Important Upcoming Dates
2022-2023 School Year
March 6 - 10 - National School Social Work Week
March 12 - Daylight Savings Begins (Spring Forward)
March 18 - Summer & Part Time Job Fair (see below)
March 22 - Religious/Cultural Observation 1/2 day - Ramadan (see below)
March 23 - Religious/Cultural Observation - Ramadan (see below)
March 30 - Parent Talk (see below)
April 3-7 - Spring Break - Offices will be closed
Scholastic Art Awards
 33 McLean High School students had their winning artwork showcased at this year's Scholastic Art Awards show. Their artwork was displayed at the Ernst Community Cultural Center on the campus of Northern Viriginia Community College. National awards will be announced in April, and an exhibit of the national winner's works will be on display in New York City later in the year. Congratulations Highlanders! We have an amazing artists in our midst.
 |
|
Students Accepted into All-Virginia Orchestra |
Congratulations to the following students for their acceptance into this year's All-Virginia Orchestra! Students auditioned this past weekend at JMU and will head down to the Richmond Convention Center for rehearsals and a prestigious performance from April 27-29th.
Ryan Chun, violin
Birka Chun, violin
Christina Wu, cello
Lea Kung, harp (alternate)
Kian Choi, Bb clarinet
 |
|
McLean High School's DECA Chapter Results |
Congratulations to the McLean High School DECA chapter for coming home with wins that represent the committment and hard work of the individuals and teams that attended. Our students supported each other and represented McLean very well.
Top finishers:
1st Place in Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making - Nico Christofferson & Aadil Singh
2nd Place in Hotel & Lodging Management - Max Blacksten
2nd Place in Quick Service Restaurant Marketing - Sebastian Cohen
School Social Work Week - 3/6 - 3/10
March 6-10 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling their academic potential. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. Most social workers serve one to two sites. Learn more about the role of social workers in FCPS.
 |
|
March is Women's History Month
|
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.
 |
|
Celebrating Arts in Our Schools |
For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) for the observance of Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®), the time of year when music education becomes the focus of schools across the nation. The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. MIOSM is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that school music brings to students of all ages.
 |
|
Daylight Savings Begins (Spring Forward) 3/12
|
This Sunday, March 12, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run or dart into the street or cross between parked cars.
Recess Equipment Drive - 3/14 - 3/17
McLeadership Program Interest Meeting - 3/15
We have made some changes to the McLeadership program for the 2023-2024 school year and are excited to share the program updates with students. We will hold an interest meeting on Wednesday, March 15 during Highlander Time 3 (10:34 am-11:14 am) in the auditorium. All current juniors who are interested in being an executive mentor/student leader of the program should attend this meeting. If your student is interested and unable to attend, please have them email Emily Geary (emgeary@fcps.edu) and Greg Olcott (gtolcott@fcps.edu).
 |
|
Helping Your Family's Emotional Health - 3/15 |
The Safe Community Coalition, in partnership with the McLean Community Center, is pleased to share details of an upcoming event on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023 from 7 to 9pm at The Alden Theatre.
Lynn Lyons, returns to McLean on March 15th!
Anxiety and worry are normal and expected parts of learning and growing, but when teens and children face challenges cognitively, socially or emotionally, anxiety can step in and take over. Anxiety can be overwhelming and rigid, but it’s also based on predictable patterns that can be shifted once we learn how it operates.
Lynn Lyons, licensed independent clinical social worker and best-selling author of Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents and the newly-released The Anxiety Audit, presents Helping Your Family’s Emotional Health: Practical, Strategic Skills and Solutions for Managing Anxiety, Enhancing Flexibility, and Creating Wellbeing.
Based on current research and over 30 years of clinical experience, Lynn Lyons presents a strategic approach based on skill-building, with prevention as the preferred route. Using creativity, connection and awareness of their own patterns, parents will learn how to increase their child’s flexibility, support the tolerance of uncertainty, and emotionally and preventatively equip themselves and those they love as we all move forward.
This program takes place March 15th from 7 to 9 pm at The Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at http://mcleanscc.org/. Space is limited.
Visit the Safe Community Coalition website for more information: http://mcleanscc.org/.
 |
|
Upcoming Job Fair - 3/18 |
McLean Community Center is hosting a Summer/PT job fair for students at McLean, Langley, and Marshall High Schools on Saturday March 18th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Over 20 businesses will be on hand to provide information about their job opportunities and take your contact information. The minimum age requirement to work at most of these businesses is 15. Please see Ms. Barnes in the Career Center with any questions.
