Greetings McNair Students and Families,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to McNair Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year! We are eager to kickoff this upcoming school year as we have missed all of our Mustangs! As a school community, it is our mission at McNair to ensure that we provide every student with a safe and positive learning environment, high quality instruction, and support all student’s social and emotional development. At McNair, we are dedicated to maintaining a caring culture in which every student and family feels a sense of belonging.
In addition, our goal is to continue to engage and support all families throughout the year by providing opportunities to visit our school campus, engage in daily communications, and participate in specialized information sessions as collaborating partners and advocates for your child’s journey in education and success. We take children’s safety and learning very seriously and keep it as a top priority for any decision making.
Additionally, we are honored to have so many of our fabulous teachers returning to McNair Elementary School this year. It is also exciting to welcome new teachers and staff to our learning community. As you get to know all of our staff, you will see that they have a passion for our work, and talents that benefit our students and school as a whole.
Below you will find important information and instructions for all families. We would greatly appreciate you reading this newsletter carefully or contacting our main office at 703-793-4800 if you need assistance. This information helps ensure that all of our students have a safe and wonderful start to the new school year!
Together, we are looking forward to your partnership as we continue to support all of our Mustangs to thrive and meet their fullest potential. Lifelong Learners Grow Here!
All the best,
Elizabeth Watson, Principal
Brandy O'Bryant, Assistant Principal
Please contact us with any questions!
Principal: Elizabeth Watson, evwatson@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Brandy O'Bryant, bmobryant@fcps.edu
💪 Student Attendance Matters!
Student attendance at school is important all year long. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:
- Check your child’s attendance record.
- Help your student stay engaged at school.
- Report future absences.
- Understand the FCPS school calendar.
Learn more about attendance resources.
🖍️ It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Attending kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn and practice the essential social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives. Eligible children can be registered today! Please contact our School Registrar, Afkham Hosseini at 703-793-4800 or ahosseini@fcps.edu for any questions. Registering today helps us plan so that we have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school. Please share this information with any family members or neighbors with young children!
Prepare for registration by gathering documents and completing forms. We are happy to support families with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For more information in other languages, visit FCPS’ Kindergarten Registration webpage.
Resources for Newly Registered Families
Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible!
Register Your Children Online
Online registration is available for new and returning (re-enrolling) FCPS families! Apply today to help us plan for the 2024-25 school year.
The first day of school is Monday, August 19, 2024 and every minute counts! We will open our doors to welcome students with our first bell ringing daily at 8:35 am to signal a ten-minute notice for students to enter the school building and make their way to their classroom. Our students should be in their classroom seats no later than 8:45 am. Our day begins with connecting with each other and building relationships among staff and students for productive learning! Please partner together with us to have your child/children at school and in class on time.
The bell schedule is as follows:
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We know that you are eager to learn who your child's teacher is for this school year! Parents/guardians will be notified by text and/or email through our eNotify system on Wednesday, August 14 at 4:00pm. If you do not have an email or phone number on file, please contact the school at 703-793-4800. |
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All exterior doors are locked during school hours. To enter the building, go to Door #1, push the doorbell, and the front office will remotely unlock the door. Upon entering, please report to the office where you will be requested to sign-in and show identification. To maintain the momentum of instruction, forgotten lunches and materials will be delivered by office staff, or students will be called down to the office to get their forgotten items.
For any change in a child’s typical transportation arrangements, send a note to the teacher indicating the date of the change, the duration of the change, and the reason for the change. Students may not ride a non-designated school bus home with a friend as buses are filled to capacity. For safety, we also ask that students get off at their designated stop only.
If picking up a student before the end of school, provide notice to the teacher and school office whenever possible to avoid confusion for your child. If a student must leave unexpectedly, alert the office at least one hour ahead of time.
During arrival and dismissal, please follow the established rules and travel routes for the safety of all. For everyone’s safety, we ask that parents follow the procedures for arrival and dismissal. This will allow you to get your Mustang to school as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Modeling safe procedures is critical and teaches our young students to stay safe when adults are not with them.
Parents who plan to use Kiss & Ride must register their child here. Please remember, class assignments will be distributed on Wednesday, August 14 at 4 p.m. Make sure you review the McNair Arrival and Dismissal Procedures and map prior to the first day of school!
As a final reminder, taking the bus is a very safe way to travel to and from school. If you plan to have your child take the bus during the school year, put them on the bus the first day of school. It will help establish the school year routine, and students will be learning the rules and expectations along with peers from day one!
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Parents/guardians new to McNair will need to register at their first visit. After that you will be able to quickly sign in and get a visitor badge if you have an ID with you. Office staff will be available to help parents/guardians use the system. Having a driver’s license handy makes the registration process faster, but a driver’s license is not required.
