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Cardinal Connection: December 20, 2024

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Dear Cardinal Families,

As we wrap up another wonderful month filled with joy and learning, we want to wish you and your family a happy and restful winter break!

This month has been a whirlwind of excitement, from our heartwarming concerts to festive classroom celebrations and the magical Book Bonanza in the library. We're so grateful for your support in making these events special for our students.

Now, it's time to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories with loved ones. We encourage you to spend quality time together, read books, play games, and simply enjoy each other's company.

With this in mind, the Cunningham Park office will be closed on Monday, December 23, 2024 and reopen on Monday, January 6, 2025.

We look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to learn when school resumes on Monday, January 6, 2025!

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Celebrating CPES Staff!

Congratulations to our Outstanding Employees for this school year!

Outstanding Operational Employee: Beth Copeland
Outstanding New Teacher: Veronica Lowe
Outstanding Teacher: Mallory Bonner

Thank you to our community and staff for submitting nominations.

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
SEL Screener Results
New Accessibility Resources
Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
Executive Functioning Webinars
Early Literacy Resources
ESY and Assessment Webinar
COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

FCPS Information 🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Quick Links

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

Spirit Week 12/16-12/20

GovDelivery6 days 6 hours ago

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We will be hosting a Winter Spirit Week from December 16- 20. Get your outfits ready and join the fun!

Monday, Dec. 16 - Stripe Day: wear all your fun stripes!
Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Cozy Day: dress in comfy cozy clothes!
Wednesday, Dec. 18 - Teamwork Day: wear your favorite team jersey or colors!
Thursday, Dec. 19 - CPES Spirit Day: wear your CPES spirit wear or come dressed in red, black, and white!
Friday, Dec. 20 - Winter White Out: wear white to encourage snow this year!

Quick Links

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

Cardinal Connection: December 13, 2024

GovDelivery1 week 2 days ago

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Dear Cardinal Families,

Winter Break is right around the corner and we wish you a wonderful time off from school. As mentioned at Thanksgiving, we take these opportunities to remind our staff at each long break to give our students (and themselves) a respite from schoolwork during the holiday. While teachers may have long-term assignments that span over the course of a break, we have shared with the staff not to assign homework, projects, essays, etc. to be specifically done over the break.

All of us need the opportunity to spend time with our families and friends. We want our students to have the opportunity to catch a breath from schoolwork and to enjoy time with friends and family. We also want our teachers to decompress and put their lesson plan books and laptops away for a few days to enjoy time with their friends and family. Our goal is to have students and teachers return to school anxiety-free without the pressure of looming deadlines. This is a unified message that Madison pyramid principals send to all our communities.

With this in mind, the Cunningham Park office will be closed on Monday, December 23, 2023 and reopen on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Have a wonderful holiday season with your family and friends.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Kiss and Ride Reminders

Our Kiss and Ride path is marked on the map below in yellow. This year we are experiencing a higher volume of cars and need to use the white path for overflow Kiss and Ride cars. To ensure the safety of all students, please follow these guidelines:

Remain in Your Vehicle: Drivers, please stay in your car at all times.
Passenger-Side Drop-Off Only: Children should enter and exit vehicles from the passenger side.
Independent Entry and Exit: Please ensure your child can independently buckle/unbuckle their seatbelt, open/close doors, and exit the vehicle.
No Parking Lot Walk-Throughs: Please do not park in the main parking lot and walk through to pick up your child. This can create congestion and safety hazards.

By following these guidelines, we can maintain a smooth and safe Kiss and Ride process. Thank you for your cooperation!

We will be hosting a Winter Spirit Week from December 16- 20!

Monday, Dec. 16 - Stripe Day: wear all your fun stripes!
Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Cozy Day: dress in comfy cozy clothes!
Wednesday, Dec. 18 - Teamwork Day: wear your favorite team jersey or colors!
Thursday, Dec. 19 - CPES Spirit Day: wear your CPES spirit wear or come dressed in red, black, and white!
Friday, Dec. 20 - Winter White Out: wear white to encourage snow this year!

Do You Still Need to Order School Pictures?

Strawbridge has a NEW Code Lookup Tool available for you to easily find your child’s pictures. 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].

Winter Weather and Outdoor Recess

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing (labeled with the name!), so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. On the majority of days, students will go outside for recess.

Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made. FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. Be sure to plan for the winter season.

If you need assistance getting cold weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.

