FCPS

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Return to School Information

We are excited to be one step closer to returning to a typical operating school schedule and to provide all Cooper in-person students with four days of in-person instruction starting April 20.  We expect that all in-person students will shift to four days a week and understand that some families have requested to continue the current schedule with two days of synchronous instruction at home.  Please consider the implications before making this request, some of which include:

• Moving to four days a week is preparing our students for a more traditional schedule with five days of school in the fall.
• Attendance tracking - it is important that we are aware of your student’s location all four in-person days of the week.  All in-person students will be coded in SIS.  We will need to manually change your student’s attendance to reflect two days a week.  This will need to be a permanent change for the remainder of the school year.
• Bus routes are being adjusted to include all in-person students four days a week, which will impact pick up/drop off times.
• Group work and student-to-student interactions are also impacted.  
• A SOL testing calendar has been established and your student will need to report to Cooper on the assigned testing day Tuesday-Friday, regardless of the two days of the week your student currently attends.

We strongly encourage you to send your student to school four days a week. Our system has moved all in-person students to four days a week starting April 20, there is no action on your part.  Please contact Annie Eisman at adeisman@fcps.edu only if you would like to request your child to remain at two days a week of in-person instruction.  We are unable to accommodate any requests for changes from virtual to in-person instruction.

Transportation Information

Bus information will be available in SIS ParentVue as students transition back to 4 days of in-person instruction.  Select the tab 'Student Info' to view your student’s bus stop location, pick up time, and drop off time.  Particularly the week of April 20th, it is strongly recommended that your student arrives at the bus stop 10 minutes early should the bus is slightly ahead of schedule.  Please ensure that your student knows his or her bus number to board the correct bus at dismissal to go home.

Kiss and Ride: Please prepare for more traffic entering and exiting the Kiss and Ride location.  As a reminder, please make sure to pull as far forward as possible and remain patient as we prioritize a safe arrival dismissal process for our students.

Congratulations to Cooper’s Science Olympiad team! 

For the first time in Cooper history, we have qualified for the National Science Olympiad competition!  The team had an excellent showing at the State Competition in March. 

The following students earned 1st place medals in an event:

     Amy Key                      Mia Tripathi

     Harry Han                    Nishka Shah

     Rachel Ku                    Marta Anvelt

     Justin Kim                    Matthew Kim

     Sohil Kadam

Other members of the State Team include: 

     Daniella Wu                  Phoebe Pan

     Ella Zhang                    Ray Zhang

     Isabella Zhang              Arnaav Ketineni

     Oliver Yung                   Noah McFadden

The team finished with an impressive  (4) 1st  place events,  (5) 2nd place events, and (2) 3rd place events in the State competition!!

The National tournament will be held virtually on May 22nd.  Tara Bansal, Lang Xiong and Shriya Jaddu are joining us as welcome additions to our National team.  We couldn’t be prouder of these hardworking Science Olympians and look forward to rooting them on at Nationals!

After School Running Club 

*Transportation will not be available. Families will need to make their own arrangements. 

+Students will be able to access the form using their fcpsschools.net email

Vision and Hearing Screening Opt - Out

Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction has granted a waiver of the statutory requirement for vision and hearing screenings that allows parents to “opt-out” of screenings under the following conditions:

• Virtual Attendance Only. The student attends school on an entirely virtual basis during the 2020-2021 school year
• Parental Opt-Out. A parent declines vision and hearing screening services in writing and submits such writing to the student’s school
• Notice of Screening Benefits. Prior to declining, the parent has been informed of the benefits of vision and hearing screens for a student’s health and wellbeing.

If you would like to opt your student out of the vision and hearing screening for any of the reasons listed above, please complete the opt-out form

COVID-19 Vaccines and the Vaccination Process in Fairfax County: A Webinar for Families

Join the Fairfax County Health Department and the Fairfax County Public Schools Parent Resource Center for important updates about COVID-19 and the vaccines that have been developed to help prevent disease.

Topics will include:

• COVID-19 impacts (health, economic, education)
• The vaccine
• Community immunity: What is it and How do we get there?
• Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines— how they work and their effectiveness 
• Safety of vaccines
• Vaccination process: Eligibility and How to register

1. Tuesday April 20:     Session in English – Register here
2. Tuesday May 4:       Session in Vietnamese – Register here
3. Tuesday May 11:     Session in Korean – Register here
4. Tuesday May 18:     Session in Arabic – Register here

•  Sessions are subject to change or cancellation based on number of registrations

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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We hope everyone had a wonderful spring break!   We have been so happy to welcome all of our students back to class this week and kick off the fourth quarter!

Monday, Dr. Brabrand shared with the community the FCPS plan for moving forward based on the new social distancing guidelines from the CDC. In that communication, Dr. Brabrand acknowledged that each school's implementation of the guidelines will look different. We are currently working on identifying additional students utilizing a MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) process and will notify those impacted families.  Should the community spread change from a high community transmission rate (we will stay at 6 feet social distancing at secondary schools during this community transmission level). When we have the ability to bring in even more students, we will be back in touch with the specific details.  While it is our desire to include as many current in-person students in school four days a week as we can, we must continue to focus on safety and mitigation procedures. We appreciate your ongoing patience and understanding as we continue to navigate the updated guidance.  

SOL Notification

Thank you to the families who have already provided a response regarding SOL testing.  If you have not yet responded, please review the information posted on the Cooper webpage about SOL testing this spring (notification letter and information video) and complete the intention form by Friday, April 9th.  Responses are needed from all families - whether your child will participate in testing or if testing will be refused - in order to coordinate the appropriate transportation and food services.

https://cooperms.fcps.edu/announcements/sol-parent-notification-information-2020-2021

FLE lessons week of April 13th

Attention Cooper Families! Next week from April 13-16th students will begin the Human Growth and Development (HGD) lessons as part of Family Life Education (FLE). These lessons can be sensitive in nature and Cooper’s Health and Physical Education  (HPE) Department is here to educate and support all students through this curriculum.  As our teachers will create a safe and positive space for our in-person students, we ask for your support at home if your student is a virtual learner.  In order to maximize the learning opportunity:

1. consider having your student utilize headphones during HPE or engage in a learning space without younger siblings.
2. consider engaging your student in dialogue around the content to help further their understanding.

