Newsletters (PDF)	Minutes (PDF)
September 2008	September 2008
October 2008	October 2008
November 2008	November 2008
December/January 2009	January 2009
February 2009	February 2009
March 2009	March 2009
April/May 2009	April 2009
	May 2009

Volunteers Needed for Back to School Packet Stuffing

Parent and student volunteers are needed for the Back-To-School packet stuffing on Tuesday, August 25 at 8:00 am in the Library. Community service hours will be given to students. No need to RSVP, just come on down. Please join us and help get the year off to a great start!

FAIRGRADE Update on Dr. Dale's Recommendation to
Change Honors Course Grade Point Weight

On June 25th, Superintendent Dale recommended that FCPS retroactively provide an extra weight of 0.5 quality points to courses in math, science, english and social studies taken for high school credit during high school or middle school. Superintendent Dale did not recommend that FCPS weight any foreign language courses or music/art/drama courses, other than AP or IB courses in those disciplines. According to Assistant Superintendent Peter Noonan, the general idea was to weight core academic and not to weight "electives."

Superintendent Dale did not recommend weighting science or technology electives such as DNA science and quantum physics at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology (TJ), but recommended weighting all of TJ's social studies electives. School Board members questioned why FCPS should weight an unlimited number of TJ's social studies electives but not TJ's challenging science and technology electives, many of which are prerequisites for TJ's required senior research laboratories.

The complete list of courses recommended for 0.5 honors weighting, the list of approved dual enrollment courses that are retroactively weighted by 1.0 quality points, and the official FCPS news release on weighting are posted on FAIRGRADE's website at www.FAIRGRADE.org

FAIRGRADE will send an additional update as soon as we obtain accurate and consistent information about the implementation process and timeline that FCPS will follow in weighting honors courses.

• CHANGE MANAGEMENT PLAN

In response to FAIRGRADE's request, FCPS has stated that it is planning for post-implementation analysis of the new grading scale and grading policy. FCPS officials informed FAIRGRADE that FCPS will analyze how grade distributions under the new grading policy compare to grade distributions under the old grading policy. FAIRGRADE will also continue urging School Board members to establish a task force that includes parents and FAIRGRADE representatives, to ensure that the post-implementation data is collected in a transparent and unbiased manner. FAIRGRADE will also urge FCPS to make this data available - by high school - to parents in the years to come.

• FAIRGRADE's FUTURE

FAIRGRADE will continue to keep parents informed of all developments surrounding implementation of the new grading policy. In the coming weeks, we also will send an update about FAIRGRADE's plans to transition into a broader organization that will continue serving the parent community by providing information about the many policy and budgeting issues challenging our school district in these difficult economic times, and information about upcoming School Board elections.

Thanks to you and the 10,000+ coalition of FCPS students, parents, supportive teachers and principals, we all made real and positive changes to Fairfax County Public Schools through FAIRGRADE!

Please stay involved! FAIRGRADE needs you and our schools need you!

• QUESTIONS FOR FAIRGRADE?

Contact Co-founders Megan McLaughlin at macfiveva@gmail.com, Louise Epstein at lepstein@cox.net, or Communications Director Catherine Lorenze at clorenze@verizon.net.

Volunteers Needed for Back to School Packet Stuffing

Parent volunteers (not students) are also needed for the Guidance Mailing on Thursday, August 13 at 8:00 am in the College and Career Center. If you can help, please contact Susan Perla at susan.perla@gmail.com.

Marty Smith Named Asst Superintendent of Cluster I

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Jack D. Dale has named Marty Smith, director of Cluster I since January 2007, as the new assistant superintendent for Cluster I, effective July 1. Smith replaces Audra Sydnor, who is retiring from the school system.

“Marty Smith is very well-suited and well-prepared to lead Cluster I,” says Dale. “He began his career as a classroom teacher and has a working knowledge of the challenges faced each day by teachers and principals as well as experience dealing with issues at the cluster level. We congratulate him on his new position.” (SOURCE: FCPS)

Host a High School Student from Spain

Compass USA needs families in Fairfax County to host a high school student from Spain from July 6 to July 27. They are also looking for American students to volunteer as “American Buddies,” and participate in a service project in conjunction with the Spanish students. For information, go to www.hostfamily2009.blogspot.com or contact Kelly Gerstenberg at 571-228-2931 or hostfamily2009@gmail.com.

The Safe Community Coalition (SCC) Needs a
Recording Secretary

Are you interested in an opportunity to volunteer with an organization that "works together for our youth?" If so, the SCC needs you!

The Recording Secretary is an elected officer position on the Board and is responsible, "for accurately recording, disseminating, and maintaining the minutes of all membership and Board of Directors' meetings." There are seven Executive Board meetings starting September 3, 2009, and four Community Meetings during the school year. The last meeting of the year is May 20, 2010.

For more information on the mission and work of the SCC, please visit the website www.safecommunitycoalition.net. Interested people may contact Cameron Edgar, President, at cameron.edgar@safecommunitycoalition.net; 703-356-4677.

College Career Center

The College Career Center, located in Student Services (formerly Guidance), is the hub of all post secondary resources at McLean High School. The Center hosts over 125 colleges yearly as well as providing information and material for college and career planning. Mrs. Rahn, College Career Center Specialist, works with students and families to help navigate the college process as well as to advise students about post secondary choices and decisions. She can be reached at Isobel.Rahn@fcps.edu.

You can get to the College Career Center web site by clicking on the following link:

http://www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS/guidance/New%20Career%20Center/Newcareercenter.htm. There is general information and links to sites having to do with the college planning and application process, testing, and college funding as well as career and military information. Information specific to McLean High School students is located in the students’ Blackboard (Bb) account by grade level. Forms for the college admission process as well as local scholarships, jobs, summer programs, volunteer programs, testing, grade level plans, on and off campus college programs If you don’t have access to your student’s Bb account, please go to http://www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS/parents/To%20get%20your%20own%20FCPS%2024.htm

Family Connection (FC) is an FCPS sponsored web-based resource that supports academic, career, and college planning. FC is specific to McLean High School and is linked with Counselor’s Office, a service we use in the counseling office. It is accessed through the students’ Bb account. For more information on using FC visit

http://www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS/technology/co_fc_presentationtostu_parent_ppt.pdf

Don't forget about Career Connections www.fcps.edu/ss/CareerConnections. This site, maintained by FCPS, provides a variety of resources for students and their families to assist with career and post high school planning. The scholarship and summer data bases are searchable. Some of these resources are web based software programs that require school-specific logins and school IDs. Others are free. For more information, contact Mrs. Rahn at Isobel.Rahn@fcps.edu

FCPS Superintendent Recommends
Changes to Honors Course Grade Point Weight

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Jack Dale presented his recommendations on increasing the grade point weight for honors courses to the Fairfax County School Board at its business meeting on June 25. Dale’s recommendations were based on the findings of a committee formed—at the request of the Board—to address issues related to honors courses and the weighting of grades for FCPS students. The change in the weighting for honors courses is part of a revamped grading scale and weighting system that the School Board approved in January.

These changes to the FCPS grading policy include a modified ten-point grading scale that uses pluses and minuses and an increase in the weight for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses from 0.5 to 1.0.

Dale recommended that honors courses in mathematics, science, English, and social studies receive a 0.5 weight. The weighting of honors courses will begin during the upcoming 2009-10 school year and will be retroactive. As an example, a student who is a junior during the 2009-10 school year who took an honors course as a freshman will receive an additional 0.5 weight for that course added to his or her transcript retroactively. Dual enrollment courses that are currently weighted will continue to be weighted.

In addition, students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) will receive a weighting of 0.5 for all required math, science, English, and social studies courses. The weighting of 0.5 will be awarded to all math courses above the level of AP courses that are not dual enrollment and to all science, math, and technology research and mentorship courses.

“This is a work in progress,” said School Board chair Dan Storck. “All schools will have the opportunity to appeal decisions on individual classes, and staff will provide the Board with a revised list of courses which are to be weighted each spring.”

The new FCPS grading policies will benefit students who challenge themselves by taking higher-level courses as part of their programs of study.   (SOURCE: FCPS)

               Dr. Jackson Named McLean Chamber of Commerce
                                         Educator of the Year

It is with great pleasure that we announce that Dr. Deborah Jackson has been awarded the McLean Chamber of Commerce: Educator of the Year Award. The award encompasses Dr. Jackson's passion and commitment to student achievement and the McLean Chamber. She has fostered the development of a partnership that has created a community of learners. The benefits of this relationship will be realized for years to come. Congratulations to our #1 HIGHLANDER! View the McLean Chamber link: http://www.mcleanchamber.org/

Understanding and Motivating the Adolescent Brain

Parents: You knew how much growth was possible in your young child's brain, how dangerous even a slight head injury could be. So you read to them to promote language and reasoning skills. You put bicycle helmets on them to safeguard from falls. Guess what? Science is learning that a teenager's brain is just as impressionable--capable of tremendous growth in performance and dexterity--and just as vulnerable to permanent damage from risky behaviors.

On May 18th, Neuropsychologist William R. Stixrud summarized what is now known about the enormous developmental and biological changes taking place in a teenager's brain and what you and your student can do to tap into that potential. If you missed Dr. Stixrud's informative presentation at MHS, you can click here to view the notes from the presentation. You can Learn how to foster self-motivation, to recognize and facilitate individual differences in academic achievement, and to help your teenager develop critical self-regulation patterns for healthy sleep, study, eating, and stress management before he or she goes off to the pressures and irregular schedules of college life. Above all, Dr. Stixrud's tour of the teenage brain will help you deal with the challenges of the teenage years with humor and optimism.....

McLean PTSA April/May 2009 Newsletter

Click here to read the April/May 2009 PTSA Newsletter which includes great information including a message from MHS PTSA President, Susan Perla; information on upcoming activities at McLean High School; an update on the FCPS grading scale; Senior Class Activities; Fundraising and Logistics for the All Night Grad Party; Class Notes; information on Student Services; information on PTSA, club and school fundraisers and more!

FCPS Proposing ES/MS Bell Schedule Changes for Fall 09

FCPS staff have proposed significant changes to many elementary and middle school start times. FCPS document Iteration #5 (posted 4.21.2009) lists changes in school start times that may be coming next fall. Under the plan, Longfellow's start time will move to 7:50. Unfortunately, the proposed changes DO NOT improve high school start times. The FCPS School Board may consider new proposed bell changes as part of its budget plan in May.

SLEEP High School Pilot Plans: Move Times Later, Save Millions to Reduce Class Size

SLEEP has developed pilot proposals that would either replace the FCPS staff's transportation plan or supplement it. The pilot proposals would move some high school start times and save millions of dollars for the FCPS budget at the same time. These millions could be used to reduce class size and retain more excellent teachers. Both of SLEEP proposals continue current levels of service to and from TJ, magnet schools, and GT centers.

"Pool Pilot”: This proposal keeps ALL elementary schools at their current times and moves only 9 high schools and one middle school to between 7:50 and 8:30 am. (Click link below to see details.) Using a software tool developed by former School Board member Steve Hunt, SLEEP estimates this pilot would SAVE about $11 million, enough to avoid a half-student increase in class size (and about $6 million more in savings than FCPS’ current proposal, I-5). The name refers to the fact that it allows swim/dive practice times to remain intact, because it moves only those high schools that currently have later swim/dive practices at RECenters. It would replace staff’s Iteration 5, which moves 122 schools--most of them later--including 47 that change by 20 minutes or more. (FCPS staff, like SLEEP, found that moving schools later in the morning reduced bus costs. Unlike SLEEP, they chose to move elementary schools and middle schools.)

