IMPORTANT DATES
September 4 & 7, 2026 - Labor Day Holiday Weekend
September 9, 2026 - Back to School Night 6:00 - 7:30PM
September 11, 2026 - PTO General Membership Meeting 9:00AM
🗓️Cooper Calendar
2026-2027 School Year Calendar
Message from Principal McLoughlin
We are incredibly proud of our students as they have started their school year. Students are adjusting to the increased sensitivity on our security machines. We are learning each day which items can go through - some binders do, some don’t depending on the size and even design. We have offered multiple opportunities for students to practice, and we have noticed quite an improvement from last week.
Our teachers have spent time building community and reviewing course objectives and expectations. You will likely notice a difference in assignments this week with an increase in number and rigor.
New this week, students received transportation cards. We have directed students to keep their new lanyards tied to their backpack with the card inside of the backpack. This will ensure they have them when they enter the bus each morning and afternoon.
We look forward to seeing all parents and guardians at our Back to School Night on September 9 at 6PM. Our doors open at 5:30PM.
COOPER MIDDLE SCHOOL BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT 2026
Wednesday, September 9th 6:00–7:30 PM
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:
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 Tuesday 9/8. Printed schedules will not be available.
Back to School Night presentations will be posted in each teacher's Schoology course on Friday 9/11 after 3 PM.
Parking is available at Cooper Middle School (front and back lots) and Holy Trinity Church (850 Balls Hill Rd). Carpooling or ride-sharing is encouraged.
Fall Screening Assessment Notification
The Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) require schools to provide reading and mathematics screening tests for all students in grades 3-8. These assessments are used to evaluate student readiness, identify instructional needs, and track progress over time. Test results help families and teachers know how to support each student’s learning and development.
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Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Math - required for all students who are scheduled to take the spring Standards of Learning (SOL)
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iReady Reading - required for all students who are scheduled to take the spring SOL
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Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) - required for certain students based on other reading performance data
If your student is identified to participate in VALLSS, you will receive additional communication from your student’s school with details about this assessment. Families may also choose to opt-in to VALLSS participation by contacting their student’s teacher.
Teachers assess grade 3-8 students with MAP Math, iReady Reading, and VALLSS in fall, winter, and spring. The Academic Screening, Growth, and Diagnostic Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academic-screening-growth-and-diagnostic-tests) provides more information on these tests.
iReady will be delivered during the classroom instructional block. MAP testing will occur during the school day on September 16, 2026. VALLSS may be delivered within classroom instruction or at another time, such as an intervention or advisory period. The division schedule for iReady, MAP, and VALLSS tests can be found on the Grade Level Tests webpage (https://www.fcps.edu/academics/student-tests-assessments/grade-level-tests). Teachers set specific testing schedules for students in their class.
Based on academic screening results, some students may require a reading plan or math intervention plan. Some students may require additional diagnostic tests to help teachers determine specific areas for support. If you have questions about academic screening, growth, or diagnostic tests, please contact your student’s teacher or the school's test coordinator, Rachel Wolfe (rawolfe1@fcps.edu).
Fall Full-Time AAP Screening
Parents and teachers interested in referring students for the fall full-time AAP screening must submit a full-time AAP referral form to the school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART) by October 15. 2026. Fall 2026 screening is only available to students newly enrolled in FCPS after January 1, 2026, who were not screened in Spring 2026.
For information pertaining to the Fall 2026 screening process, testing and identification timeline or identification and placement, please contact Rachel Wolfe at rawolfe1@fcps.edu.
World Language Credit by Exam (WLCBE)
Students who are proficient in a language other than English can assess language proficiency and earn up to 3 high school world language high school credits by taking the World Language Credit by Exam assessment. To learn more about the exam and how earned credits work, please visit the FCPS World Languages Credit by Exam website.
If you and your child would like to register for the exam, please fill out this Google Form, and Ms. Lewis (klewis1@fcps.edu) will submit the registration. Expect to receive a registration confirmation email within 1-2 school days of your account being registered.
Please make sure you and your child visit the Avant website to make sure you and your student know what to expect from this test, including sample tests and keyboard, computer, and headphone requirements. For more information on how to prepare for the exam and scoring criteria, you may visit the FCPS WLCBE web page.
