McLean HS: Dr. Reilly's Monday Message 8/5/24

Important Upcoming Dates

2024-2025 School Year

August 15 - Freshman & Transfer Student Orientation (see below)

August 15 - Freshman & Transfer Student Parent Orientation 

August 19 - First Day of School

August 27 - Back to School Night (see below)

August 27 - Senior Parent Night (more info to come)

August 29 - Celebrate McLean (more info to come)

August 30-September 2 - Labor Day


Quick Links

Bell Schedule

 

Bell Schedule and Red/Silver Calendar

McLean HS

 

McLean High School Website

Parking Information

 

Student Parking Information

Calendar

 

FCPS School Year Calendar

Student Information

 

Student Information System (SIS)

NSO

 

New Student Orientation


Information for the Community

Paving

McLean HS - Paving Project

Over the next couple weeks there will be ongoing construction on the pavement and asphalt throughout the school parking lots and sidewalks. We ask that you avoid cutting through the school parking lots to reach Westmoreland St and Sea Cliff Rd, as all of these entrances will be blocked during this time.


Techology Update

Chromebook Information

  • To prepare for the ’24-25 School Year, students with a McLean HS Chromebook currently checked out should turn it on prior to the school year to receive updates. Students should restart their Chromebook and make sure it is fully charged before the 1st day of school. 
  • If students find their Chromebook and/or charger are in need of repair, Technology Support Specialists will be available in the Main Lobby of McLean HS on Wednesday August 7th from 8:30am to 10:00 am to help.
  • All students should bring their fully charged Chromebook and charger for the 1st day of school.

Testing Information

On Wednesday, October 9, McLean High School twelfth graders will have the opportunity to participate in the SAT School Day. FCPS will cover the cost for any twelfth-grade student to take this test. The essay option and subject area tests are not available during SAT School Day. 

To reserve a seat for your twelfth grader to take this exam and ensure appropriate test materials are available for your student, families are asked to complete the McLean HS SAT Intent to Participate Form below by Wednesday, September 4. Your student will need to use an @fcpsschools.net email account to access and complete this form.  

If you have questions about the SAT School Day administration at McLean High School, please contact the Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu).


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.


AP Scores

AP scores will be released to students on July 8. Students should use their College Board login credentials to access their AP scores online at apscore.org. Some scores take longer to process due to later testing or other circumstances. If students don't receive their scores by Aug. 15, have them contact AP Services for Students.


📈 SOL Scores Posted in SIS ParentVUE

Families can find Standards of Learning (SOL) reports for spring testing in the SIS ParentVUE Documents section on or before the last day of school. Log in to your ParentVUE account to access the following:

  • For all students – the official SOL Score Report with overall and reporting category performance for all spring tests.
  • For grade 3-8 students – the SOL Growth Parent Report shows performance over time for state reading and math tests completed this school year.

Visit the FCPS website for additional information about spring assessment reporting practices and timelines.

Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.


From Student Services

Required Immunizations

All students are required to be immunized against certain communicable diseases to attend school in the state of Virginia. It is important for all students to receive the required immunizations. 

Please talk with your family health care provider about whether or not your children are up to date on their vaccines before the new school year begins. Submit updated immunization records to your school as soon as possible. Appointments are required for most vaccination clinics. Don’t wait until the last minute when you might not be able to find an appointment. Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a schedule of clinics or schedule with your family’s health care provider

More information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation is available online.

You may drop the records off in Student Services between 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM during any weekday, mail the records to McLean High School Student Services, or email the records to: Molly Payne - MSPayne@fcps.edu              703-714-5719


Coming Up

NSO

New Student Orientation - 8/15

Our annual new student orientation will be held on Thursday, August 15th, 2024 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Orientation is for 9th grade students and transfer students.  Transportation will be provided for all students with stops at Longfellow Middle School and feeder elementary schools.  Students may also be dropped off and picked up at McLean High School at Door 1.  During the program, students will hear from administrators, counselors, and McLean student leaders.  Chromebooks will be distributed to 9th grade students.  Chromebooks for transfer students will be distributed the first week of school.  We are looking forward to welcoming our Class of 2028 and our transfer students to the McLean community! 


Freshman and New Parent Information Night - 8/15, 6 - 7 pm

We will hold an information night for freshman parents and new parents to McLean on Thursday, August 15th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm in the auditorium.  We will review topics such as schedules, communications, extra-curricular activities, high school credits, and much more. 


First Day of School

First Day of School - 8/19

Monday, August 19, is the first day of school. See the complete school year calendar.


