• Bell Schedule
• Red/Silver Rotation Calendar
• FCPS Calendar 2023-2024
• Attendance policies and procedures
• McLean High School Instagram: @mclean_high | Twitter: @mcleanhigh
• McLean Athletics website Instagram @McLeanathletics | twitter: @Mcleanathletics 
• Sign up for McLean High School News and Announcements emails. Dr. Reilly, McLean HS Principal, sends the weekly update each Monday at 5:00 pm

If you want to sign up for emails from the Activities Office, you can also find that sign up for McLean High School Athletics

Welcome Back Events 

We are excited to welcome back our students and families to the 2023-24 School Year! We have a variety of opportunities for you to interact with our faculty and staff, as well as learn more about the courses during Back to School Night.  

Back to School Events 

• Freshman/Transfer student Orientation : Thursday, August 17 from 9-12:00.  
  • Please see the linked schedule for more details on our Freshman/Transfer student orientation.  
• Back to School Night - August 24 - 5:30-8:30
  • All students and families are invited to our Back to School. 
  • For those interested in a traditional in-person Back to School Night, we invite you to join us on the evening of Thursday, August 24. Parents will have an opportunity to go through their child’s schedule class by class and hear the presentation about the class from teachers. 
  • Parking will be limited and we encourage parents to carpool or walk if within walking distance. 
  • More specific details will be released closer to the event. 
• Senior Parent Meeting - August 24, 5:30-6:30
  • Parents of Seniors! Please join us at our annual Senior Parent Night from 5:30-6:30pm on August 24 in the Auditorium. In this meeting we will share upcoming events and information to be aware of related to post-secondary planning, with an emphasis on how best to support your student as they engage in the college application process.
• Friday, September 8 - Celebrate McLean, 4-6:30 pm 
  • All students and families are invited to stop by to learn about club and extra-curricular offerings, enjoy some food trucks, and games.  This is a great time for us to come together and celebrate the school year ahead!
  • Our first home football game will begin at 7:00pm in the stadium.  Tickets can be purchased for $5.00 in advance or at the gate.  
  • Students from our school pyramid are welcome to attend!

Important Upcoming Dates

• August 17 – Schedules available in StudentVUE and ParentVUE at 6 am
• August 17 – Rising Freshman and Transfer Student Orientation, 9-12:00 am
• August 17 - Rising Freshman and Transfer Parent Information Night - 6:00-7:00pm
• August 17-18 – Senior portraits
• August 21 – First Day of School! 
• August 24 – Back to School Night/Senior Parent Night
• September 1 – No School 
• September 4 – No School, Labor Day 
• September 5 – Gradebooks available in StudentVUE/ParentVUE
• September 8 - Celebrate McLean - 4:00-6:30
• September 25 – No School, Yom Kippur
• September 27-28 – Underclassmen Portraits 
• October 2 – Senior Portraits (Final Opportunity) 
• October 4 – Senior Panoramic
• October 9 – Staff Development Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day 
• October 11 – PSAT (10th-11th Grade)/SAT (12th Grade) Day; No-School 9th grade/non-testers
• October 20 - Homecoming Game
• October 21 - Homecoming Dance 8:00-11:00
• October 30 – Underclassmen Portraits Make-up
• November 3 – End of 1st Quarter, 2 hour early release
• November 6-7 – Teacher Workdays – Student Holidays
• November 6 – Winter Sports Begin
• November 11 – School Planning Day – Student Holiday, Veterans’ Day
• November 22-24 – No School, Thanksgiving Break 

**The entire FCPS school calendar can be accessed here**

Schedule Change Policy

To support students in settling into a consistent class schedule, a team of interdisciplinary staff and faculty have reviewed our schedule change policy. Please note the following in regards to schedule changes for the 2023-2024 school year:

• August 21 & August 22: No schedule changes will be made to ensure accurate reporting of attendance.
• September 1: Additions to AP classes cannot be made after this date.
• August 23 – September 8: Any change allowed, pending space availability in classes (with the exception of no AP classes after September 1)
• September 11: Schedule change request packets begin with review by committee. The request requires student, parent, teacher, and counselor feedback. If approved, change will only be made on a space available basis.
• February 9: No schedule changes for the remainder of the school year.

Bus Schedules

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Office of Transportation Services (OTS) plans to use all available resources to deliver students to and from school safely and on-time. Double backs will be scheduled where needed. Double backs are when a driver delivers one group of students to school and returns to take a second group. This process is followed in the afternoon for the trip home as well. Through your SIS ParentVue account, you can see your child’s transportation assignments and intent on the “Student Info” tab. Transportation assignments for the first day of school, August 21, 2023, will become available on August 10, 2023, and changes may be made up to August 16, 2023.

