Greetings McNair Students and Families,
What a wonderful first quarter! Our students have so much to celebrate. We encourage you to ask our Mustangs what they are most proud of from this quarter and what their favorite learning experience has been so far. The incredible work of our teachers and staff continue to make McNair a special place to learn and grow.
Thank you to all of our families that were able to join us at our Storybook Character Parade! We had so much fun bringing our favorite characters to life and celebrating literacy. We hope you can join us at our upcoming Veterans Day 2nd Grade Performance, AAP Information Session, McNair Book Fair Family Night, our Thanksgiving Luncheon, and Parent Coffee with the Principal.
As a friendly reminder, schools are closed for students on Monday, November 6, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 7, for a teacher workday. Please see the complete school year calendar. The second quarter begins on November 8th. We are looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday, Mustangs!
Warmest Regards,
Mrs. Watson and Mrs. O'Bryant
Please contact us with any questions!
Principal: Elizabeth Watson, evwatson@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Brandy O'Bryant, bmobryant@fcps.edu
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Did you know?
- Regular school attendance in elementary school improves the chances that your child will read on grade level.
- Chronic absenteeism (missing 18 or more school days per year) is a primary cause of lower academic achievement even when the absences are "excused" or understandable.
- Students who attend 90% or more of the school year are more likely to graduate from high school on time.
- Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with peer conflicts or facing some other potentially serious difficulty, and help is available.
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This week we celebrate the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive. We are so appreciative of Ms. Karen Brown, our incredible school psychologist at McNair Elementary School! Thank you Ms. Brown for all that you do for our Mustangs!
Learn more from the National Association of School Psychologists.
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Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Employee Awards!
To submit a nomination for McNair Elementary School Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form link https://forms.gle/sbdoQfMSMT3YXuax5 You may nominate one employee or multiple employees at our school (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)
All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. The Google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below.
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district); librarians are included in this category
Eligibility: Has up to three years of experience as a building principal (in any school/school district)
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal):
Common positions in this category: Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Assessment Coach, Career Center Specialist, Instructional Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Safety and Security Specialist, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school.
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA, All Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid)
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 17, 2023
If you have any questions, please contact Brandy O’Bryant at bmobryant@fcps.edu.
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As our community knows, teamwork makes the dream work! We are looking for parent volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering at the McNair Book Fair or at the McNair Thanksgiving Luncheon, please contact our main office at 703-793-4800.
We appreciate your ongoing partnership and support to make events like these possible for all of our Mustangs!
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Please see below for opportunities to make donations to support McNair Elementary School! We greatly appreciate any contributions!
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We are still hoping to collect 40 large or medium-sized pumpkins so that each of our homeroom classes and specialists at McNair ES can have one for a project we will be completing during the month of November. (As of today, we have eight pumpkins.)
If you are able to donate a pumpkin, please fill out the very brief Google Form here: Thankful & Grateful Activity Pumpkins can be dropped off at the main office no later than Friday, November 10th.
If you have questions, please email Ms. Watson, Principal, at evwatson@fcps.edu. Thank you in advance for your help!
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If you would like to make a donation to ensure that another student is able to purchase a book from our McNair Book Fair, please contact your child's teacher or Mrs. Watson directly. We appreciate any donations, both big and small, to ensure all of our Mustangs receive a book! "The more that you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go!" Dr. Seuss
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Please help us keep our staff lounges and teacher planning spaces stocked with individually wrapped healthy snack foods, beverages, and a few sweet treats for our awesome staff as a way to keep them energized as they educate and support our Mustangs!
Please sign-up for any of the items listed below and drop off any donations to the main office. The main office is open daily, Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm. Thank you for your partnership and supporting our AMAZING McNair Staff! Please click here to make a donation.
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We are eager to begin some exciting learning opportunities with your students here at school and we need you help before we can start! We need you to complete the digital resource consent form to use FCPS approved online tools. All the tools and applications have been vetted and are approved for students to use. Check out the video created by Mrs. Burg, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, as she shares with you a few of the tools she hopes to use with your students in Thinking Lab!
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This information session will be hosted by Kaitlin Burg (McNair ES Advanced Academic Resource Teacher) and Mallory Janofsky (McNair Upper ES Advanced Academic Resource Teacher). We will provide detailed information about the Full Time/Level IV Screening Process, including how to make a referral and which documents families can submit. The deadline for families to submit the referral and supporting documents is December 15 and 11:59 p.m. Spanish translation will be available at this event.
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Tuesday, November 14 – 6:00-7:00PM in the cafeteria at McNair Elementary School (PreK-2 building)
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Friday, November 17th –9:00-10:00AM in the cafeteria at McNair Elementary School (PreK-2 building)
Click to view Ms. Burg's & Ms. Mallory's November Newsletter
In addition, check out the video created by Mrs. Burg, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, as she shares with you a few of the tools she hopes to use with your students in Thinking Lab! Please be sure to sign the Digital Resource Parent Consent so that your Mustang has access to these wonderful resources.
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Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.
