McLean HS: Dr. Reilly's Monday Message 4/29/24

Important Upcoming Dates

2023-2024 School Year

May 3 - Orthodox Good Friday / Teacher Work Day (see below)

May 5 - Orthodox Easter (see below)

May 6-10 - Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week

May 6-24 - AP Testing (see below)

May 13 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar (see below)

May 23 - Sports Physicals Night (see below)

May 27 - Memorial Day Holiday, schools and offices closed (see below)

May 31 - Convocation

June 4 - Graduation

June 12 - Last Day of school

July 8-10 - MHS Boot Camp Session 1 (see below)

Just 22-24 - MHS Boot Camp Session 2 (see below)


Student Achievement

Ryan & Goldie

U.S. Army Orchestra Young Artist Competition

Ms. Smith and the MHSO are extremely proud of violinist Ryan Chun, who recently won 1st place in the Strings Division of the 2024 U.S. Army Orchestra Young Artist Competition. In addition to Ryan's success, we are also proud of MHS student, Goldie Woods! She reeived an honorable mention for her harp playing. Both students will be performing in a concert on May 17, 2024 at Schlesinger Concert Hall featuring Young Artist competition winners. 


Scholastic

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Ceremony

Several McLean students attended the Scholastic Writing Awards Ceremony at the UDC Performing Arts Center. This event acknowledges the literary accomplishments of students from all across the DMV region and is put on by Writopia Labs.

Aileen Zhao was honored for her American Voices Nomination and read from her work “Everyone You’ve Ever Kissed Up To Now”.

Aileen also received a scholarship from Arts Fairfax of $1,500 for her poem “Oh Transcendental Youth, We’re Really in it Now” and also read from the selection.

The other students attending were all honored for their various awards of Gold and Silver Keys and Honorable Mentions.

Pictured in Group Photo (Left to Right) : Aileen Zhao, Zoey Pagotto, Sophia Werthmuller, Sandi Schneider, Seth LeBlanc


Python Pals

McLean Hackathon

Congratulations to the MHS Python Pals club! They recently had a McHack event where students collaboratively engineered a programming project to help benefit the gaming space, the education system, and healthcare workers. The event raised almost $1500! 


End of Year Information

End of the School Year Medication Pick-up

As the end of our school year approaches, I would like to remind you that all medications kept in the Health Room must be picked up by the end of the school year.  Per FCPS regulations, any medications that remain in the Health Room after close of business on the last day of school must be destroyed.

For SENIORS:  The last day of classes will be May 24th.  Seniors who have medications may keep them in the Health Room until after AP testing and graduation activities are complete.

For ALL OTHER STUDENTS:  The last day of classes is June 12th.

Prescription Medications (Epi-pens, Inhalers, ADHD, etc.):  Must be picked up by a parent.  Please sign in at the main office.  PLEASE NOTE:  if a student self-carries their epi-pen or inhaler and keeps one in the health room, the student may pick it up.

Over-the-counter Medication:  Students may pick up these medications and take them home.  They may be picked up at the end of the day between 2:45-3:00pm any time before the end of the year.

All medications must be picked up by 11:00am, June 12th. 

Please contact School Health Aide, Julie Gamboa, with any questions.  jgamboa@fcps.edu


From Testing

AP Testing

 

AP Testing

AP Testing will take place between May 6-24. Students should arrive at their testing locations by 7:45am for morning AP exams, and by 11:45am for afternoon AP exams. Students must arrange a ride home from school as most afternoon AP exams will conclude between 3:30-4:30PM.

Materials for paper/pencil exams

  • Two #2 pencils and black/dark blue pen
  • A calculator if taking APES, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Macro, Micro, Physics, Precalculus, or Statistics

Materials for Digital Tests (African Studies, Chinese, CSP, English Lang, English Lit, Seminar, U.S. History, & World History) exams

  • Fully charged FCPS Chromebook and charger
  • College Board login credentials to access Bluebook
  • Two #2 pencils and black/dark blue pen

AP Testing Schedule

AP TESTING

McLean HS SOL Schedule

The main SOL testing dates are below. It is important that your student attend school on these days and get a good night’s rest and eat breakfast before testing. If your child has an unavoidable conflict that could result in missing a testing day, they will be moved to a makeup date. The Virginia Department of Education requires high school students enrolled in an SOL course to take the EOC test if the student needs a verified credit for graduation or if the student has not yet met federal testing requirements (1 Math, 1 Reading, and 1 Biology SOL attempt taken during grades 9-12).  Students who have met the testing requirements for graduation and federal accountability do not test.  If you have questions about SOL testing, please contact your child’s school counselor.

