Teacher & Staff Appreciation
Friday Breakfast Station
The PTSA organizes a weekly Friday Breakfast Station during the year stocked with contributions by fellow McLean HS families. The Friday Breakfast Station is set up in the front office and teachers & staff are grateful each week for your donations. Please click on the link to donate a breakfast item from the sign up list this month. Thank you in advance!
October's Friday Dates are: 10/24, 10/31
Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA4A822A7FEC07-52204108-202510
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Volunteer Needed for Food Pantry Programs
Food Pantry - Collection Day Drivers Needed
Drivers use an app on their phone that shows them where to go to pick up bags.
- They drive the route picking up bags from approximately 12 homes
- They leave an empty bag, weigh the full bag, but the bag in their vehicle
- Bring all of the bags to the collection site at Luther Jackson MS where a team of unloaders will empty their vehicle
- Drivers start at 8:30am and are usually done by 10:00am
The upcoming collection dates are (Saturdays): 10/25/25, 1/17/26 (or 24th if there’s weather), 3/7/26, 4/25/26. You should be available for at least two dates.
Here’s what’s needed to volunteer as a driver:
- You’ll need a mobile phone to receive text messages and download our routing app
- Your vehicle should be large enough to carry about 20–25 full Red Bags
- We recommend having 1–2 “driver helpers” to collect, weigh, and record donations in the app
- You should be able to carry a heavy grocery bag down a set of front stairs
If you have questions: review our Driver FAQs online, watch this video, or reply to this email: eelnattar@mcleanptsa.org. Our Driver Coordinator will contact you with all the information you’ll need.
Thank you for your support. Our next collection is Saturday, Oct. 25th. Please sign up to donate and help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D45AFAC29A5FC1-59230328-20251025#/.
McLean Pantry - Week Day Volunteers Needed
If you have flexibility during the work day and are interested in volunteering to support the McPantry, please reply to this email eelnattar@mcleanptsa.org. We need volunteers to drop off bags to new Red Bag donors homes.
At McLean High School, teachers, student volunteers, and parents have come together to help combat hunger among students! The newly established McLean Pantry is currently collecting individually packaged food items, such as shelf-stable milk cartons, cups of noodles, and more. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Anshu Matalia at
amatalia@mcleanptsa.org.
Please become a Food For Neighbors Red Bag Donor.
Once you sign-up, FFN will send you a reminder one week prior to the scheduled pickup (March, May, September, November and January). FFN donations are tax-deductible; FFN will provide donation confirmation.
Thank you for your support!
Mock Testing - SAT and ACT
Looking for an opportunity to practice for the SAT and ACT? The McLean PTSA is partnering with The Princeton Review and Marigold Prep to offer practice tests. Each testing session starts at 9am. The test dates are as follows:
SAT : November 15, 2025; January 10, 2026; April 11, 2026, July 18, 2026
ACT : October 25, 2025; February 28, 2026; April 25, 2026
Join us virtually to take the full-length practice tests. The registration fee is $20 per exam.
To register for SAT practice tests, click here.
To register for ACT practice tests, click here.
Registration closes 3 days prior to each exam, and you will receive an email with further instructions regarding the testing session. After each test, you will receive a comprehensive score report detailing your strengths and weaknesses.
Questions? Contact tests@mcleanptsa.org
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Fundraisers
Big Buns Fundraiser to Benefit MHS Choirs
- Today 10/22
Enjoy the best burgers, fries, and shakes in town while supporting the McLean High School Choirs!
When: Wednesday, October 22nd from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Where: Big Buns Burgers, 1330 Chain Bridge Road McLean, VA 22101
https://www.eatbigbuns.com/mclean
Thanks for all your support!
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McLean High School Band Fruit Sale
Looking for a healthy way to support the McLean High School Band? Stock up on classic, Florida-fresh citrus and more during their Annual Fruit Sale! Choose from navel oranges, mandarin oranges, grapefruit, an apples and pears combo, and a fruit sampler – all of which would make great gifts for yourself or others this holiday season.
The Fruit Sale is open now through Tuesday, November 25th. Orders will be available for pick-up at McLean High School on Saturday, December 13th from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Unfortunately, shipping is unavailable.
Orders may be placed online at the following link: https://floridafruitstore.com/McLeanHSBand.
Please email mhsbandfruitsale@gmail.com with any questions.
Thank you for your continued support of our nationally recognized music program!
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Please Support Our Teachers and Students
- Help Us Reach $51,330!
Dear Parents,
We’re excited to share that the McLean PTSA has raised $36,998 so far — THANK YOU for your generous support!
We still need your help to reach our goal of $51,330 for this school year. Your contributions directly support our teachers, students, and school programs.
We suggest a donation of $180 per family, which includes a $30 PTSA membership, but please know that every contribution, no matter the amount, truly makes a difference.
You can donate using the following links:
Suggested donation
Custom donation
Contests
Reflections Art Competition
The Theme for the 2025 - 2026 School Year is: "I Belong!".
Students can submit theme-based artwork in dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, or visual arts.
Submission guidelines can be found here in English and Spanish. You can also find the entry form with rules for submission categories here and submission entry forms in English and Spanish are available. Submissions are due by Friday, November 14th. If interested or have questions, please use your personal email address to contact Reflections team at reflections@mcleanptsa.org.
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McLean High School Crew Club Turkey Trot 5K
(with Langley Crew Club)
Please join McLean Crew Club and Langley Crew Club (of McLean High School and Langley High School), on Saturday, November 29 at 9 am for a Turkey Trot 5K. The friendly rivals are joining together as ONE team to support and strengthen rowing in our McLean and Great Falls community. Proceeds from the event will be shared equally between the two teams.
Register here: Langley and McLean Crew Turkey Trot
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In addition to the 5K, there will be a dj with music and a food truck, coffee truck, and bake sale with food and drinks available for purchase. Every registrant also receives a free commemorative Turkey Trot t-shirt!
Grab your friends and family, and let’s run/walk!
Registration Fee: Early Bird Discount - $35 through Oct 31st; then, $50 through Nov 29th.
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Fulfill Service Requirements
Bright Beats – Calling Student Volunteers & Leaders!
Bright Beats is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit bringing music and joy to children with special needs through interactive sessions. They are seeking MHS student volunteers to help lead sing-alongs, rhythm games, and instrument play. No music/instrument experience needed - training will be provided. Students can earn service hours and build leadership skills while making a real impact in the community.
Leadership Opportunities:
In addition to volunteering, students can take on leadership roles as a chapter lead or on the executive team, helping coordinate events, recruit volunteers, and design future programs.
Upcoming Afterschool Sessions at Franklin Sherman ES (4–5 pm):
- November 10, 17, 24
- December 1, 8
Sign up here: https://www.brightbeats.org/join-us
Community Activities
School Year PTSA Checklist
Important Upcoming Dates
October 31 - Quarter 1 End, Early Dismissal
November 3-4 - School Planning & Teacher Workday (Student Holiday)
November 11 - Holiday (Veterans Day)
November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break
Helpful Links
Attendance Bell Schedule Red/Silver Calendar Office and Support Staff
Student Services |