Difficult Conversations Webinar - 3/21
Preparing Families for Difficult Conversations about Alcohol & Drugs Tuesday, March 21st at 10:00am Join Fairfax County Public Schools and their partners from the Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board as they discuss the follow topics as well as the ongoing opioid crisis. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of: Alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, and opioids, a list of what you can do as a caregiver, and how to identify and connect with community resources. This is a division-wide virtual event being hosted by the Parent Resource Center. Register here.
 |
|
Ramadan - 3/22 through 4/21
This year, Ramadan begins with a half Obervation Day on March 22, followed by a full Observation Day on March 23.
|
This year, the first full day of Ramadan is March 22. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran, Islam's sacred text, to Mohammed, on a night known as "The Night of Power." During the entire month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset. It is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline — of deep contemplation of one's relationship with God, extra prayer, increased charity and generosity, and intense study of the Quran. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. This year, Ramadan begins with a half O Day on March 22, followed by an O Day on March 23. The school calendar recognizes many religious and cultural observances (O days) during the school year. There is school on these days, however, the School Board has directed that tests, quizzes, field trips, graduation, homecoming, or FCPS-scheduled athletic events will not be held on these observance days. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
Helping Your Kids Build a Life They Want: Parent Talk
McLean High School Student Services and the McLean PTSA present:
Helping Your Kids Build a Life They Want: Parent Talk with Authors Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson
Thursday, March 30, 2023
6:30 – 7:30 PM
McLean High School Auditorium
No registration needed!
We all want our kids to be happy and successful in life. Too often, many parents feel that if kids aren’t pushed harder, they won’t be successful. But this can result in anxiety and depression, chronic stress, and a negative parent-child relationship.
Instead, let’s help our kids build a life they want – a life where success is defined by happiness, strong relationships, and overall wellness, and not simply by academic and career achievement. Bill and Ned will share strategies parents can use to help our kids achieve this life!
We welcome all McLean HS and Longfellow MS parents to attend this informative, needed session. If you are interested in learning about Bill and Ned’s work, please check out this podcast on achievement culture, as well as their books, linked below.
https://www.steventshapiro.com/experiencematters/thisisyourbrainonachievementculture
https://theselfdrivenchild.com/
College Partnership Program Application Open
College Partnership Program (CPP) Applications are now open for next year' participants for all grade levels. The CPP is designed to support historically underrepresented students get to college or find their pathway post McLean. You can learn more and students can apply here. If you have questions, please contact your student’s counselor. Applications are due by March 10th.
SEL Screener
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) commits to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning (SEL). The School Board has approved a screener to review students’ skills and experiences in these areas. SEL skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. More information, including a short video about the SEL screener in FCPS and the screener questions, can be found on the SEL Screener webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/node/43892). At McLean High School, we intend to implement the spring SEL screener on March 7, 2023 during Highlander Time. Please contact Greg Olcott, our SEL screener lead, with questions.
Course Requests for 23-24 available in SIS ParentVue
Parents can view course requests that have been entered by their student for the 2023-2024 school on the “Course Requests” tab. If the students have met with their counselor, course requests are locked in. Students will need to connect with their counselor directly if they are considering any changes. We strongly recommend students finalize their course requests by March 9, 2023.
Parent Refusal for the Online Integrated Reading/Writing Field Test, Spring 2023
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) announced that school divisions are required to administer the online integrated reading/writing (IRW) field test to all students who are scheduled to take the online grade 5, 8, and End-of-Course (EOC) Standards of Learning (SOL) reading tests in spring 2023. The field test is scheduled for March 14 and March 15 through English 11 (DE, ESOL, Honors, Online Campus, and SPED) & AP Lang classes.
If you do not want your child to participate in the IRW field test, please complete this Parent Refusal Google Form by March 8. A decision not to allow your student to participate will not impact your child’s course grade or academic record. If you have any questions, contact our Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu).
Performers Sought for McLean Day 2023 Community Stage
The McLean Community Center is thrilled to once again feature talented, local performers on the McLean Day Community Stage and are asking for your help in finding them. Detailed information can be found here, and the application is here—filling out an application is mandatory to be considered. An adjudication panel will convene in April to select acts, and we ask for at least one video clip per group.
Please share with neighbors, friends, members and/or students who may be interested (performers must live in the MCC Tax District). Like with most community stages of this type, performers will not be paid but the performance will be supported by a professional technical staff.
The application deadline is March 15, 2023 at midnight.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Danielle Van Hook, The Alden’s Director of Youth Theatre Programs if you have any questions at Danielle.vanhook@fairfaxcounty.gov.
From FCPS
New Language Translation Feature on Websites
 In a continued effort to prioritize access for our diverse communities, FCPS is launching a language translation feature that will be available on every division and school webpage. The feature has been added to the header at the top of the page and will scroll with the user as they navigate the page. Learn more about our new translation feature.
Strategic Planning
 |
|
How Are We Doing? Your Feedback Needed!
|
Next week, FCPS will be seeking your feedback on the school division’s progress with developing our new Strategic Plan. Since last fall, thousands of students, staff, families, and community members have contributed to the strategic planning process by participating in focus groups, planning teams, community forums, and surveys. Parents/caregivers and community members will be invited to provide feedback on the work that’s been done thus far by completing a survey. Your input will help us know whether we are headed in the right direction—one that will help ensure a thriving future for every FCPS student.
Please keep an eye out for the survey link starting early next week. Visit our Strategic Planning webpage for more details.
Weekly Reminders
 |
|
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.
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.
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
 |
|
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. |
|
