Olde Creek Weekly Update

So proud of our 5th grade Bears for participating in a Poetry Slam today! They had an amazing audience filled with our 3rd and 4th graders!

Important Upcoming Dates

March 27: Woodson Pyramid Art Show - 6:00-8:00PM - Door 3, CAV Hall
April 3-7: Spring Break
April 12: Principal’s Walking Club - 8:00AM
April 13: End of the Third Quarter - 2 Hour Early Release (Dismissal at 1:15PM)
April 13: Religious/Cultural Observance - Last Day of Passover
April 14: No School/Teacher Workday/Religious/Cultural Observance - Orthodox Good Friday
April 17-20: Get2Green Earth Week 2023
April 19: Military Child - Purple Up! Day
April 20: Kindergarten Orientation - 4:00PM Cafeteria
April 21: No School/Religious/Cultural Observance-Eid al Fitr
April 24-28: Spring Book Fair
April 27: Family Engagement Night/Book Fair Late Night - 6:00PM
April 28: PTA Family Heritage Night

Overview of this Issue

New This Week

1. Read Across America Continues
2. Calendar Reminder
3. Spring Break COVID Test Kit Distribution
4. Update Emergency Information in weCare
5. 2022-23 Yearbooks-Last Day to Order is March 31
6. Send a Candy Gram!
7. Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!
8. Month of the Military Child
9. SoCo Summer Strings
10. Bears Care Outreach
11. PTA News
12. FCPS News
13. National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week

Reminders

14. Student Laptops
15. Woodson Pyramid Art Show
16. Equity Book Club & C.U.B Club
17. Lost & Found
18. Career Shares in April
19. Family Engagement Night - April 27
20. SOL Schedule
21. Overtime Athletics Summer Camp at OCES!
22. Olde Creek Opportunities
23. Kindergarten Registration
24. Bears in the Spotlight
25. OC Staff Shout-outs
26. Contacts
27. Be Informed, Stay Involved!

New This Week

1. Read Across America Continues

Olde Creek will celebrate Read Across America throughout the month of March!  

Check out Olde Creek's Reading Bingo board below!

2. Calendar Reminder 🌷As a reminder, April 3-7 is spring break. Schools and school offices will be closed. We wish our students and teachers a happy and restful Spring Break! Students will return to school on Monday, April 10, 2023. See the complete 2022-23 school year calendar.

3. Spring Break COVID Test Kit Distribution

If your family is planning to travel or attend large gatherings during spring break, and you would like to ensure your child is healthy before returning to school, please contact us at 703-426-3100 to obtain a test kit in advance of spring break. Please note, testing is NOT required for students to return to school after break. However, you may want to test your student if they are symptomatic or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

4. Update Emergency Information in weCare

Fairfax County Public Schools provides weCare@school (weCare), an emergency care information system, to parents/caregivers who have registered for their own parent account. weCare helps manage emergency medical information by allowing parents to enter and update their children’s medical data online at their convenience. That contact information automatically enrolls parents/caregivers to receive eNotify communications from the district and their child’s school. eNotify is the communications tool for FCPS emergency, transportation, attendance, weather closing and delay, and essential outreach messages. Messages are sent via email, text, and occasionally phone. 

Learn more about updating your emergency care information.

5. 2022-2023 Yearbooks - Last Day to Order is March 31

It’s time to order your copy of the 2022-23 Olde Creek Yearbook. Order early and reserve your copy for $16 at this website: www.strawbridge.net.

School Code: YB26259

For more information, view the yearbook flyer here. 

6. Send a Candy Gram!

Our Student Council Association will be selling Candy Grams starting March 17 through March 24. Candy Grams will be delivered on March 31. Please see the flier in Friday Folders for additional information. 100% of the proceeds will go towards the purchase of new cafeteria tables. 

7. Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow!

Every year, absences increase in the weeks before and after spring break. Please make sure your child is in school every day until vacation starts. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning. Visit our website for more attendance resources. 

