FCPS

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Calendar Reminder

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

Friday, April 4 - Cooper Dance 7:00-9:00PM

Thursday, April 10 - Cooper/Longfellow Basketball Game @ Langley HS (Tickets on sale during all lunches beginning next week (04/02) $5 cash only)

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

Outside Drinks

We love seeing our students energized and ready to learn!  We've noticed many enjoy starting their day with a beverage from their favorite coffee shop. To ensure a smooth and timely transition into our academic day, we kindly request that all outside drinks (excluding closed water bottles) be finished before arriving on campus.

For those arriving early and needing to finish their beverage, the cafeteria will be open until 7:20AM.  All beverages not finished must be discarded at 7:20AM.

Key Points:

• Outside Drinks: Please consume all outside drinks (excluding closed water bottles) before entering classrooms or hallways.
• Early Arrival: Students arriving before 7:20 AM may finish their beverages in the cafeteria.
• Hydration: Closed water bottles are permitted throughout the school day. Refilling stations are conveniently located throughout the building and in the cafeteria.
• Lunchtime: Students may continue to bring drinks in their lunchboxes (e.g., juice boxes) and enjoy them during lunch in the cafeteria.

Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a clean and focused learning environment.

Future Med Scholar Seminar Tomorrow After School

 

Interested students are invited to join a Future Med Scholar Seminar led by a group of Langley High School students.  The seminar will be during A session on Thursday, March 27 after school in the Lecture Hall. 

Students can sign up through Schoology.

Registration is now open for FCPS Online Campus Summer Courses

Eligible middle school students can take one online course this summer, either for the first time or to repeat a credit.

Please note:

• Students must meet prerequisites and technical requirements for the course.
• Middle school students cannot take a math or world language course for high school credit for the first time during the summer.

These courses are rigorous, so please carefully review the Summer Online Campus information before registering.

Registration closes on June 6, 2025. Learn more and register at the Summer 2025 Online Campus website:

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning/online-campus

Student Celebrations

Math Counts 

Congratulations to Cooper’s Mathcounts Team.  For the first time in Cooper’s history, we have won the State Mathcounts competition and will move on to Nationals.  Our team of Ian C., Andrew D., Landon Y. and Leo W. beat out Longfellow to take first place in the state competition held in Blacksburg, Virginia last weekend.  Ethan Z. also competed in the tournament as an individual.  Ian and Andrew qualified for Nationals by finishing in the top four in the state.  Ian won not only the award for the top individual finisher in the state, but he also came in first in the Countdown Round.  Way to go Cooper Mathcounts team!  

 

WordMasters Challenge™

Cooper Middle School achieved Highest Honors in the recent WordMasters Challenge™—a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 125,000 students annually. The eighth grade team scored an impressive 179 points out of a possible 200 in the second of three meets this year, placing eighth in the nation.  Competing in the very difficult Gold Division, eighth grader Jessica X. earned a perfect score of 20.  Nationally, only 27 eighth graders achieved this result. Other students from Cooper Middle School who achieved outstanding results were eighth graders Ella C. and Izzy Z.  Way to go!

 

Debate

The Cooper Debate Team attended MetroFinals in Ashburn in March, a two-day debate tournament consisting of six rounds of Public Forum debate on the topic: In the United States, the benefits of the use of generative artificial intelligence in education outweigh the harms. In total, we sent nine teams (18 debaters) to MetroFinals:  Ennis E and Isaac J, Nia S-B and Aashna U, Hannah G and Sofia L, Nirosha R and Meera B, Tommy L and Edwin P, Olivia H and Lily S, Kaya O and Brant P, Zohran V and Jessica X, Annabel K and Kailin L. Overall, our debaters matched wits with the best middle school debaters from Washington, Virginia, and Maryland – averaging around 3-3 in results for many of them. In addition, Bryan T, Sophie L, and Cheslea Z also qualified.  Great job, Cooper Debate Team!  Thank you to all our debaters, Coach Pam Konde, Mr. Kipperman, Ms. Blake and our parent volunteer judges for supporting our team.  

SAVE THE DATE

• Math Boot Camps | July 21-24 and July 28-31 at Langley HS
• Math 7 (for rising 7th graders)

• Math 7 Honors (for rising 7th graders)

• Algebra 1 (for rising 8th graders)

• Pathfinder | August 4th or 5th | Multiple 90-minute sessions will be offered over two days; open to all rising 7th graders and any 8th graders new to Cooper

• Open House | August 14th | Open to all students and families

• Orientation | August 15th | Open to all rising 7th graders and any 8th graders new to Cooper

Please check your email and Cooper's website in the upcoming weeks for additional details and sign-ups.

Dr. Reid Community Conversations

Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! A series of Community Conversations is being held across the school division. These events are an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS. Events are planned for the following dates from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.:

• Tuesday, April 1, Lorton Station Elementary School

• Monday, April 7, Greenbriar West Elementary School

• Monday, April 21, Mount Eagle Elementary School
• Wednesday, April 23, Mason Crest Elementary School

Cooper Dance Midnight in Paris!   Date:  April 4, 2025 Time:  7:00pm - 9:00pm Doors Open at 6:45pm Location:  Gym 1

 

 

 

 

Langley Tailgate Party  April 22, 2025

 

5:00 - 7:00PM

 

Langley Student Leadership is hosting a tailgate during several spring season games.  Cooper students are their parents are invited.  Students are free of charge.  

NOT Attending Cooper Next School Year?

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we kindly ask parents to let us know if their student will not be returning to Cooper MS for the 2025-2026 school year. If your student will not be attending, please complete the  IT-110 Student Intention Form and submit it to Ms. Dossmann at [email protected] as soon as possible.

 Thank you in advance!

Cooper Connections Magazine

 

Parents! Please encourage your students to submit any work for possible publication in our end of the year Cooper Connection magazine. Students can submit work to the link posted on Schoology, or email work directly to [email protected]

 

This is a great opportunity for students to see their work in print!

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

TRACK 

• Step 1 -  Spring 2025 MS Track and Field Registration Google Form  
  • Family action required. 
  • Even Fall ’24 CC students need to register through this link.
• Step 2 -  Sports PPE (physical)
  • Dates must be after May 1, 2024.  
  • Kept for 5 years on site.
  • Family action required.
• Step 3 -  Emergency Care Form -fresh for this Spring season 
  • Family action required.

First week of practice will be the week of April 7th.  Same schedule as Cross-Country, Monday and Thursday. 

Community Events/News TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

UPDATED VIP SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION 3/26 UPDATE:  REGISTRATION IS ON HOLD! WE WILL NOTIFY YOU SOON OF  A NEW RELEASE DATE.   CONTACT YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL SPECIALIST FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FLYER.

Community Updates from our Family Liaison

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. Recorded meetings can be sent to registered participants.

 https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

 

4/1

SIB Shops (for children in grades 2-6 who have siblings with special needs)

4/1

SIB Teen (Community building group for middle school siblings of children with disabilities)

4/4

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Adolescents in High School

4/11  

Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

4/22

Empowering Twice-exceptional Students to Understand the Role of Accommodations in Accessing Learning

4/25

The Role of Boundaries in Teen Development

 

• Turning Setbacks into Success author Michelle Icard will be at MCC’s Alden Theatre on April 23 at 7 p.m.  Based on “8 Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success”, the talk helps parents know when to step in or step back as kids navigate challenges like friendship struggles, rule-breaking and self-doubt.
• Book talk at Langley High School, led by LHS School Psychologist, Anna Brown and Social Worker, Jordan Payne on Jennifer Wallace’s book “Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic – and What We Can Do About It”.  Lecture hall at 9am on Friday, 3/28.
• Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEACT) has exciting trainings available for free that are self-paced and online.  This month they’re starting classes on special education and disability services, IEP processes and turning 18 in VA and what individuals with disabilities need to consider.  (PEATC – Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
• Family Academy  is a great resource for additional support in your child’s school journey!https://www.fcps.edu/family-academy
• Cooper Wear Donations with Ms. Bailey (ongoing) - There is a box in the front office for Cooper wear donations to pass on to new families and rising 7th graders.  If you no longer need yours, have your student bring it by!

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

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 Reminders 

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

Friday, April 4, 2025 - Cooper Dance 7:00-9:00PM

Thursday, April 10, 2025 - CMS v LMS

                                           (Girls and Boys Basketball Game at LHS)

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

Our Schools, Our Future – Spring Series 2025: Community and Employee Conversations

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is hosting a series of Community and Employee Conversations across the school division this spring. These events are a valuable opportunity for you and your communities to share your thoughts, ask questions, and engage directly with Dr. Reid. Your input matters, and we encourage you to participate.

Community Conversations – Open to all families from all regions

• Thursday, March 20 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Cunningham Park Elementary School Registration is open, but not required.

• Monday, March 24 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Kings Park Elementary School - Registration coming soon.

• Tuesday, April 1 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Lorton Station Elementary School - Registration coming soon.

• Monday, April 7 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Greenbriar West Elementary School - Registration coming soon.

• Monday, April 21 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Mount Eagle Elementary School - Registration coming soon.

• Wednesday, April 23 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Mason Crest Elementary School - Registration coming soon.

Interpreter services will be provided for all events.

NOT Attending Cooper Next School Year?

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we kindly ask parents to let us know if their student will not be returning to Cooper MS for the 2025-2026 school year. If your student will not be attending, please complete the  IT-110 Student Intention Form and submit it to Ms. Dossmann at [email protected] as soon as possible.

 Thank you in advance!

Lost and Found

Spring is around the corner and it’s time for us to clean out our  Lost and Found.  Is your child missing a water bottle?  Over 40 of our students are!  Is your child missing a jacket or hoodie?  We have over 50 in our Lost and Found located in the cafeteria. 

All items will be donated on Monday, March 24.  Please encourage your child to check out the Lost and Found this week.  

Cooper Connections Magazine

 

Parents! Please encourage your students to submit any work for possible publication in our end of the year Cooper Connection magazine. Students can submit work to the link posted on Schoology, or email work directly to [email protected]

 

This is a great opportunity for students to see their work in print!

