Save the Dates
August 29, 2025 - Holiday for all staff and students
September 1, 2025 - Labor Day Holiday for all staff and students
September 4, 2025 - Back to School Night 6:00-7:30PM
September 8, 2025 - After School Activities Fair and first day of late buses
September 9, 2025 - ALL FCPS Schools Closed
September 10, 2025 - After School clubs and activities start
COOPER CALENDAR
2025-2026 School Year Calendar
Message from Principal McLoughlin
I am writing to request your partnership for a safe arrival of all students to school. We encourage all students who are assigned a bus to ride it to school. If you choose to drive your child, please prepare for the additional wait time Kiss and Ride requires, especially on rainy days. That said, we timed entry and exit, and cars that arrived at 7:10 today were able to leave our parking lot in four minutes. Your cooperation is necessary for the safety of our students. Dropping students off anywhere other than Kiss and Ride puts students at risk.
Arrival and Dismissal
Doors at Cooper MS open at 7:10AM - twenty minutes before classes begin.
Morning Arrival
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Walk, bike, or bus to school: These options are encouraged to reduce traffic.
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Drop-off: Please use the designated drop-off area, which is Kiss and Ride. Do not drop off on Balls Hill, Dead Run, or Georgetown Pike. Please pull up as far as you can in Kiss and Ride. By pulling all the way forward, you allow us to exit more students and help reduce congestion.
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Tardiness: Students arriving after 7:30 AM due to drop-off will be marked unexcused tardy beginning Monday, August 25.
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Students will have access to the building beginning promptly at 7:10AM, no earlier.
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Students may enter via Door 7 (Kiss and Ride) or Door 1(walkers and bus riders only).
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Late arriving students and all visitors must enter through Door 1.
Afternoon Pick-Up (Dismissal Starts at 2:15PM)
After School Program 2025 - 2026
Please see the following information regarding the start of after-school...
Monday, September 8th. Late Buses Start
Monday, September 8th.
- A Session. After School Activities Fair in the Cafeteria
- B Session. Open Gym/Open Library
Tuesday, September 9th. Special Election. Teacher Workday/Student Holiday
Wednesday, September 10th. After School clubs and activities start.
After School is available Monday – Friday.
Late Buses are available Monday – Thursday
After School, Monday – Thursday. 2 Sessions, (A. 2:30 – 3:30) (B. 3:30 – 4:30) Parent pick-up is available within that time frame. Late Buses arrive around 4:30 (traffic pending)
After School, Friday. 1 Session, (A. 2:30-3:30) Parent pick-up only
A list of clubs/activities will be posted on CMS webpage. Coming soon.
Students will be enrolled in an After School Schoology group.
Parents must fill out MS after school consent form in the Parent Digital Consent portal.
Fall Sports
Fall sports are back and better than ever! Last season our Girls XC team finished top 10 in the county highlighted by Abby Pickard becoming Cooper's First County Champion. This year FCPS has expanded our program to include both Cross Country and Basketball. Due to roster limitations students will have to try out for basketball. To participate in a fall sports program, students must be registered for the sport of their choice, submit both an up-to-date sports physical and an emergency care form. Forms can be submitted to the front office or sent directly to our Athletic Coordinator: Mr. Kaden jtkaden@fcps.edu
Season Start Dates
Basketball start date 9/8
Cross Country 9/29
Link - MS Fall Sports Registration
Link - MS Sports Physical
Link - Emergency Care Form
Langley Crew Open House and Learn to Row Program for Grades 8 and up
Row with Champions – Join Our Award-winning Langley Crew Team!
Who Can Join? All students in the Langley High School Pyramid, grades 8 and up, no prior rowing experience needed
Open house: Come to our open house on Saturday, Aug 23 at 10:00 am tour the boathouse, meet our coaches, and hear firsthand from current rowers about what it's like to be part of Langley Crew
Learn to Row (8 week program): Fee: $200. Saturdays 10 am from Sep 6 to Sat. Oct 25, 2025 (Must pass swim test to attend)
Where: Sandy Run Park, 10450 Van Thompson Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039
Click the link to register for Learn to Row: https://langleycrew.sportngin.com/register/form/963621379
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Scout Troop 128 Open House
(McLean, VA)
Open House this Sunday, 8/24, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church (6715 Georgetown Pike). Join us for hot dogs, fun and games, a chance to meet the Troop and learn what scouting is all about. (Troop 128 has a boys’ troop and a girls’ troop)
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*NEW* Student ID Numbers Needed for School Meals
Starting this school year, students will enter their student ID number — not their current cafeteria PIN — at the cash register to receive school meals. Please remind your child of their student ID number, which you can find in SIS ParentVUE. View more updates and reminders for school meals this year.
MySchoolBucks
Pay for Lunches with MySchoolBucks
Many families already use MySchoolBucks to add funds to student lunch accounts. It's a quick, secure, and convenient way to pay online—available 24/7 with no fees.
Benefits include:
- No need to send cash or checks to school
- Pay by credit/debit card or electronic check
- Highest security standards (PCI & CISP compliant)
New to MySchoolBucks?
- Visit MySchoolBucks.com
- Add your student using their school name and either Student ID (found in ParentVUE) or birthdate
- Receive a confirmation email and you're ready to go!
Updated Cell Phone Policy for 25-26
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be turned off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Students should store their cell phone in their backpack. Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.
If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at (703)442-5800.
Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone policy, which helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school.
Transportation Information
All bus information is available in SIS. Please check your ParentVue account for your child’s bus information.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
A new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, will allow students, parents/caregivers, and community members to register and search volunteer opportunities in the division.
All volunteers (new or returning) will need to register in Volunteer FCPS, complete a volunteer orientation and be required to sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteers will also be required to undergo a background check. Visit the Volunteer FCPS website for details.
News from the Cooper Clinic
Following is important information regarding immunizations and accessing forms, kindly click on the links below:
Immunization Information
Medication Authorization Form
Authorization for Anaphylaxis Action Plan
Authorization for Virginia Asthma Action Plan
FCPS Specific Health Care Procedure Authorization
Community Updates from our Family Liaison
Family Information Phone Lines: click here
FCPS language lines are available in eight different languages to assist parents who do not speak English as their first language. Make parents aware of this resource. Please note that this service is not for emergencies. Inquiries are responded to within 24 hours.
Family Resource Center (FRC) Family Resource Center (FRC) | Fairfax County Public Schools
The Family Resource Center is open all summer and will be available to help families with resources and consultations. Direct families to the website, text 571-496-8210, email, FRC@fcps.edu, or call (703) 204-3941 for more information or assistance.
Cooper wear Donations (ongoing) – There is a box in the front office for Cooper wear donations to pass on to new families and rising 7th graders. If you no longer need yours, have your student bring it by!
Part-Time Family Liaison
Cooper is looking for a Family Liaison for the 2025-2026 school year. Our family liaison will help families get the information and assistance they need to support their children and to ensure their academic success. The family liaison will welcome and orient families who are new to the school and community and help them understand the school's culture, policies, procedures, and practices. They can also help connect families to resources in the community.
The family liaison position is part-time, 12-14 hours per week.
If you are interested in becoming part of the Cooper team, please contact Daphne Caplis @dcaplis@fcps.edu.
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