FCPS

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our school community. The recent gift card donations that you have delivered will be a tremendous help to families in need this winter. Your kindness and support are truly overwhelming and your contributions make a significant difference in the lives of our students and their families.

A Friendly Reminder

As the school year progresses, we often have a growing number of lost and found items. To help us keep track of these items, we encourage you to check the lost and found area near the main office the next time you are at school or you can have your child check the lost and found in the morning before class. Finally, please label your child's belongings: coats, sweatshirts, water bottles, and even lunch containers. This helps us return the item to your child if they have misplaced it during the school day. Thank you again for your continued support.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Harvest a Good Book At the Book Fair!

Come share in the reading fun! Our fall Book Fair opens next week. Students were able to preview books during their library time this week. Please see below for our Book Fair hours.

• Monday, November 18th, open 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Tuesday, November 19th, open 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
• Wednesday, November 20th, open 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
• Thursday, November 21st, open 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
• Friday, November 22nd, open 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Fall Picture Retakes and Club Pictures

A photographer from Strawbridge Studios will be at CPES on November 22 for fall picture retakes as well as club pictures.

To keep track of important picture days throughout the year, subscribe to Strawbridge Studios online ordering and you'll receive email updates about your child's school portraits after picture day. 

To pay online, go to https://www.strawbridge.net/, click Order Pictures and enter code FM458270. 

Gift Card Collection

We will be collecting gift cards to help families within our community again this holiday season. Gift cards can be of any amount and are most helpful from stores such as Target and Walmart. We also collect gift cards from Giant for groceries for our families over winter break. Donations can be dropped off in the front office and will directly support families here at Cunningham Park. Please make sure all gift cards are here by December 10th, 2024.  Questions can be directed to Lisa Lujan at [email protected] or 703-255-5616. Thank you for your help!

November Is National Family Engagement Month

Let's come together to strengthen the bond between schools and families. When families are involved, students thrive! Here's how you can get involved:

• Attend school events: Parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and school board meetings.
• Volunteer: Help with classroom activities, fundraising events, or library time.
• Stay informed: Read school newsletters, follow social media, and communicate with teachers. Let's make a difference together!

Our family liaison is Liethe Palza. You can connect with her by email  [email protected] or by phone 703-255-5609 to get connected to all CPES activities. 

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families by working together in ways that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.

Outstanding Employee Awards

This is your last chance to nominate a CPES staff member! Please nominate a deserving employee here at Cunningham Park who may have made a difference in the lives of your child or your family.

🌟Outstanding Teacher & New Teacher – OTNT Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding School Leader - OSL Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding Professional Employee – OPE Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding Operational Employee – OOE Nomination Survey

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact the awards liaison, Matthew Hupp, at [email protected].

Advanced Academic Full-Time Referral Deadline

The winter referral deadline for full-time advanced academic referral forms is December 15, 2024.  More information and referral forms can be found here. Please contact Jenna Murgia, AART, at [email protected] with any questions.

Pyramid Information Fall Candy Drive

Please support the Marshall High School pyramid candy drive. You may drop off any extra candy to the main office so it can be donated to the USO and military families across the country!

FCPS Information Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence

Join us for a series of insightful sessions focusing on the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of teen development. Learn strategies to support resilience, mental health, and healthy boundaries, fostering a nurturing environment for adolescents to thrive. Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 16, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School.

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years. Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease! Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 22, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

Welcome to the second quarter of the school year! We are excited to see our students take flight with their learning and look forward to a wonderful quarter filled with growth and discovery. 

As we embark on this new journey, we encourage you to continue supporting your child's learning at home. Here are some simple ways to do so:

• Reading: Encourage your child to explore the world of books, magazines, cookbooks, and even newspapers. Reading not only improves their literacy skills but also sparks their imagination and curiosity.
• Writing: Help your child practice their writing skills by having them write grocery lists, thank-you notes, or create labels for their books and toys.
• Math: Make math fun by pointing out "Math Happenings" in everyday life. Ask questions like, "How many cars can you see?" or "How many leaves can we collect?" These simple activities help children develop number sense and problem-solving skills.

As we navigate the second quarter, we are excited to see what new heights our students will reach. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Veterans Day

Monday, November 11, is a holiday and schools will be closed for students. 

Fall Picture Retakes and Club Pictures

A photographer from Strawbridge Studios will be at CPES on November 22 for fall picture retakes as well as club pictures.

To keep track of important picture days throughout the year, subscribe to Strawbridge Studios online ordering and you'll receive email updates about your child's school portraits after picture day. 

To pay online, go to https://www.strawbridge.net/, click Order Pictures and enter code FM458270. 

Gift Card Collection

We will be collecting gift cards to help families within our community again this holiday season. Gift cards can be of any amount and are most helpful from stores such as Target and Walmart. We also collect gift cards from Giant for groceries for our families over winter break. Donations can be dropped off in the front office and will directly support families here at Cunningham Park. Please make sure all gift cards are here by December 10th, 2024.  Questions can be directed to Lisa Lujan at [email protected] or 703-255-5616. Thank you for your help!

National School Psychology Week

Next week we celebrate the important work school psychologists do to help all students thrive. We want to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to our school psychologist, Daniela Wiseman, for supporting students' social, emotional, and academic well-being. Her expertise and compassionate approach have made a significant positive impact on our school community. If you would like to recognize Ms. Weisman, you can drop off a Thank You card for her in the main office. 

Learn more from the National Association of School Psychologists.

November Is National Family Engagement Month

This month, we are reminded that families are children’s first and most important teachers, advocates, and nurturers. Strong family support is vital to student well-being and success. 

The FCPS Family Academy is where families like yours can learn and get support for their child's school journey. 

Additionally, every school has a family liaison who will welcome and orient families, and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can help connect families to resources in the community.  Our family liaison is Liethe Palza. You can connect with her by email  [email protected] or by phone 703-255-5609. 

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Pillar B: Vibrant Home, School, and Community Partnerships, reminds us to empower families by working together in ways that sustain a safe, inclusive culture for learning.

Outstanding Employee Awards

Please take the time to nominate a deserving employee here at Cunningham Park who may have made a difference in the lives of your children or your family.

🌟Outstanding Teacher & New Teacher – OTNT Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding School Leader - OSL Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding Professional Employee – OPE Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding Operational Employee – OOE Nomination Survey

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact the awards liaison, Matthew Hupp, at [email protected].

Advanced Academic Full-Time Referral Deadline

The winter referral deadline for full-time advanced academic referral forms is December 15, 2024.  More information and referral forms can be found here. Please contact Jenna Murgia, AART, at [email protected] with any questions.

Pyramid Information Fall Candy Drive

Please support the Marshall High School pyramid candy drive. You may drop off any extra candy to the main office so it can be donated to the USO and military families across the country!

FCPS Information Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence

Join us for a series of insightful sessions focusing on the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of teen development. Learn strategies to support resilience, mental health, and healthy boundaries, fostering a nurturing environment for adolescents to thrive. Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 16, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School.

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years. Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease! Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 22, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

We hope this message finds you well.

Attendance Update

We're writing to follow up on our commitment to consistent communication regarding student attendance. As mentioned earlier this year, we are dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment where every student thrives. Regular attendance plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.

As promised, quarterly attendance summary reports are now being mailed directly to your homes. These reports will provide you with a clear and detailed overview of your child's attendance throughout the quarter.

We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and we encourage open communication. Together, we can ensure your child receives the most out of their educational journey by prioritizing consistent school attendance. 

A Special Thank You

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us for the Storybook Character Parade this morning. It was wonderful to see so many creative costumes and enthusiastic children.

Early Release Reminder

As a reminder, today is an early release day. School will dismiss two hours early at 1:25 pm.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Calendar Reminders

Due to the end of the quarter, as well as holidays, students have off on the following days:

• November 1
• November 4 and 5
• November 11
• November 27, 28 and 29 

This fall, all students in grades K-2 and some students in grade 3 were assessed using a new screener, VALLSS. Be on the lookout for a report detailing information about the screener and your child’s score. 

• For families of students in grades 1-3 with SIS ParentVue accounts, this is available now in the documents section.
• Kindergarten reports will be shared with families when they are available and will be available soon in SIS ParentVue in the documents section.
• If you have not yet set up your ParentVue, you will receive a copy at your child's parent-conference or in your child's Friday Folder. If you need assistance setting up your account, please email Nicole Madariaga at [email protected].
• Parent Resources: Whether you want to learn about a certain topic or find activities to do at home with your child, we hope you can find what you need here!