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

TRACK 

• Step 1 -  Spring 2025 MS Track and Field Registration Google Form  
  • Family action required. 
  • Even Fall ’24 CC students need to register through this link.
• Step 2 -  Sports PPE (physical)
  • Dates must be after May 1, 2024.  
  • Kept for 5 years on site.
  • Family action required.
• Step 3 -  Emergency Care Form -fresh for this Spring season 
  • Family action required.

First week of practice will be the week of April 7th.  Same schedule as Cross-Country, Monday and Thursday. 

Cooper Dance Midnight in Paris!   Date:  April 4, 2025 Time:  7:00pm - 9:00pm Doors Open at 6:45pm Location:  Gym 1

 

 

 

Community Events/News TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

UPDATED VIP SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION

 

3/19 UPDATE:  REGISTRATION IS ON HOLD! WE WILL NOTIFY YOU SOON OF  A NEW RELEASE DATE.   CONTACT YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL SPECIALIST FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FLYER.

Community Updates from our Family Liaison

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. Recorded meetings can be sent to registered participants.

 https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

 

3/25  

Calming the Chaos: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Twice – Exceptional (2e) Students

4/1

SIB Shops (for children in grades 2-6 who have siblings with special needs)

4/1

SIB Teen (Community building group for middle school siblings of children with disabilities)

4/4

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Adolescents in High School

4/11

Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

4/22

Empowering Twice-exceptional Students to Understand the Role of Accommodations in Accessing Learning

4/25

The Role of Boundaries in Teen Development

 

Senior Ethics Day at Langley High School  is an incredible opportunity to explore ethical decision making. We need volunteers to help organize the event and to be table leaders at the event on Thursday, March 20th. Please contact Danica Alink if you can help in advance, [email protected], or please sign up and share this SignUpGenius to help at the event.   

 

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEACT) has exciting trainings available for free that are self-paced and online.  This month they’re starting classes on special education and disability services, IEP processes and turning 18 in VA and what individuals with disabilities need to consider.  (PEATC – Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center)

 

Family Academy  is a great resource for additional support in your child’s school journey!https://www.fcps.edu/family-academy

 

Cooper Wear Donations with Ms. Bailey (ongoing)

There is a box in the front office for Cooper wear donations to pass on to new families and rising 7th graders.  If you no longer need yours, have your student bring it by!

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Wednesday, March 19 - Integrated Reading and Writing Test for 8th Grade

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

Friday, April 4, 2025 - Cooper Dance 7:00-9:00PM

Thursday, April 10, 2025 - CMS v LMS (Girls and Boys Basketball Game                                                                       at LHS)

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) and Standards of Learning (SOL) Testing Notification

Students will be testing on the following dates: 

• March 19th - IRW (8th-graders)
• May 5th - Reading 7 SOL 
• May 7th - Reading 8 SOL 
• May 13th - Math SOL (7th-graders)
• May 15th - Math SOL (8th-graders)
• May 19th - Science 8 SOL 

Families received an email notification about the IRW and SOL testing. Please ensure you take note of these important details.

Morning and Afternoon Kiss and Ride

We've noticed a significant increase in student drop-off and pick-up traffic on Balls Hill Road and Dead Run in recent weeks. To ensure the safety of all our students,  we kindly request that you use the designated Kiss & Ride lane exclusively for student drop-offs and pick-ups. Dropping off or picking up students in other locations creates unsafe situations and puts our students at unnecessary risk. Your cooperation in adhering to this policy is crucial for maintaining a safe environment for everyone. We appreciate your partnership in prioritizing student safety.

Author Visit - Pre Sales End This Friday, March 14th

New York Times Best-selling author Jennifer Nielsen will be visiting Cooper on April 10th!!

She’ll be doing a presentation during QST as well as book signings/meet & greet during lunches. The CMS Library is hosting a pre-sale book purchasing opportunity as a fundraiser. The three books we’re offering are: One Wrong Step, her brand new book about teens summiting Mt. Everest while also running from Nazi spies, Lines of Courage, five intersecting stories of differing viewpoints related to WW1 in Europe, and The False Prince, the first book of an action-adventure series of ‘fake it till you make it’ with orphaned boys competing to con their way into royalty.

 If you’re interested in helping support through our pre-sale, please access this form https://tinyurl.com/yjcmk2uc and then pay for the book(s) in MySchoolBucks.  Act fast; the pre-sale will only be available through March 14th. No additional books will be available the day of the author visit.

Any questions should be asked to Mrs. Crochet - [email protected]. And a huge shoutout to our PTO for helping us bring such an amazing author to Cooper! 

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

TRACK 

• Step 1 -  Spring 2025 MS Track and Field Registration Google Form  
  • Family action required. 
  • Even Fall ’24 CC students need to register through this link.
• Step 2 -  Sports PPE (physical)
  • Dates must be after May 1, 2024.  
  • Kept for 5 years on site.
  • Family action required.
• Step 3 -  Emergency Care Form -fresh for this Spring season 
  • Family action required.

First week of practice will be the week of April 7th.  Same schedule as Cross-Country, Monday and Thursday. 

Potomac Youth Chess League (PYCL) Playoffs

The Potomac Youth Chess League Playoffs will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 4:30PM.  Congratulations to Cooper’s Chess Club!  The playoffs are a three-round fixed team format. Each round is one game with a time control of 10 minutes with 5 second increments. Best of luck to our Cooper Chess Team.  May your pawns advance and your kings prevail!

Thank you to all the kind-hearted families who have donated so many goodies to our Makerspace  -  you are giving our students so much joy with their creative outlets. The students have come up with an updated list of items they are requesting. Please don’t feel like you need to buy anything, but rather finding any items around your house not being used could be a win-win for all of us (you get it out of your house and our students get fresh fun). Donations may be dropped in the main office or have your student bring it up to the library.

Any questions should be asked of Mrs. Crochet ([email protected]).

                                                    Thank you!

Cooper Dance Midnight in Paris!   Date:  April 4, 2025 Time:  7:00pm - 9:00pm Doors Open at 6:45pm Location:  Gym 1

 

 

 

Community Events/News   TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

 

UPDATED VIP SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION

 

3/11 UPDATE:  REGISTRATION IS ON HOLD! WE WILL NOTIFY YOU SOON OF  A NEW RELEASE DATE.   CONTACT YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL AFTER SCHOOL SPECIALIST FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FLYER.

Community Updates from our Family Liaison

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. Recorded meetings can be sent to registered participants.

 https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

 

3/14   

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at  Home for Children in Middle School

3/19

Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

3/25

Calming the Chaos: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Twice – Exceptional (2e) Students

4/1

SIB Shops (for children in grades 2-6 who have siblings with special needs)

4/1

SIB Teen (Community building group for middle school siblings of children with disabilities)

4/4

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Adolescents in High School

4/11

Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

4/22

Empowering Twice-exceptional Students to Understand the Role of Accommodations in Accessing Learning

4/25

The Role of Boundaries in Teen Development

 

Senior Ethics Day at Langley High School  is an incredible opportunity to explore ethical decision making. We need volunteers to help organize the event and to be table leaders at the event on Thursday, March 20. Please contact Danica Alink if you can help in advance, [email protected], or please sign up and share this SignUpGenius to help at the event.   

 

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEACT) has exciting trainings available for free that are self-paced and online.  This month they’re starting classes on special education and disability services, IEP processes and turning 18 in VA and what individuals with disabilities need to consider.  (PEATC – Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center)

 

Family Academy  is a great resource for additional support in your child’s school journey!https://www.fcps.edu/family-academy

 

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28, 2025

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has issued a new, first-time waiver allowing students fasting during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025, to request take-home breakfast and lunch meal kits. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will provide meal kits reflecting the school menu. Meals will be kept cold and must be heated at home.

Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. If a student purchases breakfast or lunch at school, they cannot pick up a kit that day. Meal kits must be picked up by students at the end of the school day—adults cannot collect them.

Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

1.       March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.

  Cooper Wear Donations with Ms. Bailey (ongoing)

There is a box in the front office for Cooper wear donations to pass on to new families and rising 7th graders.  If you no longer need yours, have your student bring it by!

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Friday, March 7, 2025 - Movie Night at Cooper MS 2:30-4:30PM

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

Friday, April 4, 2025 - Cooper Dance 7:00-9:00PM

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

Science Bowl Success

Cooper Middle School’s Science Bowl teams made history at the Virginia Regional Science Bowl Competition, securing both first and second place.  The team will advance to the National Finals. 

Cooper Science Bowl Team 1 – Regional Champions

Team 1 went undefeated throughout the competition, ultimately facing their own classmates in the championship match. They secured 1st place and will represent Virginia in the National Science Bowl Finals in Washington, D.C. 

Team 1 Members:  

• Jeremy K. (Captain, 7th Grade)

• Andrew D. (8th Grade)

• Ian C. (7th Grade)

• Bryan T. (8th Grade)

• Zhirun (John John) L.(7th Grade)

Cooper’s Team 2 also had an outstanding performance, securing second place in the competition. Their impressive teamwork and in-depth science knowledge helped them advance to the final round, where they battled Team 1 in an exciting all-Cooper championship showdown.  

 

Team 2 Members:  

• Landon Y. (Captain, 8th Grade)

• Eric S. (8th Grade)

• Ennis E. (7th Grade)

• Jerry Z. (8th Grade)

• Winston Y. (8th Grade)

Congratulations to our incredible students for their dedication, hard work, and passion for science.

Model UN

Last weekend, Cooper’s Model UN competed in two conferences. At the Langley conference, Ananda A. received Honorable Mention and Ahaana S. received a Verbal Commendation. Well done!  We received positive feedback on all of our Cooper Delegates. Congratulations to the entire Model UN team!

Author Visit - Pre Sales Happening Now

New York Times Best-selling author Jennifer Nielsen will be visiting Cooper on April 10th!!

She’ll be doing a presentation during QST as well as book signings/meet & greet during lunches. The CMS Library is hosting a pre-sale book purchasing opportunity as a fundraiser. The three books we’re offering are: One Wrong Step, her brand new book about teens summiting Mt. Everest while also running from Nazi spies, Lines of Courage, five intersecting stories of differing viewpoints related to WW1 in Europe, and The False Prince, the first book of an action-adventure series of ‘fake it till you make it’ with orphaned boys competing to con their way into royalty.

