Important Upcoming Dates
2023-2024 School Year
November 6-10 - National School Psychology Week (see below)
November 6 - Student Holiday/School Planning Day (see below)
November 7 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday/Election Day (see below)
November 11 - Veterans Day (see below)
November 12 - Diwali (see below)
November 22, 23, 24 - Thanksgiving Holiday - Schools and offices closed
November 28 - Financial Aid Night see below
 |
|
Highlander Football Win
Congratulations to our Highlander football team for defeating Langley last week, 12 - 7. With this win, our Highlanders will host Herndon High School in the first round of the Northern Region Playoffs on Friday, November 10th at 7:00 pm.
|
Outstanding Employee Awards Program - 10/31 through 11/10
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a McLean High School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the Google form links beside each award below. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
Outstanding Principal - McLean High School 2023-2024 Outstanding Principal Award Nomination
Outstanding Teacher - McLean High School 2023-2024 Outstanding Teacher Award Nomination
Outstanding New Teacher - McLean High School 2023-2024 Outstanding New Teacher Award Nomination
Outstanding Leader - McLean High School 2023-2024 Outstanding Leader Award Nomination
Outstanding Professional Employee - McLean High School 2023-2024 Outstanding Professional Employee Award Nomination
Outstanding Operational Employee - McLean High School 2023-2024 Outstanding Operational Employee Award Nomination
The deadline to submit a nomination is November 10th.
If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Sobota at jmsobota@fcps.edu.
McLean HS Toy Drive - Now through 11/14
 Brighten the holiday season for underprivileged children in our community by donating new toys by the main office. Every child deserves to experience the joy of the holidays regardless of their circumstances––SHARE of McLean is helping make this possible with their holiday program. Feel free to scan the QR code for more information. Donations will be accepted until November 14th.
 McLean Matters Holiday Gift Card Drive Begins Today!
McLean High School has approximately 230 students who are at, or below, the poverty level. Some are homeless. If you would like to contribute to this important community effort, please click HERE to Sign-Up to donate $25 or $50 gift cards to Safeway, Target, or Walmart for McLean High School families to assist them over the holidays.
There are three ways you can purchase Gift Cards:
- Go to a Safeway, Target, or Walmart store and purchase gift card(s) for $25 or $50
- Go online to Safeway Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, or Walmart Gift Cards and purchase “plastic gift card(s)” to mail/drop off to Jennifer Hill.
- Go online to Safeway eGift Cards, Target eGift Cards, or Walmart eGift Cards and purchase “electronic gift card(s)”, print out the paper copy, and mail/drop off to Jennifer Hill.
Please use the following address for all mailed gift cards:
c/o Jennifer Hill
McLean High School
1633 Davidson Road
McLean VA 22101
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please indicate the $ amount on the gift card(s) when you mail/drop-off your cards.
Gift cards are needed by Friday, December 1st.
Let's show our fellow Highlanders some love this holiday season because McLean Matters!
If you have any questions, please contact McLean Matters Chair Emma Blankenbaker at eblankenbaker@verizon.net.
From Student Services
 |
|
Financial Aid Night - 11/28 at 6:30 pm
Please join us for our annual Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, November 28th at 6:30PM. Hear from the Financial Aid Director at Northern Virginia Community College on FAFSA, Merit Scholarships, CSS Profile, and more. This event is open to McLean and Langley High School families and is geared toward parents of seniors who are applying to two year or four year colleges.
|
 |
|
Schedule Changes & Withdrawal Deadline - 11/20 |
The deadline to withdraw from a class without a grade penalty (i.e. the class will not appear on the transcript) is Monday, November 20th. After this time, a withdrawal grade (WP or WF) will be required on the transcript if a student is dropping a class. Schedule change requests to change to a different level of a course will still be considered through the end of the 2nd quarter. All elective changes should now be complete.
SIS ParentVUE Access
The live gradebook in ParentVUE and StudentVUE will be closed from Friday, November 3 at 4:00 pm, until Tuesday, November 14, at 6:00 am.
SAT School Day Score Release
Students who participated in the School Day SAT on October 11, 2023, should be able to access scores via their College Board accounts. Students who participated in the SAT on October 26 should have access to scores on November 16. A video tutorial for accessing and understanding SAT scores is available on the College Board website. Families can reach out to their student’s counselor and the Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu) if they have questions regarding SAT School Day score reporting. Students who have duplicate College Board accounts will need to call College Board to get their accounts merged.
