McLean HS: Monday Message 03/02/26

March 4 - Class of 2026 Parent Meeting

March 8 - Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring Forward)

March 9 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Presentation

March 16 - SEL Screener (Spring Administration)

Upcoming Events


March 4 - Class of 2026 Parent Meeting

There will be a meeting for Senior parents to discuss all upcoming events for the class of 2026 at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, March 4th in the Auditorium. The meeting will touch on important dates and information about Senior Dues, HIP, Prom, Senior Trip to a Nationals Game, Senior Exam Schedule, Graduation Rehearsals, Convocation, Baccalaureate, and Graduation.


March 8 - Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring Forward)

Daylight Saving Begins on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m., don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour!

As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.


March 9 - Partners in Safe Teen Driving Presentation

Seminar will be held in-person from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Auditorium. Please arrive early. Doors will close promptly at 6:30 PM. 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 date for 3rd Quarter is below.

March 9, 2026

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.


March 16 - SEL Screener (Spring Administration)

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-12 in March. Students complete the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop the skills they need to succeed. These skills include achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. At McLean High School, students in grades 9-12 will take the spring administration of the SEL Screener on Monday, March 16 during HT4.

After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who do not have a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. Contact Jenna Jablonski (jmjablonski@fcps.edu), Director of Student Services, with any questions.


Student Achievement

Do you know a student, club, or team that has done something amazing? We want to hear about it! We're looking for accomplishments big or small to feature on the school website and in our weekly newsletter. Whether it's an academic achievement, an athletic victory, a creative project, or an act of community service, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible things happening at McLean. Please fill out our Google Form to submit an accomplishment. To see a full list of student accomplishments, check out the Student Recognitions page on the McLean website.


Five smiling students posing with individual "First Amendment freedoms" shirts in front of a high school wall sign.

McLean High School Recognized Again with First Amendment Press Freedom Award.

Congratulations to our incredible student journalists! McLean High School has once again been recognized with the prestigious First Amendment Press Freedom Award, one of only 26 schools selected globally this year.

This honor, awarded by a committee including the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association, celebrates schools that actively protect student-run media and the First Amendment rights of both students and teachers. McLean was selected for our commitment to student-led content.

We are so proud of our team’s dedication to excellence and look forward to them being honored this April at the National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis!


McLean Highlanders team and host posing at the desk on the "It's Academic" game show set

McLean Quiz Bowl Students have Great Showing on It's Academic

Shout out to our academic giants, Edward Burros, Angelika Tzioumis, Sam Cohen, and alternate Eddie Lin who competed on It’s Academic! It was a thrilling match against Maret School and Georgetown Day School in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to the team for a stellar performance. Go Highlanders!


Meal Kits for Fasting Students

From February 18 to March 19 2026, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends. Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. Please note important details below:

  • Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day. 
  • Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day. Adults are not permitted to collect them.
  • Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.

Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the following deadlines:

  • February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
  • March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
  • March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026

Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.


Safety and Security

Pedestrian Gate Access

Please be aware of the schedule for walking path gates at McLean High School

Time of Day Gate Status
Morning Arrival Open for student arrival
During School Hours Locked (starting when classes begin)
Afternoon Dismissal Open for students leaving campus
After School and Overnight Open (until next school morning)

Wednesday Workshop

Every Wednesday from 3-4:30pm we invite interested students to attend Wednesday Workshop to receive support in the core content areas, homework completion, and executive functioning (planning & organization). Wednesday Workshop typically takes place in the library and transportation is provided home from the school via school bus. Buses depart at 4:45 PM. Any questions? Please reach out to Ms. Ashley Lowry (aclowry@fcps.edu).

Advertisement for MHS Wednesday Workshop after School Event

FCPS News Banner

FCPS This Week

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

  • The FCPS Budget
  • School Safety 
  • Community Conversations

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  


McLean PTSA

McLean High School PTSA Information

Here are some quick links:


Heart-shaped poster with "Volunteers: The HEART OF The Community. Thank You!" and colorful decorations and signatures.

Register for Volunteer FCPS

Your time supports our students in powerful ways. Help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.

Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias.

Visit the Volunteer FCPS website to complete a volunteer orientation. View Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels. 


Weekly Reminders

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.


PSTD Night: Partners in Safe Teen Driving Presentation

All seminars will be held in-person from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM in the Auditorium. Please arrive early. Doors will close promptly at 6:30 PM. 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 2025 - 2026 school year are below.

March 9, 2026

May 11, 2026

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.


History Conference Opportunity with Fairfax County History Commision

Students, teachers, and community members are invited to participate in the Fairfax County History Conference. Participating students are eligible for service hours, while participating teachers are eligible for Continuing Education Credits.

🗓️ Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Fairfax County Government Center

Opportunities Include:

  • Volunteer (Greeter, registration, hospitality, wayfinding, etc.)
  • History Showcase Display: Create a display about Fairfax County history tied to your school or community. Individual and team projects are welcome.
  • Trivia Show Contestant *HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ONLY* (High School Students vs. School Board Members — format subject to change)

Tell Us How You’d Like to Participate - REGISTER HERE

Join historians, educators, and community members for a day of exploration highlighting Fairfax County’s role in the American Revolution. As part of #Fairfax250, the conference examines the causes, conflict, and consequences of the Revolution—and how Fairfax both shaped and was shaped by this pivotal era. Don’t miss dynamic panels with George Mason University faculty and students, interactive activities, hands-on archaeology, genealogy sessions, digital research tools, student exhibits, and opportunities to connect with local history organizations.


No-Cost Mental Health Teletherapy for All High School Students

Is your student experiencing anxiety, behavior changes, or challenges with peer and family relationships? If so, you may refer your child for weekly therapy with a licensed therapist through Hazel Health. Visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for information on this service.


Become Unskippable: Share the Facts About Fentanyl With Teens

Talking with teens about the facts of fentanyl is a conversation you can’t skip. Learning about fentanyl gives teens a better understanding of the risks and effects of the drug, and what they can do to keep themselves and their communities safe.

Share these important facts with your child:

  • Even half a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal. Just a few salt-sized grains of fentanyl are enough to cause an overdose.
  • More than half of local street pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl. As of 2023, seven in
10 counterfeit pills in the U.S. contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose.
  • Fentanyl is usually taken accidentally. Many people have no idea they’ve taken it until they overdose because you can’t see, smell, or taste it in pills and powders.
  • Overdose can happen in an instant. In as little as four minutes, the lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and even death.

Learn more about how to have conversations with your child in a way that will make you Become Unskippable.


Social-Emotional Support

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


Quick Links

Bell Schedule

 

Bell Schedule and Red/Silver Calendar

McLean HS

 

McLean High School Website

Parking Information

 

Student Parking Information

Calendar

 

FCPS School Year Calendar

Student Information

 

Student Information System (SIS)


FCPS Cares

FCPS Cares

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.