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Please join me in congratulating our December & January Safety Patrols of the Month! These Mustangs work incredibly hard during the school day to keep everyone safe as they come to school each morning and leave school each afternoon. Thank you, Mustangs, for a job well done!
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- MUES Kiss and Ride – Sanvitha & Soham
- Bus Helper – Aarush
- MUES and McNair Lower Crosswalks – Siona, Niranjana & Ananya
- Bus 2 – Anvie, Bus 3 – Isha, Bus 5 – Eman
Hello MUES Families,
It has been a wonderful week at MUES! Despite Thursday's two-hour delay day, our Mustangs have had a wonderful start to the 3rd quarter of school. And, the highlight of the week, has been returning to outdoor recess after having to stay inside for it for several days as we patiently waited for the snow and ice to melt.
Over the past two weeks we have also been treated to wonderful music from both our 5th & 6th grade band and strings students as both programs performed at the annual winter concerts.
I'd also like to take this opportunity to share with families that this past week has been National School Counselors Week. Our MUES family is very fortunate to have two of the best school counselors a school community could ask for. Ms. Bradner and Ms. Barry are dedicated to offering their ongoing support to our students, families, and staff. Please join me in thanking Ms. Bradner and Ms. Barry for their excellent work! They both lead with heart- we appreciate these wonderful ladies!
 Ms. Bradner (left side) and Ms. Barry (right side) accompanied by Ms. Oliver, school psychologist.
Looking forward to next week's weather forecast, it looks like Phil the Groundhog was right with his prediction of six more weeks of winter as we are expecting inclement weather. As a friendly reminder, please make sure to check social media, local news stations, or FCPS' website so that you are aware if school is closed. If there is a two-hour delay, school begins for the Mustang community at 10:45 AM. We open our doors to welcome our Mustangs at 10:35 AM.
I wish every member of our Mustang family a wonderful weekend!
Mrs. Goddin
Proud Principal of McNair Upper ES
Below is information that should answer some basic questions that you or your child may have about McNair Upper ES’s Spelling Bee Program. Review this document with your child.
The McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee is part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program! As such, the McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee uses exclusively word study materials created and copyrighted by the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program and operates according to the Scripps’ Rules for Local Spelling Bees.
Classroom spelling bees will happen on Friday, February 21st at 9:30 am. Sixth graders will have their class spelling bee immediately after specials.
Schoolwide Spelling bee will be on Monday, March 3rd at 10 am.
Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged is the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program. Only the spellings used by MWU are valid spellings in the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program.
PREPARATION INFORMATION
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This is a Spelling Bee only. Scripps has added vocabulary questions to the National Spelling Bee, but we are not doing this.
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Do I need to do anything to prepare my child to participate in the Spelling Bee? No, there is nothing required to participate in the Spelling Bee. If your child wants to practice, attached below are study guides, this is optional.
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Not all of the words at the McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee will be from the Word Lists provided. Scripps supplies both the official Word Study List as well as the list of words that will be used during the McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee.
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The Spelling Bee will start with words from the Word Study List, and as the Bee goes on, the words will steadily increase in difficulty. If there are a lot of spellers and/or the spellers are well-prepared, the spellers still competing in the later rounds of the Bee may reach the “Challenge” section of the competition list. These are words that the spellers have not had a chance to study and will test their word skills and ability to puzzle out the correct answer by using their Speller’s Questions.
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Do not assume that your child will receive words only at his/her grade level. As the Bee progresses, the word difficulty increases. If your child wants to study, strongly encourage him/her to study the Word List beyond his/her current grade level.
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It is your child’s responsibility to be familiar with the Rules for Local Spelling Bees before the Bee competition. Review the Rules for Local Spelling Bees with your student. I will summarize key Rules for the spellers on Bee Day, but it will not be an exhaustive review.
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Your child may opt out of the Bee. The McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee is an optional activity. It is supposed to be an interesting challenge for your child, but it is also supposed to be fun. If you would like to opt your child out of the Spelling Bee, please email me and include your child’s name and teacher at vlsoni@fcps.edu.