“I-5-Plus-5 Pilot”: If staff’s latest draft (Iteration 5) is adopted, we can still pilot later high school start times and save about $5 million MORE. This pilot uses the I-5 bell schedule but also moves 4 high schools and one middle school to 8 am. The schools used in this example are: Mt. Vernon,Madison, Hayfield and Woodson HS and Frost MS. Other high schools could be used and achieve similar savings.

Click here to see more details and graphs.

McLean HS All-Night Grad Party Committee Fund-Raiser

Pillowcasegrams are personalized custom-made pillowcases that are fun for all ages. They make beautiful keepsakes that the recipients will keep for many years. Pillowcasegrams can be sent in a special gift box and will include your personal message typed out on a telegram. They make great gifts for graduation, birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion.

Pillowcasegram has designed a few McLean High School pillowcases with our school colors. Each pillowcase can be embroidered with the student’s name and graduation date. This is a great idea for a gift for current students and past students as a remembrance of their years at McLean High School. HOW IT WORKS: Go to Pillowcasegram’s web site at www.pillowcasegram.com. Order any pillowcase(s). You can find custom-made MHS pillowcases by chossing Catalog and then “School Spirit” (or by clicking here). Be sure to put “MHS” in the comments section when you are checking out so they will know that it is a purchase from our school community and will credit the ANGP Fundraiser. The pillowcases will be sent directly to the purchaser or to the person you request it be sent to. Questions? Contact Alicia Shalhoup at 703-442-4702 or a.mordente@verizon.net. Click here for more information.

Graduation Ticket Policy

Tickets are required for the graduation ceremony on June 15, 2009. Each senior who has met his/her financial and academic obligations will receive seven (7) tickets for the event. If you require extra tickets, or know that you will not be using all of your tickets, a blog has been set up at http://mhs09.blogspot.com to allow you to notify other members of the McLean High School community. Be aware, however, that neither McLean High School nor Fairfax County Public Schools are responsible for the content of the site.

If you require tickets in the handicapped accessible section of DAR Constitution Hall, you must send an email request with both your graduate’s name and “handicapped accessible” in the subject line to Patricia.McNeill@fcps.edu by Friday, May 29^th. Because the number of seats is limited, please understand that your entire family may not be able to sit in this area. Also, be aware that even with handicapped accessible tickets, the maximum number of tickets for each graduating senior is still seven (7).

Baccalaureate Service – June 12, 7:00 pm

Graduating students, parents and families, are invited to attend this year’s Baccalaureate Service to be held Friday June 12, 7:00 pm at the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101.

The Baccalaureate Service is an ecumenical ceremony held yearly within a few days of graduation, in a different church or faith center of our community. This service gives everyone interested the opportunity to gather in a spiritual atmosphere, rejoice in music and reflect on inspirational memories.

This year's keynote speaker is McLean resident, John Calhoun; former President and CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council, U.S. Commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families, and author of the recent book Hope Matters. John challenges our teenagers, whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, Baha’i, or Hindu to live out their faith, to become an active part of their communities, and to contribute from the hope given to them by their faith.

No school funding is provided for this event, it is solely based on parents’ donations. Small contributions will be accepted. Checks should be written to the order of “MCHS/Baccalaureate Service” and forwarded to McLean High School, 1633 Davidson Rd., McLean VA 22101.

To volunteer, please contact either Reg Devlin (703/734-2754; rddevlin@cox.net) or Basia Manitius (703/533-0515; bmanitius@gmail.com).

MESSAGE FROM FAIRGRADE 5-19-09

OVERSIGHT URGED FOR NEW 10-POINT GRADING SCALE

On May 7th, the FCPS School Board voted 11-1 for a new 10-point grading scale. FAIRGRADE and the Business Alliance for FAIRGRADE applauds this historic vote and continues to lobby FCPS officials for a "Change Management" plan to ensure the new scale is properly implemented. (For details on this new scale, go to our website at: www.FAIRGRADE.org)

RETROACTIVE WEIGHTS FOR HONORS COURSES REMAIN UNRESOLVED

During the May 7th meeting, Superintendent Dale told the School Board that he and his staff will provide recommendations at the June 8th School Board work session on which advanced courses should be considered honors courses and weighted by 0.5 quality points. In response to a question posed by Chairman Storck, Dr. Dale said that he anticipates ALL courses currently labeled "honors" will be weighted retroactively.

However, until FCPS officially presents their formal recommendation at the June 8th School Board Work Session, the issue of retroactive honors remains at risk. As noted in the FCPS Grading Policy Report, it is critical that FCPS students receive this retroactive weighting for all honors courses taken prior to Fall 2009.

Therefore, if you haven't already done so, please email the School Board about your support for full retroactive weighting of honors courses, and ask for their position on this issue. Email addresses for the School Board are on our website at: www.FAIRGRADE.org.

PTSA Student of the Year Awards

Every year, each academic department selects a senior student to receive the “student of the year” award. At the Academic Awards Night on May 26, the following students were recognized for their achievements. Their names will be engraved on a plaque to be added to the wall outside the auditorium. Congratulations on your accomplishments!

Art:                        Miles Zinni
CTE:                       Chelsea Shalhoup
CTE:                       Evan Blackwell
English:                   Yumee Cho
Foreign Language:     Colleen Devlin
Math:                      Jessie Nucho
Performing Arts:        Jackson Langevoort
Science:                  Anthony Charles (Chemistry)
Science:                  Zachary Charles (Physics)
Social Studies:          Sam Shanker

"Parents Who Host Lose the Most"

What parents should know about underage drinking:

• It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol.
• Under age 24, the brain is still growing and negatively affected by alcohol.
• Parents can be prosecuted under the law for hosting underage drinking parties.
• It is unsafe and illegal for persons under 21 to drive after consuming alcohol (.02 blood alcohol content or above).
• Don’t risk living with the burden of an unnecessary death or accident because you provided or allowed alcohol use by someone under the age of 21.

For more information about what you can do as a parent: http://www.fcps.edu/ss/translations/PDF_FILES/publications/drinkingfactcard/english.pdf

Tips from the Safe Community Coalition to keep your teens safe during this wonderful, yet dangerous, time of year.

            McLean HS All-Night Grad Party Registration Forms

Students who haven't signed up for the All Night Grad Party can still do so. But you need to hurry! Completed form and check must be sent to the McLean High School front office by June 12th.   Click here to print your ticket order form for the All Night Grad Party! f you're not sure if you signed up, click here to see the list of students not yet signed up.

                              Parents Who Host Lose the Most

FCPS and Fairfax County designate May 2009 as "Parents Who Host Lose the Most Month" in an effort to reduce underage drinking as prom and graduation season approaches. Read the press release.

Prom Update (from Dr. Jackson)

Information about this year’s prom can be found on the newly created prom website located at www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS. Look for the flickering flames. This site contains general information about the prom, tickets, limousine services, tuxedo rentals, florists and salons. You can also find a link to view this year’s fabulous fashion show.

Although the students and teachers have done a tremendous amount of work, parent involvement is essential to the success of our prom. The junior class is seeking parents to chaperone, sell tickets and make donations to help defray the cost of the evening. Please volunteer to chaperone for a few hours, so we can ensure that our children have a fun, safe evening. We also are asking parents to consider making a tax-deductible donation to offset prom expenses. The Class of 2010 has decided not to raise the ticket prices to our students this year despite rising costs. Visit the parent section of the website for specific details about helping.

Lastly, please remind your students that the consequences of substance abuse or other risky behavior can ruin what should be a joyous time for all students. We are asking our students to Be Smart. Be Safe. Be Sober.

FCPS Update on H1N1 Virus

Please continue to monitor the latest news and information regarding the H1N1 virus on the FCPS website. Attached are links to the lastest FCPS update (5/5/09), Dr. Dale's letter to parents (5/4/09), and the most recent CDC guidance (5/5/09) pertaining to schools and childcare facilities. At this time, the CDC is not recommending school closures, unless there is a "magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school's ability to function."

http://www.fcps.edu/news/swineflu.htm
http://www.fcps.edu/news/documents/L-SwineFlu_Parent_Letter_April29_updated_May_4.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/k12_dismissal.htm

Safe Community Coalition Announcements

The annual meeting of the Safe Community Coalition will take place on Thursday, May 14th at 7:30 pm at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Avenue. Following election of the Board of Directors, we will begin discussion of plans for the 2009-2010 school year. Everyone is invited to attend and participate in planning.

Parents of high school students are invited to participate in a one hour George Mason University focus group on the teen drinking culture in the United States. The anonymous and confidential results will also become part of the countywide community assessment on teenage drinking. All participants will receive dinner and other incentives. Please contact Amy Reif at amy.reif@safecommunitycoalition.net, if you would like to participate. It is anticipated that the focus group will take place during the week of May 18th or 25th.

Langley – McLean School Pyramid results from the 2008 Fairfax County Youth Survey are now available at www.safecommunitycoalition.net.

Chaperones Needed for the 2009 Prom at Westwood Country Club

Parents, please consider donating some time on Saturday evening, May 30, to serve as a chaperone at the McLean HS prom. We are looking for singles or couples of juniors and/or seniors for one, two, three or four hour shifts to check coats and make sure the various doors and exits are secure and do not allow prom goers to exit and return. Only in this way can we help ensure that students have a fun, safe evening. Please e-mail Jay Bass, at jbassfcva@aol.com with your names and preferred time slot and duration by April 1, if you are able to help out.

McLean PTSA Armchair Fundraiser

We are truly fortunate that our children attend McLean High School – one of the top high schools in Fairfax County. The high standard of achievement, the commitment to excellence of our faculty and staff, the impressive accomplishments of our students and staff and the ongoing involvement of you, ensures that McLean High School continues to rank among Virginia’s best. The McLean High School PTSA raises funds each year to provide educational enhancements and opportunities for our children that are not financed by Fairfax County. This year our fundraising goal is $12,000. >>> More

PTSA Meeting – May 11, 7:30 pm, Library

The last PTSA meeting of the year will be held on Monday, May 11, at 7:30 pm in the Library. School Board member, Jane K. Strauss, will speak to the members at approximately 8:00 pm. In addition, the PTSA will hear a presentation on a proposed web-based payment system by McLean High School parent and entrepreneur Jay Bass. The election of officers for 2009-2010 will also take place at the meeting. All are welcome to attend!

Update on School Board Action on Grading Issue 4.22.09

Please see the attached link from the FCPS website for the latest news on the grading issues. http://www.fcps.edu/news/grading.htm

To briefly summarize, at the April 20^th School Board work session, Dr. Dale and his staff presented a recommended modified 10-point grading scale (with pluses and minuses) that is based on The College Board grading scale. The School Board has added this item to the agenda at its April 23 meeting under New Business. The vote is expected to take place at the May 7 regular School Board meeting. If adopted, the new grading scale will be implemented at the beginning of the 2009-10 school year

AP courses which, prior to January 2009, had been granted an additional .5 weight, now receive a 1.0 weight. The change was retroactive for all AP courses on a student’s transcript.

Regarding weights for honors courses, no decision has been made yet regarding whether the .5 weight for honors courses will be retroactive for current high school students.

Action Requested: Please continue to make your voices heard regarding the retroactive weighting of honors courses by writing your School Board members and/or attending the School Board meetings. The retroactive weighting of honors classes would follow the same rationale and logic for the retroactive weighting of AP, IB and Dual Enrollment courses. The students should receive the credit for taking the harder courses and should receive the extra weight to be able to compete more fairly with students in our neighboring jurisdictions such as Montgomery County.