This form was provided at the beginning of the school year and we understand that your circumstances may have changed since that time.  If you would like your student to opt-out from this upcoming curriculum unit, please complete the opt-out form that aligns with your student’s grade level: 7th grade opt out form, 8th grade opt out form.  If you plan to opt your student out of the Human Growth and Development Lessons, this form is due no later than April 9th (this Friday).  If your student will participate in the lessons, then there is no action needed.

Thank you for your support!  If you have concerns or questions about the FLE instruction, please contact Kristin Sandridge at kmsandridge@fcps.edu. 

Vision and Hearing Screening

Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction has granted a waiver of the statutory requirement for vision and hearing screenings that allows parents to “opt-out” of screenings under the following conditions: 

• Virtual Attendance Only. The student attends school on an entirely virtual basis during the 2020-2021 school year
• Parental Opt-Out. A parent declines vision and hearing screening services in writing and submits such writing to the student’s school
• Notice of Screening Benefits. Prior to declining, the parent has been informed of the benefits of vision and hearing screens for a student’s health and wellbeing.

If you would like to opt your student out of the vision and hearing screening for any of the reasons listed above, please complete the opt-out form and return it to Aubrey at ahopkinsmidg@fcps.edu no later than April 21st.

Unreturned Library Books

Ultimately, there are no fines and fees for books lost last year due to the pandemic, but school libraries have been asked to make one last push to get as many books returned as possible. While we don’t have as many overdue books as some schools do, we have lost just shy of $3,000.00 worth of library assets in overdue/lost books.

          Books still out from Cooper Library September 2019 – June 2020

Grade # Of Students # Of Books Out Total Loss 7th Graders 59 97 $1288.00 8th Graders 36 46 $562.00 (last year's) 8th Graders 84 89 $1099.00 TOTALS 179 232 $2949.00

Overdue notices will be going out to students through their fcpsschools.net account and to the enrolling parent email address in the next two weeks.  If you receive a notice, please take the time to take one last look through the house to see if the books can be found.  Some of the missing books are from elementary school.  If an elementary school book is found, you can return it to that school or bring it to Cooper. If you know the books are absolutely lost, please let me know.

Please email the librarian, Mrs. Psaltis at lmpsaltis@fcps.edu with any questions.

Summer Courses Online

A reminder that FCPS Online Campus Summer Courses are open for registration and available to eligible middle school students who meet prerequisites and technical requirements.  Students may take one online course for the first time or repeat credit.  Middle school students may not take a mathematics course during the summer as their first-high school level mathematics course.  Courses are rigorous; therefore, students should consult their counselor prior to registering.  Program information is available at Summer Learning.

JEI Mini-PhD Program

Learning the Scientific Method from Hypothesis to Publication (Rising 8th through 10th grade students)

•   The Journal of Emerging Investigators (JEI) team at Harvard University is conducting a FREE Mini-PhD program (virtual) this summer. Review this website to learn more. Application deadline is May 1, 2021

NOVA Fab Lab Design

Challenge (MS, HS)

• NOVA Fab Lab Design Challenge is now open! Students are invited to invent and design a product(s) for eventual fabrication (using 3D-printing and/or laser cutting) transforming typical household items or materials into a toy or game. Application deadline is April 15th, 2021.

2021 CTE Summer Enrichment

Camps (Grades 7 -11)

•   The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is offering two enrichment programs this year - Tech Adventure Camp and CTE Summer Academy. Registration for both camps will begin in February. For more information, please visit CTE Summer Academy at bit.ly/FCPS_CSA

Opportunities offered by organizations other than Fairfax County Public Schools are neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Fairfax County School Board, the Superintendent, or a specific school.

Virtual CAD & Programming for Young Scholars

The TJHSST's FTC Robotics team worked with middle schoolers last year on Saturdays to teach about robotics using LEGO robotics kits. Unfortunately, these in-person sessions were not possible to organize this year, so the team has been working on developing their own curriculum for a free, virtual, school-year camp for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. The only resource needed to access these camps are an FCPS laptop. 

The camp will be split into two curriculums: 1) classes on Computer Aided Design (CAD), for students to learn how to virtually design their own robots; and 2) robotics-related programming taught in the programming language Python. Students may choose to participate in one or both classes. Each class will last for 6 weeks, making both a total of 12 weeks from March 27th to June 12th. These sessions will be on Saturdays and take place from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Students will be emailed a Blackboard Collaborate link to join at these times, similar to how one would join a regular school-day class.

Although the CAD camp has already started, they have posted recordings of the sessions in their Google Classroom (this information will be sent in an email to those who sign up) so

students can watch those if they wish to participate in the CAD classes now. They can also sign up for the Programming course, which will be starting on May 1st. More information can be found on the following website: https://www.robotuprising.org/camps/. You may also Register Here.

Skill, Not Will: The Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach Webinar for Families

Join us for the important session to learn some key strategies from the Collaborative Problem Solving® approach to manage challenging behavior. 

The Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach:

• Promotes the understanding that challenging kids lack the skill (problem-solving, flexibility, and frustration tolerance) - not the will - to behave
• Focuses on collaborating with the child/youth/young adult to solve the problems leading to challenging behavior and building the skills they need to succeed.

Avoids void the use of power, control, and motivational procedures and instead 

Presented by staff from United Methodist Family Services: Carmen Dailey, Organizational Learning Manager, and CPS Certified Trainer.

Friday April 9, 2021 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Register for Skill, Not Will: The Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach Webinar for Families

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Dear Parents,

Reminder that Monday, April 5th, is a teacher work day. Your students do not check in with their 4th block teacher. We hope you had a wonderful break and your students have refreshed their minds to finish the school year healthy and strong. 

• The Virginia Department of Health urges all Virginians to avoid non-essential travel, especially if you are at higher risk of serious COVID-19 or if you will be visiting someone at higher risk of serious COVID-19. This recommendation applies to everyone, even if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 or have fully recovered from COVID-19.
• FCPS does not currently have travel restrictions. Students are not required to quarantine or provide COVID 19 test results for either domestic or international travel. Parents may opt to keep their students at home for 14 days after they return from travel, however, it is not required.
• Upon returning, any student, staff member or visitor demonstrating symptoms of illness is asked to stay home to help “Stop the Spread” of COVID-19.

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Today is the last day of the third quarter. School will dismiss at 12:00pm 

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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FCPS Standard Calendar for School Year 2020-21

• March 24th and 25th Catch-up Days (Students will follow their scheduled in-person/virtual learning plan, new content will not be introduced during class)

• March 26th End of Third Quarter - 2 hour early release

• March 29-April 2  Spring Break

• April 5th  Student Holiday - Teacher Workday, no school

• May 31   Memorial Day - no school

• June 11   Last Day of School - 2 hour early release

Spring Break Office Hours

The Cooper front office will not be open the week of Spring Break (March 29th-April 2nd). The office will reopen on Monday, April 5th. 