If you have questions about the contents of these reports, please reach out to your child’s teacher for further insight.

2024 WIDA Alternate ACCESS Scores

WIDA Alternate ACCESS scores are now available. Families can access score reports through SIS ParentVUE. If you do not have a ParentVUE account, please email Nicole Madariaga at [email protected] to set up your account.

💗FCPS CARES Program

This is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a story below to acknowledge the great work of a CPES employee or group of employees who should receive FCPS CARES recognition. 

Submit an FCPS CARES today!

Outstanding Employee Awards

Please take the time to nominate a deserving employee here at Cunningham Park who may have made a difference in the lives of your children or your family.

🌟Outstanding Teacher & New Teacher – OTNT Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding School Leader - OSL Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding Professional Employee – OPE Nomination Survey

🌟Outstanding Operational Employee – OOE Nomination Survey

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact the awards liaison, Matthew Hupp, at [email protected].

Advanced Academic Full-Time Referral Deadline

The winter referral deadline for full-time advanced academic referral forms is December 15, 2024.  More information and referral forms can be found here. Please contact Jenna Murgia, AART, at [email protected] with any questions.

Pyramid Information

All Madison seniors participate in the MAD WINGS program, a 30-hour volunteer career shadowing / community service opportunity at a senior’s choice of business or service organization in May of their senior year. This year, the Senior WINGS Experience dates are May 12 - May 28, 2025.

We are seeking additional organizations to sponsor one or more seniors for their WINGS Experience. As parents, we know you have many contacts in the local community with businesses and organizations. More information can be found on the Madison website.

Please consider giving students an opportunity to career shadow at your business/community service organization and forward to anyone who may be interested in supporting. Sign up by completing this form by Thursday, October 31st.

Teen Series: Building Resilience: Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence

Join us for a series of insightful sessions focusing on the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of teen development. Learn strategies to support resilience, mental health, and healthy boundaries, fostering a nurturing environment for adolescents to thrive. Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 16, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

Drugs and drug prevention have become increasingly important topics in recent years. Are you unsure about how to approach the topic of drugs with your child? Join us to learn how to navigate this importance discussion with confidence and ease! Presented by Beth Mohaupt, FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist

November 22, 2024 10-11:30 a.m.

Register online

FCPS Information 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 (in the upper right corner after logging in). Please complete it as soon as possible.

For any families who have not completed the survey in ParentVUE, schools will provide paper forms starting Wednesday, November 13. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important. Information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

For more information, please watch this video on Impact Aid and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page.

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

As we close out the month of October and begin November there are many celebrations and days of recognition to include Diwali, All Saints Day and Veterans Day. We also have early release days on October 28 at 12:25 pm (staff training) and October 31 at 1:25 pm (end of quarter). All families received a confirmation email last week for your dismissal selection for this day. Last minute changes are not encouraged as we are carefully planning to ensure all students are dismissed correctly. If any changes are necessary, please notify the main office at 703-255-5600.

If you are planning to travel in October or November, there are several opportunities to do so that will not impact your child’s school attendance. Due to the end of the quarter, as well as holidays, students have off on November 1, 4, 5, 11, 27, 28 and 29. 

Please keep these dates in mind if you are planning to travel and do your best to avoid traveling on the days when school is in session. As we shared at the beginning of the year, Fairfax County Public Schools does not consider travel an excused absence. We want to help ensure students are present in school as much as possible in November and ask for your help with this as you make any plans. Thank you for your help with this important information.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

This fall, all students in grades K-2 and some students in grade 3 were assessed using a new screener, VALLSS. Be on the lookout for a report detailing information about the screener and your child’s score. 

• For families with SIS ParentVue accounts, this will be available October 25 in the documents section.
• If you have not yet set up your ParentVue, we will send home a paper copy of the score report the following week. If you need assistance setting up your account, please email Nicole Madariaga at [email protected].
• Teachers will also be sharing this information with you during parent teacher conferences. 

If you have questions about the contents of these reports, please reach out to your child’s teacher for further insight.

🍎Language Arts Curriculum Updates

With the introduction of the new language arts curriculum, progress reports this year might look different than in the past. With our new Benchmark curriculum, rather than teach discreet skills each quarter, every skill is taught every quarter and continually reinforced and built upon. Students are not expected to have mastered any skill by the end of first quarter. Because it is the first quarter and most skills have just been introduced, do not be alarmed if you do not see any 4s on a first quarter report card in language arts. This does not necessarily mean your child needs extra support in that area, just that we have only begun to practice the skill. Likewise, please also remember that a "progress report" is different than a traditional report card and progress is what students know at a point in time rather than an average of performance over an entire period. You can read more on the FCPS website.

Taking Off with Reading: A Parent's Guide to the Virginia Literacy Act

Thank you to the parents that joined us for our morning session. Our evening session will be on October 30 at 6:00 pm in the library. The purpose of this meeting is to provide you with valuable information about the Virginia Literacy Act and how it directly impacts your child's education. We hope you will join us for the informative session!

Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade Storybook Parade!

It is the time of year to celebrate reading and our favorite book characters! On Thursday, October 31st, from 8:50 ish – 9:10 ish. Pre-school through First Grade are invited to PARADE through the halls, dressed as their favorite book character! Costumes can be simple and home made! Children are encouraged to carry the book with them. The library can supply the books upon request!

Hint: We have books about most super-heroes and princesses, if that is your child’s preference.

Parents are invited to view the parade from the cafeteria where the children will march through! Questions? Email Ms. Brinkhuis at [email protected].

Outstanding Employee Awards

Please take the time to nominate a deserving employee here at Cunningham Park who may have made a difference in the lives of your children or your family. You may nominate one employee at our school or multiple employees (one individual may only nominate one employee per category.)  Please take a few minutes and celebrate someone in the building through which you have seen the qualities of an outstanding teacher, leader, or employee. 

All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a sentence or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. 

🌟Outstanding Teacher & New Teacher – OTNT Nomination Survey

Eligibility: All FCPS Teachers; librarians are included in this category 

🌟Outstanding School Leader - OSL Nomination Survey

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee:

Common positions in this category: Principals, Assistant and Associate Principals, Director of Student Activities, Director of Student Services

🌟Outstanding Professional Employee – OPE Nomination Survey

Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership

Common positions in this category: Technology Coach, Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school.

🌟Outstanding Operational Employee – OOE Nomination Survey

Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee

Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Safety and Security Assistant, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, Instructional Assistant, PHTA, Parent Liaisons (regardless of how they are paid) 

The deadline to submit a nomination is November 15, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact the awards liaison, Matthew Hupp, at [email protected].

Advanced Academic Full-Time Referral Deadline

The winter referral deadline for full-time advanced academic referral forms is December 15, 2024.  More information and referral forms can be found here. Please contact Jenna Murgia, AART, at [email protected] with any questions.

Pyramid Information

All Madison seniors participate in the MAD WINGS program, a 30-hour volunteer career shadowing / community service opportunity at a senior’s choice of business or service organization in May of their senior year. This year, the Senior WINGS Experience dates are May 12 - May 28, 2025.

We are seeking additional organizations to sponsor one or more seniors for their WINGS Experience. As parents, we know you have many contacts in the local community with businesses and organizations. More information can be found on the Madison website.

Please consider giving students an opportunity to career shadow at your business/community service organization and forward to anyone who may be interested in supporting. Sign up by completing this form by Thursday, October 31st.

FCPS Information 🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions at the final community conversation this fall. It will be held Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School. Click the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Dear Cardinal Families, 

As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp, we are excited to welcome the fall season. We are also excited to have our annual PTA Fall Festival today from 4:30-6:30 PM. This is a great opportunity for our students and families to come together and enjoy some fun activities. There will be games, crafts, food, and more.

Our next three hour early release Monday is October 28 at 12:25 pm.  We are happy to share that SACC will provide coverage for our SACC students. We have contacted families earlier today to confirm your plan you previously selected for your child. 

We kindly ask that you do your best to avoid changing your plans on the day of the early release. Any last-minute changes can disrupt our communication with teachers as they are teaching and not able to check their email and take phone calls during the school day. If you anticipate needing to make a change to your arrangements, please contact the school office well in advance. 

In addition, please be advised of the following early dismissal and no-school days:

• Thursday, October 31st: 2 hour Early Release at 1:25 pm
• Friday, November 1st: No School 

We kindly ask that you make necessary childcare arrangements for these dates. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Please Have Your Photo ID Ready for School Visits

We want to remind you that when you visit our school, it is important to have your photo identification (ID) with you. This helps us ensure the safety and security of our school community.

