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Hello McNair Upper Families,
Last Friday, Mr. Credle and I had the wonderful opportunity to recognize our second quarter S.M.I.L.E. Award winners. Also joining us were many of their parents and family members, which made this occasion even more special. The following students highlighted in the picture above were nominated by a staff member during the second quarter of school for exemplifying the "Mustang Way" by serving as a positive role model for their classmates and students attending our school. We are so very proud of their kind and empathic actions toward others!
It has been a busy yet fun week at MUES! We successfully finished all of our planning days with grade level teams. During this daylong meeting, we analyzed student data closely on both reading and math performance, and developed a plan to help students be ready for SOL testing later on this spring. Please continue to partner with your child's homeroom teacher if you would like strategies and resources to support their success in school.
Our community was also treated to wonderful winter music by our Mustangs who participate in the Band & Strings program. Their winter concert performances were this past week and the musical talent of our Mustangs is like no other! Please join me in congratulating, not only, our student performers, but both Ms. Ochoa, Band Teacher, and Mr. De Jesus, Strings Teacher, for a job well done!
We also celebrated the upcoming long weekend with our annual MUES Talent Show, which was spearheaded by Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott's great leadership and love for our school community is seen in all she does. Whether teaching her music classes to spearheading a school-wide event like the MUES Talent Show to capture the diverse talents of our Mustangs, we are so very grateful for her. Thank you, Ms. Scott!
I look forward to sharing some pictures of our talented acts on our school's Facebook page as well as in next week's NYC message to families.
Have a wonderful long weekend, Mustang Family!
Your Proud Principal,
Mrs. Goddin
MMGoddin@fcps.edu
- February 16th: Presidents Day; school closed
- February 17th: Teacher Workday; school closed for students
- February 18th: PTA Meeting at 6:30 PM/McNair Elementary School
- February 25th: Early Release Wednesday; dismissal at 12:30 PM
- February 27th: MUES School-Wide Spelling Bee
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Don't forget that school is closed on Monday, February 16th in celebration of President's Day. School is also closed for students on Tuesday, February 17th as it is a teacher workday.
We will welcome our Mustangs back on Wednesday, February 18th when our school doors open at 8:35 AM!
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Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
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The Library of Things is up and running! Students have started checking out games and puzzles to bring home! We are looking for a few more to add to our collection.
Here is a wish list of games and puzzles I think students would enjoy playing. Also, if you have any gently used or new games/ puzzles you are getting rid of I will take them. You can send them in with your student. Thank you for considering donating to our Library of Things!
If you have any questions you can email me at vlsoni@fcps.edu.
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From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information:
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Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid).
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Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day.
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Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day.
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Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
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February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
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March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
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March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
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.
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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Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19th.
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Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
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Monthly PTA Meeting: Wednesday February 18th at McNair Elementary School
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Bingo Night: Friday, February 27th
Join us for McNair PTA Bingo Night on Friday, February 27, from 5:00–7:00 PM in the McNair Lower Elementary School cafeteria.
Doors open at 5:00 PM and Bingo starts at 5:30 PM.
Tickets are available through Givebacks and at the door: Individual play is $3 for 5 games, Family play is $10 for 20 games, and the Combo Pack is $25 for 20 games plus a large pizza and 4 drinks. Pizza, snacks, and drinks will be available for $2 each, with fun prizes for Bingo winners throughout the night.
Please RSVP using the link or QR code so we can plan for food and seating.
Harris Teeter Together In Education- Fundraiser
Harris Teeter’s Together In Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands. A percentage of your purchase is donated to the school that your VIC card is linked to. There are NO LIMITS to how much a school can earn.
Instruction for Parents:
Option 1: Please use the annual sign up form for the TIE program from Harris Teeter using the following link:
https://tinyurl.com/mcnairharristeeter
Note: You need to re-register every year for this program.
Option 2: You can also sign up in-person at the counter using our school code: 5090
Corporate Donation to the PTA
Did you know that the McNair Elementary PTA is a 501- 3(c) non profit (EIN 332743954) meaning your deductions are tax deductible!
As the year ends, please consider making a donation to the PTA and checking with your employer to see if they will match your donation.
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