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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
Fall has certainly arrived as the air is getting crisp and the leaves are slowly changing colors. This is such a beautiful season! We have a lot of important events ahead, so please be sure to mark your calendars and read this newsletter carefully. In addition, we invite all McNair families to join the McNair PTA! Our next PTA meeting will be on Wednesday, October 16th at 6:30pm in the McNair Elementary School Cafeteria.
Just a couple of friendly reminders:
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Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day is tomorrow, October 9th!
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Parent Meeting & Tea with Principal Watson & Reading Specialist Ms. Carper around Literacy Instruction at McNair ES, will be on Friday, October 11th. (Session 1: 9:00am & Session 2: 2:30 PM)
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Indigenous Peoples' Day is on Monday, October 14th. On this day, there is no school for students. This is a Staff Development Day.
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Donations for McNair ES & McNair Upper ES Staff: Please sign up to donate some snacks for our amazing staff! Fall Snacks Sign-Up Form
Furthermore, we are continuing to keep our McNair community in our thoughts as we know many of you may have loved ones impacted by the hurricane down south. Please reach out if there is anyway that we can support your student or your family.
Thank you all for your continuous partnership and support. We hope that you all have a wonderful week, Mustangs!
All the best,
Mrs. Watson and Mrs. O'Bryant
Lifelong Learners Grow Here!
Please contact us with any questions!
Principal: Elizabeth Watson, evwatson@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Brandy O'Bryant, bmobryant@fcps.edu
🗓️ Attendance Expectations
Regular attendance can help students be successful in the classroom, graduate on time, and achieve their life goals. If students miss too much school, school staff may contact parents/guardians to work with them to support improved attendance. Visit our website for more attendance resources.
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!
We would love the help of our McNair families to stock both of our school's teacher workrooms with snacks, treats, and drinks for our hard working staff members to enjoy while they plan engaging lessons and activities for our Mustangs. |
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If you are able to do so, please consider donating something. Please click on the following link to sign-up for your donation:
Fall Snacks Sign-Up Form
Donations can be dropped off to the designated school's main office each school day between the hours of 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
Thank you in advance for your support!
All the best,
Mrs. Goddin & Mrs. Watson
We want to emphasize the importance of safety on our school grounds and surrounding areas. One crucial aspect of this is using the designated crosswalks to safely cross Thomas Jefferson Drive. |
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We understand that it may be inconvenient to walk to the crosswalk, but not doing so puts our students at risk. By modeling responsible behavior and using the crosswalk with the crossing guard or police officer, we can create a safer environment for everyone. Please discuss the importance of crosswalk safety with your child and encourage them to always use the designated paths. Your support and partnership in this matter is greatly appreciated.
In order to ensure the safety of our community, for families that choose to drive their student(s) to school, please utilize the kiss-and-ride loops at both McNair campuses during arrival and dismissal for students in grades K-2. Families of our preschool students should use street parking. Please avoid parking at the Townes of Copper Mill during these times. We appreciate your attention to this matter.
Let’s Walk, Bike, and Roll to School!
Join us for Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9! Walking and biking promote physical activity, reduces traffic, and teaches our students important pedestrian skills. Let’s create a healthier and safer community together!
Click here to get more information about Walk and Roll to School Day.
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Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students
Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on:
- Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.
Elementary School Clinics
The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.
AAP October Newsletter
This month, Mrs. Janofsky and Mrs. Burg highlight October’s Disability History and Awareness month and the Critical and Creative Thinking strategy of Point of View. Inside you will find an at home activity/work sample idea as well as conversation starters to have with your mustangs. Check out the latest edition of the October AART Newsletter.
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Save the Date: An Overview of the AAP Full Time Screening Process
- Monday, October 21st from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the McNair Upper Elementary School Cafeteria
Please join us to learn about the Full Time AAP Screening Process. We will discuss important deadlines and what families and schools submit in the screening portfolio. Students in Grades 2-7 are eligible for Full Time screening. Please note that this is AFTER the October 15 fall referral deadline. If you are eligible for fall screening, you must turn in the referral prior to this meeting. Please reach out to Mrs. Janofsky if you need more information.
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)
FCPS is adopting Social Studies Basal Resources for the 2025-26 school year. Basal resources are the primary resources used to support instruction in a given subject. Public review of the instructional materials under consideration — which is part of the process for selecting new resources — is underway. Visit the Community Review webpage for more information on how to view the materials online or in person.
All community feedback will be shared with School Board members before they vote to select materials in spring 2025. FCPS adopts basal resources by the process outlined in Regulation 3004.
