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August 18, 20, 21 - Health Room Summer Collection Dates
August 20 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - New Student Orientation
August 20 (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM) - New Student Parent Information Night
August 24 - First Day of School
Upcoming Events
August 18, 20, 21 - Health Room Summer Collection Dates
The Health Room will be open to accept health forms and medications on the following dates:
- Tuesday, August 18th (1 PM - 5 PM)
- Thursday, August 20th (10 AM - 2 PM)
- Friday, August 21st (7:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
See the Summer Information section below for more details.
August 20 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - New Student Orientation
Rising 9th grade students and transfer students are invited to attend New Student Orientation on Thursday, August 20th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Bus transportation for this event will be provided from all feeder elementary schools and Longfellow Middle School. More detailed information will be shared closer to the event date.
August 20 (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM) - New Student Parent Information Night
We will hold an information night for parents of 9th grade students and transfer students to McLean on Thursday, August 20th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. We will review topics such as schedules, communications, extra-curricular activities, and high school credits. More detailed information will be shared closer to the event date.
August 24 - First Day of School
Monday, August 24, is the first day of school. See the complete school year calendar.
FCPS parents, students, and staff members are invited to share their favorite pictures or videos from the first day of school on social media using the hashtag #FirstDayFairfax. Follow FCPS and your school on social media to see photos and videos throughout the school year!
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.
Back-to-School Information
Medications, Emergency Contacts, Health Room, and More
Our goal is for students to experience a healthy and safe school year. You can help by following current medication procedures and updating emergency contact and health information for your students.
Medications:
Students cannot carry or self-administer medication at school except for pre-authorized emergency medications. Medications (prescription and over the counter) are stored and administered in the Health Room. If a student is found with unauthorized medication, a member of our administrative team will secure the medication and contact a parent/guardian to pick it up. All medications require a new Authorization Form each school year.
The Health Room is open to accept health forms and medications on:
- August 18th (1pm–5pm)
- August 20th (10am–2pm)
- August 21st (7:30am–noon)
- Anytime during the school year between 8am-2:30pm (please check in at the Main Office first).
Please provide prescription medications in original containers with a pharmacy label (30-day supply or less). The information on the completed Authorization Form (ex: dosage, timing, frequency) must match the pharmacy label. We accept over-the-counter medications in original, unopened containers (up to 100 pills).
Emergency Contact and Health Information:
Starting July 24th, you could update emergency contact and health information in SIS as part of the Online Verification/Update Packet. If you prefer paper versions of the Emergency Care Information and Health Information Forms, you may complete them at any time.
If you have medication-related questions or would like to discuss student health concerns over the summer, please contact our Public Health Nurse, Heather Allison, at hallison@fcps.edu. If you have questions about dropping off medications, please contact our School Health Aide, Julie Gamboa, at jgamboa@fcps.edu on or after August 13th.
New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall
This fall, every FCPS student will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a divisionwide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school.
Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.
All students at our school will need to wear their student ID cards throughout the school day. We will be handing out the new student ID cards the first few weeks of school. More details will be shared soon.
Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
Updated Cellphone Policy: No Phones or Devices During Lunch for High School Students
Senate Bill 108 is a new Virginia law that went into effect on July 1. It requires that all schools in the state follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy and prohibit cellphone possession and use for the entire school day. The updated FCPS Cellphone Policy aligns with this law, which means high school students are no longer able to use cellphones, cellphone accessories, or smart devices (like smart glasses, earbuds, headsets, and other items connected to the phone) during lunchtime.
Across all grade levels, cellphones, cellphone accessories, and all smart devices must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day. Watches that serve a dual purpose (like a smartwatch) must be off and personally stored for the duration of the school day, too. Personal devices that connect to a cellphone or cellphone accessory or operate as a smart device must also follow the FCPS Cellphone Policy.
This policy does not apply to school-issued devices. However, school-issued devices must be used in accordance with FCPS Regulation 6410, Acceptable Use Policy, which allows the use of school-issued devices for educational purposes. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
Student Services
Support your Child's Success in SIS ParentVUE
Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success! Caregivers can view important information like attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores through ParentVUE.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. It is available online and as a mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVue account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up to date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View additional details about ParentVUE.
Activate Your ParentVUE Account to Stay Connected:
On Wednesday, July 29, FCPS families who hadn't activated their ParentVUE account received an email with the subject “Fairfax County Public Schools ParentVUE Activation Letter.”
The email included instructions to activate a ParentVUE account. If you don’t have an account and didn’t receive the email, please check your spam folder or open a Parent Support Request.
