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Hello McNair Upper Families,
As promised, pictured above are the five winning doors from our winter holiday door decorating contest. Ms. Hakala's class created a computer program that moved the "67" featured on her door. Ms. Freer's class sang a song about her pup, which was the theme of their winning door. Ms. Kearney's class turned their classroom door into a large musical greeting card. When we opened up the card, they sang a holiday carol to the judges. Ms. Kelley's class and Ms. Belliveau's class, the two other winning doors, did an outstanding job too!
This week, our school staff continued to reiterate our school wide rules and expectations to our Mustangs by using our newly revised "MARK" matrix as a teaching point. We invite families to use the resources listed below in this week's newsletter to engage your Mustang in a conversation about what our school expectations are and why it's important for all of our Mustangs to follow them as a way to ensure that our school is a safe place for all Mustangs to learn and have fun.
Please don't forget that all schools in FCPS are closed on Monday, January 19th in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. We hope that our Mustang community uses this day of service to do an act kindness for someone else.
We look forward to welcoming our Mustangs back on Tuesday, January 20th.
Have a nice three-day weekend!
Your Proud Principal,
Mrs. Goddin
MMGoddin@fcps.edu
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On Monday, January 19th, we honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedication to equality and serving others. All schools and offices in FCPS will be closed in celebration of this special holiday.
#MLKDay #OurFCPS
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- 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
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Would you or your Mustang like some new MUES swag that looks similar to our new staff sweatshirt? If so, it's your lucky day!
Here is the link to the order form: 2026 Sweatshirt Sale Form
One was also sent home in yesterday's Thursday Folder.
Please send the form back to school with your Mustang with your payment method attached to it- EXACT cash only or write a check payable to McNair Upper Elementary School. Orders are due by Wednesday, January 28th.
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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- there is a lot of information!
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.
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.
Classroom Spelling Bee date: February 6th
School Spelling Bee date: February 27th
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, have them review the study guides provided below, however, 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 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.
Spelling Bee Word Lists
3rd_grade_words_only.pdf
4th_grade_words_only.pdf
5th_grade_words_only.pdf
6th_grade_words_only.pdf
2026_suggested_rules_for_spelling_bees_final.pdf
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.
- Please see the additional resources attached to help prepare your child for our upcoming Spelling Bee.
Question still unanswered? Please feel free to contact Ms. Soni, School Librarian, at vlsoni@fcps.edu.
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
School safety and security are being enhanced across FCPS with a new emergency management system. The system includes sensors installed in schools and a wearable emergency response button (ERB) for staff.
The button allows staff to quickly and discreetly request help and, once pressed, they provide location information within the school. The ERB will only work on school grounds and does not rely on cellular service. It is not meant to replace calling 911, but is an additional safety tool that can be used if calling 911 may not be safe or practical.
Learn more about the emergency management system. You may submit questions to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.
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Sleep is essential to good health, and getting enough sleep has big benefits to your physical and mental health and well-being. Sleep is restorative, allowing your body time to recover and repair.
This is true for your child, too. In fact, adequate sleep in children supports healthy brain development, learning, and memory consolidation, as well as their mood. And it is important for a strong immune system and the prevention of infections. Read about how much sleep a person needs and get some sleep strategies you can use with your family.
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For a distraction-free start to the New Year, please remind your student about FCPS' policy for cell phones and personal devices. This policy helps students focus, interact more with their peers and teachers, and build independent problem-solving skills.
Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including:
- Exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
- Cell phone use on buses and field trips.
- Consequences for cell phone policy violations.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office at (571) 982-1700.
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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!
January PTA Meeting
The McNair PTA Board invites all of its members and non-members to the January 2026 general meeting.
Date: Wednesday, January 21st, 2026, 6.30 PM
February Chess Tournament
We’re excited to announce that our next McNair Chess Tournament for the 2025–2026 school year is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026.
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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