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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
We hope this fall update finds all of you doing well! It's hard to believe how quickly we are moving through the season, and we're excited to share some wonderful news with you.
🎖️ Celebrating Our Veterans
This week, we have the special honor of recognizing and thanking our Veterans! Our second-grade students have been working hard on practicing songs for a beautiful celebration to thank all those who have served our country. Our Second Grade Veterans Day Performances will take place this Thursday, November 13th.
If second-grade families are unable to join us in person, please don't worry! We will be sending an email to our second grade families email with a link so you can enjoy the special performance from home.
🎬 Thank You for a Great PTA Movie Night!
A huge thank you to our incredible PTA for hosting a fantastic PTA Movie Night! We are so grateful for all the hard work they put into making it a fun and memorable community event. Thank you also to all the families who were able to join us—it was wonderful seeing so many students and parents enjoying the evening together!
🧣 A Friendly Reminder on Cold Weather
As the weather starts to turn colder, especially during our morning arrivals and outdoor recess time, we need your help ensuring our students are prepared to be outside. Please make sure your children come to school each day with the appropriate cold-weather gear for outdoor play. This includes jackets, hats, and mittens or gloves. We want every child to stay warm, healthy, and happy while enjoying their time outside during recess. If your child is in need of a coat, please don't hesitate to contact our school counselors Ms. Ford (dmford@fcps.edu) and Ms. Coe (kicoe@fcps.edu) at 703-793-4800.
It's time to mark your calendars! Below are just a couple of friendly reminders for this week:
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November 13: Second Grade Veterans Day Performance
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November 19: Family Night at the Book Fair, 4:30-6:00pm
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November 19: PTA Meeting at McNair ES at 6:30pm
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November 21: Thanksgiving Luncheon- Please Make Sure You RSVP!
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November 24: Picture Retakes Day
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November 25: Schoolwide Morning Meeting Assembly
We appreciate your partnership in making sure your child has a successful and engaging school year!
Together We Grow,
Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Stringer, and Mrs. Royer
Lifelong Learners Grow Here!
Please contact us with any questions!
Principal: Elizabeth Watson, evwatson@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Ipsa Stringer, IBStringer@fcps.edu
Assistant Principal: Sara Royer, smroyer@fcps.edu
Click on the links below to navigate to sections of this newsletter.
Save the Date
📌November 13: 2nd Grade Veterans Day Performance: More information below!
📌November 17-21: The Scholastic Book Fair at McNair ES
📌November 19: Family Night at the Book Fair at McNair ES, 4:30-6:00pm
📌November 19: PTA Meeting at McNair ES at 6:30pm
📌November 21: Thanksgiving Luncheon for Grades K-2 at McNair ES
📌November 24: School Picture Retakes Day
📌November 25: Schoolwide Morning Meeting for Students
📌November 26-28: All Schools & Offices Closed, Thanksgiving Break
📌December 11: STEAM Night at McNair ES, 5:30-7:00pm
📌December 19: Winter Sing Along Assembly For Students
📌December 22-January 2: No School For Students, Winter Break
**Please reference the 2025-2026 School Year FCPS Calendar when making appointments or scheduling family trips. Attendance counts and everyday matters!**
Arrival and Dismissal
Doors open for arrival at 8:35 a.m. The school day begins at 8:45 a.m.
Dismissal begins at 3:30 p.m.
Every Day Is a Stepping Stone to Success
Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now that will help them graduate on time and help them with time management. Parents and families can play a big role in helping kick-start good attendance habits.
Please take a look at the FCPS Calendar. Try to schedule any trips or family events on weekends and school holidays. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered “chronically absent.”
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, you must report the absence to our school. Visit our Attendance webpage for more information.
Veterans Day
Veterans Day provides a great reason to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our Veterans and their families have made on our behalf, and we thank them for their service. Learn more about the history of Veterans Day at va.gov.
Our McNair second grade students have been practicing songs to celebrate and honor our Veterans. The second-grade students will participate in two Veterans Day performances on Thursday, November 13th to thank all who have served. The 11:00 am performance will be open to the families of second-grade students and any Veterans. There will be an afternoon assembly for all students to participate in. Next week, we will share a link for second grade families to join virtually for those who are unable to join in person.