 If you’re interested in helping support through our pre-sale, please access this form https://tinyurl.com/yjcmk2uc and then pay for the book(s) in MySchoolBucks.  Act fast; the pre-sale will only be available through March 14th. No additional books will be available the day of the author visit.

Any questions should be asked to Mrs. Crochet - [email protected]. And a huge shoutout to our PTO for helping us bring such an amazing author to Cooper! 

Thank you to all the kind-hearted families who have donated so many goodies to our Makerspace  -  you are giving our students so much joy with their creative outlets. The students have come up with an updated list of items they are requesting. Please don’t feel like you need to buy anything, but rather finding any items around your house not being used could be a win-win for all of us (you get it out of your house and our students get fresh fun). Donations may be dropped in the main office or have your student bring it up to the library.

 

Any questions should be asked of Mrs. Crochet ([email protected]).

Thank you!

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

Movie Night at Cooper MS!

 

Date:  March 7, 2025 Time:  2:30pm - 4:30pm Location:  The Lecture School Featured Film:  Wonka Entry Fee: $4

 

Click on following link to purchase your tickets

  MSB link for Movie Night.

 

   

Cooper Dance Midnight in Paris!   Date:  April 4, 2025 Time:  7:00pm - 9:00pm Doors Open at 6:45pm Location:  Gym 1

 

 

 

Community Events/News

 

  TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

 

VIP SUMMER CAMP Save the Date! Values in Prevention Camp July 1 - 31, 2025 Applications and More Information Coming Soon! Community Updates from our Family Liaison

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details.  Recorded meetings can be sent to registered participants.  https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

3/7

Anxiety in the Context of Autism: What Parents Need to Know

3/14   

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Middle School

3/19

Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

3/25

Calming the Chaos: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Twice – Exceptional (2e) Students

4/1

SIB Shops (for children in grades 2-6 who have siblings with special needs)

4/1

SIB Teen (Community building group for middle school siblings of children with disabilities)

4/4

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Adolescents in High School

4/11

Math Strategies for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

4/22

Empowering Twice-exceptional Students to Understand the Role of Accommodations in Accessing Learning

4/25

The Role of Boundaries in Teen Development

• Family Academy  is a great resource for additional support in your child’s school journey!  https://www.fcps.edu/family-academy

• Senior Ethics Day at Langley High School is an incredible opportunity to explore ethical decision making. We need volunteers to help organize the event and to be table leaders at the event on Thursday, March 20. Please contact Danica Alink if you can help in advance, [email protected], or please sign up and share this SignUpGenius to help at the event.   

 

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28, 2025

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has issued a new, first-time waiver allowing students fasting during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025, to request take-home breakfast and lunch meal kits. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will provide meal kits reflecting the school menu. Meals will be kept cold and must be heated at home.

Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. If a student purchases breakfast or lunch at school, they cannot pick up a kit that day. Meal kits must be picked up by students at the end of the school day—adults cannot collect them.

Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

1.       March 10, 2025, for the week of March 17, 2025
2.       March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.

  Cooper Spirit Wear Donations

There is a box in the front office for Cooper wear donations to pass on to new families and rising 7th graders.  If you no longer need yours, have your student bring it by!

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Friday, March 7, 2025 - Movie Night at Cooper MS 2:30-4:30PM

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

Friday, April 4, 2025 - Cooper Dance 7:00-9:00PM

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

Student Engagement Survey

Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.

All students in grades 6-12, except those who have opted out, received a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 24. We will administer the survey during the school day during advisory Thursday, February 27th. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. 

We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the five equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.

🥕 Springing Into New Lunch Menu Options

FCPS’ Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has launched several new delicious items this month, including Asian meatball subs  (also available with veggie meatballs), fish tacos with pineapple pepper fruit salsa, alfredo and basil lasagna and tomato soup. These nutritionally balanced menu items are student-tested and student-approved through FNS food shows, focus groups, and surveys. 

As FNS Executive Director Shaun Sawko said in a recent video about new menu options, FCPS is “putting students at the center of every single one of our plates.” See what’s on the menu at your child’s school and learn about nutrition standards at FCPS. 

 

✨ Student-driven food choices are just one way FCPS prioritizes student voice through our 2023-30 Strategic Plan’s Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.

Friendly reminder:  Students are not permitted to order from outside meal delivery services.  We appreciate parents reminding students that if they wish to purchase lunch, they must purchase from our cafeteria. 

 

Morning Arrival

Thank you for your patience as our back parking lot renovation is completed.  Parents, please continue to use our kiss and ride in the back for drop off and pick up.  Students should not be dropped off at Door 9, on Dead Run, or on Balls Hill Road.  

On-time arrival to school is necessary to set our students up for success.  We’ve noticed an improvement with on-time arrivals - thank you for all you do to get your children to school on time.  As shared last week, bus riding is encouraged and kiss and ride drop off before 7:20 allows for on-time arrival to school.   

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28, 2025

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has issued a new, first-time waiver allowing students fasting during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025, to request take-home breakfast and lunch meal kits. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will provide meal kits reflecting the school menu. Meals will be kept cold and must be heated at home.Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. If a student purchases breakfast or lunch at school, they cannot pick up a kit that day. Meal kits must be picked up by students at the end of the school day—adults cannot collect them.Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

• February 24, 2025, for February 28 and the week of March 3, 2025
• March 3, 2025, for the week of March 10, 2025
• March 10, 2025, for the week of March 17, 2025
• March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.

Kiss n Ride Updates

• Bus Encouragement:
• Please consider having your child use the bus for both morning and afternoon transportation.
• Morning Kiss n Ride:
• To ensure your child arrives to class on time and prepared, please arrive at Cooper by 7:17 AM.
• Cars arriving at or before 7:17 AM have demonstrated successful drop-offs with ample time for students to arrive at their classrooms ready to learn.
• Afternoon Kiss n Ride:
• Please arrive by 2:25 PM for afternoon Kiss n Ride pickup.
• Road Maintenance:
• Design and Construction has scheduled a road sweeper and scrubber to clean the Kiss n Ride area.

Cooper Celebrations!

Congratulations to our Cooper Science Olympiad team finishing in 2nd place overall at the VASO Fairfax Regional on 2/22/25.  Both teams had great results!  Cooper SO will compete in the VASO Virginia State Tournament on 3/29/25!  Let's go Cooper SO!

Cooper Team Radar - 2nd place

Anatomy & Phys: Caroline G & Sophie L - 1st place

Codebusters: Andrew D, Caroline G & Landon Y - 1st place

Disease Detectives: Caroline G & Jerry Z - 2nd place

Dynamic Planet: Andrew D & Landon Y - 1st place

Ecology: Diane L & Yanai W -  3rd place

Entomology: Eric S & Bryan T - 3rd place 

Experimental Design: Aarik K, Sophie L & Cheney Z - 2nd place

Fossils: Bryan T & Chelsea Z - 3rd place

Helicopter: Landon Y & Oliver Y - 2nd place

Metric Mastery: Eric S. & Cheney Z - 1st place

Optics: Oliver L & Jerry Z - 2nd place

Potions & Poisons: Yanai W & Chelsea Z - 5th placeReach for the Stars: Christopher K & Chelsea Z - 1st place

Tower: Christopher K & Oliver L - 1st place

Wind Power: Oliver Y & Jerry Z - 1st place

 

Cooper Team Sonar - 5th place

Codebusters: Charlie G, Aaron W & Katrina Z - 6th place

Disease Detectives:  Emmy H & Katrina Z - 4th place

Dynamic Planet: Sophia S & Katrina Z   - 5th place

Ecology: Thomas G & Cindy H -  6th place

Entomology: Sophia S & Ronin M - 1st place 

Fossils: Aditri D & Aaron W - 6th place

Potions & Poisons:  Charlie G & Aarav J - 3rd place

Reach for the Stars: Rahula A & Ronin M - 2nd place

Scrambler: Rahula A & Sean K - 5th place

Wind Power:  Aditri D & Aarav J - 4th place

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

College Partnership Program - CPP

Do you have a student between grades 8 through 11 who wants to go to college? If so, they should consider applying to the College Partnership Program (CPP), which offers support from exploration to application! The deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.

CPP offers programming to help prepare students and families from 9th grade all the way through applying to and enrolling in college, including:

• Academic counseling
• College visits
• Help with completing college and scholarship applications
• Monthly meetings
• A summer overnight experience on a college campus  
• News and information related to colleges and careers via Schoology

All students are eligible and encouraged to apply to this program, and are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in core classes
• Attend monthly CPP meetings 
• Are willing to pursue advanced coursework
• Demonstrate leadership in school or community activities

The goal of the program is to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access and opportunity, and support students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses. This includes students who are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S., Multilingual learners, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

Application Link for Students: https://tinyurl.com/u2e3hme3 

*The application is only open to students using their FCPS G-Suite account. Students can access this link on the Cooper Corner Schoology page.

*All applications will be submitted ONLINE ONLY. 

Community Events/News   TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

 

  Movie Night at Cooper MS!

 

Date:  March 7, 2025 Time:  2:30pm - 4:30pm Location:  The Lecture School Featured Film:  Wonka Entry Fee: $4

 

Click on following link to purchase your tickets

  MSB link for Movie Night.

 

    

Cooper Dance Midnight in Paris!   Date:  April 4, 2025 Time:  7:00pm - 9:00pm Doors Open at 6:45pm Location:  Gym 1

 

 

 

Community Updates from our Family Liaison  Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details.  Recorded meetings can be sent to registered participants.  https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

Tuesday, March 4th

Part 3: Violence Prevention: Responding to Threats of Harm to Others

Friday, March 7th

Anxiety in the Context of Autism: What Parents Need to Know

Friday, March 14th

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Middle School

Wednesday, March 19

Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

Tuesday, March 25

Calming the Chaos: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Twice – Exceptional (2e) Students

 

• Family Academy is a great resource for additional support in your child’s school journey!  https://www.fcps.edu/family-academy
• Cooper wear Donations with Ms. Bailey (ongoing)  –  There is a box in the front office for Cooper wear donations to pass on to new families and rising 7th graders.  If you no longer need yours, have your student bring it by!