H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) - FCPS News Update - 4/29/09

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is collaborating with the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) to monitor the H1N1 virus (swine flu) situation in the country and locally in Fairfax County. The health of our students and employees is our first priority as we deal with this evolving situation and continue to provide instruction and support to our students. For more information, visit http://www.fcps.edu/news/swineflu.htm

Parent Awareness Program on
Substance Abuse and Depression, 7:30 pm, Lecture Hall

Dr. Jackson’s Keep-in-Touch e-mail of March 27 invited parents and guardians to participate in this session to learn more about the issue of substance abuse among teens. This is especially timely in view of the upcoming spring and end-of-year activities such as exams, prom, graduation, athletic activities, etc. Recent events at high schools in our area remind us that none of our schools are immune to this activity. We have also added depression and suicide to the panel topics to raise awareness of these issues. The panel discussion will take place on April 28, at 7:30 pm in the Lecture Hall. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important session.

Participants will be:

Thomas Kobylski, M.D., Past-President, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Society of Greater Washington; Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Georgetown University
Mr. Michael Torres, MS, CAS, Substance Abuse Counselor with Fairfax County
Dr. Deborah Tucker, School Psychologist, McLean High School

News from FCPS in Latest Issue of FamilyGram

Check out the latest issue of FamilyGram, a newsletter for Fairfax County Public Schools parents that is published by the Department of Communications and Community Outreach. Highlights include:

* Direct From the Superintendent: FY 2010 Budget Update
* Summer 2009 Program Information—What You Need to Know
* Fairfax County School Board Votes to Reject Later High School Start Times Proposal
* FCPS to Change Weighting, Grading Scale Starting in 2009-10 School Year
* FCPS Superintendent Reduces FY 2010 Budget Transfer Request
* 2009 High School Graduation Schedule
* Keep in Touch Subscription Service Is Here

PTSA Officers Nominated for 2009-2010

At the April 13^th PTSA meeting, the following were nominated to serve as officers for the year 2009-2010:

President:                        Susan Perla
1^st Vice President:             Peggy Vans
2^nd Vice President:            Jihui Kim
3^rd Vice President:             Jacky Longwell
Treasurer:                        Rebecca Davis
Recording Secretary:          Wilma Bowers
Corresponding Secretary:    Catherine Slotkoff

Elections will take place at the PTSA meeting on May 11, 2009. This is the last PTSA meeting of the year; all are welcome to attend! In addition, there are vacancies on the board next year for the following positions: Building and Grounds, Directory, Membership (co-chair) and Volunteers (co-chair). If you are interested, please contact Susan Perla.

Paul Capp – Virginia PTA Essay Award Winner!

Congratulations to Paul Capp – his VA PTA Citizenship Essay has been selected as a Virginia PTA award winner! He has been awarded 3rd Place in the High School Division and will receive a $250 U.S. Savings Bond.

School Board Voting on 10-Point Grading Scale

This Monday, April 20th, the School Board will review Superintendent Dale's 10-point grading scale recommendation(s) at their work session. The discussion is currently scheduled to begin at 3 pm. While no date has been set yet for the School Board to officially vote on a new grading scale, FCPS officials have assured FAIRGRADE that a new 10-point grading scale with pluses and minuses will be in place by Fall 2009. Regrettably, FCPS officials remain noncommittal about whether FCPS will weight honors classes taken before 2009-2010. FAIRGRADE's leadership continues to press for a resolution on this important aspect of the grading policy reforms.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this School Board work session. It will take place at the FCPS headquarters located at 8115 Gatehouse Road in Falls Church, VA - just off of Gallows Road and Route 50. FAIRGRADE's leadership team will attend this work session and provide you with a detailed report about the School Board's discussion and viewpoints.

QUESTIONS FOR FAIRGRADE? Contact Co-founders Megan McLaughlin at macfiveva@gmail.com or Louise Epstein at lepstein@cox.net.

RETROACTIVE WEIGHTING OF HONORS AT RISK

FCPS' website states that the issue of retroactive weighting for honors has not been decided. However, several FCPS staff have expressed reluctance for retroactively weighting "honors caliber courses" taken prior to September 2009. This decision could deny students the valuable weights they need when competing for college admissions, academic scholarships and college honors programs.

At the January 22nd School Board meeting, Dr. Dale said he would like to weight honors retroactively, as is being done for AP/IB, "if practicable". Barring no technical impediments, FAIRGRADE views this as an equity issue. The students who took an honors caliber course pre-Fall 2009 should be given the same weight on their transcripts as the students who take the same honors course beginning Fall 2009.

When students apply to colleges, over half the advanced courses on their FCPS transcripts typically come from honors courses rather than AP or IB courses. The FCPS college survey revealed that the vast majority of high schools provide 0.5 weights for honors courses and FCPS should be doing the same.

QUESTIONS FOR FAIRGRADE? Contact Co-founders Megan McLaughlin at macfiveva@gmail.com or Louise Epstein at lepstein@cox.net. Thank you for your continued support.

“What Are Our Kids Really Telling Us?”
Find out on Monday, April 20 at 7 pm

Denise Raybon, Fairfax County Prevention Coordinator, will present the Langley/McLean School Pyramid findings from the 2008 Fairfax County Youth Survey at 7 PM in the McLean HS Lecture Hall. This is the first time that the county is releasing information specific to our community from this highly regarded survey. The survey covers both healthy and risky behaviors by teens in 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades.

This will be an outstanding opportunity to learn how our youth fare in terms of stress, body image, alcohol, drugs, bullying and depression among other things (both good and bad). Following the presentation, Diane Eckert, FCPS Prevention Specialist will facilitate a discussion on the ways that we, as a community, can address areas of concern. We encourage everyone to attend this important program. If you are interested, the county wide (but not pyramid wide) results have already been made public and you can go review them at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demogrph/youthpdf.htm. This event is sponsored by the Safe Community Coalition and Longfellow Middle School PTSA. For more information, please click here to view the flyer or contact SCC Board member Michelle Sandler, michelle@sandler.org.

School Board Voting on 10-Point Grading Scale

QUESTIONS FOR FAIRGRADE? Contact Co-founders Megan McLaughlin at macfiveva@gmail.com or Louise Epstein at lepstein@cox.net.

WANTED: A Few Good Volunteers!

McLean High School will be administering over 1,600 Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 25 subjects to over 820 McLean HS students this May. They are in need of volunteers to supplement the Guidance Counselors in proctoring the two weeks of AP exams.

They are asking for a commitment of a four-hour shift, either AM or PM, during the weeks of May 4 to May 15. In choosing your volunteer slot, you may not proctor an exam your child is taking. We will be providing a 30 minute mandatory proctor training session at a variety of times the week prior to the test window.

Three proctors are still needed as follows:

Date	Time	Subject	# of Proctors Needed
Wed., May 6	AM - 7:30 to 11:30	Calculus BC	1
Fri., May 8	AM - 7:30 to 11:30	US History	1
Thurs., May 14	AM - 7:30 to 11:30	World History	1

Please consider volunteering for a four-hour shift, though we would love to have you for as much time as you are willing and able to give. Contact Crissie Ricketts, MHS Assessment Coach, to schedule your shift at: crricketts@fcps.edu or (703) 714-5713. Thank you in advance for your support!
UVA Center for Alcohol &
Substance Abuse Education Presentation

Prepare Your Child to Face the College Drinking Culture. Monday, March 30, 7:00 p.m., Arlington Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N. Quincy Street. Is the “Animal House” image of college myth or fact? Susie Bruce, director of the Center for Alcohol & Substance Abuse Education at the University of Virginia, will give an insider’s perspective, discuss student resources on college campuses and answer questions. U-VA’s Advisory Committee on Alcohol and Substance Abuse is charged with minimizing drinking and substance abuse among underage students and tackling abuse among students of legal age. As part of the presentation, parents will be invited to share opinions using anonymous audience response “clickers” (like the ones used on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire). Both parents and students are welcome to attend. Questions? Contact margiebell@juno.com.

What Today's Youth Need to Know

The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Safe and Drug-Free Youth Section and its Unified Prevention Coalition (UPC), in collaboration with Fairfax County agencies and organizations in Northern Virginia, are organizing the first county-wide substance use and violence prevention conference, “What Today’s Youth Need You to Know.” The conference, designed for Fairfax County residents and employees, will focus on educating adults, youth, and professional service providers on current trends recently reported in the 2008 Fairfax County Youth Survey, as well as issues pertinent to raising healthy families. The Conference will take place on Saturday, March 28th from 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Oakton High School at 2900 Sutton Rd., Vienna, VA 22181. The UPC 2009 prevention conference task force is already working with county agencies and organizations, many of whom plan to sponsor the conference and provide exhibits.

McLean PTSA March 2009 Newsletter

Click here to read the March 2009 PTSA Newsletter which includes great information including a message from MHS Principal, Dr. Deborah Jackson; information on upcoming activities at McLean High School including McLean Theatre, Orchestra and Band, Chamber Soloists, AP Testing, Prom, Senior Events, the All Night Grad Party, parent coffees and more; Class Notes; information on Student Services and the College Application Process; information on PTSA, club and school fundraisers and more!

         FCPS Budget Cuts: Teacher and Parent Panel Discussion

FCPS has published its FY 2010 budget, which increases class sizes. Teachers and custodians are being reassigned to other schools or will be let go if vacancies aren’t created by attrition. Bus service is being reduced for magnet students. This FY 2010 budget is still tentative, and the School Board will be considering changes in the FY 2010 later this spring.

On Tuesday night, March 24th, at 7:30 PM, hear from all the teachers unions and the Fairfax County Council of PTAs about how the School Board could balance the FCPS budget without increasing class sizes or making some other cuts. Panelists include Leonard Bumbaca (Fairfax Education Association), Dr. Mark Glaser (Fairfax County Federation of Teachers), Mary Kaye Downes and Vern Williams (Association of Fairfax Professional Educators) and Michele Menapace (Fairfax County Council of PTAs). After short presentations, there will be an open question and answer session.

This meeting is free and open to the general public. It is located at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandria, in the auditorium. For more information, contact Louise Epstein, president of Fairfax County Association for the Gifted and VP of FAIRGRADE, at 703-917-7960.

                                   Fairfax County School Board
                       Votes on School Start and Dismissal Times

The Fairfax County School Board has voted to confirm the existing school start time structure for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Generally, under this existing structure, high schools open first, then middle and elementary schools. The Board rejected a possible bell schedule, known as Iteration 3, which used a three-tiered approach that would have started some elementary schools first, high schools second, and middle schools and other elementary schools last. (Source: FCPS)

Start Later for Excellence in Education (SLEEP) reports that "While the board agreed unanimously that the staff draft bell schedule (Iteration 3) wasn’t the answer, Tina Hone and Kaye Kory voted against the main motion to show their support for continued action on this issue. For our part, we’ll continue to fight for the health of our kids." They also reported that the Board session will be replayed at 7:30 pm Tuesday, March 24, on Channel 21.

Capitol Steps Performance to Benefit MHS' All Night Grad Party

Support the Class of 2009's All Night Graduation Party and enjoy the best political satire around: Don't miss the Capitol Steps' annual performance at McLean High School on Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now to benefit the ANGP 2009. This important fundraiser helps provide our seniors a safe, fun, alcohol- and drug-free graduation night to remember. To order tickets, click here. Tickets are $35 each and will also be available for purchase at the door or directly from Stefanie Schoepfle if you drop by the MHS Guidance Office. Tickets to the Capitol Steps make great gifts for Valentines Day, birthdays, anniversaries and graduation. Questions can be directed to Stefanie Schoepfle at stefanie@pcgrp.com.

