Weekly Words
September 9, 2022
We are Better Together!
A Message from our Administration
We have had an amazing start to the 2022-23 school year and it’s hard to believe that we’ve already finished 3 weeks of school. The children at Island Creek arrive to school ready to engage with their learning, teachers, and classmates. A shout-out to our 6th Grade students and Patrols as they are great role models and helpers for the younger Island Creek Crocs!
All students demonstrated flexibility and resiliency on Wednesday when we had an extended Fire Drill (15-20 minutes) that was silenced by the Fairfax County Fire Department (Thank you, FCFD!). I was on the blacktop area with Preschool, Kindergarten, 5th Grade, and a 6th Grade class and the students literally cheered when the fire alarm was silenced and we were able to go back inside the building! 😊
Thank you for partnering with us and please reach out if you have a question, suggestion or concern. We are Better Together!
Your Proud Administrative Team,
Jen Fallert Karen Baxter
JRFallert@fcps.edu KPBaxter@fcps.edu
Principal Assistant Principal
Popsicles with the Principals - Today!
4:00 PM on the playground
Families are invited to meet and socialize with one another while joining Ms. Fallert (Principal) and Ms. Baxter (Assistant Principal) on the Playground!
Today - Friday, September 9
4:00-5:00 PM
September Character Trait: Safe
Our Positive Behavior Approach Committee has revamped and rejuvenated the Crocs Creed. Each month our Island Creek students will focus on a different character trait and have monthly opportunities for recognition!
For the month of September our character trait is SAFE! Students will learn how to be safe throughout the school building, at recess, and to/from school. During Morning Meeting and Closing Circle, classes will define what being safe means. On the last school day of the month, each homeroom will have at least 2 students recognized as Croc Stars for demonstrating Safe choices and, along with a certificate, their names will be shown on the Morning News! An additional surprise that day…..Crocky will be outside at student arrival to give high-fives!
There are many opportunities in the community where students can display safe choices. We encourage students and family members to support our school effort in making safe choices.
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Island Creek Celebrates Diversity!
We want to empower our Island Creek students to have a strong voice, share their experiences, and learn from, and celebrate, each other! We would love to hear from our Crocs about the various traditions, holidays, observances, and cultural experiences families celebrate or recognize.
During the month of September, we would like our students to recognize and learn about the following observances:
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National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15-October 15
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Rosh Hashanah: September 25-27
- Additional September observances or celebrations that your child would like to share
If your child is interested in recording a 1-2 minute segment for our Morning News Show please use this link: https://flip.com/2ec3a9bc as we would love to learn from them! Should you need additional information with recording, please contact Ms. Keaney, Librarian (mkeaney@fcps.edu). Alternatively, if your child would prefer to make a poster to display in the hallways at Island Creek, please have them bring their poster to Ms. Fallert, Principal (jrfallert@fcps.edu).
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Remembering 9/11 Through FCPS Service Learning and Volunteer Fairfax
Volunteer Fairfax will be facilitating Volunteer Fest 2022, a countywide day of service, on September 17. This is a great opportunity for students and families who want to engage with local nonprofits and volunteer. The event will officially kick-off on September 11, Patriot’s Day, with Volunteer Fairfax sharing donation needs and upcoming volunteer opportunities. More information about Volunteer Fest 2022 can be found at Volunteer Fairfax’s website. Additional 9/11 Day of Service information can be found at 911Day.org.
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Anonymous Tip Line Puts Safety First
If you or your child have concerns or information relating to feeling unsafe in any way at school, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security has a safety tip line that you can access anonymously online, by text (888-777; Keyword TIP FCPS), or by phone (571-423-2020).
If your tip is an emergency and immediate assistance is necessary, please dial 911.
Students, staff, and community members should report school safety issues such as threats, unsafe or dangerous situations, illegal drug activity, theft, gang activity, the existence of weapons, vandalism, and concerns about student wellness. Tip line users may identify themselves or remain anonymous.
