McLean HS: Dr. Reilly's Monday Message 11/11/24

Important Upcoming Dates

2024-2025 School Year

November 11 - Veterans Day - All schools and MHS offices will be closed

November 12-13 - Fairfax County Youth Survey

November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday - All schools and offices will be closed


MHS Students Thank Our Veterans

MHS Students Thank Our Veterans

McLean High School's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps want to thank all the veterans in our community for their service.  Photo arranged by student library volunteer Claire Church.  

During November the library is hosting a veteran's card writing station for students to write letters for veterans and active duty military.  These letters will be donated to Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit that supports service members and vets.


This Week

Veterans Day

Veterans Day - 11/11

Student Holiday, McLean HS offices closed

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.


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.


Outstanding Employee Awards

Outstanding Employee Awards Program - 11/4-11/15

Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards! To submit a nomination for a McLean High School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through the Google form links below. Links contain information on eligilbility and common positions in each category. 

Outstanding Teacher  

Outstanding New Teacher 

Outstanding Principal

Outstanding Leader  

Outstanding Professional Employee  

Outstanding Operational Employee 

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Sobota at jmsobota@fcps.edu.


Coming Up

Sense & Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility - 11/21-11/24

A comedic adaptation of Jane Austen’s timeless novel, Kate Hamill’s Sense and Sensibility tells the tale of two sisters and their recently widowed family. Forced out of their home, the stoic Elinor and her hopeless romantic sister Marianne meet a variety of characters, finding friends, enemies, and… love? A wacky, dramatic, and playful retelling of this classic, bring friends and family to see Theatremclean’s Sense and Sensibility! Tickets can purchased at TheatreMcLean.org

November 21st thru 23rd @ 7pm

November 23rd and 24th @ 2pm

Adults - $15

Students $10


Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving - 11/27-11/29

Schools and offices will be closed November 27-29. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Classes will resume on Monday, December 2. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving.


From Student Services

SIS ParentVUE Access

The live gradebook in ParentVUE and StudentVUE will reopen on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:00 am.

Qtr 1 Report cards are currently available for viewing on the "documents" tab in SIS ParentVUE. If you would like a printed copy of your student’s report card please email Molly Payne at mspayne@fcps.edu.


   

Schedule Changes & Withdrawal Deadline - 11/18

The deadline to withdraw from a class without a grade penalty (i.e. the class will not appear on the transcript) is Monday, November 18th. After this time, a withdrawal grade (WP or WF) will be required on the transcript if a student is dropping a class. While the deadline to change electives has passed, schedule change requests to change to a different level of a core course will still be considered through the end of the 2nd quarter.


Looking for Service Hours? 

Lemon Road is hosting a Family Night on Thursday, November 21st. They are looking for high school students to help us and earn service/volunteer hours. 

Date: Thursday, November 21

Location:  Lemon Road Elementary School

Time:  5:15 PM – 7:15 PM (includes set up and clean up)

Link to Sign Up Genius: LRES Family Night Volunteers


Supporting Highlanders

McLean High School Band Fruit Sale

McLean HS Band Fruit Sale - now through 11/15

Looking for a healthy way to support the McLean High School Band? Stock up on citrus and more during their Annual Fruit Sale! Choose from navel oranges, mandarin oranges, grapefruit, pears, and a fruit sampler – all of which would make great gifts for yourself or others this holiday season.

The Fruit Sale is open now through Friday, November 15th. Orders will be available for pick-up at the Holiday Bazaar at McLean High School on Saturday, December 14th from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Unfortunately, shipping is unavailable. 

Orders may be placed online at the following link: https://floridafruitstore.com/McLeanHSBand. For questions, please contact fruitsale@mcleanband.org.

Thank you for your continued support of our nationally recognized music program!


Turkey Trot

McLean HS Crew Club Turkey Trot 5K

Please join McLean High School Crew Club, in partnership with Langley Crew Club, on Saturday, November 30 at 9 am for a Turkey Trot 5K. The friendly rivals are joining together as ONE team to support and strengthen rowing in our McLean and Great Falls community. Proceeds from the event will be shared equally between the two teams.

Register here

In addition to a scenic 5K run, there will be a dj with music and a coffee truck for specialty coffee and hot chocolate, starting at 8 am on the day of the trot.  For those who cannot join in person, please consider registering for the virtual trot.

Grab your friends and family, and let’s run/walk!

Registration Fee:  5K:$50 November 2 through Race Day 


November Spotlights

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. 


CTE Month

National Career Development Month

By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs


McLean HS PTSA

McLean Matters

McLean Matters Holiday Gift Card Drive for Our Students-in-Need Begins Today!

McLean High School has approximately 300 students who are at or below the poverty level. Some are homeless. If you would like to contribute to this important community effort to support our MHS students in need, please click HERE to Sign-Up to donate $25 or $50 gift cards to SafewayTarget, or Walmart. All donations go directly to McLean High School families to assist them over the winter holiday.

There are three ways you can purchase Gift Cards:

  1. Go to a Safeway, Target, or Walmart store and purchase gift card(s) for $25 or $50
  2. Go online to Safeway Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, or Walmart Gift Cards and purchse "plastic gift card(s)" to mail/drop off to Jennifer Hill
  3. Go online to Safeway eGift Cards, Target eGift Cards, Or Walmart eGift Cards and purchase "electronic gift card(s)" print out the paper copy and mail/drop off to Jennifer Hill

Please use the following address for all mailed gift cards:

c/o Jennifer Hill

McLean High School

1633 Davidson Road

McLean VA 22101

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please indicate the $ amount of the gift card(s) on the card or envelope when you mail/drop them off.

Gift cards are needed by Friday, December 6th.

Let's show our fellow Highlanders some love this holiday season because McLean Matters!

If you have any questions, please contact McLean Matters Chair, Emma Blankenbaker at eblankenbaker@verizon.net.


White House Ornament Fundraiser

2024 White House Ornament Fundraiser

The McLean PTSA is offering the Official 2024 White House Ornaments as a fundraiser. This year, the Official White House Christmas Ornament honors President Jimmy Carter. The ornament has an anchor shape, an iconic symbol of hope, which represents Carter's service in the United States Navy and highlights historic moments from his life and presidency. The ornament is made from solid brass, finished in 24-karate gold, and screen printed with exquisite colors. Each ornament comes in a keepsake box with a ribbon for hanging and an illustrated booklet on the Carter presidency. Perfect gift for your family, friends, staff, and clients!

Plus, your purchase supports the Graduation Party for the Class of 2025.

Price: $27. Ornaments can be ordered HERE until December 2nd. After your purchase, you will be able to pick up the ornament from the school during the Holiday Bazaar on December 14.

Questions - Email Pam Williams at angp@mcleanptsa.org


McLean High School PTSA Information

Here are some quick links:


From FCPS

Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners’ Day of Service

Our Voices, Our Future: A Multilingual Learners Day of Service is available to FCPS high school students as an opportunity to explore multilingualism as a strength in developing leadership and advocacy skills. The event will be held Saturday, November 16, 9-11:30 a.m., at Edison High School. José Luis Zelaya, who spoke at last year's Multilingual Learners Summit, will be a special guest.

High school students are invited to network with their peers and staff, and learn how their interests and strengths can lead to future success. College and career readiness resources will be available. Students should register in advance and bring their FCPS laptops to the workshop.   

Learn more about the event and watch videos from previous multilingual learner events


Boundary Review

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.


IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.


Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.


Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.


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


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)


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.