McLean HS: Dr. Reilly's Monday Message 5/27/24

Important Upcoming Dates

2023-2024 School Year

May 20-31 - MHS SOL Testing (see schedule 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)

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

July 30-August 1 - Class of 2025 College Application Workshop (see below)


Student Achievement

Global Leaders of Fairfax County Program Graduates 130 Fellows

Fellows

Please join us in congratulating McLean High School senior Shriya Sirivolu! She, along with 129 of her FCPS peers, was recognized at a cermony held on May 19th at Woodson High School. These students successfully completed the program which saw them take part in year-long projects focused on applying each of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals to the Fairfax County community. As examples of their projects, fellows

  • created a one-stop website comprising resources for those living under the poverty line in Fairfax County;
  • created a plan to organize food pantries at all FCPS schools
  • promoted clean water by collecting water samples from schools and sharing feedback with local water organizations;
  • crafted informative articles to educate the public about the marine life inhabiting local waters and drafted legislative bills to present to state representatives; and
  • made plans to supply tree seedings to students to plant and nurture in the community and promote long-lasting environmental stewardship.

This Week

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.


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


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 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


Coming Up

McLean HS Summer Office Hours 9 am-1pm

McLean High School Office hours during summer break will be 9 am - 1 pm. Please call 703-714-5700 to set up appointments. 

Please click HERE for our website!


Class of 2025 College Application Workshop - 7/30-8/1

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.


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 and 10th 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.  


From the PTSA

PTSA 2024 FUNDRAISER RAFFLE

**ON SALE NOW THROUGH MAY 31, 2024**

Click Here to Purchase

Purchase your tickets before it is TOO LATE for a chance to win some fantastic prizes, including: WV Vacation, Tutoring Services, Private Wine Class of 20, Wolftrap: La Boheme Tickets, and more.

Cost:

 1 Raffle Ticket for $10, 3 Raffle Tickets for $25, 10 Raffle Tickets for $50, or 25 Raffle Tickets for $100

Prize Announcements:

 June 3, 2024 (via email) and June 5, 2024 (via PTSA newsletter)

**Proceeds benefit the Class of 2024 Graduation Party**

Questions? Contact Pam Williams at angp@mcleanptsa.org.


CLASS OF 2024 ALL NIGHT GRADUATION PARTY

Date/Time: June 4, 2024 at 11 pm

Location: McLean High School

 

ANGP Tickets

Available Now!! Price: $100.  

Click here to register for the Class of 2024 ANGP

 

Volunteer/Donation Opportunities

WE NEED YOUR HELP!! We are looking for parent volunteers, beverage donations, and prize/giveaway donations. Please sign up using the links below.

Click here to serve as a Party Volunteer or to provide Beverage Donations

Click here to make monetary donations

Click here to provide prize/gift card donations

Questions? Contact Pam Williams at angp@mcleanptsa.org.


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

Summer Extravanganza

☀️ Enjoy Fun and Resources at the Summer Extravaganza

Stop by Woodson High School on Saturday, June 1, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza. Enjoy face painting, food, music, a moonbounce, alpaca petting, storytime, and student performances — all at no cost! Additional food trucks will be on site selling a variety of treats. 

Families are invited to take part in engaging educational activities designed to spark curiosity and growth. Community organizations will be providing tips, resources, and helpful information. Visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage for details and register to attend. Registration is not required, but it’s helpful for planning purposes.


🥗 Don’t Forget to Check Your Student’s Lunch Balance!

It’s a busy time of year, and we know there are many priorities on families’ plates. As we approach the end of the school year, it is important to remember to check your students’ MySchoolBucks account and pay any remaining school meal balance. 

Families that earn less than 185% of poverty level qualify for free and reduced-price meals. However, an application must be completed and submitted each school year to receive that benefit. The application for the 2024-25 school year will be available this summer. 

If families have a current balance and think they may be eligible for free and reduced-price meals, please fill out the FRM application for the 2023-24 school year. Get more information about free and reduced-price lunch.


📝 Student Testing Results Coming Soon

Later this month, you will begin receiving your child’s spring assessment results. If you aren’t sure what assessments your child took this year, view this list of tests by grade level on FCPS’ website. 

How the results are delivered depends on the test. Scores will be posted in SIS ParentVUE, or sent by mail or from the school or testing organization. Learn what to expect regarding assessment reporting practices and timelines

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student assessments, including what each assessment is testing for and how to interpret the test results. Caregivers should contact their children’s teacher with any testing questions. 


Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE

Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores. 

Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices. 

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more. To create a new account, please contact Cindy Ramos for an activation letter. cpramos@fcps.edu

If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information


NOVA Early Online College Fall 2024 Semester Registration

NOVA Early Online College (EOC) allows rising high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take up to two tuition-free college courses. EOC courses for the fall semester take place Monday, September 23, through Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Students should register by Friday, July 26, at 5 p.m.

Courses are asynchronous, online, and for college credit only. Thirteen courses are offered along with courses that fulfill the IT Technical Support Career Studies Certificate. EOC courses meet the requirements for most of NOVA’s associate degrees as well as being highly 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/


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.