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Dear Cardinal Families,
We recently hosted our Annual Kindergarten Orientation, and while we were welcoming our newest students, I realized the advice we shared applies to all our families. Whether you have a rising Kindergartener or a rising 6th grader, these three habits will help you finish the year strong and prep for a great summer:
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Stick to the Routine: The school day is long and demanding. Help your child stay focused and regulated by prioritizing a consistent routine and plenty of sleep through the final bell.
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The "August Reset": Don't wait for the night before school to adjust! Starting in early August, gradually shift bedtimes and wake-up calls earlier so everyone is adjusted before the first day.
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Label Everything: Help us help you! Please put names on water bottles, jackets, and lunchboxes. If it has a name, we can return it to your child immediately instead of adding it to our growing Lost & Found.
Let's keep these habits going as we head into the home stretch of the school year!
Warmly,
Allison Hoak, Principal
Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal
🕺🏽Variety Show 2026
We are excited to announce this year’s Variety Show for 4th–6th grade students on Monday, June 1! Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are invited to showcase their talents through singing, dancing, playing an instrument, acting, and more. Families must complete this form for their child to participate in the Variety Show. Students who would like to perform are also required to attend tryouts.
Tryouts: Monday, June 1st at 3:30 PM in Ms. Mangels’ room
Performance: Thursday, June 4th at 5:30 PM in the gym
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Mangels at emmangels@fcps.edu. We can’t wait to see all the amazing performances!
🎼CPES Spring Music Concerts
We are so excited to invite you to our upcoming Spring Concerts on Wednesday, June 3, held right here in the school gym! Please note the following details for performers:
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Strings will perform at 5:30 PM in the gym. Performers arrive at 5:00 PM.
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Band & Chorus will perform at 6:15 PM. Performers will arrive at 5:45 PM.
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🏃🏽♂️Field Day
Cunningham Park Field Day will take place on Friday, June 5th. Each grade level will have a one- hour Field Day time slot that will take the place of their specials for this day.
The field day schedule is below. Please note the times for grades Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and 4th grade have changed.
To prepare for this active day, Mrs. Petty will be teaching the games during PE classes over the next couple week.
Thank you to our specialists: Mr. Robinson, Ms. Singletary, Ms. Collazos, Ms. Christiansen, and Ms. Howell for supporting field day by leading a station.
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6th and 3rd grade: 8:50-9:50
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5th and 4th grade: 9:50-10:50
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Kindergarten and 1st grade: 12:00-1:00
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2nd grade: 1:00-2:00
Cardinal Relay!
At 3:00 on Friday June 5, all are invited to come watch the CPES Cardinal Relay out on the side softball field. Runners in grades 3-6 will represent the red, blue & green teams as they run the infield & pass the baton trying to see who will be the first team to have all members cross home plate. Non-runners in grades 3-6 and students in grades K-2 are invited to come sit on the hill and cheer for their team color runners.
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🚀 You’re Invited to join us to "Kick Off A Summer of Awe"
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When: June 11 from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- The stations will NOT take the entire time so feel free to come when you can during the 1.5 hour block.
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Start Line: Door 1 - we moved this event indoors
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The Mission: Every student will be officially commissioned as a Modern Explorer. Come collect your Expedition Logbook, get it "officially sealed," and learn the secret spy codes used 250 years ago!
This isn't just an event—it's the launchpad for your student’s summer of discovery. You’ll leave with snacks, a journal full of secrets, and everything you need to document a summer of Awe.
A Special Thanks: We are grateful to the Fairfax250 Commission for sponsoring this event as part of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
See you at the starting line—don't be late for takeoff!
📚 Finishing Up Our Uncovering of History in Language Arts
Benchmark Unit 7 in Language Arts is coming to a close! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about history and culture.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: What’s the most interesting thing you learned during this unit? Why is it so interesting?
- Activity: Design a family crest or symbol. Work together to draw and decorate a family coat of arms that represents your history, values, traditions, or favorite activities.
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.
Apply Now for FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start Programs
The FCPS PreK programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children ages 4 and 3 years old by September 30 who live in Fairfax County. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; students who are 4 years old and those with multiple risk factors are prioritized.
Applications are accepted online, by email, or by mail or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
If you a have question about the application process or status, please call 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish) or by email at fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu .
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📱New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell.
High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year
Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:
- Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
- Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
- Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.
📅Spring Assessments have Started!
Standards of Learning (SOL) tests have started. Please see the full schedule below:
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Grade
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SOL Content Areas Tested
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3
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Reading (5/19), ✔️Mathematics (5/12)
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4
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✔️Reading (5/8), ✔️Mathematics (5/15)
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5
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Science (5/18), ✔️Reading (5/7), ✔️Mathematics (5/14)
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6
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✔️Reading (5/5), ✔️Mathematics (5/15)
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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!
FCPS Information
💵Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update
On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget.
Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.
🧩Solving Fun Puzzle Pals
The Solving Fun Puzzle Pals have been busy getting ready for the 3rd Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Puzzle Hunt — and it’s only three weeks away!
This FREE event is open to solvers of all ages and is a great way to keep students and families engaged in fun, creative problem-solving over the summer. It also teaches bike and pedestrian safety and encourages active transportation.
☀️Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas
Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School.
Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
🚨Important Dates
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May 25: No School | Holiday
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May 26: No School | Teacher Workday
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May 27: No School | Holiday
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June 1-5: Book Fair
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June 3: Strings, Band, and Chorus Concert (see above for times)
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June 5: Field Day
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June 8-12: Grades K-5 Class Parties
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June 11: Expedition of Awe Picnic from 5:00-6:30 PM
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June 15-17: Special 6th Grade Promotion Events
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June 17: Last Day of School, dismissal at 1:20 PM
Quick Links
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