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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to McNair Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year! We are eager to kickoff this upcoming school year as we have missed all of our Mustangs! As a school community, it is our mission at McNair to ensure that we provide every student with a safe and positive learning environment, high quality instruction, and support all student’s social and emotional development. At McNair, we are dedicated to maintaining a caring culture in which every student and family feels a sense of belonging.
In addition, our goal is to continue to engage and support all families throughout the year by providing opportunities to visit our school campus, engage in daily communications, and participate in specialized information sessions as collaborating partners and advocates for your child’s journey in education and success. We take children’s safety and learning very seriously and keep it as a top priority for any decision making.
Additionally, we are honored to have so many of our fabulous teachers returning to McNair Elementary School this year. It is also exciting to welcome new teachers and staff to our learning community. As you get to know all of our staff, you will see that they have a passion for our work, and talents that benefit our students and school as a whole.
Below you will find important information and instructions for all families. We would greatly appreciate you reading this newsletter carefully or contacting our main office at 703-793-4800 if you need assistance. This information helps ensure that all of our students have a safe and wonderful start to the new school year!
Together, we are looking forward to your partnership as we continue to support all of our Mustangs to thrive and meet their fullest potential. Lifelong Learners Grow Here!
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 16: Monthly PTA Meeting, 6:30pm at McNair ES
📌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 **Register today and support a great cause and Team McNair! We cannot wait to see you there! More information is below in this newsletter.**
📌September 21: Holiday, Schools & Office Closed (Yom Kippur)
📌October 12: School Planning Day; No School For Students
📌October 21: 3-Hour Early Release For Students In Grades K-2 (Dismissal is at 1:30pm)
📌October 21: Monthly PTA Meeting, 6:30pm at McNair Upper ES
📌November 2 & November 3: Teacher Work Days; No School For Students
📌November 16-November 20: Fall Book Fair at McNair
📌November 18: Family Night at the Book Fair & Storytime with the Principal; 4:30-6:00pm
📌November 18: Monthly PTA Meeting, 6:30pm at McNair ES
📌November 20: Thanksgiving Luncheon at McNair
📌November 25-27: Thanksgiving Holiday; Schools & Offices Closed
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!**
 💪 Student Attendance Matters!
Student attendance at school is important all year long, up to the last day of school. Attendance has an effect on student performance and on school accreditation. See how to:
- Check your child’s attendance record.
- Help your student stay engaged at school.
- Report future absences.
- Understand the FCPS school calendar.
Learn more about 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.
Kinder Camp!
We are so excited to welcome the McNair Elementary School Class of 2039!
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For our students who are already registered for Kindergarten, parents will receive more information about our Kinder Camp via email and United States Mail, which will be held on Monday, August 17th, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m at McNair Elementary School.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our newest Mustangs to meet kindergarten staff, explore classrooms, tour the building, participate in FUN learning activities, and meet new friends. We cannot wait to see you there!
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🌟 Meet the McNair Leadership Team!
All McNair Elementary parents and guardians are warmly invited to join us for an informal meet-and-greet with Principal Watson and Assistant Principals Ms. Stringer and Ms. Royer!
Drop by on Tuesday, August 11th at 9:30am to enjoy light snacks, connect with school leadership, and learn more about our exciting schoolwide initiatives for the 2026–2027 school year. We cannot wait to see you there!
🍦 Playdates & Popsicles with the Principals!
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, August 12th! Join our administrative team for a sweet summer treat, fun on the playground, and a special storytime reading with our students.
Grade-Level Schedule:
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Preschool: 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
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Kindergarten: 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
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1st & 2nd Grades: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
We cannot wait to see you there, Mustangs!!!
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.
School Meals
During school hours, McNair Elementary offers both breakfast and lunch for purchase. Both breakfast and lunch begin on the first day of school.
Preparing for and Paying for Meals at School
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.75 for elementary students and $4.00 for middle, secondary, and high school students.
Paying With MySchoolBucks
The best way to purchase meals (and keep food lines moving!) is to use MySchoolBucks. Set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today. Our front office staff can help with any questions.
MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically, as needed. Families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. Visit FCPS’ Food and Nutrition webpage for more information.
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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!
Fall is around the corner, and so is our next big event! 🍂
Join us on Sunday, September 20, 2026, for the Asha-Jyothi 18th Annual 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run at Fairfax Corner! We can’t wait to see our Mustang community out there.
How to Support McNair:
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Register here
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Use coupon code AJ4SCHOOLS at checkout.
Using this code sends a direct donation straight to our school! Thanks to your support last year, we will be kicking off the 2026–2027 school year with a brand-new 3D printer and a water bottle filling station for our Mustangs. Let’s keep the momentum going! Let's Go Mustangs!!!
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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School Hours
The first day of school is Monday, August 24, 2026 and every minute counts! We will open our doors to welcome students with our first bell ringing daily at 8:35 am to signal a ten-minute notice for students to enter the school building and make their way to their classroom. Our students should be in their classroom seats no later than 8:45 am. Our day begins with connecting with each other and building relationships among staff and students for productive learning! Please partner together with us to have your child/children at school and in class on time.
The bell schedule is as follows:
Class Placements
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We know that you are eager to learn who your child's teacher is for this school year! Parents/guardians will be notified by text and/or email through our eNotify system on Tuesday, August 18 after 4:00pm. If you do not have an email or phone number on file, please contact the school at 703-793-4800.
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Keeping Your Child Safe
All exterior doors are locked during school hours. To enter the building, go to Door #1, push the doorbell, show your official identification (driver's license, passport, etc.) and the front office will remotely unlock the door. Upon entering, please report to the office where you will be requested to sign-in and show identification again. To maintain the momentum of instruction, forgotten lunches and materials will be delivered by office staff, or students will be called down to the office to get their forgotten items.
For any change in a child’s typical transportation arrangements, send a note to the teacher indicating the date of the change, the duration of the change, and the reason for the change. Students may not ride a non-designated school bus home with a friend as buses are filled to capacity. For safety, we also ask that students get off at their designated stop only.
If picking up a student before the end of the school day, provide notice to the teacher and school office as soon as possible to avoid confusion for your child. If a student must leave unexpectedly, alert the office at least one hour ahead of time. If a student is being picked up early, they will not be released after 3:00pm. Parents will have to wait to pick their child after dismissal at 3:30pm. This is for the safety of all students.
During arrival and dismissal, please follow the established rules and travel routes for the safety of all. For everyone’s safety, we ask that parents follow the procedures for arrival and dismissal. This will allow you to get your Mustang to school as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Modeling safe procedures is critical and teaches our young students to stay safe when adults are not with them.
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Parents who plan to use Kiss & Ride must register their child. We will send a Kiss and Ride Sign Up Google Form out on August 18th. Please be on the lookout for that communication. Additionally, class assignments will be distributed on Tuesday, August 18 after 4 p.m. Make sure you review the McNair Arrival and Dismissal Procedures and map prior to the first day of school.
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As a final reminder, taking the bus is a very safe way to travel to and from school. If you plan to have your child take the bus during the school year, put them on the bus the first day of school. It will help establish the school year routine, and students will be learning the rules and expectations along with peers from day one!
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
A new ParentVUE mobile app is 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://www.mcnairespta.org/volunteer
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!
#BloomingTogether
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