MHS PTSA eNews, September 6, 2023

Join Us for PTSA General Meetings!

Dear Parents, Teachers, and Students,

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming General Meetings. Mark your calendars for the following dates:

• 2023: September 19, November 9
• 2024: January 17, March 13, May 15

These meetings are a fantastic opportunity for us to come together, share ideas, and hear about updates on school initiatives. Your voice matters, and your presence can make a significant impact on our school's success.

Location and additional details will be shared closer to each meeting date. We can't wait to see you there!

Save the dates and be part of the conversation.

McLean Matters Calculators Drive 2023

McLean High School has approximately 280 students, nearly 12% of the student body, who are at, or below, the poverty level. We are collecting donations of calculators for our MHS Students-in-Need. Rising costs and higher demand have made school supplies donations scarce, particularly graphing calculators. Many of our Students-in-Need are unable to obtain items from local charities that normally provide their back-to-school supplies.

Please click the Amazon Charity Wish List HERE to purchase calculators for donation. Alternatively, Sign Up HERE to purchase a calculator for donation. If you choose to sign up to purchase an item at the store, you or your student can drop it off, or ship it to:

Jennifer Hill

McLean High School

1633 Davidson Road

McLean, VA 22101

An example of a TI-84 can be viewed/purchased HERE, or HERE, or HERE.

Items are needed by Friday, September 29.

If you have any questions, please contact McLean Matters Chair Emma Blankenbaker at eblankenbaker@verizon.net.

NOTE: McLean High School PTSA is a 501(c)3 organization.

Friday Breakfast Station

The PTSA organizes a weekly Friday Breakfast Station during the year stocked with contributions by fellow McLean HS families. The Friday Breakfast Station is set up in the front office and teachers & staff are grateful each week for your donations.  Please click on the link to donate a breakfast item from the sign up list in September. Thank you in advance! 

Friday's September Dates: 9/08, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29

September sign up here

“Therapy Dogs Thursday” Begins 9/14

Tell your student to mark their calendars for our first “Therapy Dogs Thursday”! Beginning September 14, the Wellness Committee is inviting the PAL Therapy Dogs back to visit students and staff during all lunch periods. Throughout the year, the Wellness Committee will continue providing fun activities to help students relax, manage stress, and promote mental health. Questions? Please contact Health and Wellness Committee health.wellness@mcleanptsa.org.

Contests

Reflections Art Competition: The Theme for the 2023-24 School Year is "I am Hopeful Because..."

For over 50 years, National PTA’s Reflections program has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life. 

Students can create theme-based artwork in dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, or visual arts.  

Additional details and instructions for submissions are upcoming. If interested or have questions, please contact Reflections team at reflections@mcleanptsa.org

Watch the video on call for entries.

Tag Day is one of the McLean Highlander Band's major fundraising efforts each year. Thanks for the support of our community, we are able to have one of the best band programs in the nation. Highlanders will be visiting neighborhoods and performing at local shops on Saturday, September 9!

• Event: Tag Day
• Date: Saturday, September 9
• Time: First store front is 8:00am 
• Locations: Various Neighborhoods within the Mclean High School boundaries and Storefronts, including CVS, Balducci's, Call Your Mother/Starbucks at Chesterbrook Shopping Center, Greenberry's, Color Wheel, Chesapeake Bagel, Chopt, Yu Noodle, and Mclean Family Restaurant.
• Expected Student Participation: Approximately 200 students

New School Year
PTSA Checklist

Welcome to the new school year! Here are some quick links to get you started:

• Visit our Website and subscribe to eNews 
• Join our PTSA as parent member here and/or as student here
• Make a Donation check if your company offers Corporate Matching
• Find McLean PTSA on Instagram, Facebook