Update on Later Start Times (March 2009)

Let your School Board members know they need to keep working on solving the too-early high school start time problem! This issue won’t go away until all our students have healthy schedules. But opponents want to close the door forever on improvements and will try to do so at this Thursday’s School Board meeting.

Recap of last Monday’s work session: Board members agreed that Iteration 3 (the first no-cost staff draft) will be rejected because of specific problems with the school-by-school bell schedule and that change won’t occur in the 2009-10 school year. But there are other solutions, and FCPS needs to explore them.

Move forward or entrench status quo? Several School Board members stated their strong commitment to fixing the too-early high school start time problem and are working on ways to move forward. They need YOUR support.

Other Board members simply want to leave families and high school students to fend for themselves with the health and academic consequences of the current bell schedule. These School Board members want to take no responsibility for predawn bus pickups that force teen students to cut their sleep short every day and leave them exhausted and sleeping in class. Opponents argue that all teens are doing fine and that inadequate sleep is just a “perceived” problem.

Thank School Board members for working on this and let them know they're responsible for setting school schedules that are healthy for all of our students. They should use what they’ve learned from consultant studies, a Task Force and public input to fix our school transportation system and create healthy bell schedules for all. Tell them that on Thursday you expect them to support ways to keep moving forward toward solutions and best practices.

Elizabeth.Bradsher@fcps.edu, jane.strauss@fcps.edu, ilryong.moon@fcps.edu, brad.center@fcps.edu , James.Raney@fcps.edu, kaye.kory@fcps.edu, kathy.l.smith@fcps.edu, pneichner@fcps.edu, tessie.wilson@fcps.edu, Martina.Hone@fcps.edu, stuart.gibson@fcps.edu, arvin.ahmadi@yahoo.com, daniel.storck@fcps.edu, Jack.Dale@fcps.edu

Survey/community dialogs: An FCPS online survey and community dialogues were highly flawed and told us very little. Even if taken at face value, they point to problems with the staff draft bell schedule (Iteration 3), not to opposition to later high school start times. Unfortunately, both took place in an environment filled with gross misinformation and fear-mongering. Both took a thumbs-up-thumbs-down approach rather than one of collaboration and problem-solving as recommended by SLEEP. There was no way to show support for later high school start times without also supporting the Iteration 3 staff draft. Neither tool even attempted to capture the desire of an overwhelming majority of parents, teachers and students to fix today's too-early high school times.

Colleges that Change Lives Parent Program

Sophomore and Junior Parents - The Colleges That Change Lives Program "It's the Journey, Not the Destination: Finding the Right Fit" has been rescheduled for Tuesday evening, March 17 at 7:30 pm in the Auditorium. Please join McLean High School in welcoming Marty O'Connell, executive director of Colleges That Change Lives, in a lively presentation about surviving the college search and admission process.

Capitol Steps Performance to Benefit MHS' All Night Grad Party

Support the Class of 2009's All Night Graduation Party and enjoy the best political satire around: Don't miss the Capitol Steps' annual performance at McLean High School on Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now to benefit the ANGP 2009. This important fundraiser helps provide our seniors a safe, fun, alcohol- and drug-free graduation night to remember. To order tickets, click here. Tickets are $35 each and will also be available for purchase at the door or directly from Stefanie Schoepfle if you drop by the MHS Guidance Office. Tickets to the Capitol Steps make great gifts for Valentines Day, birthdays, anniversaries and graduation. Questions can be directed to Stefanie Schoepfle at stefanie@pcgrp.com.

McLean Crew Club's Annual Mulch Sale

Support the McLean Crew Club's annual mulch sale. Top quality shredded hardwood mulch is available in three cubic foot bags. Order by March 15th. Order includes free delivery to your driveway on March 21 or 22, 2009. For more information or to print the order form click here.

Upcoming Community Service Opportunities

Chesterbrook Elementary Fun Fair - March 14th

Chesterbrook PTA Fun Fair Committee is offering Community Service opportunities during its Saturday, March 14th Fun Fair. Set-up starts at 3:30 PM on Friday, March 13th. The Fun Fair will have two shifts on Saturday: 9:45 AM to Noon, and 11:45 AM to 2:00 PM. The clean-up shift runs from 2:00 to 3:30 PM. Sign-up now by following this link to an online google.doc form,
http://tinyurl.com/FunFairStudentVolunteers or email Greg Brandon at president@chesterbrook.org or call 703-848-4796 (leave a detailed message, if necessary) to volunteer.

Lemon Road Fun Fair – March 21

Earn Community service hours at Lemon Road Elementary School’s Fun Fair, Saturday, March 21st. Moon bounce, cotton candy, balloon darts, zoo dip, DJ, face painting, bake sale, lollipop tree and much more! Shifts are morning (9:45 to noon), afternoon (11:45 to 2:00), full day (9:45 to 2:00) and/or cleanup (2:15 to 4:00). You can also earn hours for baking for our bake sale. Please contact Dawn Jacobs at 703-883-0415 or dawn-jacobs@verizon.net to sign up. We still need 30 more volunteers!!

Haycock Elementary Fun Fair – March 21

Student volunteers needed for Haycock Elementary Fun Fair on March 21st. McLean HS students can get community service hours in a fun way! Volunteers can assist with a variety of fun games and other activities. The Fun Fair hours are between 10:00 and 2:00. You can choose from several different time shifts, including set up and clean up. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. Student volunteers can sign up to volunteer by visiting the following website, http://tinyurl.com/HaycockFunFair2009SignUp. If you have any problems with this website, please contact JulieHusk@hotmail.com

Kent Gardens March Madness Basketball Game – March 27

Do you need to earn community service hours? Then volunteer to help with the Kent Gardens March Madness basketball game. This staff versus parents basketball game will be held in the McLean High School gym on Friday, March 27. Volunteers are needed from 6:00 until 9:00. We need your help with selling concessions, directing traffic inside the school, and cleaning up after the event. Please contact Diana Kost at dkost@cox.net with availability and/or questions.

Lose the Training Wheels – April 6-10

McLean High School Students (Age 15 and older): Earn Community Service Hours By Volunteering For "Lose the Training Wheels" During Spring Break (April 6 to 10). For More Information, Click HERE http://www.losethetrainingwheels.org and HERE http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ada/lose-the-wheels.htm.

To volunteer, click HERE: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ada/downloads/LTWvolapp.pdf. Contact Emily House at emily.house@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Multicultural Night – March 6 from 6 – 9 pm

March 6, 2009 will be an exciting night! It's Multicultural Night at McLean High School from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. We all have an ethnic heritage, so come celebrate yours and enjoy the flavors of other cultures. It's a potluck dinner (bring a favorite international main dish or dessert to share) with great entertainment from the school and community. If you have traditional clothing, please wear it! Bring your food, family and friends. Drinks will be provided! It's a great chance to know each other better.

WHAT:          Multicultural Night with Family Potluck dinner
WHEN:          Friday, March 6, 2009
WHERE:         McLean High School Cafeteria
TIME:           6:00 - 9:00 p.m. (dinner & entertainment)

QUESTIONS- Call Wafika Albani, the PTSA Multicultural Liaison at 571-232-0132 or Dr. Alba Ben-Barka, The ICU Club Sponsor, at 703-714-5918.

Don't Miss Out On This Year's BOAR'S HEAD DINNER

Invite your relatives,friends, & neighbors for a fun night out ...

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT and DELICIOUS FOOD. CHECK OUT THIS YEAR'S GOURMET MENU:

Cheese Board Appetizer
Green Salad w/Garden Vegetables (Choice of Ranch or Vinaigrette Dressing)
Entree Choice of Pecan Crusted Chicken w/Honey au Jus
OR Roasted Mushroom & Asparagus Risotto w/Basil
Garlic Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans & Carrots
Dinner Rolls
Delicious Texas Sheet Cake for Dessert

The McLean High School Choral Department will present the 57th Annual Boar's Head Feast on February 27th and 28th. Hosted by the Madrigals, this year the Women's, Men's and Armonia choruses will also showcase their singing talents. The catered feast will begin at 7:30 pm and will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer (at the corner of Chain Bridge Road and Westmoreland) Click here to print out the flyer for reservations. If you have questions, please contact Patrice Comey at comey8@mcleanchoral.org. It's a great deal at just $25 per adult & $20 per student/child! MAKE YOUR BOAR'S HEAD DINNER RESERVATION NOW!!!

Reminder - Survey and Community Dialogue Meetings
Re: Proposed Changes to School Start Times

Parents and guardians of FCPS students are encouraged to make their opinions known about proposed changes to school start times during the week of February 23-28 in one of several ways:

1. Complete a survey about the proposed changes at http://www.fcps.edu/survey in English, Korean, or Spanish. The survey will close on Saturday, February 28.

2. Please attend one of seven community dialogue meetings on February 24, 25, and 26. Details at http://www.fcps.edu/news/start.htm Show your support for healthy start times for our students. At the first meetings on February 24, there was a lot of misinformation about SLEEP's role, including such astonishing statements as SLEEP wouldn't allow changes to the current plan! For the record, please note that Iteration 3 is a STAFF DRAFT and SLEEP supports revisions based on community input. Please let people at your table know that SLEEP is working on our suggestions for changes. Please print out the new SLEEP Fact Sheet and bring it with you as guidance on SLEEP's positions and the science behind the need for change.

3. Contact your School Board members to share your opinions. Contact information is available at http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/members.htm

For more information about the proposed changes to school start times, visit http://www.fcps.edu/news/start.htm.

McLean PTSA Adopts a Resolution in Appreciation
for Sara Pacqué-Margolis' Work on FAIRGRADE

At Tuesday's PTSA meeting, the Board adopted a resolution in appreciation for Sara Pacqué-Margolis' tireless work on FAIRGRADE.

FCPS Budget Overview

Click Here to view a Budget Overview prepared by a Emily Slough, a parent who lives in the Braddock District. The overview summarizes the budget situation. While we are still a long way from making decisions and certainly hope the worst case scenario doesn't come to pass, the possible extent of the cuts is dramatic. Contacts are Jane.Strauss@fcps.edu and Supervisors John Foust, dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov

Thank You FCPS School Board!

Results of FCPS School Board Vote - 1.22.09

The amended motion on the FCPS grading policy passed UNANIMOUSLY by FCPS School Board members Thursday (1.22.09) evening.

The amended motion directs Dr. Dale to report back to the School Board by the end of March 2009 with a version of the 10-point scale with pluses and minuses to be implemented at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year and that AP/IB weights would be increased to 1.0 and weighted retroactively for classes taken up to Jan. 09 and that qualifying Honors courses would be weighted 0.5 beginning the 2009-2010 school year.

Dr. Dale said he would "ideally" like to retroactively weight qualifying Honors courses, but FCPS is uncertain at this time if that is technically feasible. FCPS will investigate this issue as they conduct their overview this summer to determine which courses will qualify as Honors.

FAIRGRADE is very pleased with the outcome from the 1.22.09 School Board meeting. The School Board exhibited strong leadership in crafting an amended motion that addresses community concerns, but still gives Superintendent Dale enough room to leave his thumbprint on the policy by refining exactly what the 10-point scale with pluses and minuses will look like and where the pass/fail bar will fall.

