On behalf of the Faculty and Staff of Cool Spring Elementary, a warm welcome to all of our students and families! Whether you are a new or returning family to Cool Spring, we look forward to working with you in our common goal of helping our students develop the knowledge and skills to not only experience academic success, but also become positive, productive and caring citizens. 

Cool Spring is recognized for its focus on the whole child- striving to support students’ academic, social and emotional growth, as we help our students develop the foundational skills they need to be successful in and out of the classroom, from elementary school and beyond. Increasingly, many of the jobs our students will hold as adults have not even been developed yet. Education has continued to change, as the skills our students will need in the 21st century are much different than those we as adults may have been exposed in our schooling.

Our implementation of the instructional program, although connected to the Virginia Standards of Learning, includes ongoing opportunities for students to not just learn to read and write, but develop higher level thinking, communication, collaboration and problem solving skills within a flexible and safe learning environment. Students use a variety of strategies, manipulatives and technology supports to help them learn and experience success…and we love watching our students grow over the course of the year and celebrating their progress!

Education is both a process and a partnership. It is important that both staff and parents work collaboratively to support and monitor our students both academically, behaviorally and socially. Together, we can provide the modelling, consistency and structure our students need to achieve academic success and develop positive citizenship traits. Additionally, our students and staff are supported by an enthusiastic and dedicated PTA! Our PTA offers many programs and supports to our school community; I sincerely hope that you will become a PTA member as well as volunteer and participate in our many events!

I look forward to watching our students learn and grow, as well as working together with you to make this a great school year!

Christopher J. Cadwell
Principal
 Email Mr. Cadwell 

Greetings, Cool Spring Families!

I am excited to begin this school year and am looking forward to the many opportunities and learning this school year will bring to our students and community.

To share a bit about my background, I began my career in LCPS as a special education teacher at Lowes Island Elementary School, and then served as a fifth grade teacher at Countryside Elementary School. In 2005, I helped open Newton-Lee Elementary School as the Assistant Principal and served there until having the opportunity to join the Cool Spring family in 2013. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Duquesne University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and certificate in Special Education Leadership from George Mason University.

 I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, and of course support the Pirates, Penguins and Steelers. How great it is to show our Penguin Pride at Cool Spring with black and gold (our school colors) each day! I enjoy attending Nationals games and visiting other major league baseball parks- baseball is of course my favorite sport. In my spare time, I enjoy visiting with family, friends and travelling.