Concerns that do not impact the safety of our schools—concerns or information about programs, regulations, or policies—can be sent to the FCPS ombudsman online, at 571-423-4014, or ombudsman@fcps.edu.
Advanced Academic Program Parent Information Meeting
The Island Creek Advanced Academic Program parent information meeting will be held on Wednesday September 22, 2022 at 9:15 AM in the Island Creek Cafeteria. The Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Amy Ivey, will provide information about levels of Advanced Academic service and discuss examples at Island Creek. This meeting will focus on AAP services in elementary school. Additional information about middle and high school programs can be found in the AAP Overview video. For more information about AAP Services, please go to the AAP Website.
AAP Fall Newsletter
The meeting is open to all K-6 parents.
Please contact Amy Ivey at amivey@fcps.edu with questions.
Meet our Staff
Island Creek would like to welcome our new staff members and introduce them to the community through our 'about me' page.
This week we are welcoming: Sarah Laird, Deb Tien (Music Teachers), Amber Hicks (Strings Teacher), Laura Creque (Band Teacher), and Maya Rivers (Psychologist).
FCPS Early Literacy Programs Begin in October
Registration is open for the FCPS Early Literacy Programs, free interactive parenting programs developed for parents of children from birth to age five. Early Literacy programs are available in African-Heritage and Arabic that are taught in English, Spanish programs taught in Spanish, and Korean programs taught in Korean. The programs are designed to promote essential early literacy skills for student success and children participate in fun “school-like” experiences using a 37-topic curriculum that is aligned with evidence-based instruction. Classes meet two times per week and are taught by trained instructors. Access the FCPS Early Literacy Programs webpage for additional information.
Fairfax County Government Parenting Education September Programs
The Fairfax County Parenting Education sessions are free family centered classes proven to help parents and children develop healthy, nurturing relationships. New sessions for families with children in the 0-4 age range and the 5-11 age range begin on September 12th . Virtual sessions for families with children in the 12-18 age range begin on September 27th. Most classes include 14 weekly sessions and new sessions are scheduled throughout the year. Call 703-324-7720 or email Parentingeducation@fairfaxcounty.gov for more information or access the Fairfax County Parenting Education Programs webpage.
How to Receive FCPS Messages in Other Languages
You may wish to read FCPS messages in a language other than English. There are several ways you can receive or view our communications in a different language.
FCPS This Week is distributed in other languages to parents/guardians who have filled out the Home Language Survey form and selected a language supported by FCPS as their preferred language for communication. Home Language Survey forms are available in the following languages: Amharic | Arabic (العربية) | Chinese (中文) | Farsi (فارسی) | Korean (한국어) | Spanish (español) | Urdu (اردو) | Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).
Learn more about other communications that are translated.
Click to view the 2022-2023 FCPS School Calendar
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Playground, Popsicles, Principals – Today, Friday, 4:00 - 5:00 PM
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PTA Meeting – Tuesday, September 13, 7:00 PM, Cafeteria
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Rosh Hashanah Student Holiday – Monday, September 26
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Virginia Growth Assessment (Grades 3-6)– Wed, 9/28 & Thurs, 9/29
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First Quarter Interim Reports sent home for all students (Grades K-6) – Thursday, 9/29
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Croc Rock-N-Run Run – Friday, September 30
PTA News
Membership Drive Update
We are so close to reaching our first goal. We are currently at 150 members. When we get 200 members, we will have a crazy sock day at Island Creek! Join today at https://ices.memberhub.com/store! Enroll the whole family! Let's feed the hungry croc!
"Oh, the Places You'll Go"
The PTA will host "Oh, the Places You'll Go" on Friday, October 21, from 6–7:30 pm. Help us explore all the places you'd like to visit - whether real or from your favorite story or movie! We are looking for families who would like to decorate their car/van as a real place or something out of a movie or book and distribute candy as our Island Creek students come by. We are looking for families who would like to host a trunk or donate candy! Registration will be available in the PTA store through October 19. Pre-registration is required to help us know how many food trucks and candy to have, so please register each family member who will attend! During the event, we will also have the food truck Lunchbox on Wheels onsite.
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