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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
We truly miss our Mustangs and hope everyone is staying safe, warm, and cozy during these chilly winter days. Our first priority is always the safety and well being of our students and staff, and we appreciate your continued support as we navigate winter weather together.
Whether we are in the classroom or at home on a snowy day, learning doesn't have to stop! On January 23rd, we sent all PreK, Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade Students home with an FCPS iPad/Laptop. Please note that during any weather related closure or delay, students may work on teacher shared activities, reading assignments, or web based resources that support skills being wrapped up at the end of the second quarter. Students can also access a variety of online instructional programs, such as Lexia and ST Math, through their school issued FCPS iPad/Laptop. These digital tools help keep reading and math skills strong and growing. As a friendly reminder, please see our FCPS Acceptable Use Policy in our FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities.
We also invite you to read the FCPS Snow Day activities webpage, which gives non-digital age-appropriate activities because learning happens all around us every day and snow days are meant to be fun!
As we continue to monitor winter weather, the FCPS Website is generally the first place where emergency weather closings are posted. To make sure the news reaches you as quickly as possible, we also utilize several other communication channels:
❄️ Email & Text: Direct alerts sent to the contact information on file.
❄️ Social Media: Real-time updates on our official pages.
❄️ The New FCPS Mobile App: Push notifications delivered straight to your phone.
❄️ Local News: Announcements on major TV and radio stations.
If you have any questions or would like to connect, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Wishing our Mustang community a warm, safe, and wonderful winter weekend.
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
📌January 29: Staff Development Day; No School for Students
📌January 30: Teacher Workday; No School for Students
📌February 9-13: Kindness Spirit Week!
📌February 16: President's Day Holiday; Schools Closed
📌February 17: Teacher Workday; No School For Students
📌February 25: 3 hour Early Release for Grades K-2, Dismissal at 12:30pm
**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.
❄️We Appreciate You!❄️
Earlier this week, Dr. Reid communicated in her messaging around school closures that the decisions were not made lightly. While a significant and integral part of our role is educating children, our primary role is keeping them safe as they travel to school, are in attendance at school, and when they depart from school. We are grateful for our amazing custodial team that was on-site all week to ensure that the sidewalks and parking lots are safe and passable for our entire Mustang community. Please join us in extending a BIG THANK YOU to our INCREDIBLE custodian team including Mr. Gubatan, Ms. Mercedes, Ms. Castillo, Mr. Nguyen, and Mr. Le! We appreciate you all so much!
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Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
Regular attendance at school is essential for building skills that help with students sucess through out their education and beyond. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
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Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
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Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
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If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.
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Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
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When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit our website for more attendance resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Welcome To The McNair
Spelling Bee Program!
Below is information that should answer some basic questions that you or your child may have about McNair’s Spelling Bee Program. Review this document with your child- there is a lot of information!
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The McNair ES Spelling Bee is part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program! As such, the McNair 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.
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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: The Week of February 6th
School Spelling Bee date: March 3, 2026
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 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 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. Classroom teachers and other staff will summarize key Rules for the spellers on Bee Days, but it will not be an exhaustive review.
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Your child may opt out of the Bee. The McNair 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 let your classroom teacher know..
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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.
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.
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Competitors are seated by grade level, youngest to oldest. 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.
SPELLING BEE LISTS
**Kindergarten- There is no official study word guide for kindergarten. Please use the 1st grade list.**
1st Grade Spelling List
2nd Grade Spelling List
3rd Grade Spelling List
Suggested Spelling Bee Rules
Questions still unanswered?
Please contact Kaitlin Burg (kmburg@fcps.edu) or Kelly Carper (kacarper@fcps.edu).
 Kindness Week at McNair
Help us celebrate Kindness week at McNair from February 9-13, 2026.
2/9: Monday - Kindness starts with me! Wear your favorite color or something that makes you feel confident
2/10: Tuesday - "Team" up for kindness! Wear your foavorite team of McNair Spirit wear.
2/11: Wednesday - We take care of our hearts and each other's hearts! Wear workout clothes or something red, or with hearts.
2/12: Thursday - Dreaming of a kinder world! Wear pajamas or comfy clothes.
2/13: Friday - We are a community. We choose Kindness! Wear a "Kindness" shirt or wear pink or black.
⏰ 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:
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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 as soon as possible to inform them of your child's dismissal arrangements on February 25.