After School Arduino Club

If your student has a desire to learn how things work, enjoy taking apart objects just to tinker with the electronics and view the mechanisms, encourage them to join the Arduino club! Have your student complete the interest form. Applications due by April 2nd.

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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FCPS Standard Calendar for School Year 2020-21

1. March 24th and 25th Catch-up Days (Students will follow their scheduled in-person/virtual learning plan, new content will not be introduced during class)

2. March 26th End of Third Quarter - 2 hour early release

3. March 29-April 2  Spring Break
4. April 5th  Student Holiday - Teacher Workday, no school
5. May 31   Memorial Day - no school
6. June 11   Last Day of School - 2 hour early release

SCA Hosted Events

The SCA is hosting fun events for your student to get involved. 

1. Minute to Win it Students have five challenges to choose from (or complete all five!), then submit a video of them completing the challenge by March 18th.
2. Nailed it! (details for how to enter are in Schoology)

   • Beginner bakers get a picture and recipe to follow.

   • Advanced Bakers will have a photo as inspiration and no recipe! (Any flavor cake/filling you’d like! Doesn’t have to be exactly like the photo, just something like it!) 

   • Entries are due by March 22nd 

Picture Retakes

Picture retakes will be on Friday, March 19th (students last name A-K) and on Tuesday, March 23rd (students with last name L-Z).  Students can get their pictures retaken during lunch if attending in person or from 2:30-3:30 after school for students attending school virtually.  More information will be sent directly from Lifetouch.

Substance Abuse Community Resource

Cooper’s substance abuse prevention specialist Kelly Rankin was  invited to present and sit on a panel discussion with the  McLean District Station Citizens Advisory Committee, Students Advisory Sub-Committee SAS, Youth & School Safety Program. The topic will be "Fighting and Overcoming Addiction in Times of COVID-19: Support System and Community Resources.” This is a virtual event for both parents and students on March 18th 4:30-6:00. Please register in advance. 

Special Education: Understanding the Process and Collaborating with Your School Webinar     

Join us for this important webinar to learn:

• What is Special Education?
• How do children qualify for services?
• What is Least Restrictive Environment?
• What is the difference between accommodations and modifications?
• What is an IEP?
• What are the roles and responsibilities of IEP team members?
• How can I work with the school team to develop an IEP?
• How do I advocate for my child at school and in the IEP process?

Friday March 19, 2021, 10 - 11:30 a.m. 

Register for Special Education: Understanding the Process and Collaborating with Your School 

Summer Online Courses

A reminder that FCPS Online Campus Summer Courses are open for registration and available to eligible middle school students who meet prerequisites and technical requirements.  Students may take one online course for the first time or repeat credit.  Middle school students may not take a mathematics course during the summer as their first-high school level mathematics course.  Courses are rigorous; therefore, students should consult their counselor prior to registering.  Program information is available at Summer Learning.

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Per the Student Health and Safety Guidance Document, a Daily Health Screening Questionnaire will continue to be required for all students and staff attending in-person instruction / work. These daily health screening questionnaires will be completed on an honor basis and will not be required to be submitted to the school.  Any student, staff or visitor demonstrating symptoms of illness should stay home to help “Stop the Spread” of COVID-19. 

You are encouraged to print the graphic below and post in your home where you and your student will see it as a reminder before leaving for school.

Your Views and Opinions Are Important to Us!

This spring all Cooper parents/guardians will be contacted through email with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Online.  This questionnaire is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include instructional leadership, school climate, human resources management, organizational management, communication and community relations and professionalism. Understanding that this has been an unusual year, the impacts of COVID-19 will be taken into consideration when reviewing the feedback.

The questionnaire will be collected online between March 8 and March 19. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire.

Your opinions matter!

Picture Retakes

Picture retakes will be on Friday, March 19th (students last name A-K) and on Tuesday, March 23rd (students with last name L-Z).  Students can get their pictures retaken during lunch if attending in person or from 2:30-3:30 after school for students attending school virtually.  More information will be sent directly from Lifetouch.

Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series

• Effectively Communicating with Your Child
• Parents/guardians will be provided an overview of the components of communication
• Parents/guardians will review strategies to increase effective communication with their child

Thursday March 18, 2021, 10 - 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Register for Effectively Communicating with Your Child

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Reminder:  Monday, March 8 is a Student Holiday

Monday, March 8th, is a previously scheduled teacher workday and student holiday.  There will be no asynchronous assignments or check-ins specific to Monday.

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Friday, March 5th

Friday, March 5th is a two hour early release day.  Cooper will be following this schedule.  Please notice there is no block 4 this day, and the order of the other even-day classes is adjusted.

Yearbook Pictures

Due to the later date for picture retakes, your student’s retake photo cannot be included in the yearbook.

However, if you would still like to submit a candid or portrait of your student for the yearbook, we will accept photos through March 12th. We are hoping to get some new “first day of school” photos over the next few weeks!

If your student was not photographed by Lifetouch, our chosen school photographer, we ask you to submit a portrait through Herff Jones's eShare application. The deadline for eShare portrait submissions is March 12th. 

Please follow the school's guidelines for portraits:

• Portraits must be submitted through Herff Jones eShare
• Color photos only
• Plain/neutral background preferred
• Full face view, facing forward
• Clothing and jewelry must fit school dress code guidelines
• No creative filters or photographic treatments
• No weapons or hand signs of any kind

You may access the eShare application in a variety of ways: 

• On the web @ http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=Cooper
• On the web @ www.hjeshare.com. Use school code Cooper. On the mobile app for iPhone or Android. Please search HJ eShare in your App Store. Use school code Cooper

Check out this how-to video: https://herffjones.wistia.com/medias/qaz0mrbp43. If you prefer to read the instructions, please review the attached PDF. ​

As a reminder, the deadline to submit a portrait through eShare is January 22nd. 

You can also submit other photos of your student from this school year that may be used in other parts of the book!

And don't forget to purchase a yearbook at www.yearbookordercenter.com. Use school code 5267

Picture Retakes

Picture retakes will be on Friday, March 19th (students last name A-K) and on Tuesday, March 23rd (students with last name L-Z).  Students can get their pictures retaken during lunch if attending in person or from 2:30-3:30 after school for students attending school virtually.  More information will be sent directly from Lifetouch.