THANK YOU FCPS SCHOOL BOARD! THANK YOU FAIRGRADE SUPPORTERS!
(Text from www.fairgrade.org)

              FAIRGRADE Explains Why Letter Grades Matter
       Understanding the Impact of Grading Scale vs. Weights

Fairfax County, VA –Tuesday, January 6, 2009— FAIRGRADE expressed concern today that Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has not clearly outlined for School Board members that the number one factor for college admissions is NOT grade point average (GPA) but high school letter grades in core classes – a fact cited in FCPS' own report. (FCPS Report: National Association for College Admissions Counseling – NACAC, & The College Board) ...more

Proposed Changes to School Start Times

The SLEEP (Start Later for initiative gained considerable ground in the past few weeks following the release of a report by the FCPS Transportation staff in early January 2009 outlining a plan for implementing reasonable bell schedules with no added cost. The latest solution (Iteration 3), posted on the FCPS website, would require 1,128 buses, fewer than the current 1,144 being used in the 2008-9 school year. To see the full staff report, click here.

The latest draft succeeded in placing all elementary schools between 7:50 am and 9:25 am, the same basic timeframe as now but with more on the earlier end in keeping in young-child biology. Most high schools were set to start at 8:30 am and end at 3:20 pm. (The proposed new start time/end time for McLean High School would be 8:45 am - 3:35 pm.) Most middle schools would start at 9:40 am and end at 4:30 pm. A range of start times is needed to enable buses to do several runs each morning and afternoon for efficiency.

FCPS invites community members to attend one of seven community dialogue meetings in February on proposed changes to the school start times. Citizens are invited to attend a community dialogue to discuss the change and to take an online survey. For more information, please see the attached link to the FCPS website article. http://www.fcps.edu/news/start.htm. Local meeting will be held on February 24th at Longfellow Middle School, 2000 Westmoreland Street, Falls Church, VA.

Please mark your calendar and attend one of the seven Town Hall Meetings on the latest bell schedule draft. Don’t count on others to show up. Your presence is critical to our fight for later start times.

“What Drives Our Decisions”
Langley High School Cafeteria -- February 18
Program for Parents and Students

Is talking with your teens and keeping them safe a priority for YOU? Like most parents of teenagers, you probably answered 'yes' to the question above and know how hard it can be to help navigate your teen through the high school years. The Langley PTSA has extended an invitation to the McLean High School community to join them at a program that can help you AND your teen get on the same page.

Conversations that Count: “What Drives Our Decisions” is a 90 minute program being offered to the sophomore and junior class students and parents. This program centers on the challenges and opportunities that come with learning how to drive. The discussion focuses on making healthy driving decisions: identifying our core values, knowing the law, avoiding underage drinking, and managing peer influence. Students and their parents attend the program together. The structure of the program encourages open communication by separating parents from their own teens at the discussion tables.

The program will be held on February 18, @ 7:00 to 8:30 PM Langley HS Cafeteria. Please RSVP to Mary Monferdini at garrett649@aol.com.

                      McLean PTSA February 2009 Newsletter

Click here to read the February 2009 PTSA Newsletter which includes great information including a message from MHS PTSA President, Susan Perla; information on upcoming activities at McLean High School; an update on the FAIRGRADE initiative; Class Notes; information on Student Services and the College Application Process; information on PTSA, club and school fundraisers and more!

                         Colleges that Change Lives Presentation
                          CANCELLED DUE TO SPEAKER ILLNESS

The program "Colleges that Change Lives" scheduled for tonight, Feb. 9th has been cancelled due to illness of the speaker. We are working to reschedule this presentation in the near future. Details will be sent when they become available.

Virginia PTA Essay Project for Students - Deadline Feb 2

Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate in the Virginia PTA Citizenship Essay Project. The theme for this year’s project is “Our Earth – Our Future.” Savings bonds in the amount of $1,000; $500 and $250 will be awarded for first, second and third place essays. Entries must be postmarked by February 2 and sent to: Debbie Kilpatrick, District Director, Northern Virginia District PTA, 13301 Green Mallard Court, Clifton, VA 20124. More information, including the entry form can be found on the following link. http://www.novadistrictpta.org/documents/2008-2009DistrictCitizenshipEssayForm.pdf

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Candidate Debate
January 30th 7:30 pm
Luther Jackson Middle School

Sharon Bulova and Pat Herrity, candidates for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, will debate issues specifically related to Fairfax County schools and FCPS’ proposed budget cuts. This is your chance to ask questions about the education issues that are important to you.

Also, please mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 3, the date for this special election. Voter turnout will be key - please come out to vote!

FCPS Transportation Report Update

Report Provided by: Barbara M. Hunter, Assistant Superintendent, FCPS available at 571-423-1218 or Barbara.Hunter1@fcps.edu

This information is important to share with your building staff, because there is a lot of misinformation in the community. As you may be aware, the School Board discussed the possibility of changing school start and dismissal times at its work session on Monday, January 12. At that meeting, the Transportation Office provided a third iteration of a bell schedule that is now being explored. No decision has been made on changing the bell schedule. Likewise, no decision has been made on any programs that could be impacted such as after-school activities and athletics.

Before making a decision, the School Board will explore how parents, staff, and community members feel about such a change. Six community dialogues are being scheduled the last week in February to invite families and community members to share their thoughts on such a change. In addition, we will be inviting families and our community to complete a survey that will be posted on our web site the first week of February.

The employee voice is critical in this process. An employee survey will be posted on the front page of the FCPSNet site at http://fcpsnet.fcps.edu beginning in early February. Employees can sign up to receive Keep In Touch messages on this topic https://signup.blackboardconnect.com/fcps and select to receive “School Board News and Updates” which will contain all the updates as they become available.

Complete information on the Transportation Task Force and FCPS Transportation Department reports can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/fts/taskforce07/ .

        Confused About AP and Honors Classes For Next Year?
                                            Come to AP Night

Who: Students 9-11 and their parents

When: January 22nd 7:00-8:30

Where: McLean HS Cafeteria

What: Ask questions of the AP teachers

All AP Classes Will Be Described. See typical assignments and textbooks.

                                                  FAIRGRADE UPDATE

School Board members acknowledged today that parents have lost confidence in the current grading system. Their work session in early January yielded the following results:

GRADING SCALE:
The consensus among a majority of School Board members is that a grading scale change is needed. But there was no consensus on what type of scale change is needed. It appears a motion will be presented next week on January 22nd that will task Dr. Dale and FCPS staff to study the pros and cons of available grading scales and report back to the School Board within 2 – 2 1/2 months. Their goal is to implement a grading scale change for the 2009-10 school year. FAIRGRADE will remain engaged in this process, providing high school profiles from schools currently using the more standard 10-point grading scale (with pluses and minuses). FAIRGRADE will continue to lobby FCPS officials for this specific grading scale.

WEIGHTS FOR AP/IB:
The School Board was in agreement with Dr. Dale's recommendation to add extra weights for advanced courses. The discussion focused on adding 1.0 extra weights for AP/IB coursework and applying those weights retroactively for AP/IB courses taken up through this school year 2008-09. The School Board's discussion today implied this motion would pass when a vote is taken next week, January 22nd.

WEIGHTS FOR HONORS:
The School Board was in agreement with Dr. Dale's proposal to POSTPONE adding a 0.5 extra weight for Honors coursework for THIS year. Instead, they agreed with Dr. Dale's proposal to begin weighting for Honors coursework starting with the 2009-10 school year. Because of the various types of Honors-level courses across the county, FCPS officials stated they need to spend several months determining which courses will fall under the "Honors" designation and receive the additional 0.5 weight.

School Board officials reiterated they want parents to have reasonable expectations about implementation timelines and what affect, if any, a grading scale change might have on a student's individual letter grades and GPA. The School Board will discuss these issues further and vote on the weighting proposal next Thursday, January 22nd. YOUR ATTENDANCE REMAINS CRITICAL AT THIS MEETING. Parents must remain active to keep FCPS officials focused on grading scale changes.

Click here to view McLean PTSA President Susan Perla's letter to the Editor in response to the Washington Post Editorial published on January 12th

                 Update on Later Start Times (January 2009)

Some wonderful news for the New Year! FCPS Transportation staff released a report outlining a plan for implementing reasonable bell schedules with no added cost. The latest solution (Iteration 3), posted on the FCPS website, would require 1,128 buses, fewer than the current 1,144 being used in the 2008-9 school year. To see the full staff report, click here.

The latest draft succeeded in placing all elementary schools between 7:50 am and 9:25 am, the same basic timeframe as now but with more on the earlier end in keeping in young-child biology. Most high schools were set to start at 8:30 am and end at 3:20 pm. Most middle schools would start at 9:40 am and end at 4:30 pm. A range of start times is needed to enable buses to do several runs each morning and afternoon for efficiency.

Later start time advocates still have significant work to do before bell schedule changes can become a reality. SLEEP members can help in several ways in the next two months, which we will detail in another communication soon. These include attending a Monday, Jan. 12, work session at which the School Board will discuss the latest draft and how to take it to the public. If you are available that day, please mark that on your calendar: 3-6:30 pm, Jan. 12, Gatehouse Administrative Center, 8115 Gatehouse Rd., room 1600, Falls Church. MORE

                        FAIRGRADE UPDATE (December 2008)

Since Thanksgiving, the FAIRGRADE leadership team has dedicated over 60 hours editing FCPS drafts and submitting our suggestions to FCPS administrators for inclusion in the final report about the FCPS Grading Policy. In our comments, FAIRGRADE repeatedly asked FCPS to clearly identify the negative impacts of the current policies, as demonstrated by the data.

Because FAIRGRADE was sufficiently troubled by the December 12th FCPS draft we were shown, we asked FCPS to remove the names of FAIRGRADE's leadership team from the FCPS report. We do not know the extent to which FCPS subsequently changed its draft report, because FCPS will not provide FAIRGRADE with a copy of the draft report sent to Superintendent Dale earlier this week. (We have been told the report will become publicly available online at www.fcps.edu on January 2, 2009.) Thus, FAIRGRADE's comments are based on the December 12th FCPS draft report.

Despite FAIRGRADE's concerns that the December 12th FCPS draft report UNDERSTATES the magnitude of the negative impacts of FCPS grading policies, we believe that the research gathered over the last eight months overwhelmingly supports FAIRGRADE's original findings that:

1. The existing FCPS grading policy disadvantages students for admissions, merit scholarships and honors program placement,

2. FCPS provides less weights for advanced courses than most comparable school districts,

3. A majority of colleges surveyed do not recalculate GPAs,

4. Nationwide, high school grading policies are trending towards the use of a 10-point scale with pluses, minuses and extra weighting for advanced courses, and

5. It still remains to be seen what evidence supports current FCPS grading policy.

FAIRGRADE will issue its own Executive Summary of the research findings for the School Board's consideration in early January. We will also post on our website the data, analyses and background research literature requested by FAIRGRADE, but not included by FCPS in its final report.

According to FCPS officials, the January 8th regular School Board meeting agenda will include the grading policy issue, and the public can sign up in advance to speak about the FCPS report and the FCPS grading policy. On January 12th, Superintendent Dale is expected to present his recommendations at the School Board work session where the public may observe the proceedings, but may not comment. And it's possible that the School Board could vote on Dale's recommendation(s) at the January 22nd Regular School Board Meeting. Because this is a regular meeting, the public may sign up to speak and address the Board.

Your support during the first three weeks in January is critical. While extensive research demonstrates the need for changing to a 10-point grading scale (with pluses and minuses) and increasing the weights for honors and AP/IB courses, SCHOOL OFFICIALS APPEAR UNCONVINCED.

The two most effective things you can do are to attend the three January School Board meetings (Jan. 8th, 12th & 22nd), and email Superintendent Dale, your individual School Board Member and all three Members-at-Large for the School Board.

