Important Upcoming Dates
2023-2024 School Year
September 6 - Sign up to reserve a seat for your senior for the SAT School Day (see below)
September 8 - Celebrate McLean (see below)
September 11 - Commemoration/Patriot Day
September 15 - Rosh Hashanah Religious/Cultural 1/2 Observation Day (see below)
September 17 - Constitution Day
September 25 - Yom Kippur Holiday - All schools and offices are closed (see below)
September 27 & 28 - Yearbook photos for 9th, 10th & 11th Grade (see below)
October 4 - Senior Panoramic Picture Day (see below)
October 11 - PSAT/SAT School Day (see below)
October 17 - SEL Screener (see below)
October 30 - Yearbook photo makeup day for 9th, 10th & 11th Grade (see below)
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NSLI-Y Scholarship Winner
McLean High School senior, Charlotte Bach, won a NSLI-Y scholarship to study Russian this last summer. For 7 weeks, Charlotte lived with a host family in Almaty, Kazakhstan and had daily Russian courses at Al Farabi university. Charlotte was one of 442 students selected from thousands of high school applicants across the United States to receive this scholarship.Congratulations Charlotte!
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Amanda Pituch - Spanish Teacher
Please join us in welcoming Amanda Pituch, our newest Spanish teacher! She taught at Centreville for 3 years and is thrilled to be teaching Spanish 2 & 4 at McLean HS this year. She says that her favorite thing about Spanish is how it connects her with new people. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends. She is also coaching JV cheer at McLean this year and is excited to spread lots of good energy throughout the building and the McLean community.
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Rusty Payne - McLean High School's Newest Hall of Fame Inductee!
Rusty Payne was inducted into the McLean High School Hall of Fame for all his contributions to the McLean Community. Thank you, Rusty!
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SAT School Day - Reserve a Seat for your Senior by September 6th!
On Wednesday, October 11, McLean High School twelfth graders will have the opportunity to participate in the SAT School Day. FCPS will cover the cost for any twelfth grade student to take this test. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day.
To reserve a seat for your twelfth grader to take this exam and ensure appropriate test materials are available for your student, families are asked to complete the McLean HS SAT Intent to Participate Form below by Wednesday, September 6. Your student will need to use an @fcpsschools.net email account to access and complete this form.
If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration at McLean High School, please contact the Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu).
Celebrate McLean - 9/8
 Come Celebrate McLean with us on Friday, September 8th from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. This year along with having MHS clubs and sports teams participating, we will have an inflatable obstacle course, along with carnival games, a DJ and food trucks! Immediately after, please join us for the varsity football game vs Chantilly High School!
Commemoration/Patriot Day - 9/11
On this day we remember and honor the victims, families, heroes, and survivors of 9/11, and the courage and determination of our nation's first responders. On 9/11, McLean High School will engage in a school-wide moment of silence. In their Social Studies classes, students will commemorate 9/11 to honor the memories of the victims and their families, paying tribute to their resilience and courage. Patriot Day, or 9/11, is a chance to reflect and to act in service to others as a way of honoring those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks. More information about service opportunities can be found at Volunteer Fairfax and 911Day.org.
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Meet the Authors Book Launch Event! 9/13
Raising A Kid Who Can: The Ten Parenting Essentials to Start the School Year Strong
A new school year brings an opportunity for a fresh start for all of us! The Safe Community Coalition in partnership with the Temple Rodef Shalom is proud to host the authors of Raising A Kid Who Can, an event that is sure to help parents - and kids - start the new school year off strong! This meet the authors event takes place Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, at Temple Rodef Shalom (2100 Westmoreland St.). Presentation and Q&A: 7:00 - 8:30pm with book signing immediately afterward. Books will be available for sale at the event from bookseller, Politics and Prose.
More info and registration for this FREE event can be found on the Safe Community Coalition website: https://mcleanscc.org.
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Rosh Hashanah - 9/15
Friday, September 15, is a half-O day in recognition of Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete school year calendar.
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Constitution Day - 9/17
Constitution Day, also known as Citizenship Day, is a holiday that recognizes the adoption of the U.S. Constitution and honors all of those who are citizens, as well as those who have become citizens of the United States. It is observed on September 17, the day on which the constitution was adopted in 1787.
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Yearbook Photos - 9th,10th & 11th graders - 9/27 & 9/28
9th & 10th graders will be photographed with their Health/PE class on Wednesday, Sept. 27 or Thursday, Sept. 28.
9th & 10th graders who do not take Health/PE on-campus at McLean this year, should report to the auditorium during Highlander Time on Thursday, September 28 to have their picture taken.