On the first day of school, all students will receive a Take Home Folder with critical back to school information. We ask that parents complete the forms if they haven’t done so electronically and return those forms in the same folder to the classroom teacher. |
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McNair uses News You Choose to distribute the parent newsletter, The Mustang News, weekly. News You Choose is an electronic communication platform that allows community members the ability to select what information they want to receive and how often from individual schools, the School Board office and members, departments, programs, PTA/PTO, and booster organizations. Subscribers can change their settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Please make sure we have your current email so that we can send you updates.
eNotify
Parents of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students are automatically enrolled to receive eNotify Communications. FCPS central offices and schools use this system to communicate emergency, delayed opening and school closing information, attendance, and other essential communications. Contact information from the student information system are uploaded to eNotify. It is important that parents keep their child’s emergency contact information up-to-date. To update, email Afkham Hosseini at ahosseini@fcps.edu, fill out an emergency care card, or update through your SIS ParentVUE account.
SIS ParentVUE
Parents can access information about their child’s attendance, class performance, and manage emergency communication and FCPS forms via a SIS ParentVUE account. Click here for more information. If you need an activation code, please call the school at 703-793-4800.
Schoology /SKOO-luh-jee/
Our Learning Management System is Schoology. In Schoology, parents will find teacher schedules, information about the curriculum, and other important information. It’s also a great platform for teachers to communicate with families. Parents will receive information about accessing classroom sites from their student's teacher. To learn more, parents can click here.
Communicating with the Teacher
Parents may contact the classroom teacher by leaving a message with the office staff or by emailing the staff member directly. Teachers will also often communicate via Talking Points. It is best to always start with the classroom teacher if you have a question or a concern, as they are often the person with the most knowledge regarding your child. Staff email addresses can be found on the McNair Elementary School's websites directory.
During school hours, McNair Elementary offers both breakfast and lunch for purchase. Both breakfast and lunch begin on the first day of school. |
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Preparing for and Paying for Meals at School
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2024-25 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible for the 2024-25 school year, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Paying With MySchoolBucks
The best way to purchase meals (and keep food lines moving!) is to use MySchoolBucks. Set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today. Our front office staff can help with any questions.
MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically, as needed. Families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. Visit FCPS’ Food and Nutrition webpage for more information.
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School supply lists for grades K-2 can be found on our school website or by clicking here. Teachers of students in preschool will communicate with families directly regarding preparation for the school year.
Families needing support to purchase any of these school supplies should contact our counselors, Ms. Ford at DMFord@fcps.edu or Ms. Coe at kicoe@fcps.edu.
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Your child’s heath needs at school is a priority. School health room services, including the administration of medication and modified first aid, are performed by the health room aide. When we return to school, prescription and most over-the-counter medications at school require strict adult supervision and should not be in the child’s possession. Please let us know if your child has special health needs that may impact learning in school as soon as possible. We will connect you with our Public Health Nurse, Yasamin Asmat, to develop a school plan. A letter regarding school health services will be sent home with your child on the first day of school.
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🩹 Are Your Child’s Immunizations and Records Up to Date?
Immunizations are required for public school entry and help keep students protected from serious diseases. Many children missed their well check-ups and their recommended childhood vaccinations during recent years because of disruptions from COVID-19. It is critical to catch up to keep children healthy and ready for school.
While COVID-19 vaccinations are not required, many other immunizations are. Check with your students’ healthcare providers now to make sure they are up to date on their immunizations.
Visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of clinics or contact your family’s healthcare provider. Appointments are required for most clinics.
Remember to request documentation of your child’s immunizations to provide to their school. Get more information on immunization requirements and the necessary documentation to share with your child’s school.
This year’s annual Open House is scheduled for Friday, August 16th from 10:30-12:00 pm. Please visit us at school during this timeframe to meet your child’s teacher(s), meet our specialists, as well as other staff members of the McNair Elementary School community. This is also a great time for you to drop your child’s school supplies off to their classroom. McNair Upper Elementary School's Open House will be happening at the same time so that families are able to go to both campuses during this timeframe. The event will conclude in both buildings at 12:00 pm, so please plan your visit accordingly.
If your child requires medication during the school day, both Ms. Asmat, Public Health Nurse, and Ms. Reyes, School Health Assistant, will be on-site during Open House to accept your child's medication and the necessary medical paperwork.
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 This year’s annual Back to School Night will be held on the evening of Thursday, September 5th. We will offer two sessions.