All parents should access their SIS ParentVue account, to ensure the Transportation Intent for each student is accurate. All parents/guardians should have received an eNotify email message directly from Transportation on August 4, 2023.  That email provided details on the transportation intent process for families.  If adjustments are needed, click on “Edit Information” to make changes to your Transportation Intent. 

All students eligible for transportation services will be provided transportation unless the parent has stated ‘NO’ to the Transportation Intent.

Please contact the transportation office or the McLean Main Office if you have any questions about accessing your student information.

Late buses will run on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and will start on Wednesday, September 6th and the last day they run will be Thursday, May 30. The late bus schedule will be posted outside of the Security Office and on the McLean High School page on Schoology; students can also find their bus number on StudentVUE.

Advisory and Highlander Time

Highlander Time

McLean students have an eight period schedule that alternates between red and silver days. On red days, students will attend periods 1, 3, 5, and 7. On silver days, students will attend periods 2, 4, 6, and 8. Fourth period, also identified as Learning Seminar on students’ schedules, is when we implement Highlander Time.

Highlander Time provides students with an opportunity to work with teachers and catch up or get ahead on school work.  Highlander Time occurs on silver days during 4^th period and follows a rotation so students visit each class period every other week.  For the first month of school, students will remain in the Highlander Time location as designated on the Red/Silver Day Calendar.  Highlander Time Movement begins on September 19, which allows students to visit another teacher, meet with their counselor, go to the library, or utilize the testing center.  To go to another teacher for additional assistance, students must complete the following steps:

1. In advance of Highlander Time, talk to the teacher from whom the student will get assistance and obtain a RED Highlander Time pass from the receiving teacher.
2. All students must attend their scheduled Highlander Time class before moving to an alternative location so teachers can take accurate attendance.
3. Once roll has been taken, the student needs to show the pass to the teacher.
4. If Highlander Time teacher approves, s/he will sign the pass and allow the student to go to the receiving teacher for extra assistance.  If Highlander Time teacher does not approve, the student must stay in the classroom.
5. Students must show the pass from Highlander Time teacher to receiving teacher.
6. Students must stay in their location for the duration of Highlander TIme.

Highlander Time Flex is part of the bi-weekly rotation and begins on September 19.  During Flex, students may choose to attend club meetings or visit any teacher or large group sites such as the gym, stadium field, or library.  To continue our efforts to build community, foster social-emotional health and build Portrait of a Graduate skills this year, students will also participate in a variety of Social and Emotional Learning lessons.  These lessons will be built into the rotating Highlander Time schedule and will present students with a variety of information about their health/well-being and information that is relevant to our school community.  Please direct questions about Highlander Time to Emily Geary.  

SIS ParentVUE Accounts

SIS ParentVUE is the FCPS secure solution for accessing information about your child's attendance, class performance, demographic data, and link to Schoology. Your username and password is the same for both ParentVUE and Schoology. 

• SIS ParentVUE Account Provides: access to view your child’s student information, including attendance, report cards, class schedules, grade book (for Middle and High School students), course history, discipline, health, and school information.  You can also update your child’s Emergency Care Information through SIS ParentVUE for the first time this year. It also enables you to get weekly grade reports. 
• Schoology Parent Account Provides: access to view your child’s courses, groups, assignments, and calendar. Parents can also check messages, adjust their notification settings, and access additional groups or courses if they are enrolled as members.

Need an account? Please visit us during our Back to School Night to register for an account.  You may contact Ms.Molly Payne, @email, to receive your activation code.

Parents currently have access to the following opt-out forms via SIS ParentVue: 

• Tutor.com Access
• SEL Screener Participation
• Counseling Opt-Out
• Transportation Intent
• FCPS Device Acceptance 
• Home Internet Access

Any parent/guardian associated with a student, and has a SIS ParentVUE account, can update these opt-outs as needed by going to the "Student Info" tab and clicking "Edit Information" in the top left-hand corner.  The parent/guardian must have both "Contact Allowed" and "Records Access Rights" to see and update student information. More information is provided within ParentVUE to assist you in your decision making for your child.

FCPSOn Chromebook Devices

The FCPSOn initiative at Mclean High School provides students with equitable access to meaningful learning experiences and technology to support their learning. Each McLean student will receive an FCPS-issued Chromebook to access dynamic resources and participate in learning tailored to the student’s individual needs. Loaner Chromebooks will only be available for students whose Chromebooks are in need of repair.  The Tech Center is located in the Library if support or repairs are needed.  If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Giese, @email. 

