Weekly Words - Sep 16

Weekly Words 

September 16, 2022


We are Better Together!

A Message from our Administration

What a fun and exciting week our Crocs had with 2 Spirit Days – Super Hero Day and Crazy Socks Day! The students and staff are excited for the Croc Rock-N-Run that is only 2 weeks away and will take place on Friday, September 30th.

At Island Creek we want to ensure that every child and family feels welcome at school. If you and/or your child(ren) are interested in sharing about a tradition/celebration that you recognize, please read the Island Creek Celebrates Diversity section of this newsletter.

Thank you for partnering with us and please reach out if you have a question, suggestion or concern. #ICESBetterTogether

Your Proud Administrative Team,

                          Jen Fallert                                    Karen Baxter                                            JRFallert@fcps.edu                       KPBaxter@fcps.edu                                               Principal                                 Assistant Principal


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Advanced Academic Information Meeting

Amy Ivey, our Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AART), will be hosting an Advanced Academic Information Meeting on Thursday, September 22 at 9:15 AM in the cafeteria. This meeting is for all families of students K-6 who are interested in learning more about Advanced Academics Programs and the Continuum of Services in FCPS. The information session will be recorded. Please contact Amy Ivey (amivey@fcps.edu) with any questions you might have.


National Hispanic Heritage Month


Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of the members of our community whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre, la FCPS reconoce y celebra las historias, culturas y contribuciones de los miembros de nuestra comunidad cuyos antepasados vinieron de España, México, el Caribe y América Central y del Sur. 

Some resources including resources and events from the Smithsonian can be found here. In addition, below are some books to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month. 


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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:

  • National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15-October 15
  • 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).


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: Julie Gillett (Kindergarten Teacher) and Miranda Sevier (Preschool Teacher).

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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. 


Parent Report Available to Monitor Child’s Online Activity (Lightspeed)

FCPS has tools to help parents and guardians know more about their child’s online activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided by Lightspeed, our internet content filtering service, at no cost to families.

You may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. If you want more detailed information, sign up for the Internet Use Parent portal and log-in anytime to see more detail about your child’s browsing and “pause” access to the internet during non-school hours.

Find out more and sign up for these services on our Lightspeed Parent Report Request website.


Tutor.com Available All School Year

FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, 1-to-1, online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families during the 22-23 SY. Student participation is optional and parents/guardians can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Detailed information and FAQs are available on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services website.

Students will continue to access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology.  Information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided in the following instructional video: 

Tutor.com: How it Works Elementary


Important Forms

Emergency Care Form

Family Life Education Opt-Out Forms (FLE) 

Student Rights & Responsibilities Signature Sheet   -  Booklet 

Medical 

Epinephrine Authorization Form 

Medication Authorization Form 


Classroom Monitors Needed

Come join our Island Creek team! Do you have between one – five days that you are free?  Would you like to help in classrooms?

Island Creek is looking for Classroom Monitors to cover classes when teachers have meetings as well as help out in classrooms as needed. This is a paid position! 

For more information or to apply for the job, please contact Karen Baxter at 571-642-6300 or email her at kpbaxter@fcps.edu


Substitute Teachers and Substitute Instructional Assistant Information Sessions

FCPS is hiring substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants.  If you are interested in supporting the mission of FCPS, please consider attending one of the information sessions.  Registration links can be found below.

https://www.fcps.edu/event/fcps-substitute-teaching-and-substitute-instructional-assistants-information-session-09-14-22

https://www.fcps.edu/event/fcps-substitute-teaching-and-substitute-instructional-assistants-information-session-09-21-22

https://www.fcps.edu/event/fcps-substitute-teaching-and-substitute-instructional-assistants-information-session-09-28-22


upcoming events

Click to view the 2022-2023 FCPS School Calendar

  • Thursday, September 22 (9:15 AM, Cafeteria) - Advanced Academics Info Meeting 
  • Monday, September 26 (No School)- Rosh Hashanah Student Holiday
  • Wed, 9/28 & Thurs, 9/29- Virginia Growth Assessment (Grades 3-6)
  • Thursday, 9/29- First Quarter Interim Reports sent home for school-age students
  • Friday, September 30 (during grade-level Specials)- Croc Rock-N-Run Run
  • Friday, September 30 - Student Rights and Responsibilities Signature Due
  • Wednesday, October 5 (No School) - Yom Kippur, Holiday
  • Monday, October 10 (No School) - Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Student Holiday
  • Friday, October 21 (6:00-7:30) - PTA, “Oh the Places You’ll Go”
  • Monday, October 24 (No School) - Diwali, Holiday
  • Friday, October 28 (1:20 dismissal) - First Quarter Ends, 2-hour Early Dismissal
  • Monday, October 31 (No School) - Teacher Workday, Student Holiday