Important Upcoming Dates
February 3-7 - National School Counseling Week
February 15 - National SRO Appreciation Day
February 17 - Presidents Day - Student Holiday
February 24 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Seminar
February 28 - Ramadan Begins at Sundown
Theatre McLean Places 2nd at the VHSL One Act Competition!
Congratulations to Theatre McLean for placing second at the VHSL district One Act Competition and moving on to the regional level with their play At the Bottom of Lake Missoula. The regional competition will take place at Marshall HS on Wednesday February 5th. McLean will perform at 5:30 pm. Please come out and support!
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Science Olympiad Earned 4th Overall at Virginia Tech Invitational
At the Virginia Tech Invitational on February 1, McLean's Science Olympiad team competed against 21 highly competitive teams and earned 4th place overall, bringing home medals in 12 out of 23 events and a team trophy.
Here are McLean's individual event results:
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Anatomy and Physiology – 4th place
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Astronomy – 4th place
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Disease Detectives – 3rd place
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Ecology – 3rd place
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Electric Vehicle – 2nd place
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Experimental Design – 3rd place
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Geological Mapping – 5th place
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Microbe Mission – 3rd place
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Optics – 5th place
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Robot Tour – 5th place
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Tower – 2nd place
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Write It Do It – 2nd place
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National School Counseling Week - 2/3-2/7
February 3-7 is National School Counseling Week, and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
National School Reource Officer Appreciation Day - 2/15
The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) encourages schools and communities to recognize the valuable work of their school resource officers (SROs) during National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day on February 15 of every year. National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day was established in 2022 to recognize the valuable work of School Resources Officers. Learn more about NASRO and SRO Appreciation Day.
Presidents Day - 2/17
Presidents Day, officially recognized in the United States, is celebrated on the third Monday in February each year. It is a time to honor and remember the birthdays and achievements of the country's most distinguished leaders, and to reflect on the president's role in shaping the nation's history and development. Students should have the opportunity to engage in meaningful and enduring learning experiences that explore the remarkable history and impactful contributions of American presidents.
Resources for Presidents Day are available for teachers via this social studies Presidents Day 180 Doc. Teachers and school leaders will find ideas for classroom learning experiences across content areas and grade levels. These resources have been curated specifically for the social studies curriculum, but are available and accessible for any content area.
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Schedule Change Deadline for 24-25 School Year is February 12, 2025
While the deadline to change electives has passed, schedule change requests to move to a different level of a core course are still possible until February 12. Any student considering a schedule change to a different level of a class at this point in the school year will need to submit the schedule change request packet to their counselor by February 12. All schedule change requests will be reviewed and must be approved by the content area administrator. After this date, students will need to finish the school year in the courses they are currently taking. Please reach out to your counselor if you would like to request a schedule change.
Course Selection
Students are meeting with their counselors to discuss course selection for the next school year based on the below schedule.
- 2/4-2/20 – Current 11th graders through history classes
- 2/21-3/6 – Current 9th graders through science classes
🎓 Graduation Requirements and Planning
Planning which courses to take next year — and in future years — must be given considerable thought. Students and families should review the Graduation Requirements and Course Planning webpage to make informed decisions while planning for success in high school and beyond.
School-life balance is an important consideration for students as they strive for academic and personal success. Resources to support course selection for next year include our Academic Advising website (which includes our course catalog and course selection sheets), your student’s current teachers, and your student’s school counselor. This FCPS Curriculum webpage may also be helpful.
Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter
Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps.
Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.
Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVue Learn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.
7th Semester Transcripts for Seniors
Senior 7th semester transcripts will be sent to all colleges where seniors have requested transcripts be sent between February 10th and 13th.
February Is Career and Technical Education 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 including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Since this is an elective, course offerings may vary by school. Learn more on the FCPS CTE webpage.
CTE also offers summer programs for students to explore their programs. Enroll now!
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McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
📍 Virtual Community Boundary Review Meetings
If you have not been able to attend a Community Boundary Review meeting yet, it’s not too late! The following virtual meetings will have the same format and information available as the previous in-person meetings:
Click one of the dates above to register and receive your unique Zoom link. Please note that each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
📝 Application for the 2025 Student Representative to the School Board
The School Board student representative represents the interests of Fairfax County Public Schools students. The student representative is not a member of the School Board but serves in a nonvoting, advisory capacity. Students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 are eligible to apply.
Watch this video to learn about the student representative experience from the current representative, Megan Sawant.
Application Information and Deadlines
To be considered for the election, students are required to provide:
- A written component, which is due Monday, February 24.
- A 30-second candidate video statement, which is due Wednesday, March 26. Candidates will be emailed a link to record their video on Monday, March 17.
Both application components are required to be considered for the election. Read more about the election process.
Proposed Budget Presented to School Board
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23. Watch a video of the presentation.
As Dr. Reid noted in her January 24 letter to families, “The budget is fiscally responsible and invests in excellence — not just for FCPS, but for all of us in Fairfax County who want a strong community with successful young people, dedicated educators and support staff, and a thriving economy.”
The proposed budget reflects the needs of and FCPS’ commitments to Fairfax County students, families, and community members. It focuses on competitive compensation, including a 7.0% salary increase for all staff to recruit and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students; investing in students who require additional support; and continuing multiyear initiatives such as inclusive preschool and safety and security updates.
Learn more on the Budget webpage.
Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
SR&R and Cell Phone Policy Survey
All FCPS families and middle and high school students have received an invitation to participate in a survey about FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R), cell phone policy, and cell phone storage options. The survey will be available through Monday, February 3. Please take a few moments to share your feedback and help FCPS make informed, inclusive decisions for all of our schools!
🏅 Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.
Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.
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.
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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