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Hello McNair Upper Families,
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your Mustang had a wonderful winter break and enjoyed the two weeks off of school.
This past week of school, our staff has been working hard to reteach school wide expectations to our Mustangs across all settings in our school. This included the launch of our newly revised school matrix, which you will have the opportunity to read about in one of the news articles below. Mr. Schatz also wrote a "MARK Rap" to accompany it. With the help of Ms. McCarthy's 3rd grade class, they performed it! We hope to unveil it to all of our Mustangs soon.
Right before winter break, we held our annual winter holiday door decorating contest. I am happy to share this year's winners!
- 1st Floor Overall: Ms. Belliveau's EAC Class
- 2nd Floor Overall: Ms. Hakala's 5th Grade Class
- 3rd Floor Overall: Ms. Kelley's 4th & 5th Grade Class
- Most Creative: Ms. Freer's 5th Grade Class
- Most Festive: Ms. Kearney's 6th Grade Class
Pictures of our winning doors will be shared next week.
As we begin the new year, I would like to wish all of you one of good health and many wonderful memories to be made!
Your Proud Principal,
Mrs. Goddin
MMGoddin@fcps.edu
- January 19th: School closed in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- January 28th: Two-Hour Early Release Day; dismissal at 1:30 PM/last day of the 2nd Quarter of School
- January 29th & January 30th: Student Holidays/Teacher Workdays; no school for students
This week, our school community launched our “Make your MARK” behavior expectations campaign, focused on strengthening our school culture through collective responsibility from all students. This week, every teacher focused on four important values: being mindful, accepting, respectful, and kind. Additionally, each day on the morning news, students heard messages about what these words mean and how they can be demonstrated in our school environment.
- Mindful: Being mindful means you are aware of the impact of your attitude and choices on those around you.
- Accepting: Being accepting means that you use an open mind to follow directions and listen to the ideas of others.
- Respectful: Being respectful means that you show care for your classmates, teachers, and school property.
- Kind: Being kind means showing your friendly, considerate, and warm-hearted attitude to others.
We encourage you to continue the conversation at home by asking your child what these values mean to them and how they can practice them in everyday life. Thank you for your support in reinforcing these important values.
Together, we can help our students build a positive and caring school community!
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.
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Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.
Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.
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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 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!
Shout Out for Leading the Winter Cheer!
A huge shout-out to HarSharan for your dedication and support in making the Winter Cheer Staff Appreciation event such a success. Your efforts truly made a difference—thank you from the PTA! ❄️💙
Chess Tournament
On Saturday, January 10, 2026 McNair PTA will host the next McNair Scholastic chess tournament for the 2025-2026 school year. Click on the button to register.
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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