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It's OK not to study. Your child will have more success at the Spelling Bee if he or she practices with the Word Lists beforehand, but it is not necessary. If your child wants to drop out because he or she has not studied, please encourage him or her to stay in just for the experience.
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Is my child allowed to appeal a spelling? No, there will be no appeals allowed during the Classroom or Schoolwide Spelling Bee.
DAY-OF-BEE PROTOCOL
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What should a speller wear? School-appropriate clothing that is comfortable to sit in. There is no need to dress more formally unless a student would like to do so.
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The Rules and Procedures will be reviewed before the Bee. After all participants are seated, but before the Bee begins, the Rules for Local Spelling Bees will be briefly summarized, and students may ask questions. Please go over the Rules and procedures (“How Does an Oral Bee Work?” with your child beforehand so that this time can be used efficiently.
- Competitors are seated by grade level, youngest to oldest: 3rd - 4th – 5th - 6th
Within each grade, students will be seated randomly. They will not be seated in alphabetical order.
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Competitors will be "retired" from the Bee in groups as the Bee continues. When a student misspells a word, s/he is out of the Bee, but s/he will not leave the seating area until his/her number is called to “retire”. Students will be "retired" in groups as necessary throughout the Bee so that no one will have to wait too long.
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When can a student leave? Retired students either may stay to watch the Bee or may return to class.
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Your Bee officials are all volunteers as well as local parents. Our Spelling Bee is conducted under the auspices of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program, but it is run entirely by staff members and volunteers from our school. These volunteers have donated their time to give your child a good experience.
PRACTICE WORD LISTS
2025_suggested_rules_for_spelling_bees.pdf
6th Grade Study Words.pdf
5th Grade Study Words.pdf
4th Grade Study Words.pdf
3rd Grade Study Words.pdf
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Here is the link to this month's AAP Community Newsletter. Please take a moment to read through it to find ways to support your Mustang.
February AAP Community Newsletter
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Join us in learning about heart health and raising funds to protect all hearts – especially other kids this month with the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge at McNair Upper ES! Through jump rope and fun activities we’ll discover ways to take care of our hearts and brains, learn CPR and Stroke symptoms, and practice ways to be healthy and kind with our special Kids Heart Challenge Characters! Plus, we have the chance to earn PE equipment for our school! Register online today or with the KHC App for Free with parent permission!
https://www2.heart.org/site/SPageNavigator/ym_khc_get_started_guide.html
Students & staff that register for our school will be entered into a weekly video raffle drawing for KHC prizes that will be played on the morning news, they will earn a bracelet, be entered to win 2 super bowl tickets for 2026 and write their name on a heart for our HOUSE challenge.
The HOUSE with the most students that register online will choose a special activity too! Maybe a PJ/Popcorn & Movie Party, Game Day, a Glow Party, or something else fun.
Our MUES GOAL this month is to raise $5,000 for the American Heart Association by Feb. 28, 2025.
Extra Incentive PRIZES this year include:
- Students will receive AHA KHC Thank you prizes based on registering and how much their raise. Thank you prizes will be handed out after the challenge ends in PE before the end of the school year.
- Reach our $5,000 Goal - TBD…Maybe something FUN with Admin or the PE Teachers
- Top 2 Fundraisers in School – Principal/AP or PE Teacher for the Day, Special Lunch or something else fun.
- Raise $100+ and/or Complete FINN’s Mission by Feb 28. – Get to participate with our school goal choice…
- In the past Ms. Luck and Ms. Smith have been PIED, DUCT Taped to the GYM Wall, had ICE Water cups/buckets dumped on them or mustangs may vote on something else…TBD
- HOUSE with the most SIGN UPS – will receive a Special House Prize (House will vote at the end of month).
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Luck or Ms. Smith, our PE teachers.
