Important Upcoming Dates
2023-2024 School Year
January 8 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar (see below)
January 9 - Curriculum Night for Rising 9th Graders (see below)
January 10 - Opioid Awareness and Community Conversation (see below)
January 10 - Leadership Class Bingo Night (see below)
January 12 - Pep Rally (see below)
January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (see below) - Schools and offices will be closed
January 17 - Balancing Achievement & Mental Health Presentation (see below)
January 19 - Orthodox Epiphany (see below)
January 25 - Two Hour Early Release - End of Quarter (see below)
January 26 - Student Holiday - Teacher Workday (see below)
February 26 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar (see below)
McLean Highlander Math League Club Success!
Please join us in congratulating the 15 members of the McLean Highlander Math League Club received high scores on the AMC 10 and AMC 12, which qualifies them to take the AIME. The AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) is an intermediate examination between the AMC 10 or AMC 12 and the USAMO. These students scored in the top 5% nationwide on their AMC 12 test or in the top 2.5%, also nationwide, on their AMC 10 test to qualify for the AIME!
Please join us in congratulating these students:
Ryan Chun, Clement Ding, Aiden Feyerherm, Chloe Giglio, Daniel Kim, Sarah Li, Aaron Lin, Colin Park, David Sheng, Anna Wang, Kalan Warusa, Jeffrey Yin, Paul Yoo, Junyong Chang and Rebecca Chen
We would also like to congratulate McLean High School sophomore and Math League Club member Jeffrey Lin, who received a perfect score on the AMC 10 exam!
Good luck to you all on the AIME coming up in February!
U. S. Air Force Flight Academy Scholarship Recipient & Alternate
Two McLean High School students and Air Force Junior ROTC Cadets have earned a Primary and Alternate seat for the Air Force Chief of Staff Flight Academy next summer! This $25,000 scholarship is fully funded by the United States Air Force and sends select Air Force Junior ROTC Cadets to this Flight Academy to earn their Private Pilots License. This 8-week program was created to address the critical shortage of pilots in our nation and has NO military obligation!
There were 821 applications submitted from 332 Air Force Junior ROTC units. Please join us in congratulating the cadets listed below:
PRIMARY:
Cadet Youngjae Kim
ALTERNATE:
Cadet Caleb Yull
AP Course Fees
AP course fees are now available in myschoolbucks. Families are charged for AP courses 7+ in a student's high school career. When students enroll in subjects with dual assessments such as Physics C, Economics, and Comparative Government, families are only charged for one test instead of two. AP test fees are based on AP courses students are enrolled in, not the number of tests assigned to a course. Students should check AP Classroom to see their test registrations. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Donlen at ekdonlen@fcps.edu.
End of Quarter Information
The 2nd quarter ends on Thursday, January 25th. Current grades are accessible in SIS ParentVue and StudentVue. Administrators are meeting with parents of 12th grade students who are at risk of not graduating. Parents of 9th-11th grade students who have a D or F in a class(es) will receive an email today with additional information on support to help your student improve their progress. Please contact your student’s counselor or administrator with questions.
Curriculum Night for Rising 9th Graders - 1/9
McLean High School will be holding a Curriculum Night for parents of the class of 2028 (current 8th grade students) at McLean HS on Tuesday, January 9th at 6:00pm in the auditorium. The evening session aims to provide parents with information that will help their incoming 9th grade student with the transition to high school. Topics include getting involved with extracurricular activities, graduation requirements, and the registration process for 9th grade courses. Following the initial presentation, teachers from various departments will be available until 7:15pm to answer questions about 9th grade classes.
Bingo Night - 1/10
The McLean High School Leadership class is holding it's first ever Bingo Night! Students, faculty, staff and families are all welcome! Prizes will be awarded for each round!
$5 for 10 bingo sheets
$1 for each additional sheet
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Opioid Awareness and Community Conversation - 1/10
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In this video, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid interviews the Fosters, a family who tragically lost their son Cayden to a half pill of fentanyl mistaken for Percocet. This heart-wrenching yet eye-opening video of their experience is essential to raise awareness among parents/caregivers and students about the dangers of fake painkillers.
Please join Dr. Reid on Wednesday, January 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Edison High School for a community conversation about opioid awareness. You may register to attend. However, registration is not required; it is simply for space considerations.