11th graders will be photographed with their US History class on Wednesday, Sept. 27 or Thursday, Sept. 28.
11th graders who do not take US History on-campus at McLean this year, should report to the auditorium during Highlander Time on Thursday, September 28 to have their picture taken.
MAKEUP DAY - 9th, 10th & 11th graders 10/30
Students who missed the original picture day, will have an opportunity to have their picture taken on our makeup day, Monday, October 30 in the Dance Room.
Students should check-in with their teacher and then go at the time assigned to their grade:
- JUNIORS will check in with their 2nd period teachers and be photographed during period 2.
- SOPHOMORES will check in with their 5th period teachers and be photographed during Highlander Time.
- FRESHMEN will check in with their 8th period teachers and be photographed during period 8.
There is no specific appointment time – just a specific block of time based on grade level. The student should check in with their teacher and figure out the best time within that block to go.
Ordering a Yearbook
Yearbooks are available for sale on MySchoolBucks.
The price is $63 until October 1.
Prices will go up after the October 1 presale date.
Guarantee you get a book and get the best price and order by Oct. 1!
Click HERE for more information on all things Yearbook!
Senior Panoramic Picture
The Senior Class panoramic picture will be taken during Highlander time on October 4th.
If you are interested in ordering the senior panoramic click HERE.
Enter code: 4543E24 to access the images.
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PSAT/SAT School Day - 10/11
All tenth and eleventh grade students will be taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) exam on October 11th. More information will come out in early September!
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SEL Screener - 10/17
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to supporting all students’ mental wellness and social and emotional learning. FCPS approved a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener that students use to share their perspectives on their development of skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. 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/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener
All students in grades 3-12 have the opportunity to participate in the screener twice a year, in the fall and spring. At McLean High School, we intend to implement the SEL screener on October 17 during Highlander Time. If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, complete the opt-out by October 13, 2023 via your SIS ParentVUE account, or complete the opt-out form and deliver to the main office. The opt-out form can be located in various translations here: https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener/notification-letters
Expunging High School Courses Taken in Middle School (Incoming 9th Graders Only)
Parents of incoming 9th grade students who completed a high school credit bearing course (World Languages, Algebra, and Geometry) in the 2022-23 school year may request the final grades for these courses be omitted from your student’s transcript. You must submit a Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School form to McLean High School Student Services, after the course is completed and prior to October 20, 2023. This form may be obtained at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/is104.pdf
Please reach out to your student’s school counselor with any questions.
AMC 10/12
The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are both 25-question, 75-minute, multiple-choice examinations in high school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills.
The AMC 10 is for students in 10th grade and below and covers the high school curriculum up to 10th grade. Students in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 10. The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry, but excluding calculus. Students in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 12.
The AMC 10/12 provides an opportunity for high school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. The AMC 10/12 is the first in a series of competitions that eventually lead all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad (see Invitational Competitions).
We will be hosting the AMC 10/12 B Test here at McLean on November 14th during the 2nd period of the day. Students would miss their 2nd period class and be responsible for checking with their teacher before-hand to find out which assignments/assessments they may need to make up.
Students who would like to take the AMC 10 or the AMC 12 will need to register and pay ($5) in MySchoolBucks. Registration closes October 20th. Shortly after that date, each student who registered should receive an email from the sponsor with further instructions.
If you have any further questions regarding the AMC 10/12, please reach out to Steve Walker (spwalker1@fcps.edu) who sponsors the competition here at McLean.
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Class of 2024 Immunization Requirement Notice
The Code of Virginia requires all students to be immunized against certain communicable diseases prior to entrance into Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
All students entering 12th grade will be required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school.
- To meet the Meningococcal (MenACWY) 12th grade requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 16 or older.
ACTION REQUESTED: Please provide one of the following immunization documents to the McLean High School Main Office or email Cindy Ramos at cpramos@fcps.edu as soon as possible:
- An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY).
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption Form, which is available online at: https://bit.ly/VDOEReligiousExemptionForm
Immunizations are available from your child’s healthcare provider, the Fairfax County Health Department, or other community resources. Use the QR Codes below to identify resources:
New Epinephrine Authorization Form
FCPS has updated its Epinephrine Authorization form and will be requiring the new form for 2023-24 school year. This form aligns with updated guidance from the Virginia Department of Health and can be found at: https://www.fcps.edu/form/ssse-64-authorization-anaphylaxis-action-plan . If you have any questions about this new form, please contact the school public health nurse, Janet Stein, at jstein@fcps.edu .
