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Helping Highlanders - Giving Tuesday Arrives Early for McLean Matters
It is our last call for this calendar year to support 300 MHS Students-in-Need, which is 10% of the student body. We still need 151 gift cards for $25 and $50. All gift cards go directly to the families for their grocery needs. This year has been a struggle for many but elimination of federal support programs and rising costs of living have adversely impacted families who are already at, or below, the poverty line. There are fewer weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break this year. This personal story is too important to wait, we must allow time for donations to arrive before winter break.
Please Read One Student’s Story
One of Mclean’s Seniors immigrated to the United States three years ago to escape domestic violence, gang activity, and threats of kidnapping. Adjusting to a new culture, language, and environment brought significant challenges to this Family-In-Need whose already difficult situation was made exponentially worse by a devastating fire six months ago. They lost everything. The family temporarily found shelter but the mom and grandmother had to separate, they lived with a cousin while the Senior and her sister lived with a friend. Two months ago they were able to move into a one bedroom apartment for all four of them. They have a TV, a shelf, but no couch, chairs, or table. They lost clothes and do not have winter coats. The student is employed 25 hours per week to supplement her mother’s income, but their income is insufficient to cover rent and all of their other expenses as they work to rebuild their lives.
Despite the hardship, the Senior is a conscientious student and remains focused on her goal to graduate from high school. She learned English, became proficient to succeed academically, and maintains good grades while working. The Student’s journey demonstrates her resilience and perseverance, working tirelessly to support her family. She has turned adversity into an opportunity for growth. She is an inspiration!
Unfortunately, the student indicates that their family’s food and other resources are scarce. Referrals to community-based agencies, such as the local foodbank, have lowered their expenses. The social worker and counselor consistently support the student, and offer positive affirmations to reinforce her ultimate goal: to graduate in June 2025!
Your donation makes an immediate impact on MHS families in need, so please consider donating gift cards for $25 or $50. You can donate one, two, or many gift cards, here’s how:
STEP 1: Click HERE to Sign-Up to donate gift cards.
STEP 2: There are three ways you can purchase gift cards:
- Go to a Safeway, Target, or Walmart store and purchase gift card(s) for $25 or $50
- Go online to Safeway Gift Cards, Target Gift Cards, or Walmart Gift Cards and purchase “plastic gift card(s)” to mail/drop off to Jennifer Hill.
- 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please indicate the $ amount of the gift card(s) on the envelope when you mail/drop them off.
Please use the following address for all mailed gift cards:
c/o Jennifer Hill
McLean High School
1633 Davidson Road
McLean VA 22101
The deadline for Gift Cards is extended to Friday, December 13th, so that the cards can be distributed before the winter break.
We are grateful for your generosity and charitable donation.
With much gratitude,
The McLean Matters Committee
eblankenbaker@verizon.net
Teacher & Staff Appreciation
Friday Breakfast Station
The PTSA organizes a weekly Friday Breakfast Station during the year stocked with contributions by fellow McLean HS families. The Friday Breakfast Station is set up in the front office and teachers & staff are grateful each week for your donations. Please click on the link to donate a breakfast item from the sign up list this month. Thank you in advance!
Friday's December Dates are: 12/06, 12/13, 12/20
Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA4A822A7FEC07-46666220-202412#/
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Health & Wellness
“Therapy Dogs Tuesday” 12/03
Our therapy dog friends will return on Tuesday, December 3, from 11:00am-1:30pm. We are expecting three pups: Raven, Charlie, and Daisy.
Our thanks to the PTSA Health & Wellness Committee for organizing! Dates for therapy dogs visit in 2025: 1/07, 2/04, 3/04, 4/03(Thursday), 5/06. Please contact health.wellness@mcleanptsa.org for more information.
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Fundraisers
“Giving Thanks by Giving Back”
Dear McLean Parents,
Thanks to your generous support, the “Giving Thanks by Giving Back” campaign has raised $5,570 so far!
The annual campaign for the 2024-2025 school year has raised a total of $43,782. To reach our goal of $51,000, we need to raise an additional $7,218. We are aiming for 40 families to contribute a recommended amount of $180 each.
By donating $180, families can choose one of the following thank-you gifts:
- A red McLean insulated water bottle
- A $30 Peter Chang gift card
- A 5x7 red or gray McLean High School engraved leather picture frame
We are so close to reaching this year’s fundraising goal! Your continued support is essential to ensuring that wonderful things continue to happen in the McLean High School community. Thank you for making a difference and helping us reach our goal!
Please consider making a donation using this link:
https://mclean.givebacks.com/store/items/1134675 or scan the following QR code:
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If you have any other great fundraising ideas, feel free to reach out to fundraising@mcleanptsa.org.
2024 White House Ornaments 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
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The McLean HS Choir Fundraisers
The McLean HS Choir program has a trip to Iceland planned where the students will perform in several large venues. The program needs to raise funds to be able to provide scholarships for those kids who need them and to cover the costs of the program not otherwise covered by the school like uniforms. The choirs have a couple of fundraisers coming up and they would greatly appreciate your participation! Here is the information:
BigBuns - 12/04
- When: All day event - just mention McLean choirs with your orders.
- Location: 1330 Chain Bridge
Holiday Sing-a-thon - 12/07
The choirs will be singing holiday tunes around McLean and Falls Church to raise funds for the program. You can come and see them at the following locations and times:
- Fresh Baguette from 8-noon
- McLean Giant from 8-noon
- McLean Chesapeake Bagels from 8-10
- Chesterbrook Starbucks from 10-noon
- Falls Church farmers' market from 8-noon
- Greenberries from 8-noon
McLean and Langley Crew Clubs'
Turkey Trot 5K Fundraiser
Please join McLean Crew Club and 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:
https://potomac.enmotive.com/events/register/2024-langley-crew-turkey-trot-5k
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 through Nov 28th
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SAT and ACT - Mock Testing and Testing Resources
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 : January 11, 2025; April 5, 2025
ACT : 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.
To register for SAT practice tests, click here.
To register for ACT practice tests, click here.
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.
For additional testing resources, see the following:
Princeton Review is offering a 20% off promo code for McLean families when purchasing their study courses. See princetonreview.com and use promo code READY4COLLEGE.
Marigold Prep is offering a Free PSAT/SAT Starter Kit (typically $200) which includes:
- Proprietary PSAT/SAT workbooks
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4 hours of pre-recorded tutoring sessions that cover the content and strategic knowledge required to master the PSAT and SAT
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2 hours of pre-recorded webinars that cover everything you need to know as a parent or educator
- Infographics to help you stay up-to-date and plan
Click Here To Enroll
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Questions? Contact tests@mcleanptsa.org
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School Year PTSA Checklist
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Important Upcoming Dates
November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Holiday - All schools and offices will be closed
December 23 - January 3 - Winter Break
Helpful Links
Attendance Bell Schedule Red/Silver Calendar Office and Support Staff
Student Services Student Activities Special Education Resources
Teacher Office Hours Substance Abuse Prevention
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