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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
As the leaves begin to change and a crispness fills the air, we want to send out a few friendly reminders as we approach the end of the first quarter! It's hard to believe how quickly the school year is flying by.
Parent-Teacher Conferences are Around the Corner! The end of the quarter means it's time for our parent-teacher conferences. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child's teacher, celebrate their progress, and discuss their learning journey. If you haven't already scheduled your conference, please reach out to your child's teacher as soon as possible to find a time that works for you. We truly value your partnership in your child's education!
Dress for Success (and Warmth!) at Recess: With the cooler temperatures settling in, we want to remind everyone to please send your child to school dressed appropriately for outdoor recess each day. Layers are always a great idea! A warm coat, hat, and gloves can make a big difference in keeping your child comfortable and happy while they enjoy their time playing outside. We aim to have outdoor recess as much as possible, as fresh air and physical activity are so important for our students.
As we navigate through the month of October, please see below for a couple of friendly reminders:
Take care of yourselves and each other. We are here to support if you or your family need anything. We hope that you all 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, Mustangs!
Please mark your calendars!
📌October 20: Parent Information Meeting: AAP Screening Process, 5:30 pm at McNair Upper ES
📌October 21: 3-Hour Early Release for Students In Grades K-2 (Dismissal is at 12:30 pm. Student supervision is provided for families that require it.)
📌October 21: Family Life Education (FLE) Curriculum Overview and Parent Information Session, 4:30pm at McNair ES
📌October 21: Monthly PTA Meeting, 6:30pm at McNair Upper ES
📌October 26: Final day to bring in a pumpkin for the Pumpkin Decorating Contest of your Favorite Storybook Character!
📌October 30: Storybook Character Parade at 9:15am on the Field
📌October 30: 2-Hour Early Release For Students; End of First Quarter (Dismissal is at 1:30pm for all students)
📌November 6: Outstanding Staff Nominations Due: Use this form to nominate staff members for recognition!
📌November 2 & November 3: Teacher Work Days; No School For Students
📌November 11: 2nd Grade Veterans Day Performance, 9:30am at McNair
📌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 (Schedule Coming Soon)
📌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!**
Early Dismissal Reminder:
No Early Dismissal After 3 p.m.
Students who need to be picked up before dismissal must be picked up before 3:00 p.m. Early dismissals will not be permitted after 3:00 p.m. Families arriving after this time must wait until regular dismissal at 3:30 p.m.
October 21 is a 3-Hour Early Release Day!
Kindergarten-Second Grade students will be dismissed at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, October 21. Please ensure that your child's teacher knows how your child will be getting home on Wednesday. Child care is provided on an as-needed basis. |
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✨ Outstanding Employee Nominations ✨
If you have worked with an outstanding employee at McNair ES, FCPS wants your help recognizing them. Mustang families are invited to nominate staff members for recognition!
🏆 NOMINATIONS FOR...
- Outstanding Teacher
- Outstanding New Teacher
- Outstanding Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
🗓️DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 6, 2026.
SUBMISSIONS: Submissions can be made by completing this form .
Thank you for supporting our outstanding Mustang Staff!
Show Your Spirit, Mustangs!
It's Digital Citizenship Week!
2nd Grade Veterans Day Performance
Our McNair second grade students have been practicing songs to celebrate and honor our Veterans. The second-grade students will participate in a performance at school on Wednesday, November 11th at 9:30 am to thank all who have served. |
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There will be an assembly for all students and all Veterans and parents are welcome to join in person. The performance will be virtual/online for grades PreK-1 where we will livestream the performance.
As the performance gets closer, we will share the link for parents/guardians and families to join virtually as an additional option. For the assembly, we are asking ALL second-grade students to wear a solid red, white, or blue top/shirt.
If you are a military Veteran or have military family members, we would love for you to let us know and share a picture with us by Friday, November 1st. Thank you for your support and feel free to email our Music Teachers Ms. Blake (arblake@fcps.edu) or Ms. Dicey (bldicey@fcps.edu) with any questions or pictures! If you would prefer to send in a picture with your child, please, have it labeled with your child’s name and teacher, so we are able to return it. Thank you for your partnership and support.