The mission of FCPSOn is to provide equitable access to technology and to instructional practices that lead to Portrait of a Graduate outcomes for ALL students. 

Chromebooks will be distributed during the first week of school.  Freshman will receive their computer at Freshman orientation.

Immunization Requirement

All students entering twelfth grade are required to receive one dose of Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) administered at age 16 or older, and prior to the beginning of school.  Twelfth grade students cannot begin school in August without proper Meningococcal documentation. 

Please provide one of the following documents to Oakton High School as soon as possible:

• An updated immunization record showing that the student has received the Meningococcal vaccine at age 16 or older.
• A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Meningococcal vaccine was given at age 16 or older.
• A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
• A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf

Please note families do not need to wait for their students to be entering the 12th grade to provide the requisite immunization documentation.  Families can provide the appropriate records immediately following the immunization following the student’s 16th birthday.  

Immunizations are available from your student's healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department clinic locations and hours are available online or by calling 703-246-2411.

The needed documentation can be provided to the school in one of the following ways: 

1. Scan and email  - Ms. Cindy Ramos @email 
2. Mailed to the school, McLean High School, Attn: Cindy Ramos, 1633 Davidson Road, McLean, VA 22101
3. Dropped off in the Main Office, Attn: Cindy Ramos

Please contact Cindy Ramos at 703.714.5722  if you have any questions.

Arrival and Dismissal Information and Traffic Patterns

Student Arrival and Dismissal

The building will be accessible to students starting at 7:30 am.   

Dismissal is at 2:55 pm.  Students are asked to leave the building at the end of the day unless they are being supervised by an adult. Any student who wishes to stay after school must be in the supervision of a staff member.  

Traffic Patterns at Arrival and Dismissal

All drivers are strongly encouraged to follow all traffic/roadway laws and driving patterns as established. This ensures the safety of all and maximizes the efficiency of our traffic pattern. Please follow all posted signs and directions of staff. The first week of school, traffic is traditionally heavier than normal.  Please allow additional time if you are driving your student to school and/or your student is driving themselves to school.  

Traffic in the morning can be hectic and unpredictable, please plan ahead and leave early to arrive on time.  If you have to drive your child to school, the best time to drop-off is between 7:30-8:00.  It is always clear and there is no waiting.  After 8:00, congestion begins which leads to  students being late to class.  

Sea Cliff Entrance Changes:  Those who drive to school in the morning using the Sea Cliff entrance have to continue around the school and leave school grounds using the Westmoreland exit. T-turns will no longer be allowed. This change will help students arrive at school on time by removing the delay that occurs when cars turn around on campus. Cones will be placed to direct traffic.  This traffic pattern will be set up only in the morning.

Westmoreland Exit Changes:  All cars that leave school grounds using the Westmoreland exit will only be able to turn right. The police officer posted at that exit will not allow left turns. After speaking with students and police, we determined that left turns on Westmoreland after the end of school cause delays for students leaving the grounds and for the community at large.  This traffic pattern will be followed before and after school.

Student Services Office and Administration

School Counselors

McLean’s school counselors work directly with students, teachers, and parents to provide students a supportive and caring school experience. Students and parents are encouraged to reach out to their counselor with academic concerns, questions about college and career information, or mental health concerns.

Administrative Team

The McLean administrative team is here to support all students! 

The Assistant Principals work along with the counselors to support students. The duties for each assistant principal for the 2023-2024 school year are outlined on our website. Please do not hesitate to reach out when you have a question or concern.

Yearbook Photos and Purchasing a Yearbook Information

Yearbook Photos - 12th  graders

• You can schedule your senior portrait appointment at: https://seniors.legacystudios.com/mclean-hs-va/  The first dates for senior portraits were in June and July. We have recently added August 17 & 18 dates. The final make-up dates are October 2-4.

Yearbook Photos - 9th, 10th & 11th graders

• 9th & 10th graders will be photographed with their Health/PE class on Wednesday, Sept. 27 or Thursday, Sept. 28.
• 9th & 10th graders who do not take Health/PE on-campus at McLean this year, should report to the auditorium during Highlander Time ____ on Thursday, September 28 to have their picture taken. 
• 11th graders will be photographed with their US History class on Wednesday, Sept. 27 or Thursday, Sept. 28.

Attention - 11th graders who do not take US History on-campus at McLean this year, should report to the auditorium during Highlander Time ____ on Thursday, September 28 to have their picture taken. 

MAKEUP DAY - 9th, 10th & 11th graders:

Students who missed the original picture day, will have an opportunity to have their picture taken on our makeup day, Monday, October 30 in the Dance Room. 