In addition, we are collecting photos of family members who have served and would like to include those photos in our Veterans celebration. If you have a picture you would like to share or have any questions, please email them to our Music Teacher, Kyle Kelly at KJKelly1@fcps.edu by Wednesday, November 6th. If you would prefer to send in a picture with your child, please, have it labeled with your child’s name and teacher, so we are able to return it. Thank you!
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BOOK FAIR
LET YOUR MIND WANDER THROUGH BOOKS NOV 17-21!
Your family is invited to attend the Scholastic Book
Fair! Your students will have time to shop during school days. Shopping at the Book Fair is optional, but a great time to add to your home library, buy gifts for holidays, and teachers! Thank you for your support!
SHOPPING TIMES:
Family Book Fair Night and Storytime with the Principal
- Wednesday 11/19 from 4:30 P.M. - 6 P.M.
Family Luncheon
- Friday 11/21 from 10:30 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.
IMPORTANT DETAILS:
- Funds earned support our school
- Credit Cards accepted by adults only (not students). Please no checks.
- All sales are final: No returns nor exchanges
- To volunteer-Email Ms. Pappano, at: klpappano@fcps.edu
📣 Last Call for Title I Afterschool Clubs!
We are excited to offer our free Title I Afterschool Clubs at McNair ES, starting in December! These clubs provide a fun and engaging learning experience after the school day, and we highly encourage your child to participate.
Great News! We are extending the sign-up deadline! Please complete the registration form by no later than Friday, November 14th to secure your child's spot. Don't miss this opportunity!
Fall Snacks for McNair ES and McNair Upper ES Staff!
We would love your help in keeping our staff lounge and teacher planning space stocked with individually wrapped healthy snack foods, beverages, and a few sweet treats for our awesome school staff as a way to keep them energized as they teach and support our Mustangs.
Please consider signing up for any of the items listed below and drop off any donations to the main office at your child's school (McNair ES or McNair Upper ES) between the hours of 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
If you'd like to donate something to support our staff, please click on the following link: Fall Snack Sign-Up Link
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🥳 Theme Thursdays at McNair!
Our Mustangs truly enjoy showing their school spirit and bringing our community together each week with Theme Thursdays! Get ready to mark your calendars! We are excited to announce the themes for the month of November below:
🩹Immunization Events for All FCPS Students
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.
⏰ Limited Early Release Days for Elementary Schools
Limited early release days for elementary schools will shift to Wednesdays for the 2025-26 school year. Student supervision will be provided for families who require it. Three-hour early release days for our school will take place at 12:30pm on the following dates:
📌November 19 📌
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December 17
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February 25
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March 25
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April 29
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May 20
Please contact your child's teacher by Friday, November 14, to inform them of your child's dismissal arrangements on November 19.
STEAM Night At McNair ES
Mark your calendars! Join us for STEAM Night on Thursday, December 11, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM! It's an evening of hands-on discovery, featuring exciting activities like the popular Bubbling Tonic experiment, engineering design tasks, Lego Robotics, and much more. Don't miss this fun, free event where science, technology, engineering, art, and math come to life! |
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Support STEAM Night: Donate Groceries!
We need your help to make our science stations a success at STEAM Night on December 11th! We are requesting non-perishable grocery items like baking soda, lime juice, and vegetable oil. If you are able to donate, please check out our sign-up genius list and send in the items in your child’s backpack! Thank you in advance for your support and help!
If you have any questions, please contact our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Kaitlin Burg at kmburg@fcps.edu.
Crosswalk Safety at McNair ES
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.
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.
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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/parent representative to serve on this group to represent the McNair ES community. If you are interested, 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 division-wide opportunity for families!
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Ensuring Student Safety: Register for Volunteer FCPS
At McNair Elementary School, our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.
Recent updates to our volunteer process focus on one primary goal: keeping students safe.
These updates — such as checks against the sex offender registry and, in some cases, criminal background checks — are safety measures that will help us maintain a secure and supportive learning environment for every student in our care.
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We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application.
Volunteer FCPS ensures a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must be registered in Volunteer FCPS. This includes individuals who volunteer to chaperone on field trips, work at book fairs, and help out regularly in classrooms, libraries, or cafeterias. Volunteers who work unsupervised with students will also be required to undergo a background check.
We understand these changes may seem disruptive, especially for long-time volunteers. Our intent is to ensure that our students feel safe and supported with each and every person they encounter at school.
