Our Impact

YOUR PTSA DOLLARS AT WORK!

2026–2027 Mid-Year Impact Report

Real Programs. Real Impact. A Stronger McLean.

What does your PTSA membership and donation make possible? Take a look at what we’ve accomplished together!

Since the beginning of the 2026–2027 school year, McLean High School PTSA has been turning membership dues, parent contributions, and volunteer hours into meaningful programs and services that benefit our students, teachers, families, and the entire school community.

From supporting students in need and celebrating our educators to creating memorable school experiences and advocating for better facilities, our volunteers and supporters are making a difference every day.

Here’s what WE have accomplished together!

1. SUPPORTING STUDENTS WHO NEED IT MOST

Through McLean Matters, we help students and families facing financial challenges so every student can feel supported, included, and ready to succeed.

• Collected approximately 500 personal care items through our successful Fall Toiletries Drive.

• Secured 29 hoodies and 10 pairs of sweatpants to help students stay warm this winter.

• Continuing our annual Holiday Gift Card Drive, with a goal of matching or exceeding last year’s $150 grocery gift card per family.

Approximately 200 McLean students receive free or reduced-price meals or fee assistance. Your contributions help ensure that financial hardship does not become a barrier to students’ comfort, dignity, or participation in school life.

2. SHOWING APPRECIATION TO OUR TEACHERS & STAFF

Our teachers and staff make McLean special. PTSA is committed to recognizing their dedication and showing them how much our community appreciates their hard work.

Since August, we have:

• Hosted a Welcome Back Breakfast for all teachers and staff.

• Provided dinner for all teachers and staff during Back-to-School Night.

• Welcomed new teachers and staff with a celebration cake.

• Celebrated Custodian Appreciation Day (October 1) with lunch for day-shift custodians and dinner for evening-shift custodians.

• Provided snacks for SAT and PSAT proctors on October 7.

• Organized monthly Friday Breakfast Stations in the Front Office, completing September and October, with November underway.

• Provided monthly birthday cakes for teachers 

These thoughtful gestures remind our educators that they are valued members of the Highlander community.

3. CREATING MEMORABLE SCHOOL EXPERIENCES

PTSA helps bring school traditions and community celebrations to life!

Celebrate McLean

• Funded essential event infrastructure, including tables, tents, and commercial generators.

• Sponsored family-friendly attractions, including mini golf, giant soccer darts, and dual-lane slides.

• Coordinated event logistics, entertainment, and operations.

Community Service: Bag & Coat Check

• Provided 7 hours of bag-check service at Celebrate McLean and Friday night football, handling more than 120 backpacks.

• Provided 4 hours of bag and coat check service at the McLean Homecoming Dance, from 7–11 p.m.

These efforts help create fun, safe, and memorable experiences while bringing students, families, and the community together.

4. EXPANDING STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

This year, PTSA launched the National PTA Reflections Art Program at McLean!

Students can express their creativity and showcase their talents in four categories:

• Visual Arts

• Photography

• Literature

• Film Production

An Accessible Arts Division is also available for eligible students with disabilities. Selected entries may advance to county, state, and national competitions, giving our Highlanders an opportunity to share their creativity on a broader stage!

5. INVESTING IN STUDENT & TEACHER HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Our new Health & Wellness Committee is developing educational resources and programs to support the well-being of the MHS community.

Current initiatives include:

• Submitted an application for a National PTA grant to support wellness initiatives.

• Planning a parent education workshop, “Pressure to Achieve: What Parents Can Do,” in collaboration with MHS counselors.

• Developing an additional workshop on anxiety and performance with a psychologist.

• Exploring short stress-management videos from the American Psychological Association for school monitors.

• Developing a wellness appreciation event for teachers and staff.

Our goal is to promote a healthier school environment where students and educators can thrive.

6. BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

Our new Multicultural Family Engagement Committee is working to ensure every family feels welcome, informed, and connected.

• Established multilingual family liaisons representing five language communities: Spanish, Indian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese.

• Developed the committee’s first-year charter.

• Submitted an application for the National PTA Language Access Grant.

• Held our first in-person meeting with multilingual family liaisons.

• Developing a “Did You Know?” information series to help families understand and access FCPS interpretation services for parent-teacher conferences and school events.

We believe language should never be a barrier to family engagement or student success.

7. ADVOCATING FOR A BETTER SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

PTSA is committed to advocating for a safe, healthy, and functional learning environment for our students and educators.

Since September, we have:

• Launched the MHS Facilities Advocacy Committee.

• Promoted the FCPS Facilities Improvement Survey to encourage community participation.

• Conducted an initial survey of MHS teachers and administrators to identify pressing facility concerns.

• Identified HVAC issues as the highest-ranked concern, followed by pests and rodents, and mold.

We are continuing to advocate for improvements that address health, safety, and barriers to teaching and learning.

Your support helps make this important behind-the-scenes advocacy possible.

8. KEEPING FAMILIES CONNECTED

A well-informed community is a stronger community. We have expanded our communication channels to help families stay connected with everything happening at McLean.

Since the beginning of the school year, we have:

• Published 13 weekly PTSA newsletters.

• Launched the new PTSA website.

• Established new Facebook and Instagram communication channels.

• Designed a new school bulletin board to keep families informed about PTSA programs, events, and volunteer opportunities.

We are making it easier for every family to stay informed and get involved.

9. BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HIGHLANDER FAMILIES

Our new Class of 2030 Parent Committee is creating opportunities for freshman families to connect, share resources, and build lasting relationships.

Planned initiatives include:

• A Freshman Family Starter Guide.

• Information resources to help families prepare for sophomore year.

• Informal family coffee chats.

We also continue to promote college preparation resources, including Mock SAT, ACT, and PSAT testing opportunities, as well as parent education programs featuring school counselors and our college specialist.

YOUR SUPPORT. OUR RESPONSIBILITY. OUR SHARED IMPACT.

Every membership, donation, and volunteer hour represents a family’s investment in the McLean community. We take that trust seriously.

McLean High School PTSA is committed to being a responsible steward of every dollar entrusted to our organization. Membership dues and donations help fund programs, services, and initiatives that directly benefit our students, teachers, families, and school community.

We believe our community deserves to know not only what PTSA does, but also how its contributions are used. We are committed to financial transparency, responsible spending, and accountability to our members and supporters.

WANT TO SEE MORE? VISIT OUR WEBSITE!

www.mcleanptsa.org

Explore our programs, committees, events, and financial information. Browse photos from our school activities, read the latest updates, and see firsthand how our volunteers and community contributions are making a difference at McLean.

WE HAVE MORE TO DO. WE NEED YOU!

We are proud of what our community has accomplished together, but there are still more students to support, more teachers to appreciate, and more opportunities to create.

Membership dues build the foundation. Additional donations help us do MORE.

Your contribution helps us:

• Provide essential supplies and clothing for students in need.

• Expand student enrichment, health, and wellness programs.

• Recognize and support our hardworking teachers and staff.

• Create meaningful school traditions and community events.

• Strengthen family engagement and facilities advocacy.

• Build a more welcoming, connected, and inclusive school community.

You don’t have to volunteer every week to make a difference. You can make an impact simply by contributing.

Whether it’s $25, $50, $100, or more, every contribution counts. Every dollar helps create opportunities and strengthen our Highlander community.

MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TODAY!

Join us in investing in the students, educators, and future of McLean High School.

DONATE. PARTICIPATE. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

TOGETHER, WE MAKE McLEAN STRONGER!