Cardinal's Message: Student Edition

This week's Cardinal's Message is written especially for the students of Cunningham Park.  It is based on a message sent by Mrs. Le last year to share her thoughts on what is important in education.  She still believes this, and so does Mr. Kemmerer, so this year, it comes from us both.  Please share this with your children, who are the reason we are here. 

Sincerely,

Katie Le, Principal, and Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal

Dear Cardinals,

We see you, we hear you, and we care about you.  It is important to us that you know this because now, students start testing for SOLs, and when you’re testing for SOLs, it’s easy to forget what learning is all about.

It might start to seem like the only reason you learn is to pass these SOL tests. It might even seem like the reason your teachers and we want you to learn is so you will pass these tests.

It’s not.

Your teachers and we want you to learn because it is our privilege to see you grow and be the amazing unique individuals you are.

You are not a number on a test.

You are not a “pass,” “pass advanced,” or otherwise.

You are full of beauty of your own kind. You may be an artist, an athlete, a reader, a philosopher - you are not just one thing, no one word or number describes you. You are made up of millions of qualities, and you will be made up of even more as you grow and continue to learn.

The SOL tests do not measure who you are, how you’ve grown, how smart you are, or how hard you’ve worked.  No test does.

Tests tell how much you remember on that particular day you take the test. They help us know how memorable our lessons are.  They help us decide what and how to teach next year.

SOL tests do not decide who you are, how happy you’ll be, nor how much or what kind of success you will find.  These tests do not determine the joy you will have in life.  

You do that.

By exploring, taking risks, asking questions, reading, collaborating, playing, thinking, trying, failing, trying again, and being you, you decide who are and who you will become.

And your teachers, families, school staff, and we, we’re all here to help.

You are not alone.

We are in this together.

And we are all happy you are here.  Period. No matter what.

So do your best, and relax.  You are you, these tests won’t change that.  

And we’re not here to see your test scores.  We are here to see you.  We are here to hear you.

Love,

Mrs. Le and Mr. Kemmerer ❤️

Thank You!

For your time, generosity, and kindness during this Teacher Appreciation Week and always!

Sincerely,

CPES Staff

P2 Focus Next Week: Other People Matter Next week’s example of the Other People Matter Mindset comes from one of our P2 Partner Schools. This past December, Adam Erbrecht, Principal at Liberty Middle School (in Fairfax County Public Schools), became a living kidney donor. -Postivity Project

Cunningham Park and Thoreau Middle School Join Forces to Feed Vienna Families

Can you imagine starting the weekend not knowing from where your next meal might come?  Families in our own community face this challenge every week, and we can help!  Donate to our joint CPES/ TMS food bank by shopping the list at Amazon.  Use email: thoreaumsfoodbank@gmail.com, and password Thoreaufood.  Needed food will be sent directly to the food bank, where it is sorted and distributed to families in need.

Thank you for your help!

SOL Assessment Schedule

For your planning purposes, below is the testing schedule for SOLs this spring.  All assessments begin at the start of the school day and are untimed, so students may take as much time in one day as they need.  It is helpful to avoid scheduling outside appointments for students on an assessment day.

Dates to Remember

• Sunday, May 12 - Happy Mother's Day!
• Monday, May 13 - 6th Grade Panoramic Photo
• Tuesday, May 14
• 3rd Grade Field Trip to Frying Pan Park
• PTA Meeting, 7:00pm
• Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day Holiday, Schools are Closed
• Monday, June 3 - Friday, June 7 - Spring Book Fair
• Monday, June 3 - Band/ Chorus/ Strings Concert, 6:30pm
• Tuesday, June 4 - Band/ Chorus/ Strings School Assembly, 9:15am
• Thursday, June 6 - Field Day
• Monday, June 10 - 6th Grade Luncheon
• Tuesday, June 11 - News Crew Field Trip to Channel 21
• Wednesday, June 12 - 6th Grade Promotion, 9:30am
• Thursday, June 13 - Last Day of School, 3 Hour Early Release, CPES Dismisses at 12:25pm

A Note from the PTA

1001 Park St., SE Vienna, VA 22180 | Main Office: 703-255-5600
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