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Save the Date! Values in Prevention Camp July 1 - 31, 2025 Applications and More Information Coming Soon! Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

Kiss n Ride Updates

• Bus Encouragement:
• Please consider having your child use the bus for both morning and afternoon transportation.
• Morning Kiss n Ride:
• To ensure your child arrives to class on time and prepared, please arrive at Cooper by 7:17 AM.
• Cars arriving at or before 7:17 AM have demonstrated successful drop-offs with ample time for students to arrive at their classrooms ready to learn.
• Afternoon Kiss n Ride:
• Please arrive by 2:25 PM for afternoon Kiss n Ride pickup.
• Road Maintenance:
• Design and Construction has scheduled a road sweeper and scrubber to clean the Kiss n Ride area.

Snow Delays/Cancellations and the Odd/Even Rotation:

• Please remember that snow delays or cancellations do not alter the pre-established Odd/Even day rotation calendar.
• The Odd/Even schedule, set at the beginning of the school year, remains consistent regardless of weather-related closures.
• For example, if a snow day occurs on a scheduled Odd day, and we return to school the following day (a scheduled Even day), that day will still be observed as an Even day.

We understand this may cause some confusion, so we encourage you to review/print the 2024-2025 Rotation Calendar:

Click here to view the 2024-2025 Rotation Calendar

Student Fasting Meal Kits for February 28 - March 28, 2025

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has issued a new, first-time waiver allowing students fasting during the school day from February 28 to March 28, 2025, to request take-home breakfast and lunch meal kits. The Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) will provide meal kits reflecting the school menu. Meals will be kept cold and must be heated at home.Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. If a student purchases breakfast or lunch at school, they cannot pick up a kit that day. Meal kits must be picked up by students at the end of the school day—adults cannot collect them.Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:

• February 24, 2025, for February 28 and the week of March 3, 2025
• March 3, 2025, for the week of March 10, 2025
• March 10, 2025, for the week of March 17, 2025
• March 17, 2025, for the week of March 24, 2025

Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.

 

2025-2026 Course Registration Rising 8th Graders

We're excited to begin planning for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.  If your student will not be attending Cooper next school year, please contact our registrar, Silvia Dossmann, at [email protected]

• Informational Videos: Videos covering electives and core courses are available on the Cooper Website. *Slides from Math Night are now posted! 
• Informational Lessons on the Course Selection Process: Block 4 Advisory on February 6th and 10th.
• Course Requests Due in SIS StudentVUE: Due February 12th. Remember:
• Search by course code, not course title.
• Use a web browser, SIS StudentVUE, not the SIS app
• SIS Directions are available.
• Course Request Sheet Due to CMS Counselor: Submit your completed course request sheet to your counselor by February 12th. Counselors will collect these in the gyms in the mornings or you can drop it off at their offices in Student Services located across from the main office.  
• Individual Student/Counselor Meetings: Meetings will take place during history classes between February 13th and 25th.

  Rising 9th grade

Academic Advising Information

• Informational Videos: Langley’s website
• Informational Lessons on the Course Selection Process: Block 4 Advisory on February 6th and 10th.
• Course Requests Due in SIS StudentVUE: Due February 12th. Remember:
• Search by course code, not course title.
• Use a web browser, SIS StudentVUE, not the SIS app
• SIS Directions are available.
• Course Request Sheet Due to CMS Counselor: Submit your completed course request sheet to your counselor by February 12th. Counselors will collect these in the gyms in the mornings or you can drop it off at their offices in Student Services located across from the main office.  
• Individual Student/Cooper Counselor and Langley Meetings: Meetings will take place during Civics classes between February 13th and 25th.

 

Please reach out to your Cooper School counselor with any questions.

Additionally Academic Advising information for rising 8th and rising 9th graders will be added to the Cooper Website and Langley Website. 

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

College Partnership Program - CPP

Do you have a student between grades 8 through 11 who wants to go to college? If so, they should consider applying to the College Partnership Program (CPP), which offers support from exploration to application! The deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.

CPP offers programming to help prepare students and families from 9th grade all the way through applying to and enrolling in college, including:

• Academic counseling
• College visits
• Help with completing college and scholarship applications
• Monthly meetings
• A summer overnight experience on a college campus  
• News and information related to colleges and careers via Schoology

All students are eligible and encouraged to apply to this program, and are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in core classes
• Attend monthly CPP meetings 
• Are willing to pursue advanced coursework
• Demonstrate leadership in school or community activities

The goal of the program is to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access and opportunity, and support students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses. This includes students who are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S., Multilingual learners, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

Application Link for Students: https://tinyurl.com/u2e3hme3 

*The application is only open to students using their FCPS G-Suite account. Students can access this link on the Cooper Corner Schoology page.

*All applications will be submitted ONLINE ONLY. 

Community Events/News   TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

 

  Great Falls Youth Lacrosse

Attention 7th & 8th Graders! Ready to Try Lacrosse?

Great Falls Youth Lacrosse is looking for new athletes to join the fun this spring! Whether you're a basketball or hockey player looking for an off-season sport or just interested in trying something new, lacrosse is the perfect choice. No experience is needed—just bring your energy and enthusiasm!

Questions? Contact Us!

• Amy Melton – Girls Lacrose: [email protected]
• Richard Milone – Boys Lacrosse: [email protected]

Don’t miss out—get in the game this spring with Great Falls Youth Lacrosse!

Community Updates from our Family Liaison  Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details.  Recorded meetings can be sent to registered participants.  https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

 

Tuesday, February 18th

FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 Risk Prevention

Friday, February 21st

Nurturing Adolescent Growth: Part 4 – Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

Saturday, February 22nd

SibShops (for children grades 2-6)

Tuesday, February 25th

FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your Child

Tuesday, March 4th

Part 3: Violence Prevention: Responding to Threats of Harm to Others

Friday, March 7th

Anxiety in the Context of Autism: What Parents Need to Know

Friday, March 14th

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Middle School

Wednesday, March 19

Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

Tuesday, March 25

Calming the Chaos: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Twice – Exceptional (2e) Students

 

• Family Academy is a great resource for additional support in your child’s school journey!  https://www.fcps.edu/family-academy
• Cooper wear Donations with Ms. Bailey (ongoing)  –  There is a box in the front office for Cooper wear donations to pass on to new families and rising 7th graders.  If you no longer need yours, have your student bring it by!

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Student Celebrations Debate Team

Cooper MS Debate attended their last “regular” debate tournament on Sat, Feb 15th, in Arlington. Fifteen teams (30 debaters) and 5 volunteer parent judges participated! They debated whether the United States should join the International Criminal Court.

Teams with 3-1 records included: Meera and Aikus, Isaac and Ennis, Sofia and Hannah, and Yanai and Kai. Almost everyone else earned 2-2 or won at least one round: including Isha and Anika, Jessica and Sophie, Suvina and Annabel, Brant and Kaya, Liam and Arjan, Olivia and Lily, Saeeun and Alina, Edwin and Thomas, Mihir and Bohan, Kristen and Veda, and Angela and Neva. These are complicated topics, and our competition is equally well-prepared! We are so proud of all our debaters!  

Next up, are the Metro Finals in March, where the Cooper MS Debate Team qualified 21 members. 

We are so proud of all our debaters!  

 

Chess Club

Congratulations to William, Zohran V, Bryan T & Cheney, from the Cooper MS Chess Club, who participated in the World Amateur Chess tournament in New Jersey, this past weekend.  After 3 days of competitive play, they managed to secure the spot for the top middle school in the entire tournament! 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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.

Registration is now open for FCPS Online Campus Summer Courses

Eligible middle school students can take one online course this summer, either for the first time or to repeat a credit.

Please note:

• Students must meet prerequisites and technical requirements for the course.
• Middle school students cannot take a math or world language course for high school credit for the first time during the summer.

These courses are rigorous, so please carefully review the Summer Online Campus information before registering.

Registration closes on June 6, 2025. Learn more and register at the Summer 2025 Online Campus website: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/summer-learning/online-campus

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 Reminders 

Monday, February 17 (Presidents' Day) - Schools and offices closed

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

By proclamation, the Governor of Virginia designated February 15th as the official School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day.  

Thank you Officer Hunter for all that you do to support the students and community at Cooper Middle School.

2025-2026 Course Registration Rising 8th Graders

We're excited to begin planning for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.  If your student will not be attending Cooper next school year, please contact our registrar, Silvia Dossmann, at [email protected]

• Informational Videos: Videos covering electives and core courses are available on the Cooper Website. *Slides from Math Night are now posted! 
• Informational Lessons on the Course Selection Process: Block 4 Advisory on February 6th and 10th.
• Course Requests Due in SIS StudentVUE: Due February 12th. Remember:
• Search by course code, not course title.
• Use a web browser, SIS StudentVUE, not the SIS app
• SIS Directions are available.
• Course Request Sheet Due to CMS Counselor: Submit your completed course request sheet to your counselor by February 12th. Counselors will collect these in the gyms in the mornings or you can drop it off at their offices in Student Services located across from the main office.  
• Individual Student/Counselor Meetings: Meetings will take place during history classes between February 13th and 25th.

  Rising 9th grade

Academic Advising Information

• Informational Videos: Langley’s website
• Informational Lessons on the Course Selection Process: Block 4 Advisory on February 6th and 10th.
• Course Requests Due in SIS StudentVUE: Due February 12th. Remember:
• Search by course code, not course title.
• Use a web browser, SIS StudentVUE, not the SIS app
• SIS Directions are available.
• Course Request Sheet Due to CMS Counselor: Submit your completed course request sheet to your counselor by February 12th. Counselors will collect these in the gyms in the mornings or you can drop it off at their offices in Student Services located across from the main office.  
• Individual Student/Cooper Counselor and Langley Meetings: Meetings will take place during Civics classes between February 13th and 25th.

 

Please reach out to your Cooper School counselor with any questions.

Additionally Academic Advising information for rising 8th and rising 9th graders will be added to the Cooper Website and Langley Website. 

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

College Partnership Program - CPP

Do you have a student between grades 8 through 11 who wants to go to college? If so, they should consider applying to the College Partnership Program (CPP), which offers support from exploration to application! The deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.

