Dear Olde Creek Families and Friends,
We had another busy week preparing to kick-off the 2020-21 school year! We completed our scheduled technology distribution dates so our Bears have the devices they need to support our virtual learning environment. We distributed over 200 laptops to our students. We enjoyed meeting more of our new families during our new family orientation--thank you for joining us! Our class placement letters went out this week through email. Our exceptional teachers are communicating with families through their informal meet and greet sessions. As we prepare for our student materials distribution and virtual orientations next week, we are looking forward to seeing all of our students and families. Every Bear will have a bag to pick up on Tuesday, September 1, to support their virtual learning environment at home.
Our first PTA meeting of the 2020-21 school year will be on Wednesday, September 9 at 6:00PM. For your convenience, membership, volunteer opportunities and additional forms are posted on the OCES PTA website. You may also download a hard copy of the registration form here. Feel free to direct PTA questions or comments to: board@oldecreekpta.com.
We hope you and our students will be able to participate in our meet and greets and the virtual orientations. These are important opportunities for students and families to learn how to access their sessions prior to the first day of school. If you cannot make any of these sessions, please email your teacher directly so we know your child is ready for September 8!
There is a lot of information included in this week’s update. An overview of this issue is included for easy reference.
Warm Regards,
Melissa Miller
- Supplies & Student Materials Distribution: September 1
- Virtual Orientation Sessions: September 2
- Parent/Guardian Consent for Select Digital Resources
- Student Computer Passwords
- Contact Information
- Band and Strings Virtual Meet & Greet
- Dr. Brabrand’s Return to School Update
- Family Resources
- Olde Creek Bears Care Program Outreach
- Office Hours and Registration
- Upcoming Dates
- Be Informed, Stay Involved!
Supplies & Student Materials Distribution: September 1
We have modified our school supply lists for each grade level to meet the needs of our virtual learning environment. The lists have been updated on our website, please click here. Olde Creek would like to support families in need of assistance with supplies. If you are unable to access school supplies, please contact our school counselor, Jeanna Squif at JMSquif@fcps.edu
We will be distributing EPI school supplies and school provided student materials (supplies we are putting together to enhance your child’s virtual experience) on September 1. We will be doing this distribution by grade level because many of our teachers will be present to wave at their new students! The schedule for this distribution is below.
Tuesday, September 1*
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Kindergarten
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9:00-9:45
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1st Grade
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9:45-10:30
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2nd Grade
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10:30-11:15
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3rd Grade
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11:15-12:00
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4th Grade
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1:00-1:45
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5th Grade
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1:45-2:30
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6th Grade
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2:30-3:15
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*If you have multiple students, you will be able to pick up all supplies at one time.
Virtual Orientation Sessions: September 2
On September 2, Olde Creek will be holding our Virtual Orientation sessions for students and caregivers. The goal is to make the student transition to virtual learning as smooth as possible and to reduce any anxiety leading up to and on the first day of school. Students will be able to join the session through their classroom link that will be communicated by their classroom teacher.
Session 1: 9:00am-9:30am
Session 2: 9:45am-10:15am
The virtual orientation will include the following opportunities:
- Support building relationships and community
- Meet the teacher(s)
- Provide an overview of how virtual learning will work, such as basic logging into students’ FCPS GMail accounts to access virtual classroom links, and how to use BBCU
- Answer basic questions and to provide information to prepare families for the first day of school
Parent/Guardian Consent for Select Digital Resources
At Olde Creek Elementary School, our teachers will use a variety of digital resources to support student learning and promote communication and collaboration with students and families. Some of the digital resources your child may use this year will require your consent before they can be used. You can find our school’s list of the resources that require parental consent here.
Included on this page is also a link to a form where the enrolling parent or guardian will need to indicate whether or not their student is allowed to use the list of digital resources this year. This page also provides more information about how FCPS carefully reviews digital resources for approval and why we must request your consent before using certain tools. We encourage you to complete the parental consent for digital resources form as soon as possible, as your child will not be able to use the digital resources until we have received your permission. Please reach out to the school if you have questions or concerns about the digital resources we’ve chosen to use this year.
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Student Computer Passwords
Rising 1st-6th grade student passwords will not expire this year! Your student can continue to login to their FCPS computer, Google Apps, FCPS 24/7 Blackboard and other FCPS applications that require their username and password.
Rising kindergarten and students new to FCPS received their passwords at technology distribution. If you do not have access to this, please email your teacher.
Password Recovery: (Rising 1st -6th only) We encourage parents to setup password recovery information for their student using the FCPS Account Manager System located at https://itweb.fcps.edu/AccountManager/
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Contact Information
Current contact information is essential. We will need to regularly notify parents about program changes and other opportunities. Once school begins, the school team will need to reach parents about student absences and academic and other concerns. Parents may update their information through Parent Vue
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Band and Strings Virtual Meet & Greet
Parents/guardians and students of 4th, 5th and 6th graders, please join Ms. VanHorne (Band) and Ms. Reilly (Strings) for a live information session on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 7:00 PM. Virtual music programs and registration will be discussed and families will be able to ask questions. Here is the link to the session: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/f0db98b7ec1a4800800ed9f74132c4e9
Dr. Brabrand's Return to School Update
Please refer to Dr. Brabrand's Return to School Update for information regarding Town Halls, Attendance, Special Education Resources, Technology Updates, Supporting Return to School Program, and many more topics, which was emailed through eNotify Friday, August 28th afternoon.