Digital PSAT Score Release
Students who participated in the Digital PSAT on October 11, 2023, should be able to access scores via the College Board BigFuture School App or their College Board accounts. Students who participated in a make-up digital PSAT should have access to scores on November 16. A video tutorial for accessing and understanding Digital PSAT scores is available on the College Board website. Families can reach out to their student’s counselor and the Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu) if they have questions regarding Digital PSAT score reporting. Students who have duplicate College Board accounts will need to call College Board to get their accounts merged.
 National School Psychology Week - 11/6-11/10
We will celebrate the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive during the week of November 6-10.Learn more from the National Association of School Psychologists.
Veterans Day - 11/11
Veterans Day provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.
Please join American Legion Post 270 on Saturday, November 11th, at 11:00 am for a ceremony commemorating the service of all United States veterans. The ceremony will be held outside at the McLean High School War Memorial Garden.
|
Diwali - 11/12
Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
Happy Diwali to all those who celebrate this day!
|
TheatreMcLean Presents: Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play
11/16 & 18 @ 7:00 pm
11/19 @ 2:00 pm
What happens to stories as they get passed down thru the years? How about an episode of the Simpsons? In Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play we examine that theory thru the apocalypse, as a group of survivors pass the time by talking about an episode of the iconic animated tv show. Thru the show and years, what happens to the episode of Simpsons? How does it change 7 years in the future; 75 years later? The award winning TheatreMcLean proudly presents Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play.
Tickets can be purchased HERE
|
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
|
National Family Engagement Month
National Family engagement Month
National Family Engagement Month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. More than 35 years of research shows that the most effective way to increase student achievement is for families to be actively involved in the education of their child. Strong parental and family support is vital to the well-being and success of students. FCPS has many resources for families designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
The national standards for family-school partnerships include welcoming all families, communicating effectively, supporting student success, speaking up for every child, sharing power, and collaborating with the community.
The following resources are available to all FCPS families. Visit the links below to learn more about workshops and classes for families, digital and printable resources for early childhood, mental health, military families, special education, multilingual and wellness topics.
Family Liaisons
Did you know that every school has a family liaison? Family liaisons will welcome and orient families who are new to the school and community, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can also help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
McLean High School's Family Liaison is Alba Munoz. You can reach her at amunoz1@fcps.edu.
Visit the Family Liaison webpage for a list of region representatives.
|
Please Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, paper forms will be sent home with your student on Wednesday, November 8. Please be sure to return paper forms by Friday, November 17. The electronic form will continue to be available in SIS ParentVUE.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and enter Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
SR&R Virtual Feedback Session
Provide Input on FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
Please join FCPS’ Chief Equity Office for a virtual meeting regarding the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation. The event will be held on Thursday, November 9, from 6-7:30 p.m. You may register at this link.
Your feedback will help ensure that FCPS policies align with the school division’s mission and values. It will also help identify any specific considerations that need to be addressed for the 2024-25 school year.
Language interpretation will be available in Spanish, Korean, and Arabic. A Certified Deaf Interpreter will be available as well. Get information on the SR&R.
✅ Election Day Is This Week. Vote!
The 2023 School Bond Referendum will be on the ballot Tuesday, November 7. Remember to vote!
November 7 will also be a teacher workday and a holiday for students. For more information on voting, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.
🦈 Fairfax Area Student “Shark Tank” Technology Competition
Are you a student with an idea for a product or application that will make life easier or more enjoyable for an older adult? The Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee is issuing a challenge to high school students in Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and the City of Falls Church to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities. Initial project proposals are due by Friday, December 15. Cash prizes will be awarded.
Learn more about the “Shark Tank” Technology Challenge.
💲 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Opening in December
The FAFSA is needed to determine a student's eligibility for financial aid. Families of current seniors should be thinking about completing financial aid applications in order for students to be eligible to receive financial help to cover the costs of post-secondary education. With the late opening of the FAFSA, there are some things families can do now (English only).
A funding opportunity is available for students who are unable to complete the FAFSA — the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) program. Find out which aid option is right for your family on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website.
November Events Hosted by the Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center (FRC) offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The FRC is hosting the following events in November:
-
Sibshops: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs, Monday, November 6, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at Providence Community Center.
-
SibTeen: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs, Monday, November 6, 1-4 p.m., at Providence Community Center.
-
Moving on to Life in the Community Resource Fair, Thursday, November 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Annandale High School (Cafeteria).
-
Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: Part Two (virtual), Friday, November 10, 10-11:30 a.m.
-
Funcionamiento Ejecutivo - Ayudando a tus hijos con la organización, la regulación emocional , y la flexibilidad (presentado en español), Friday, November 17, 10-11:30 a.m.
Click the links above to register for the events. For more information, visit the Family Resource Center 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/
Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar
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 2023-2024 calendar year are below.
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 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
 |
|
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. |
|