SCHOOL OFFICIALS NEED TO HEAR YOUR CONCERNS AND YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR CHANGE. If you have personal experiences about lost opportunities for admissions, scholarships or honors program placements, please email FCPS officials and/or sign up to speak at the regular School Board meetings and tell Board Members your story. (Go to http://www.fcps.edu/schlbd/requestspeak.htm) Your personal testimony may be the single most important factor in persuading the School Board. Don't leave action to others. Please get involved and convey your personal story of lost opportunity.(Please send a copy of your story to: fairgrade.anecdote@gmail.com.)

Finally, we remain closely engaged with our Business Alliance for FAIRGRADE team, receiving advice on a daily basis. The Business Alliance for FAIRGRADE will also be launching some additional lobbying efforts of their own and we'll keep you informed of these activities as they unfold.

IT Experts Dispel Notion that

FCPS Grading Policy Changes Would be Costly

Business Alliance for FAIRGRADE says IT Experts Dispel Notion That FCPS Grading Policy Changes Would Be Costly. Read attached text of press release.

McLean High School Ranks #55 in the Nation

Gold Medal School!

This year’s U.S. News and World Reports ranks McLean Lean High School #55 in the nation. McLean is one of only four FCPS high schools included in the top 100 school nationwide which makes McLean a Gold Medal school. (TJ is ranked # 1; Langley #76; and Woodson #90.) Congratulations to all the students, faculty, staff and administration – Go Highlanders! To read Dr. Jackson’s message click here.

Subject: FAIRGRADE ACT NOW:
Two Simple Steps (Two minutes to read!)

Superintendent Dale only wants to change the weights for advanced courses, but not change to the 10 point grading scale. Here's what you can do to advocate for both changes:

1. Attend the School Board Meeting on January 8th at 7:00 PM. The location is: Luther Jackson Middle School, in the auditorium, located at 3020 Gallows Road in Falls Church. Bring your friends and parents. Wear white. Hundreds of people will send the right message.

2. Send an email to the School Board members and to the Superintendent urging them to read the FCPS report, which clearly provides evidence for both increasing the weights for advanced courses and changing to the 10 grading scale. Letter grades should also include pluses and minuses. Make sure you remind them to review Figure 6 on page 49 of the FCPS report.

Here are all the school board members' and the Superintendent's email addresses:

Jack.Dale@fcps.edu,

daniel.storck@fcps.edu,

kathy.l.smith@fcps.edu,

elizabeth.bradsher@fcps.edu,

brad.center@fcps.edu,

stuart.gibson@fcps.edu,

Martina.Hone@fcps.edu,

kaye.kory@fcps.edu,

ilryong.moon@fcps.edu,

pneichner@fcps.edu,

james.raney@fcps.edu,

jane.strauss@fcps.edu,

tessie.wilson@fcps.edu,

Click here to view the FAIRGRADE Press Release that was issued on January 2, 2009 in response to Superintendent Dale's recommendation that the grading scale not be changed. Also, click here to view the Fact Sheet supporting the change to the grading scale and weights.

Panel Discussion on High School Education in Fairfax County with respect to Achievement by Gender and Income Level

The McLean Chapter of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) will sponsor a panel discussion on the topic of high school education in Fairfax County, particularly with respect to achievement by gender and income level. The event will take place at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, Virginia, at 9:30 am. Click here for more details.

McLean PTSA December/January Newsletter Posted

Click here to read the December/January PTSA Newsletter with the latest school news including a message from MHS Principal, Dr. Deborah Jackson; information on winter activities at McLean High School; an article on the Tree of Life Mosaic installed by the MHS Art Honor Society; an update from FAIRGRADE; information on Student Services and class notes; and information on PTSA, club and school fundraisers.
Article on Revised Bell Schedules

Check out this guest column in The Connection newspapers on the issue of how better bell schedules are a win-win for students and the budget situation:
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=322225&paper=68&cat=110

REMINDER: School Board Meeting – Thursday, Jan 8th – 7pm
YOUR ATTENDANCE IS CRUCIAL TO THIS EFFORT!

ADDRESS: Luther Jackson Middle School - 3020 Gallows Road in Falls Church

PROTOCOL: Emotions on this issue are running high throughout the community. It will benefit our cause if all participants, especially member of FAIRGRADE, act professionally, respect the protocol of the meeting, and exit the room quietly. It is important we leave the School Board with a good impression.

PARKING: Large crowds and the press are expected. We recommend you arrive early and carpool. Additional parking is available behind Luther Jackson MS, the shopping plaza next to the Luther Jackson MS, and the parking lot near Sweetwater Tavern. If the auditorium is crowded, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Please WEAR WHITE. The meeting will begin promptly at 7:00pm. At least seven of the 10 available speaker spots have been secured by people speaking about the FCPS grading policy. The speakers will go first. Typically, the Chairman of the School Board will ask that anyone supporting the speaker’s position respectfully stand while the speaker presents their statement. At the conclusion of the speaker’s list, you are welcome to leave, or you may stay until 9:00pm when the grading policy is formally discussed by the School Board under “New Business."

                       Testimonials Needed for FAIRGRADE

With the FCPS final report nearly complete, your help is critical in persuading the School Board about the need to change existing grading policies. FAIRGRADE is seeking detailed testimonials and factual anecdotes that detail how FCPS' grading policies have impacted your family and your experiences with honors or AP/IB high school classes, college admissions officers, financial aid/scholarship offices, NCAA eligibility, etc.If you have an interesting or moving anedote, we want to hear it. Many of you personally told us stories at FAIRGRADE presentations. Please write them down and send them to us now. We are bundling these poignant and distressing anecdotes so that School Board members may comprehend the reality of how current grading policies are impacting families and so they will better understand the community's support for change. Please be as specific as possible, recording any known dates and providing contact names you have had in these interactions. Send your testimonials and anecdotes to FAIRGRADE Co-founder Marcy Newberger at: fairgrade.anecdote@gmail.com. Please do not delay. You stories are needed as quickly as possible.

                       Status of the FCPS Grading Policies Report

On Thursday, November 20th, FCPS officials gave FAIRGRADE a draft of its 100+ page staff report. FAIRGRADE will meet with Assistant Superintendent Murphy and other FCPS staff on December 2nd to discuss the staff's draft. However, FCPS may or may not accept FAIRGRADE's suggested changes. FCPS staff expects to present the final report to Superintendent Dale the week of December 8th. Superintendent Dale is expected to publicize his recommendations at a FCPS School Board work session on Monday, January 12th, 2009. The time of the work session is not yet available, but we are told that it is likely to be scheduled in the late morning.

FAIRGRADE recommends that interested parents try to attend this FCPS work session. Work sessions normally are scheduled at the Gatehouse administrative building in Merrifield, and are open to the public. Although members of the public are not allowed to speak during work sessions, it will provide a valuable opportunity to hear School Board members discuss their views with respect to Dr. Dale's proposed changes to FCPS grading policies.

FAIRGRADE encourages all of you to continue emailing your School Board members (one for your district, plus the three at-large members), to let them know how you feel about this issue.

ANGP White House Christmas Tree Ornament Sale

Purchase a 2008 White House Christmas Tree Ornament (see below) for $20 and help raise money for the All Night Grad Party. To print the order form, click here. Questions? Please contact Reg Devlin at rddevlin@cox.net.

The 2008 White House Christmas Ornament

McLean Crew Club Christmas Fundraiser

Want to shop in style? Feel the need to go green? Order our exclusive McLean Highlanders recyclable tote. The black bag has a red McLean Highlanders logo on it and is the size of a regular grocery store tote. Not only is it perfect for groceries, but farmers markets, craft fairs and even the library. The price is $4.00 each, but with an order of 5 you get one free! Delivery will be December 13th at the Winter Bazaar. Order forms are found on the McLean Crew website.

FAIRGRADE Lobbying Efforts

Your generous donations were put to good use this month. Last week, our press kits were delivered to eight Cluster Assistant Superintendents, eight cluster directors, all School Board members, all high school and middle school principals, all directors of high school student services and selected other FCPS assistant superintendents. These substantial press kits include copies of all press clips about the FAIRGRADE issue, FAIRGRADE research materials, and fact sheets and information about our leadership team and support network.

This week, FAIRGRADE's comprehensive "iPetition Special Report" was also delivered to members of the Board of Supervisors, School Board members, Superintendent Dale, Deputy Superintendent Moniuszko, all Cluster Assistant Auperintendents, selected other assistant superintendents, high school principals and the press. The 80-page "iPetition Special Report" contains over 350 public testimonials that demonstrate the impact FCPS grading policies are having on FCPS students and families.

FAIRGRADE recently met with Board of Supervisor (BOS) Member Pat Herrity to discuss the current FCPS grading policies, along with FAIRGRADE's research and grading policy recommendations. The Business Alliance for FAIRGRADE is also meeting with BOS members as well as some School Board members who have accepted invitations for one-on-one meetings with our Business Alliance team.

FAIRGRADE Parent Advocacy Efforts

The Cooper Middle School PTA is circulating a "Resolution for Change" and encouraging fellow PTA/PTO/PTSA organizations to adopt this resolution. FAIRGRADE believes that gathering and documenting the strong community support for grading policy changes is vital BEFORE the School Board votes on these issues. Please encourage your PTA/PTO/PTSA leadership to seriously consider this resolution. It is available on our website under the category "Downloads" – then go to the subcategory "FAIRGRADE Fact Sheet".

The Woodson High School parent community is sponsoring a parent-led initiative to support FAIRGRADE at the FCPS School Board meeting on December 4, 2008, 7:00 PM, at Luther Jackson MS in Merrifield. Organizers are calling the event "Project White Out." They ask that you wear a white shirt to visually support the FAIRGRADE movement. You may also sign up to give remarks to the School Board about the grading policies issue. Contact Project White Out organizer Sandra Hoch at hochrs@verizon.net for more information. Hoch says this is the perfect opportunity for stakeholders looking to volunteer their time and efforts for influencing key decision makers.

Thank you for your continued support!

McLean High School Holiday Bazaar

Come support the many McLean HS Clubs and PTSA at the MHS Holiday Bazaar on December 13th from 9 am till 3 pm in the front lobby of the school. Some of the items that are being sold include:

Fruit
Wreaths
Candles
MHS Booster Spirit Wear
Gift Basket Raffle
TV Raffle
McLean license plate frames
Poinsettia's
Silpada Jewelry
White House Ornaments
Chatter Box Game
Coffee/Bake Sale
Sees Candy
McLean Key Chains and scarves
Pre Registration for Crew Mulch Sale
McLean Track Clothing
First Aid Kits
India and South Asia jewelry and painted gift glass articles
McLean Decals
McLean Teddy Bears

Project White Out - Help Support FAIRGRADE

What: Project White Out is a parent-led initiative to visually and verbally support FAIRGRADE at the next FCPS School Board meeting.

Visually: Wear Something White

Verbally: Speak Out - 10 speaker slots available (Click Here to View Guidelines) Everyone will have the option to submit written comments. Written comment forms will be available at the meeting.

When: December 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Jackson Middle School, http://www.fcps.edu/maps/jackson.htm 3020 Gallows Road, Main Entrance, Room 302 – Auditorium, Falls Church, VA 22042

Why: Impact. A large group of Students, Parents and Community Members will deliver a powerful message to the FCPS Superintendent and School Board.