Students should check-in with their teacher and then go at the time assigned to their grade:

• JUNIORS will check in with their 2nd period teachers and be photographed during period 2.
• SOPHOMORES will check in with their 5th period teachers and be photographed during Highlander Time.
• FRESHMEN will check in with their 8th period teachers and be photographed during period 8.

There is no specific appointment time – just a specific block of time based on grade level. The student should check in with their teacher and figure out the best time within that block to go.

ORDERING YEARBOOK PICTURES- 9th, 10th & 11th graders

• After picture day, go to shop.legacystudios.com
• On the page titled: View and Purchase Your Portraits, click on the image of the student on the left that says Underclass
• On the next page, you'll be asked if you have your online code 
• Click on the blue button marked NO - What’s my code?
• Enter your last name and student ID number and hit submit
• Copy your Online Code.
• Visit your Online Gallery
• Paste Code into text box.
• Review package and product offerings and make your selections
• When you've made your selections, click on the green button on the bottom right of the page marked Checkout
• On the next page, you'll find options for retouching, teeth whitening, etc. as well as your portrait background choices
• Make your selections and click on the blue button on the bottom right of the page that says Next
• From there, you'll enter your student's information and proceed to checkout by clicking the blue Next button
• Keep in mind that all packages and products will be sent to the home or mailing address provided.  Pictures are not returned to the school for distribution.

For assistance, please contact Legacy Studios Customer Care team directly at [email protected] or 716.512.6336.

Yearbook Photos - 12th  graders

You can schedule your senior portrait appointment at: https://seniors.legacystudios.com/mclean-hs-va/  The first dates for senior portraits were in June and July. We have recently added August 17 & 18 dates. The final make-up dates are October 2-4.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? 

There is no sitting fee for yearbook portraits -- it is absolutely FREE! Students will receive proofs of their pictures and may order a variety of packages ,if they wish. There is an additional sitting fee for those students who wish to be photographed in a variety of poses and outfits -- please see the website for more details. Please note that students who select one of the sitting fee packages, the sitting fee gives you more time with the photographer, more outfits and more poses to select from. The sitting fee does not include any portraits - you will receive proofs and may purchase photos at that time if you would like.

WHERE DO I GO? 

Please be sure to head to the DANCE ROOM at McLean High School (across from the lower gym) at your assigned time. 

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Senior portraits are a more formal picture. Solid colored dress shirts/tops work well for the camera; A drape will be provided (one looks like a black evening gown and the other looks like a tux), but you may wear your own clothing if you like. Very little of the top shows so what's important is the neckline (nothing too low cut or busy - a simple solid colored top will look great and sleeve length doesn’t matter).

If you choose to wear the provided drape, wear a T-shirt (for the tux-style drape) or a tank top (for the evening gown style drape) so you can easily slip on the drape.

WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE IT FOR MY SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT IN JUNE? 

The first opportunity for senior portraits was June 12-16, 2023. If you were unable to make the June portrait dates, look for an email about when the makeup dates of July 20 and 21 are open for scheduling. Final make-up dates are October 2-4. Please note that students who wait to have their picture taken in October will have less time and will NOT have a chance for retakes.

WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE MY PICTURES? 

Students who do not like their pictures taken in June or July can schedule a retake. Please call contact Legacy Photography 716-512-6336 or [email protected] to get a retake appointment time for the July or October dates at McLean.

HOW DO I LET THE YEARBOOK STAFF KNOW WHICH PICTURE SHOULD APPEAR IN THE YEARBOOK? 

Seniors will be asked to select their yearbook pose at the conclusion of their sitting.  The selection can always be changed online prior to December 1, 2023.

 QUESTIONS? Our portrait photographer, Legacy Photography, can be contacted at 716-512-6336 or [email protected]

CAN I JUST SUBMIT MY OWN PORTRAIT?

Yes, as long as you submit the photo by December 1 and follow these directions.

Parking Passes

Registration for parking permit requests is now live and can be accessed on our school website. Please review the information and complete the electronic registration form linked on our Student Parking webpage. Parking permits will be issued beginning Tuesday, August 15. Please note, completing the registration request form does not guarantee a parking permit. Please wait to receive a confirmation from Mr. Sekely or Mr. Bailey before officially purchasing your permit. 

Students with IEPs and 504s

If your student has an IEP, they will be assigned a case manager for the year. The case manager is your first point of contact for any questions or concerns regarding the IEP.

If you have further questions regarding an IEP, you can contact one of the special education department chairs: Patty Harmon (Cat A) at @email or Mark Thompson (Cat B) at @email.  

