Greetings McNair Students and Families,
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you who participated in our Back-to-School Night event. We hope that you were able to connect with your child's teachers and gain valuable insights into the curriculum and topics that will be covered throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Our teachers are dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment and are committed to your child's social-emotional learning and academic growth. They also value your input and partnership in helping your child succeed.
At McNair, we believe in the importance of strong family-teacher partnerships. We encourage you to schedule a conference with your child's teacher starting in October to discuss their progress.
Just a Couple of Friendly Reminders:
Thanks again for your continuous partnership and support. Wishing you a wonderful week, Mustangs!
All the best,
Elizabeth Watson, Principal
Brandy O'Bryant, Assistant Principal
Lifelong Learners Grow Here!
Please contact us with any questions!
Principal: Elizabeth Watson, evwatson@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Brandy O'Bryant, bmobryant@fcps.edu
🍎 Make Every Day Count! The Importance of Attendance
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Learn how families can help form good attendance habits.
This is a friendly reminder that the Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development. Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route. However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families. To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who require it.
The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year at McNair Elementary School:
- September 23
- October 28
- December 9 (Date Changed from November 25)
- February 24
- March 17
- April 28
- May 19
To help plan for our school’s childcare and supervision needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form as soon as possible: https://forms.gle/bEmijZM4A1NH1Taj9 for each of your children who are enrolled at McNair Elementary. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student.
Let's Build a Brighter Tomorrow Together
Dr. Reid, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, has launched the FCPS Family Vision Group. This group brings together parents and caregivers in a meaningful way through sharing diverse perspectives to ensure that FCPS provides the best possible education experience for each and every student. The Family Vision Group also provides another opportunity to put our 2023-2030 Strategic Plan in action through meaningful communication and collaboration with families and caregivers.
By participating, parents/caregivers gain valuable knowledge and connections to become powerful partners in their child's educational journey. The group also facilitates open discussions with Dr. Reid on important topics related to student success. Bi-monthly meetings (August 2024 - May 2025) ensure consistent school representation and foster open communication through Q&A sessions, and feedback opportunities to help participants inform other families at their schools. The FCPS Family Vision Group seeks to recognize and strengthen the positive impact of community engagement on student achievement.
Key responsibilities of the FCPS Family Connection Group Include:
- Regularly attend FCPS Family Vision Group meetings.
- Support the superintendent's outreach efforts to engage families and community members.
- Actively participate in the exchange of information and perspectives.
- Serve as ambassadors to your school community by being an additional bridge to sharing information between families and the superintendent.
- Commit to pursuing the interest of each and every student in Fairfax County Public Schools.
If you are interested in serving as a family representative for the McNair ES community, please reach out to Principal Watson by email at evwatson@fcps.edu or by calling the main office at 703-793-4800.
Thank you so much in advance for your support of this new division-wide opportunity for families!
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.
You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.
Link to the September AAP Community Newsletter
Our September newsletter has important information about requesting abilities test retakes as well as about Fall Screening for families that are new to FCPS this year. Please read it carefully and reach out with any questions. AAP Deadlines in FCPS are firm, and we do our best to share them promptly!
Save the Date: Fall AAP Information Meetings
Advanced Academics Program Elementary Services Parent Overview
- Monday, September 16th –6:00-7:00PM in the cafeteria at McNair Elementary (PreK-2 building)
You are invited to join for an information session with Kaitlin Burg (McNair ES Advanced Academic Resource Teacher) and Mallory Janofsky (McNair Upper ES Advanced Academic Resource Teacher). We will provide an overview of Advanced Academics in FCPS and explain the AAP levels of service. This information will not be focused on Full Time AAP screening. That content will be discussed at a separate meeting in October (see below)
Full Time AAP Screening Overview
- Monday, October 21 –6:00-7:00PM in the cafeteria at McNair Upper Elementary School (G3-6 building)
Kaitlin Burg (McNair ES Advanced Academic Resource Teacher) and Mallory Janofsky (McNair Upper ES Advanced Academic Resource Teacher) will host this information session for parents interested in learning about the Full-Time AAP screening process. We will discuss the FCPS screening timeline, the Full-Time AAP referral, the family’s role in the referral process, and the eligible/ineligible notification process. Second through 6th graders at McNair Elementary and McNair Upper Elementary are eligible for Full Time AAP screening. Families of younger students are also welcome to attend if they would like.
Spanish translation will be available at each session. Please contact us directly if you need a translator for a different language. The slide decks will also be shared on our respective websites following each meeting. You are welcome to reach out to your school’s AART with questions about either session.
McNair Elementary: PreK-2 Mrs. Burg (kmburg@fcps.edu)
McNair Upper: Grades 3-6 Mallory Janofsky (mljanofsky@fcps.edu)
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Please check with your health care provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up to date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school.