Cooper Middle School Sports Update: Final Forms
Dear Cooper Middle School Families,
Final Forms is now available for parent registration for Middle School Athletics. To get started:
- Check your email for an account confirmation message from the FinalForms Mailman and click “Confirm Your Account.”
- Create a FinalForms password and select “Confirm Account.”
- Visit https://fairfax-va.finalforms.com/ and log in under the Parent icon.
- Select “Incomplete Forms” next to your student.
- Choose any sports, activities, or clubs in which your student plans to participate, then click “Update.”
- Complete and submit each required form, signing your full name in the parent signature field. A “Forms Finished” message will appear when registration is complete.
- Families may be asked to provide medical and health information, insurance details, physician contact information, hospital preferences, and emergency contacts. If required, students will receive an email prompting them to sign applicable forms. To register additional students, select “My Students.” You may update information at any time by selecting “Update Forms.” If you did not receive a confirmation email, please email Mr. Klena and Mr. Kaden for assistance.
Thank you,
Brian Klena
After School Program Specialist
& Building Use Coordinator
Cooper Middle School
FCPS and Final Forms Intro – Middle School
https://fcps.click/fcpsandfinalformsintromiddleschool
SFTP Parent Playbook
https://fcps.click/sftpparentplaybook
Final Forms Accounts for Families
https://fcps.click/finalformsaccountsforfamilies
🐾 Cooper Middle School Athletics Team Store 🐾
Students planning to participate on a sports team this year—take a second to check out the Cooper Middle School Athletics Team Store and get ready to represent your school in style!
Team Uniforms
The expectation is that Cooper athletes will wear Cooper gear at meets and games. Wearing our school gear helps our teams look united and shows pride in being a Cooper Cougar!
- Uniform tops will be provided by the school to all athletes.
- Coaches will communicate a common color for shorts for each sport.
- Cross Country: All XC athletes are required to wear navy shorts of their choice for meets.
- Cold-weather gear: Sweatshirts and long-sleeve shirts are available through the team store and are great options for cooler practices, meets, and games.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Admissions Process Meeting for 8th Grade Students
The TJHSST information session will be in the Cooper Middle School Lecture Hall directly after school on Monday, September 28 from 2:30 - 3:30 pm. This event is for 8th grade parents and students only. A TJHSST representative will be speaking about the admissions process. For more information, please visit the TJ admissions website: https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/registration/tjhsst-admissions/freshman-application-process
Message from Cooper’s PTO
PTO Support Information
Please consider supporting the Cooper Middle School PTO! Your family membership, tax-deductible donation, sponsorship, and/or volunteer time help fund programs, classroom support, teacher and staff appreciation, campus improvements, and more.
Visit https://cooperpto.membershiptoolkit.com/support to learn more about joining the PTO, donating, corporate matching, purchasing spirit wear, promoting your business with banner sponsorship opportunities, and special projects to enhance your kids' experiences at Cooper.
Throughout the school year, the PTO will also sponsor fun Spirit Events (https://cooperpto.membershiptoolkit.com/events), where participating businesses give back a portion of sales to the PTO.
Questions? Email fundraising@cooperpto.org.
Langley Crew Fall 2026 Learn to Row
📅: Saturdays starting Sep 12 - Nov 7 (no session on 10/31)
📍: Sandy Run State Park Boathouse
10450 Van Thompson Rd.
Fairfax Station, VA
Fee: $200Who May Attend?
1) All participants must be registered as a student at Langley High School or an 8th grader registered at Cooper/Longfellow Middle School who will be attending Langley High School in SY2027/28.
2) All participants must pass a Langley Crew swim test --dates and locations provided during registration.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: https://langleycrew.sportngin.com/register/form/765465081
For more details visit https://www.langleycrew.com or contact us at 📧langleyrowing@gmail.com
After School Registration
Dear Cooper Families,
Cooper Middle School offers free after-school activities every Monday through Friday.
Whether your student wants to join sports, get help with homework, create and compete in STEM clubs, play video games, or attend special events—there is something for everyone!
