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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
Welcome to March, Mustangs! As the days get longer, we can feel the 'spring' in everyone’s step. It’s a joy to watch our students blooming alongside the new season, and we have so many reasons to celebrate their growth together.
🌟 25 Years of Excellence
We are beaming with pride! This past week, the FCPS School Board officially recognized McNair for 25 Years of Excellence. This milestone belongs to you, our dedicated teachers, hardworking students, and supportive families. Thank you for being the heart of our legacy! We are so excited to celebrate this journey together with the entire community this upcoming fall. Keep an eye out as more information will be coming soon!
🥨 Treats for our Teachers
Our teachers and staff give their all every day to support our Mustangs’ growth and happiness! To help keep them energized for the incredible work they do, we are collecting snack donations. If you’d like to share a treat with our team, please sign up here: Snacks for McNair Elementary Staff .Donations can be dropped off at the main office any day between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Thank you for your generosity and kindness!
📝 Kindergarten Registration is Open!
Kindergarten Registration is now open! Please help us spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbors with incoming kindergarteners (children who will be 5 years old by September 30, 2026) so they can register as soon as possible. Early registration helps us plan for class sizes and ensures you receive all of the necessary information you will need for your rising kindergartener. Please contact our main office at 703-793-4800 if you have any questions.
📅 Mark Your Calendars
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March 4 | Kindergarten Registration & Popsicles with the Principal: 4:00–5:30 PM. A "sweet" start for our newest Mustangs!
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March 5 | Family Literacy Night: 4:30–6:00 PM. Come celebrate the joy of reading with us at our "So Lucky to be Readers" Literacy Family Night at McNair! Literacy is the foundation of all learning, and seeing our students share their love of reading with you is truly special. We cannot wait to see you there!
Thank you for your incredible partnership. Let’s make this a week where every Mustang leads with curiosity, shines with kindness, and shows the world what we’re capable of. Together, all things are possible.
Have a wonderful week, Mustangs!
Together We Grow,
Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Stringer, and Mrs. Royer
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
📌March 2-6: Read Across America Week! Check out how we will be celebrating literacy this week in the McNair Updates section below.
📌March 4: Kindergarten Registration & Popsicles with the Principal 4:00pm-5:30pm
📌March 5: Family Literacy Night at McNair Elementary, 4:30-6:00pm
📌March 25: 3 hour Early Release for Grades K-2, Dismissal at 12:30pm
📌March 30-April 3: Spring Break
📌April 22: Family Earth Day Beautification Event at McNair Elementary, 4:30-6:00pm
📌April 29: 3 hour Early Release for Grades K-2, Dismissal at 12:30pm
📌May 14: Family Heritage Night at McNair Elementary, 5:00-6:30pm
📌May 20: 3 hour Early Release for Grades K-2, Dismissal at 12:30pm
📌May 20: Kindergarten Orientation for Class of 2039 at 2:00pm
**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.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
Daily attendance is essential for student sucess! Please plan ahead when it comes to trips and days off of school.
This year, Spring Break is March 30-April 3, 2026. Monday, April 6, 2026 is a Teacher Workday.
We are eager to welcome your children back in school on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 8:35 am. Their attendance is very important. Teachers will be teaching, and students will be learning.
Studies have shown that just two absences per month can cause students to fall behind. Let’s finish this school year strong. Visit our website for more attendance resources.
Read Across America Week at McNair!
Help us celebrate reading and Read Across America from March 2nd-March 6th!
3/2: Reading is a Superpower: Wear anysuperhero clothes or accessories.
3/3: Two for Tuesday: Dress like Thing 1 or Thing 2, or like a twin with a friend.
3/4: Once Upon a Wednesday: Dress up like a book charecter.
3/5: So LUCKY to be readers: Wear green clothes or accessories. Don't forget to join us for Literacy Night from 4:30 - 6:00 pm!
3/6: Cozy up with a book: Wear your pajamas or very comfy clothes.
National School Social Work Week
March 2-8 is National School Social Work Week. Social workers in FCPS help to prevent social, emotional, and behavioral factors from affecting a student's ability to perform at their best. Their primary goal is to remove barriers that prevent a student from fulfilling their academic potential. Social workers are assigned to every school and center in the school system. Most social workers serve one to two sites. Learn more about the role of social workers in FCPS.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Dena Neverdon as our wonderful school social worker! Serving both McNair Elementary and McNair Upper Elementary, she is a constant source of compassion, strength, and support for our students and families. The care she shows and the relationships she builds make a lasting difference in our school community each and every day.
We are grateful for her unwavering dedication to the well-being and success of all students. Her impact reaches far beyond what words can fully capture.
This week, we invite students and families to help us celebrate Ms. Neverdon by sharing a note of appreciation or a special drawing. A few heartfelt words or a thoughtful picture will surely brighten her day and remind her just how valued she is!
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Kindergarten Registration
& Popsicles With The Principal!
When: March 4th, 4:00-5:30
Where: McNair ES
What: Kindergarten Registration is now open!
