Cooper News 9/23

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/23/2026 04:30 PM EDT

IMPORTANT DATES

September 28 - October 2, 2026 - Spirit Week

October 12, 2026 - Student Holiday (School Planning Day)

October 16 & October 19, 2026 - Picture Day

October 30, 2026 - Two Hour Early Release Day - End of First Quarter

 

🗓️Cooper Calendar 

2026-2027 School Year Calendar

Signs of Suicide (SOS Screening)

Parents/Caregivers of our 7th graders

Please refer to the Cooper e-Notify sent to you on September 15th with important details about our upcoming Signs of Suicide (SOS) screening on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026. 

 

Block Schedule for October 14th

block schedule

 

If you are interested in viewing what students will watch/discuss on October 14th during the SOS screening, please join us for an in-person “SOS: Parent Viewing Session”.

Where: Cooper Middle School Lecture Hall

When: Thursday, October 1st from 8-8:30 AM (please plan to arrive about 10 minutes prior; we will start and end promptly)

What: viewing the videos/discussion questions that your 7th grade children will see on October 14th during the SOS screening

RSVP: fill out THIS GOOGLE FORM to indicate that you will attend this viewing session.

parent digital consent

Parent Digital Consent System

Remember to Complete Permission Forms for School Resources

Families can easily grant consent for their children to access a variety of school resources through the Parent Digital Consent system. This online tool can be accessed using your SIS ParentVUE account login. Parents can easily opt their child in or out of a variety of resources, including online educational tools, school counseling services, and more.

Visit the Parent Digital Consent webpage to access the system. Watch this video to see how to use the tool.

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.  

Important: Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30th

Students at Cooper Middle School have met with their assistant principals to review the expectations outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet. Students will also complete SR&R lessons during Advisory.  To reinforce Cooper’s culture and promote appropriate behavior, please review the SR&R materials with your child and complete the SR&R acknowledgment by Wednesday, September 30.

The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.

We ask that families please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.  

Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.

Cellphones and Personal Devices

Students may only use a personal device if it is required as part of a necessary accommodation in the students’ Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. A principal or the principal’s designee may approve a limited, course-specific exception for students enrolled in a specialized class when the curriculum requires a technology tool or software that isn’t available on a standard FCPS-issued device. Learn more about the student device requirement. 

Attendance📅⏰

Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School

School is better when your child is here! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are ok at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example). 

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify the school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let them know how long you think they will be out.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

Importance of Strong Attendance Habits September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:

  • Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
  • Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
  • Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
  • Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
  • Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.

Unexcused Absences

Five (5) Days 

When a student reaches five (5) or more unexcused absences, the Virginia State Code 22.1-254 requires that we reach out to the parent and/or guardian to develop a plan of action for the student.

Ten (10) Days

When a student reaches ten (10) or more unexcused absences, the Code of Virginia, 22.1-254, requires that the parent and/or guardian and the child participate in an attendance conference with designated members from the school’s attendance team.

Fifteen (15) Days

When a student misses fifteen consecutive school days, the student is required to be withdrawn from school.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! 

2e Resources

Twice Exceptional Students

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities. 

Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.

New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS. 

For more information, please contact Rachel Wolfe at (703) 442-5856.

Strategic Plan

Our Focus on Academic Growth and ExcellenceThe FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.

The third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful, including reading on level by third grade. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice. 

NEWS FROM COOPER CLINIC

Vision and hearing screening will be held on Tuesday, September 29th and Wednesday, September 30th for all 7th graders during PE class. 8th grade students who are new to FCPS will also be screened over the next few weeks. The purpose of screening is to identify students who need further evaluation due to difficulty seeing the screening chart or hearing the screening tones. If your child wears glasses, please be sure that glasses are at school on screening day.