Family Resources
Technology Help Desk
To support families who are working with their children during distance learning, Fairfax County Public Schools launched a new Parent Technology Help Desk on Monday, August 24. The number is 1-833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS). It will be answered by staff 7 a.m.to 11 p.m., seven days a week. If the help desk is unable to solve the issue on the phone with the parent or guardian, they will enter a ticket on the parent’s behalf and the request for help will be transferred to the appropriate FCPS team.
Parents or guardians who need help in a language other than English should let help desk staff know, and an interpreter will join them on the line. (FCPS also has existing parent information phone lines, available in eight different languages, that can assist with general questions about FCPS.)
FCPS has also set up an online portal to allow older students and parents and guardians to request technology help directly.
Get more information about the new Parent Technology Help Desk.
 The Region 5 Behavior Intervention Teachers will be hosting 3 elementary parent training opportunities on September 1st. Each training will be around 30-45 minutes and will address ways to begin the school year successfully online. Topics will include: priming, routines, learning environment, and reinforcement. The information for session times and links is also listed below:
Session 1- 11:00 AM
us.bbcollab.com/guest/2803f5066efa448ea45ce3942cb59306
Session 2- 2:00 PM
us.bbcollab.com/guest/ca6c3977b137415e98d17e0f83d96695
Session 3- 7:00 PM
us.bbcollab.com/guest/029998fb9ca94fdc82d5857f620347e9
Looking for videos of workshops to support your child this fall? Check out these links:
Parent Resource: fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center/workshops-youtube
FCPS Family Workshops: fcps.edu/resources/family-engagement/parent-resource-center/register-free-workshops-parent-resource-center
Emergency Mental Health Services
Mental Health Emergency Numbers
Tips for Online Learning Success
FCPS has created this document to help support families with technology at home during virtual learning.
A Parent Guide to Starting the School Year Virtually
Click here to access the Parent Guide from FCPS Behavior Intervention Services
Food Resources and Free/Reduced Lunch Application
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Please use this link to access the most up to date locations and times for food distribution. If you need additional support, please contact our main office.
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Free/Reduced Lunch Applications are available for those who qualify and wish to initiate or renew their applications for the 20-21 school year. Your child(ren)’s application from last school year is only good for the first few days of this school year. You must send in a new household application for each school year. The application is available HERE.
FCPS Parent Resource Center Updates
Tuesday, September 1: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Survive and Thrive with Virtual Learning: Practical Strategies to Make At-Home Learning Work for You (6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Register Here)
Friday, September 11: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Survive and Thrive with Virtual Learning: Practical Strategies to Make At-Home Learning Work for You (10:00-11:30 a.m. - Register Here)
Friday, September 18: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: 10 Ways to Stop Power Struggles & Start Motivating Your Kids (10:00-11:30a.m. OR 6:30-8:30 p.m. - Register Here)
Thursday, September 24: FCPS Parent Resource Center Free Webinar: Encouraging Positive Behaviors at Home Series - Setting the Stage for Good Behavior: Routines, Procedures, & Expectations (10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. - Register Here)
Olde Creek Bears Care Community Outreach Program
Help! Donations Needed for Bears Care Community Program
As school is approaching, we will be collecting donations for the Bears Care Food Pantry. The pantry distributes food provisions to Olde Creek students and their families in need for the week. Use this link to sign up for any donations you are able to provide during this extraordinary time!
Instead of the previous drop off procedure at the school, please email Lisa Goodwin at lisamarm@gmail.com about a drop off or for a pick up time and date. Check out our list of item ideas on our PTA website. Most food items are welcome at this time. Gift cards are also greatly appreciated for families right now! Stores, such as Walmart, can mail gift cards without even having to make a trip to the store!
Or, order food items from our Bears Care Amazon Wish List and have it delivered directly. (Use Amazon Smile and have a percentage donated to OC!). Thank you, as always, for your kindness and generosity!
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Office Hours and Registration
Our Olde Creek ES main office is now open by appointment only. To schedule an appointment for registration, please contact Mr. Santos (LISantos@fcps.edu) and for all other appointments, please contact Ms. Platenkamp (amplatenkamp@fcps.edu). As decisions are being made regarding the fall, it is vital we have all kindergartners and new students registered. Important information will be sent to parents of registered students and fall schedules will be determined based on the specific students in each class. If you, a neighbor, or friend have a child to register please contact Mr. Santos.
If you need assistance with anything, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Melissa Miller, Principal: mhmiller@fcps.edu
Alison Butler, Assistant Principal: ajbutler@fcps.edu
Kelly Durso, Assistant Principal: kldurso@fcps.edu
Sylvia Alverson, Administrative Assistant: sjalverson@fcps.edu
Ann Platenkamp, Administrative Assistant: amplatenkamp@fcps.edu
Lizardo Santos, Student Information Assistant: LISantos@fcps.edu
Sandy McCulloch, Office Assistant: slmcculloch@fcps.edu
Upcoming Dates
September 1: Student Materials Distribution
September 2: Virtual Orientation Sessions
September 8: Virtual First Day of School
September 8: Band & Strings Meet and Greet--7:00PM
September 9: PTA Meeting--6:00PM
September 23: Virtual Back to School Night
September 30: Olde Creek Town Hall
Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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