Important Upcoming Dates
2024-2025 School Year
October 9 - PSAT/SAT Day
October 9 - Walk and Roll to School Day
October 11 - Yom Kippur
October 14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day - Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
October 17 - Power Puff Game/Bonfire
October 18 - Pep Rally/Homecoming Football Game
October 19 - Homecoming Dance
October 21 - Fall College Panel
October 20-22 - College Fair and Look to the Future Events
November 8 - Yearbook Photo Makeup Day - 9th, 10th, and 11th grades
Congratulations to our Marching Band!
 Our McLean Highlander Marching Band kicked off their competitive season with an impressive performance on Saturday, September 28th, at the Virginia Marching Band Cooperative’s Showcase of Bands in Herndon, VA. They placed 3rd out of 35 bands and were awarded for Best Color Guard and Best Percussion. In addition to their third place finish, the band won 1st place in Ensemble Music and 1st Overall in General Effect Visual. Congratulations to our Marching Band students on a strong start to your season!
100 Potholder Challenge
 The McLean High School Library has invited students and staff to participate in the 100 Potholder Challenge. The goal is to donate 100 handmade potholders to the Thanksgiving Potholder Project, a nonprofit that donates handmade potholders to be included in Thanksgiving food donation bags at local food pantries. This handmade addition is both useful and a way to show care. Every potholder takes about an hour to complete, so the 100 Potholder Challenge represents roughly 100 service hours!
Look for more Highlanders Give Back projects coming soon!
PSAT/SAT School Day - October 9th
9th Graders- Stay home and do not report to McLean HS. Teachers will not provide work for students to complete on 10/09. However, students may have work previously assigned by their teachers to complete that is due 10/10 or later.
10th & 11th Graders- Report to McLean HS by 8:00 am to take the digital PSAT. All 10th & 11th grade students were automatically registered for the digital PSAT.
12th Graders- If you did not sign up to take the SAT, stay home. Only the 12th graders who completed the intent to participate form were registered to take the digital SAT. Report to McLean HS by 8:00 am to take the SAT.
All students testing should bring:
- FCPS Chromebook and charger *
- Two or more No. 2 pencils (not mechanical)
- Graphing Calculator
- Water and snacks (Snacks may be consumed during breaks)
*Students who forget to bring their FCPS Chromebook and charger on October 9th will be offered the make-up PSAT/SAT opportunity on October 21st.
Student testing locations were sent to each student’s FCPS Gmail on 9/25. If you have any questions, please contact our Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu).
Expunging High School Courses Taken in Middle School (9th Graders Only)
Parents of current 9th grade students who completed a high school credit bearing course (World Languages, Algebra, and Geometry) in the 2023-24 standard school year may request the final grades for these courses be omitted from your student’s transcript. You must submit a Request to Expunge High School Courses Taken in Middle School form to McLean High School Student Services, after the course is completed and prior to October 31, 2024. This form may be obtained at the following link https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/is104.pdf
Please reach out to your student’s school counselor with any questions.
Yom Kippur - 10/11
Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school. See the complete school year calendar.
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Staff Development Day) - 10/14
Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Native peoples, past and present. Monday, October 14, is a student holiday and staff development day.See the complete school year calendar.
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Power Puff - 10/17
Junior Girls v. Senior Girls compete in the annual Power Puff Game! The first half of the game will take place during Highlander Time Flex. The second half of the game will take place during 3rd period.
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Bonfire - 10/17
Thursday Oct. 17th - Come out for a spirited night at the bonfire on the practice softball field @ 6:00 pm. All grades are welcome, s’mores fixings and pizza available while they last! Admission is free.
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Homecoming Dance - 10/19,
8pm - 11 pm
The theme this year is Tangled Under the Lanterns. Tickets for students are on sale now through e-tix. The QR code will be posted in the cafeteria, on the McLeadership Instagram account, grade level Schoology pages, outside of B175 and on the TV screens. Directions for purchasing tickets and bringing guests has been posted on all grade level Schoology pages. See you there!
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College Fair and Look to the Future Events - 10/20-10/22
The annual FCPS College Fair will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at George Mason University’s Eagle Bank Arena from 4:00-6:30 p.m. Approximately 220 colleges and universities will be represented, including two and four-year colleges and US Service Academies. Following the fair, the Two-Night Postsecondary Virtual Event will be held on Monday, October 21, and Tuesday, October 22, 2024, from 5- 8p.m. Both events will help students be better prepared for the next chapter of their educational journey. Students may REGISTER HERE.
Volunteers are needed for the College Fair. SIGN-UP TODAY to help make this event a success for students and their families.
Fall College Planning Panel - 10/21
Our Fall College Planning Panel will be Monday, October 21st.
We will start the program with a mini college fair with all six panelists at 6:00 PM followed by the panel at 6:30 PM.
This panel is geared towards underclassmen as they begin to think about what all is involved in the college application process.
Our panelists represent liberal arts & sciences colleges. If you don’t have a good sense of what these types of colleges offer, this is a great way to learn.
Colby College, Davidson College, Hollins College, Lehigh College, Longwood University and St Olaf College reps will comprise the panel.
National Hispanic Heritage Month - 9/15-10/15
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
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National School Principals Month
Each October, National Principals Month recognizes the essential role that principals play in making a school great.
Principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. Principals set the academic tone for their schools, and it is their vision, dedication, and determination that provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success. Each October, NASSP, NAESP, and AFSA seek to honor these unsung heroes for their tireless efforts in pursuit of excellence in education.
National Principals Month is a widely recognized celebration of the principalship, marked by national and state resolutions supporting the event, as well as acknowledgements from U.S. Senators and Representatives, and top government officials. However, the most important National Principals Month celebrations are the ones that take place in schools and communities across the country.
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Disability History & Awareness Month
Disability History and Awareness Month In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
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National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
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Mock Testing - SAT and ACT
Looking for an opportunity to practice for the 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:
SAT: November 16, 2024; January 11, 2025; April 5, 2025
ACT: 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 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 Studies Basal Resources Review
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
Middle and High School Clinics
FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.
Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 5: Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
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.
January 13, 2025
February 24, 2025
May 12, 2025
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 Marissa Gaines (MAGaines@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
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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