Our McNair second grade students have been practicing songs to celebrate and honor our Veterans. The second-grade students will participate in two Veterans Day performances next Friday, November 10th to thank all who have served. There will be a morning assembly for all students to participate in. The 2:20pm performance will be open to the families of second-grade students and any Veterans. Next week, we will share a link for second grade families to join virtually for those who are unable to join in person.
In addition, we are still collecting photos of family members who have served and would like to include those photos in our Veterans celebration. If you have a picture you would like to share or have any questions, please email them to Ashley Rose at ajrose2@fcps.edu by Wednesday, November 8th. If you would prefer to send in a picture with your child, please, have it labeled with your child’s name and teacher, so we are able to return it. Thank you!
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FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms. Please be sure to return paper forms by Friday, November 17. The electronic form will continue to be available in SIS ParentVUE until January 2024.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey results in an additional $3 million in grants each year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.
Need to Register for ParentVUE?
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and enter Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
Provide Input on FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
Please join FCPS’ Chief Equity Office for a virtual meeting regarding the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) Regulation. The event will be held on Thursday, November 9, from 6-7:30 p.m. You may register at this link.
Your feedback will help ensure that FCPS policies align with the school division’s mission and values. It will also help identify any specific considerations that need to be addressed for the 2024-25 school year.
Language interpretation will be available in Spanish, Korean, and Arabic. A Certified Deaf Interpreter will be available as well. Get information on the SR&R.
The 2023 School Bond Referendum will be on the ballot Tuesday, November 7. Remember to vote!
November 7 will also be a teacher workday and a holiday for students. For more information on voting, visit the Virginia Department of Elections website.
Did you know the building and renovation of our schools is NOT funded through the annual FCPS operating budget? 🤯 New and renovated school buildings are funded by voter-approved bond referendums, like the one on the upcoming Election Day ballot. Learn more about the upcoming $435 million bond referendum and the schools projected to be affected: fcps.edu/Bond2023
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Successfully Completing Algebra 1 by Eighth Grade
Helping students to complete Algebra 1 by eighth grade is part of our Strategic Plan (Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence). Algebra Access Network Improvement Community (AANIC) is working to increase the diverse representation of students who take advanced math classes and succeed in them. This video shares more about the AANIC cohorts at Kilmer and Key middle schools and lets students explain why Algebra matters to them.
Passing Algebra 1 earlier allows for students to take more advanced classes like Dual Enrollment courses, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. These advanced courses help students succeed in college. A recent study from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) found that completing Algebra 1 by grade eight led to 30% more ninth graders and 16% more 11th graders taking advanced courses.
This month reminds us that families are children's first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success.
FCPS has many resources designed to increase engagement and partnerships with families while fostering academic success and social-emotional growth.
Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community. Family liaisons might also assist a family in transitioning to a new school and encourage family-school partnerships to help ensure their student's success and healthy development.
If you have questions or would like more information, ask your school office to connect you with your family liaison or visit FCPS’ website for a list of region representatives.
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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Sunday, November 5, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time ends. Don’t forget to move your clocks back one hour!
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Get Involved with the PTA!
The PTA supports our schools through help from our community. One way we do that is through the help of our wonderful volunteers! Whether you're available for an hour a year or an hour a week to pitch in - we have opportunities that meet everyone's busy schedule!
Support PTA: Become a Member or Volunteer
Please contact Miranda Butzlaff, our PTA President at president@mcnairespta.org if you want to know more information about our PTA and opportunities to get involved within our school community!
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
- Provide Feedback on FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R)
- National Family Engagement Month
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
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Mark your calendars!
As we navigate through our school year together, please mark the upcoming important dates on your calendar.
November 6 & 7: School Planning and Teacher Workdays (No School For Students)
November 10: McNair Honors Our Veterans (Second Grade Performance)
November 11: Veterans Day
November 12: Diwali
November 14 – Full Time Advanced Academics Screening Information Parent Meeting 6:00-7:00pm in the cafeteria at McNair Elementary School (PreK-2 building)
November 13-17: Fall Book Fair at McNair ES
- November 16: Family Night at the Fall Book Fair: Book Shopping and Storytime with Principal Watson & Assistant Principal O'Bryant! See you there!
- November 17: Daytime Family Shopping at the Fall Book Fair
November 16: PTA Meeting Following the Book Fair at McNair ES
November 17: Full time Advanced Academics Screening Information Parent Meeting 9:00-10:00AM in the cafeteria at McNair Elementary School (PreK-2 building)
November 17: Thanksgiving Luncheon at McNair ES (Parents/Guardians invited. If you haven't already, please ensure you send in your RSVP information that was due last Monday.)
November 17: Outstanding Employee Nominations Due
November 22, 23, 24: Thanksgiving Holiday (No School For Staff/Students)
December 1: Parent Coffee with the Principal at 9:30am at McNair ES
2023-2024 Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival begins at 8:35am. The school day begins at 8:45am.
Dismissal begins at 3:30 pm.
Thank you for your partnership and galloping together with us this school year!
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