Please wear something white to support FAIRGRADE at Jackson Middle School on December 4th at 7:00 p.m. Questions can be directed to: Sandy Hoch: hochrs@verizon.net or Donna Greer: donna.greer@verizon.net

Grade Distribution Data on School Profile

Many thanks to Dr. Jackson and the Guidance Department for taking swift action last week to update McLean High School’s profile to include grade distribution data. Approximately 600 updated school profiles were mailed out to colleges on November 3.

As you may know, when student transcripts are sent to colleges, the mailing includes a school profile which includes information about the school and community, AP and honors courses offered, SAT/ACT/AP exam scores, grading scale, etc. One additional item that Dr. Jackson wanted to include (but was told no by FCPS) was the grade distribution, which would help demonstrate to colleges the extremely rigorous curriculum and grading policies at McLean High School.

During a simple internet search by a parent, we discovered that there was a Virginia Department of Education regulation which requires high schools to include grade distribution data on the school profile. This state regulation was to go into effect for the 2008-2009 school year. After continued conversations with FCPS, the county approved McLean High School’s updated school profile on Friday afternoon, October 31.

The PTSA Executive Board met and decided to send out a press release as well as a letter to the School Board to express concern that FCPS had not implemented this regulation in a timely way (see attached links). The county is now addressing this issue by developing a standardized grade distribution report for all of its high schools.

We want to thank Dr. Jackson for her leadership, the Guidance Department counselors and staff for their extraordinary efforts, and our parents for their advocacy on behalf of all the senior class of 2009 in FCPS.

McLean PTSA November 2008 Newsletter Posted

Click here to read the November 2008 PTSA Newsletter which includes a message from MHS PTSA President, Susan Perla; information on fall activities at McLean High School; an article about the SLEEP initiative to get later start times for high schools; information on Student Services; and information on PTSA, club and school fundraisers.

Update on Later Start Times (November 2008)

Per The Washington Post article Saturday morning, we're still a long way from our goal and face many challenges in this terrible budget year. One key challenge is getting accurate figures for how much the bell schedule change itself costs, as opposed to how much it costs to fix a number of problems with the current transportation system. Dean Tistadt, COO for FCPS, acknowledges that “The current bell schedule was created in something of a chaotic, reactive manner over a great man[y] years. It does not provide for an efficient movement of buses between schools and service areas.” More

McLean Baseball Team's See's Candy Sale

With the holidays coming up, we have the perfect gift for family, friends, and coworkers. With our wide variety of chocolate, gift giving is easier than ever. To view the brochure click here. To view and print the order form click here. Orders must be placed by November 17^th. Candy must be picked up at McLean High School on December 13th at the McLean High School Bazaar. Any questions please call Lisa Nelson 703-533-0376. Thank you for supporting McLean High School Baseball!

Orchestra Holiday Greens Sale

Go to the MHSO website—www.mhsorchestra.org—to view the festive products and download an order form. The greens will be delivered the week before Thanksgiving—you may either pick up your order at MHS, or you can choose to have them direct-mailed, a great gift idea. A sample wreath is on display in the MHS Orchestra room.

McLean Theatre "Romeo and Juliet"

Come see "Romeo and Juliet" November 20-22 at 7:30 PM. Starting on Tuesday, Nov 18, tickets will be available for sale at lunch (pre-sale tickets for students are $5). Tickets will be sold at the door on the night of the performances starting at 6:45 pm. Ticket prices the night of the performance are $7 for students and $10 for adults. For more information please call 703 714 5821. Click here to view the flyer.

Honor Code Survey

The Honor Code Committee is currently conducting a survey of the opinions of MHS parents in regard to the MHS Honor Code. All answers are anonymous. Thank you for your participation. Your opinion as parents of McLean High School is a very valuable part of this process. If you would like to participate in the survey, please click on the link below. The survey will be available until midnight, Nov 18th. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ARk7i_2bx5JAW6wl5yvauDlw_3d_3d

Safe Teen Driving Presentation

The Partners for Safe Teen Driving presentation will be held on Monday, November 17 in the Cafeteria at 7:30 pm. Information will include: driver education and the licensing process, insuring the teen driver, important traffic laws, and parent tips for coaching the teen driver.

Winter Sports Parent Meeting

This is a reminder that there will be a WINTER SPORTS PARENT MEETING for all parents of students participating on a Winter Athletic team on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18^TH at 7:00 p.m. IN THE CAFETERIA

Volunteers Needed to Assist with Senior Ethics Day

We still need at least 20 parent volunteers--no matter what grade your teen is in!--to serve as "table leaders" at the MHS annual Senior Ethics Day event at Marymount University on November 11 (the Veterans Day federal holiday), which all MHS seniors are required to take part in. The event involves student discussion of ethical dilemmas within smaller, assigned groups that are facilitated by an MHS student "McLeader," with the assistance of a parent volunteer. Lunch is provided for everyone. There will be a training session for table leaders Monday, November 3, at 7:30-8:30 a.m. The Senior Ethics Day program wraps up in the early afternoon on the 11th, in time for students to return to MHS at the close of school. If you can help out with this important program--no prior experience is needed!--or if you would like more information, contact Jennifer Kobylski at tpkoby@aol.com or Betsy Smith at bletsmith@aol.com, by October 23.

SLEEP UPDATE (Start Later for Excellence in Education Proposal)

The School Board made important decisions on our issue at its Monday Sept. 8 Work Session. We are moving forward, but there is more advocacy to be done if later start times are to become a reality in fall 2009.

With the latest version, a second draft, estimated to cost $4.3 million a year, way down from the first version, the Board asked that staff look at ways to save more money and give them a third draft. SLEEP supports this and believes it’s possible to turn later start times into a cost-saver.
The Board also asked staff to give them a “drop-dead” date for when they would have to make a decision in order to implement later start times in fall 2009. SLEEP supports this as guidance for Board action.
The Board postponed public input from this fall to early next year, after they get through a long series of budget hearings. SLEEP would have preferred to see the 3^rd draft in October and public input in November.

Next steps: Recommendations for Iteration 3, pushing for early public input and action

For more information click here to view the fact sheet. To sign the online petition, visit www.SLEEPinFairfax.org

Parent Coffees – October 30 and 31 in the Lecture Hall

Come and meet members of the Administration Team and Guidance Staff to learn about what is happening and have your questions answered. 9^th and 10^th grade parents will meet at 7:30 a.m. on October 30^th ; and 11^th & 12^th grade parents will meet at 7:30 am on October 31^st.

Safe Community Coalition (SCC) Parenting Program
October 30, 7 PM

The SCC will present a parenting program featuring nationally renowned ethics expert and author Rush Kidder. The program, “Good Kids, Tough Choices, Ethical Parenting in a Messy Age,” will take place on October 30, at 7:00 pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. As the attached flyer details, parents of middle and high school students will have the opportunity to return on Friday, October 31 (10:30 – 12:00 noon for middle school parents, and 12:30 – 2:00 pm for high school parents) to participate in focus group discussions which will assist Dr. Kidder’s research for his new book.

Fairfax County Government FY 2010 Budget
Community Dialogue Meetings

Fairfax County is projecting a budget deficit of more than $400 million for FY 2010 (beginning July 1, 2009) which must be addressed through a combination of spending reductions and other strategies. Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools will host 20 community dialogue sessions to gather comments from the public. There are several meetings that will be held in or around the McLean area: Tuesday, October 21 at Marshall High School (7:00 –9:30 pm); Saturday, October 25 at Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library (9:30 am – 12:00 noon); and Wednesday, October 29 at the McLean Community Center (7:00 – 9:30 pm). For more information on how to register to participate in the Community Dialogue meetings, please visit the Fairfax County Government website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/government/budget/.

Athletic Booster Annual Fundraiser

The McLean High School Annual Golf Classic will be held at the Reston National Golf Course on Thursday, October 24th. Click here to view the flyer and registration form
or contact Cyndee Cannon at cyndeecannon@juno.com.

Spirit Week at McLean

The week of October 14 leading up to Homecoming is Spirit Week at McLean. Students have been asked to show their school spirit by participating in the following theme activities each day:

Tuesday Tacky Tuesday (wear mix-matched clothes)
Wednesday Pajama Day (wear “tasteful” pajamas)
Thursday Jungle Day (wear jungle theme/print clothes)
Friday Big Red Day (wear red!)

The Homecoming football game (against rival Thomas Jefferson High School) will take place on Friday, October 17 at 7:30 pm. Classes and clubs have been working on their banners for the parade. We hope everyone will come out to support the football team and enjoy the award-winning Highlander Marching Band at half-time.

The Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, October 18, from 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm in the Gym. The theme of the dance is a jungle theme: “Take a Walk on the Wild Side.” Tickets are $15.00 per person and must be purchased in advance during lunch hours in the cafeteria. (Tickets will not be sold at the door.) Parents, please remind your students to act (and dance) responsibly – not too wild – and be safe!

Parent volunteers are needed to help chaperone and man the coat check at MHS’s “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” homecoming dance this year, on October 18. If interested, please contact Ms. Wagoner at Lori.Wagoner@fcps.edu.

Junior Class (Class of 2010) Presents

Logo is scalable

The Class of 2010 is selling INNISBROOK WRAPS for their Fall Fundraiser. The entire fundraiser is being conducted ON-LINE. The sale runs from August 20 to October 3, 2008. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to defray the cost of the Jr./Sr. Prom. Please support our efforts by sharing the Innisbrook catalog with family, friends and co-workers. Every orders helps us—we receive 50% PROFIT on each order. Go to www.innisbrook.com, fill your shopping cart and when prompted, enter McLean’s customer number 108809. Your order will be shipped directly to your home—no pesky school pick-up required! If you have any questions, please contact Parent Sponsor Gayla Hassett at 703/534-7480 or ghassett@cox.net.

Internet Safety Town Hall Meeting

The Virginia PTA and Enough is Enough present an Internet Safety Town Hall Meeting on Monday, October 6, 2008 at in the Russell Theater, Robinson Secondary School (2035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax). PTA members and the General Public are invited to attend. Registration and Refreshments 6 – 7 p.m. Internet Safety 101: Empowering Parents presentation 7 – 9 p.m. Online registration is available through http://www.novadistrictpta.org/events/EIEtownhall.htm For more information, you can download the flyer

Online Database Information Session

On Back-to-School night at 6:00 p.m. all parents are invited to an online database information/training session in the Library. The McLean librarians, Mrs. McCarthy and Ms. Cuccia, will be conducting a half hour session to familiarize parents with the online subscription databases and online catalog that are available to students 24/7.

McLean PTSA sponsors Dialogue with FAIRGRADE

The PTSA Ad Hoc Committee on FAIRGRADE invites the McLean High School community – in particular, families with seniors – to an evening dialogue with Sara Pacqué-Margolis. Sara, one of the FAIRGRADE co-founders and a parent of two current MHS seniors, will update families on the status of FAIRGRADE and the FCPS response. We want to encourage an open, informal conversation that will provide insights for the current senior class applying to colleges, as well as share strategies for how you can continue to support FAIRGRADE this fall. All are invited to attend the session, which will be held in the Lecture Hall at 7:30 pm on September 22. Please visit FAIRGRADE’s updated website at: www.fairgrade.org.

Senior Parent Night – Monday, September 15, 7:30 pm

Senior parents and guardians are invited to the annual Senior Parent Night, Monday, September 15 at 7:30 pm in the McLean High School Auditorium. This is a parent/guardian program only as your students will be attending their grade level unit starting September 22. Hear about the resources available to you and your student as you navigate the college admission process and post secondary planning. Meet with your student's counselor in small group discussion. Please contact Mrs. Rahn in the College Career Center at Isobel.Rahn@fcps.edu if you have any questions.