Girl Scout troops in your area are forming or welcoming new members!  Girl Scouts have been development leadership programming for girls for over 100 years.  Troops are meeting virtually and in-person to experience friendship while exploring arts, STEM, the outdoors, service to others, entrepreneurship, and more. To learn more, contact Sydney Sweeney at ssweeney@gscnc.org or search for troops near you at https://www.gscnc.org/join.

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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We look forward to welcoming more students back to Cooper next week (8th graders starting on March 2nd and 7th graders starting on March 9th)!

Feb. 25 and 26th Asynchronous Instruction Days

In preparing the building for our students to return, FCPS has designated two asynchronous learning days, Thursday February 25 and Friday, February 26 for teacher planning and classroom preparation. Students will treat the days as we do Mondays, logging onto BBCU for attendance reporting at 8:45AM through Block 4 on both days.  Students will be assigned asynchronous assignments from each class to complete independently.

Transportation Information

Bus information is available in SIS ParentVue.  Select the tab 'Student Info' to view your student’s bus stop location, pick up time, and drop off time.  It is recommended that your student arrives at the bus stop 10 minutes early should the bus is slightly ahead of schedule.  Please ensure that your student knows his or her bus number to board the correct bus at dismissal to go home.

Return to Learn and  FCPS issued Laptops

As we prepare for the students to return to the building, please review the following technology tips.

• Ensure that your student's laptop is labeled with their first and last name.  A white card and plastic adhesive pocket were provided to each student at device pickup in August.
• Your student should bring their laptop charger to school daily.  Before your student returns to the building, have them take a moment to label the charger with their full name.  If the charger is lost there is a $28 replacement fee that can be paid on MySchoolBucks.
• Please have your student bring a set of headphones or earbuds to school each day. 
• Remind your student to restart the 1:1 device daily.  This allows the laptop to run updates and clears the memory. Have your student get into the practice of charging the laptop overnight in a location near their other school supplies.
• The use of the FCPS 1:1 device is strongly encouraged over the use of a personal device since they will automatically connect to FCPS's wifi.  Personal devices, if used, will need to complete an onboarding process.  Due to mitigation processes we will not be able to assist students with onboarding their personal devices. They will need to download the correct onboarding directions prior to entering the building and then complete the process once here. Onboarding directions can be found on the FCPS website and on the Office Hours & Tech Support class in Schoology.
• If your child is having issues with their FCPS 1:1 device, or needs to  request to get a device, please use the parent support or student support request portal.

Attendance Information

Please communicate with the school if your student will be absent from class virtually or in-person. The Cooper Website provides several ways in which you can communicate any absences from a class and/or for the day.  We appreciate your support with this matter.

Cooper’s Got Talent

The following five people were selected to be in the finals of Cooper’s Got Talent:

Geoffrey Yuan

Alyssa Sun

Harry Shattock

Naina Kumar

Dylan Thomas

Wondering what their talents are? See for yourself at the Cooper’s Got Talent/Movie Night event! Join us on Friday (February 26) at 7:00 pm! We will be showing Jumanji (1995), Jurassic Park, and Ratatouille! All your student has to do is fill out the form linked here!

World Language Credit Exam- Registration Closes This Week

The 2021 Credit Exam for World Languages will take place in March of 2021.  Students who take the credit exam have the opportunity to earn up to three (3) credits, based on demonstrated proficiency.

This exam assesses thirty (30) languages. In order to offer the test in all languages while maintaining a safe testing environment, some languages will be tested online.  For details on which tests will be online vs in-person, please visit the Credit Exam for World Languages webpage.

• Languages tested online will be between March 2, 2021 and March 10, 2021
• Languages tested in person on March 13, 2021 and March 20, 2021 (Saturdays)

Students must register for the exam through their school counselor by February 26, 2021. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Cooper and Langley Chorus Concert Link

If you missed the Cooper and Langley chorus concert, it is can be viewed by following the Concert Link.

The program for the event is viewable as well at the Program Link.

 

Friday, March 5th

Friday, March 5th is a two hour early release day.  Cooper will be following the schedule below.  Please take notice, there is no block 4 this day, and the order of the other even-day classes has changed.

Picture Retakes

Picture retakes will be on Friday, March 19th (students last name A-K) and on Tuesday, March 23rd (students with last name L-Z).  Students may have their pictures retaken during lunch if attending in person or 2:30-3:15 for students attending school virtually.  More information will be sent directly from Lifetouch.

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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We hope you saw the special edition News You Choose yesterday with important information around returning to the building.  We held a Town Hall this morning and the recording can be found here.

Today’s News You Choose is all about celebration!

Cooper and Langley Choir joint performance 

Congratulations to the Cooper Choir students taking part in a combined concert with the Langley Choir this evening. The event will be virtual and recorded for you to view at a later date. 

We are proud of you for the hard work and practice that you have put in for this special performance! 

Science Olympiad

We finished 1st place in the Hooke Regional Competition, qualifying for the State Science Olympiad Tournament.

The team won so many medals that it would take too long to list them all!!!  The following teams had the prestigious accomplishment of finishing 1st in their events:

Crime Busters:  Noah McFadden and Justin Kim

Digital Structures:  Lang Xiong and Isabella Zhang

Fossils:  Ray Zhang and Isabella Zhang

Water Quality:  Justin Kim and Nishka Shah

Road Scholar:  Nate Minton and Ella Zhang

Heredity:  Madeleine Meng and Mia Tripathi

Disease Detectives:  Phoebe Pan and Daniella Wu

Meteorology:  Marta Anvelt and Amy Key

Write It CAD It:  Sohil Kadam and Oliver Yung

Ornithology:  Armaan Sethi and Oliver Yung

Density Lab:  Marta Anvelt and Arnav Ketineni

Code Busters:  Harry Han, Amy Key and Rachel Ku

Reach for the Stars:  Phoebe Pan and Armaan Sethi

Dynamic Plant:  Harry Han and Sohil Kadam

Helicopter:  Arnav Ketineni and Matthew Kim

Vehicle Design:  Marta Anvelt and Matthew Kim

We couldn’t be more proud of all of you.  You’ve worked so hard in a challenging year and your results speak for themselves!!  Here we come States!!

Congrats to all our team members!!!!

