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Hello McNair Upper Families,
What a week it has been! And, my wondering is will the Groundhog see his shadow on Monday on top of all of these mounds of snow? Will winter be longer this year or shorter? What is your prediction?
Please join me in congratulating our Mustangs who made up the Virginia Science Olympiad Division B team who recently qualified for the State Level Science Olympiad Tournament!
At the Regional Tournament held on Saturday, January 24th, this team placed 5th overall. This is the strongest performance by our Mustangs at VASO Regionals. In addition, many of our Mustangs earned individual medals across a variety of events, reflecting on their hard work, teamwork, and dedication throughout the season.
Congratulations to the following Mustangs:
- Vihaan B. & Arjun M 2- 1st place medals
- Ameya & Aniket 2- 2nd place & 1 4th place medal
- Jyot & Agastya 1- 3rd place medal
- Niranjana & Zoe 1-3rd place medal
- Simar & Sidakbir 1-4th place medal
- Geetansh, Vihaan R. & Soham 1- 5th place medal
I hope that all of our Mustang families are fairing well in snow and frigid temperatures. As we prepare to welcome our Mustangs back next week, please remember to allow extra time for them to get to school whether they walk or access our kiss and ride. There is still a lot of snow on the ground, and we want to make sure that everyone arrives safely to school. It is also important that you dress your Mustang for the winter weather. They should be wearing winter coats, gloves, and hats. They should also have on appropriate shoes to navigate the slick sidewalks. If you need support securing these items for your child, please let me know.
We can't wait to welcome our Mustangs back to school next week!
Your Proud Principal,
Mrs. Goddin
MMGoddin@fcps.edu
- February 3rd: 3rd Quarter of School Begins
- February 4th: MUES Sweatshirt Order Forms Due; extended deadline
- February 16th: Presidents Day; school closed
- February 17th: Teacher Workday; school closed for students
- February 25th: Early Release Wednesday; dismissal at 12:30 PM
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Would you or your Mustang like some new MUES swag that looks similar to our new staff sweatshirt? If so, it's your lucky day!
Here is the link to the order form: 2026 Sweatshirt Sale Form
Please send the form back to school with your Mustang with your payment method attached to it- EXACT cash only or write a check payable to McNair Upper Elementary School. Orders are due by Wednesday, February 4th.
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We know that the snow brings on a lot of outside fun with sledding, snowman building, snowboarding, skiing, making snowballs and other snow-related activities. We'd love to see how our Mustangs have been enjoying the snow!
Please submit your pictures from "The Artic Blast of 2026" by either posting them on our school's Facebook page (McNair Upper Elementary School) or emailing them to me (MMGoddin@fcps.edu).
Staff and students will be voting on the most exciting picture that captures one of our Mustangs making the most of the snow! Entries need to be submitted by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, February 4th.
The winner of this friendly snow challenge will get a special lunch bunch with Mr. Credle & Ms. Goddin!
Isn't this snow much fun!!
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Below is information that should answer some basic questions that you or your child may have about McNair Upper ES’s Spelling Bee Program. Review this document with your child- there is a lot of information!
The McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee is part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program! As such, the McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee uses exclusively word study materials created and copyrighted by the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program and operates according to the Scripps’ Rules for Local Spelling Bees.
Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged is the official dictionary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program. Only the spellings used by MWU are valid spellings in the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program.
Classroom Spelling Bee date: February 6th
School Spelling Bee date: February 27th
PREPARATION INFORMATION
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This is a Spelling Bee only. Scripps has added vocabulary questions to the National Spelling Bee, but we are not doing this.
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Do I need to do anything to prepare my child to participate in the Spelling Bee? No, there is nothing required to participate in the Spelling Bee. If your child wants to practice, have them review the study guides provided below, however, this is optional.
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Not all of the words at the McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee will be from the Word Lists provided. Scripps supplies both the official Word Study List as well as the list of words that will be used during the McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee.
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The Spelling Bee will start with words from the Word Study List, and as the Bee goes on, the words will steadily increase in difficulty. If there are a lot of spellers and/or the spellers are well-prepared, the spellers still competing in the later rounds of the Bee may reach the “Challenge” section of the competition list. These are words that the spellers have not had a chance to study and will test their word skills and ability to puzzle out the correct answer by using their Speller’s Questions.
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Do not assume that your child will receive words only at his/her grade level. As the Bee progresses, the word difficulty increases. If your child wants to study, strongly encourage him/her to study the Word List beyond his/her current grade level.
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It is your child’s responsibility to be familiar with the Rules for Local Spelling Bees before the Bee competition. Review the Rules for Local Spelling Bees with your student. I will summarize key Rules for the spellers on Bee Day, but it will not be an exhaustive review.
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Your child may opt out of the Bee. The McNair Upper ES Spelling Bee is an optional activity. It is supposed to be an interesting challenge for your child, but it is also supposed to be fun. If you would like to opt your child out of the Spelling Bee, please email me at vlsoni@fcps.edu.
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It's OK not to study. Your child will have more success at the Spelling Bee if he or she practices with the Word Lists beforehand, but it is not necessary. If your child wants to drop out because he or she has not studied, please encourage him or her to stay in just for the experience.
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Is my child allowed to appeal a spelling? No, there will be no appeals allowed during the Classroom or Schoolwide Spelling Bee.
Spelling Bee Word Lists
3rd_grade_words_only.pdf
4th_grade_words_only.pdf
5th_grade_words_only.pdf
6th_grade_words_only.pdf
2026_suggested_rules_for_spelling_bees_final.pdf
DAY-OF-BEE PROTOCOL
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What should a speller wear? School-appropriate clothing that is comfortable to sit in. There is no need to dress more formally unless a student would like to do so.
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The Rules and Procedures will be reviewed before the Bee. After all participants are seated, but before the Bee begins, the Rules for Local Spelling Bees will be briefly summarized, and students may ask questions. Please go over the Rules and procedures (“How Does an Oral Bee Work?” with your child beforehand so that this time can be used efficiently.
- Competitors are seated by grade level, youngest to oldest: 3rd - 4th – 5th - 6th
Within each grade, students will be seated randomly. They will not be seated in alphabetical order.
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Competitors will be "retired" from the Bee in groups as the Bee continues. When a student misspells a word, s/he is out of the Bee, but s/he will not leave the seating area until his/her number is called to “retire”. Students will be "retired" in groups as necessary throughout the Bee so that no one will have to wait too long.
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When can a student leave? Retired students either may stay to watch the Bee or may return to class.
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Your Bee officials are all volunteers as well as local parents. Our Spelling Bee is conducted under the auspices of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Program, but it is run entirely by staff members and volunteers from our school. These volunteers have donated their time to give your child a good experience.
- Please see the additional resources attached to help prepare your child for our upcoming Spelling Bee.
Question still unanswered? Please feel free to contact Ms. Soni, School Librarian, at vlsoni@fcps.edu.
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