McLean High School PTSA support of FAIRGRADE

At its March 10 meeting, the McLean High School PTSA voted to endorse and support the mission of FAIRGRADE: “…to revise FCPS grading policies so that FCPS students are no longer at a disadvantage in competing for college admissions, merit-based scholarships, and admissions to honors programs…”.

FAIRGRADE was created in January 2008 to advocate for major revisions of the current grading policies in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). The four Co-founders include a former Admissions Officer for Georgetown University and Admissions Reader for Duke University, a demographer, a former FCPS special education teacher, and a longtime FCPS volunteer and current president of the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted.

FAIRGRADE supporters believe that FCPS' current 6-point grading scale and weighting disparities between Honors and AP/IB classes hurt our kids. FAIRGRADE's immediate goal is to persuade FCPS to join the majority of American high schools who have implemented the more commonly used 10-point grading scale with added weights for Honors and AP/IB classes or a straight numeric scale with added weights for Honors and AP/IB classes.

FAIRGRADE's extensive research shows FCPS' current grading policies put FCPS students at a disadvantage for the following:

College admissions
Receipt of valuable merit-based academic scholarships
Admissions to college honors programs
NCAA athletic eligibility
Car insurance "good student" discounts

Following initial refusals from FCPS officials to address FAIRGRADE's findings and concerns, FAIRGRADE took its research directly to PTA's and PTO's in Fairfax County schools in the spring of '08. After successful presentations at numerous FCPS schools, hundreds of parents flooded the FCPS Administration with e-mails and phone calls and a grassroots movement was born. As a result, FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale assembled an FCPS research team to provide analysis about how FCPS grading policies compare to other school districts regionally and non-regionally, the impact of these policies division-wide and to determine what, if anything, supports current FCPS grading policies. FAIRGRADE participated in an FCPS Forum on Grading Policies at Luther Jackson Middle School on August 25th. Click here to read the Washington Post article about this meeting.

Other Coverage:

FAIRGRADE Co-founder Marcy Newberger appeared on the Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU 88.5FM– The Politics Hour – on Monday, June 16th. To listen to the segment click here.

Sign the FAIRGRADE Petition

See the Channel 9 Article by Peggy Fox and View the Video

For more information, or to find out how you can help please visit the FAIRGRADE website www.fairgrade.org or contact FAIRGRADE at fairgrade.fcps@gmail.com.

PTSA Newcomers Potluck Dinner – Friday, Sept 12th 6 pm

All 9th grade students and families and new 10-12th grade transfer students and families are invited to attend a potluck dinner on September 12, at 6:00 pm in the Cafeteria. This will give everyone a chance to meet members of the PTSA board, administrators, and class parents, and learn more about McLean High School! There will be an opportunity to have your questions answered. Please bring a dish to share that will feed 8-10 people, along with a serving spoon. For last names beginning with: A-K - main dish or pasta; L-R - salad, vegetable or fruit; S-Z - dessert. For questions, please contact: Sally Evans (703) 556-8624 or Susan Hekking (703) 827-9054.

September 2008 PTSA Newsletter Posted

Click here to read the September 2008 PTSA Newsletter which includes welcome notes from MHS Principal, Dr. Deborah Jackson, and PTSA President, Susan Perla; information on fall activities and promotions; and the membership form to join the McLean PTSA.

Volunteers Needed to Help with Freshman Orientation

Parent Volunteers are needed to help with the Freshman Orientation on September 5. The students will be going off-site to the Capital One Bank building for this program. Capital One is located at 1680 Capital One Drive, McLean, VA 22102 (right off 123 near the Beltway). Parents are needed to help serve box lunches, etc. from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Parking will be available, but we need to provide the list of parent names to Capital One for parking and security. If you can help, please RSVP to Susan Perla via e-mail by Wednesday, September 3 (susan.perla@gmail.com).

Volunteers Needed to Help Sort Back to School Forms

In addition, volunteers are needed to help sort the many forms that come back to school with the students on the first day of school. Sorting will take place in the conference room in the main office (near the kitchen) starting on Wednesday, 9/3. Volunteers can come any time - no RSVP is required.

Guidance Packets Mailed out to McLean Students

Click to view the letter and FAQs sent to freshman families. Click to view the letter sent to families of sophomores-seniors. Click here if you have misplaced your blue student directory form. In order for students to receive their schedules, they must bring an updated emergency care form (included in the mailed materials). Blank emergency care forms are available by clicking here.

Summer Reading Assignments

McLean High School has published a list of summer reading assignments for students. For your reference, attached are links for English and AP classes:

http://www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS/academics/english/Summer%20Reading%20List2008%20(2).htm

http://www.fcps.edu/McLeanHS/academics/AP%20Summer%20Assignments%202008.htm

Roundtable on research of FCPS Grading Policies

Grading Policies Roundtable:

At 1:00 p.m. this Monday, August 25^th, FAIRGRADE is participating in an FCPS sponsored Roundtable panel discussion regarding the impact of grading policies on college admissions and scholarships. This event is open to the public. Questions may be submitted in advance at the FCPS web site and the public may question the panel following the Roundtable. Your attendance is STRONGLY encouraged. This issue makes news because of concerned parents like you.

The Roundtable is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Luther Jackson Middle located on Gallows Road at Route 50 in Merrifield. The address is: 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Go to the FCPS homepage to submit questions and for additional details: www.fcps.edu. You may copy FAIRGRADE with your questions at: fairgrade.fcps@gmail.com

Roundtable Pre-Rally:

FAIRGRADE needs students and parents like you for a pre-Roundtable Rally. Many television and newspaper cameras are expected to cover the Roundtable. This is your opportunity to personally show the press and Fairfax County officials how much this issue means to you. Don't leave action to others. Please get involved. Make signs and come rally with other students and parents at NOON in front of Luther Jackson Middle School located at Gallows Road at Route 50 in Merrifield.

The time and effort you invest now could save you thousands when your child goes to college.

The address for Luther Jackson Middle School is 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Please email FAIRGRADE Communications Director, Catherine Lorenze at clorenze@verizon.net to notify us of your intention to rally outside of the school.

Click here to read FAIRGRADE's press release.

Research of FCPS Grading Policies

FCPS is collaborating on a research study of FCPS grading policies. A roundtable with college admission officers is planned for Monday, August 25, 1 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. It is open to the public. Details.

Volunteers Needed for Packet Stuffing on August 19

Parent and student volunteers are needed for the Back-To-School packet stuffing on August 19 at 8:00 am in the Library. Community service hours will be given to students. Please join us and help get the year off to a great start!

MHS Prep Summer Institutes

The Summer Institutes: MHS Prep (Transition to McLean for rising freshman) and MHS Prep PLUS (Prepare, Learn, Understand and Succeed for Students enrolled in Honors and AP classes) wlll take place at McLean HS on August 18-21. Please note students must have registered for this program in June 2008. Click here for more information on the MHS Prep schedule and for MHS Prep PLUS schedule.

Parent Volunteers Needed for Guidance Packet Stuffing

We need 12-15 parent volunteers (no students please) to help stuff Guidance Packets on Tuesday, August 12, at 8:00 am in the College and Career Center. The project will likely be finished by noon, but your assistance is appreciated even if you can only stay for an hour or two. Please email susan.perla@gmail.com if you're able to assist.

Volunteer to Help Kids with Disabilities Ride a Bike!

The Fairfax County Park Authority is sponsoring a bike camp called Lose the Training Wheels, a program where children with disabilities learn to ride a standard 2 wheel bicycle without training wheels. This life changing program will run for three weeks during the summer: July 14-18 2008 at Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy in Chantilly and July 21-25 & July 28-August 1 at Herndon High School. They are recruiting volunteers to commit to at least one 75 minute session for at least one week to be one of two roles: spotters or administrative. They have a greater need for spotters. The session times are:

8:15-9:45 a.m.
9:45-11:15 a.m.
12:00-1:30 p.m.
1:30-3:00 p.m.
3:00-4:30 p.m.

Additionally, they are looking for individuals to assist with the loading and unloading of bikes and equipment for the weeks of July 21-25 and July 28-August 1st for the times of 7:15-8:15 am and 4:30-5:30 pm.

This is a great volunteer opportunity for groups, families, and individuals. You can really make a difference in a child's life. Volunteers receive lunch, RECenter passes, and a Lose The Training Wheels bike camp t-shirt as a token of appreciation for their hard work.

Follow-Up to Teen Summit

Parent Task Force Volunteers Needed

The 12^th Annual Safe Community Coalition (SCC) Teen Summit was held on February 5, 2008. Over 100 teens discussed problems facing the teens in our community and brainstormed solutions using the following framework: 1) What can I do to help myself? 2) What can my family do to help me? 3) What can my school do to help me? 4) What can my community do to help me?

Following the Teen Summit, the SCC established task forces in each of the six topic areas: Academic Pressure and College Stress; Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking; Values Clarification; Safe Social Alternatives; Mental and Physical Health; and The Internet and Technology. The task forces will include SCC members, parents, teachers and school administrators, students, and community members. Parent volunteers are needed to serve on the six task forces to help respond to the needs and suggestions developed at the summit.

If you would like to volunteer for one of the task forces, please contact SCC Board Member Laura Zoll at laurazoll@hotmail.com. You can learn more about the Summit and read the students’ statements by visiting the SCC website www.safecommunitycoalition.net

FCCPTA Survey re: Later Start Times for High Schools

The Fairfax County School Board believes that later start times would be beneficial for high school students and is looking into the possibility of changing school start times to better correspond with children's sleep cycles. The primary reason for the change would be to improve student health and academic performance. A Transportation Task Force composed of parents, principals, teachers, coaches and representatives from a wide range of community groups recently proposed changes to transportation and bell schedules. The Task Force considered an incredibly broad range of issues related to these subjects over a 6-month period. To review the recommendations presented to the School Board, please visit:

http://www.fcps.edu/fts/taskforce07/documents/finalreport/majorityfinalreport.pdf.

The Fairfax County Council of PTAs (FCCPTA) has asked us to help promote a survey they are doing to learn more about parent perspectives with regard to school start times and the daily schedule. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey http://www.fccpta.org/trans_survey/ start_time_survey.htm It takes about 3 to 5 minutes to complete—depending on how much thought you put into your answers.

Background: Here are some items to keep in mind as you take the survey:

~ Bell schedules (start and end times of the school day) are based on using buses to make more than one trip.
~ Now, buses are used 2 or 3 times each morning, so start times are staggered across three basic time frames.
~ Elementary schools are in all three time frames from 7:50 am to 9:25 am.
~ If bell schedules change, elementary schools would still be in all three time frames, but more elementary schools would start between 7:50 am and 8:55 am.
~ Some elementary schools would still be in the latest time frame, starting between 9:00 am and 9:40 am.

The Fairfax County Council of PTAs (FCCPTA) would like to know about your student's school-related habits and your views on this issue. Responses are anonymous. Please submit one survey per household. If you have questions, please contact the FCCPTA School Start Survey Coordinator.

Updated August 26, 2009

Archive 2008-2009

College Career Center

Who: Students 9-11 and their parents When: January 22nd 7:00-8:30 Where: McLean HS Cafeteria What: Ask questions of the AP teachers All AP Classes Will Be Described. See typical assignments and textbooks.

Roundtable on research of FCPS Grading Policies

Who: Students 9-11 and their parents

When: January 22nd 7:00-8:30

Where: McLean HS Cafeteria

What: Ask questions of the AP teachers

All AP Classes Will Be Described. See typical assignments and textbooks.