MHS PTSA eNews, January 28, 2026

PTSA Meeting Recap

state

ICYMI: The slides from the "State of the School" Address by Principal Jones at the PTSA's General Membership Meeting on January 21st can be found on the PTSA website here.

 

We also heard from Olivia Zhang – MHS Alumni &  Former SGA President, Harvard Student, Forbes 30 under 30 Recipient, and founder of Cancer Kids First, the world’s largest youth-led cancer nonprofit.

She talked about her experience creating her passion project (Cancer Kids First) while attending MHS and her new book (on preorder now!) with tips on how to start a successful passion project.

To learn more about her passion project or pre-order her book, click here.

olivia

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Opportunity - 

Hearts

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 below to donate a breakfast item from the sign up list this month. Thank you in advance!  

Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA4A822A7FEC07-54898879-202602


Student Resource

Generative AI Capstone opportunity

Inspirit AI is a 25-hour live online program taught by Stanford and MIT graduate students that introduces students to foundational artificial intelligence concepts by building impactful projects such as Early detection of colorectal cancer. Spring applications are due by January 31st

Empower AI

Volunteers Needed for Food Pantry Programs

driver

Food Pantry - Collection Day Drivers Needed

Drivers use an app on their phone that shows them where to go to pick up bags.

  • They drive the route picking up bags from approximately 12 homes 
  • They leave an empty bag, weigh the full bag, but the bag in their vehicle
  • Bring all of the bags to the collection site at Luther Jackson MS where a team of unloaders will empty their vehicle
  • Drivers start at 8:30am and are usually done by 10:00am

The upcoming collection dates are (Saturdays):  3/7/26, 4/25/26. You should be available for at least two dates. Here’s what’s needed to volunteer as a driver:

  • A mobile phone to receive text messages & download our routing app
  • A vehicle large enough to carry about 20–25 full Red Bags
  • We recommend having 1–2 “driver helpers” to collect, weigh, and record donations in the app
  • You should be able to carry a heavy grocery bag down a set of stairs

If you have questions: review our Driver FAQs online, watch this video, or reply to this email: eelnattar@mcleanptsa.org. Our Driver Coordinator will contact you with all the information you’ll need.

weekday calendar

McLean Pantry - Week Day Volunteers Needed

If you have flexibility during the work day and are interested in volunteering to support the McPantry, please reply to this email eelnattar@mcleanptsa.org. We need volunteers to drop off bags to new Red Bag donors homes.

At McLean High School, teachers, student volunteers, and parents have come together to help combat hunger among students! The newly established McLean Pantry is currently collecting individually packaged food items, such as shelf-stable milk cartons, cups of noodles, and more. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Anshu Matalia at

amatalia@mcleanptsa.org.

Food For Neighbors Red Bag Program

Please become a Food For Neighbors Red Bag Donor.

Once you sign-up, FFN will send you a reminder one week prior to the scheduled pickup (March, May, September, November and January). FFN donations are tax-deductible; FFN will provide donation confirmation. 

redbag

Thank you for your support!


McLean Crew Club Mulch Madness 2026

MHS Crew

McLean Crew Club’s annual Mulch Madness weekend is February 28- March 1, 2026 (weather backup dates: March 7-8). Mulch Madness is McLean Crew's single biggest fundraiser.

We’re once again offering 3-cubic-foot bagsof high-quality double-shredded hardwood mulch, with FREE delivery the weekend of February 28–March 1. The more you order, the more you save!

Orders due by February 14th. 

Delivery address must be in zip codes 22101, 22102, 22182, 22043, 22046. Only one delivery address per order allowed. No split deliveries. 15 bag minimum. 

Are you ready to join the Mulch Madness?

Visit: www.mcleancrew.org/mulch to place your order today. 

As a club (not a school-funded team), McLean Crew Club relies entirely on dues from our families and community support. Thank you for your help in keeping rowing accessible and our athletes winning on the water and far beyond it.


McLean PTSA Fundraiser

MHS PTSA

Please Support Our Teachers and Students

- Help Us Reach $51,330!

Dear Parents,

We’re excited to share that the McLean PTSA has raised $45,344 so far — THANK YOU for your generous support!

We still need your help to reach our goal of $51,330 for this school year. Your contributions directly support our teachers, students, and school programs.

We suggest a donation of $180 per family, which includes a $30 PTSA membership, but please know that every contribution, no matter the amount, truly makes a difference.

You can donate using the following links:

Suggested donation

Custom donation


Mock Testing - SAT and ACT

act

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 : April 11, 2026, July 18, 2026

ACT : February 28, 2026; April 25, 2026

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.

Questions? Contact tests@mcleanptsa.org


School Year PTSA Checklist

school

Important Upcoming Dates

January 29 & 30 - Student holidays 


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