Marta Anvelt

Rachel Ku

Nishka Shah

Tara Bansal

Noah McFadden

Kriesh Tivare

Andrew Choi

Madeleine Meng

Mia Tripathi

Harry Han

Nate Minton

Daniella Wu

Shriya Jaddu

Shumvobi Mitra

Lang Xiong

Sohil Kadam

Phoebe Pan

Zachary Yellen

Arnav Ketineni

Benjamin Pham

Oliver Yung

Amy Key

Divyanshi Raut

Ella Zhang

Justin Kim

Armaan Sethi

Ray Zhang

Matthew Kim

Avreen Sethi

Isabella Zhang

Mathcounts

Congratulations to our 15 Mathcounts team members who participated in the 2021 Mathcounts Chapter competition which was held virtually this year. The students worked hard to solve some very challenging math problems and performed very well overall. Cooper had 8 students that qualified for the next round, the Chapter Invitational! This invite only event will take place in the evening of February 25 and top performers will be invited to the state Mathcounts competition in March! Congratulations again to our team members!

Jason Chang Rachel Ku Ashley Chon Justin Lee Daniel Feng Brendan Li Claire Guo Ian Liao Emily Hur Pheobe Pan Danna Jia Daniel Yeum Justin Kim Andy Zhang Katherine Ku   Langley Assistant Coach of the Year

Big congratulations to Jimmy Kaden (8th grade HPE teacher) on being named Assistant Coach of the Year at Langley!

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Asynchronous Instructional Days

In preparing the building for our students to return, FCPS has designated two asynchronous learning days, Thursday February 25 and Friday, February 26 for teacher planning and classroom preparation. Students will treat the days as we do Mondays, logging onto BBCU for state-mandated attendance reporting at 8:45AM through Block 4 on both days.  Students will then be assigned asynchronous assignments from each class to complete independently.

Change in Virtual/In-person Selection

As we finalize plans for group 8 to return to school, we understand that your circumstances may have changed.  If you want to request a change to your child’s instructional designation (in person or virtual), please complete this form by 4:00pm Wednesday, February 17. You may request moving from virtual to in person or from in person to virtual.  Completing this form does not guarantee a change in designation.  Families will be notified if space becomes available. 

Return to School Town Hall Feb. 17th at 9:15AM

Join the Cooper Middle Administrators for a Town Hall to discuss the Return to School plan. Please RSVP with your interest in order to receive the meeting link. If your schedule does not allow you to attend during this time, the meeting will be recorded and posted for you to view at your convenience. 

Bell Schedule Bus Assignments

Transportation will email bus assignments today, Feb. 16th. You can view your student’s bus assignment by using your SIS Parent VUE.

Return to In-Person Instruction

This information pertains to students who have already selected to return to in-person instruction.

What days will my student attend in-person and what days will be online?

Last names A-K

• Monday- virtual Block 4 Check in
• Tuesday and Wednesday- attend class in-person
• Thursday and Friday- attend class online

Last names L-Z

• Monday- virtual block 4 Check in
• Tuesday and Wednesday- attend class online
• Thursdays and Fridays- attend class in-person

In-Person Return Dates

Students who have selected in-person instruction will return to the building 2 days per week in March. Please carefully review the dates to determine the first day your student(s) will return to the building.

March 2- 8th graders- last names A-K return

March 4- 8th graders- last names L-Z return

March 9- 7th graders- last names A-K return

March 11- 7th graders- last names L-Z return

FCPS-issued Laptops

As we prepare for our students to return to the building, please be sure that you are using your FCPS-issued laptop regularly. FCPS laptops are optimized to work on the school network, unlike devices you may be using at home. Additionally, many school programs and tests are required to be run on your FCPS laptop. If you have not been using your FCPS laptop regularly, please begin doing so now to prepare yourself to bring it every day you are in the building. If your laptop requires updates, drive to the nearest FCPS school and turn the laptop on in the parking lot. The laptop will connect to the FCPS network and download important updates. Please submit an IT request if you are having difficulty with your school laptops.

Instructional Preference

All Parents/Guardians- Please check your student’s instructional preference in ParentVUE.

Log onto ParentVUE or StudentVUE and click on the ‘Student Info’ tab and scroll down to the ‘Return to School Response’ section. If you need assistance, please contact your student’s counselor. 

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Elective Supply Pick-up

If you missed Monday's Elective pick-up, please come to Cooper between the hours of 7:00am-3:00pm. We are happy to provide you with your student's supplies.  

If your student is taking one of the following classes this semester, we have instructional materials for you:

• FACS 
• Engineering Design and Model 
• Engineering Simulation and Fabrication 
• Technical Theatre 
• Art
• Computers in Art
• Art Extensions 
• Art Foundations
• World Language
• 7th grader taking Spanish 1A
• 7th grader taking French 1A

Cooper Talent Show

Talent video submissions can be submitted through Feb. 10th to participate in this year's talent show. Use this form to share your talent (your student will have access to the form using their @fcpsschools.net email). 

Cooper Trivia Night Hosted by the SCA

The SCA is hosting a Virtual Trivia Night on Friday, February 12th.

Students can advise us if they plan to come by completing this google form (your student will have access to the form using their @fcpsschools.net email).

Change in virtual/in-person selection

As we finalize plans for group 8 to return to school, we understand that your circumstances may have changed.  If you want to request a change to your child’s instructional designation (in person or virtual), please complete this form by Wednesday, February 17. You may request moving from virtual to in person and from in person to virtual.  Completing this form does not guarantee a change in designation.  Families will be notified if space becomes available. 

Return to School Town Hall Feb. 17th at 9:15AM

Join the Cooper Middle Administrators for a Town Hall to discuss the Return to School plan. Please RSVP with your interest in order to receive the meeting link. If your schedule does not allow you to attend during this time, the meeting will be recorded and posted for you to view at your convenience. 

Office Hours & Academic Supports

We want to remind our students and families about the variety of supports available to foster academic success. As we continue to navigate distance learning and prepare for concurrent instruction, we encourage students to connect with their teachers during office hours.  All teachers have office hours during block 4 from 9:35-10:25, and one day after school (either Tuesday or Thursday from 2:30-2:30).  Students can find the list of their teachers after school office hours in the “Office Hours & Tech Support” class and is also on the website here.  Office hours are a great opportunity for students to connect with their teachers, ask questions, and get academic support.

World Language Credit Exam

The 2021 Credit Exam for World Languages will take place in March of 2021.  Students who take the credit exam have the opportunity to earn up to three (3) credits, based on demonstrated proficiency.