If your student has a 504 plan, contact Bethany Davis, @email, with any questions or concerns.

Emergency Care Form and the Clinic

The goal of the clinic is to ensure that your child will enjoy a healthy and safe school year. To proactively plan, we ask that parents update the Emergency Care Form through SIS ParentVUE; there is a section for “Current Health Conditions” and “Current Medical Care Details” that will update the health information for the student. 

If you need to drop off medication for your student, please fill out a new medication authorization form.  This is required to be filled out annually.  

Medication can be dropped off at school  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 16, 17 & 18 from 8am-3pm.  Once school begins, medication can be dropped off any school day from 8am-3pm. Please read below for the updated medication guidelines that specify amount and method of medication that can be dropped off. All medications are required to have a medication authorization. We cannot accept medication that has expired.

If medication is needed at school or for any after FCPS sponsored activity (field trips, sports, band, drama, chorus, etc.), specific guidelines in accordance with the FCPS Medication Administration Regulation 2102 must be followed. A Medication Authorization form MUST be on file in the Health Room for any medication administered at school OR carried by student. Forms (for epinephrine, inhalers and medications) are available in the School Health Room or online.

Updated Medication Guidelines

This school year, FCPS is changing our medication protocols to help ensure the safety of our medication administration management in Fairfax County Public Schools. These changes include:

• Any time you drop off or pick up a medication in the health room, a Medication Delivery/Pick Up Form will be completed and signed by both the parent/guardian and the School Health Aide or FCPS staff member. This form will document that all required authorizations are complete, and the number of pills or amount of medication accepted/returned. A copy of the form will be given to the parent/guardian and school administrator.
• Medications received will be verified to ensure the description of the medication on the container/packaging matches the medication in the container.
• All medications must be in the original pharmacy container. Over the counter (OTC) medications must be in an unopened original container. It will no longer be acceptable for parents/guardians to bring in refills from home and place them into the container currently in the health room.
• Only a 30-day supply of medications should be brought to school. No more than 100 tablets or pills of OTC medication should be brought to school.
• All requirements outlined in FCPS Regulation 2102, First Aid, Emergency Treatment and Administration of Medication for Students, continue to apply.

Breakfast and Lunch

The McLean HS cafeteria will sell breakfast and lunch daily.  If your student plans on purchasing food through the cafeteria, please be sure to load money on their meal account or bring cash.  More information on FCPS Food Services (including payment options for meal accounts, daily menus, free and reduced meal programs, etc.) can be reviewed on the FCPS website. 

Information on applying for Free and Reduced Lunch can also be found above under "Additional Forms for Students (Optional)". Eligible families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application before the first day of the 2023-24 school year. More information is on the FCPS website, including forms to apply for Free or Reduced Lunch and Consent to Share Information.

School Supplies and Lockers

Any teacher who requires specific school supplies will provide a list during the first week of school.

Students are not automatically assigned a locker, as we have found that most students do not find a need for them. Should any student wish to sign up for a locker, students can sign up by emailing Ms. Molly Payne, @email  She will reply to your email that the locker has been assigned and you must go to her office in Student Services to obtain the information.

Digital Resources- Parent Consent

As part of our commitment to protect student data, FCPS is required to secure parental permission before students use digital resources/tools for which FCPS does not have a confidentiality agreement. 

There are a few changes for collecting parental consent this school year:

• Obtaining Parental Consent: The new web-based system will be used to collect parent consent. Parents will access this system using their SIS ParentVUE account. This web-based system will be available the week of August 14, 2023.
• Parents will only need to fill out the form once for students that are enrolled in multiple schools. 

Please click on the link to view the one central list for digital tools that require parental consent.

Student Rights and Responsibilities - Signature

• Students will review the SR&R on Wednesday, August 23 during Advisory. 
• Every year, FCPS requires parents/guardians to review, sign, and return the SR&R parent/guardian signature page acknowledging awareness of online access to and/or the opportunity to receive a printed copy of the FCPS SR&R Guide for Families. You can complete this requirement through your ParentVue account in a matter of seconds. Upon login to your ParentVue account, you will be prompted immediately to complete the SR&R signature page. Note that your name in the digital signature box must match the parent/guardian’s first and last name in SIS exactly before the signature will be accepted. The prompt will repeat in ParentVue until the signature page has been completed. This will be available August 14.
• The SR&R Booklet can also be found on the FCPS website, along with updates to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year.

Parent/Guardian Signature Sheet - if you would prefer to print , sign, and return the form to the school, use this parent signature page.