All families are encouraged to activate their accounts as soon as possible to ensure they receive immediate access to important student information and school communications.
For assistance activating your account, please contact our Student Information Assistant, Molly Payne (MSPayne@fcps.edu). For technical support, create a Parent Support Request.
Testing Information
SAT School Day and PSAT/NMSQT 2026
SAT School Day and PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) exams will be held at each high school, including ours, on Wednesday, October 7, at no cost to families. The digital SAT School Day exam is offered to 12th grade students, and the digital PSAT/NMSQT exam is provided to 10th and 11th grade students.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities and Multilingual Learner Supports:
Because these exams are operated by the College Board, students do not automatically receive testing accommodations or multilingual learner (ML) supports. If you have a student with disabilities entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, please review the accommodations request process. Forms were due to the school by Monday, August 3, to request new or updated College Board testing accommodations.
If you have a multilingual learner (ML) entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade, please review the ML support request process and return forms by Thursday, August 27, if you wish to request ML supports for the October 2026 PSAT/NMSQT or SAT School Day.
For questions about the College Board accommodations and supports request process, please contact Rob Bouchard (rabouchard1@fcps.edu) for students with IEPs and Bethany Davis (bsdavis@fcps.edu) for students with 504s and multilingual learners.
Find out more about SAT and PSAT assessments in FCPS.
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.
Applications Open: Global Leaders of Fairfax County Fellowship (2026–2027)
Applications are now open for rising seniors interested in becoming Fellows in the Global Leaders of Fairfax County program for the 2026–2027 school year!
About the Program
Running from September 2026 through May 2027, this hybrid program (in-person and virtual) requires a commitment of a few hours per month. As a Fellow, you will:
- Design and lead a project addressing a UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) in Fairfax County.
- Connect with national and international leaders.
- Participate in field trips exploring global issues and international affairs.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion upon finishing the program.
Student Application Process
- Application Form: Complete the Global Leaders Fellowship Application Form.
- Deadline: Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Important: You must use a personal Gmail account to apply. The form is blocked from student @fcpsschools.net accounts.
For full program details, please visit the Global Leaders of Fairfax County Website.
Back-to-School Immunization Requirements
Make sure your child has all of their required immunizations before the first day of school. Check their immunization records to see what they might be missing. You can:
- Request immunization records online through the Virginia Immunization Information System (a free service).
- If your child was immunized outside of Virginia, get records from those states’ systems.
- Request records from your health care provider. Some may charge for copies.
Review school-required immunizations to verify that your child is up to date.
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th and 12th Graders
Several immunizations are required for students entering 7th and 12th grades.
- All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 and 12, but can be given as early as 9 years old.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
- All students entering 12th grade are to receive two doses of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) prior to the beginning of school.
- To meet the MenACWY 12th grade requirement, one dose must be administered at age 16 or older.
As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
Where to Receive Immunizations
If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your family’s healthcare provider or one of the following immunization events.
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
If you do not have a healthcare provider, visit a Health Department clinic. Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) clinics offer immunizations to all Fairfax County students, as well as those who are behind on their scheduled immunizations or need a booster.
Summer back-to-school immunization clinics are also available. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. FCHD offers limited walk-in hours for immunization services on a first-come, first-served basis. Immunizations are also available by appointment.
Inova Cares Back to School Pediatric Health Fairs provide children ages 5 and up with free school physicals and immunizations. Weekend clinics are available in July and August. These health fairs are for VA Medicaid or Uninsured Inova registered patients only. Appointments are required. Call 703-698-2550 to make an appointment. Bring vaccine records to the appointment.
Local immunization clinics and additional resources are available on the FCPS Immunization Resources webpage and from the FCHD.
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Meals for Students Available Through August 21:
No-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday, August 21, at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on site while eating their meals.
Download the FCPS App Today
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
With the app, you can:
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View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
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Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
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Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.
McLean PTSA
McLean High School PTSA Information
Here are some quick links:
Social-Emotional Support
Virtual Mental Health Services
Since 2023, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to offer virtual mental health services to FCPS high school students.
Parents are encouraged to contact Hazel Health directly if they are seeking mental health support for their child, have noticed changes in their child’s mood or behavior, or are having difficulty connecting with a therapist in the community.
To make it easier for families to access services, FCPS has partnered with Hazel Health to streamline the referral process. Parents can visit the Hazel Health in FCPS website to enroll their child in services or visit the FCPS Teletherapy webpage for more 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
 In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- New Student ID Cards and Bus Navigation System
- Boundary Changes for Skyview and Western Pyramids
- Free Mental Health Support for Middle Schoolers
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Quick Links
FCPS Cares
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