CPP offers programming to help prepare students and families from 9th grade all the way through applying to and enrolling in college, including:

• Academic counseling
• College visits
• Help with completing college and scholarship applications
• Monthly meetings
• A summer overnight experience on a college campus  
• News and information related to colleges and careers via Schoology

All students are eligible and encouraged to apply to this program, and are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in core classes
• Attend monthly CPP meetings 
• Are willing to pursue advanced coursework
• Demonstrate leadership in school or community activities

The goal of the program is to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access and opportunity, and support students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses. This includes students who are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S., Multilingual learners, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

Application Link for Students: https://tinyurl.com/u2e3hme3 

*The application is only open to students using their FCPS G-Suite account. Students can access this link on the Cooper Corner Schoology page.

*All applications will be submitted ONLINE ONLY. 

Community Events   TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

 

Community Updates from our Family Liaison  Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details.  Recorded meetings can be sent to registered participants.  https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

 

Friday, February 14th

Comprendiendo el Trama en su Hijo (in Spanish)

Tuesday, February 18th

FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 Risk Prevention

Friday, February 21st

Nurturing Adolescent Growth: Part 4 – Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

Saturday, February 22nd

SibShops (for children grades 2-6)

Tuesday, February 25th

FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your Child

Tuesday, March 4th

Part 3: Violence Prevention: Responding to Threats of Harm to Others

Friday, March 7th

Anxiety in the Context of Autism: What Parents Need to Know

Friday, March 14th

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges, & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Middle School

Wednesday, March 19

Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

Tuesday, March 25

Calming the Chaos: Teaching Emotional Regulation to Twice – Exceptional (2e) Students

 

• Family Academy is a great resource for additional support in your child’s school journey!  https://www.fcps.edu/family-academy
• Here are some fun things to do this 3 day weekend celebrating President’s Day on Monday, 2/17 https://familytripguides.com/presidents-day-weekend-washington-dc/
• Cooper wear Donations with Ms. Bailey (ongoing)  –  There is a box in the front office for Cooper wear donations to pass on to new families and rising 7th graders.  If you no longer need yours, have your student bring it by!

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Monday, February 17 (Presidents' Day) - Schools and offices closed

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

National School Counseling Week

February 3 – 7 is National School Counseling Week, and highlights the tremendous impact school our counselors, Ms. Donnelly, Ms. Saint Germain, Ms. Lewis and Ms. Wiley, have in helping students achieve academic success and planning for a career. School counselors work with students in a variety of different capacities, whether it is through classroom lessons, group sessions, or individual counseling. Learn more about the role of school counselors in FCPS.

2025-2026 Course Registration Rising 8th Graders

We're excited to begin planning for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.  If your student will not be attending Cooper next school year, please contact our registrar, Silvia Dossmann, at [email protected]

• Informational Videos: Videos covering electives and core courses are available on the Cooper Website. *Slides from Math Night are now posted! 
• Informational Lessons on the Course Selection Process: Block 4 Advisory on February 6th and 10th.
• Course Requests Due in SIS StudentVUE: Due February 12th. Remember:
• Search by course code, not course title.
• Use a web browser, SIS StudentVUE, not the SIS app
• SIS Directions are available.
• Course Request Sheet Due to CMS Counselor: Submit your completed course request sheet to your counselor by February 12th. Counselors will collect these in the gyms in the mornings or you can drop it off at their offices in Student Services located across from the main office.  
• Individual Student/Counselor Meetings: Meetings will take place during history classes between February 13th and 25th.

  Rising 9th grade

If you were not able to attend the PTO Meeting at Cooper in January, this night is for you!  Please join us to discuss 9th grade course selection options and some important tips you can be doing now to support your child’s transition to high school this fall!

Thursday, February 6, 2025

7:00-8:15pm

Langley High School Auditorium

More information can be found on the LHS Student Services Academic Advising website set up just for you!: https://langleyhs.fcps.edu/student-services/9th-grade-academic-advising

 

Academic Advising Information

• Informational Videos: Langley’s website
• Informational Lessons on the Course Selection Process: Block 4 Advisory on February 6th and 10th.
• Course Requests Due in SIS StudentVUE: Due February 12th. Remember:
• Search by course code, not course title.
• Use a web browser, SIS StudentVUE, not the SIS app
• SIS Directions are available.
• Course Request Sheet Due to CMS Counselor: Submit your completed course request sheet to your counselor by February 12th. Counselors will collect these in the gyms in the mornings or you can drop it off at their offices in Student Services located across from the main office.  
• Individual Student/Cooper Counselor and Langley Meetings: Meetings will take place during Civics classes between February 13th and 25th.

 

Please reach out to your Cooper School counselor with any questions.

Additionally Academic Advising information for rising 8th and rising 9th graders will be added to the Cooper Website and Langley Website. 

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

Office of Testing SEL Screener

Please refer to the Cooper email sent to you on January 31st with important details about our upcoming SEL Screener. The screener will take place on March 11th.

College Partnership Program - CPP

Do you have a student between grades 8 through 11 who wants to go to college? If so, they should consider applying to the College Partnership Program (CPP), which offers support from exploration to application! The deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.

CPP offers programming to help prepare students and families from 9th grade all the way through applying to and enrolling in college, including:

• Academic counseling
• College visits
• Help with completing college and scholarship applications
• Monthly meetings
• A summer overnight experience on a college campus  
• News and information related to colleges and careers via Schoology

All students are eligible and encouraged to apply to this program, and are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in core classes
• Attend monthly CPP meetings 
• Are willing to pursue advanced coursework
• Demonstrate leadership in school or community activities

The goal of the program is to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access and opportunity, and support students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses. This includes students who are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S., Multilingual learners, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

Application Link for Students: https://tinyurl.com/u2e3hme3 

*The application is only open to students using their FCPS G-Suite account. Students can access this link on the Cooper Corner Schoology page.

*All applications will be submitted ONLINE ONLY. 

Crochet Club Request– Yarn Needed 

The Crochet Club at Cooper is seeking yarn donations for their next project. Our fundraiser sales at the Book Fair were a huge success and we will be making items for a Theater fundraiser later this spring.  Do you have yarn you no longer need?  Donations can be dropped off in the main office.  Thank you for your support.

Community Events Family Literacy Fair

Saturday, Feb. 8
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Lorton Community Center & Library
9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA 22079

Reading Opens the World Book Drive and Family Literacy Fair
30,000 FREE BOOKS for Families and Educators!

• Books are available on a first-come, first served basis, so arrive early!
• Parents and guardians are welcome to choose up to 10 free books per child for home libraries, with a 30 books maximum limit per family.
• Educators and school staff may choose up to 50 free books for their classrooms.
• Fun family activities including DJ, food trucks, and free Valentine’s Day card making area.
• Hundreds of LEGO brick boxes available while supplies last!

School and community program staff must be registered with First Book to receive free books.  Registration is free and on-stie registration will be available.  To register in advance, please go to www.firstbook.org/AFT. 

 

  TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

 

FCPS Family Resource Center Opportunities Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details.  Recorded meetings can be sent to registered participants.  https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

 

Friday, February 7th

Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges & Implement Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Upper Elementary (3-6)

 

Friday, February 14th

Comprendiendo el Trama en su Hijo (in Spanish)

 

Tuesday, February 18th

FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 Risk Prevention

 

Friday, February 21st

Nurturing Adolescent Growth: Part 4 – Supporting Mental Health: Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

 

Saturday, February 22nd

SibShops (for children grades 2-6)

 

Tuesday, February 25th

FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your Child

 

 

 

Fairfax County Government Programs

• Department of Family Services
• Virtual Parent Cafe, "Understanding the Dynamics of Cyberbullying, Technology and our Youth," Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 6:30 p.m.  Flyer

 

• Park Authority 
• Lunar New Year Celebration, Saturday, February 8, 2025, 6 - 8 p.m. Twin Lakes Golf Course (6201 Union Mill Road, Clifton). There will be performances, demonstrations, and local food trucks. Free, registration required.  Lunar New Year Flyer  

• Spring/Summer Camps – Registration opens this week! Tuesday, 2/4 at 9AM and Thursday 2/6 at 9AM
• Parktakes Spring Classes start registration on February 11, 2025

 

• Neighborhood and Community Services
• Reading Opens the World Book Drive and Family Literacy Fair, Saturday, February 10, 2025, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Lorton Community Center (9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton)  Free books for families on a first-come, first-served basis (up to 10 free books per child, 30 books maximum per family), so arrive early! Fun family activities including DJ, food trucks, and free Valentine’s Day card making area! For more information, please contact David Walrod at [email protected], 703-451-6840 

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Monday, February 17 (Presidents' Day) - Schools and offices closed

Friday, March 28 - End of 3rd Quarter

Monday, March 31 (Eid al-Fitr) - Schools and offices closed

Tuesday, April 1 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

April 14 - April 18 (Spring Break) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

Kiss and Ride Update

As we continue to navigate this phase of renovation, we have made an update to our Kiss & Ride drop-off location.  Students will continue to be dropped off and picked up at our existing Kiss and Ride, parent drop off and pick up location remains the same.  Students will be directed to use the walkway that runs parallel to the service road and enter and exit Door 9.  Walkers will be directed to exit Doors 3 and 9. We appreciate your support as we ensure students have a safe arrival and departure to and from school.  

Second Semester Student Schedules

Second semester student schedules will be distributed on Thursday, January 30th, during Block 1. Students should also check SIS under Class Schedule on Wednesday, January 29th at 4:00 PM or later especially if their current Block 1 is PE or a semester elective, as their schedule may have changes this semester. 

There will be no changes for yearlong courses. Only semester-long courses will change depending on students' elective course requests and alternates. If students see an error in their schedule, please have your student email their counselor as soon as possible. An example of an error is a missing class or 2 classes in the same period. 

For students who would like to request a schedule change for a semester-long elective class, there will be a link to a Google Form posted in Schoology on the Cooper Corner Course Announcements on January 30th. The Form will close on February 4th at 2:15. Please note: Cooper cannot honor requests to change teachers. If you have a question or concern, please reach out to your school counselor.  

School Counseling Team

Dana Scabis, Director of Student Services

Silvia Dossmann, Registrar/Student Services Assistant

Keyosha Lewis, 7th Grade Counselor (A-K)

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

Laura Wiley, 8th Grade Counselor (A-K)

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

Track and Field Registration

Track and Field Registration is Live.  Anyone interested in joining Cooper’s Track and Field team this spring must first register with the county using this link.  Practices will begin in March and will be held twice a week after school at Cooper.  We will participate in 5 meets (4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31).