We understand that sometimes it can be easy to forget, but having your ID ready will help streamline the check-in process and allow us to welcome you promptly.

This reminder is especially important as we approach parent-teacher conferences. Please make sure to have your ID ready when you come to meet with your child's teacher.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Taking Off with Reading: A Parent's Guide to the Virginia Literacy Act

Thank you to the parents that joined us for our morning session. Our evening session will be on October 30 at 6:00 pm in the library. The purpose of this meeting is to provide you with valuable information about the Virginia Literacy Act and how it directly impacts your child's education.

Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade Storybook Parade!

It is the time of year to celebrate reading and our favorite book characters! On Thursday, October 31st, from 8:50 ish – 9:10 ish. Pre-school through First Grade are invited to PARADE through the halls, dressed as their favorite book character! Costumes can be simple and home made! Children are encouraged to carry the book with them. The library can supply the books upon request!

Hint: We have books about most super-heroes and princesses, if that is your child’s preference.

Parents are invited to view the parade from the cafeteria where the children will march through! Questions? Email Ms. Brinkhuis at [email protected].

Advanced Academic Full-Time Referral Deadline

The winter referral deadline for full-time advanced academic referral forms is December 15, 2024.  More information and referral forms can be found here. Please contact Jenna Murgia, AART, at [email protected] with any questions.

📷Fall Picture Ordering

Parents, do you still need to order fall pictures? Strawbridge has a  NEW Code Lookup Tool  available for you to easily find your child’s pictures. If you child missed fall pictures, the makeup date is November 22.  Simply follow the directions below.  

• Step 1: Type Cunningham Park Elementary into the Search box, select VA, then click Search.
• Step 2: Choose Cunningham Park Elementary from the list.
• Step 3. Select Get Code next to the picture day you need the code for. 
• Step 4: Enter your child’s Last Name and Student ID Number then click Search. 
• Step 5: Click on the Student Code to access your child’s image gallery.

Questions?: Live Chat Online at www.strawbridge.net, or call (866) 624-6229, or email [email protected].

💗FCPS CARES Program

This is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a FCPS CARES to acknowledge the great work of a Cunningham Park Elementary employee or group of employees who should receive recognition. 

Submit an FCPS CARES today!

FCPS Information 🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for one of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 21, at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, at Herndon Middle School.

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

💉Safeway Immunization Clinics Available for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

• Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Middle and High School Clinics

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

We are excited to announce a special Spirit Week dedicated to celebrating Digital Citizenship at Cunningham Park Elementary. 

• Tuesday, Oct. 15 - Sports Day: represent your favorite sport to celebrate getting outside and moving
• Wednesday, Oct. 16 - Thoughtful Wednesday: wear a positive message to remind others that their words and actions online effect safety
• Thursday, Oct. 17 - Unity Day: wear orange to represent standing up to cyberbullying
• Friday, Oct. 18 - Pajama Day: wear your favorite PJs to remind yourself to NOT be lazy and approach all online sources with caution 

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Dear Cardinal Families, 

We are excited to announce a special week dedicated to celebrating Digital Citizenship at Cunningham Park Elementary. Next week, we will be hosting a Spirit Week (see below for the schedule) filled with activities and events designed to highlight the importance of digital citizenship and promote positive online habits. As a Common Sense School, we encourage all students to participate in these activities and to use this week as an opportunity to learn more about digital citizenship and how to be a responsible online user.

With your support, we can create a safer and more positive online environment for our students. If your child has a device at home, we ask that you monitor your child’s phone/iPad/device daily, and sometimes multiple times a day. This means reviewing who your child is texting, what pictures and videos your child is taking or receiving, and what websites your child is accessing. By doing so, you can help ensure your child's online safety and well-being.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in fostering digital citizenship.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

No School

Reminder, there is no school on Monday, October 14 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

• Tuesday, Oct. 15 - Sports Day: represent your favorite sport to celebrate getting outside and moving
• Wednesday, Oct. 16 - Thoughtful Wednesday: wear a positive message to remind others that their words and actions online effect safety
• Thursday, Oct. 17 - Unity Day: wear orange to represent standing up to cyberbullying
• Friday, Oct. 18 - Pajama Day: wear your favorite PJs to remind yourself to NOT be lazy and approach all online sources with caution 

Taking Off with Reading: A Parent's Guide to the Virginia Literacy Act

We are excited to invite you to a special literacy parent meeting on October 16 at 9:00 am in the cafeteria. This presentation will be repeated at an evening session on October 30 at 6:00 pm in the library. The purpose of this meeting is to provide you with valuable information about the Virginia Literacy Act and how it directly impacts your child's education. During the meeting, we will discuss the key components of the Act, including:

• Early Intervention and Support: Learn about the early identification and support strategies we have in place to help students who may be struggling with reading.
• Reading Instruction: Understand the evidence-based reading instruction methods we use to ensure all students develop strong literacy skills.
• Parent Involvement: Discover how you can actively support your child's literacy development at home.

Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences are a great opportunity to discuss your child's progress. To prepare, we are sharing the FCPS Family-Facing Curriculum. This website will outline what your child will be learning in each subject this year.

Even if you've already attended your Parent-Teacher conference, this is a valuable resource to reference throughout the year. With this information, you can stay informed about upcoming topics and find ways to support your child's learning journey at home!

Advanced Academic Full-Time Referral Deadline

The winter referral deadline for full-time advanced academic referral forms is December 15, 2024.  More information and referral forms can be found here. Please contact Jenna Murgia, AART, at [email protected] with any questions.

📷Fall Picture Ordering

Parents, do you still need to order fall pictures? Strawbridge has a  NEW Code Lookup Tool  available for you to easily find your child’s pictures. If you child missed fall pictures, the makeup date is November 22.  Simply follow the directions below.  

• Step 1: Type Cunningham Park Elementary into the Search box, select VA, then click Search.
• Step 2: Choose Cunningham Park Elementary from the list.
• Step 3. Select Get Code next to the picture day you need the code for. 
• Step 4: Enter your child’s Last Name and Student ID Number then click Search. 
• Step 5: Click on the Student Code to access your child’s image gallery.

Questions?: Live Chat Online at www.strawbridge.net, or call (866) 624-6229, or email [email protected].

🎻Musical Instrument Donation 🎺

A former Cardinal is working on a service project and collecting gently used instruments. If you have an instrument to donate, please drop it off in the main office. Thank you to the families and community member who have already donated instruments!

💗FCPS CARES Program

This is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees who go above and beyond to help others and show they care about their students, colleagues, and the community. We invite you to submit a FCPS CARES to acknowledge the great work of a Cunningham Park Elementary employee or group of employees who should receive recognition. 

Submit an FCPS CARES today!

FCPS Information 🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

🍎Celebrating the Power of School Lunches

Multiple studies show that school lunches are important in supporting overall student health by improving students’ diets and combating food insecurity. Students who eat school lunches consume more fruit, vegetables, and fiber than their peers. 

This School Lunch Week, FCPS Food and Nutrition Services reminds families that they are dedicated to providing flavorful, healthy, sustainable, and student-focused meals. Also, new menu items have been launched this year based on student feedback. 

Want to know what’s for breakfast or lunch? Nutrition Services now has printable menus. 

💉Safeway Immunization Clinics Available for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Middle and High School Clinics

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

Pyramid Information Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS)

Thursday, November 7

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Madison High School

Link to RSVP

Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior. We guide you through a presentation that opens your eyes to what is right in front of you. This program begins with a “show and tell” of “red flags” that can indicate risky behavior in teens. An educational portion follows that includes a PowerPoint presentation that touches on drug and alcohol use, vaping, mental health and behavioral concerns, risky sexual behaviors, trending "challenges," and more.  

Registration is required, and seats are limited for this free event. You must be 18 or older to attend and children are not allowed at this presentation. Please email MPO Meg Hawkins ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Please see below for the corrected date of our evening literacy parent meeting.

Taking Off with Reading: A Parent's Guide to the Virginia Literacy Act

We are excited to invite you to a special literacy parent meeting on October 16 at 9:00 am in the cafeteria. This presentation will be repeated at an evening session on October 7 30 at 6:00 pm in the library. The purpose of this meeting is to provide you with valuable information about the Virginia Literacy Act and how it directly impacts your child's education. During the meeting, we will discuss the key components of the Act, including:

• Early Intervention and Support: Learn about the early identification and support strategies we have in place to help students who may be struggling with reading.
• Reading Instruction: Understand the evidence-based reading instruction methods we use to ensure all students develop strong literacy skills.
• Parent Involvement: Discover how you can actively support your child's literacy development at home.

