Important Upcoming Dates
2023-2024 School Year
February 19 - Presidents Day - all schools and offices are closed (see below)
February 22 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
February 26 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar (see below)
March 5 - Student Holiday (see below)
March 4-8 - National School Social Work Week (see below)
March 10 - Daylight Saving Begins - Spring Forward (see below)
March 11 - First Full Day of Ramadan (see below)
March 13 - Lighthouse Schools Parent Coffee (see below)
March 14 - Lighthouse Schools Parent Meeting (see below)
March 22 - End of Quarter
March 25-29 - Spring Break - MHS offices will be closed (see below)
March 29 - Good Friday, falls during Spring Break (see below)
March 31 - Easter falls during Spring Break (see below)
National Merit Scholarship Finalists
 Please join us in congratulating our McLean High School Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program! All Finalists will be considered for National Merit Scholarship Awards to be offered in 2024.
Back row: Levana Gu, Camille Stephant, Nicoleta Hoffman, Angela Yang, Bijan Goff, Clara Marks, Andrew Evans
Front row: Nathan Bass, Alexandre Stephant, Kyra Macomber, Maya Pashai, Astoria Stimmler, Aileen Zhao, Timothy Cedrone, Kian Choi
International Night
 McLean hosted their 7th annual International Night on Friday, February 9th. With over 20 acts from around the world, it was a wonderful showcase of the diverse culture of the McLean student body. Congratulations to all of the performers, stage managers, organizers and food contributors.
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2024-2025 FCPS School Year Calendar
Preparing for the summer months? The 2024-2025 FCPS school year calendar is available for your planning purposes. Please note the first day of school next year is August 19, 2024.
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Immunization Non-compliant Notifications
As required by the Code of VA, all students entering 12th grade are required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) administered at age 16 or older. Letters have been sent to home addresses if this immunization is not currently on record at McLean High School. If you have questions, please contact our Registrar, Cindy Ramos, at cpramos@fcps.edu. For reference, the vaccination schedule from the Virginia Department of Health can be found here: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/11/2021/03/VDH-Vaccine-Schedule.pdf
Junior Focus Day 2/28
Our annual Junior Focus Day is coming up on Wednesday, February 28th! During periods 1 and 3 on this day, all Juniors will attend a variety of information sessions supporting postsecondary planning and college applications. Juniors will receive more detailed information on session offerings through Schoology. Classes will be held per usual for non-Juniors during 1st and 3rd period.
College Partnership Program
 Any student is eligible to apply to the College Partnership Program (CPP). This program is designed to support students interested in exploring, applying to, and enrolling in college. In accordance with FCPS' goal to eliminate gaps in opportunity, access, and achievement for all students, CPP focuses on academic advising, college visits, family engagement, and preparation beyond high school. CPP was created to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access and opportunity, and support students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses (including those who are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S., economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, and English language learners) but all students are encouraged to apply.
Menstrual Product Drive
The McLean Girls' Leadership Committee is hosting their annual menstrual product drive throughout the month of February. Many people have trouble affording food and basic necessities. Expensive yet necessary menstrual products can take a toll on families living paycheck to paycheck. There is a box outside of the main office and near the rock entrance where students can drop off extra packages of products like pads, tampons, and panty liners. All of the donations will be taken to several local community shelters. The Girls' Leadership Committee is dedicated to supporting women and girls both here at McLean and in the community at large. Your support with this project is greatly appreciated and can help us meet our goal of helping the community around us. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar 2/26
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.
Student Holiday - 3/5
The Fairfax Board of Elections has requested that schools be closed on Tuesday, March 5, to accommodate the safe and efficient administration of the 2024 presidential primary election.
Therefore, March 5 will be a school holiday for students and a virtual School Planning Day. As outlined in Regulation 4421, School Planning Days are directed by school-based Administrators in order to devote time to school improvement efforts, including collaboration around data, common assessments, responsive instruction, etc.
Central offices and school offices will remain open. SACC will remain open, as on other professional work days.
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Daylight Saving Begins - 3/10
Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward) Sunday, March 10, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.
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First Full Day of Ramadan (Observation Day) - 3/11
This year, the first full day of Ramadan is Monday, March 11. Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time for spiritual discipline for Muslims, who believe it was during this month that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to Mohammed. Read more about Ramadan in National Geographic Kids. March 11 is an O day. 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. Half-O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.