Office of Testing Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• Fall iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now.
• Fall Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 are available in ParentVUE now.

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

  Climate Survey

Parents/Caregivers, please refer to the Cooper email sent to you on October 29th with important details about our upcoming Student Experience Survey. The survey will take place on February 4th.

College Partnership Program - CPP

Do you have a student between grades 8 through 11 who wants to go to college? If so, they should consider applying to the College Partnership Program (CPP), which offers support from exploration to application! The deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.

CPP offers programming to help prepare students and families from 9th grade all the way through applying to and enrolling in college, including:

• Academic counseling
• College visits
• Help with completing college and scholarship applications
• Monthly meetings
• A summer overnight experience on a college campus  
• News and information related to colleges and careers via Schoology

All students are eligible and encouraged to apply to this program, and are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in core classes
• Attend monthly CPP meetings 
• Are willing to pursue advanced coursework
• Demonstrate leadership in school or community activities

The goal of the program is to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access and opportunity, and support students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses. This includes students who are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S., Multilingual learners, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

Application Link for Students: https://tinyurl.com/u2e3hme3 

*The application is only open to students using their FCPS G-Suite account. Students can access this link on the Cooper Corner Schoology page.

*All applications will be submitted ONLINE ONLY. 

Rise Against Hunger

Please reference last week's email with more details about Rise Against Hunger. 

To reach our one-millionth meal, the Langley Pyramid needs to raise $34,475 by January 31st. Donations can be accepted online or students can bring cash to the Cooper MS main office collection jar. 

If your company matches contributions, please consider having them join you in making a tax-deductible donation today at Langley Pyramid Rise Against Hunger 2025 and help us Rise Against Hunger.

Sign up here to volunteer for the meal-packing event on February 1st at Colvin Run ES.

2025-2026 Course Registration Rising 8th Graders

We're excited to begin planning for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.  If your student will not be attending Cooper next school year, please contact our registrar, Silvia Dossmann, at [email protected] 

• Informational Videos: Videos covering electives and core courses are available on the Cooper Website.
• Cooper Math Information Night Encore: Learn about math course options from Cooper administration and the Math Department chair. This event will be held through Zoom on January 30th at 5:30 PM (the material presented will be the same as the in-person Jan 28th Math Night).
• Informational Lessons on the Course Selection Process: These lessons will take place during Block 4 Advisory on February 6th and 10th.
• Course Requests Due in SIS StudentVUE: Please submit your course requests by February 12th. Remember:
• Search by course code, not course title.
• Use a web browser, SIS StudentVUE, not the SIS app
• SIS Directions are available.
• Course Request Sheet Due to CMS Counselor: Submit your completed course request sheet to your counselor by February 12th. Counselors will collect these in the gyms in the mornings or you can drop it off at their offices in Student Services located across from the main office.  
• Individual Student/Counselor Meetings: Meetings will take place during history classes between February 13th and 25th.

  Rising 9th grade

If you were not able to attend the PTO Meeting at Cooper in January, this night is for you!  Please join us to discuss 9th grade course selection options and some important tips you can be doing now to support your child’s transition to high school this fall!

Thursday, February 6, 2025

7:00-8:15pm

Langley High School Auditorium

More information can be found on the LHS Student Services Academic Advising website set up just for you!: https://langleyhs.fcps.edu/student-services/9th-grade-academic-advising

Please reach out to your Cooper School counselor with any questions.

Additionally Academic Advising information for rising 8th and rising 9th graders will be added to the Cooper Website and Langley Website. 

Community Events Family Literacy Fair

Saturday, Feb. 8
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Lorton Community Center & Library
9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA 22079

Reading Opens the World Book Drive and Family Literacy Fair
30,000 FREE BOOKS for Families and Educators!

• Books are available on a first-come, first served basis, so arrive early!
• Parents and guardians are welcome to choose up to 10 free books per child for home libraries, with a 30 books maximum limit per family.
• Educators and school staff may choose up to 50 free books for their classrooms.
• Fun family activities including DJ, food trucks, and free Valentine’s Day card making area.
• Hundreds of LEGO brick boxes available while supplies last!

School and community program staff must be registered with First Book to receive free books.  Registration is free and on-stie registration will be available.  To register in advance, please go to www.firstbook.org/AFT. 

 

  TJ TWIST Presents Techstravaganza 2025

Tomorrow’s Women in Science and Technology (TWIST), a student organization at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) is hosting Techstravaganza 2025.  Techstravaganza is an annual STEM activity fair for students of ALL AGES.  Admission is free, food will be for sale, and we hope that you can spread the word in your school. Here is our registration link: https://tinyurl.com/techstrav25

Saturday, May 17, 2025

10:00am - 4:00pm

TJHSST

6560 Braddock Rd.

Alexandria, VA 22312

 

FCPS Family Resource Center Opportunities Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

2/7       Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges & Implement                Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Upper Elementary (3-6)

2/14     Comprendiendo el Trama en su Hijo (in Spanish)

2/18     FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 Risk Prevention

2/21     Nurturing Adolescent Growth: Part 4 – Supporting Mental Health:                     Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

2/22    SibShops (for children grades 2-6)

2/25    FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your                 Child

 

Cohort Opportunity

“From Caregiver to Breadwinner: Empowering Underserved Women with the Skills to Move into the Technology Workforce” at Marymount University’s Center for the Innovative Workforce is a no-cost 12-week training program designed to help women gain new skills and find higher-paying, more flexible jobs in Virginia’s technology industry as help-desk technicians. The program focuses on minority populations who are in caregiver roles and is currently recruiting participants for its spring cohort. You can learn more by reviewing this flier and access the application until January 31st. 

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Student Celebrations Debate Team

Cooper MS Debate Team sent 12 teams (24 students) to debate on the complicated issue of whether the African Union should recognize Somaliland. 

Top Speaker Points

Out of 164 debaters, Meera B earned #7 and Aashna U earned #9 - Top Speakers.

Top teams:

#3 – Edwin P and Tommy L with a 4-0 record (7th graders - first big win!)

#6 - Nia and Aashna - with a 4-0 record

#9 - Meera and Nirosha with a 3-1 record

All qualified for MetroFinals in March.

Three more teams earned 3-1 records:

• Isha K & Anika I
• Jessica X & Sophie L
• Hudson P & Aayan K

Mostly 2-2 for five more Cooper MS teams: Kudos to Annabel and Kai, Brant and Kaya, Isaac and Ennis, Dana and Aanya, and Arjan and Robert. Overall, everyone won at least one round. 

 

Science Olympiad

Congratulations to Cooper's Science Olympiad Teams

Rickards Science Olympiad Invitational (RSOI) is a Division B (middle school) national invitational including 94 schools and 218 teams. Cooper sent 2 teams to compete. 

Congratulations to our Cooper students who medaled (up to 15th place) at RSOI!

Tower - 1st place, Christopher K./ Oliver L.

Scrambler - 2nd place, Rahula A./ Sean K.

Write It, Do It - 4th place, Christopher K./ Sophie L. 

Air Trajectory - 6th place, Landon Y./ Oliver Y.

Helicopter - 8th place, Landon Y./ Oliver Y.

Experimental Design - 9th place, Aarik K./Sophie L./ Cheney Z.

Fossils - 11th place, Bryan T./ Chelsea Z.

Cooper MS Team Radar, 17th place overall

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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.

Kiss and Ride - New Entrance and Exit for Students

Starting Monday, January 27th, part of our rear blacktop area will be fenced off in order for construction to build our new Kiss and Ride location.  During this phase of renovation, students will continue to be dropped off and picked up at our existing Kiss and Ride loop; parent drop off and pick up location remains the same.  Students will be directed to use the walkway that runs parallel to the service road and enter and exit Door 9.  Walkers will be directed to exit Doors 3 and 9. We appreciate your support as we ensure students have a safe arrival and departure to and from school.  

Rising 8th Graders

We're excited to begin planning for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.  If your student will not be attending Cooper next school year, please contact our registrar, Silvia Dossmann, at [email protected] 

• Informational Videos: Videos covering electives and core courses are available on the Cooper Website.
• Cooper Math Information Night: Learn about math course options from Cooper administration and the Math Department chair. This event will be held at Cooper MS on January 28th at 5:30 PM (enter through Door 2).

• NEWLY ADDED! Cooper Math Information Night Encore: Learn about math course options from Cooper administration and the Math Department chair. This event will be held through Zoom on January 30th at 5:30 PM (the material presented will be the same as the in-person Jan 28th Math Night).

• Informational Lessons on the Course Selection Process: These lessons will take place during Block 4 Advisory on February 6th and 10th.
• Course Requests Due in SIS StudentVUE: Please submit your course requests by February 12th. Remember:
• Search by course code, not course title.
• Use a web browser, SIS StudentVUE, not the SIS app
• SIS Directions are available.
• Course Request Sheet Due to CMS Counselor: Submit your completed course request sheet to your counselor by February 12th. Counselor will collect these in the gyms in the mornings or you can drop it off at their offices in Student Services located across from the main office.  
• Individual Student/Counselor Meetings: Meetings will take place during history classes between February 13th and 25th.

Please reach out to your Cooper School counselor with any questions.

 

Rise Against Hunger

Please reference last week's email with more details about Rise Against Hunger. 

To reach our one-millionth meal, the Langley Pyramid needs to raise $34,475 by January 31st. Donations can be accepted online or students can bring cash to the Cooper MS main office collection jar. 

If your company matches contributions, please consider having them join you in making a tax-deductible donation today at Langley Pyramid Rise Against Hunger 2025 and help us Rise Against Hunger.

Sign up here to volunteer for the meal-packing event on February 1st at Colvin Run ES.

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 Reminders 

Tuesday, January 28 - 2nd Quarter Ends

Wednesday, January 29 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

Monday, February 17 (Presidents' Day) - Schools and offices closed

See the complete school year calendar.

Rising 9th Grade Open House - NEW TIME

The Rising 9th Grade Open House will be this Sunday, January 26th, from 1:00-3:00pm at Langley High School.  Please note this is an updated time. 