No School

• Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 
• Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Dear Cardinal Families, 

As we turn the page to October, we want to take a moment to welcome you to this new month. October brings with it the promise of cooler weather, colorful leaves, and exciting new adventures.

Please remember that we have a long weekend coming up with no school on October 3 and October 4. Please enjoy this time to rest and recharge.

However, we wanted to remind you that next week, we will be back to a full five-day school week. We are very much looking forward to welcoming all of our students back to school for a full week of learning and growth.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

No School

• Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 
• Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.

When Do Absences Become a Problem?

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Eventually good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college. Please reach out to our school counselor, Lisa Lujan at [email protected], if you need support with building this lifelong skill. 

Advanced Academic Screening Process

We will host a parent information meeting on Thursday, October 10th from 6:00-7:00 pm in the library. Our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Jenna Murgia, will share about the Full Time AAP Screening Process. This information session is for parents of children in grades 2-6.

Taking Off with Reading: A Parent's Guide to the Virginia Literacy Act

We are excited to invite you to a special literacy parent meeting on October 16 at 9:00 am in the cafeteria. This presentation will be repeated at an evening session on October 7 at 6:00 pm in the library. The purpose of this meeting is to provide you with valuable information about the Virginia Literacy Act and how it directly impacts your child's education. During the meeting, we will discuss the key components of the Act, including:

• Early Intervention and Support: Learn about the early identification and support strategies we have in place to help students who may be struggling with reading.
• Reading Instruction: Understand the evidence-based reading instruction methods we use to ensure all students develop strong literacy skills.
• Parent Involvement: Discover how you can actively support your child's literacy development at home.

🎻Musical Instrument Donation 🎺

A former Cardinal is working on a service project and collecting gently used instruments. If you have an instrument to donate, please drop it off in the main office. Thank you!

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Safeway Immunization Clinics for All FCPS Students 

Safeway Pharmacy will be providing immunizations at Frost Middle School for all FCPS students at no cost on: 

• Tuesday, October 8, 3-7 p.m.
• Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, October 28, 3-7 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to avoid wait times. A parent or guardian must accompany walk-in students under the age of 19 to provide consent. Learn more about immunization resources and registering in other languages for the Safeway clinic.

Elementary School Clinics

The Fairfax County Health Department will provide immunizations for FCPS elementary students on limited early release Mondays at their district offices. All school-required immunizations will be offered at no cost. Call 703-246-7100 to make your appointment.

Middle and High School Clinics

FCPS is partnering with the health department to host immunization clinics at middle and high schools. Clinics will take place during the school day. Students may only participate in the clinic at the school where they are enrolled. Parental/caregiver consent is required for students to receive immunizations.

Please check the Immunization Resources page for clinic locations, dates, and how to submit a consent form.

Pyramid Information Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS)

Thursday, November 7

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Madison High School

Link to RSVP

Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) is a community awareness program designed to enlighten parents through a unique learning experience encompassing insights into trends and indicators of potentially risky behavior. We guide you through a presentation that opens your eyes to what is right in front of you. This program begins with a “show and tell” of “red flags” that can indicate risky behavior in teens. An educational portion follows that includes a PowerPoint presentation that touches on drug and alcohol use, vaping, mental health and behavioral concerns, risky sexual behaviors, trending "challenges," and more.  

Registration is required, and seats are limited for this free event. You must be 18 or older to attend and children are not allowed at this presentation. Please email MPO Meg Hawkins ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your incredible support and understanding during our first Early Release Monday. As you know, demands on teacher time have increased dramatically since the pandemic. With the adoption of new textbooks, differentiated support plans for students, required professional development for the new Virginia Literacy Act, new reading and math Standards of Learning exams (SOLs) from the state, and other initiatives — teachers have a lot to do in addition to actually teaching! These demands require blocks of uninterrupted, in person, and collaborative time to plan. A well-supported and continuously improving teaching staff will lead to better educational outcomes for students.

There will be six additional Early Release Mondays throughout the school year. As a reminder, the following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• October 28
• December 9 (FCPS Date Change)
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

In just a few weeks, we will be sending out a confirmation for the October 28th Early Release Monday. We kindly ask that you do your best to avoid changing your plans on the day of the early release. Any last-minute changes can disrupt our communication with teachers as they are teaching and not able to check their email and take phone calls during the school day. 

If you anticipate needing to make a change to your arrangements, please contact the school office well in advance. Thank you for your continued support. 

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school. 

• Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed. 
• Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students.

🗓️ Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events

Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.

When planning trips or family events, refer to the FCPS calendar and try to use weekends and school holidays. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.

When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence. 

Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Advanced Academic Screening Process

We will host a parent information meeting on Thursday, October 10th from 6:00-7:00 pm in the library. Our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Jenna Murgia, will share about the Full Time AAP Screening Process. This information session is for parents of children in grades 2-6.

🎻Musical Instrument Donation 🎺

A former Cardinal is working on a service project and collecting gently used instruments. If you have an instrument to donate, please drop it off in the main office. Thank you!

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
• Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School

Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Gun Safety and Safe Gun Storage

Providing students and staff with a safe educational environment remains our priority. Sadly, gun violence continues to impact schools and communities across our nation.

In FCPS, lessons on gun safety are built into our curriculum. It is critical that parents and guardians talk to their children about the importance of gun safety and safe gun storage in their homes, and in any home they may visit. 

The FCPS website has gun safety resources as well as detailed information about safety and security practices at schools. See Dr. Reid’s recent letter to the community for more resources. 

Safely Store Firearms and Medications

The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board has a limited supply of free locking medication boxes and trigger locks that fit a wide variety of firearms. Visit the Lock and Talk website to learn more.

Pyramid Information Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

Next Monday, September 23rd begins our first Early Release Mondays planned this school year for elementary schools. This is essential to allow our staff time for planning and professional development. Students will be dismissed at 12:25 pm, unless you completed the google form sharing your child needs to remain at school due to a childcare hardship. You should have received an email this week confirming your decision so we know which students will stay until 3:25 pm. Here is some additional information to help Monday run smoothly:

• It is vitally important that you remain with the dismissal plan that has been communicated to school. We want to ensure all of our students get home safely, as planned, on Monday and your cooperation is needed so your family's plan is clear. 
• If you plan on picking up your child between early and regular dismissal times, please know that due to high demand, this may take longer than usual.

There will be six additional times throughout the school year for early release days. As a reminder, the following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• October 28
• December 9 (FCPS Date Change)
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Family Resources

We want to express our sincere gratitude for the families that joined us at the recent PTA meeting. Your presence and active participation are essential to the success of our school community.

We were heartened by your enthusiasm and thoughtful questions as we discussed our goals for the upcoming year. Your support and partnership are invaluable as we strive to provide the best possible educational experiences for our students.

Resources shared during the meeting are linked below. Please take a moment to explore the websites and see what might be useful for you to use at home. 

Literacy Resources 

• Benchmark Caregiver Website
• FCPS Family Resources
• Virginia Family Resources

Math Resources

• Charlesbridge Storytelling Math Books
• Mathical Books

Social Emotional Resources

• Second Step

We All Belong at School

Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school. 

Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Join us for Bedtime Stories! September 25th, 6:00-7:00 pm

Join families for our first literacy event of the year.  We gather in the library with blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals to hear teachers read and to receive a few tips from our Reading Specialist, Vicki Mansuy. Every family will receive a small bag of books to read together before we adjourn for milk and cookies and to sign up for public library cards. Kids of all ages welcome with an adult!

Advanced Academic Screening Process

We will host a parent information meeting on Thursday, October 10th from 6:00-7:00 pm in the library. Our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Jenna Murgia, will share about the Full Time AAP Screening Process. This information session is for parents of children in grades 2-6.

Students to Be Surveyed on Social-Emotional Learning

FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.

The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills such as achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students. 

After each screening, results will be available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families who don’t have a ParentVUE account. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.

Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVUE. For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact our front office. 

Please note that the SEL Screener is not the same as the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey, which will take place later this fall.

Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health

Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:

• Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
• Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
• Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
• Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
• A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
• Alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family. 
• Thoughts of harming themselves or others.

If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. Please contact Ms. Lisa Lujan, our school counselor at [email protected], to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Find additional ways to support your child’s wellness. 

