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Hello MUES Families,
The second quarter of school is underway! I sincerely appreciate you partnering with your child's homeroom teacher by attending a recent parent-teacher conference so that you can discuss how your Mustang is adjusting to the new school year both academically and socially. Even though we set aside time for fall parent-teacher conferences, one can be held anytime you or child's teacher feels the need to meet to ensure that your Mustang is on the right track for a successful school year.
This past week, our 6th grade students attended an interactive field trip at Horizons where they participated in a variety of team building activities. The fall weather was perfect for their outdoor adventure! The picture collage above captures some of the fun moments that students in Mr. Auer, Mr. Smalley, and Ms. Zeman's classes experienced.
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On Tuesday, November 11th, all schools in FCPS will be closed in honor of Veterans Day. We thank all of the men and women who have proudly served and are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces! |
I wish our entire Mustang family a wonderful fall weekend!
Your Proud Principal,
Mrs. Goddin
MMGoddin@fcps.edu
- November 7th: PTA Movie Night at 5:00 PM
- November 10th: Overview of the AAP Screening Process Meeting at 5:00 PM
- November 11th: Veterans Day; all school in FCPS are closed
- November 19th: Three-Hour Early Release Day; 12:30 PM Dismissal
- November 20th: Thanksgiving Luncheon (a modified lunch schedule will be fanned out in the coming weeks)
- November 26th-November 29th: Thanksgiving Break
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If your child has missed 4-5 school days during the first quarter of the school year, they are on track to be considered chronically absent by the Virginia Department of Education. Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year. Students who miss 10% or more of the school year are less likely to succeed in school and are more likely to drop out of high school. We are here to support your family and your child’s school attendance. Please let us know what we can do to help.
Debbie Bradner, dgbradner1@fcps.edu
Shannon Choi, sschoi@fcps.edu
MUES School Counselors
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The Federal Impact Aid program provides money to districts that enroll federally connected students. Help FCPS secure funding from the Impact Aid Program by helping us identify:
- Military families.
- Federally connected families.
- Families living on a military base.
Please complete one form for each child in your household. Remember that only the parent that registered the student with FCPS (the ‘enrolling parent’) can fill out the Impact Aid Survey form.
For families without access to ParentVUE, a paper copy of the form will be sent home with your student starting November 12. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
Your support will ensure that we receive the resources for which we are eligible.
To access the Impact Aid Form from your computer or mobile device, we recommend using Google Chrome.
Step 1: CLICK HERE or type sisparent.fcps.edu into your Chrome address bar to be taken to SIS ParentVUE. If you don’t have a SIS ParentVUE account, contact your child’s school for an activation letter.
Step 2: After you’ve logged into your ParentVue Account, look for the ‘Online Packets’ link at the top of the page. Click ‘Online Packets’.
Step 3: Next, click the ‘Federal Impact Aid Survey’ button on the bottom of the page. This will take you to the Impact Aid Survey for you to complete.
If you have multiple children in Fairfax County Public Schools, please fill out a form for each child. You will know you have completed all of the forms when you get to the final page, and see a green check next to each of their names.
Full-Time AAP Referral Deadline: December 15th
The deadline to refer your child to be screened for Full Time Advanced Academic services is approaching. All materials for current G3-6 McNair Upper students should be submitted to Mrs. Janofsky, the McNair Upper AART, by Monday, December 15th at 11:59pm.
Resources to support you:
- Attend the Full Time Screening Information Meeting on Monday November 10 from 5-6 p.m. in the McNair Upper Cafeteria. (Spanish Translation will be available)
- Reference this Screening Checklist from the McNair AARTs
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Attend Office Hours with either McNair AART (Mrs. Burg – PreK-2; Mrs. Janofsky – G3-6) to ask specific questions about putting together a referral package for your child.
December 15th is a firm deadline. Please plan ahead and ask questions early! You are welcome to email Mrs. Janofsky at mljanofsky@fcps.edu for assistance.
Advanced Academic Programs: Services in Middle School & High School
Parents and Guardians of 6th grade students are invited to attend an online information session hosted by the Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) from elementary schools within the Carson and Hughes MS Pyramid as well as the Carson Middle School AART.
The AARTs will jointly present an Overview of Advanced Academic Programs in Middle School and High School. The presentation will cover topics including the goals of AAP in FCPS, the AAP Continuum of Services in Middle and High School, Honors vs. AAP courses, and Math offerings available to students in middle school.
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Time: 9:30-10:30 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/96816427144?pwd=1bzEHB1bqyaLNabmdkIuOlMaVmrUHR.1
Meeting ID: 968 1642 7144
Passcode: 972165
*Closed Captioning will be available in Spanish
Apply Anytime for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals at any time during the school year.
If your income changes — for example, due to a furlough, layoff, or job loss — you may become newly eligible. Once approved, your benefits stay active for the rest of the school year and for the first 30 days of the next school year.
Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals or attend a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school receive free breakfast and lunch every school day. It’s a great way to make your food budget go further and save time from packing meals. Learn more about FCPS Food and Nutrition.