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Lighthouse Schools Parent Meeting - 3/13 & 3/14
We are excited to share that McLean High School has been selected as a Lighthouse School in FCPS. As one of seven FCPS secondary schools, this designation gives us the opportunity to reimagine the school experience for our students and community at large. As such, we are looking for input from our families to gain insight into the current experience of our community and solicit ideas for innovative improvements. Therefore, we cordially invite our families to attend a town hall on this topic. We will host a parent coffee on March 13th from 8:30-9:30a.m. and an evening meeting on March 14th from 6:30-7:30p.m. We’d love to see you at either of these meeting options to discuss your feedback and ideas. Questions to be discussed include:
- What do you expect a public education should provide your child?
- How is our school system currently serving you and your family?
- What needs does our district currently fail to meet that you believe it should be meeting?
- What resources do you believe could be reallocated for other purposes?
- If you could re-envision your child’s school experience, what elements would you like to see incorporated?
Thank you in advance for being part of this process; your feedback and insights are invaluable to the success of this initiative.
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SEL Screener - 3/14
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 March 14 during Highlander Time. If you do not want your student to take part in the SEL screener, complete the opt-out by March 8, 2024 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
*If you opted your student out from the Fall 2023 administration, they will continue to be opted out for the remainder of this school year. You can review your student’s opt-out status in SIS ParentVue on the “Student Info” tab. SEL Screener Participation will say “no” if the opt out has been completed.*
Contact Jenna Jablonski, Director of Student Services, with any questions regarding the SEL Screener.
Spring Break - 3/24 through 3/29
🌷 March 25-29 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar. McLean HS offices will be closed.
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Good Friday (falls during Spring Break) - 3/29
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the day on which Christians annually observe the commemoration of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is a day of mourning. During special Good Friday services Christians meditate on Jesus's suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith. Read more at Britannica.com.
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Easter (falls during Spring Break) - 3/31
Learn more about Easter in NatGeo Kids.
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Career and Technical Education Month
By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Since this is an elective, course offerings may vary by school. Learn more on the CTE website.
CTE also offers summer programs for students to explore their programs. Enroll now!
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Eating Disorder Information
In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information to parents annually about eating disorders with parents/guardians of students in the fifth through twelfth grades.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023),
Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.
In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources about eating disorders. To find out more, please visit the FCPS Eating Disorders website.
In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237.
FY 2025 Proposed Budget
At the last School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that focuses on excellence and providing students an equitable education in an inclusive and respectful environment, where access, opportunity, and achievement are available to all.
The budget also prioritizes competitive compensation to attract and retain a world-class workforce.
The FY 2025 Proposed Budget totals $3.8 billion, an increase of $301.8 million, or 8.6%, over the FY 2024 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction. Key highlights include:
- Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students.
- Retaining and attracting world-class educators with a 6% market scale adjustment.
- Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
- Continuing initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.
Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at the end of FY 2024.
The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.
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🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:
- Tuesday, April 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Graham Road Elementary School.
- Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at South County Middle School.
- Thursday, May 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Terraset Elementary School.
- Wednesday, May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Hybla Valley Elementary School.
- Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Poe Middle School.
- Tuesday, May 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Katherine Johnson Middle School.
Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
Instructional Job Fair
👩🏫 Help Students Achieve Their Dreams. Teach for FCPS!
Save the date! Attend FCPS’ instructional job fair on Saturday, February 24, 9 a.m.-noon, at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Network and take advantage of interview opportunities with representatives from various FCPS schools. Employment offers may be extended during the fair. Register today.
Fairfax County Science and Engineering Fair Open House
Members of the general public are invited to attend the science fair open house at Robinson Secondary School on Sunday, March 17, 1-3 p.m.
Real Food For Kids
The Real Food for Kids Culinary Challenge will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 10:45 a.m., at Hayfield Secondary School. The event features a public tasting of student dishes and demonstrations from two local celebrated chefs.
The student challenge at the heart of this event is to create healthy, delicious, and culturally diverse school menu items that meet USDA guidelines. Entries will be judged by a panel including celebrity chefs, school food professionals, and local food producers. The public is invited to vote for their favorite dish.
Chefs Najmieh Batmanglij and Chris Morgan of Joon will offer a demonstration at 11:15 a.m. Public tasting of student dishes will get underway at noon.
Student-created dishes from this annual event have been featured on school menus throughout the Greater Washington Region. It is free to attend, but registration is required.
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:
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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