Parents will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further evaluation is needed. Prompt follow-up with your health care provider is recommended as vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning. If you would like to assist as a volunteer with the screening process, please contact the School Health Aide at 703-442-5810

American Mathematics Competitions (AMC)10

Cooper will be offering the AMC 10A this year on Thursday, November 5th, after school at 2:30 PM. The AMC 10 is a 25-question, 75-minute multiple-choice examination in high school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. This test is for students in 10th grade and below and covers the high school curriculum up to 10th grade. 

The AMC 8, which we will be hosting in January, is targeted for middle school students in grade 8 and below. The AMC 10 is NOT required for the AMC 8, and historically, the majority of our Cooper students interested in the AMC competitions take only the AMC 8. Details will follow in the coming weeks on how to register for the AMC 8.

If your student is interested in taking the AMC 10A, please sign up using this Google Form (https://forms.gle/XNY1KNaezBz6cVqd9). There will be a $5.00 administrative fee to take the test. The fee can be paid through MySchool Bucks. The deadline to register and pay the fee for AMC 10 is September 29th. As a reminder, the AMC 8 will be offered in January for those who are interested. 

Please contact Lisa Walsh lswalsh1@fcps.edu with any questions.

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

After School Activity Updates

National Science Bowl

Interested in joining National Science Bowl?

The tryout test will take place on Monday, September 28th, from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM (B Session) in the 7th and 8th grade Health Rooms. Students report to the cafeteria immediately after dismissal (2:15)

sticky fingers

Sticky Fingers Cooking

THYME to TURNIP the BEET on WHAT KIDS EAT®

"COOL"INARY COOKING CLUB

STEAM COOKING

GLOBAL TASTE BUDS

COOPER MIDDLE SCHOOL

  • DAYS: THURSDAYS
  • TIME: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • DATES: 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19

OPEN TO ALL 7th AND 8th GRADE STUDENTS!

Get ready for tasty, hands-on cooking adventures delivered right to your school—no kitchen required! Kids whip up wholesome recipes, explore global flavors, and dive into languages, geography, nutrition, and STEAM. All ages, all abilities, all food allergies welcome. It's THYME to stir up creativity, confidence, and lifelong skills!

SCAN QR CODE TO ENROLL!

sfcnova@stickyfingerscooking.com

HANDS-ON! 🍓 ENGAGING 🍋 100% NUT FREE 🧊 ALLERGY FRIENDLY

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:

  1. Check your email for an account confirmation message from the FinalForms Mailman and click “Confirm Your Account.”
  2. Create a FinalForms password and select “Confirm Account.”
  3. Visit https://fairfax-va.finalforms.com/ and log in under the Parent icon.
  4. Select “Incomplete Forms” next to your student.
  5. Choose any sports, activities, or clubs in which your student plans to participate, then click “Update.”
  6. 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.
  7. 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

team store

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.

Visit our Team Store for more information.

Langley HS Football Games

Reminder that if your child is attending a Langley HS Football game, they must be accompanied by an adult. If your students try to attend without at least one adult, they will be turned away at the ticket booth. Also, there are no backpacks/food/drink or athletic equipment allowed in the stadium. We love when Cooper Cougars attend our games and hope they are good representatives of our community. Lastly, at the conclusion of the game, all spectators are expected to leave Langley in a timely fashion.

Click link below to purchase tickets. 

https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/18676/langley-high-school-athletics

 GO SAXONS!!

Superintendent Community Conversations

Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:

Registration is not required, but it helps with planning. 

Community Updates from our Family Liaison

HOW CAN YOUR FAMILY LIAISON HELP?

Think of me as a connector, navigator, and partner.

  • Find the right person, service, or community resource.
  • Navigate ParentVUE, Talking Points, transportation tools, forms, and FCPS processes.
  • Connect early when attendance, transitions, or other barriers affect student success.
  • Find meaningful volunteer, partnership, and family leadership opportunities.