Thirty (30) languages will be assessed via the FCPS Credit Exam.  In order to offer the test in all languages while maintaining a safe testing environment, some languages will be tested online and some will be tested in person.  For details on which tests will be online vs in-person, please visit the Credit Exam for World Languages webpage.

• Languages tested online will be between March 2, 2021 and March 10, 2021
• Languages tested in person on March 13, 2021 and March 20, 2021 (Saturdays)

Registration opens Monday, February 8, 2021, at 8:00AM and closes on Tuesday, February 26, 2021, at 4:00PM.  Students must register for the exam through their school counselor by February 26, 2021. Late registrations will not be accepted.

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Feb 8th Elective Supply Pick-up

Elective supply pick-up will be on Monday, February 8th from 9AM-4PM. Please park and enter Door 1, where you will be greeted and receive materials. We ask that you adhere to social distancing standards. Masks are required (acceptable masks are posted below in the infographic).  

Families are invited to pick up instructional materials for the following classes:

• FACS 
• Engineering Design and Model 
• Engineering Simulation and Fabrication 
• Technical Theatre 
• Art
• Computers in Art
• Art Extensions 
• Art Foundations
• World Language
• 7th grader taking Spanish 1A
• 7th grader taking French 1A

If your child is taking any of the above listed courses, please come to Cooper during the following windows based on the first letter of your last name.  Time slots have been created to reduce traffic; however, if the time proves difficult, feel free to come during a different window.  

Last name: A-K

9am-12pm

Last name: L-Z

12pm-3pm

Make-up Time

3pm-4pm

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

National School Counseling Week Feb 1-5

February 1-5 is National School Counseling Week, a time to highlight the tremendous impact school counselors and the student services office have in helping students succeed every day. For going above and beyond in all that you do, we salute you.

Please send a note to your counselor to share your appreciation by using our form; the form will close Friday morning. 

Feb 8th Elective Supply Pick-up

Elective supply pick-up will be on Monday, February 8th from 9AM-4PM. Please park and enter Door 1, where you will be greeted and receive materials. We ask that you adhere to social distancing standards. Masks are required (acceptable masks are posted below in the infographic).  

Families are invited to pick up instructional materials for the following classes:

• FACS 
• Engineering Design and Model 
• Engineering Simulation and Fabrication 
• Technical Theatre 
• Art
• Computers in Art
• Art Extensions 
• Art Foundations
• World Language
• 7th grader taking Spanish 1A
• 7th grader taking French 1A

If your child is taking any of the above listed courses, please come to Cooper during the following windows based on the first letter of your last name.  Time slots have been created to reduce traffic; however, if the time proves difficult, feel free to come during a different window.  

Last name: A-K 9am-12pm Last name: L-Z 12pm-3pm Make-up Time 3pm-4pm

 

Return to School Timeline Update:

The FCPS School Board approved the Return to School timeline during their meeting on February 2, 2021.

Cooper students who have elected to attend school in-person will return on the following schedule: 

8th Grade - Week of March 2

7th Grade - Week of March 9

Selected Students in special programs - February 16

New Bell Schedule for ALL students will begin February 16:  7:30-2:00 PM.

Return to School Town Hall Feb. 17th at 9:15AM

Join the Cooper Middle Administrators for a Town Hall to discuss the Return to School plan. Pease RSVP with your interest in order to receive the meeting link. If your schedule does not allow you to attend during this time, the meeting will be recorded and posted for you to view at your convenience. 

Fight Hunger in our Neighborhoods: Donate to the Stuff the Bus Food Drive February 6

On Saturday, Saturday, February 6, from 10AM to 3PM, buses will be parked at locations throughout Fairfax County to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries as part of the Stuff the Bus Food Drive. Buses will be in less-frequented lots—including the Board of Supervisors’ offices, schools, libraries, and the Pennino building—to allow donors to comply with social distancing recommendations.

For those who are unable to donate in person, monetary donations can be made by visiting the websites of the partner nonprofits serving our community.

See the complete list of food drop-off locations, what to put on your shopping list to donate, and tips for donating safely at Stuff the Bus.

Submit your Students' photo for the yearbook!

We extended the deadline to Friday, February 5th. Instructions are below.

Also, encourage your student(s) to complete this form for a chance to WIN A FREE YEARBOOK!

If your student was not photographed by Lifetouch, our school photographer, we ask you to submit a portrait through Herff Jones's eShare application. 

Please follow the school's guidelines for portraits:

• Portraits must be submitted through Herff Jones eShare
• Color photos only
• Plain/neutral background preferred
• Full face view, facing forward
• Clothing and jewelry must fit school dress code guidelines
• No creative filters or photographic treatments
• No weapons or hand signs of any kind

You may access the eShare application in a variety of ways: 

• On the web @ http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=Cooper
• On the web @ http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/index.html. Use school code Cooper. On the mobile app for iPhone or Android. Please search HJ eShare in your App Store. Use school code Cooper

You are encouraged to also submit candid photos of your student from this school year that may be used in other parts of the book!

And don't forget to purchase a yearbook at www.yearbookordercenter.com. Use school code 5267.

Thank you! 

From your Journalism Staff

World Language Credit Exam

The 2021 Credit Exam for World Languages will take place in March of 2021.  Students who take the credit exam have the opportunity to earn up to three (3) credits, based on demonstrated proficiency.

Thirty (30) languages will be assessed via the FCPS Credit Exam.  In order to offer the test in all languages while maintaining a safe testing environment, some languages will be tested online and some will be tested in person.  For details on which tests will be online vs in-person, please visit the Credit Exam for World Languages webpage.

• Languages tested online will be between March 2, 2021 and March 10, 2021
• Languages tested in person on March 13, 2021 and March 20, 2021 (Saturdays)

Registration opens Monday, February 8, 2021, at 8:00AM and closes on Tuesday, February 26, 2021, at 4:00PM.  Students must register for the exam through their school counselor by February 26, 2021. Late registrations will not be accepted.

Cooper Trivia Night Hosted by the SCA

The SCA is hosting a Virtual Trivia Night on Friday, February 12th.

Students can advise us if they plan to come by completing this google form.

Cooper Talent Show

Submit your video by Feb. 10th to participate in this year's talent show. 

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Help Fight Hunger in our Neighborhoods: Donate to the Stuff the Bus Food Drive on January 30 and February 6

On Saturday, January 30, and Saturday, February 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., buses will be parked at locations throughout Fairfax County to collect nonperishable food donations for area food pantries as part of the Stuff the Bus Food Drive. Buses will be in less-frequented lots—including the Board of Supervisors’ offices, schools, libraries, and the Pennino building—to allow donors to comply with social distancing recommendations.