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.

FCPS Trust Policy Supports Caring Culture

Fairfax County Public Schools is proud of its caring culture and strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for all students and families. The FCPS Trust Policy solidifies this commitment and aligns with Fairfax County Goverment's Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy. It ensures that FCPS students and families can access FCPS benefits and services without fear that information will be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to federal immigration officials. Please visit FCPS’ Trust Policy webpage to learn more about the policy and regulation in multiple languages.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:

• Monday, September 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Newington Forest Elementary School.
• Monday, September 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School.
• Monday, October 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Fairhill Elementary School.
• Monday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Virginia Run Elementary School.
• Wednesday, October 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at Herndon Middle School..

Pyramid Information Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

I am writing to express our deepest gratitude to Rustic Love for their generous donation to our school's food pantry. Their support has been instrumental in ensuring that our students have access to nutritious meals, which are essential for their academic success and overall well-being.

We understand that every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant impact. Rustic Love’s generosity has not only provided food for our students but has also shown them that they are valued members of our community. This kindness fosters a sense of belonging and support that is crucial for their growth and development.

On behalf of our students, staff, and families, we extend our sincere thanks to Rustic Love. Their kindness and generosity will not be forgotten.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.

Help your child succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your child stays home if they are sick. Visit our website for information on when to keep your child at home.

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff.

Read about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!

Early Release Mondays

The Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development. You will receive an email next week to confirm the after school supervision plan for your child. Please reach out to the main office at 703-255-5600 if you have any questions.

More information on 3-hour early release days can be found here.

The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 23
• October 28 
• November 25  December 9th (please note this date change)
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Preview a Second Step Lesson

You are your child’s first teacher, and play a vital role in their social, emotional, and academic development. Your child’s classroom teachers are here to support you in this, and the Second Step family of programs is one of the tools they’re using. For more information, check out the Information for Families page on the Second Step website. At the bottom of the page, it offers a spot to preview a lesson from each grade level.

🌟Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Information Night

A parent information meeting will be held in the library on Thursday, September 19th from 6:00 until 7:00 PM. Jenna Murgia, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will provide an overview about the continuum of Advanced Academic services. Please note that we will host a separate parent information meeting in October specifically for the screening process for full time services for parents of students in grades 2 through 6. 

Please contact Jenna Murgia with questions at [email protected].

📸Picture Day will be on September 20, 2024

 Sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at school.

🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation! 

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. The next event is scheduled for Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Newington Forest Elementary School. Click on the date to register. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.

Join us for Bedtime Stories! September 25th, 6:00-7:00 pm

Join families for our first literacy event of the year.  We gather in the library with blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals to hear teachers read and to receive a few tips from our Reading Specialist, Vicki Mansuy. Every family will receive a small bag of books to read together before we adjourn for milk and cookies and to sign up for public library cards. Kids of all ages welcome with an adult!

Pyramid Information Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

As you may have noticed, two of our beautiful trees in the front of the school have been removed. Unfortunately, due to their size and age, these trees had begun to pose a safety risk to our students and staff. While the loss of these trees is a visual change, it is important to remember that our school's heart and soul remain the same. The warmth and growth that have always characterized our building continue to flourish, nurtured by the dedication of our teachers and staff and the bright minds of our students. 

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

🍎 Make Every Day Count! 

As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during breaks from school. 

Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grad

🚗Important Dismissal Reminders

If you change your child’s dismissal routine, please call the main office at 703-255-5600 to notify school staff. The change in dismissal will then be communicated to your child’s teacher. Please do not tell your child to go home a different way since we can only release students for dismissal by the way you noted to the classroom teacher at the beginning of the year. Please reach out to the main office if you have any questions. Thank you for working with us to ensure your child gets home safely. 

🌟Advanced Academic Program (AAP) Information Night

A parent information meeting will be held in the library on Thursday, September 19th from 6:00 until 7:00 PM. Jenna Murgia, Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, will provide an overview about the continuum of Advanced Academic services. Please note that we will host a separate parent information meeting in October specifically for the screening process for full time services for parents of students in grades 2 through 6. 

Please contact Jenna Murgia with questions at [email protected].

Bedtime Stories, September 25th, 6:00-7:00 pm

Join families for our first literacy event of the year.  We gather with blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals to hear teachers read and to receive a few tips from our Reading Specialist, Vicki Mansuy. Every family will receive a small bag of books to read together before we adjourn for milk and cookies and to sign up for public library cards. Kids of all ages welcome with an adult!!!

📸Picture Day will be on September 20, 2024

 Sign up to receive updates via email regarding their child's school portraits. These updates include promotions, additional deals and the ability to order more pictures at a later time. When entering student information, be sure to enter the student's name as it is on file at school.

Madison County Fair will be on September 20th! Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

Thank you to the families that joined us for Back to School Night on Tuesday. Your partnership with us means a lot and our teachers put a lot of effort into their presentations so that you for kicking off the school year with us! Please continue reading for an important announcement from James Madison High School. 

Madison County Fair Cancelled

Due to the forecast of severe weather late this afternoon and into the early evening, our County Fair is cancelled this afternoon.  We will communicate the new date in the coming weeks.  The football game will kick off as planned.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

📆Labor Day Holiday

Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. Students return to school on Tuesday, September 3. See the complete school year calendar.

We want your child to be successful in school and that means supporting and encouraging their whole  development. While excelling in academic classes is important, children also need skills to take on  learning challenges, make good decisions, manage strong emotions, and get along with others.  

In September, we’ll begin Second Step® Elementary, a research-based social-emotional learning program  designed to improve children’s social-emotional skills. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to  help children both in and out of school. Four units will cover the following: 

Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting: Children learn how to pay attention and manage distractions,  develop a growth mindset, and apply goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.  

Emotion Management: Children learn how to identify and label emotions and use emotion management strategies—including stress management for older students—to calm strong feelings.  

Empathy & Kindness: Children learn how to recognize kindness and act kindly, have empathy for  others and take others’ perspectives, and recognize kind acts and empathy as important elements of  building and maintaining relationships.  

Problem-Solving: Children learn how to identify and state a problem, recognize if a problem is an  accident, and use the STEP problem-solving process:  

• S: Say the problem  
• T: Think of solutions  
• E: Explore the outcomes  
• P: Pick a solution  

You’ll receive weekly communications from your child’s teacher to help you reinforce Second Step  language, skills, and goals at home. If you have any questions about Second Step Elementary, please don’t  hesitate to contact our school counselor, Lisa Lujan at [email protected] for more information. Thank you for your support as we  work to build a safe and supportive school community.  

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

We know it is a busy time of year so we wanted to send a quick reminder about our Back-to-School Night scheduled for tomorrow, August 27th from 5:30-7:00 pm. The schedule is posted below so you know where to go and when to go there. Please do not miss out on visiting with our specialists in the cafeteria as well as with our reading specialist in the library. Staff will be on hand at Door 1 to direct you to your child's classroom. We look forward to connecting with you and sharing our goals for the year!

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

🏫Back to School Events 🍎

• Back-to-School Night - Tuesday, August 27 from 5:30-7:00 pm: Learn from our teachers about our goals for the year, school policies, and classroom procedures followed by time in your child’s classroom to see where their learning will take place this year! This is a parent only event. The schedule for the evenings is as follows:
  • 5:30-5:40 pm Make your way to your child’s classroom
  • 5:40-6:10 pm First Session - Teachers will repeat their presentation again at the Second Session
    • In addition, our reading specialist, Vicki Mansuy, will be presenting in the library on the changes in literacy instruction this year.
  • 6:10-6:20 pm Transition and visit with specialists in the cafeteria
  • 6:20-6:50 pm Second Session - This is a repeat of the First Session
    • In addition, our reading specialist, Vicki Mansuy, will be presenting in the library on the changes in literacy instruction this year.
  • 6:50-7:00 pm Visit with specialists in the cafeteria

📆Labor Day Holiday

Friday, August 30, and Monday, September 2, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. Virginia legislation requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. Students return to school on Tuesday, September 3. See the complete school year calendar.

Please Join Us on Thursday, August 29 at Madison High School from 5:00-6:45 pm! Tickets: Adults $7, Children $5

All Cunningham Park Elementary students will be able to run across the field in the Warhawk Rush before the game and Ms. Hoak will have her turn at the dunk tank from 5:15-5:30 pm. This is a wonderful event for our pyramid and we hope to see you there! 