This Week

  • September 25, 2026 at 10:00-11:30 AM. Navigating the Digital Age: Creating Digital Balance as a Family. This session offers caregivers practical strategies for establishing healthy relationships with technology at home. We will explore how to model balanced digital habits, foster open communication, and work as a family to find a healthy balance. You will leave this session with steps on how to create healthy technology habits for the whole family, and how to keep kids connected without technology. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfK-3tnnaDFfbt2SCpv0MSjHhcCvzPbXnCWOTEj_xe2BAXFjA/viewform
  • September 26 – October 4, 2026 Blue Star Welcome Week. Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate, and schools are a primary way they get integrated into their new location. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community. Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS and Cooper will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections. Please help us welcome our military families during Blue Star Welcome Week, September 26 through October 4, 2026, and throughout the year! #BlueStarWelcomeWeekFCPS 

Upcoming

  • September 25, 2026 at 10:00-11:30 AM. Navigating the Digital Age: Creating Digital Balance as a Family. This session offers caregivers practical strategies for establishing healthy relationships with technology at home. We will explore how to model balanced digital habits, foster open communication, and work as a family to find a healthy balance. You will leave this session with steps on how to create healthy technology habits for the whole family, and how to keep kids connected without technology. Register here!
  • October 7, 2026 PEATC Special Education Webinar Series. PEATC’s 2026 virtual webinar series will help families better understand the special education process, including eligibility, IEPs, 504 Plans, and family-school collaboration. Families may attend only the sessions that best meet their needs. 
  • October 8, 2026 Langley Boys Youth Volleyball Night. Activities at both the JV games and Varsity games. Lots of prizes, fun and goodies for the kids to take home. Event starts at 5:45pm in the Langley High School main gym.  Youth wearing jerseys  get in for free.
  • October 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Springhill Elementary School. Superintendent Community Conversations. Families are invited to attend a series of community conversations across the school division. Participants can share their thoughts and ask questions of Superintendent Dr. Reid. 
  • November. Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students.Families, educators, and community members are invited to this free conference focused on partnerships that support student success. The event will include an opening session, breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch.

Ongoing

  • Teen Nights. Teens ages 12–18 are invited to enjoy free activities in a safe and supervised environment on Friday and Saturday evenings. Activities include open gym, board and card games, table tennis, parties, talent shows, karaoke, and more.
    • Date: Fridays and Saturdays
    • Time: 6:00–10:00 p.m.
    • Location: Mott Community Center, Lorton Community Center, Sully Community Center, Hybla Valley Community Center, Gum Springs Community Center, Jim Scott Community Center, Cathy Hudgins Community Center at Southgate, James Lee Community Center, Reston Teen Center, and Minnie H. Peyton Community Center at Bailey’s
    • Cost: Free
    • Eligibility: Teens ages 12–18
  • Parenting Programs. Free virtual and in-person parenting classes are available for Fairfax County parents and caregivers of children ages 0–18. Classes cover positive and effective parenting strategies for every age and stage. Dinner and child care are provided.
  • Inova Free or Low-Cost Healthcare for Kids. Inova offers health care services and support for children and families, including help applying for or renewing Medicaid and FAMIS, primary care for children with Medicaid or no insurance, free virtual cooking classes, and care coordination for children with special health care needs.
    • Eligibility: Services and eligibility vary by program.
    • Contact: Partnership for Healthier Communities, PHC@inova.org, 703-698-2550
    • Contact: Inova Cares for Children, 703-531-3100
    • Contact: Care Connection for Children, CareConnectionforChildrenNOVA@inova.org, 703-698-2450
    • See flyers: (English/Spanish)

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.

Reporting Discrimination or Harassment

FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible. 

Volunteer

Interested in Volunteering with FCPS? Learn more and sign up at https://www.fcps.edu/get-involved/volunteer-fcps.  Cooper will need volunteers throughout the school year to help with afterschool activities, field trips, and educational trips. Become a part of our vibrant community and help shape the future by volunteering today!

yearbook

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

📎 Quick Links: 

🌐 Cooper MS Website 

🧑‍🏫 Counselor Contact Information

💳 My School Bucks 

🗺️ Transportation Contact 

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