Important Upcoming Dates
2024-2025 School Year
October 14 - Indigenous Peoples' Day - Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
October 14-18 - National School Lunch Week
October 14-18 - Digital Citizenship Week
October 17 - Power Puff Game/Bonfire
October 18 - Pep Rally/Homecoming Football Game
October 19 - Homecoming Dance
October 21 - Fall College Panel
October 31 - Quarter End/Early Release
November 1 - Diwali & All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos - all schools and office will be closed
November 3 - Daylight Savings Time (Fall Back)
November 4 - Student Holiday/School Planning Day
November 5 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday/Election Day
November 8 - Yearbook Photo Makeup Day - 9th, 10th, and 11th grades
November 11 - Veterans Day - All schools and offices will be closed
November 12-13 - Fairfax County Youth Survey
November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday - All schools and offices will be closed
Senior Regional Orchestra Members
Congratulations to the students who auditioned for and were accepted into the 2024 Northern Virginia Senior Regional Orchestra! The students listed below auditioned alongside students from Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria City, private and home schools and have been chosen to perform in a full symphony under the direction of Dietrich Parades on November 9th at Hayfield SS. McLean High School is extremely proud to have had so many talented students accepted into this prestigious orchestra!
Violin: Ryan Chun, Sophia Wang & Alice Kim
Viola: Guillermo Javierre Carmona & Livia Nhan
Cello: Chloe Jeong & Caleb Han
Harp: Goldie Woods
Bassoon: Muyang Zhang
Percussion: Fintan Murphy
MHS Marching Band Sweeps 1st Place at Marine Corps Invitational
 Congratulations to our McLean Highlander Marching Band for their second win of the season on Saturday, October 5th! The band traveled to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis to participate in the Marine Corps Invitational. McLean swept the competition and took home 1st Place Overall and awards for Best Music, Best Guard, Best Visual, Best Effect and Best Percussion. Their toe-tapping show, Big Country, brought down the house and topped the 33 band competition with the highest score of the day -- an impressive 88.2 points. Go Highlanders!
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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Digital Citizenship Week - 11/14-11/18
Exciting News! Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has teamed up with Fairfax County Government to bring you a wealth of technology opportunities right in your community.
Discover these valuable resources and learning events:
Find Free WiFi: Need internet access? Check out our list of public hotspots.
Borrow a Computer: Short on devices? Borrow a computer for your family's needs.
Visit Fairfax Access Locations: Explore these convenient locations for tech support and resources.
Take Free Tech Classes: Improve your skills with our free technology workshops.
Technology Tutoring: Get free technology support and tutoring.
Sign up for an ACP Internet Discount: Learn how to save on your internet bill.
Digital Parenting Webinar Recordings: Check out our previous parenting workshops.
Digital Citizenship Tips:
Did you know there are apps and games out there that can actually make your teen smarter? Encourage them to explore beyond the usual social media and try something that challenges their thinking. Think strategy games, coding apps, online courses, or even creative tools for design or music production. And who knows, maybe you'll discover something new together!
Technology can be a wonderful tool for exploration! Encourage students to check out educational apps, documentaries, online courses, or virtual museum tours.
Finding a healthy balance between the digital world and real life is important for our teens. Encourage them to mix up their screen time with activities that get them moving, socializing, and exploring their interests. Think sports, hobbies, volunteering, hanging out with friends – anything that promotes physical and mental well-being. It's all about helping them thrive in all aspects of their lives!
It's easy to get lost in our screens and miss out on real-life connections. Consider setting some tech-free zones at home. Dinner time is a perfect opportunity to put the phones away, have actual conversations, and reconnect as a family. Maybe even try a weekly "unplugged" night – game night, movie night, or just hanging out and talking. Those shared experiences are what build strong family bonds.
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National School Lunch Week - 11/14-11/18
Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is celebrating National School Lunch Week from October 14-October 18. National School Lunch Week (NSLW) is a celebration of the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which provides millions of children a nutritious meal each school day. Last school year, FNS served over 13 million lunches to students! This year’s NSLW theme is “Find Your School Lunch Treasure.”
On October 16, school cafeterias will participate in “X Marks the Tray”, where lucky students can find a sticker on the bottom of their hot entree container randomly. This can be redeemed for our popular whole grain, reduced sugar sweet treat at the end of the lunch period.
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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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2024-25 AP Test Opt-Out Timeline and Fees
As part of the FCPS FY 2025 Approved Budget, FCPS is continuing to assess Advanced Placement (AP) test fees. As in previous years, the fees for the first six AP tests taken for courses in which students are enrolled for high school credit will be paid for by FCPS. Students taking AP tests without enrolling in the corresponding FCPS course are responsible for the test fee(s).
FCPS encourages all students to take AP tests for courses in which they are enrolled. However, students will have the opportunity to opt-out of the test(s) by filling out an Opt-Out form to be provided by the student's 3rd period teacher on Tuesday, October 15th. To assist in the decision-making process, students will be provided a report with their previous tests and current AP course enrollment. AP students must make Opt-Out decisions by October 31st. Parents/Guardians will be billed a $99 non-refundable test fee for AP exams in December 2024 for tests that exceed the six FCPS-funded tests. All Opt-Out forms are due to the box located in Student Services by October 31st. When a student turns in their form, they must sign their name on the list acknowledging their Opt-Out form has been turned in.
2025 AP Testing
Reference the College Board 2025 AP exam dates site for dates of AP Exams. If you have any questions or need an AP Opt-Out form reprinted please contact our Assessment Coach Elly Donlen at ekdonlen@fcps.edu.
PSAT & SAT School Day Score Release
Students who participated in the Digital PSAT & SAT School Day on Wednesday, October 9th will be able to access their scores via their College Board account on October 24th beginning at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions about score reporting, please contact your counselor or Ms. Donlen.
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.
National Honor Society Inductees
Congratulations to our 2024-25 MHS National Honor Society Inductees. Newly accepted students received emails of their acceptance on Friday, October 11th. Information about the induction ceremony will follow in the upcoming weeks.
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.
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End of 1st Quarter & Early Dismissal - 10/31
Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.
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Diwali & Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day - 11/1
(Schools and offices are closed)
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Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.
Diwali - Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs & some Buddhists. The festival represents the symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
All Saints Day and Día de los Muertos - For Catholics, All Saints Day (November 1) celebrates all those who are with God in Heaven, known and unknown. All Souls Day (November 2), known in Mexico and Latin America as Día de los Muertos, is a day of remembrance and prayer for all those who have died, especially for the souls who may be in purgatory. These special days are celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, and some Protestants throughout the world.
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Daylight Saving Time Ends (Fall Back) - 11/3
This Sunday, November 3, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
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School Planning,Teacher Workday, & Election Day - 11/4-11/5
Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
Don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5! The day will be observed as a holiday for students and a teacher work day. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Elections webpage.
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Veterans Day - 11/11
Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.
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Fairfax County Youth Survey - 11/12 & 11/13
The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people.
McLean High School will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey on Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13 during all tenth and twelfth grade English classes.While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete this form and return it to your child's school counselor no later than November 8, 2024. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.
Celebrating the Power of School Lunches
Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers.
This School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. Also, new menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus.
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:
- 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.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
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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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. |
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