For those who are unable to donate in person, monetary donations can be made by visiting the websites of the partner nonprofits serving our community.

See the complete list of food drop-off locations, what to put on your shopping list to donate, and tips for donating safely at Stuff the Bus.

Online Application for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology Opens February 1; Deadline to Apply Is February 26

The online application for students interested in applying for admission to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), a Regional Governor’s School in Fairfax County focused on science and technology, will be available beginning Monday, February 1, at 8 a.m. The application will be posted on the admissions web page. 

The Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the admissions process that will be used to select students for the class of 2025. The changes include using a comprehensive review aimed at improving diversity and access.

Qualified applicants will be enrolled in Honors Algebra or beyond, Honors Science, and one other honors course (waivers available for honors requirements this year only), along with achieving a core grade point average of 3.5. Applicants will also complete a Student Portrait Sheet and problem-solving essay, which will be administered later this spring and are not a part of the initial application.

Applications must be submitted by Friday, February 26, at 4 p.m. Visit the TJHSST admissions website for more information. 

Please contact Jill Donnelly, Cooper’s TJ liaison with any additional questions.

    National School Counseling Week Feb 1-5.

February 1-5 is National School Counseling Week, a time to highlight the tremendous impact school counselors and the student services office have in helping students succeed every day. For going above and beyond in all that you do, we salute you:

Laura Wiley, 7th Grade Counselor (A-K)

Michele Saint Germain, 7th Grade Counselor (L-Z)

Josh Chambers, 8th Grade Counselor (A-K)

Jill Donnelly, 8th Grade Counselor (L-Z)

Please send a note to your counselor to share your appreciation by using our form!  

There are over 300 students who have not taken or submitted a portrait for the yearbook!

We extended the deadline to Friday, February 5th. Instructions are below.

Also, encourage your student(s) to complete this form for a chance to WIN A FREE YEARBOOK!

If your student was not photographed by Lifetouch, our school photographer, we ask you to submit a portrait through Herff Jones's eShare application. 

Please follow the school's guidelines for portraits:

• Portraits must be submitted through Herff Jones eShare
• Color photos only

Plain/neutral background preferred

Full face view, facing forward

Clothing and jewelry must fit school dress code guidelines

No creative filters or photographic treatments

No weapons or hand signs of any kind

You may access the eShare application in a variety of ways: 

• On the web @ http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=Cooper
• On the web @ www.hjeshare.com. Use school code Cooper. On the mobile app for iPhone or Android. Please search HJ eShare in your App Store. Use school code Cooper

Review this how-to video: https://herffjones.wistia.com/medias/qaz0mrbp43.

You are encouraged to also submit candid photos of your student from this school year, that may be used in other parts of the book!

And don't forget to purchase a yearbook at www.yearbookordercenter.com. Use school code 5267 

Thank you! 

From your journalism staff

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Second Semester Class Schedules in SIS

Updated second semester schedules will be available to students and parents in SIS accounts on Monday, January 25 at 3PM.  Schoology courses will update on Tuesday, January 26.  

On or after Tuesday, January 26 this form will be available to share any second semester course concerns.  Your counselor will respond to your concern by February 5.  Due to the complexities of this year’s schedule, course options may be limited.   

Also, please note that a block 4 change is likely for all students.    

For information pertaining to the ParentVue SIS, please review this link.  Students can watch a tutorial to access their course information here.

A video has been made to help students reorganize their Schoology pages with their new 2nd semester classes. 

 

Below is a screenshot that you will see on Schoology if it is helpful!

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

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Calendar Reminders

• January 20th - Inauguration Day (School Holiday)
• January 21st - Full Odd Day Schedule
• January 22nd - 2 Hour Early Release Even Schedule - “Catch Up Day”
• January 25th - Student Holiday (Teacher Workday)

Second Semester Class Schedules in SIS

Updated second semester schedules will be available to students and parents in SIS accounts on Monday, January 25 at 3PM.  Schoology courses will update on Tuesday, January 26.  

On or after Tuesday, January 26 this form will be available to share any second semester course questions.  Your counselor will respond by February 5.  Due to the complexities of this year’s schedule, course options may be limited.   

Also, please note that a block 4 change is likely for all students.    

For information pertaining to the ParentVue SIS, please review this link.  Students can watch a tutorial to access their course information here.

Help us document this historical year!

We would love any holiday photos for the yearbook. You can also still send any other photos of students working, playing sports, connecting with friends, etc.

Please email photos to cooperyearbook@gmail.com or download the Herff Jones Eshare app.

Yearbook Pictures School pictures have been mailed to your home this week. 

Last chance to submit a school portrait for the yearbook is Friday, January 22nd. Instructions are below.

Also, encourage your student(s) to complete this form for a chance to WIN A FREE YEARBOOK!

If your student was not photographed by Lifetouch, our school photographer, we ask you to submit a portrait through Herff Jones's eShare application. 

Please follow the school's guidelines for portraits:

• Portraits must be submitted through Herff Jones eShare
• Color photos only

Plain/neutral background preferred

Full face view, facing forward

Clothing and jewelry must fit school dress code guidelines

No creative filters or photographic treatments

No weapons or hand signs of any kind

You may access the eShare application in a variety of ways: 

• On the web @ http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=Cooper
• On the web @ www.hjeshare.com. Use school code Cooper. On the mobile app for iPhone or Android. Please search HJ eShare in your App Store. Use school code Cooper

Review this how-to video: https://herffjones.wistia.com/medias/qaz0mrbp43.

You are encouraged to also submit candid photos of your student from this school year, that may be used in other parts of the book!

And don't forget to purchase a yearbook at www.yearbookordercenter.com. Use school code 5267 

Thank you! 

From your journalism staff

Teen Depression:  A Webinar for Families

You’re worried. Your child has been sad or irritable for days and doesn’t seem interested in activities they usually find fun. For 1 in 10 adolescents, it’s ‘depression’. NIMH conducts research studies to understand the causes of depression, how it’s affected by the teen brain, and the evaluation of new treatments.

This webinar will focus on these topics:

• What is “major depression?”
• Assessing depression in teens
• How to get help
• Treatment of depression
• Parenting a teen with depression
• Depression in teens and COVID-19

Presented by Chana Engel who is a Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the Mood Brain & Development Unit at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH).

