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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
What an incredible kickoff to the 2026-2027 school year, Mustangs! Our classrooms and hallways have been filled with so much JOY, laughter, and learning. It's been wonderful to see students settling in and making new friends. Teachers and staff have created warm and welcoming classroom communities where students are already diving into reading, writing, science and mathematics.
This strong start is a direct result of our amazing teachers and staff who have worked tirelessly to prepare, collaborate, and respond to the needs of every student and family. As we celebrate a successful start to the school year, please consider taking a moment to send a quick note or message to your child's teacher to let them know how much you appreciate their hard work.
This year, we're continuing to focus on getting all our Mustangs to their classrooms ready to learn by 8:45 AM. Your partnership in ensuring your child is at school and on time is invaluable. Regular attendance and punctuality are key to a successful school year, and we truly appreciate your support.
As a friendly reminder, this Friday, August 28th starting at 5:30pm is our 25 Years of Excellence Celebration at McNair Elementary School! Please join us to celebrate 25 years of learning, growth, and community! You are welcome to bring the whole family for an unforgettable event packed with FUN activities for all ages as we honor our shared journey and memories. Get ready to dance, connect with other families, and experience an exciting live animal show with the Leesburg Animal Park Zoo-to-You program following our ceremony!
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead. It's going to be a FANTASTIC year of learning and growing together!
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 27: The First Day of PreK & ECCB 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 & Offices 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.
Nominate a Staff Member for FCPS CARES!
Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in our region wins a staff celebration from HR. Show our staff that their hard work is appreciated!
McNair's 25 Years of Excellence Celebration!
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 including dancing, a live animal show with the Leesburg Animal Park Zoo-To-You Program, the Kona Ice Truck, and so much more! Come reconnect with friends, celebrate our shared journey, and honor the wonderful memories we’ve created together over the years. We cannot wait to see you there!
Spritwear Fundraiser for Take Home Reading Book Program
 We are celebrating 25 years of Mustang excellence by putting even more books directly into our students' hands! Proceeds from our 25th-anniversary t-shirt sales directly fund our Take-Home Reading Program, which lets students choose books tailored to their reading level, read them together with family at home, and swap them daily for new titles. Your support helps us purchase even more books to serve readers at every stage—from those taking their first steps in literacy to confident readers tackling multi-chapter adventures.
T-shirts are $15.00 cash. Grab yours at our 25th anniversary celebration, show off your Mustang pride, and help every reader at McNair Elementary soar!
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:
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.
Kiss & Ride Registration
If you are picking your child up at Kiss and Ride, please complete the registration form as soon as possible.
Kiss & Ride Registration Form
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.
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!
Back-to-School Checklist
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Use the following list to help make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar at [email/phone number] if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) by clicking “My Account” and reviewing the “Online Verification/Update.” On that form, you can also update immunization records, health information, and emergency contacts.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Families need to provide their children with money to purchase meals at school or send them with a packed lunch. Alternatively, families may apply to receive free and reduced-price meal benefits, pending approval.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked blue with an “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked orange with an “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked as TW, SD, and SP and in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
FCPS App
All Your FCPS Links in One Spot
There are a lot of school and FCPS webpages to bookmark, but the FCPS mobile app serves as your central hub!
Check daily meal menus and calendars with no login required, or use one-tap quick links to launch SIS ParentVUE, Schoology, and MySchoolBucks.
Download the FCPS mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Family Information Line Available in Nine Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
Student ID Cards for McNair Bus Riders
We will begin distributing student ID cards to all our students who ride the school bus or use FCPS transportation services next week (8/31-9/3).
Students will get their ID cards from their classroom teachers. Remember to keep the badge and have your student wear it every morning when they meet the bus. We suggest putting it in their backpack as soon as they get off the bus.
Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. Only students who use FCPS transportation services will be provided with a student ID card at this time.