Last Week to Donate Coats!

Thank you to those who have already donated coats. Katy's box is filling up! The coat drive will run until December 17th. A collection box is in the main lobby.

Lost and Found

Please have your child check our Lost and Found for missing items. Our Lost and Found is located near the restrooms in the lobby. We have many water bottles, coats, and sweatshirts. To prevent lost items, please write your child's last name on all personal belongings. All items will be donated on December 17, 2024. Thank you for encouraging your child to look for their lost items.

FCPS Information 🗺️Boundary Review Community Meeting

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.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Quick Links

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

PJ Day on Friday!

GovDelivery1 week 3 days ago

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Pajama Day on Friday, December 13!

THANK YOU to everyone who donated to the PTA's annual fundraiser, the Cardinal Campaign. We reached our goal of raising $12,000 and the entire school won a Pajama Day on Friday, December 13th. Break out your school appropriate PJs and come to school comfy on Friday!

Quick Links

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

Cardinal Connection: December 6, 2024

GovDelivery2 weeks 1 day ago

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Dear Cardinal Families,

As we embark on the most wonderful time of the year, we are excited to share all the festivities and learning opportunities that await our students.

Please note that Monday, December 9th is an Early Release Monday. School dismissal will be at 12:25 p.m.. For students staying after for supervision, dismissal will be at 3:25 p.m. All SACC students will report to SACC at 12:25 p.m.

To ensure smooth operations, we kindly request that you avoid making any last-minute changes to your child's schedule on this day.

We look forward to a joyous and productive month filled with holiday cheer, academic growth, and community spirit.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Arrival Reminders

We would like to remind Kiss and Ride families about our school’s morning arrival time. All students should arrive at school by 8:40 AM each morning. Prompt and regular attendance is crucial for student success.

If you arrive after 8:40 AM, please park your car, and walk your child into the main office.

Additionally, we kindly request that you remind your child to only cross the street at the designated crosswalk. We are committed to teaching our students about safety, and crossing the street safely is an important part of that. Thank you for your cooperation.

Literacy Resources for Families

Students are studying literacy units through the Benchmark Advance curriculum. Please look for unit letters from teachers to introduce each unit. You can also reference units of study through these online resources: Literacy Resources for Families and Family-Facing Curriculum.

Lost and Found

Gift Card Collection

Thank you to the families that have already donated gift cards! There is still time to donate gift cards in any amount from stores such as Target, Walmart, and Giant. 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 generosity!

Winter Concert

Save the date! We will be hosting our Winter Concert on Thursday, December 12 at 5:30 pm in the Cunningham Park gym. We ask that all performers arrive at 5:00 pm.

Please Donate New or Gently Used Coats

We are excited to announce that one of our fifth graders, Katy, has taken the initiative to organize a schoolwide coat drive! Inspired by an article in a magazine, Katy was moved to help those in need by collecting warm winter coats.

Thank you to those who have already donated coats. Katy's box is filling up! The coat drive will run until December 17th. A collection box will be placed in the main lobby.

Advanced Academic Full-Time Referral Deadline Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jenna Murgia, [email protected], no later than December 15, 2024.

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Jenna Murgia, [email protected]

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

Pyramid Information Madison SGA Food Drive Collection from November 25 - December 13

The James Madison SGA is looking for your help again this year with their annual canned food drive. Last year was a great success and we received contributions from all of our pyramid schools. We are looking to build on last year's success and our goal is for Cunningham Park to collect 500 donations. Once this goal is reached, each student and faculty member will receive a One Kind Act bracelet as a thank you for their support. The Madison canned food drive supports Food For Others, a local food bank helping to provide food to families in need across Fairfax County. Please drop off your canned food in the lobby.

FCPS Information Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

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.

Quick Links

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

Thanksgiving Break 11/27-11/29

GovDelivery3 weeks 4 days ago

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Dear Cardinal Families,

As we begin Thanksgiving break, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the strong and supportive school community we have built together.

"In every community, there is work to be done, love to be shared, hands to be held, and futures to be bright." - Fred Rogers

I am truly thankful for the dedication of our teachers and staff, the hard work and enthusiasm of our students, and the partnership of our parents and families. Your commitment to education makes a positive impact on the lives of our children every day.

Please remember that school will be closed from Wednesday, November 27th through Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving break. We look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, December 2nd, refreshed and ready to learn.

