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Dear Cardinal Families,
As we close out the month of October and begin November there are many celebrations and days of recognition to include Diwali, All Saints Day and Veterans Day. We also have early release days on October 28 at 12:25 pm (staff training) and October 31 at 1:25 pm (end of quarter). All families received a confirmation email last week for your dismissal selection for this day. Last minute changes are not encouraged as we are carefully planning to ensure all students are dismissed correctly. If any changes are necessary, please notify the main office at 703-255-5600.
If you are planning to travel in October or November, there are several opportunities to do so that will not impact your child’s school attendance. Due to the end of the quarter, as well as holidays, students have off on November 1, 4, 5, 11, 27, 28 and 29.
Please keep these dates in mind if you are planning to travel and do your best to avoid traveling on the days when school is in session. As we shared at the beginning of the year, Fairfax County Public Schools does not consider travel an excused absence. We want to help ensure students are present in school as much as possible in November and ask for your help with this as you make any plans. Thank you for your help with this important information.
Warmly,
Allison Hoak, Principal
Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal
This fall, all students in grades K-2 and some students in grade 3 were assessed using a new screener, VALLSS. Be on the lookout for a report detailing information about the screener and your child’s score.
- For families with SIS ParentVue accounts, this will be available October 25 in the documents section.
- If you have not yet set up your ParentVue, we will send home a paper copy of the score report the following week. If you need assistance setting up your account, please email Nicole Madariaga at njmadariaga@fcps.edu.
- 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!
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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 mrbrinkhuis@fcps.edu.
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 mnhupp@fcps.edu.
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 jlmurgia@fcps.edu with any questions.
Pyramid Information
All Madison seniors participate in the MAD WINGS program, a 30-hour volunteer career shadowing / community service opportunity at a senior’s choice of business or service organization in May of their senior year. This year, the Senior WINGS Experience dates are May 12 - May 28, 2025.
We are seeking additional organizations to sponsor one or more seniors for their WINGS Experience. As parents, we know you have many contacts in the local community with businesses and organizations. More information can be found on the Madison website.
Please consider giving students an opportunity to career shadow at your business/community service organization and forward to anyone who may be interested in supporting. Sign up by completing this form by Thursday, October 31st.
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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.
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