McLean HS: Dr. Reilly's Monday Message 6/3/24

Important Upcoming Dates

2023-2024 School Year

June 4 - Graduation

June 12 - Last day of school - early release (see below)

June 13 & 14 - School Planning Days

June 17 - Eid al-Adha holiday (see below)

June 18 - Teacher Work Day 

June 19 - Juneteenth holiday (see below)

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

July 4 - Independence Day (see below)

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

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

August 15 - Freshman Orientation (see below)


Student Achievement

Class of 2024

MHS 2024 Graduation - 6/4

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We are incredibly proud of your hard work and achievements. You've shown resilience, dedication, and spirit throughout your time here. As you move on to new adventures, know that you carry with you the support and best wishes of your entire school community. Celebrate this momentous milestone—your future is bright!


End of Year Information

FCPSon Chromebook information for students returning to McLean HS next school year

Students returning to McLean High School for the 2024-2025 School year will use their currently issued FCPS Chromebook and charger for next year.

Summer Programs: 

  • Any student completing a summer course, program, independent study, workshop, etc should keep their issued Chromebook and charger.  Chromebooks will not be issued over the summer, students should keep their issued Chromebook for all educational purposes. 

Returns:

  • Students not returning to McLean next year must return Chromebook and charger to the Tech Center.
  • If a Chromebook is in need of repair, it must be returned with charger. A working Chromebook will be issued for the summer.
  • Students can choose to return their Chromebook and charger if they will not need it this summer and want it to be reissued to them next year. 

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


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!


This Week

Tuesday

Tuesday, June 4

Early Release and Class of 2024 Graduation


Wednesday

Wednesday, June 5


Thursday

Thursday, June 6

Field Day and Early Release


Friday

Friday, June 7

Early Release


Coming Up

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha - 6/17

Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is the second of two main holidays celebrated in Islam. Muslims believe that Eid al-Adha signifies the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham in Christianity and Judaism, to sacrifice his son, Ismail, as ordered by Allah. It focuses on sacrifice, the pilgrimage to Mecca and giving to those less fortunate.

Monday, June 17, is a holiday for FCPS employees. Schools and offices will be closed. 


juneteenth calendar graphic

Juneteenth - 6/19

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that word of the Emancipation Proclamation and the end of the Civil War finally reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, effectively marking the end of slavery in the United States. Learn more about Juneteenth.

Wednesday, June 19, is a holiday for FCPS employees. Schools and offices will be closed.


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.  


Freshman Orientation - 8/15

Save the date and mark your calendars! Students attending McLean High School in the 2024-2025 school year are invited to the Freshmen Orientation on Thursday, August 15th at 9:00 am. More information will be shared later this summer. 


June Focus

LGBTQIA+ History Month

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month

In the month of June, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. We stand with those facing an ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people. Each individual in our school community should feel valued for who they are. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.


Caribbean American Heritage Month

Caribbean American Heritage Month

FCPS celebrates the rich diversity and honors the many contributions of immigrants of Caribbean heritage to our nation during the month of June. Caribbean individuals are some of the most ethnically diverse in the world. There are more than 8.5 million individuals in the United States born in the Caribbean or of Caribbean ancestry. Learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month


From FCPS

School Board Votes to Adopt Fiscal Year 2025 Approved Budget

The Fairfax County School Board voted to adopt Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Approved Budget at their last board meeting. The FY 2025 Approved Budget totals $3.7 billion — a net increase of $233.2 million or 6.6% over the previous year. 

The FY 2025 Approved Budget focuses on providing educational excellence for all students and ensuring that employees’ hard work and dedication are acknowledged through competitive compensation. Both of these efforts fully align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

Nearly 86% of the Approved Budget is targeted at instruction. Key budget highlights include funding for a 4% compensation increase for all employees; maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students; and expanding athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.

Read the news release.


Online Campus Summer Registration Closing Soon!

Registration for summer classes with FCPS' Online Campus will close on Friday, June 7. Online campus courses are for students in grades 7-12. Email OnlineCampus@fcps.edu or call 703-503-7781 with any questions.

Other Summer Learning OpportunitiesChantilly Academy will host an AFA CyberCamp from Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. This camp would be a great fit for rising fifth through eighth graders of all skill levels interested in learning more about the importance of cybersecurity and gaining skills to protect themselves and others from cyber threats. Discounts are available for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals. Visit the camp website for more information.

Registration is also still available for the Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary-IFTA (E-IFTA) arts camps, and Credit Recovery Academy.


☎️ Family 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.


💪 Let's Finish the School Year Strong!

Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:

  • Check your child’s attendance record.
  • Help your student stay engaged at school.
  • Report future absences.
  • Understand the FCPS school calendar.

Learn more about attendance resources


SAT/PSAT School Day

Digital SAT Replaces Paper in 2024-25

This October, the SAT School Day will be administered in a digital format nationwide. Some testing accommodations are administered differently for digital tests than for paper/pencil tests. See information about accommodations for students with disabilities.

SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT

SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school on Wednesday, October 9, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learner Supports

Because these exams are operated by the College Board, students do not automatically receive testing accommodations or supports. If you have a student with disabilities entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, or have a multilingual student entering 12th grade, please review the accommodations request process and/or EL support request process and return forms to the high school by Monday, August 5.

Find out more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS


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.