We ask for your patience! Bus drivers will begin checking in students next week and may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. The transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
Get Ready for Day One with the FCPS App! 🎒
As we gear up for the first day of school, make sure you have the FCPS mobile app downloaded! It's the quickest way to check the school year calendar, view lunch and breakfast menus, find school contacts, and jump to ParentVUE or Schoology from your phone.
Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
¡Prepárese para el primer día de clases con la aplicación de FCPS! 🎒Mientras nos preparamos para el primer día de clases, asegúrese de tener descargada la aplicación móvil de FCPS. Esta es la manera más rápida de consultar el calendario escolar, ver los menús de desayuno y almuerzo, comunicarse con su escuela y acceder a ParentVUE o Schoology directamente desde su teléfono
Descargue la aplicación desde Apple App Store o Google Play Store.
Help Your Child Navigate the Lunch Line
Check out some tips to help your child get through the lunch line quickly and have more time to eat: |
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- Teach your child their student ID number to receive meals at school.
- Sign up for and add money to MySchoolBucks to purchase meals at school.
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Apply for free and reduced-price meals. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price meals last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should submit a new application as soon as possible, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
If your child has any food allergies, learn how to submit accommodations for dietary restrictions and allergens.
Access menus for breakfast, lunch, and other school meals, as well as allergen and nutrition information.
Ayude a su hijo a navegar por la fila del almuerzo
Ayude a su hijo a aprovechar bien el tiempo del almuerzo y a pasar rápido por la fila haciendo lo siguiente:
- Enséñele a su niño su número de ID de estudiante para que pueda recibir las comidas escolares (esto es nuevo para este año). Este número es el mismo que usan para entrar a sus dispositivos escolares y puede encontrarlo en SIS ParentVUE.
- Inscribiéndose y depositando dinero en “MySchoolBucks” para que pueda comprar comidas en la escuela.
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Solicite comidas gratis o a precio reducido. Aquellos estudiantes que fueron aprobados el año pasado para recibir comidas gratis o a precio reducido, son elegibles para continuar recibiéndolas por los primeros 30 días de clases (o hasta que una nueva solicitud sea aprobada). Las familias deben hacer su solicitud lo más pronto posible, para que los estudiantes que sean elegibles continúen recibiendo sus comidas sin costo alguno.
Si su niño tiene cualquier alergia a algún alimento, aprenda cómo pedir Acomodaciones para restricciones alimentarias y alergias.
Encuentre los menús de desayuno, almuerzo, y otras com
Schoology
💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
💻 esté al Tanto de las Tareas de su Niño en “Schoology”Los profesores usan Schoology para publicar en línea sus materiales del aula; ofrecer un foro seguro para que los alumnos discutan sus ideas y colaboren en los proyectos; y para asignar y recibir tareas electrónicamente. Esta plataforma ayuda a los alumnos a mantenerse organizados y mantiene a la clase conectada.Una cuenta Schoology para padres les da acceso a:
- Las clases de su hijo.
- Los deberes que su hijo debe entregar.
- Anuncios de la escuela, de la clase y de los grupos.
Para poder tener acceso a Schoology, los padres necesitan tener su cuenta SIS/ParentVUE activa. Pueden encontrar más información sobre cómo iniciar sesión y usar Schoology en internet.
⏰ 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
Update Your Child’s Immunizations and Records
Please check with your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure your child is up-to-date on the immunizations required by the state of Virginia. Prior to the start of school on Monday, August 24, please submit your child’s immunization documentation. If your child has an appointment to receive their required immunizations after August 24, please submit an Immunization Action Plan to confirm the appointment.
You can check your child’s immunization compliance and submit their immunization record in SIS ParentVUE. Records may also be delivered to a school’s front office. If needed, families may also provide other immunization documentation including a healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption or a notarized Religious Exemption Form. Please visit the FCPS How to Submit Immunization Documentation webpage for step-by-step instructions on how to submit each of these items.
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary.
Additional immunization resources are also available.
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FCPS This Week
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
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- Get Ready for Day One With the FCPS App!
- Learn About School Meals
- Managing Technology at Home
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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