May 20: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Chemistry, and Earth Science

May 21: Biology

May 22: Geometry

May 23: Social Studies and make-up SOLs

May 29-31: SOL Retakes


Class of 2024

Class of 2024 Service Hours

Seniors! The deadline to submit high school service hours in X2Vol is Wednesday May 1st. If you still have service hours to input into X2Vol, please do so by this date. Instructions to enter service hours in X2Vol can be found in Schoology for the Class of 2024


Senior Obligations

This is a reminder that all seniors must pay their obligations prior to graduation. Obligations might include course fees, library books, textbooks, calculators, AP exam fees, or senior dues. Students will not receive their cap and gown, or graduation tickets until their obligations have been paid.


From Student Services

Class of 2025 College Application Workshop

Attention Juniors! The Student Services Department will be holding our annual College Application Workshop on Tuesday, July 30th and Thursday, August 1st. Information covered through this workshop includes: How to get organized, paying for college, The Common App, The SRAR, and kick starting your essay (including an essay book). This is a two-day workshop. Students select either the morning session (8:30am-12:00pm) or the afternoon session (12:30pm-4:00pm). The cost for the workshop is $75. Registration and payment are completed through MySchoolBucks. Students who need financial assistance for this workshop should contact their school counselor.


This Week

Stress-Less Admissions: Navigating the College Journey with Your Sanity Intact - 4/29

“Best” school or best fit? Big, medium, or a small-sized campus? Public or private? Guiding your child through the college admissions process can be daunting; learning how to dial down the stress is key. The Safe Community Coalition is excited to host The New York Times best-selling author and journalist, Jeff Selingo, on Monday, April 29, at 7pm, at the McLean Community Center’s Alden Theatre. Well known for his years of experience monitoring and researching the higher-education industry, Jeff will share his insights on current trends in college admissions and offer advice to optimize the journey. 

Joining Jeff are co-moderators, Dr. Heather Tedesco, McLean Psychologist and co-author of Raising a Kid Who Can, and Hannah Wolff, Associate Director of College Counseling at Georgetown Preparatory School. With Mr. Selingo’s insight on college admissions, Ms. Wolff’s experience working with students and their families throughout the application process and Dr. Tedesco’s understanding of family relationships and the mental health challenges facing our teens – this is a program you won’t want to miss!

Advance ticket price is $15 online and $20 at the door and can be purchased at www.mcleanscc.org. Space is limited and tickets will likely sell out, so don’t delay! A Q&A session will immediately follow the program.

This program is sponsored by the Safe Community Coalition in partnership with the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, VA).


Orthodox Good Friday

Orthodox Good Friday (Teacher Work Day) - 5/3

Friday, May 3, is Orthodox Good Friday, and a teacher work day. Millions of Orthodox Christians commemorate Good Friday, also known as “Great Friday” to remember the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. There will be no school for students that day. See the complete school year calendar.


Orthodox Easter

Orthodox Easter - 5/5

Many Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar. It is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom Christians believe to be the son of God. Learn more about Easter in NatGeo Kids


Coming Up

Sports Physicals Night - 5/23

Sports Physicals

Memorial Day

Memorial Day Holiday 5/27

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for the Memorial Day holiday. Learn about the history of Memorial Day. See the complete school year calendar.


MHS Boot Camp - 7/8-10 & 7/22-24

MHS Boot Camp for Rising 9th grade and 10th grade students taking advanced coursework for the 2024-2025 academic year

Boot Camp is an interactive leadership conference where students discuss and practice the qualities required for success in college and in the corporate world. This program is targeted for students who are taking their first AP class. This event will focus on developing five attributes: Teamwork, Communication, Organization, Reading, and Problem Solving (T-CORPS). These skills are those that are most desired by Fortune 500 firms.  This hands-on program will actively engage students in the development and use of these skills, while demonstrating their importance.

To go with the military boot camp theme, students will divide into platoons and compete in tasks that will allow them to build and demonstrate these skills. After each task, students will reflect upon their performance and discuss how they can improve.

Boot Camp has four goals:

1.    Introduce students to the unique academic challenges of AP coursework.

2.    Guide students in skill development with focus on teamwork, communication, organization, reading, and problem solving.

3.    Discuss the practical application of these skills inside and outside the classroom.

4.    Provide opportunities for students to develop a support network with their peers.

Please note: Only students enrolled as 9th graders at McLean High School for the 2024 - 2025 school year are eligible for the MHS AP Boot Camp Program. Please complete the electronic form below to reserve a spot. Please complete the Emergency Care Form and email it to mcleanhighschool@fcps.edu by July 5 to complete your registration; Emergency Care Forms are located HERE.

Session 1:  Monday, July 8, 2024 - Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Session 2:  Monday, July 22, 2024 - Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Location: McLean High School Registration Link If you have any questions, please email jbarham@fcps.edu.  


May Focus

AAPI

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

People with ancestral roots in Asia and the islands of the Pacific have been integral to the story of America. In 1992, May was designated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to celebrate their heritage and contributions.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.


Jewish American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is a national month of recognition of the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.


From FCPS

☎️ Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages

Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.


🙋 Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

As we approach the end of the school year, it’s important for students to stay engaged, attend school, and finish strong! Visit our website for attendance resources


Weekly Reminders

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.

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 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 HS PTSA

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

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.