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Dear Cardinal Families,
Thank you to all the parents and staff who submitted a nomination for the Cunningham Park Outstanding Employee awards in one of the categories below. We received the most nominations ever for our awards program this year! Please see the names of our staff who were nominated, as well as the ones who will move onto the next round for consideration for Region 1 Outstanding Employees. We are so fortunate to have such a talented, dedicated, and caring staff here at Cunningham Park to work with your children every day!
Outstanding New Principal – Allison Hoak*
Outstanding New Teacher – Ashlyn Lieberman*, Kelsey Patterson
Outstanding Teacher – Meg Burnside*, Amy Beans, Susan Haas, Elena Heyer, Veronica Lowe, Karin Markley, Jennifer McCarthy, Brian Robinson, Ellen Singletary, Julie Wells
Outstanding Operational Employee – Julie Harris*, Jose Lopez, Nicole Madariaga
Outstanding Professional Employee – Jenna Murgia*, Melissa Hughes
*Individual was selected as the winner for Cunningham Park to move to the next round
Thank you for your help in recognizing our deserving staff!
Warmly,
Allison Hoak, Principal
Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal
🗓️ Calendar Reminder: 3-Hour Early Release
Our next early release is Wednesday, December 10, with dismissal at 12:20 PM.
Confirmation emails regarding this early release were sent earlier this week. Please take a moment to review your child's dismissal plan with them. If you have any questions or need to make changes, please call the main office at 703-255-5600 as soon as possible.
📚 Halfway Through Learning about Government and Citizenship in Language Arts 📚
We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 3 in Language Arts! Students have explored how the government works, why it's important, and how laws change.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: What’s one rule at home or school you wish you could change and why?
- Activity: Play a short game (like musical chairs or Simon Says) but change one rule. Discuss how rules help things run smoothly.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
🥁Winter Concert Update🎻
We will be hosting our Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 9 in the Cunningham Park gym.
*Strings Performers: Please arrive at 5:00 pm and go to the cafeteria. Their performance will begin at 5:30 pm in the gym.
*Band and Chorus Performers: Please arrive at 6:00 pm. Band students report to the band room and chorus students report to the music room. This concert will begin at 6:30 in the gym.
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🎁Gift Card Collection
We will be collecting gift cards to help families within our community again this holiday season. Gift cards can be of any amount and are most helpful from stores such as Target and Walmart. We also collect gift cards from Giant for groceries for our families over winter break. Donations can be dropped off in the front office and will directly support families here at Cunningham Park. Please make sure all gift cards are here by December 12, 2025. Questions can be directed to Ms. Lujan at lklujan@fcps.edu. Thank you!
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🚨Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15
Parents and guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) services must submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Jenna Murgia at jlmurgia@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2025.
Each year, families can submit a referral for full-time AAP services any time from the first day of school through December 15. No late referrals for full-time AAP services will be accepted.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs webpage.
🧥Please Donate New or Gently Used Coats
There are still two more weeks to donate! Katy's Coat Drive will run until December 19th. A collection box will be placed in the main lobby.
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❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
💗 FCPS CARES
We are pleased to announce that Meg Burnside, Nicole Maldonado, and Mattie Edmonston have been chosen as the October 2025 CARES of the Month Recipients. Thank you to the family that nominated these amazing educators!
The FCPS CARES Program is your opportunity to say thank you to FCPS employees! We encourage parents, staff, and community members to recognize those who consistently go above and beyond for our students and community. If a CPES employee or group has impressed you with their care and commitment, tell us their story below so they can receive FCPS CARES recognition.
💻 Action Required! Update Your Permission for Google Tools
Google recently made changes to how educational applications are managed and accessed on the Chrome Browser and Chromebooks. Many applications are moving from the Chrome Web Store to the Google Play Store.
To ensure your student(s) can continue accessing all approved instructional tools, FCPS has updated its digital consent platform to include both the Chrome Web Store and the Google Play Store.
Please review and provide your consent for these two new options through our easy-to-use Parent Digital Consent system:
- Additional Google Services – Chrome Web Store
- Additional Google Services – Google Play Store
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting safe and effective digital learning experiences for all students.
For questions or support, please visit FCPS’ Family Technology Resources page or open a ticket with our Technical Support desk.
🙋🏻♀️Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
The new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities at our school or across the school district.
Volunteer FCPS is how FCPS provides a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. Anyone interested in volunteering with FCPS must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using the visitor kiosk on EVERY visit – no exceptions.
Recent Updates to Volunteer Opportunity Levels
Due to the overwhelming response, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
Field trip chaperone opportunities will now be classified as Level 2 (not requiring a comprehensive background check that includes fingerprinting).
To ensure continuous safety, all new volunteers are required to sign a Volunteer Certification Statement. This statement is a legal confirmation that you have no history of violent felonies, physical or sexual crimes against children, or crimes of moral turpitude (dishonesty, fraud, things that are immoral by society’s standards).
Visit the Volunteer FCPS website to complete a volunteer orientation. View Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
FCPS & Pyramid Information
🎤 Share Your Thoughts With Superintendent Reid
At FCPS, parents are partners, working with us to set our students up for long-term success at school.
Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid are underway across the school division to discuss current challenges and future opportunities. We encourage you to attend, share your thoughts, and ask questions about FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:
Click on a date above to register. Child care and interpretation services will be provided. Community Conversations are open to all. Please check FCPS’ website for additional updates.
🧷Diaper Drive
A former Cardinal is working to bring our community together to support families who struggle to afford basic baby essentials. By donating diapers of any size, you can help provide comfort and relief to parents in need. Please drop off diapers in our main lobby. The drive will run from December 8-19. Thank you for supporting our community!
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⛄The Snowman in Concert!
This fun family holiday event is on Saturday, December 6th from 10:30am-12:00pm in the JMHS Auditorium. Enjoy a showing of the animated winter classic Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman with live music! Following the movie, families can enjoy crafts and a chance to meet the Snowman and/or take a picture with Santa.
Tickets will be available in advance at madisonhs.fcps.edu under the Features tab.
“This one of our family’s favorite holiday traditions- we get to enjoy Kennedy Center level performances while staying right here in Vienna. It’s the best of all worlds!”
 🚨Important Dates
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November 26-28: Thanksgiving Holiday
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December 9: Winter Concert
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December 10: 3-Hour Early Release @ 12:20 PM
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December 15: AAP Full-Time Referral Form (grades 2-6) and optional materials due to Jenna Murgia, jlmurgia@fcps.edu.
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December 22 - January 2: Winter Break
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January 5: Classes Resume
Quick Links
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