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Dear Cardinal Families,
Thank you to the many families who have already met with your child’s teacher before or after school. These conversations strengthen the partnership that helps every learner belong, wonder, and grow. If you haven’t scheduled a fall conference yet, please reach out to your child’s teacher. We hope to connect with every family.
We’ve also noticed an increase in student absences recently. Every school day brings opportunities to learn, build friendships, and be part of our community. Please make every effort to have your child attend each day and arrive on time. If your child is ill, please keep them home and notify the school. Thank you for partnering with us to help every Cardinal thrive!
Warmly,
Allison Hoak, Principal
Jon Kemmerer, Assistant Principal
📅Quarter End, Early Release, Student Holidays
Friday, October 30, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students. Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 2, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 3, for a teacher workday. See the complete school year calendar.
To celebrate Digital Citizenship Week, we will have a different theme every day next week.
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Monday, October 19: Critical Hats: Wear your favorite hat or thinking cap to represent your sharp mind! Use your critical thinking to spot fact from fiction online.
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Tuesday, October 20: Secret Identity: Wear all white to represent keeping your personal information safe online.
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Wednesday, October 21: Leave a Heroic Mark: Wear crazy socks or bright sneakers to represent the positive digital footprints you choose to make every day.
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Thursday, October 22: Dynamic Squad: Class matching day! Show unity and strength together in a digital world. Remember, kindness is your ultimate superpower.
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Friday, October 23: Power Down: Wear pajamas to celebrate turning off screens and giving your superhero brain time to rest and recharge.
📖New Literacy Webinar Series
Our reading specialist, Vicki Mansuy, would like all parents to know that FCPS is presenting a literacy webinar series to help families understand reading assessments, reading plans, and how to support their child at home. Please reach out to Ms. Mansuy at vlmansuy@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
The series and topics are as follows:
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October 20th at 10:00 AM: Understanding Reading Assessments and Your Child
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December 15th at 10:00 AM: What is a Reading Plan?
Register for the webinars here
🔤Lexia Family Information Sessions
Want to learn more about Lexia® Core5 and Lexia® PowerUp? These virtual sessions share how FCPS is using both programs in classrooms across the division this school year to support students’ literacy growth and give families a chance to ask questions.
Every one-hour session covers the same content. Choose the option that works best for your family:
- Wednesday, October 21, at 5 and 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Join a Lexia Family Information Night Session.
📚Introduction to Dyslexia Webinar – What Is It and What Does It Mean for My Student?
Participants will look at the definition of dyslexia and its impact on students including the different types of dyslexia and what support students with dyslexia require. Participants will also leave with activities and tips to support their students at home.
- Friday, October 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Register for the Introduction to Dyslexia webinar.
🌟Advanced Academics Program - Important Date
AAP Full-Time Referrals Due on December 15, 2026
AAP Full-Time Referral Form (grades 2-6) and optional materials due to Jenna Murgia, jlmurgia@fcps.edu. Please reach out to Ms. Murgia if you have any questions.
📒Storybook Character Parade for Preschoolers, Kindergarteners & 1st Graders
We are excited to announce our annual Book Character Parade for students in Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, and 1st Graders to celebrate reading and their favorite storybook characters.
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When: Friday, October 30, from approximately 8:50 a.m. to 9:10 a.m.
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What: Students are invited to dress up as their favorite book character and parade through the school hallways.
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Costumes: Please keep them simple! Homemade costumes are encouraged.
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The Book: Students should carry the book that features their character. If you need a copy of the book, please contact the library, as we have many popular titles.
Parents of Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, and 1st Graders are invited to watch the parade! The children will march directly through the cafeteria, where you can gather to cheer them on.
If you have any questions, please contact our librarian, Ms. Christiansen at jjchristians@fcps.edu.
💗Help Celebrate our CPES Staff!
It’s time to celebrate the amazing people who make Cunningham Park such a special place! Nominations are open for the FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards, and we’d love your help recognizing our dedicated teachers and staff.
Use the link below to submit a nomination. The dropdown menu will take you to the form for the award category you’ve selected. It should take about five minutes to complete, and you may nominate more than one Cunningham Park employee in different categories. If a nomination moves forward in the FCPS process, you’ll be contacted to share more information and specific examples. Thank you for helping us celebrate our wonderful staff!
Outstanding Employee Nomination Form
Nominations due by November 2, 2026
Pyramid News
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Date and Time: Friday, November 13th from 9:30 – 10:30 AM
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Location: Flint Hill Elementary, 2444 Flint Hill Rd, Vienna, VA 22181
When children experience anxiety, their feelings can sometimes seem overwhelming-for them and for the adults who love them. This practical and supportive session will help parents better understand childhood anxiety, recognize what may be happening beneath challenging behaviors, and learn strategies to respond with confidence and compassion. Participants will leave with a 1-page takeaway guide for immediate use at home.
Led by experienced social workers, Catherine Campane, Christina Hunt and Traci Reno, this session will provide parents with tools to support emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, strengthen connection, and help children build confidence and coping skills-without dismissing or amplifying their worries.
If you cannot attend in person, you can join the Zoom meeting.
FCPS News
FCPS Is Participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5)
Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information.
FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers
FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.
Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:
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Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.
Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find meeting sign-up forms on the Middle School AAP Centers page.
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:
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
🏫Connected Communities, Thriving Students
Register now for the annual Special Education Family Conference: Connected Communities, Thriving Students. The free conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS in collaboration with community partners, the conference highlights the power of partnerships in supporting student success. Families, educators, and community members are invited to connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall with local resources, and lunch for all participants.
Register for the conference and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
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