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Greetings McNair Students and Families,
This Friday, October 30th marks the end of the first quarter, and there is so much to celebrate! We are incredibly proud of our Mustangs for a strong start to the 2026-2027 school year. Please ensure you have scheduled a conference with your child's teacher. A collaborative relationship between home and school is crucial to student success.
As we close out the first quarter and head into the second, it is the perfect time to refocus on a key ingredient for success: Regular School Attendance. Every day matters, especially as we build on the foundational skills learned earlier this year.
When a child is at school, they are:
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Building essential knowledge that is necessary for the next lesson.
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Developing social skills through interactions with their peers.
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Strengthening relationships with their teachers and classmates.
Thank you for your partnership as we make attendance a priority throughout the school year.
In addition, mark your calendars! Below are just a couple of friendly reminders for this week:
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 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 2 & November 3: Teacher Work Days; No School For Students
📌November 6: Outstanding Staff Nominations Due: Use this form to nominate staff members for recognition!
📌November 11: 2nd Grade Veterans Day Performance, 9:30am at McNair
📌November 11: Monthly PTA Meeting, 6:30pm at McNair ES
📌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 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 30 is a 2-Hour Early Release Day!
All students will be dismissed at 1:30 pm on Friday, October 30. |
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This Week: 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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✨ 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!
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.
Still Looking For
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
Attendance Matters!
Encouraging Regular Attendance
Regular attendance is a good habit to establish in childhood. It can lead to greater success in high school, college, and careers. Teachers and students miss your child when they can’t make it to school. If you or your family need support, please reach out to your school's front office. We are here for you!
If students miss too much school, school staff may reach out to the family to partner with them on addressing barriers to regular attendance. Visit the FCPS website for attendance resources.
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!
Please Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey
FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available in SIS ParentVUE under Online Packets, which is in the upper right corner of the screen after logging in. Please complete it as soon as possible. Schools will provide paper forms to families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE starting Wednesday, October 28.
Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is how we ensure we receive all the resources available to us from the federal government. For more information, please visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your SISParentVUE account so you can easily submit your survey and have access to other helpful information about your child.
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.
Maintain Access to Your Child’s Grades and Assignments: Download the New ParentVUE App
New ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile apps launched in July. Be sure to download the new app before winter break. After that time, you will need to use the new mobile app or a web browser to access ParentVUE or StudentVUE.
For instructions on installing the new apps and learning more about the updated login process, visit ParentVUE and StudentVUE mobile app resources. If you need assistance, please submit a Parent Support Request.
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, 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.
- 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:
- December 2
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February 10
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May 5
 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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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:
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- Literacy Resources
- Return Your Impact Aid Survey
- Download the New ParentVUE App
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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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
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Thank you for your partnership as we gallop together in supporting our Mustangs!
#BloomingTogether
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