As a reminder, all volunteers — and visitors to a school — are required to sign in by scanning their ID at our visitor kiosk. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Links:
On Facebook, please like & follow to get the latest updates.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567288287981
PTA Upcoming Events:
PTA Meeting
- Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 6:30pm at McNair ES
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 6th, 2025
Eat Chipotle, help McNair Elementary 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
ACSL- American Computer Science League
Open to students in grades 3-6
Each contest in an online 30-minute, 6-question, non-programming test focused on a single category.
Reflections 2025-26 Theme: I Belong
Last date for submission: November 14th, 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.
McNair Chess Tournament:
Our next McNair Chess Tournament for the 2025-2026 school year is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2025.
PTA Monthly Meeting
PTA invites all the members & non-members for the November General Meeting on Wednesday, November 19th ,2025 at McNair Primary ES, 6.30 PM
Corporate Donation for 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.
✅ Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. We will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, November 12.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. This year, FCPS expects to receive approximately $4 million in Impact Aid funding. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.
For more information, visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
Technical support for using ParentVUE or submitting the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type “Federal Impact Aid Survey” in the Issue Description section. You may also call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).
Volunteer FCPs Updates
Volunteer Registration Update
Due to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers.
If you are scheduled for an upcoming fingerprinting appointment, please cancel your appointment unless you are a mentor, host parent, or non-parent volunteer having frequent, direct, and unsupervised contact with students, which will still require fingerprinting. FCPS will be charged if individuals miss a fingerprinting appointment without canceling in advance.
Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a background check).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal attestation confirming you have no history of violent felonies, physical/sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
FCPS App
📱 Download the New FCPS Mobile App!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep families connected and informed, directly from their smartphones. You can download the Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.”
With the app you can:
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Stay up-to-date: Get the latest news from our school and FCPS.
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View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
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Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Access key links: Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed.
Learn more about the new mobile app, including feedback from parents.
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Family Academy
- Family Academy Offers Opportunities to Support Parents and Guardians, the FCPS Family Academy offers resources and in-person and virtual classes, workshops, webinars, and programs for families. The following webinars and workshops will take place in November:
- ABA Family Training: Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home
- Co-Parenting: Two Parents, Two Homes (in Spanish)
- Supporting Your Military-Connected Student in Secondary School
- Moving on to Life in the Community
Other Family Resource Center webinars will cover topics such as communication with twice exceptional children, family engagement in the special education process, restorative justice practices in schools and at home, and improving routines.
Visit the Family Academy Catalog to learn more about these and other resources.
Resources for Families Impacted by the Government Shutdown
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 for families.
Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students
Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students
Students with sensory disabilities require special services and support to access instruction that is typically presented auditorily (by means of hearing) and visually. FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school site or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.
The Virginia Department of Education also provides information about Additional Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.
Community Conversations
🎤 Community Conversations With Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Dr. Reid wants to hear from you! Parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school and in life.
A series of Community Conversations will be held across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. These events are also a chance for you to share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration links for the December date will be available soon:
Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Please check our website for updates.
Tutoring Resources for Families
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.
National Career Development Month
By enrolling in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course or program, students learn the technical applications of many occupations while preparing for higher education or entry-level employment. A core program of CTE courses is offered in every middle and high school. Based on the needs of the populations served, each school determines optional courses to be offered. Learn more about Academies and Specialized Programs.
 FCPS CTE Woorks - Career and Technical Education in Fairfax County Public Schools
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native Americans. It is also a time to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges they have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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National Family Engagement Month
November Is National Family Engagement Month
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.
FCPS Family Café Series: Support Your Child’s Growth and Learning
The FCPS Family Academy announces the launch of a monthly series called the FCPS Family Café. These fun and helpful sessions are designed to keep families informed and involved in their child’s education. At Family Café, parents are key partners in helping children succeed. Click on a topic below to register to attend.
✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families through trusting partnerships that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.
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American Education Week
For American Education Week we celebrate ALL who work in our [SCHOOL] community: our bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, support staff, teachers, leadership and more! Learn more from the National Education Association. Want to recognize someone from our school who goes above and beyond? Submit a nomination to FCPS Cares.
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FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- State Standards of Learning (SOL) Changes
- PSAT/SAT School Day Scores Available
- Resources for Families
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Please stay in touch with us by...
👍❤️ Follow Our School on Social Media!
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Thank you for your partnership as we gallop together in supporting our Mustangs!
#TogetherWeGrow
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