Wishing you all a safe, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and joy

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Quick Links

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

Cardinal Connection: November 22, 2024

GovDelivery4 weeks 1 day ago

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Dear Cardinal Families,

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I would like to wish all of you a wonderful break. To that end, I have communicated to the Cunningham Park staff the need to give our students (and themselves) a respite from the daily grind of schoolwork during the Thanksgiving holiday. While teachers may have long-term assignments that span over the course of a break, I have shared with staff to not assign homework, projects, essays, etc. to be specifically done over the break.

We all need the opportunity to spend time with our families and friends during Thanksgiving. We want our students to have the opportunity to catch a breath from schoolwork and to enjoy time with friends and family. We also want our teachers to decompress and put their lesson plan books and laptops away for a few days to enjoy time with their friends and family. Our goal is to have students and teachers return to school anxiety-free without the pressure of looming deadlines. This is a unified message that Madison pyramid principals send out three times during the year: Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Again, we wish you a happy and restful Thanksgiving holiday.

Warmly,

Allison Hoak, Principal

Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Lost and Found

Have you seen my sweatshirt? Where is my water bottle?

If you hear this from your child, please have your child check our Lost and Found for missing items. Our Lost and Found is located near the restrooms in the lobby. We have many water bottles, coats, and sweatshirts. To prevent lost items, please write your child's last name on all personal belongings. All items will be donated on December 17, 2024. Thank you for encouraging your child to look for their lost items!

Handwashing

As we transition from fall to winter, it's important to remind our children about the importance of practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. These simple practices can significantly reduce the spread of germs, particularly during the upcoming holiday season when gatherings and travel increase.

Key Reminders:

Wash Hands Frequently: Encourage your child to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after using the restroom, and after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Use Hand Sanitizer: When soap and water are not readily available, provide access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Remind students to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of tissues properly in a wastebasket and wash their hands.
Avoid Touching Face: Discourage students from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

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. Paper forms should be returned by Wednesday, December 4.

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!

Please Donate New or Gently Used Coats

The coat drive will run until December 17th. We encourage all students, staff, and families to donate gently used coats of all sizes. A collection box will be placed in the main lobby.

By participating in this coat drive, we are teaching our students the importance of giving back to our community. We are grateful for Katy's leadership and enthusiasm, and we hope you will join us in supporting this worthwhile cause.

Winter Concert

Save the date! We will be hosting our Winter Concert on Thursday, December 12 at 5:30 pm in the Cunningham Park gym. We ask that all performers arrive at 5:00 pm.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

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 Madison SGA Food Drive Collection from November 25 - December 13

FCPS Information Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.

Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

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.

Quick Links

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

Cardinal Connection: November 15, 2024

GovDelivery1 month ago

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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

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

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

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

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

Cardinal Connection: November 8, 2024

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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

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.

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

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

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

Register online

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

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

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

Cardinal Connection: October 31, 2024

GovDelivery1 month 3 weeks ago

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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

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

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

Register online

Starting The Conversation About Drugs: A Webinar for Families

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

Register online

FCPS Information Federal Impact Aid Survey

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

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

Cardinal Connection: October 25, 2024

GovDelivery1 month 3 weeks ago

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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

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

Pyramid Information

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

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

Cardinal Connection: October 18, 2024

GovDelivery2 months ago

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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

Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade Storybook Parade!

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

📷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:

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

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

Digital Citizenship Week!

GovDelivery2 months 1 week ago

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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

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

Cardinal Connection: October 11, 2024

GovDelivery2 months 1 week ago

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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

📷Fall Picture Ordering

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:

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.

Elementary School Clinics

Middle and High School Clinics

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

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

Corrected Literacy Evening Date, 10/30

GovDelivery2 months 2 weeks ago

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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

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

Cardinal Connection: October 2, 2024

GovDelivery2 months 2 weeks ago

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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!

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.

Elementary School Clinics

Middle and High School Clinics

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

Quick Links

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

Cardinal Connection: September 27, 2024

GovDelivery2 months 3 weeks ago

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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

🎻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!

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.

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

Cardinal Connection: September 20, 2024

GovDelivery3 months ago

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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

Math Resources

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

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!

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

Cardinal Connection: September 13, 2024

GovDelivery3 months 1 week ago

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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

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

Cardinal Connection: September 6, 2024

GovDelivery3 months 2 weeks ago

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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

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

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

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

55 minutes 15 seconds ago

Cunningham Park Elementary School News and announcements

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