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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
We miss our Mustangs and cannot wait to start galloping together into the 2026-2027 school year! Over the next couple of weeks we continue to have opportunities to bring our community back together before the school year begins. We hope that you will be able to join us at our upcoming summer Playdates and Popsicles with the Principals that will take place at McNair Elementary School on the playground. Additionally, please be sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming Snack and Chat with the Principal to learn more about our school year instructional initiatives, Open House, the First Day of School, our 25 Years of Excellence Celebration, and Back To School Night. You will be able to find more information about these upcoming events in this newsletter.
Please note that we will be in touch soon with more information pertaining to our Mustangs returning back to school. Additionally, you are always welcome to contact us at evwatson@fcps.edu, IBStringer@fcps.edu, or smroyer@fcps.edu if there is anything our team can do to support your family.
Best wishes for a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable rest of your summer. We cannot wait to see you all soon!
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, Mustangs!
Please mark your calendars!
📌August 11: Parent Snack & Chat: Meet and Greet with the Principal and Assistant Principals and Learn About Our 2026-2027 School Year Initiatives, 9:30-10:30am
📌August 12: Playdates and Popsicles with the Principal & Assistant Principals at the McNair ES Playground
- Preschool: 8:00-8:45am
- Kindergarten: 9:00-9:45am
- First & Second Grades: 10:00-10:45am
📌August 17: Kinder Camp at McNair Elementary, 8:30-11:30am (More information coming soon for families who have already registered their student for Kindergarten.)
📌August 20: Open House at McNair and McNair Upper ES, 1:00-2:30pm
📌August 24: The First Day of School for the 2026-2027 School Year!
📌August 28: Happy Birthday, McNair! Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence at McNair ES, 5:30-7:30pm
📌September 4 & September 7: Labor Day Holiday; No School for Students
📌September 17: Back-To-School Night at McNair Elementary School, 5:00-6:30pm (Session 1: 5:00-5:45pm and Session 2: 5:45-6:30pm)
📌September 20: Asha Jyothi Run at Fairfax Corner at 8:00am
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.
**Please reference the 2026-2027 School Year FCPS Calendar when making appointments or scheduling family trips. Attendance counts and everyday matters!**
 Strong Attendance Matters!
Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning and maintain connections with their teachers and peers. Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom. You may click here for more attendance resources.
Kindergarten Registration
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 (the student and one caregiver must be present).
Register your child today! Contact our registrar, Ms. Afkham Hosseini, at 703-793-4800 with any questions.
McNair's Open House
This year’s annual Open House is scheduled for Thursday, August 20th from 1:00-2:30pm. Please visit us at school during this timeframe to meet your child’s teacher(s), meet our specialists, as well as other staff members of the McNair Elementary School community. This is also a great time for you to drop your child’s school supplies off to their classroom. McNair Upper Elementary School's Open House will be happening at the same time so that families are able to go to both campuses during this timeframe. The event will conclude in both buildings at 2:30 pm, so please plan your visit accordingly.
McNair's 25 Years of Excellence Celebration!
Save the Date, Mustang Community!
Join us on Friday, August 28th from 5:30 PM -7:30 PM to celebrate 25 Years of Excellence at McNair Elementary!
We will kick off the evening with a special anniversary ceremony, followed by a variety of fun activities for all ages. Come reconnect with friends, celebrate our shared journey, and honor the wonderful memories we’ve created together over the years. Stay tuned as more exciting details are coming soon!
Back To School Night
This year’s annual Back to School Night will be held on the evening of Thursday, September 17th. We will offer two sessions.
- Session #1: 5:00-5:45 pm
- Session #2: 5:45-6:30 pm
At Back to School Night, classroom teachers will share information with parents/guardians about grade level curriculum your child will be learning about this school year and specific grade level events such as field trips your child may attend this upcoming school year. You will also hear about the classroom practices and expectations your child’s teacher will employ this school year to support them.
This is a great opportunity to begin establishing your partnership with your child’s classroom teacher(s) to support their success this school year. It is important that parents/guardians plan to attend one of our session offerings.
Join Us, Mustangs! Mark Your Calendars!
It's time to start planning for fall! Join us on Sunday, September 20, 2026 for the Asha-Jyothi 18th annual 5K + 1 mi. Fun Run at Fairfax Corner! We cannot wait to see you there!
