Don't miss the "State of the School" Address by Principal Jones today (Wednesday), January 21st @ 7pm in the Auditorium at the PTSA's General Membership Meeting.
|
Student Resources & Community News
 |
|
Great Falls Got Talent!
Where: Great Falls Grange Theater
Who can participate: Performers ages 3 through 18 are welcome
When: Saturday, February 7th (Dress rehearsal Feb 5th and 6th at "the Grange")
Sign-Up using this form before January 21st.
Email: GreatFallsOptimistVA@gmail.com
|
Alden's Macdonald Performing Arts Scholarship
Each year the McLean Community Center hosts the Macdonald Performing Arts Scholarship Competition for high school students who live or go to school in Dranesville District #1A (McLean Community Center’s tax district). The deadline for entry into the 2026 competition is January 26. We want to be sure eligible students won’t miss out on the opportunity.
There are four categories: Theatre, Dance, Vocal Music, and Instrumental Music. Three prizes are awarded in each category, from $400-1200. There is an application fee of $20 per entry, and students are allowed to enter as many categories as they like.
The preliminary competition is the week of February 9th.
Here’s a link to the page with all the information: https://mcleancenter.org/macdonald-performing-arts-scholarship/
Here’s a direct link to the application: 2026 Macdonald Scholarship Application
|
 |
|
Generative AI Capstone opportunity
Inspirit AI is a 25-hour live online program taught by Stanford and MIT graduate students that introduces students to foundational artificial intelligence concepts by building impactful projects such as Early detection of colorectal cancer. Spring applications are due by January 31st
|
Volunteers 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): 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:
- A mobile phone to receive text messages & download our routing app
- A vehicle 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 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.
|
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!
McLean Crew Club Mulch Madness 2026
McLean Crew Club’s annual Mulch Madness weekend is February 28- March 1, 2026 (weather backup dates: March 7-8). Mulch Madness is McLean Crew's single biggest fundraiser.
We’re once again offering 3-cubic-foot bagsof high-quality double-shredded hardwood mulch, with FREE delivery the weekend of February 28–March 1. The more you order, the more you save!
Orders due by February 14th.
Delivery address must be in zip codes 22101, 22102, 22182, 22043, 22046. Only one delivery address per order allowed. No split deliveries. 15 bag minimum.
Are you ready to join the Mulch Madness?
Visit: www.mcleancrew.org/mulch to place your order today.
As a club (not a school-funded team), McLean Crew Club relies entirely on dues from our families and community support. Thank you for your help in keeping rowing accessible and our athletes winning on the water and far beyond it.
|
McLean PTSA Fundraiser
Please Support Our Teachers and Students
- Help Us Reach $51,330!
Dear Parents,
We’re excited to share that the McLean PTSA has raised $43,053 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
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 : April 11, 2026, July 18, 2026
ACT : 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
|
School Year PTSA Checklist
Important Upcoming Dates
January 21 - State of the School address with Principal Jones at the PTSA meeting
January 29 & 30 - Student holidays
Helpful Links
Attendance Bell Schedule Red/Silver Calendar Office and Support Staff
Student Services Student Activities Special Education Resources
Teacher Office Hours Substance Abuse Prevention
|
