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Hello McNair Upper Families,
It has been such a wonderful week celebrating the upcoming holiday season with a variety of activities including our week of "Winter Holiday Cheer" where our PTA spearheaded a week of festive treats for our school staff. From a baked potato bar to a pancake breakfast to holiday cookies & cocoa to gift card raffles, I could not be more appreciative!
I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to the MUES families who donated items to the PTA to make this special week possible for our staff. Your contributions and act of kindness went a long way in making this week a special one for all of the 90 wonderful colleagues with whom I have the great fortunate of working alongside each day.
As we prepare to close school for the next few weeks to celebrate all of the upcoming holidays around this time of the year, I would like to extend from our MUES Family to yours a very Happy Holiday season! Enjoy your time with family and friends. Find time doing the things you love with the ones you love!
We look forward to having everyone back in 2026!
Your Proud Principal,
Mrs. Goddin
MMGoddin@fcps.edu
- December 22nd-January 2nd: Winter Break; all schools in FCPS are closed
- January 5th: School reopens at 8:35 AM
- January 19th: School closed in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
McNair Upper ES will be closed in celebration of winter break from Monday, December 22nd to Friday, January 2nd. The main office will reopen on Monday, January 5th at 8:00 AM. Our school doors will reopen to welcome back our Mustangs at 8:35 AM on that morning.
Dear Families,
We are excited to share that our school is revising the Behavior Matrix that reflects our core values of being Mindful, Accepting, Respectful, and Kind. You may have also seen this acronym on our blue Mustang MARK tickets, which students earn when they demonstrate these values.
The new matrix will serve as a clear guide for how students should behave across different settings—such as the hallways, bathrooms, cafeteria, playground, and in the classroom—expectations are presented consistently and aligned with what we believe as a community. Please take a few moments to review the updated matrix, as it outlines what these values look like in action.
Each classroom teacher will officially launch this with their students when we return after Winter Break. Your support in reinforcing these expectations at home will help us create a positive and safe environment for all.
We appreciate your support!
Your job: create a picture that shows how our school values—Mindful, Accepting, Respectful, and Kind—come to life at McNair. Think about everyday places like the cafeteria, hallways, playground, or classroom, and illustrate how students can demonstrate these values. Your artwork should show what it looks like to be a positive member of our community.
Due Date: Submit your masterpiece by February 13, 2026 to the front office. Make sure you attach the entry form and label your art with your name, grade, and teacher.
Judging: Art will be judged by staff from February 17-27, and the winners will be announced the week of March 2.
One winner at each grade level will:
- Have their art featured in the yearbook
- Have their art displayed in the foyer showcases
- Receive $10 to the Spring Book Fair
All entries will be displayed around the school to reflect our Mustang MARK values!
Guidelines:
- Use the designated paper we distribute. You can get this from your teacher.
- Students can use any medium as long as it’s submitted on the paper we provide
- Art must be created by hand (no computer art) by the student
- Use the entry form to connect your art to our values: Mindful, Accepting, Respectful and Kind
- Students may work together if they choose. If their submission wins, they will determine how to split the grade-level prize amongst themselves.
Submission Deadline: February 13, 2026
Plastic bags and film packaging are important durable and lightweight protection for food and merchandise in transit. But these materials CAN NOT be recycled in regular recycling. McNair Upper has joined the NexTrex challenge to collect 1,000 pounds of plastic in 12 months to win a brand new Trex bench for our school. Collection receptacles will be in the main hallway for students to drop these plastics at school.
Reporting Student Absences
We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits. Whenever your child is unable to attend school, please let us know. Reporting absences helps our staff support students and connect them with resources they may need.
Full-day absences can be reported in SIS ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by leaving a message on our attendance line. The telephone number is: (571) 982-4747 or by sending an email to: McNairUpperElem.Attendance@fcps.edu.
Parents may monitor their child’s attendance records in SIS ParentVUE.
Attendance Codes in SIS ParentVUE Explained
Attendance codes in SIS ParentVUE are assigned by school staff to better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows us to respond thoughtfully and provide appropriate support. Visit the FCPS Attendance Policy webpage to learn more about the codes.
When Your Child Is Sick
It is also important to keep your child home when they are sick. The Can My Child Go to School? webpage provides helpful recommendations on when to keep your child home.
For instance, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during the upcoming winter break and on snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Winter Break Literacy Adventures
Engaging in literacy activities over winter break helps students maintain the reading, writing, and speaking skills they built during the first half of the school year. Even a little daily practice, such as these 10 fun family activities, helps ensure they return to school confident and ready to continue growing in literacy. Enjoy these literacy adventures as a family!
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
In her latest Weekly Reflections, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid thanked every member of our community for supporting FCPS as it remains fully accredited. Referencing a news release on accreditation, Dr. Reid noted how FCPS needs funding to support and maintain this excellence.
As we shared last week, McNair Upper Elementary was recognized as being off-track.
Visit the Budget Storybook Website to learn more about the FCPS budget and the funding challenges that schools across Virginia, not just FCPS, face because of outdated state funding formulas. Read more of Dr. Reid’s Weekly Reflections.
Make Your Voice Heard!
Look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education and encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process. Several key decision dates and engagement opportunities are listed below:
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Thursday, December 18, 2025 - The Virginia Governor introduced the Fiscal Years 2026-28 state budget.
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Wednesday, January 7, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. - There will be virtual regional public hearings on the governor’s proposed 2026-28 biennial state budget.
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Thursday, January 22, 2026 - Dr. Reid will present the proposed FCPS budget to the School Board.
Visit the FCPS budget webpage for more information.
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!
Dine to Donate Event at Texas Roadhouse!
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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