PTSA appreciates McLean High School’s Counselors and Security Team
This month, the PTSA celebrated School Counselor Appreciation Week. The PTSA presented gifts filled with entertainment goodies (including cheese board and spreaders, napkins and dishes) to the school counselors in appreciation for all they do for the school community. The PTSA, through the Hospitality Committee, supports staff throughout the year by planning appreciation events such as these gifts. School Counselors, Thank you for all that you do for our community!
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Also this month, the PTSA celebrated McLean’s Security Team and Security Resource Officer, Officer Davis. The PTSA treated the team to a Rocklands BBQ Lunch in appreciation for all they do for the school community. The PTSA, through the Hospitality Committee, supports staff throughout the year by planning appreciation events such as these gifts. Thank you for all that you do for our community!Click to edit this placeholder text. |
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Opportunity -
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
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Student Volunteer Opportunities
Bright Beats – Calling for Volunteers!
Bright Beats is a a youth-led nonprofit providing free and inclusive music experiences to children with diverse learning needs. McLean HS students can volunteer to support music activities, earn service hours, and build leadership and communication skills.
Through afterschool music sessions featuring sing-alongs, rhythm activities, and instrument play, student volunteers help foster joy, connection, and inclusion. The student volunteers makes a meaningful impact on the children served while also helping the volunteers develop empathy, leadership, and hands-on community engagement skills.
Upcoming sessions run bi-weekly at Franklin Sherman Elementary School and monthly at Dolley Madison Library.
No prior music or instrument experience is required - training will be provided.
Sign up: www.brightbeats.org/news-and-events
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Are you a student who needs volunteer hours? Do you remember all of the FUN of going to Fun Fair in elementary school? We’d love for you to volunteer your time to support Fun Fair at Spring Hill Elementary School this spring. We will provide all the verification you need to earn your service hours. Spots fill up fast, so volunteer early!
Click here to volunteer and earn service hours.
Questions? Contact springhillptostudentvolunteers@gmail.com
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MHS SNHS LEGO Donation Drive
The McLean HS Science National Honor Society (SNHS) is hosting a LEGO Donation Drive through March 6th, 2026. Students are encouraged to donate LEGO pieces to support local Title I elementary schools. All donations must be placed in a Ziploc bag or storage container and dropped off in the donation bin located outside the Main Office. |
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Your Voice Matters!
Solar Power at FCPS Schools
Over 6,000 schools nationwide have solar power, but only a handful are in Fairfax County. While FCPS has begun installing solar panels (with projects planned at 34 schools, including MHS) we have 199 schools and centers and we need to move faster.
A 30% federal tax credit currently allows schools to install solar with no upfront cost through a power purchase agreement, saving millions in energy costs over time. However, this tax credit expires soon, with projects required to begin by July 2026 or be completed by the end of 2027.
Solar schools reduce energy costs, provide hands-on STEM learning opportunities, and support FCPS’s climate commitments.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP: Please take a moment to thank Dr. Reid and the School Board for the progress made so far and encourage them to accelerate solar expansion while federal funding remains available.
It only takes a few minutes: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/fcps-solar
Your voice matters. Thank you for your support!
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2026 Chamber Music Series at the Alden Theater
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The Alden Theater has announced the upcoming artists in the 2026 Chamber Music Series and are excited for more music lovers to discover The Alden and experience music as it is meant to be heard: together. A new discount code has been included for MHS faculty, students, parents, families, and friends. Reach out to the Alden if you would like help planning for a group or please use the coupon code and we will see you at the theatre!
Click here for details about the artists coming soon and the coupon code!
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Mock Testing - SAT and 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
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Volunteers Needed for Food Pantry Programs
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.
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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.
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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.
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Thank you for your support!
McLean PTSA Fundraiser
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
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School Year PTSA Checklist
Important Upcoming Dates
March 20 - Student Holiday
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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