The evening’s program is appropriate for parents/caregivers and students in grades 6-12. All attendees will receive free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
FCPS’ website also has resources to help you to start the conversation and additional support for families struggling with substance misuse.
Pep Rally - 1/12
Balancing Pressure to Achieve with Mental Health: What Parents Can Do - 1/17
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
McLean High School
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Studies have shown that pressure to achieve is one of the top four risk factors for teenagers in the United States. Students under this kind of pressure are one and a half to two and a half times as likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders than national norms. With the achievement-oriented culture of Northern Virginia, our students can feel this pressure strongly.
How can parents build our children’s resiliency when the pressure to achieve can be overwhelming? This workshop will provide practical strategies for parents to help their child find balance between achievement and mental health. It will be presented by Kathleen Otal, McLean School Counselor.
Parents are asked to fill out this survey before attending the workshop:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xXZXR0jIpHeO4tZ0z010cxaPs47bvV_ep3pJH74Nf3k/viewform?edit_requested=true
Parents are encouraged to listen to this podcast in advance of the event:
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/affluence
We hope to see you there!
Orthodox Epiphany - 1/19
In the Orthodox church, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19 and commemorates the baptism of Jesus rather than the arrival of the Magi. It is believed that Christ's baptism by John the Forerunner (John the Baptist) in the River Jordan began Christ's ministry on earth and revealed the Holy Trinity of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to mankind. 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. See the complete school year calendar.
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2 Hour Early Release/End of Quarter - 1/25
Thursday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students.
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Student Holiday/Teacher Workday - 1/26
Friday, January 26, is a student holiday and teacher workday.
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January - National Mentoring Month
Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.
Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.
All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.
FCPS’ MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Please contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at mmacdonald@fcps.edu.
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January - National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Every year since 2010, the President has dedicated the month to raise awareness about human trafficking and to educate the public about how to identify and prevent this crime. The U.S. Department of State raises awareness of human trafficking domestically and abroad, through U.S. embassies and consulates.
During this month, we celebrate the efforts of foreign governments, international organizations, anti-trafficking entities, law enforcement officials, survivor advocates, communities of faith, businesses, and private citizens all around the world to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Click HERE to see the U.S. Department of State fact sheet on National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs will open on Monday, January 22. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion programs for the 2024-25 school year. Programs are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Check the FCPS events calendar for the most current information. Meetings will begin on Tuesday, January 16.
A virtual meeting hosted by the World Languages Office will include general program information. Access to this virtual meeting will be made available on the FCPS events calendar and the Dual Language Immersion registration site on the day of the meeting.
Get more information on the immersion program webpage and registration page.
Safe Students, Safe Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools believes that academic success is built on the foundation of a safe learning environment. This includes physical safety, and mental health and wellness.
FCPS has a comprehensive approach to safety that involves physical security measures, online monitoring by security staff, and crisis intervention support. The division has created the Safe Students, Safe Schools Brochure (PDF) to enhance your awareness of potential hazards and to equip you with practical tips for how you can help. Visit the FCPS website for more information.
🗓️ Save the Date: Academy Open Houses Begin This Month!
Is your child interested in architecture and construction, information technology, or health science? FCPS high school academies will hold open houses for interested students beginning in mid-January.
A high school Academy is a center within a high school that offers advanced technical and specialized courses to prepare students for postsecondary education and/or career fields. Students enrolling in Academy elective courses will be provided with opportunities to participate in a variety of career experiences including shadowing, mentoring, or internships with local businesses.
Learn more and view the calendar of Academy open houses.
💲 Soft Launch of a New Financial Aid Form
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to determine how much financial aid each student is eligible to receive. This aid could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
Any college-bound student — regardless of income — who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should complete a FAFSA form.
The form is currently available for short periods of time while it is being updated to provide a better experience. Learn more about the 2024–25 FAFSA form.
NOVA Early Online College Course Registration
NOVA Early Online College (EOC) allows current high school juniors and seniors to take up to two tuition-free college courses. EOC courses for the spring semester begin on Thursday, January 30, and end on Monday, April 22.
Students should register by Monday, January 8, at 5 p.m.
Courses are asynchronous, online, and for college credit only. Thirteen courses are offered along with courses that fulfill an IT Technical Support Career Studies Certificate. Qualification information is located on NOVA's website. EOC courses meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degree programs as well as being transferable as general education requirements for most colleges and universities.
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.
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
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