Who: Current 8th-grade students and their families in the Langley Pyramid

What: Langley High School Open House

Where: Langley HS Auditorium, park in the main lot and enter through door #14

When: Sunday, January 26th 2025, 1:00-3:00pm

Second Semester Student Schedules

Second semester student schedules will be distributed on Thursday, January 30th, during Block 1. Students should also check SIS under Class Schedule on Wednesday, January 29th at 4:00 PM or later especially if their current Block 1 is PE or a semester elective, as their schedule may have changes this semester. 

There will be no changes for yearlong courses. Only semester-long courses will change depending on students' elective course requests and alternates. If students see an error in their schedule, please have your student email their counselor as soon as possible. An example of an error is a missing class or 2 classes in the same period. 

For students who would like to request a schedule change for a semester-long elective class, there will be a link to a Google Form posted in Schoology on the Cooper Corner Course Announcements on January 30th. The Form will close on February 4th at 2:15. Please note: Cooper cannot honor requests to change teachers. If you have a question or concern, please reach out to your school counselor.  

School Counseling Team

Dana Scabis, Director of Student Services

Silvia Dossmann, Registrar/Student Services Assistant

Keyosha Lewis, 7th Grade Counselor (A-K)

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

Laura Wiley, 8th Grade Counselor (A-K)

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

College Partnership Program - CPP

Do you have a student between grades 8 through 11 who wants to go to college? If so, they should consider applying to the College Partnership Program (CPP), which offers support from exploration to application! The deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.

CPP offers programming to help prepare students and families from 9th grade all the way through applying to and enrolling in college, including:

• Academic counseling
• College visits
• Help with completing college and scholarship applications
• Monthly meetings
• A summer overnight experience on a college campus  
• News and information related to colleges and careers via Schoology

All students are eligible and encouraged to apply to this program, and are expected to meet the following requirements:

• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher in core classes
• Attend monthly CPP meetings 
• Are willing to pursue advanced coursework
• Demonstrate leadership in school or community activities

The goal of the program is to systematically mitigate the impact of barriers to access and opportunity, and support students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses. This includes students who are the first in their family to attend college in the U.S., Multilingual learners, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.

Application Link for Students: https://tinyurl.com/u2e3hme3 

*The application is only open to students using their FCPS G-Suite account. Students can access this link on the Cooper Corner Schoology page.

*All applications will be submitted ONLINE ONLY. 

Rise Against Hunger

Please reference last week's email with more details about Rise Against Hunger. 

To reach our one-millionth meal, the Langley Pyramid needs to raise $34,475 by January 31st. Donations can be accepted online or students can bring cash to the Cooper MS main office collection jar. 

If your company matches contributions, please consider having them join you in making a tax-deductible donation today at Langley Pyramid Rise Against Hunger 2025 and help us Rise Against Hunger.

Sign up here to volunteer for the meal-packing event on February 1st at Colvin Run ES.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

2025-2026 Course Registration

Throughout the upcoming weeks, more information for rising 7th and rising 8th graders will be added to the Cooper Website and more information for the rising 9th graders will be added to the Langley Website. 

Private School Application Process

If your student is planning to apply to a private school for the 2025-2026 school year, please find the required forms and timelines here.

Please ensure to submit all forms at least 10 school days prior to the application deadline.

FCPS Family Resource Center Opportunities Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

1/24      Depression in Teens

2/7       Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges & Implement                Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Upper Elementary (3-6)

2/14     Comprendiendo el Trama en su Hijo (in Spanish)

2/18     FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 Risk Prevention

2/21     Nurturing Adolescent Growth: Part 4 – Supporting Mental Health:                     Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

2/22    SibShops (for children grades 2-6)

2/25    FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your                 Child

 

Cohort Opportunity

“From Caregiver to Breadwinner: Empowering Underserved Women with the Skills to Move into the Technology Workforce” at Marymount University’s Center for the Innovative Workforce is a no-cost 12-week training program designed to help women gain new skills and find higher-paying, more flexible jobs in Virginia’s technology industry as help-desk technicians. The program focuses on minority populations who are in caregiver roles and is currently recruiting participants for its spring cohort. You can learn more by reviewing this flier and access the application until January 31st. 

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday) - No school for students/staff

Tuesday, January 28 - 2nd Quarter Ends

Wednesday, January 29 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

See the complete school year calendar.

Rise Against Hunger

Please reference today's email with more details about Rise Against Hunger. 

To reach our one-millionth meal, the Langley Pyramid needs to raise $34,475 by January 31st. Donations can be accepted online or students can bring cash to the Cooper MS main office collection jar. 

If your company matches contributions, please consider having them join you in making a tax-deductible donation today at Langley Pyramid Rise Against Hunger 2025 and help us Rise Against Hunger.

Sign up here to volunteer for the meal-packing event on February 1st at Colvin Run ES.

Pine Spring ES Thanks You

Our Pine Spring holiday party was a huge success, with over 100 gifts delivered to a lot of happy kindergartners. A huge thanks to all the Cooper families who made this event possible, and spread a lot of holiday joy.

Cooper's Skate Night  Friday, January 17, 2025, from 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Cooper Skate Night at SkateQuest! Strap on your ice skates and hang out with friends for a fun night of gliding (or falling!) on the ice. Tickets are available NOW on MySchoolBucks.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

Lost and Found

Please encourage your students to check the Lost and Found during their lunch time for any missing items. Items not claimed by Friday, January 17, will be donated.

2025-2026 Course Registration

Throughout the upcoming weeks, more information for rising 7th and rising 8th graders will be added to the Cooper Website and more information for the rising 9th graders will be added to the Langley Website. 

Rising 9th Grade Open House

On Sunday, January 26th, from 2-4pm, Langley High School is hosting an Open House.  Eighth-grade students and their families are invited to attend the information session presented by administrators, tour the building with student ambassadors, and chat with experienced parents and faculty. Interested families should RSVP to Assistant Principal Jim Robertson using this link by January 17th, 2025:

Who: Current 8th-grade students and their families in the Langley Pyramid

What: Langley High School Open House

Where: Langley HS Auditorium, park in the main lot and enter through door #14

When: Sunday, January 26th 2025, 2-4pm

Private School Application Process

If your student is planning to apply to a private school for the 2025-2026 school year, please find the required forms and timelines here.

Please ensure to submit all forms at least 10 school days prior to the application deadline.

Spelling Bee - Deadline to sign up 1/17/25

 

The PTO is proud to partner with Cooper to bring back the Scripps Spelling Bee. Sign up now! Signup deadline is Friday, January 17, 2025.  

Use this link or the QR code below:  https://forms.gle/TmSorNiBwnsE2tQN7  Once you sign up, you will receive an email with the vocabulary list to study.  You can also use an app called the “Word Club” – it’s free to download and contains all the words students need to know to compete in a fun, game format.

Spelling Bee: Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 2:30 pm in the Cooper Middle School Lecture Hall.

FCPS Family Resource Center Opportunities Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

1/17      A Series on Supporting Your Child’s Executive Function Skills

1/24      Depression in Teens

2/7       Understand Executive Function Milestones, Challenges & Implement                Effective Strategies at Home for Children in Upper Elementary (3-6)

2/14     Comprendiendo el Trama en su Hijo (in Spanish)

2/18     FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Part 1 Risk Prevention

2/21     Nurturing Adolescent Growth: Part 4 – Supporting Mental Health:                     Recognizing and Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Teens

2/22    SibShops (for children grades 2-6)

2/25    FCPS Risk Prevention Series: Suicide Prevention – Supporting Your                 Child

 

Cohort Opportunity

“From Caregiver to Breadwinner: Empowering Underserved Women with the Skills to Move into the Technology Workforce” at Marymount University’s Center for the Innovative Workforce is a no-cost 12-week training program designed to help women gain new skills and find higher-paying, more flexible jobs in Virginia’s technology industry as help-desk technicians. The program focuses on minority populations who are in caregiver roles and is currently recruiting participants for its spring cohort. You can learn more by reviewing this flier and access the application until January 31st. 

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday) - No school for students/staff

Tuesday, January 28 - 2nd Quarter Ends

Wednesday, January 29 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

See the complete school year calendar.

Happy New Year Cooper Middle School families! 

We hope you enjoyed the unexpected snow days.  As we prepare to get back into our routines, it's a good time to remind everyone of our "Away for the Day" policy. Cell phones, cellular watches, and Airpods must be turned off and stored in student backpacks during the school day. Please also ensure that your child's Chromebook is charged each night so they are ready for learning.

The first semester ends on Tuesday, January 28, so let's work together for a strong finish! Please remind your students of our Cooper Culture expectations for responsible behavior in the building, on the bus, and at bus stops. And remember to keep the snow on the ground!

Cheers to a fantastic 2025!

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

Lost and Found

Please encourage your students to check the Lost and Found during their lunch time for any missing items. Items not claimed by Friday, January 17, will be donated.

2025-2026 Course Registration

Throughout the upcoming weeks, more information for rising 7th and rising 8th graders will be added to the Cooper Website and more information for the rising 9th graders will be added to the Langley Website. 

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

During the December School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) 8

Cooper MS will again host the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) AMC 8 test.  The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40 minute multiple choice exam in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem solving skills.  Additional information can be found on the MAA website.

This optional competition will be offered after school on Wednesday, January 22nd from 2:30 - 4:00 PM.  Students can be picked up at Cooper at 4 PM, students can take a late bus home at 4:30, or any student that typically is a walker can walk home.  

If your child is interested in taking the AMC 8, please complete this Google Form no later than Monday, January 13th; late registrations will not be accepted. 

Please contact Lisa Walsh ([email protected])  with any questions.

Rising 9th Grade Open House

On Sunday, January 26th, from 2-4pm, Langley High School is hosting an Open House.  Eighth-grade students and their families are invited to attend the information session presented by administrators, tour the building with student ambassadors, and chat with experienced parents and faculty. Interested families should RSVP to Assistant Principal Jim Robertson using this link by January 10th, 2025:

Who: Current 8th-grade students and their families in the Langley Pyramid

What: Langley High School Open House

Where: Langley HS Auditorium, park in the main lot and enter through door #14

When: Sunday, January 26th 2025, 2-4pm

Private School Application Process

If your student is planning to apply to a private school for the 2025-2026 school year, please find the required forms and timelines here.

Please ensure to submit all forms at least 10 school days prior to the application deadline.

