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Dear Cardinal Families,
At our school, we often talk about the power of community, and this week that spirit was on full display. I am incredibly grateful to share that the Westwood Cares Foundation has presented our school with a generous gift to support food security for our families.
This contribution ensures our students have access to the nutrition they need to thrive, highlighting why strong community partnerships are so vital to our success. When we work together with local organizations, we build a foundation of support that allows our children to focus entirely on learning. On behalf of our entire staff, thank you to the Westwood Cares Foundation for being such a dedicated partner in supporting our students.
Warmly,
Allison Hoak, Principal
Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal
📅Calendar Reminders and Updates
Reminder: Friday, April 10 is a school planning day and there is NO SCHOOL for students.
There will be NO SCHOOL for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on April 21 at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
💌Parent Input for Class Placement for the 26-27 School Year
As we look toward the fall, our team is beginning the thoughtful process of creating next year’s class lists. Our Homeroom and Specials teachers spend significant time reflecting on the school year and discussing the students they have come to know so well. This work is careful and thorough, focused on building balanced, positive communities rather than simply assigning students to specific teachers.
While we value social connections, we also encourage students to remain open to forming new friendships. Because we are a small school with only 2–3 teachers per grade level, our placement options are limited. If you choose to offer input, please focus on your top priority regarding your child’s unique needs or friendships.
If you have information to share, please complete the Parent Input for Class Placement Form by Friday, May 1, 2026. Your input is optional, and we ask that you do not request specific teachers or individual conferences for placement. Please submit a separate form for each child if you have multiple students. Any requests received after the deadline will not be considered. While we take your perspective into account, the final decision on class placement rests with our school team.
Thank you for your partnership and for respecting our process as we prepare for another wonderful year.
🧥Lost and Found
Our Lost and Found is currently overflowing with sweatshirts, lunch boxes, and water bottles. Please have your child check for any missing items this week. Parents are also welcome to stop by and take a look.
All unclaimed items will be donated to charity on Friday, April 17.
To help us return items to you in the future, please remember to label your child's belongings with their name. Thank you for your help!
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💜Celebrate "Purple Up" Day with Us!
We have a very special celebration on Wednesday, April 15. It is "Purple Up! For Military Kids" Day. We invite all students and staff to wear purple to show our support and thank our military-connected children for their strength and sacrifices. Let’s turn our hallways into a sea of purple!
🖼️Madison Pyramid Art Show
Come out and enjoy a night of seeing amazing art from some of our Cardinal Artists, as well as the other elementary Schools in our pyramid, Thoreau Middle School, and Madison High School. Stop by for a few minutes or stay the whole time!
When: April 15, 2026
Where: Madison High School, 2500 James Madison Dr, Vienna, VA 22181
Time: 5:30 -7:00 pm
📚 Finishing Up Journeys and Themes in Language Arts 📚
Benchmark Unit 6 in Language Arts is coming to a close! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about the different lessons that stories across cultures can teach us.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: If you could go on an adventure like one of the characters you’ve read about in this unit, which one would it be and why?
- Activity: Ask your child to imagine that they’re going on an adventure. Ask them to draw the items they’ll need to take with them. Would their supplies be different if the adventure was underwater or somewhere very cold?
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.
Kindergarten Orientation
Our kindergarten orientation will now be held on Wednesday, MAY 13 at 1:30 pm to give parents of students entering school in August an opportunity to learn more about kindergarten at our school. Your rising kindergarten should attend this event as well. Students will meet teachers and participate in an activity in the classroom while parents learn about CPES.
Contact our registrar, Nicole Madariaga, at njmadariaga@fcps.edu or 703-255-5602 to register your child today!
FCPS Information
Help FCPS Sustain Excellence: Make Your Voice Heard on the FY 2027 Budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There are several upcoming opportunities to provide feedback to the county on its budget before final adoption in May. This includes public budget hearings (April 14-16) and an online survey. Learn how the FCPS budget helps us sustain our excellence.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on:
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but it helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
2026 Special Education Family Conference
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School.
Dr. Shelley Moore will deliver the keynote address on The Evolution of Inclusion. It will look at how the goals of inclusion have continued to shift and evolve, as we learn more about diversity and identity. Participants will be invited to reflect on their own contexts and consider next steps for advocacy and action.
Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Confirm your attendance for this year’s conference.
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💗FCPS CARES
If a Cunningham Park employee or group has impressed you with their care and commitment, tell us their story below so they can receive FCPS CARES recognition. Submit an FCPS CARES today!
🚨Important Dates
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April 10: No School | School Planning Day
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April 15: Purple Up Day for Military Kids - Wear Purple
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April 15: Madison Pyramid Art Show 5:30-7:00 PM
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April 21: No School | Statewide Election Day
Quick Links
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