Holiday Message from the Principal
Each morning I have a devotional I read. Several times this year the short excerpts
were about relaxing and realizing what is truly important in life. As I read this one particular story, it
sounded just like me. Each day I have a
to-do list that I must complete. I feel
really good when I can check off a task that I have completed. When the day is coming to an end and I realize
I did not accomplish everything on the list, I become stressed out. In this passage from one of Joyce Myers’
books, she says, “One of the biggest problems facing people today is the busy,
hurried, frantic, stressful lifestyles we live.”
There is a slogan that I have heard many
times … “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath away.” When
you hear this, you think of the once in a lifetime occurrences. Not to minimize those events, but we overlook
the everyday joys. It is not in how much
money we have, what belongings we own, the things we have done, or the position we
hold. The joy is found in the time we spend with our
loved ones … walking in the park holding hands with your spouse, reading a
bedtime story to your child/grandchild, or sipping hot chocolate with a friend
by a fire are the most precious times in our lives. We need to seek a balance between work (home
and the office) and relaxing. We need to
slow down and enjoy what is important.
Wishing you peace, joy, and love during this
special season and throughout the year.
Arlene Randall
Student of the Month
Student of the Month is a child who represents a model Cooper student by being well prepared, organized, turns in assignments in a timely manner, works well with others, and participates in class activities with a cooperative attitude. They continuously make an effort to be successful and responsible. This student is a positive leader and sets a fine example for other students.
The students of the month for December are:
- Hannah Whalen - Shenandoah
- Connor Oakes - Sequoia
- Conor Farah - Acadia
- Nikhita Rastogi - Everglades
- John Rieling - Yellowstone
- Allie Wakeman - Denali
Authors Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda Speak to Students about their book I Will Always Write Back
By Nikhita Rastogi
On December 1, Cooper Middle School had an amazing opportunity to
meet the wonderful authors of the book I Will Always Write Back. Authors
Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda gave the great pleasure of talking to
Cooper students about their journey.
The authors talked about their story in detail and how it all came together.
They explained how one school project completely changed their lives. Martin
and Caitlin spoke about how Martin’s life in Zimbabwe was completely different
from Caitlin’s in America and how becoming pen pals showed them that. They also
showed students a video of them finally meeting and how hard but exciting it
was to finally get Martin here to America.
When asked what had inspired them to start telling kids about
their story. Caitlin and Martin has replied, “We wanted to let other kids know
that they can make huge differences. Also that they are very fortunate to have
technology at their fingertips so that they can make big positive changes and
kind words all over the world.”
Cooper Middle School was thankful for being able to hear from
Martin and Caitlin in person and were truly inspired.
 Ms. Randall and Ms. Pierson meet with Martin and Caitlin.
 Martin and Caitlin discuss their book with the students.
 Students and teachers listen to the authors.
 Cooper's English Department poses with the authors of I will Always Write Back.
Administration Pitches in When the Cafeteria Needs Help
Due to a major accident on the American Legion Bridge on November 29, some of our cafeteria workers could not arrive to school in time to prepare for Cooper's four lunches. The administrative staff pitched in to help get ready for the first lunch at 10:00 am.
 
Congratulations to Cooper's Model UN
Congratulations to all 20 Cooper students who participated in the Model UN conference held on December 2 at George Washington University. Special
congratulations go to our award winners:
- Sumrath Pahwa, who received a verbal
commendation
- Ethan Bhatia, who earned honorable mention
- Isabel Brittin and Selina Al-Shihabi, who
together won outstanding delegate
- And Aidan Nguyen, who won the highest possible
individual award of best delegate
Great work, students!
Dr. Dale Visits Cooper
Former superintendent, Dr. Jack Dale, visited Cooper in early November to observe PBL (Project Based Learning) classrooms.
 
Save the Dates for Curriculum Presentations
We will be hosting several events to assist you in making
supportive decisions regarding your child’s academic success in middle
school. Please save the following dates and join us for these
informative events!
Rising 9th grade parents (Current 8th grade students)
PTO meeting, Davina Johnson, Dir. of Student Services at LHS, discussing registration & course selection
January 12, 2018 @9:30am
Cooper MS- Room 130
Rising 9th grade
Parent Night at Langley HS in Auditorium
February 8 @7pm
Langley HS- Auditorium
Rising 8th
grade parents (Current 7th grade students)
Elective Fair at Cooper MS
(both parent and student invited)
January 18 @6:30pm
Cooper MS
Rising 8th grade
Curriculum Meeting in Room 130 for parents
January 22 @9:30am
Cooper MS- Room 130
More Registration/
Academic Advising information can be found on our website here:
https://cooperms.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising
Kiss-N-Ride Expectations
As our enrollment here at Cooper MS (CMS) continues to grow, the limitations of our current location become more evident. However, it is our goal to serve the needs of students being dropped off/ picked up both safely and efficiently. With this in mind, please note our expectations below;
- Students should not be dropped off along/ picked up on Balls Hill Rd or anywhere off-grounds.
- Upon entering CMS, vehicles should remain to the right and continue along the road following the Kiss-n-Ride loop from 7-7:30 am and 1-2:30pm. Vehicles should not be turning into the bus lane (even in the absence of buses).
- Vehicles should avoid driving recklessly anywhere on school grounds and should follow the traffic pattern to and from the back of the building.
- Only vehicles with FCPS parking badges are permitted to park or turn into designated parking areas. The side lot near door 6 is not a turn around area.
- We ask that drivers not use cell phones while in the Kiss-n-ride loop.
Family Travel
Are you planning a family trip or vacation? As you think about your arrangements, we want to stress the importance of sending your child to school every day. Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after holidays as families squeeze in a few more vacation days. We recognize that it is important to reconnect with families far away, but keep in mind the costs to your child's education if they miss too much school— and the message you will be sending about the importance of attendance.
Please call the Cooper Attendance line at 703-442-5858 or email us at cooperattendance@fcps.edu to inform us when your child will be absent from school .
Deadline for AAP Level IV Referrals -
January 12, 2018
Parents or guardians of seventh grade students may initiate the full-time AAP Level IV screening process by completing and submitting an Advanced Academic Programs Level IV Referral Form to your child’s school counselor no later than January 12, 2018. Late referrals will not be accepted. AAP Level IV services are available to students in grades 3-8. Students may be found eligible for full-time placement in AAP Level IV Center classes through a central selection process and receive a highly challenging instructional program in science, social studies and English. Multiple criteria are reviewed by a central selection committee to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. More information about AAP services available at the middle school level may be found on the FCPS public website at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle-school-academics-7-8/advanced-academics. If you have any questions after reviewing the information above, please contact your child’s school counselor.
Important Dates
12/6-7 Basketball Tournament at 2:30 pm
12/7 Winter Band Concert at Langley at 7:00 pm
12/11 Spelling Bee at 7:30 am in the cafeteria
12/12 Winter Choir Concert at Langley at 7:00 pm
12/14 Drama field trip
12/15 Holiday Party for Pine Springs ES kindergartners
12/16-1/1 Winter Vacation
1/10 Rising 7th gr curriculum presentation at 9:30 am in Room 130
1/10-11 Winter play at 2:30 pm in the cafeteria
1/11 Rising 7th gr curriculum presentation at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria
1/12 PTO meeting at 9:30 in Room 130
1/12-13 Winter play at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria
1/15 HOLIDAY
1/18 Elective Fair at 6:30 pm
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