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
While childhood cancer is rare, it is the leading cause of disease-related death past infancy in children and adolescents. Every September, advocacy organizations, healthcare institutions, patients, and families raise awareness for childhood cancer. The idea of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month was first introduced in 1990 in a presidential proclamation by then-President George H.W. Bush. On September 26th, 2019, September was officially recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Attendance Awareness Month
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow! The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies.
✔️ Updates on Grading Policies
FCPS’ Grading Policy was updated for the 2023-24 school year. The following changes were based on input from students, teachers, parents/caregivers, principals, and staff:
- FCPS will maintain the current late work policy. Teachers must accept major assignments up to two weeks late. The maximum deduction for that time period is 10%. The current policy, when applied correctly, balances accountability and flexibility.
- A rolling gradebook gives students more chances to show they understand material. Teachers must use the rolling gradebook along with reassessment policies. These policies let students improve grades on major assessments across quarters. Replacement policies allow later assessments to replace the scores of earlier assessments.
- Teachers may now give zeroes for assignments that are not turned in. Students who make a reasonable effort to finish an assignment will get a minimum grade of 50.
For teachers using a traditional gradebook, the minimum quarter grade that can be issued is 50%. Teachers on a rolling gradebook must use reassessment practices.
In the 2024-25 school year, all grades will be on a 100-point scale, with 50% as the lowest passing grade for submitted assignments. All high school credit-bearing classes will use the new scale next school year.
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McLean High School One of Six FCPS High Schools Ranked Among Best in the State |
In U.S. News & World Report’s annual state and nationwide assessments of public high schools, six Fairfax County public high schools ranked in Virginia’s top 10. View the list on FCPS’ website.
SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
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A Great Year Starts With Mental Wellness |
All FCPS high school students can access virtual therapy sessions with licensed counselors from Hazel Health at no cost.
Hazel’s therapists — who specialize in working with teens — can help students address mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss, anxiety, peer and family relationships, and academic stress.
For high schoolers to participate in teletherapy services, caregivers must:
Students must be referred to therapy by a caregiver or designated school staff member.
Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.
2023 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
💻 Chromebook Tips
High school and secondary school students are receiving a new Chromebook this year. These devices feature larger screens than previously issued devices and battery life that easily lasts the school day.
Encourage your student to visit the following helpful links to:
If your child prefers to use their personal laptop, make sure it meets our minimum requirements. Students may access our student Chromebook FAQs (FCPS Google login required) for more information.
If your student runs into any issues while using their Chromebook, please have them reach out to their school’s tech team for support.
Support for Families
Parent Information Phone Lines
FCPS language lines are available in eight different languages to assist parents who do not speak English as their first language. A school system employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. The caller will provide you with the requested information, arrange for you to speak with the appropriate school employee, or connect you with the resource that you are looking to find. Click HERE for the FCPS Parent Information Phone Lines.
Amharic (አማርኛ): 571-423-4957
Arabic ( ): 571-423-4952
Chinese ( ): 571-423-4953
Farsi ( ): 571-423-4954
Korean ( ): 571-423-4951
Spanish ( ): 571-423-4950
Urdu ( ): 571-423-4955
Vietnamese ( ): 571-423-4956
Strategic Plan
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✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered |
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Goal 2 states that every student will be part of a school community that cares for their health, well-being, and opinions. We will listen to students and use their input to guide our decisions. We will respect their individuality, identity, and experiences. We will make sure they feel safe and supported at school.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of goal 2.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Foundation of Four Pillars
The division’s new strategic plan is built on a foundation of four pillars — what FCPS must do well to reach its goals for all students. The pillars include:
- We design innovative learning experiences that meet the needs of each and every learner, and implement professional practices that engage, empower, include, and challenge the whole learner through varied opportunities.
- We share responsibility to build trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning and work, and we collaborate proactively with respect, honesty, and transparency.
- We recruit and retain staff who reflect the diversity of students and families; provide meaningful continuous learning, exceptional compensation, and balanced workload; and create a safe and culturally responsive environment that values staff voice.
- We nurture processes and structures that are grounded in intentional partnerships, shared responsibility for equitable resource allocation, and data-driven continuous improvement and innovation.
Stay tuned to learn more about our five goals of the new strategic plan, or visit our Strategic Plan webpage.
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/
McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
- Visit our WEBSITE and subscribe to eNews
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Join our PTSA (AtoZ Directory Account) (If a returning family, please verify your information)
- Make a Donation and check if your company offers Corporate Matching
- Find McLean PTSA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
- When Shopping, link your accounts and a portion of your sales will go to the PTSA
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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