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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School Supply Lists for the 2026-27 School Year
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Please view all of our McNair ES Supply Lists for the 2026-2027 School Year. We appreciate your partnership and support. If you have any questions, or need assistance, you are welcome to contact our main office at 703-793-4800. Please click below to view each grade level's school supply list.
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FCPS Mobile App
Download the FCPS App Today!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep you connected and informed, directly from your smartphone. Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
With the app, you can:
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View school calendars. See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus. See what’s for lunch and breakfast each school day.
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Tap to contact. Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Stay up to date. Get the latest news from FCPS.
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Access key links. Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
No need to log in, just download and go! Learn more about the FCPS mobile app.
New ParentVUE Mobile App Launching July 28
On Tuesday, July 28, a new ParentVUE mobile app will become available in the Apple and Google app stores. This new app provides parents and caregivers with a more secure sign-in. The current “classic” app will remain active for about six months. Families must download the new app by December 2026 to ensure they have continued mobile access to their child’s school data.
In the new app, families can enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for FCPS Single Sign-On. While enrollment is optional, we strongly recommend that everyone enable this security feature.
Learn more about installing the new ParentVUE app. Parents needing assistance should submit a Parent Support Request.
New Student ID Cards Coming This Fall
This fall, every FCPS student will receive a student identification (ID) card as part of a divisionwide effort to modernize school transportation, improve communication with families, and strengthen student safety while traveling to and from school.
Every student who rides the school bus will need to tap on and tap off the bus every day using their new student ID card. Families can help by reinforcing this new habit with their child.
All students at our school will need to wear their student ID cards throughout the school day. We will be handing out the new student ID cards the first few weeks of school. More details will be shared soon.
Learn more about the new transportation system and student ID cards.
🍴Apply Today for
Free & Reduced-Price Meals!
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch for their students at no cost or at a reduced cost. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
Meals for Students Available Through August 21No-cost meals will be provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis through Friday, August 21, at the sites and times listed on the FCPS Summer Food Service Program webpage. Students must remain on site while eating their meals.
Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County with economic and educational risk factors. |
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- The pre-K program prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30.
- Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and parents/guardians of children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. However, space is limited and provided based on need, not on a first come, first served basis. Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail (printable application), or in person at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. If you have a question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
⏰ Limited Early Release Days for Elementary Schools
Limited early release days for elementary schools will continue to be on Wednesdays for the 2026-27 school year.
Three-hour early release days for our students in grades K-2 will include:
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October 21
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December 2
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February 10
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May 5
FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- New Student ID Cards and Bus Navigation System
- Boundary Changes for Skyview and Western Pyramids
- Free Mental Health Support for Middle Schoolers
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Resources
On Facebook, please like & follow to get the latest updates.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567288287981
McNair ES PTA Updates & Back-to-School Announcements
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Free School-Wide Parent Directory: Join the brand-new Honeycomb Parent Directory to easily find classmates, message parents, and organize carpools or playdates. It is 100% free and open to all McNair families (PTA membership not required). Join here: https://hcirl.app.link/RNHx6akxI2b?_p=c71529c39f0a7af1ea1990ffe8b1
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2026–2027 PTA Memberships & Pre-Orders: Support our students and staff by joining or renewing your PTA membership today! Options include:
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Family Membership ($60): 2 adult memberships, stickers, magnet, early competition sign-ups, and a McNair insulated lunch bag.
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Adult Membership ($35): 1 adult membership, sticker, magnet, and early competition sign-ups.
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Teacher/Staff Membership ($15): 1 staff membership, sticker, and priority access to classroom supply grants.
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Reduced Dues Pre-Order ($15): Discounted pre-order for families on free/reduced lunch or facing financial need (confidential honor system). Email board@mcnairespta.org for the private link.
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Join or Renew Here: https://mcnairespta.givebacks.com/shop?category=25434
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Volunteer Opportunities: We are running with a small, nimble team this year and need your help with newsletters, social media, events, welcoming new families, corporate partnerships, or flexible tasks you can do from home. Learn more and sign up here: https://mcnairespta.com/volunteer
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Thank you for your partnership as we gallop together in supporting our Mustangs!
#BloomingTogether
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