Fall 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. |
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Please consider signing up for any of the items listed below and drop off any donations to the main office at McNair 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
FLE Parent Information Night
Join us to learn more about the Family Life Education Curriculum at McNair! The information session will be held in the library at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, October 21. More information about FLE in FCPS can be found here: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/family-life-education
Pumpkins, Pages & a Little Fall Magic! 🎃📚
Join the Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
Turn a real or fake pumpkin into your favorite storybook character and enter McNair’s decorating contest! Bring your uncarved creation to school October 5–26, and you could win a prize for your grade level.
Attendance Matters!
Understanding the FCPS Calendar
Help your child prepare for future success by encouraging them to develop positive attendance habits. Regular attendance supports learning and helps students stay on track for college, careers, and other opportunities after graduation.
Take a look at the FCPS calendar. Try your best to schedule any vacations or planned family events on weekends and school holidays. If the appointment needs to be during the school day, when possible, schedule it for the beginning or end of the day to minimize time missed.
If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, please report the absence to our school as early as possible. Find out how to report an absence on our homepage or call the front office.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please let us know. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
Sprit Wear Fundraiser To Raise Funds For
Our Take Home Reading Book Program.
**T-Shirts can still be purchased in the Main Office**
 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 in the main office to show off your Mustang pride, and help every reader at McNair Elementary soar!
Save The Date: October 30th
Our Annual Storybook Character Day & Parade
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Once upon a time, McNair Elementary brought storybook characters to life!
We are excited to celebrate Storybook Character Day on October 30th! We invite all students to dress up and join in on the FUN! Students are encouraged to use their creativity to dress in a school appropriate, storybook character costume. Student costumes can be bought or homemade. Costumes may be elaborate or simple. Make sure to bring a book with you! Please no masks or toy weapons.
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If your student needs supplies to make a costume, please contact our school counselors Ms. Ford (dmford@fcps.edu) or Ms. Coe (kicoe@fcps.edu).
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AAP Program Information
Kaitlin Burg (McNair AART) and Mallory Janofksy (McNair Upper AART) shared FCPS’ Advanced Academic Program Continuum of services last week. If you missed the presentation, please find a narrated version of the presentation on the FCPS website, under “Presentations: Learn about Advanced Academic Programs and Services”
Please join them on October 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the McNair Upper cafeteria to share the screening process for Full-Time AAP Services. Spanish translation will be available.
Review the October AAP Newsletter to learn more about Advanced Academics at McNair.
FCPS Is Participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5)
Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.
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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Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Survey Extended!
Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School
The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools.
The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss-and-ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns. Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security.
The survey takes about five minutes to complete and will be open through Tuesday, October 20.
Please note that parents may now submit more than one response to provide feedback regarding different schools. Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu.
McNair Families: Explore SafeWalkr!
FCPS Safe Routes to School is excited to invite McNair ES families to try SafeWalkr, a new interactive walking map tool developed by Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students in collaboration with our team!
If you live within McNair's designated walking boundary, explore information about sidewalks, road crossings, and crossing guard locations to help plan your walk to school.
Go to the SafeWalkr tool, select McNair ES, and explore a route with your child. Review current conditions and consider your child’s abilities and supervision needs before walking. The tool does not change walking boundaries or transportation eligibility. Help us improve SafeWalkr by sharing your feedback during the pilot. Thank you for supporting safe, active trips to school!
Help Your Child Become a Stronger Reader: Upcoming Family Learning Opportunities
Want to better understand how your child learns to read and how you can support them at home? FCPS is offering several free virtual sessions to help families learn about reading instruction, literacy resources, and strategies to build strong reading skills. Explore the opportunities below and register for the sessions that interest you.
Lexia Family Information Sessions
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? These virtual sessions share how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the division this school year to support students’ literacy growth and give families a chance to ask questions.
