 Important Upcoming Dates
2023-2024 School Year
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 2 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar (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)
McLean High School Newsmagazine Staff Earn Top Honors from NSPA
The National Scholastic Press Association announced their list of newsmagazine / newspaper Pacemaker finalists. Only three schools from Virginia made this prestigious list, and two are from Fairfax County. Since 1927, NSPA's Pacemaker competition has been considered by many to be student journalism's highest honor.
https://studentpress.org/nspa/2023-pacemaker-finalists-newspaper-newsmagazine-specialty-magazine/
The Highlander, McLean High School Adviser: Lindsay Benedict
Editors-in-chief: Makda Bekele, Farah Eljazzar, Nyla Marcott, Saehee Perez
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Evan Brandt
Please join us in welcoming Evan Brandt. Evan is a math teacher at McLean High School teaching Geometry and AP Precalculus this school year. This is Evan's second year teaching, first year in FCPS. Prior to teaching at McLean, Evan taught at Gainesville High School in Prince William County after graduating from the University of Virginia.
Outside of school, Evan is a swim coach for multiple youth swim programs. He was a swimmer his entire high school career and grew to love teaching through coaching. Evan looks forward to joining the McLean community and supporting the Highlanders for many years to come!
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Region 2 CARES of the Month Winners
Please join us in congratulating Safety and Security Assistant Jimmy Wears and School Resource Officer Scott Davis. They both won the Region 2 CARES of the Month during the summer. Click HERE for more information on the program.
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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.
Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar - 10/2
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 2021-2022 calendar year are below.
October 2nd
January 8th
February 26th
May 13th
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). Please reach out to Brian Slay (bkslay@fcps.edu) with any questions.
McLean 5K in Honor and Remembrance of Drew Stieg - 10/7
In honor of Drew and to help further bring awareness to wellness being part of our lives, The Stieg family invites you to join team “Drew Stieg Aspiring Wellness Program” for this year‘s McLean 5K. The race is being held Saturday, October 7, 2023 in McLean, VA starting at 8:00 a.m at the Balduccis Shopping Center. Please use this link to register Home | Commonwealth Race Management (enmotive.com) and you will be prompted to select the team during this process. The discount code to register is STIEG2023.
PSAT/SAT School Day - 10/11
All tenth and eleventh grade students will be automatically registered to take the digital Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) exam on October 11th. To prepare for digital testing, all 10th & 11th grade students will need to bring their Chromebooks fully charged to school on October 2nd for the digital readiness check during HT 3 and on October 11th for the PSAT Test.
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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
World Languages Credit Exam Registration Open - Register by 10/5
Registration for the 2023 World Languages Credit Exam is now open! This assessment will be administered on November 8, 9,and 13, 2023. Students who are fluent in languages other than English can potentially earn up to three high school credits by taking this assessment. Thirty languages will be included: American Sign Language (ASL), Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Mandarin), Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Sanskrit, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Tigrinya, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.
Registration must be completed through the student’s school counselor. Registration closes on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Late registrations will not be accepted.
*New for 2023: FCPS will be piloting a digital language proficiency assessment. This is an optional opportunity for students taking the exam in ASL, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Telugu, and Vietnamese. Students interested in participating in the pilot should register for both the world languages credit exam and the pilot exam with their school counselor.
Additional information on the credit exam can be accessed at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/world-languages/credit-exam-world-languages
Is your student thinking about self-studying for an AP exam this school year?
Self-studying means that a student plans to take an AP exam for a class they are not currently enrolled in. Each AP exam a student self-studies for will cost $98.
Please have your student complete the self-study google form, and pay the non-refundable exam fee in MySchoolBucks by October 27th. As your student considers self-studying for exams, please check the AP Exam schedule to ensure that they do not over-schedule themselves. Exams will only be moved to the late testing schedule for extreme circumstances.If you have any additional questions, please contact the McLean Assessment Coach Elly Donlen at ekdonlen@fcps.edu.
English 11 WorkKeys Testing
For the 2023-24 school year, all students enrolled in English 11 will take the WorkKeys® Business Writing test to earn their Writing verified credits. English 11 Honors & English 11 DE students will be assessed in their English class during the November test window. English 11 on-level students will be assessed in their English class during the end of January test window. The WorkKeys® assessment will provide the required verified credit for writing while preserving classroom instructional time, as it is a single 30-minute assessment. All students enrolled in AP Lang can receive their Writing verified credit by earning a 2 or higher on their AP exam.
If you would prefer your student take the Writing SOL in March in place of the WorkKeys writing, you will need to complete the WorkKeys opt-out form no later than October 30th for English 11 Honors & English 11 DE students and January 9th for English 11 on-level students.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu), McLean Assessment Coach.
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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National Hispanic Heritage Month - 9/15 - 10/15
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fairfax Fiesta: Fairfax County's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the Fairfax Fiesta, is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., at the PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). The free event, presented by the Fairfax County Government and Celebrate Fairfax!, aims to provide an extraordinary experience for all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about Fairfax Fiesta.
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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.
✔️ 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.
Important Forms for Caregivers to Complete
✔️ Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
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Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
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Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
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Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.
Immunization Reminder
🩹 The Importance of Up-to-Date Immunizations
Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated online in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form. To access that form, click Online Packets in the top right of the screen after logging in to SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers can obtain an activation key letter to activate their SIS ParentVUE account by contacting the main office.
Statewide Outbreak of Meningococcal
One of the required immunizations for students entering 7th and 12th grade is the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). The Virginia Department of Health is currently tracking a statewide outbreak of meningococcal disease. MenACWY can provide protection against the bacteria responsible for this outbreak.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of immunization clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation.
COVID Guidance
😷 2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools
Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school.
Tutor.com
How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com
All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
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STEAMOLOGY
🧪 STEAMOLOGY STEM Fest Offers Hands-On Activities for Students
Students are invited to participate in STEM FEST on Saturday, October 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South County High School. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and more. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information.
Strategic Plan
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✨ 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence |
FCPS’ 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in our schools. These five 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.
Under Goal 3, every student will learn to use critical and creative thinking. They will meet or exceed academic goals. Students will reach their full potential.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information. Watch this video to learn more about the many voices that came together to create the plan.
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 Matters Caluculator 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.
McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
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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