BtSN

Back to School Night - 8/27

This school year we will hold a traditional Back to School Night.  It will be held on August 27 from 5:30-8:30.  From 5:30 - 6:30, you may buy McLean gear, buy Booster PTSA passes, sign-up to become a member of the PTSA, learn about FLE in grades 9-12, and meet our different school support personnel - our new Librarian, Technology Specialist, and our Assessment Coach.  We look forward to seeing you! 

Senior Parent Meeting - 8/27

Parents of Seniors! Please join us at our annual Senior Parent Night from 5:30-6:30pm on August 27 in the Auditorium. At this meeting, we will share upcoming events and information to be aware of related to post-secondary planning, with an emphasis on how best to support your student as they engage in the college application process.


Celebrate McLean - 8/29

Join us for a free community festival on Thursday, August 29th from 4-6:30pm at McLean High School. Enjoy food, games, music, and learn about student clubs and sports. Stay for the McLean Varsity football game at 7pm!


calendar reminder graphic

Labor Day Holiday - 8/30-9/2

Friday, August 30,, and Monday, September 2, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.


From FCPS

Blue Star Families' Back-to-School Military Fair - 8/10

Please join FCPS for an upcoming event for our military-connected students and families: the Blue Star Families’ Back-to-School Military Fair.  The event is scheduled for August 10, 2024, from 10 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., in the West Springfield High School cafeteria. 

This event offers a unique opportunity for military-connected families of students in grades 7-12 to receive school supplies and connect with a variety of FCPS, military, and community resources.  The fair aims to support our Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, and Veteran families as they prepare for the upcoming school year. 


Multilingual Learners Summit: Our Voices, Our Future - 8/8

We're excited to share that FCPS will be hosting a Multilingual Learners Summit: Our Voices, Our Future on Thursday, August 8th at Annandale High School from 5-8:30 p.m.

This summit aims to equip multilingual learners and their families with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive.  A table fair will showcase the many options and opportunities available within FCPS and the wider community that support paths to graduation and future careers for our students.  Additionally, guest speaker Dr. Jose Luis Zelaya will offer an inspiring keynote message and engage in dialogue with a student panel. 

All secondary level multilingual learners across the division have been directly invited to this event via email.  Additionally, families have been invited through FCPS This Week. Registration is open for students, families, or staff planning to attend.    


Student Insurance

During the school day, a student may have an accident that results in injury. There is a common misconception that FCPS (Fairfax County Public Schools) is financially responsible for medical bills resulting from such injuries. However, this is not the case.

Students who participate in sports are required to have health insurance. FCPS does not provide medical insurance for students, but parents can purchase low-cost Voluntary Student Insurance through K & K Insurance Group.

This student accident insurance program offers an affordable way for parents to cover medical or dental expenses resulting from their child's accident. For those who already have medical or dental insurance, this additional coverage can help with deductibles, limitations, and exclusions. For those without medical insurance, these accident policies provide primary coverage.

Please read the information on K&K Student Accident Insurance found here, to determine if this coverage would be beneficial for your child.


INOVA Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs

Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5 and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following date:

  • Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church

Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.


No-Cost Virtual Therapy for High School Students

Virtual therapy sessions are available at no cost to FCPS high school students to provide a safe space to address concerns such as:

  • Mood/behavior changes, motivation, grief/loss.
  • Anxiety, worry, fears.
  • Social skills, bullying, peer and family relationships.
  • Academic stress.

In order for students to participate, caregivers must give permission for FCPS to share basic demographic information with Hazel Health in ParentVUE. They must also provide consent for their student to access therapy services. 

Students may then be referred by a guardian or designated school staff member. Refer your child by calling 571-749-2940 or contacting an FCPS school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or director of Student Services.

Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more information.


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

Mock Testing - PSAT, SAT, and ACT

Looking for an opportunity to practice for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT?? The McLean PTSA is partnering with The Princeton Review and Marigold Prep to offer practice tests. Each testing session starts at 9am. The test dates are as follows: 

PSAT: August 10, 2024

SAT: September 7, 2024; November 16, 2024; January 11, 2025; April 5, 2025

ACT: September 21, 2024; November 9, 2024; January 4, 2025; March 1, 2025; April 26, 2025

Join us virtually to take the full-length practice tests. The registration fee is $20 per exam

Register for PSAT and SAT practice tests

Register for ACT practice tests

Registration closes 3 days prior to each exam, and you will receive an email with further instructions regarding the testing session. After each test, you will receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses.

Questions? Contact pwilliams@mcleanptsa.org


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.