A few reminders from JMHS:

• Payment is required to enter the event
• No backpacks, bags or sports equipment will be allowed (student & adults) 
• No outside food or drinks allowed
• Whistles, air horns & similar noisemakers are prohibited

🎺Band and Strings Registration is now Open!🎻

Please ensure your child is registered for band and strings!  Registration is due Thursday, August 29th.  Fourth graders can register here, fifth and sixth graders can register here.  Not sure what instrument you want to play? There is a band and strings instrument fair Monday, August 26th from 6:30-8:30 at James Madison High School.  For more info, click here!

From FCPS ✨Our Commitment to Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity for Each and Every Student✨

As we begin a new school year, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid reminds us of the goals of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which guides us in delivering excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every one of our students. Watch Dr. Reid’s message.

📲Everything You Can Do Through SIS ParentVUE💻

Want to easily access back-to-school forms and checklists? Log in to your SIS ParentVUE account to find forms and make updates.

Update Contact Information

Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon. 

Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form (PDF) and submit it to their child’s school.

Complete Permission Forms

Families can now easily give permission for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of resources including online educational tools, school counseling services, and tutoring services. They can also change how student information is managed.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool. 

Submit Absences

Parents can submit daylong absences through SIS ParentVUE. Log in and click “Report Absence.” Note: Partial day absences and changes of transportation should still be reported directly to the school front office. 

Don’t Have a SIS ParentVUE Account Yet?Contact your school for an activation code and follow the directions on the SIS ParentVUE Account webpage. 

🚌Transportation Patience and Safety

Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your children’s buses. 

If a student’s bus is delayed, parents may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Contact the Transportation Office at 703-249-7100 with any additional questions. For any concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000. 

To make sure you receive email messages about bus delays, update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE.

🔍 Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity

FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.

Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.

Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

We wanted to take a moment to share that we had a fantastic first week of school at Cunningham Park Elementary! The energy and excitement from our students and staff was palpable, and it was heartwarming to see everyone come together to create a positive and supportive learning environment.

As we move into the second week of school, we have some important information and events that are highlighted below. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for these events!

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making this a wonderful school year for our students!

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

We are excited to share that the Madison Pyramid is working diligently to align our attendance practices. Our goal is to create a more consistent and supportive learning environment for all of our students.  We are committed to providing the highest quality education possible and believe that working together as a school community is essential to achieving this goal.

Attendance Policies (FCPS Reg. 2232)

• If your child is going to be absent for the entire day or late for any reason, please call the school attendance line at 703-255-5656 or follow directions on our website at https://cunninghamparkes.fcps.edu/ to submit an absence via ParentVue or email. The attendance line is available 24-7. Include your child’s name, teacher’s name, the date, reason for the absence (including all symptoms), and a phone number where you can be reached.  
• All FCPS schools use News You Choose to send automated attendance notification messages to parents using the home phone number and email on file at school.  Families will only be contacted if they have not alerted the office of the child’s absence. Students arriving after 8:40 am are considered tardy.  
• If the school does not receive a call from a parent, the absence or tardy will be considered unexcused. 
• Per FCPS the following are unexcused absences:
• Unexcused Absence and Tardy – Family travel, child care situation, oversleeping, non-school related activity, traffic, or missed bus.
• After five days of full day unexcused absences, an Attendance Plan will be initiated which will document the reasons for absences, and potential supports, and begin tracking data for attendance improvement.  
• An excused absence is defined by FCPS as an illness (fever, vomiting, diarrhea) of the student, death in the family, doctor or dentist appointment, court appearance, observation of a religious holiday, or approved non-FCPS academically related activity (spelling bee, science fair etc).
• Minor symptoms related to cough, cold, etc do not prevent a student from attending in school instruction. On site clinic aides, supervised by Public Health Nurses, will support students each day and can answer family questions.  

Future Absence

We encourage family travel during scheduled school holidays.  Please review the current school calendar to plan accordingly. Trips during the school year are discouraged as extended unexcused absences interrupt sequential learning in many subject areas.  Assignments are not given in advance and students are expected to make up missed work when they return. Per Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) requirements, we must withdraw any student from our enrollment who is absent from school for 15 consecutive days or more. Upon the student’s return, a family must again officially enroll their student.  

• If parents are aware of a future absence, such as a full day absence for a civic engagement activity (middle or high school) or a cultural observance, they may contact the school to report the absence and related date. Extended absences, typically for hardship reasons, must be documented and submitted to the school principal at least three to five school days in advance for review and action. 
• View the Elementary Prearranged Absence Form
• View the Secondary Prearranged Absence Form

School Attendance Communication

Quarterly attendance summary reports will be provided to families to ensure consistent communication regarding student attendance.

We sincerely look forward to having your student with us each and every day!  Please let us know how we can support your family to maintain positive attendance.

🏫Back to School Events 🍎

• Back-to-School Night - Tuesday, August 27 from 5:30-7:00 pm: Learn from our teachers about our goals for the year, school policies, and classroom procedures followed by time in your child’s classroom to see where their learning will take place this year! This is a parent only event. The schedule for the evenings is as follows:
  • 5:30-5:40 pm Make your way to your child’s classroom
  • 5:40-6:10 pm First Session - Teachers will repeat their presentation again at the Second Session
    • In addition, our reading specialist, Vicki Mansuy, will be presenting in the library on the changes in literacy instruction this year.
  • 6:10-6:20 pm Transition and visit with specialists in the cafeteria
  • 6:20-6:50 pm Second Session - This is a repeat of the First Session
    • In addition, our reading specialist, Vicki Mansuy, will be presenting in the library on the changes in literacy instruction this year.
  • 6:50-7:00 pm Visit with specialists in the cafeteria
• Labor Day Break: Friday, August 30 - Tuesday, September 2, No School

Please Join Us on Thursday, August 29 at Madison High School from 5:00-6:45 pm! Tickets: Adults $7, Children $5

All Cunningham Park Elementary students will be able to run across the field in the Warhawk Rush before the game and Ms. Hoak will have her turn at the dunk tank from 5:15-5:30 pm. This is a wonderful event for our pyramid and we hope to see you there! 

✅Parent Checklist

Please use this checklist to prepare your family for the new school year. It contains all of the helpful link to all the forms that you will need to complete so your child has a wonderful start to the year!

⏹️SIS ParentVue: set up your account and view your child's information. If you need to register for a ParentVue Account please click on the following link: SIS Parent Account Overview, Login, and Registration

⏹️SR&R: Please log on to your SIS ParentVue account and sign to acknowledge review of the Student Rights & Responsibilities document. Check back to the link for updated 24-25 SRR document. 

⏹️Parent Digital Consent: Please log into the following link. The opt out must be renewed yearly, for the following permissions: digital resources, SEL Screener Opt-out, Counseling Opt-out, accept FCPS device, Family Life Education Opt-out, SOL retest permission, objection to release of information to outside organizations and release of directory information to the public. 

⏹️Early Release Monday Survey: Please see the next section below and complete the form for your child. Thank you!

⏹️Free & Reduced Lunch Application: Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost. Families should complete the application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Apply on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage.

⏹️Immunizations: Now is the time to make sure your child’s school-required immunizations are up-to-date! If you have a student returning to Cunningham Park ES and vaccine updates have been requested, please provide these to the school office as soon as possible. For a list of Back-to-School Immunization Clinics and information click here. 

🚗Kiss and Ride Procedures 🚙

Arrival: To ensure student safety and supervision, please be mindful of the following for arrival: 

• Students should not arrive at school unsupervised/ without an adult earlier than 8:20 AM.
• Breakfast starts at 8:20 AM and our first bell for all students to enter the building is at 8:30 AM. 
• Students are expected to be in their classroom when the second bell rings by 8:40 AM. If your child arrives after 8:40 AM, please bring your child into the office to sign in.

Kiss & Ride: Our Kiss and Ride path is marked on the map below in yellow. On inclement weather days we experience a higher volume of cars and will use the white path for overflow Kiss and Ride cars. Please review these safety tips:

• Please remain in your car. 
• Children may enter and exit on the passenger side only.
• Make sure your child can independently buckle and unbuckle safety belts/car seats and open/close doors on their own. 

Dismissal: On the occasion that your child will be leaving school in a different way than usual, please call the office before 3:00 PM to notify us of this change.

🎺Band and Strings Registration is now Open!🎻

Please ensure your child is registered for band and strings!  Registration is due Thursday, August 29th.  Fourth graders can register here, fifth and sixth graders can register here.  Not sure what instrument you want to play? There is a band and strings instrument fair Monday, August 26th from 6:30-8:30 at James Madison High School.  For more info, click here!

Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available: a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Get more information and view the 2024-25 Opt-Out Booklets.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

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Dear Cardinal Families, 

We are thrilled to share that our first day of school was a resounding success! As we embarked on this new academic year, it was truly inspiring to witness the excitement and enthusiasm of our students as they took their first steps towards a year filled with learning, growth, and discovery.

Our theme for the year, "Learning Takes Flight," perfectly captured the spirit of the day as our students spread their wings and soared into new adventures. From the moment they entered our school doors, their faces radiated joy and anticipation. Our dedicated teachers created warm and welcoming classrooms, fostering a love of learning from the very beginning.

We are incredibly grateful for your partnership in making this day so special. Your support and encouragement are invaluable as we work together to create a thriving learning community.

We look forward to a fantastic year ahead filled with countless opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and reach new heights.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

🏫Back to School Events 🍎

• Back-to-School Night - Tuesday, August 27 from 5:30-7:00 pm: Learn from our teachers about our goals for the year, school policies, and classroom procedures followed by time in your child’s classroom to see where their learning will take place this year! This is a parent only event. The schedule for the evenings is as follows:
  • 5:30-5:40 pm Make your way to your child’s classroom
  • 5:40-6:10 pm First Session - Teachers will repeat their presentation again at the Second Session
  • 6:10-6:20 pm Transition and visit with specialists in the cafeteria
  • 6:20-6:50 pm Second Session - This is a repeat of the First Session
  • 6:50-7:00 pm Visit with specialists in the cafeteria
• Labor Day Break: Friday, August 30 - Tuesday, September 2, No School

✅Parent Checklist

Please use this checklist to prepare your family for the new school year. It contains all of the helpful link to all the forms that you will need to complete so your child has a wonderful start to the year!

⏹️SIS ParentVue: set up your account and view your child's information. If you need to register for a ParentVue Account please click on the following link: SIS Parent Account Overview, Login, and Registration

⏹️SR&R: Please log on to your SIS ParentVue account and sign to acknowledge review of the Student Rights & Responsibilities document. Check back to the link for updated 24-25 SRR document. 

⏹️Parent Digital Consent: Please log into the following link. The opt out must be renewed yearly, for the following permissions: digital resources, SEL Screener Opt-out, Counseling Opt-out, accept FCPS device, Family Life Education Opt-out, SOL retest permission, objection to release of information to outside organizations and release of directory information to the public. 

⏹️Early Release Monday Survey: Please see the next section below and complete the form for your child. Thank you!

⏹️Free & Reduced Lunch Application: Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost. Families should complete the application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Apply on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage.

⏹️Immunizations: Now is the time to make sure your child’s school-required immunizations are up-to-date! If you have a student returning to Cunningham Park ES and vaccine updates have been requested, please provide these to the school office as soon as possible. For a list of Back-to-School Immunization Clinics and information click here. 

📅Early Release Mondays

If you have not yet completed the Early Release Monday form, please do so as soon as possible.  https://forms.gle/71G9kYQnswPn14wu5  A form needs to be completed for each child who attends Cunningham Park Elementary.  The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. Please submit your form by August 19, 2024 so we can begin planning for the first early release day.

Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student in early September. If you have any questions, please refer to the FCPS Early Release Monday website, email [email protected], or call the main office at 703-255-5600.  

The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 23
• October 28
• November 25
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

🚗Kiss and Ride Procedures 🚙

Arrival: To ensure student safety and supervision, please be mindful of the following for arrival: 

• Students should not arrive at school unsupervised/ without an adult earlier than 8:20 AM.
• Breakfast starts at 8:20 AM and our first bell for all students to enter the building is at 8:30 AM. 
• Students are expected to be in their classroom when the second bell rings by 8:40 AM. If your child arrives after 8:40 AM, please bring your child into the office to sign in.

Kiss & Ride: Our Kiss and Ride path is marked on the map below in yellow. On inclement weather days we experience a higher volume of cars and will use the white path for overflow Kiss and Ride cars. Please review these safety tips:

• Please remain in your car. 
• Children may enter and exit on the passenger side only.
• Make sure your child can independently buckle and unbuckle safety belts/car seats and open/close doors on their own. 

Dismissal: On the occasion that your child will be leaving school in a different way than usual, please call the office before 3:00 PM to notify us of this change.

🎺Band and Strings Registration is now Open!🎻

Please ensure your child is registered for band and strings!  Registration is due Thursday, August 29th.  Fourth graders can register here, fifth and sixth graders can register here.  Not sure what instrument you want to play? There is a band and strings instrument fair Monday, August 26th from 6:30-8:30 at James Madison High School.  For more info, click here!

Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights

Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents and caregivers to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.

In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available: a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.

Get more information and view the 2024-25 Opt-Out Booklets.

What Is a School Board?

The Fairfax County School Board is responsible for running the public schools in Fairfax County. Twelve school board members are elected by county voters every four years. 

A student representative serves on the board as a non-voting member. They are chosen by their peers each year.

The School Board makes general rules and sets guidelines to ensure Fairfax County Public Schools runs properly. They follow the laws of Virginia and the rules set by the Virginia Board of Education. 

Learning about your local school board is important. Understanding their policies and initiatives can help you advocate for positive changes and ensure that the educational needs of all students are met. There are many ways to get involved.

Learn more about the school board, how to participate in their meetings, and where to watch school board meetings.  

Videos from our School Board members are listed below:

Melanie Meren

• YouTube (with English captions)
• YouTube (with Korean and Spanish subtitles)

Ilryong Moon

• YouTube (with English captions)
• YouTube (with Korean and Spanish subtitles)

Kyle McDaniel

• YouTube (with English captions)
• YouTube (with Korean and Spanish subtitles)

Ryan McElveen

• YouTube (with English captions)
• YouTube (with Korean and Spanish subtitles)

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. Starting Monday, September 30, students who have not provided proof of immunization will not be allowed to attend school. 

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 your child needs a vaccine, please make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or access other local services. 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. 

Find more information on immunizations on the FCPS website.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Dear Cardinal Families, 

We are thrilled to welcome back our students for another exciting school year!  Our staff is eager to reconnect with our returning students and to get to know our new students. 

As we prepare for a year filled with growth, discovery, and academic achievement, we invite you to join us as we embark on a new journey of learning. We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are essential to student success.

To facilitate a strong start to the school year, we cordially invite you to our Open House on August 16. More information below.

We look forward to a wonderful year. Please visit our school website for important updates and information. 

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

🏫Back to School Events 🍎

• Teacher Assignments: Student teacher assignments will be released in ParentVUE on August 15.  Please call the main office at 703-255-5600 if you have questions or need assistance setting up your account.
• Open House – Friday, August 16: This is an opportunity to be able to meet your child's teacher and explore the classroom.
  • 9:00-9:30: Quiet Open House for preschool, PAC, and students who need a calmer environment. 
  • 9:30-10:30 am: Open House for all students and families.

• First Day of School: August 19, 2024, Bell Schedule: 8:40 a.m.-3:25 p.m. This bell schedule is for all K-6, Preschool, and PAC students.

• Back-to-School Night - Tuesday, August 27 from 5:30-7:00 pm: Learn from our teachers about our goals for the year, school policies, and classroom procedures followed by time in your child’s classroom to see where their learning will take place this year!
• Labor Day Break: Friday, August 30 - Tuesday, September 2, No School

✅Parent Checklist

Please use this checklist to prepare your family for the new school year. It contains all of the helpful link to all the forms that you will need to complete so your child has a wonderful start to the year!

⏹️SIS ParentVue: set up your account and view your child's information. If you need to register for a ParentVue Account please click on the following link: SIS Parent Account Overview, Login, and Registration

⏹️Free & Reduced Lunch Application: Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost. Families should complete the application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Apply on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage.

⏹️Immunizations: Now is the time to make sure your child’s school-required immunizations are up-to-date!If you have a student returning to Cunningham Park ES and vaccine updates have been requested, please provide these to the school office as soon as possible. For a list of Back-to-School Immunization Clinics and information click here. 

⏹️SR&R: Please log on to your SIS ParentVue account and sign to acknowledge review of the Student Rights & Responsibilities document. Check back to the link for updated 24-25 SRR document. 

⏹️Parent Digital Consent: Please log into the following link. The opt out must be renewed yearly, for the following permissions: digital resources, SEL Screener Opt-out, Counseling Opt-out, accept FCPS device, Family Life Education Opt-out, SOL retest permission, objection to release of information to outside organizations and release of directory information to the public. 