Important Reminder: Seasonal Spare Clothes
As the weather cools down, please take a moment to check and update the extra set of clothes in your child's backpack. We ask that the spare clothing includes items appropriate for the current temperatures, such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, socks, and underwear. Having a current and complete set of extra clothes is essential for your child's comfort and well-being, especially in the event of spills, accidents, or unexpected changes in the weather. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring all students are prepared!
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Winter 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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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.
PTA Links:
On Facebook, please like & follow to get the latest updates.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567288287981
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. You may register here: https://tinyurl.com/yzhznv66
 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.
📱 More News and Updates — on the go — With the FCPS App
Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here is how it makes life easier:
- Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) different schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events specific to your family.
- No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.
- Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates — including weather announcements! — ensuring you never miss an important announcement from the district or your school.
- Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app, or download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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Meal Kits Available for Students
In an effort to support students who may be experiencing food insecurity while our schools are closed during planned student holidays, Fairfax County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is providing meal kits at specific schools for students. Meal kits will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, January 30.
Children do not need to be present to pick up the kits, which will contain a meal and a healthy snack. No proof of eligibility or identification is required. View pickup locations for meal kits.
🧸Kindergarten Registration:
It's As Easy As 1-2-3
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process. For more information, call our student information assistant/registrar at (703) 793-4800.
💻 Try Online Registration
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account.
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
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.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
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Winter Resources for Families
Winter Resources for Families
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 weather. 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 snow or inclement weather days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Access Schoology to Support Your Child
Schoology is the learning management system used in FCPS. Parents and students can use Schoology to view assignments and messages from teachers. Learn more about how to access and navigate Schoology.
Visit the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist to watch short tutorials that walk you through how to use Schoology.
Need help logging in or accessing Tech Support? Visit the Schoology for Parents page.
Apply for Your Child to Learn in Two Languages
FCPS’ 2026-27 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program lottery opens on Monday, January 12. The program offers students in kindergarten and first grade the opportunity to learn in English and another language — French, German, Japanese, Korean, or Spanish — for half of each instructional day.
The online, countywide lottery is open to Fairfax County residents. Families must have a SIS ParentVUE account. Students not currently enrolled in FCPS should register at their base school before applying for the immersion program.
Families applying for first grade must do so by Thursday, February 12, at 4 p.m. Those applying for kindergarten must do so by Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m.
Informational meetings will begin in January. View dates and details on the FCPS calendar. If you have questions, please contact Brigid Williams at 571-423-4600.
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.
FCPS Ombuds Office Provides Confidential Guidance
The Office of the Ombuds engages with families, students, and staff to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help answer questions, offer options to resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters. Anyone seeking assistance from the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, text 571-496-8284, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit the ombuds webpage, where you may submit a question. Ombuds staff do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
National Mentoring Month
Imagine a world where young people feel empowered, encouraged, and understood. Mentors can make that world a reality by helping young people find and follow their passions, excel in school, and thrive wherever they are.Learn more about Mentoring Month.
Research has shown that young people with at least one trusted mentor are less likely to skip school, less likely to use illegal drugs or drink alcohol, and more prepared to enter college or the workforce. Yet one in three children lack a mentor.
All it takes is one person to serve as a trusted adult to help change a young person’s path in life. Mentors provide attention, support, and enrichment, and help connect their mentees to resources that may help them on their journey in life.
The FCPS MentorWorks program matches mentors with students in schools near where they live or work. They meet for at least 30 minutes a week. Learn more about how to become a mentor for an FCPS student. Contact Martha Macdonald, mentoring specialist, for additional information at mmacdonald@fcps.edu.
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Quarter End & Relase
Student Holiday & Staff Development/Teacher Workday
Wednesday, January 28, is the last day of the quarter and an early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Thursday, January 29, for a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, for a teacher workday.
See the complete school year calendar.
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February is Career and Technical Education 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 including Business and Information Technology, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health and Medical Sciences, Marketing, Technology and Engineering Education, and Trade and Industrial Education. Since this is an elective, course offerings may vary by school. Learn more on the FCPS CTE webpage.
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February is Love the Bus Month
Love the Bus Month is supported by the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT).
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VSBA School Board Appreciation Month
Thank you to the Fairfax County School Board for all they do throughout the year. Want to contact your school board representatives to share your appreciation? Visit their website to find your school board member and contact them.
National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career.School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling.
At McNair Elementary we are so lucky to have Donna Ford and Kristin Coe supporting our students and families. They are always ready to meeting with students and famlies to support our Strong Start to School.
Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.
FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget Presented to School Board
- School Board Approves Proposed Boundary Changes
- It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
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!
Want to see more photos and videos of what’s going on at McNair Elementary School? Follow us 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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