Join us at McNair Elementary for a fun filled event for our soon-to-be Kindergarten Mustangs in order to Register and enjoy a popsicle with our amazing Principal, Ms. Watson! If you have any questions, please call: 703-793-4800.
⏰ 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:
Please contact your child's teacher as soon as possible to inform them of your child's dismissal arrangements on March 25.
Westfield High School International Night
When: March 26, 2026 at 5 pm
Where: Westfield High School
4700 Stonecroft Blvd.
Chantilly, VA 20151
What: 5-6 pm Potluck in the Cafeteria
6-7 pm Fashion Show in the Gym
7-9 pm Performance in the Gym
FCPS Student enter for free, Adults pay $5.
International Food Trucks
Please make sure to vist the food trucks at the Westfield International Night from 5-9 pm on March 26th.
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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Snacks for McNair 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. We are completely out of snacks at this time and asking for any donations possible. Please sign-up and dropping off any donations to the main office at McNair ES between the hours of 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. Many thanks for your continuous partnership and support!
Snack sign-up link: Snacks for McNair Elementary Staff
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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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Register Today With Volunteer FCPS
Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment here at McNair Elementary. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk.
At the Volunteer FCPS site, you can complete a volunteer orientation. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
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PTA Links:
On Facebook, please like & follow to get the latest updates.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567288287981
Volunteers Needed!
The McNair PTA is looking for volunteers to help make our upcoming school events a success! We would greatly appreciate your support for the following activities:
- 6th Grade Promotion
- Heritage Night
- Movie Night
- And other upcoming PTA events
Volunteers may help with preparing for the event, setup, activities, supervision, cleanup etc. Whether you can help for a short time or throughout an event, every contribution makes a difference and helps create memorable experiences for our students.
We are also looking for volunteers for the Next school year. Please reach out if you are interested in the below positions.
- Competition Leads for next School Year
- PTA Board Member for next School Year
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.
New Visitor Management System
We are excited to announce that our school is now using the new Raptor Visitor Management System (VMS). This upgrade is part of our school’s and FCPS’ ongoing commitment to enhancing school safety and streamlining the process for visitors at our school. The VMS ensures that no visitor is on the sex offender registry.
For most visitors, the user experience will be the same when you check-in at the front office.
But now there is also an app, which can make check-in’s even faster at school. Visitors who choose to download the RaptorSafe App and create a Raptor Passport can pre-verify their information before they get to school. The app will give you a QR code you can use when you check-in at school.
If you have questions or need assistance with the new system, please contact our front office. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our schools safe!
Meal Kits for Fasting Students
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
It's Kindergarten Registration Time!
Learn About Kindergarten at McNair
Our kindergarten open house is being held on May 20, 2026 to give parents of students entering school in August an opportunity to learn more about kindergarten at our school.
We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Resources on the School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage provide parents with ways to support their children to help ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten.
There’s also an easy-to-follow five-step process outlined for registering your child for kindergarten. Register your child today! Contact our registrar, Ms. Afkham Hosseini, at 703-793-4800 with any questions.
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.
Summer Learning
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
 2026 CTE Summer Enrichment Programs
Tech Adventure Camp: Current Kindergarten - grade 5 students explore Business/Marketing, Family + Consumer Sciences, Health + Medical Sciences, STEAM, and Trades by rotating through daily classes
Visit the Tech Adventure Camp webpage here: bit.ly/FCPS_TAC
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Time - 8:30 am to 2 pm* *Early drop off begins at 7:30 am; after care ends at 5 pm
New to 2026! We’re offering after care!
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Location - Robinson SS
- Transportation from select FCPS schools is provided!
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Cost - $300 per week Back for 2026 programs, we will be offering tuition assistance. More information on our webpages.
- Dates -
New to 2026! We’re offering a 4th week of our programs!
Different weekly offerings; weekly themes and class offerings can be found on our webpages!
Visit our webpages (linked above) for more information!
For questions, please contact Beth Mehr at bgmehr@fcps.edu
Celebrating Arts in Our Schools
The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers Youth Art Month. Youth Art Month encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety. The program provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences unlike any other curriculum subjects, including:
- Problem solving
- Creativity
- Observation
- Communication
Please make sure to join us for the Westfield Pyramid Art Show on April 8, 2026 where art by our McNair students will be featured.
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Celebrating the Power of School Breakfast
Multiple studies show that school breakfasts are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school breakfast consume more fruit and fiber than their peers.
This National School Breakfast Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. New menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback.
Want to know what’s for breakfast? Nutrition Services has printable menus available.
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Daylight Saving Begins (Spring Forward)
Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m., daylight saving time begins. Don’t forget to move your clocks ahead one hour! As a result of the time change, many students will be walking to school or to bus stops in the dark. Help your child stay safe by having them wear reflective clothing and bright or light colors, or add reflective items to their backpacks or clothes. Also, encourage your child to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up and not to run into the street or cross between parked cars.
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FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Celebrating Our Students
- Summer Camp and Learning
- New High School Name
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
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Thank you for your partnership as we gallop together in supporting our Mustangs!
#TogetherWeGrow
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