Impact of Federal Shutdown on Local Community
Fairfax County is home to around 80,000 federal employees and thousands of federal contractors. Its Federal Workforce Resource Hub is intended to help navigate current and future issues for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits, and businesses who may be affected by actions, changes, or disruptions to federal services or employment.
Find more community resources available to families.
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Family Engagement Month is a time to remember that parents and caregivers are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers.
The FCPS Family Academy supports the continued success and well-being of each and every student within the FCPS community. The Academy offers a variety of positive and engaging learning opportunities and meaningful connections to transform the FCPS experience into a welcoming environment for all families.
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Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners 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.
McNair Upper ES will be administering the Fairfax County Youth Survey to 6th graders the week of November 17th - November 21st, during their FOCUS specials class. The Fairfax County Youth Survey, a collaboration between the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is a comprehensive, anonymous, and voluntary survey given each year to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. The survey examines behaviors, experiences, and other factors that influence the health and well-being of Fairfax County's youth. The results, published each year at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey, identify trends and areas of need, providing a snapshot of the county's youth and serving as a barometer of the community's effectiveness in fostering healthy choices in young people
While it is our hope that as many students as possible will participate, if you do not wish for your child to take part in the Youth Survey, please complete and return the opt out form that will be sent home with your student on Thursday, October 16th. If you have already opted your child out of this survey using the Parental Digital Consent Portal you do not need to provide additional information to the school counselor.
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Each year during the month of November, we like to provide all of our classroom communities a pumpkin where our Mustangs document all of the wonderful things they are thankful for on it. We then use these pumpkins for our centerpieces at our annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.
We are hoping to collect 40 large or medium-sized pumpkins so that each of our homeroom classes and specialists' classrooms at McNair Upper ES can have one.
If you are able to donate a pumpkin, please fill out the very brief Google Form below. Pumpkins can be dropped off at the main office beginning on Monday, October 27th.
Thankful & Grateful Pumpkin Donation
If you have questions, please email Mrs. Goddin, Principal, at MMGoddin@fcps.edu. Thank you in advance for your support!
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FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Immunization clinics will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Administrative Center on:
- Tuesday, November 18
- Wednesday, November 19
- Thursday, November 20
A clinic will also take place at Frost Middle School on Saturday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year.
Participation is voluntary. Parents or guardians may schedule an appointment for their student. Learn more about immunization resources.
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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.
When: Monday November 10, 2025, 5-6 p.m.
Where: McNair Upper Elementary Cafeteria
Who: Families of 2nd-6th graders who are interested in learning more about the Full Time AAP Referral and Screening process
Questions? Contact Mallory Janofsky, McNair Upper AART, at mljanofsky@fcps.edu or Kaitlin Burg, McNair Elementary AART, at kmburg@fcps.edu
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Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities for the school division. You may also share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask questions. Events are planned for the following dates:
Click on the date to register. Additional locations and registration links will be shared soon. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all.
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.
We are still looking for one more family representative to serve on this group to represent the McNair Upper ES community. If you are interested, please reach out to me by email at MMGoddin@fcps.edu or by calling the main office at (571) 982-1700.
Thank you so much in advance for your support of this division wide opportunity for families!
- Ronald McDonald Care Kit Drive
- Monday November 9- Tuesday November 18, 2025
- Chipotle Spirit Night
- Tuesday November 18, 2025, 4:00pm - 8:00pm
- McNair Chess Tournament
- Saturday, December 6, 2025
November PTA General Membership Meeting
The McNair PTA invites all the members & non-members to the November General Membership meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at McNair Primary ES at 6.30 PM
Eat Chipotle! Help the McNair PTA!
Calling all burrito lovers,
Foil your dinner plans and stop by the Chipotle at 1144 Elden St in Herndon for our fundraiser on Tuesday, November 18 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. We're raising money to support McNair Elementary PTA, so just download a flyer from the link below or mention the fundraiser at checkout and they'll donate 25% of the proceeds to the cause!
ONLINE CODE: P97TYWJ or SHOW THE FLYER IN THE RESTAURANT
Click here for more details.
Can't wait to see you!
Reflection 2025-2026 Theme: I Belong
Last date for submission: November 14, 2025
Email with submission link has been sent to the registered participants
Before submission, please make sure artwork and entry form are named correctly. Also, please upload to the correct link as per division and art category.
ACSL- American Computer Science League
Elementary Division- Open to students in grades 3 - 6
Each contest consists of an online 30-minute, 6-question non-programming test, focused on a single category of content. A different category will be tested on each contest.
For any further questions please send an email to acsl@mcnairespta.org
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/bp748j2p
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 Parents:
Option 1: Please use the annual sign up form for the TIE program from Harris Teeter using the following link:
https://tinyurl.com/mcnairharristeeter
Note: You need to re-register every year for this program.
Option 2: You can also sign up in-person at the counter using our school code: 5090
Corporate Donation to the PTA
Did you know that the McNair Elementary PTA is a 501- 3(c) non profit (EIN 332743954) meaning your deductions are tax deductible!
As the year ends, please consider making a donation to the PTA and checking with your employer to see if they will match your donation.
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