You may check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to your school’s front office.
Alternative immunization documents (below) may also be provided to your school’s front office, but they may not be uploaded in ParentVUE:
- A health care provider’s written statement specifying all administered immunizations.
- A health care provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption form objecting to the administration of immunizations due to conflicts with their religious tenets or practices.
Find more information on immunizations.
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FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.
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!
As we are so appreciative of our past Board Members, we are excited to announce that we have a new President, Lorelei Cheung, and VP of Communications, Sayanti Dasgupta. We are appreciative of their dedication to our school community and look forward to our journey together this school year.
While we celebrate these new additions, there are still several key positions open that are crucial for our PTA's success. We encourage you to get involved and consider taking on one of the following roles:
- VP of Outreach and Fundraising
- VP of Events and Programs
- Financial secretary
For more information or to apply, please reach out to our PTA at board@mcnairespta.org.
Some of the ways that our PTA supports our students are the following:
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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.
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
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Each goal has an equity commitment — the promise we make to every student to support them in attaining these goals. Each goal also has several measures that allow us to track our progress.
The first goal in the strategic plan focuses on each and every student having a strong start in FCPS. Whether they're joining us in preschool or in high school, we want our students to be set up for success. See how Goal 1 is being put into practice.
As a community, we have had some questions around election campaigns. Although campaign activity is prohibited on school grounds during the school day, individuals are generally permitted outside of schools during off-hours, and when schools are open for events. This includes individuals who are handing out political leaflets, as long as they are not creating a disturbance, or a risk to health or safety. Additionally, Fairfax County Public Schools does not endorse candidates or political parties. If you have any questions, please contact Principal Watson at evwatson@fcps.edu.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your questions or concerns regarding Fairfax County Public Schools. Your voice matters! Community Conversations will be held this Fall 6:30-7:30 p.m. on:
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Monday, September 23, at Newington Forest Elementary
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Monday, September 30, at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary
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Monday, October 14, at Fairhill Elementary
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Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary
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Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle
Click the date above to register. Registration is not required but helps with planning. Additional registration links will be shared in next week’s This Week at FCPS. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
With the upcoming 23rd anniversary of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks. |
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All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account.
Calling all students in Grades 2-6!
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. (lunch at noon)
Place: Westfield High School (Gym Entrance - Door #11)
Click here to register.
All participants will have the opportunity to perform with the Varsity Dance Team at halftime of the Varsity Football Game vs. Wakefield on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. Registration fee includes pizza, snacks, and an official WHS Dance Team t-shirt!
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Calling All Smiles!
Fall Picture Day at McNair Elementary School is on October 1, 2024.
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In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Immunization Reminder
- Make Attendance a Priority
- How Is FCPS’ Redesigned Website Working for You?
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
👍❤️ 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.
September 11: Patriot Day, The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance
September 16: Advanced Academics Program Elementary Services Parent Overview in the cafeteria at McNair Elementary (PreK-2 building),6:00-7:00pm
September 23: 3 Hours Early Release Monday Grades K-2- Please complete form: https://forms.gle/bEmijZM4A1NH1Taj9
September 26: Parent Meeting & Tea with Principal Watson & Reading Specialist Ms. Carper around Literacy Instruction at McNair ES, Session 1: 9:15am & Session 2: 2:30 PM
September 30: Acknowledgement of SR&R Review Due. Parents/Guardians may access in SIS ParentVUE or return the signature sheet to the main office.
October 1: Picture Day at McNair ES
October 3: All Schools Closed, Rosh Hashanah
October 4: No School for Students, Teacher Workday
October 14: No School for Students, Staff Development Day
October 21: Full Time AAP Screening Parent Meeting in the cafeteria at McNair Upper Elementary School (G3-6 building), 6:00-7:00pm
October 28: 3 Hours Early Release Monday Grades K-2- Please complete form: https://forms.gle/bEmijZM4A1NH1Taj9
October 31: Storybook Character Day at McNair ES
October 31: 2 Hour Early Release, End of First Quarter
November 1: All Schools & Offices Closed, Diwali
November 4: No School For Students, School Planning Day
November 5: No School For Students, Teacher Workday
November 8: 2nd Grade Veterans Day Performance (More information Coming Soon!)
November 11: All Schools & Offices Closed, Veterans Day
November 18-22: The Scholastic Book Fair at McNair ES
November 20: Family Night at the Book Fair at McNair ES
November 22: Thanksgiving Luncheon for Grades K-2 at McNair ES
November 27-29: All Schools & Offices Closed, Thanksgiving Break
December 23-January 3: No School For Students, Winter Break
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 throughout the 2024-2025 school year!
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