Every one-hour session covers the same content. Choose the option that works best for your family:
- Wednesday, October 21, at 5 and 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Join a Lexia Family Information Night Session.
Literacy Webinar Series
Join us for a series of family-friendly webinars designed to help you understand reading assessments, reading plans, and ways to support your child at home. Learn what assessment results mean, how reading plans guide instruction, and practical strategies to strengthen decoding, language, comprehension, and literacy skills, including support for multilingual learners.
- October 20, 2026: Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
- December 15, 2026: What Is a Reading Plan?
- February 19, 2027: How Do I Support My Child With a Reading Plan at Home?
- May 14, 2027: Continuing Reading Success Through the Summer
Register for the Literacy Webinar Series.
Introduction to Dyslexia Webinar – What Is It and What Does It Mean for My Student?
Participants will look at the definition of dyslexia and its impact on students including the different types of dyslexia and what support students with dyslexia require. Participants will also leave with activities and tips to support their students at home.Join us on Friday, October 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for the Introduction to Dyslexia webinar.
⏰ 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 Is Participating in
Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5)
Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.
 Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
Register now to attend FCPS’ annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference.
Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success!
Find out how to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS.
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Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Service hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Share Your Thoughts on Schools and Buildings in the Renovation Queue Survey
The Office of the Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs is seeking input from community members, families, and employees about school facility needs and how FCPS prioritizes facility improvements.
Whether you work in an FCPS school, have a child enrolled, or live near an FCPS school, please share your perspective. The survey asks about building conditions, how facilities affect teaching and learning, renovation priorities, and what information would help you better understand this process.
Look for the survey in your email on Friday, October 16. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. The survey will remain open until Saturday, October 31.
Did You Know? Bond Referendums Fund Facility Renovations
FCPS does not pay for facility renovations out of its general operating budget. Instead, Fairfax County voters decide on how much money FCPS can spend on capital improvement projects through bond referendums. Bonds are issued by the county to the school division and allow FCPS to renovate buildings without increasing taxes.
Learn more about bond referendums and how they support our schools on the Bond Referendum webpage.
National Bullying Prevention Month
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October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student.
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Disability History and Awareness Month
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
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Digital Citizenship Week
October 19-23
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Quarter End, Early Release, Student Holidays
Friday, October 30, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 2, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 3, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
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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:
- Facilities Survey
- Transportation Survey
- Health Department Letter on Preventing the Spread of Illness
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 & Announcements
Upcoming Dates
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Wed, Oct 21 PTA General Member Meeting (6:30-7:30 PM): McNair Upper Cafeteria. Pick up your PTA Membership Swag! “Connection Over Correction,” a parenting session and group discussion about building stronger relationships with our children. We’ll explore the 3 C’s: Curiosity, Connection, and Correction, share experiences, and discuss practical ways to respond with more understanding and less frustration.
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Sat, Nov 7 McNair Chess Tournament: Register at caissachess.net/register/11114712. Early entry $40 by midnight 11/3. $45 by midnight 11/5. Onsite $50 by 8:30 am. Three sections: K-3, K-5, K-8. McNair Lower - Door 4. Questions should be addressed to mcnairchess@gmail.com.
Announcements
- *NEW* Math Kangaroo Individual Competition
- Open to all grades K-6th Graders
- We need at least 10 interested students to move forward with organizing the contest. Please complete the interest form by Oct 31: https://forms.gle/gLKPYarYz9y1BVkaA
- American Computer Science League (ACSL)
- Lego League
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Free School-Wide Parent Directory: Join our WhatsApp Family 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). Send an email to board@mcnairespta.org for the link to join.
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2026–2027 PTA Memberships: Support our students and staff by joining or renewing your PTA membership today: https://www.mcnairespta.org/become-a-member
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Volunteer Opportunities: We are running with a small, nimble team this year and need your help with events, welcoming new families, corporate partnerships, or flexible tasks you can do from home. Learn more here: https://mcnairespta.org/volunteer
Please stay in touch with us by...
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Thank you for your partnership as we gallop together in supporting our Mustangs!
#BloomingTogether
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