 March 31 - Eid al-Fitr (Holiday)
April 1 - Student Holiday
April 3 - Spring College Panel
April 4 - School Librarian Day
April 7-11 - National Assistant Principals Week
April 12 - Passover
April 13 - Theravada New Year
April 14-18 - Spring Break
 Spring Sports are Off to a Strong Start!
Cindy Chan Wins National American Visions Medal for Scholastic Art & Writing!
Congratulations to Cindy Chan for winning the National American Visions Medal for her work entitled Pearfections of a Woman! The American Visions & Voices Nominees is the highest regional honor in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Five works of writing and five works of art are selected by local judges from each region, and these nominees are honored separately at our Regional Awards Ceremony. From the regional nominees, a panel of jurors in New York City selects one writer and one artist to receive an American Voices or American Visions Medal at the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York. The American Visions & Voices Medalists also receive a Gold Medal at the National level.
|
 |
|
Students Crochet Stress Pets for Testing Season
Thanks to PTSA funding, McLean students have made 30 stress pets for students to adopt during testing season.
Interested students and staff can learn more in the library, where the group meets every Thursday after school. Beginners welcome!
|
Julie Gamboa Receives the Health Department WOW Award!
Congratulations to Julia Gamboa for receiving the Health Department WOW Award! From managing care plans for over 60 field trips to completing a staggering 800+ student hearing and vision screenings, she's truly gone above and beyond. Thank you, Julie, for your hard work and commitment to our students' well-being!
|
March 31- Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr, also known as small Eid, marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims congregate that morning for Eid prayers. It is a time of official receptions and private visits, when friends greet one another, presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited. The most common way to wish someone a Happy Eid al-Fitr is Eid Mubarak, which means “blessed feast” (or festival).
|
April 1 - Student Holiday
Tuesday, April 1, is a student holiday and teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
April 3 - Spring College Panel
Save the date! April 3rd is our Spring College Panel opened to all. Admissions reps from James Madison University, George Mason University, Mary Baldwin University, University of Tennessee, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and Universities of California, Riverside will share their insights on the college application process. Come learn what to look for in a college, what makes a good essay, when to apply and more. You can “meet & greet” the panelists starting at 6:00 PM followed by the panel at 6:30 PM in the auditorium.
April 5 - Providence Earth Day Celebration
Supervisor Palchik, in partnership with the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, is hosting a Providence Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 5th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Graham Road Community Building, 3036 Graham Road, Falls Church. This family-friendly event will offer giveaways, food and ice pops and opportunities to connect with neighbors, explore eco-friendly initiatives, and support local vendors. Family-friendly activities include lamb-mowing, interactive craft stations, mobility garden, and other educational opportunities.
|
Saturday Support
We are excited to share that we are expanding our Saturday Support to a second site for the second semester. Students can now attend Saturday Support sessions at McLean High School or Timber Lane Elementary School between 9:00 and 11:00 AM.
Our upcoming Saturday Support sessions will be on April 5 & April 26.
|
 💻FCPS Issued Chromebook for Testing
As we get closer to the spring testing window, all students should be bringing their FCPS issued Chromebook to school daily in preparation for testing. All SOL and AP tests must be completed on the FCPS issued Chromebook. Students should visit the Tech Center prior to Wednesday, April 9th if their device is in need of repair.
Volunteers Needed for Proctoring
McLean HS is giving over 4,400 AP exams between May 5 - May 23. We are asking for parents/guardians to volunteer their time to help proctor so AP testing can run effectively and smoothly. Parents/Volunteers are not allowed to assist with an exam for an AP class their student(s) is currently taking. Sign up here to volunteer your time. Proctoring assistance days and times will be confirmed by March 28th. If you have any questions, please contact the Assessment Coach Elly Donlen (ekdonlen@fcps.edu).
AP Testing Early Release & Late Arrival Pre-Arranged Absence
The main testing window for AP exams is below. With parent/guardian permission, McLean HS students are allowed to be released early following an AP exam and arrive late before their scheduled AP exam. All pre-arranged absence notes (no phone calls or handwritten notes please) are due to Ms. Yates in the attendance office by April 25th. Please keep in mind that all classes will continue with instruction during AP testing, and that students are responsible for all assignments from each class. Here are the links to the early release permission slip, late arrival permission slip, and printed out copies will be available in the main office.
McLean HS SOL Schedule
The main SOL testing dates are below. It is important that your student attend school on these days and get a good night’s rest and eat breakfast before testing. If your student has an unavoidable conflict that could result in missing a testing day, they will be moved to a makeup date. The Virginia Department of Education requires high school students enrolled in an SOL course to take the EOC test if the student needs a verified credit for graduation or if the student has not yet met federal testing requirements (1 Math, 1 Reading, and 1 Biology SOL attempt taken during grades 9-12). Students who have met the testing requirements for graduation and federal accountability do not test. If you have questions about SOL testing, please contact your student’s school counselor. There is no early release or late arrival for students taking SOLs.
April 25: Reading
May 19: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Chemistry, and Earth Science
May 20: Biology
May 21: Geometry
May 22: Social Studies
May 28-30: SOL Retakes
 Save the Date! Class of 2026 College Application Workshop - 7/30-8/1
Attention Juniors! The Student Services Department will be holding our annual College Application Workshop on Wednesday, July 30th and Friday, August 1st. Information covered through this workshop includes: How to get organized, paying for college, The Common App, The SRAR, and kick starting your essay (including an essay book). This is a two-day workshop. Students select either the morning session (8:30am-12:00pm) or the afternoon session (12:30pm-4:00pm). The cost for the workshop is $75. Registration and payment will be completed through MySchoolBucks starting in early April. For now, put this date on your calendar! Students who need financial assistance for this workshop should contact their school counselor.
🎓 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.
Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience.
|
National Arab American Heritage Month
FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
|
Autism Acceptance Month
April is Autism Acceptance Month. One in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States, according to the CDC. Our schools and staff play a vital role in creating and ensuring inclusive environments that accommodate and affirm autistic students.
|
 McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
 In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- School Start Times Survey
- Science Fair Winners
- Celebrating Champion Students and Staff
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
⏰ Coming Soon: School Start Times Survey
Last year, FCPS held community forums and surveyed middle school families regarding middle school start times. Now, we would like to hear from all staff and families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. The goal remains to begin middle school at 8 a.m. or later at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
On April 1, a survey link will be sent by email to staff, parents/caregivers, and students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open for two weeks and will be available in multiple languages.
 McLean HS Tech Support for Students 🖥️
If you are experiencing issues with your FCPS issued laptop, please use the Tech Support Request Form to enter your information. The tech support team will then get back to you as soon as possible.
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 2024-2025 calendar year are below.
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.
 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
 |
|
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. |
|
