Weekly Words
December 16, 2022
We are Better Together
Dear Island Creek Community,
We hope our students, families, and staff have a joyous Winter Break (December 19 to January 2) and a happy and healthy holiday season. Our school office will be closed for the duration of Winter Break. In order for staff to rejuvenate and spend quality time with their families, we are asking them to disconnect from email over Winter Break. Island Creek Staff will return to school and be back online Tuesday, January 3.
Thank you to the Island Creek community for your donations of celebrating our amazing staff! Additionally, a heartfelt thank you to our PTA for a delicious lunch on Wednesday from Honeybaked Ham as the staff enjoyed the special treat!
We look forward to welcoming our Crocs back to school on Tuesday, January 3, 2023!
Warmly,
Jen Fallert Karen Baxter
JRFallert@fcps.edu KPBaxter@fcps.edu
Principal Assistant Principal
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Kindergarten Crocs Light Up with Kindness
Our Grades 3-6 Student Ambassadors
Island Creek Elementary is excited to launch our Student Ambassador Program, a program designed to help new third-sixth grade students feel connected and included at Island Creek. This program focuses on spreading kindness, positivity, and good citizenship throughout our school and community. Student Ambassadors will meet with new students who join their class, introduce them to other students and staff, help them get to know our school, and demonstrate our Cros’s Creed character traits – safe, honest, kind, cooperative, respectful, resilient, and responsible. Each third-sixth grade class is represented by at least two Student Ambassadors. Students received training this week in time for the January 2023 launch of the program. Congratulations to our Island Creek Student Ambassadors! Thank you to the following staff who undertook establishing and bringing our program to fruition: Jane Horowitz (Family Liaison), LaMaya Middleton (Military Family Counselor), Omefa Liverpool (School Counselor), Stef Shelesky (School Counselor), and Daphne Callender (ESOL Teacher).
An Extra Fun Week at Island Creek!
       
Thank you to the PTA!
Thank you to our wonderful, supportive PTA for a delicious lunch on Wednesday as it was very much appreciated by staff!
Island Creek Celebrates Diversity (fun Winter Break activity)
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 January we would like our students to learn about the following observances:
- New Year’s Day
- Chinese New Year
- Kwanzaa
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Additional January 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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Virtual Presentation for Hayfield Pyramid Parents and Guardians
Bullying Education, Prevention and Intervention in FCPS
We invite you to join us on Thursday, January 12, 2023, from 6:30-7:30 pm via Zoom for a presentation given by Stefan Mascoll, coordinator for the office of Student Safety and Wellness at FCPS. Stefan will be giving a presentation for Hayfield Pyramid parents and guardians on Bullying and Harassment Prevention and Intervention. Topics to be covered are the definitions and examples of bullying, harassment, and other types of concerning behaviors, school bullying and harassment prevention and response, and tips and resources for parent prevention and response. We look forward to connecting with you on this important topic! Zoom link to come.
Curriculum Night at Hayfield SS for Grade 6 Parents
Come learn about course selections and school logistics for rising seventh graders at Hayfield Secondary School!
Wednesday, January 11th, Hayfield Secondary School Curriculum Night, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
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Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
Flint Hill administrators 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.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. The multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and healthcare.
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Fairfax County Department of Family Services Free Virtual Classes
Parenting Children Ages 5-11
This parenting class shows parents how to increase their empathy, discover new ways to encourage appropriate behaviors, build positive self-concept and self-esteem, and learn how to have fun as a family. This class meets from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays, Jan. 24-May 9, 2023. Ready to sign-up or have questions? Contact ParentingEducation@fairfaxcounty.gov by email or call 703-324-7720. Learn More about the variety of parenting classes available.
Parenting Children Ages 0-4
This parenting class shows parents how to recognize and understand feelings; nurturing parenting routines; infant massage; child development; and ways to foster positive self-esteem in themselves and their children. This class meets from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Feb. 1-May 17, 2023. Ready to sign-up or have questions? Contact ParentingEducation@fairfaxcounty.gov by email or call 703-324-7720. Learn More about the variety of parenting classes available
Immunizations for Seventh Grade
Message to Parents of rising 7th grade students
Effective July 1, 2021 all students entering 7th grade will be required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), and Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY).
Seventh grade students cannot begin school in August without proper Tdap and Meningococcal documentation.
If you have not already done so, please provide proof of these immunizations for your student. Please contact Theresa Painter at tepainter@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
Click to view the 2022-2023 FCPS School Calendar
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December 19- January 2 (No School; Office Closed): Winter Break
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Tuesday, January 10: PTA Meeting, Cafeteria (7:00pm – 8:00pm)
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Thursday, January 12: Hayfield Pyramid Presentation: Bullying Education, Prevention and Intervention in FCPS (6:30-7:30pm, Virtual)
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Monday, January 16 (No School; Office Closed): Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
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Wednesday, January 25 (1:20 PM dismissal): Second Quarter ends,
2 - hour Early Dismissal
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Thursday, January 26 (No School): Teacher Workday, Student Holiday
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Friday, January 27 (No School): Teacher Workday, Student Holiday
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Monday, February 20 (No School; Office Closed): Presidents’ Day
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