Save the Dates
August 29, 2025 - Holiday for all Staff
September 1, 2025 - Labor Day Holiday for all staff and students
September 4, 2025 - FLE Parent Preview (Lecture Hall) 5:00-6:00PM
September 4, 2025 - Back to School Night 6:00-8:00PM
September 8, 2025 - After School Activities Fair and first day of late buses
September 9, 2025 - ALL FCPS Schools Closed
COOPER CALENDAR
2025-2026 School Year Calendar
Message from Principal McLoughlin
We appreciate your ongoing cooperation in ensuring students arrive at Cooper safely and on time. Transportation has been working to balance buses and pick-up times for our bus riders. If you choose to drive your child, your patience is appreciated. I have been posted on the corner of Dead Run and Georgetown Pike each morning because I am concerned about student safety at an intersection where buses are exiting. Kiss and Ride remains the safest location for your child’s arrival to our building. Our administrators and safety team will continue to monitor arrival procedures and are grateful for the solution-focused conversations we’ve had with parents to better understand and address traffic issues.
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COOPER MIDDLE SCHOOL
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT 2025
Thursday, September 4th
6:00 - 7:30PM
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- This is a parent/guardian-only event.
- Parents/guardians may arrive starting at 5:30 PM. Our cafeteria will be set up with tables showcasing:
- Cooper’s PTO including spirit-wear items
- Cooper’s After School Activities program
- Old Firehouse McLean
- Parents/guardians should check their SIS ParentVUE account to access their child’s schedule for the evening and/or bring the printed schedule their child will complete and bring home on Thursday 9/4. Printed schedules will not be available.
- Back to School Night presentations will be posted in each teacher's Schoology course on Friday 9/5 after 3PM.
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Parking is available at Cooper Middle School (front and back lots) and Holy Trinity Church (850 Balls Hill Road). Carpooling or ride-sharing is encouraged.
After School Program 2025 - 2026
Thursday, September 4: After-School Activities posted on our website and available at BTSN.
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 through Friday. Late buses run Monday through Thursday.
On Mondays through Thursdays there are two sessions: A Session is from 2:30 – 3:30PM and B Session is from 3:30 – 4:30. Late Buses arrive around 4:30 (traffic pending). Parents may choose to pick up their child at the end of either session. On Fridays, there is only one session from 2:30-3:30PM and requires a parent pick up.
A list of clubs/activities will be posted on CMS webpage and available on Back to School Night on September 4. 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.
Cross Country is Back!
Last season our Girls XC team finished top 10 in the county highlighted by Abby Pickard becoming Cooper’s First County Champion. To participate in a fall sports program, students must be registered, 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
Cross Country 9/29
Basketball - TBD - Basketball registration has paused. Stay tuned for updates in the near future.
Link - MS Fall Sports Registration
Link - MS Sports Physical
Link - Emergency Care Form
*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
Volunteers are a vital part of Cooper Middle School, and we value their time and dedication. To enhance student safety, FCPS has updated its volunteer process to include sex offender registry checks and, in some cases, background checks.
We invite all who are interested in becoming a volunteer to register through Volunteer FCPS. Click “Learn More,” then “Sign Up” to create a profile, watch the orientation video, and complete the application.
All volunteers — including field trip chaperones, book fair helpers and classroom assistants — must be registered. Those working unsupervised with students will also need a background check.
We know these changes may be new for long-time volunteers, but they help ensure every student feels safe and supported.
Reminder: All volunteers and visitors must sign in using the visitor kiosk and scan their ID. For more details, visit the Volunteer FCPS FAQ page.
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!
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