Spelling Bee

 

Cooper Middle School is excited to bring back the Spelling Bee at the end of February!  Sign up now using the following link https://forms.gle/TmSorNiBwnsE2tQN7  Students who sign up will be emailed the vocabulary list to study.  Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this event.  There is also an app called the “Word Club” that is free to download which contains all the words students need to know to compete in a fun, game format.

FCPS Family Resource Center Opportunities Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

1/10      Help! My Kids Won’t Go to School

1/17      A Series on Supporting Your Child’s Executive Function Skills

1/24      Depression in Teens

 

Cohort Opportunity

“From Caregiver to Breadwinner: Empowering Underserved Women with the Skills to Move into the Technology Workforce” at Marymount University’s Center for the Innovative Workforce is a no-cost 12-week training program designed to help women gain new skills and find higher-paying, more flexible jobs in Virginia’s technology industry as help-desk technicians. The program focuses on minority populations who are in caregiver roles and is currently recruiting participants for its spring cohort. You can learn more by reviewing this flier and access the application at https://fromcaregivertobreadwinner.wordpress.com

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 (Winter Break) - No school for students/staff

Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday) - No school for students/staff

Tuesday, January 28 - 2nd Quarter Ends

Wednesday, January 29 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

See the complete school year calendar.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Boundary Meetings

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place today, Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School (Cafeteria). If you are unable to attend on this date, please view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) 8

Cooper MS will again host the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) AMC 8 test.  The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40 minute multiple choice exam in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem solving skills.  Additional information can be found on the MAA website.

This optional competition will be offered after school on Wednesday, January 22nd from 2:30 - 4:00 PM.  Students can be picked up at Cooper at 4 PM, students can take a late bus home at 4:30, or any student that typically is a walker can walk home.  

If your child is interested in taking the AMC 8, please complete this Google Form no later than Monday, January 13th; late registrations will not be accepted. 

Please contact Lisa Walsh ([email protected])  with any questions.

Office of Student Testing

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.

Rising 9th Grade Open House

On Sunday, January 26th, from 2-4pm, Langley High School is hosting an Open House.  Eighth-grade students and their families are invited to attend the information session presented by administrators, tour the building with student ambassadors, and chat with experienced parents and faculty. Interested families should RSVP to Assistant Principal Jim Robertson using this link by January 10th, 2025:

Who: Current 8th-grade students and their families in the Langley Pyramid

What: Langley High School Open House

Where: Langley HS Auditorium, park in the main lot and enter through door #14

When: Sunday, January 26th 2025, 2-4pm

Private School Application Process

If your student is planning to apply to a private school for the 2025-2026 school year, please find the required forms and timelines here.

Please ensure to submit all forms at least 10 school days prior to the application deadline.

FCPS Family Resource Center Opportunities Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

12/20  Youth Mental Health First Aid for Families

1/10      Help! My Kids Won’t Go to School

1/17      A Series on Supporting Your Child’s Executive Function Skills

1/24      Depression in Teens

 

Cohort Opportunity

“From Caregiver to Breadwinner: Empowering Underserved Women with the Skills to Move into the Technology Workforce” at Marymount University’s Center for the Innovative Workforce is a no-cost 12-week training program designed to help women gain new skills and find higher-paying, more flexible jobs in Virginia’s technology industry as help-desk technicians. The program focuses on minority populations who are in caregiver roles and is currently recruiting participants for its spring cohort. You can learn more by reviewing this flier and access the application at https://fromcaregivertobreadwinner.wordpress.com

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Student Celebrations Yearbook

The Cooper MS yearbook, Pathfinder, earned a finalist position for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Awards.  Crown Awards are the highest recognition given by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association to a student print or digital medium for overall excellence. Finalists will be awarded either a Silver or Gold Crown at the CSPA 101st Annual Spring Convention on March 21, 2025, on the Columbia University campus in New York City.   Additional information about his recognition can be found here.

Congratulations to Ms. Bovenzi and her yearbook team for achieving this honor.

Cooper Quiz Bowl

Cooper QB pulled off another win at the Katherine Johnson MS Invitational in Fairfax, VA on 12/14. Cooper A (Ian C., Andrew D., Richard D.) went 8-0 and won the tournament. Cooper C (Sohum D., A.J. G., Dhruv R., Mihir J.) placed 5th, Cooper B (Sophie J., Oliver Y., Ananda A., Keshavan N.) placed 9th out of a field of 24 local schools.  Individually Sohum and Andrew medaled with 4th and 5th finish respectively.  Congratulations to the team!

Model UN

Cooper's Model UN team scooped up an impressive number of awards at the GW conference:

Verbal Commendations went to Mark T., Ahaana S.R., Andrew L., Nader T., Tyler P. and Arya I.  Honorable Mention went to Bella W. and Benjamin M. and Outstanding Delegate went to Ezgi G.

Congratulations to our award winners and everyone on the team that did an amazing job!  Please view our website for a few pictures. 

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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 Reminders 

Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 (Winter Break) - No school for students/staff

Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday) - No school for students/staff

Tuesday, January 28 - 2nd Quarter Ends

Wednesday, January 29 (Teacher Workday) - No school for students

See the complete school year calendar.

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Boundary Meetings

Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School (Cafeteria). If you are unable to attend on this date, please view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) 8

Cooper MS will again host the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) AMC 8 test.  The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40 minute multiple choice exam in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem solving skills.  Additional information can be found on the MAA website.

This optional competition will be offered after school on Wednesday, January 22nd from 2:30 - 4:00 PM.  Students can be picked up at Cooper at 4 PM, students can take a late bus home at 4:30, or any student that typically is a walker can walk home.  

If your child is interested in taking the AMC 8, please complete this Google Form no later than Monday, January 13th; late registrations will not be accepted. 

Please contact Lisa Walsh ([email protected])  with any questions.

American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) 8

Cooper MS will again host the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) AMC 8 test.  The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40 minute multiple choice exam in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem solving skills.  Additional information can be found on the MAA website.

This optional competition will be offered after school on Wednesday, January 22nd from 2:30 - 4:00 PM.  Students can be picked up at Cooper at 4 PM, students can take a late bus home at 4:30, or any student that typically is a walker can walk home.  

If your child is interested in taking the AMC 8, please complete this Google Form no later than Monday, January 13th; late registrations will not be accepted. 

Please contact Lisa Walsh ([email protected])  with any questions.

AAP Referrals

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Sarah Reeser ([email protected]) no later than December 15, 2024. 

 

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Sarah Reeser ([email protected])

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

Office of Student Testing

Fall Student Testing Results - Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to our school staff with any questions.

PTO Spiritwear Pop-Up Shop at the Bookfair

The PTO will have a pop-up shop at the bookfair for one day only. They have warm winter hoodies, beanies, and socks to help students show their Cooper flair even when it’s cold outside. These also make great gifts for siblings who are up and coming Cooper students! The popup shop will be available only one day this week: TOMORROW: THURSDAY, December 12. Cash only—bring enough for your books, candy canes, and Cooper swag.

 

Students can visit the book fair, during designated times, through Friday, December 13.

Rising 9th Grade Open House

On Sunday, January 26th, from 2-4pm, Langley High School is hosting an Open House.  Eighth-grade students and their families are invited to attend the information session presented by administrators, tour the building with student ambassadors, and chat with experienced parents and faculty. Interested families should RSVP to Assistant Principal Jim Robertson using this link by January 10th, 2025:

Who: Current 8th-grade students and their families in the Langley Pyramid

What: Langley High School Open House

Where: Langley HS Auditorium, park in the main lot and enter through door #14

When: Sunday, January 26th 2025, 2-4pm

Private School Application Process

If your student is planning to apply to a private school for the 2025-2026 school year, please find the required forms and timelines here.

Please ensure to submit all forms at least 10 school days prior to the application deadline.

FCPS Family Resource Center Opportunities Webinars

The Family Resource Center offers a variety of free webinars to help children and families succeed.  Speakers are invited from academic fields and from within FCPS experts.  Check out the link for sign up and more details. https://www.fcps.edu/services/families-and-caregivers/family-resource-center/free-webinars-and-family-events

12/13  Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online

12/20  Youth Mental Health First Aid for Families

1/10      Help! My Kids Won’t Go to School

1/17      A Series on Supporting Your Child’s Executive Function Skills

1/24      Depression in Teens

 

Cohort Opportunity

“From Caregiver to Breadwinner: Empowering Underserved Women with the Skills to Move into the Technology Workforce” at Marymount University’s Center for the Innovative Workforce is a no-cost 12-week training program designed to help women gain new skills and find higher-paying, more flexible jobs in Virginia’s technology industry as help-desk technicians. The program focuses on minority populations who are in caregiver roles and is currently recruiting participants for its spring cohort. You can learn more by reviewing this flier and access the application at https://fromcaregivertobreadwinner.wordpress.com

 

Please contact our Family Liaison, Ms. Amy Bailey ([email protected]) with any questions. 

Student Celebrations Quiz Bowl

The National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT), the organization that hosts the quiz bowl nationals, featured Cooper MS A Team as NAQT Middle School Team of the Week, due to our great performance in recent tournaments. Cooper A is currently ranked at 4th place nationally, Cooper B 29th place!  Congratulations to our Quiz Bowl team.

Chess Club

Congratulations to Zohran V., Andrew D., and Bryan T. on the Cooper MS Chess Club for their 7th place finish in the 2024 National K-12 Grades Championship by the US Chess Federation.

  Model UN

Cooper's Model UN team scooped up an impressive number of awards at the GW conference this past weekend:

Verbal Commendations went to Mark T., Ahaana S.R., Andrew L., Nader T., Tyler P. and Arya I.  Honorable Mention went to Bella W. and Benjamin M. and Outstanding Delegate went to Ezgi G.

Congratulations to our award winners and everyone on the team that did an amazing job!

  Model UN

Cooper's Model UN team scooped up an impressive number of awards at the GW conference this past weekend:

Verbal Commendations went to Mark T., Ahaana S.R., Andrew L., Nader T., Tyler P. and Arya I.  Honorable Mention went to Bella W. and Benjamin M. and Outstanding Delegate went to Ezgi G.

Congratulations to our award winners and everyone on the team that did an amazing job!

Request for Photos

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 [email protected] ASAP. THANK YOU!

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