Power Packs are Ziploc bags of food sent home every Friday with students who do not get enough food on the weekends without their school-provided meals. Your child can receive a pack if they qualify for free or reduced meals through the school.
If you need this program, please fill out this form: Power Pack Form or scan the QR Code below.
Please fill out a separate form for each child at McNair Elementary. Your information is confidential. Once we receive your form, we will email you with more information. You may also contact our School Counselors or Parent Liaison with any questions you may have.
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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.
October PTA Meeting
Join us Wednesday, October 16th from 6:30-7:30pm at McNair Elementary School for our General Membership PTA Meeting. We hope to see you there!
Get Involved with the PTA!
Join the McNair PTA today!
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!
For more information or to apply, please reach out to our PTA at board@mcnairespta.org
McNair PTA is excited to bring back the After School Clubs! The registration is now open!
We have so many clubs to choose from! There's the Business Club, Art Club, Active Sports Club, Game Club, Guitar and Ukulele Club, Running Club, Engineering and Computer Science Club, Debate Club, Newspaper Club, Crochet Club, Video Game Design Club, Origami Club, McNair ERAS Tour Club.
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Registration Link for After School Clubs
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Registration link for upcoming art competition "Reflections"
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Guidelines for "Reflections"
Teaching Your Kids Dollar$ and Cent$:
Did you know, teaching children about money early, leads them to become more financially independent as they get older? Come learn how to help your children establish wise financial habits that will build a strong foundation for their future.
Join the Parenting Education Program on Tuesday, October 8 at 6:30pm
Join online Via Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87122481968 Password: Parents24$
Current Board Members of McNair PTA
President: Lorelei Cheung
Secretary: Rekha Mani
Treasurer: Sukumar Krishnamurthy
VP of Fundraising & Appreciation: Amrita Singh
VP of Events and Community Outreach: Miranda Butzlaff
VP of Club & Competition Programming: Danielle Tyler
VP of Membership & Volunteers: Gowri Kaliappan
VP of Communications: Sayanti Dasgupta
VP of Technology: Dileep Soundararajan
Competitions Co-Chairs: Archana Pattem & Satya Gunisetti
Vacant PTA Positions
- Assistant to VP of Events & Community Outreach
- Teacher Appreciation Chair
- Financial Secretary
- Technology Chair
We're also looking for friendly coaches and volunteers to host events like Science Olympiad Division B, ACSL, Odyssey of the Mind, and Reflections.
Please click on the link to join the volunteer group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JZ4KRYb4mYh5N2Qt6NJOKu
For more information please email the PTA Board at board@mcnairespta.org
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
Our final goal is Leading for Tomorrow’s Innovation. We are preparing our students for a future that has yet to be imagined. We must give them the skills they will need to succeed. Watch this video to see students exploring and preparing for careers through Career and Technical Experience programs. See how Goal 5 is being put into practice.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
Events will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
The Office of the Ombuds staff engage with families, students, and staff to offer resources, assist in settling conflicts, and raise concerns to improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
The ombuds is available to:
- Share strategies for parents to improve communication with, and between, school and home.
- Help resolve disagreements between parents and schools or disagreements involving employees in the workplace.
- Provide ideas to foster parent participation in Individual Education Plan (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings.
Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
Friday, October 11, will be an evening-only observance day for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. There is school that day, but important events will not occur after school. See the complete school year calendar. |
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In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community. |
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
- In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- All FCPS Schools Accredited
- How FCPS Is Teaching Reading and Writing
- Become a Special Education Teacher
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.
October 9: Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day
October 11: Parent Meeting & Tea with Principal Watson & Reading Specialist Ms. Carper around Literacy Instruction at McNair ES, Session 1: 9:00am & Session 2: 2:30 PM (Both sessions are the same,)
October 11: Yom Kippur
October 14: Indigenous Peoples' Day, No School for Students, Staff Development Day
October 16: PTA Meeting at 6:30pm at McNair ES, Cafeteria
October 21: Full Time AAP Screening Parent Meeting in the cafeteria at McNair Upper Elementary School (G3-6 building), 6:00-7:00pm
October 21: Dr. Reid's Community Conversations at 6:30pm at Virginia Run ES
October 28: 3 Hours Early Release Monday Grades K-2-Dismissal at 12:30pm Please complete form: https://forms.gle/bEmijZM4A1NH1Taj9
October 31: Our Annual McNair & McNair Upper Storybook Character Day Parade at McNair ES on the Field (More details coming soon!)
October 31: 2 Hour Early Release, Dismissal at 1:30pm, 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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