Friday, February 5, 2021 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Register for Teen Depression:  A Webinar for Families

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Calendar Update for January 18-22, 2021

*Reminder

Tuesday, January 19, will remain a typical school day, and students will attend Blocks 1, 3, 5, and 7.   The content for the day is to “catch up,” as previously planned, and no new content will be presented.  We need time to allow for even classes to have the same opportunity. Friday, January 22, will be the Catch Up Day for even classes.  

Updated Schedule:

• January 18th - MLK Jr. Holiday (Off)
• January 19th - Full Odd schedule “Catch Up Day”
• January 20th - Inauguration Day (Off)
• January 21st - Full odd day schedule
• January 22nd - 2 Hour Early Release Even Schedule - “Catch Up Day”

 

Revised Grading Policy

FCPS is committed to finding ways to ease the burdens of stress for our students, staff, and community. FCPS is taking the following steps to ensure a smooth transition into the new semester.

The grading policy has been revised for students across the school division. When the data showed that some students were struggling, FCPS took actions to realign expectations and make changes to help students adapt to the current conditions. These changes include:

• Designating a score of 50 as the lowest grade on a 100-point scale.
• Dropping the minimum number of assignments per quarter from nine to six.
• Accepting late work on major assignments with minimal penalty.
• Capping the maximum weight of an assignment or assessment at 20 percent.

Service Learning Opportunities: Jan. & Feb.

If you are interested in participating in upcoming service learning opportunities, Volunteer Fairfax has opportunities for Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend and additional opportunities in February that can be completed from home.  Additional details and registration can be found here on their website.

Cooper’s Service Learning Schoology group has been updated with opportunities to work with two organizations - Letters for Rose McLean and the Lorton Community Action Center.  Students and parents can find additional details about these and other opportunities by self-enrolling in the Schoology group using the code: 7QST-7CGQ-G5R4R.

TJHSST Admissions Update

Eighth Graders interested in applying to TJHSST:

Review the Freshman Application Process at the TJHSST website for  updates to the admission process, eligibility requirements and application components.  The application window will open on February 1 at 8am and close on February 26 at 4pm. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cooper’s TJ liaison Jill Donnelly at jrdonnelly@fcps.edu

Schoology Pilot Survey

Thank you for participating in our Schoology pilot year. We would like you to take a short survey about your experience. Your answers will help us make any necessary improvements as we prepare all FCPS schools to begin using Schoology in the 2021-22 school year. The survey will take between 5-10 minutes to complete.

 Please complete the survey by Friday, January 15.

Learning In A Pandemic: The Current State of Learning Loss and Strategies to Support Student Learning Today

Please join the U.S. Department of Education for a discussion on the state of student learning during the pandemic and tools that families and teachers can use to support student learning now.

This event will educate families and educators on the state of learning today and how you can better support your students during the pandemic.

Webinar Highlights:

• Data from national researchers on student learning today
• Learn how to support students during the pandemic
• Learn about personalized learning, what it is and why it is important now more than ever
• Platform examples for personalized learning

Event Details:

• Thursday, January 14, 2021 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM EST 
• You must RSVP to join the forum. Please use the following link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/learning-in-a-pandemic-resources-to-support-students-registration-134526681927
• Upon successful registration, you will receive an email containing a personalized access link.

Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series

• 01/21/21: Strategies for Increasing Replacement Behaviors
• Parents/guardians will review methods to increase target skills
• Parents/guardians will review problem solving strategies if target skills are not increasing
• 02/18/21:Teaching your Children to Follow Directions
• 03/18/21: Effectively Communicating with Your Child
• 04/22/21: Minimizing Prompts and Maximizing Your Child’s Independence

Thursday January 21, 2021, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Register for Strategies for Increasing Replacement Behaviors

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
Attendance: 703.442.5858 | Student Services: 703.442.5812 | Web | Twitter

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

If you received an email from Lifetouch, our school pictures vendor, inviting you to purchase additional photos, the access code required for ordering will be in the pack of pictures being mailed to your home next week. 

Calendar Update for January 18-22, 2021

*Important Update

Tuesday, January 19, will remain a typical school day, and students will attend Blocks 1, 3, 5, and 7.   The content for the day is to “catch up,” as previously planned, and no new content will be presented.  We need time to allow for even classes to have the same opportunity. Friday, January 22, will be the Catch Up Day for even classes.  

Updated Schedule:

• January 18th - MLK Jr. Holiday (Off)
• January 19th - Full Odd schedule “Catch Up Day”
• January 20th - Inauguration Day (Off)
• January 21st - Full odd day schedule
• January 22nd - 2 Hour Early Release Even Schedule - “Catch Up Day”

 

TJHSST Admissions Update

Eighth Graders interested in applying to TJHSST:

Review the Freshman Application Process at the TJHSST website for  updates to the admission process, eligibility requirements and application components.  The application window will open on February 1 at 8am and close on February 26 at 4pm. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Cooper’s TJ liaison Jill Donnelly at jrdonnelly@fcps.edu

Help us document this historical year! We would love any holiday photos for the yearbook. You can also still send any other photos of students working, playing sports, connecting with friends, etc.

Please email photos to cooperyearbook@gmail.com or download the Herff Jones Eshare app.

Yearbook Pictures

If your student was not photographed by Lifetouch, our chosen school photographer, we ask you to submit a portrait through Herff Jones's eShare application. The deadline for eShare portrait submissions is January 22nd. 

Please follow the school's guidelines for portraits:

• Portraits must be submitted through Herff Jones eShare
• Color photos only

Plain/neutral background preferred

Full face view, facing forward

Clothing and jewelry must fit school dress code guidelines

No creative filters or photographic treatments

No weapons or hand signs of any kind

You may access the eShare application in a variety of ways: 

• On the web @ http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=Cooper
• On the web @ www.hjeshare.com. Use school code Cooper. On the mobile app for iPhone or Android. Please search HJ eShare in your App Store. Use school code Cooper

Check out this how-to video: https://herffjones.wistia.com/medias/qaz0mrbp43. If you prefer to read the instructions, please review the attached PDF. ​

As a reminder, the deadline to submit a portrait through eShare is January 22nd. 

You can also submit other photos of your student from this school year, that may be used in other parts of the book!

And don't forget to purchase a yearbook at www.yearbookordercenter.com. Use school code 5267 

Thank you! 

From your journalism staff

977 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101 |  Main Phone: 703.442.5800
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