❤ So who is READY to JOIN OUR TEAM and be a HEART HERO at McNair Upper this month? 😊
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FCPS’ Chief Equity Office invites the community to an Inaugural Black History Month Kick-Off Celebration on Wednesday, February 19th, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event begins with a light reception, followed by a formal program, “From the Threads of Our Past to the Fabric of Our Future.” The program will honor the enduring contributions of Black history and culture while envisioning a future rooted in equity and excellence. It will include inspiring performances, personal stories, reflections, and opportunities to connect and celebrate. The event is open to the entire community.
For more information, contact Nina Thomas, senior manager for Professional Learning and Cultural Responsiveness.
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If you have not been able to attend a Community Boundary Review meeting yet, it’s not too late! The following virtual meetings are scheduled and will have the same format and information available as the previous in-person meetings:
Click one of the dates above to register and receive your unique Zoom link. Please note that each virtual meeting will be capped at 400 participants to help provide a meaningful experience for all. Language interpretation will be available. Learn about FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.
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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.
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!
Mrs. Goddin & Mrs. Watson
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Please Join PTA!
Registration Link for PTA membership: https://mcnairespta.givebacks.com/store?limit=21&live=true
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February PTA General Membership Meeting & Awards Ceremony
This is a friendly reminder that we have a General PTA meeting and a Reflections Awards Ceremony coming up on Wednesday, February 19th at 6:30 PM. This month's meeting will be held at McNair Upper ES. Hope to see you there!
We’re excited to announce that we’ll be hosting an Award Ceremony for the Reflections after a brief meeting.
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McNair Chess Tournament
Our next McNair Chess Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, February 22nd.
MAXIMUM ENTRIES 120
Pre-registration closes on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
The early pre-registration fee through Tuesday, February 18, 2025 is $40.00 per chess player.
The late pre-registration fee for Wednesday, February 19, 2025 and Thursday, February 20, 2025 is $45.00.
On-site registrations will close at 8:30 am on Saturday, February 22. The on-site registration fee is $50.00.
No Email/Phone Registrations allowed.
NOTE: If you need a bye for the later rounds - please notify us prior to the beginning of round 2.
Doors open at 8:00 am for on-site registrations. On-site registration closes at 8:30 am. The first round starts at 9:00 am.
Where?
McNair Elementary School 2499 Thomas Jefferson Drive Herndon, VA 20171
When?
Feb 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Link for Chess Tournament registration & further details: Registration for February McNair Chess Tournament
Please address questions or concerns to mcnairchess@gmail.com
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Harris Teeter Together In Education- Fundraiser
Harris Teeter’s Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands. A percentage of your purchase is donated to the school that your VIC card is linked to. There are NO LIMITS to how much a school can earn.
Instruction for Families:
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Option 1: Please use the annual sign up form for the TIE program from Harris Teeter using the following link: McNair Harris Teeter
- Note: You need to re-register every year for this program.
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Option 2: You can also sign up in-person at the counter using our school code: 5090
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Volunteers Needed!
We need 3 Volunteers to join our Financial Committee.
We need volunteers to be Event Coordinators for the following Events:
- Movie Night
- Bingo Night
- Running Event (fun run or color run)
- International Night/Cultural Fair
- Student Talent Show
- Kids vs. Adults Sports Tournament
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What Does an Event Coordinator Do?
Event Coordinators act as the main organizer and point of contact for their chosen event; lead a team of volunteers, brainstorm ideas, and make sure everything runs smoothly on the day of the event.
We're also looking for friendly Coaches and volunteers to host events like Science Olympiad Division B, ACSL, Odyssey of the Mind and Reflections. We'd love for you to join us!
Please click on the link to join the volunteer group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JZ4KRYb4mYh5N2Qt6NJOKu
Thank you for all your support!
Warm Regards,
Sayanti Dasgupta
VP Communications McNair ES PTA
- February 10th: For the Love of Our Mustangs! PTA No Fuss Fundraiser Kicks Off
- February 12th: Happy 100th Day of School!
- February 17th: Presidents Day; school closed
- February 19th: PTA General Membership Meeting at 6:30 PM/McNair Upper ES
- February 24th: 3-Hour Early Release; dismissal at 12:30 PM
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