you have any additional questions, please contact your counselor.

Students can access their scores by logging into their College Board account. Students who do not currently have a College Board account will need to create one to view scores.  Students should use a personal email address, not their fcpsschools.net email for their College Board accounts, as FCPS email may send College Board emails to spam.


Notes from FCPS

High School Academy Open Houses

FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January. 

A high school academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses that can prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, and/or internships with local businesses.

Learn more and find the calendar of Academy Open Houses.


COVID Diagnostic Testing in January

Mark your calendars! COVID diagnostic testing will be available for FCPS teachers, staff, and students at five locations across the county January 3-5 from 5 to 8 p.m. This testing is for those who are either experiencing COVID symptoms or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID. Appointments are not required, but registration must be completed before testing. Visit the COVID Testing webpage for more information.


Tutor.com

Tutor.com

Are you wondering what experience other FCPS families have had with Tutor.com? Read some comments below: 

  • “As a parent, I logged in for the first time to see what my student could expect here. The tutor I chatted with was very helpful with my questions and gave me some great tips to try with my child. Next time, I will log in with my child and hopefully match with a tutor that will help him realize learning can be done in different ways.” -Elementary school parent
  • “My child used tutor.com last night and said her math tutor was EXCELLENT. She was happy and so now I'm happy, too, as she's been grinding it out solo in the hardest math.” -High school parent

Unless they have been opted out, students can access Tutor.com through Schoology. Every session is personalized to meet students’ needs from remedial to advanced levels. Sessions focus on conceptual learning and critical thinking—not quick answers. 

Learn more on FCPS’ Tutor.com webpage


Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning

Beginning January 30, FCPS will host a series of community forums as part of our Strategic Plan development process. The completed schedule and locations for the sessions are posted on FCPS' Strategic Planning webpage


Weekly Reminders

Talking Points

Talking Points for Families

McLean High School in cooperation with Fairfax County Public Schools will begin using Talking Points to communicate with families about student performance in school throughout the remainder of the year. We recommend families download the free TalkingPoints for Families mobile app. You can also opt in to text messages (standard message fees apply) or you can sign up online at families.talkingpts.org/welcome. To get started, please follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Use the QR codes or the icons in your phone to visit the App Store or Google Play on your phone and download the Talking Points for Families app. 

QR Codes

Step 2: Choose your preferred language and then enter your phone number in the app. You will receive a code to enter next.

Step 3: You should see your student’s classes in your app and can begin receiving messages from teachers. When you receive a message you will be able to conduct a 2-way conversation via text or the app with your student’s teachers. 


Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar (PSTD)

As part of the FCPS Health and PE curriculum, all 10th grade students enrolled in Health & PE 10 complete one quarter of classroom Driver Education.  As part of the Driver Education curriculum, students are required to attend the Partners in Safe Teen Driving Presentation, in person, with at least one parent or guardian. Successful completion of classroom Driver Education AND attendance by the student and parent/guardian enables the student to obtain the DEC-District 8 completion card needed to pursue obtaining a Virginia driver’s license.  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 within their 10th grade year. All seminars will be held in-person from 6:30-8:00 PM in the auditorium. Please arrive early. Doors will close promptly at 6:30. Attendees who arrive late will not be allowed entry and will not earn credit for attending.

The 90-minute PSTD presentation will be offered once per quarter throughout the school year. McLean High School’s dates for the 2022-2023 calendar year are below. Please make sure to use your student’s fcpsschools.net account to log in and fill out the form.

January 9th -  1/9 Sign-Up Sheet

March 6th  - 3/6 Sign-Up Sheet

May 1st - 5/1 Sign-Up Sheet

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 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. A $30 fee applies, and registration is available through FCPS Adult and Community Education (aceclasses.fcps.edu).


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

FCPS Cares

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.