Key Highlights:
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Free Programs: Running Monday–Friday*
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Bus Transportation: Available 4 days a week. *There are NO LATE BUSES on Friday; pick up/walk home only at 3:30 PM.
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Full Schedule & Details: Coming soon
Action Needed: Complete Registration Today!
Even if your student isn't sure they want to participate right away, we strongly encourage every family to complete the registration form now.
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No obligation: Registering does not require your child to attend.
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Be prepared: Completing this form ensures your student is cleared to join in on any activity, any time during the school year!
👉 Click Here to Complete the Registration Form
Thank you for helping us prepare for a fantastic school year!
Community Updates from our Family Liaison
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Welcome to Advisory 2026-27. Advisory is Block 4 for all students. During the block, students are able to learn about Cooper Culture, testing updates, Digital Citizenship activities, and watch broadcasts from our lovely Broadcast Journalism class. Over the next few weeks they are practicing for safety drills, learning how to use EHall pass, how to use an agenda, SR&R lessons, and have their first QST of the year among many other things. Please ask your children about what they are learning in Advisory! Be curious and ready to listen!
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September 9, 2026 Military Families Welcome BBQ 5:30-7:30 pm at Lake Braddock Secondary School, 9200 Burke Lake Rd, Burke VA 22015
FCPS invites new and returning military-connected families to celebrate the start of the 2026–27 school year at a Welcome BBQ. Families can enjoy food, activities, and an opportunity to meet and connect with other military-connected families from across FCPS. Please register by noon on August 28 at
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepJVFGTrCjGvJ3xCm34JvOlndk424KTKmwbWZl-9Cbaqh2lg/viewform. For any questions, contact: militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
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FCPS- Cox Access Partnership Program for Home Internet Support (Available Now) FCPS partners with Cox Communications through the Cox Access Partnership Program (CAPP) to help eligible K-12 families receive full reimbursement for home internet service. Families must enroll in the Cox Connect2Compete internet plan for $9.95 per month and obtain a PDF confirmation of enrollment from Cox. Higher-tier Cox internet plans are not eligible for reimbursement.
- Eligibility: FCPS K-12 families enrolled in the Cox Connect2Compete internet plan. You obtain a PDF confirmation of enrollment from Cox. Cost is $9.95 per month, eligible for full reimbursement through CAPP. Once a family has enrolled, FCPS staff members can submit a reimbursement notification through the FCPS Tech Support Portal. Questions? Contact FCPS Tech Support Desk, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Mind in the Making, Offered in Spanish (Currently registering. September to October 2026) Families are invited to participate in an eight-week workshop offered in Spanish focused on the Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs. Participants will learn why these skills are important for children's development and explore research-based, practical ways to strengthen them at home. This course will take place on eight Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-noon at Annandale Community Center, 7861 Heritage Dr b, Annandale, VA. Register online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8F3xO5O1GLUblNK4JGFqJte7IWsoKzKveyNUj1ReAs6FjyQ/viewform.
- Upcoming Webinars (All webinars are virtual and free of charge)
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Back to School: Supporting Youth and Families in Fairfax County (Available Now) The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board offers services to support youth and families as students return to school. Programs for teens and caregivers include therapy, psychiatric care, counseling, in-school clinicians, and community-based services. For more information call 703-383-8500. Walk-in services available at Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health.
- CPS Adult and Community Education Adult ESOL Fall Term
Registration is open for the Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) fall term. Scholarships are available for adults who want to strengthen their English language skills. Please check the website for more informaton and registration. https://www.fcpsace.org/info/landing/English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages-ESOL
Attention Parents! We need photos of your students and their Cooper friends for the yearbook. We are specifically looking for photos from last summer, sports, weekends, holidays, first day of school, and students with their families.
Please email any photos you would want to see in the yearbook to Cooperyearbook@gmail.com ASAP. THANK YOU!
From the Yearbook Staff.
Do you want your student to be in the yearbook?
Please email photos to cooperyearbook@gmail.com
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📎 Quick Links:
🌐Cooper MS Website
🧑🏫Counselor Contact Information
💳My School Bucks
🗺️ Transportation Contact
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