⏹️Early Release Monday Survey: Please see below and complete the form for your child. Thank you!

📅Early Release Mondays

If you have not yet completed the Early Release Monday form, please do so as soon as possible.  https://forms.gle/71G9kYQnswPn14wu5  A form needs to be completed for each child who attends Cunningham Park Elementary.  The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. Please submit your form by August 19, 2024 so we can begin planning for the first early release day.

Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student in early September. If you have any questions, please refer to the FCPS Early Release Monday website, email [email protected], or call the main office at 703-255-5600.  

The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 23
• October 28
• November 25
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

Kiss and Ride Procedures

Arrival: To ensure student safety and supervision, please be mindful of the following for arrival: 

• Students should not arrive at school unsupervised/ without an adult earlier than 8:20 AM.
• Breakfast starts at 8:20 AM and our first bell for all students to enter the building is at 8:30 AM. 
• Students are expected to be in their classroom when the second bell rings by 8:40 AM. If your child arrives after 8:40 AM, please bring your child into the office to sign in.

Kiss & Ride: Our Kiss and Ride path is marked on the map below in yellow. On inclement weather days we experience a higher volume of cars and will use the white path for overflow Kiss and Ride cars. Please review these safety tips:

• Please remain in your car. 
• Children may enter and exit on the passenger side only.
• Make sure your child can independently buckle and unbuckle safety belts/car seats and open/close doors on their own. 

Dismissal: On the occasion that your child will be leaving school in a different way than usual, please call the office before 3:00 PM to notify us of this change.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Dear Cardinal Families, 

Welcome to our first Cardinal Connection of the 2024-2025 school year. Our Cardinal Connection is our weekly newsletter that will be sent throughout the school year to communicate important school and county information. Please take a moment each week to go through this information so you can stay informed. 

We have spent the quiet moments of the summer here reflecting on the previous school year and reviewing the feedback you provided to us throughout the year via emails, conversations, Family Engagement Survey and FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. 

We appreciate you sharing your perspectives on various aspects of our school, from academics and activities to communication and school culture. Your feedback is a vital component in helping us identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

Your input has been carefully considered and woven into our plans for the upcoming school year. We are committed to using your feedback to enhance our programs, improve communication, and create a thriving learning community for all students.

Please enjoy the last few days of summer and we look forward to see you and your child(ren) soon!

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Our Shared Vision for the Future

Last year, we embarked on a transformative journey to redefine our school's purpose and direction. By bringing together the collective wisdom of our students, staff, and parents, we engaged in thoughtful conversations about our school's identity and aspirations. Today, we are excited to unveil the fruits of our collaborative efforts – our updated mission and vision statements. These guiding principles encapsulate the hopes, dreams, and values we share as a school community.

Mission - Empowering All Learners: Cunningham Park Elementary ignites a love of learning in each student, fosters academic excellence, and nurtures a growth mindset so our students thrive in a diverse world.

Vision - Building Compassionate Citizens: We envision our graduates as confident, responsible citizens who excel academically, embrace diversity, are adaptable, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.

✅Parent Checklist

Please use this checklist to prepare your family for the new school year. It contains all of the helpful link to all the forms that you will need to complete so your child has a wonderful start to the year!

⏹️SIS ParentVue: set up your account and view your child's information. If you need to register for a ParentVue Account please click on the following link: SIS Parent Account Overview, Login, and Registration

⏹️Free & Reduced Lunch Application: Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals receive breakfast and lunch at school at no cost. Families should complete the application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits. Apply on the Free and Reduced-Price Meals webpage.

⏹️Immunizations: Now is the time to make sure your child’s school-required immunizations are up-to-date!If you have a student returning to Cunningham Park ES and vaccine updates have been requested, please provide these to the school office as soon as possible. For a list of Back-to-School Immunization Clinics and information click here. 

⏹️SR&R: Please log on to your SIS ParentVue account and sign to acknowledge review of the Student Rights & Responsibilities document. Check back to the link for updated 24-25 SRR document. 

⏹️Parent Digital Consent: Please log into the following link. The opt out must be renewed yearly, for the following permissions: digital resources, SEL Screener Opt-out, Counseling Opt-out, accept FCPS device, Family Life Education Opt-out, SOL retest permission, objection to release of information to outside organizations and release of directory information to the public. 

🏫Back to School Events 🍎

• Teacher Assignments: Student teacher assignments will be released in ParentVUE on August 15.  Please call the main office at 703-255-5600 if you have questions or need assistance setting up your account.
• Open House – Friday, August 16: This is an opportunity to be able to meet your child's teacher and explore the classroom.
  • 9:00-9:30: Quiet Open House for preschool, PAC, and students who need a calmer environment. 
  • 9:30-10:30 am: Open House for all students and families.

• First Day of School: August 19, 2024, Bell Schedule: 8:40 a.m.-3:25 p.m. This bell schedule is for all K-6, Preschool, and PAC students.

• Back-to-School Night - Tuesday, August 27 from 5:30-7:00 pm: Learn from our teachers about our goals for the year, school policies, and classroom procedures followed by time in your child’s classroom to see where their learning will take place this year!
• Labor Day Break: Friday, August 30 - Tuesday, September 2, No School

📅Early Release Mondays

The Early Release Mondays planned throughout the school year for elementary schools are essential to allow educators time for planning and professional development.  Students will be dismissed 3 hours early seven times throughout the school year and are encouraged to return home via their normal route.  However, we understand there may be a childcare hardship because of the early release Mondays for many of our families.  To resolve these concerns, student supervision will be available for families who need it. 

The following dates are planned for Early Release Mondays throughout the school year:

• September 23
• October 28
• November 25
• February 24
• March 17
• April 28
• May 19

To help plan for our school’s child care needs during the early release Mondays, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/71G9kYQnswPn14wu5 for each of your children who are enrolled at Cunningham Park Elementary.  If you have multiple children, you will need to submit multiple forms. However, if you have children that attend another elementary school, please fill out that school's form. The form covers the first two early release Mondays, scheduled for September 23, 2024 and October 28, 2024. Please submit your form by August 19, 2024 so we can begin planning for the first early release day. Staff will confirm the after school supervision plan for each student in early September. If you have any questions, please refer to the FCPS Early Release Monday website, email [email protected], or call the main office at 703-255-5600.  

FCPS Information Our Voices, Our Future: Multilingual Learners Summit

All multilingual learners and their families are invited to attend a summit on Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 5-8:30 p.m. at Annandale High School. The summit will be primarily geared for secondary multilingual learners, but all are welcome to attend. The goal of the summit is to foster an environment of empowerment where multilingual students and their families can establish meaningful connections, engage in active listening, and openly share their experiences, cultivating mutual support and a deeper understanding of educational pathways within FCPS.  

This event will begin with a table fair showcasing many opportunities available within FCPS and the wider community that support paths to graduation and future careers for students.  Additionally, a keynote will be presented by Dr. Jose Luis Zelaya who will share a message about the power of community and resilience.  A student panel will dialogue with Dr. Zelaya following the keynote.  

Refreshments and light food will be served. Language and childcare services will be available.  All secondary level multilingual learners have been invited centrally from FCPS via email.  Registration is open for students, families, or staff planning to attend.    

How to Receive FCPS Messages in Other Languages

You may wish to read FCPS messages in a language other than English. There are several ways you can receive or view our communications in a different language.

FCPS This Week is distributed in other languages to parents/guardians who have filled out the Home Language Survey form and selected a language supported by FCPS as their preferred language for communication. Home Language Survey forms are available in the following languages: Amharic | Arabic (العربية) | Chinese (中文) | Farsi (فارسی) | Korean (한국어) | Spanish (español) | Urdu (اردو) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).

Learn more about other communications that are translated. 

Paperless Opt-Outs Available!

As a part of our ongoing efforts to streamline paper processes, parents can now select a number of opt-out’s electronically via ParentVUE.  Once you have signed into your ParentVUE account, simply select the “Student Info” tab and click on “Edit Information.” You will find opt-out’s listed there.  Parents that do not yet have a ParentVUE account will still be able to use paper forms for notification. If you need to set up your ParentVUE account, you can create one online via the FCPS ParentVUE Registration page.

Quick Links

• Cunningham Park Calendar
• FCPS Calendar
• Attendance Form
• FCPS Cares

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
Attendance: 703-255-5656 | Web | Twitter | Facebook