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Session #1: 5:00-5:45 pm
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Session #2: 5:45-6:30 pm
At Back to School Night, classroom teachers will share information with parents/guardians about grade level curriculum your child will be learning about this school year and specific grade level events such as field trips your child may attend this upcoming school year. You will also hear about the classroom practices and expectations your child’s teacher will employ this school year to support them.
This is a great opportunity to begin establishing your partnership with your child’s classroom teacher(s) to support their success this school year. It is important that parents/guardians plan to attend one of our session offerings.
Inova Cares Clinic (ICC) will provide children ages 5 and older with free school entrance physicals and immunizations at summer health fairs for children on Medicaid or who are uninsured. The clinics will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates:
- Saturday, August 17, at ICC for Children - Falls Church
Appointments are required; no walk-ins will be allowed. Call 703-698-2550 for an appointment.
Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports, and assessment scores.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices.
Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video explains the steps. Find out more. To create a new account, please contact our school registrar, Afkham Hosseini at ahosseini@fcps.edu for an activation letter.
If you already have an account, be sure your contact information is up-to-date. Parents/guardians can update their phone numbers or email addresses in the Parent/Guardian section. View more information.
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Through Schoology®, all FCPS students have 24/7 access to no-cost, year-round, on-demand, 1-to-1 tutoring services through Tutor.com.
A new Teacher-Referred Tutoring program feature provides targeted support and extends student learning. Teachers can now refer students for tutoring, with their specific needs already identified. Students can get extra support — on their own schedule — and reinforce their in-class learning.
Caregivers can guide students to access expert tutoring, homework help, and writing support by clicking on the Tutor.com icon in their Schoology portal—anytime, anywhere.
Plus, look for teachers’ tutoring session referrals on the Tutor.com homepage.
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It is always bittersweet to wish staff farewell. Please join us in wishing our Special Education Department Chair, Mary-Elizabeth Hagaman all the best as she begins a new adventure in FCPS. Ms. Hagaman has been promoted to the role of an Assistant Principal at Forestdale Elementary School. We are incredibly grateful for the many ways that Ms. Hagaman has positively impacted our students, teams, colleagues, families, and community. Ms. Hagaman will begin in her new role starting August 12th.
CONGRATULATIONS Ms. Hagaman! We are so proud of you!!! Forever a Mustang!
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Are you interested in Volunteering at McNair?
We would greatly appreciate your support! Please do not hesitate to reach out to us! If you are interested, please contact the Main Office at 703-793-4800. You may also email our Administrative Assistant, Julia Smoot at jcsmoot@fcps.edu.
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!
Additionally, we are in need of board members to keep the PTA operational. Without enough volunteers to fill key positions on the PTA board, we will be unable to have this amazing association that supports our students and school community. This would result in the loss of valuable programs and activities, including:
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School Clubs: Some examples include Art Club, Science Club, Debate Club etc., which provide students with enriching extracurricular opportunities.
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Competitions: Like the Spelling Bee, Science Olympiad, Odyssey of the Mind, Reflections, ACSL, FLL etc., which inspire and challenge our students.
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Community Events: Including Family Fun Nights, Holiday Parties, and Fundraising Activities, which foster a sense of community and engagement that supports our school.
We are reaching out to all families for their support. If you have the time and to contribute, we encourage you to consider joining the PTA board. We are looking for dedicated volunteers for the following key positions:
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President: Leads the PTA and oversees all activities.
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Vice President: Assists the President and manages committees.
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Secretary: Manages communications and records meeting minutes.
If you are interested in taking on a board position or would like more information about what’s involved, please contact us at board@mcnairespta.org as soon as possible. We are eager to discuss how you can get involved and help us continue to support our school.
The future of our PTA—and the valuable programs and events we provide—depends on your involvement. Please consider stepping up to ensure that our PTA remains a vibrant and effective part of our school community.
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!
👍❤️ Follow Our School on Social Media!
Want to see more photos and videos of what’s going on at McNair Elementary School? Follow us on social media!
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Mark your calendars!
As we navigate through our school year together, please mark the upcoming important dates on your calendar.
August 16: Open House at McNair Elementary School, 10:30am-12:00pm
August 19: First Day of School for Students in Grades K-12
August 19: First Day of School for Students Accessing the Preschool Autism Classroom (PAC) Program
August 26: First Day of School for Students Accessing the Pre-K Head Start Program and for students accessing the ECCB Program
September 5: Back-To-School Night at McNair ES, 5:00pm-6:30pm
2024-2025 Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival begins at 8:35am. The school day begins at 8:45am.
Dismissal begins at 3:30 pm.
We are looking forward to galloping together with you into the 2024-2025 school year!
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