8. Month of the Military Child April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize children from military families for their contributions and sacrifices. We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank children from Uniformed Services, State Department, and Foreign Services and other families for their service and sacrifices. We recognize that children serve too. The nationwide commemoration was established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger. FCPS is proud to have more than 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience.  We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community, and recognize their strength and resilience. On April 19, we will Purple Up! To recognize and celebrate the resilience and service of our military-connected children! Why purple? Purple symbolizes all branches of the military as a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Space Force blue.  Post your picture and tag #PurpleUpFCPS. Let’s Purple Up! for military kids!  Learn more about Month of the Military Child and FCPS’ resources for military families.

9. SoCo Summer Strings

Exciting news! SoCo Summer Strings (formally Stallion Summer Strings) is returning this summer! The camp will be hosted at South County Middle School from July 10th-21st from 8:30am-12:30pm, weekdays only. 

Camp is open to all rising 5th-9th grade students with at least one year of experience on the violin, viola, cello, or bass. Students will participate in two large ensemble rehearsals, an instrument-specific technique class, and a sectional each day.

You can find more information and registration for camp at www.schsorchestra.org/soco-summer-strings. Early registration is from March 1st-June 9th so sign up soon!

10. Bears Care Outreach

The Bears Care food pantry is now collecting food to add to our spring break bags, as well as snacks to add. Please use this sign up for items that can either be dropped off at the front office of the school or shipped.  (Email Lisa Goodwin at lisamarm@gmail.com for any questions.)

You can also donate through the OC PTA PayPal account. The funds will be used to purchase items and gift cards based on the greatest needs of our families. Access the OC PTA PayPal account here: https://paypal.me/OldeCreekPTA or check out the PTA Bears Care page. 

Thank you, as always, for your kindness and generosity!

11. PTA News

Young Rembrandts: Drawing Classes for Kids

Please see the flier for information about this great after school opportunity!

Olde Creek Spiritwear

12. FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:

• FCPS Building and Renovation Plans
• Upcoming Webinars for Parents/Caregivers
• Dual Language Immersion Program Registration
• Academy Open Houses
• Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.

13. National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week

Quick Facts:

• National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week is March 20-26, 2023

• Opioids are the number one cause of unnatural death in Fairfax County. Young adults aged 25-34 are the most common demographic seen in the emergency room for fatal opioid overdoses. 

• Nationwide, there were over 100,00 overdose deaths from April 2020- April 2021. 
• Using opioids after a period of abstinence, mixing drugs, IV use, and serious medical problems all contribute to an increased risk of opioid overdose. 
• 90% of substance users began using prior to 21-years-old. 
• Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are usually the most common substances used by adolescents. 
• Fairfax County police stations, pharmacies, and medical facilities provide permanent drug disposal drop boxes for residents to safely dispose of their unused/expired medication. DO NOT flush your medications.

Reframing Our Thinking:

Changing our state of consciousness is part of the human experience (kids spinning in circles to induce dizziness, meditation, runner’s high, and more) but using substances has more negative than positive side effects. Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine use prevention strategies are also opioid overdose prevention strategies since opioid users likely used one of these three substances first. Every opioid overdose does not lead to death, but it increases the chances of an eventual overdose fatality. Although most opioid users began with alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine, these three drugs are not “gateway drugs”. The term “gateway drug” implies all alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine users will eventually use other drugs, but that is not the case for most, so the time to act is now. Treat your medication carefully; lock it up and properly dispose of any medications you are no longer using. 

Sources & Resources:

Fairfax CSB Opioid Info

REVIVE Training for Opioid Overdoses      

Medication Disposal

Teen Substance Use

FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program

Everything You Need to Know About Opioids

For general questions about the FCPS Substance Abuse Prevention Program, please contact the Office of Student Safety & Wellness at: (571) 423-4270.

For further Information & support:

De’Ja Ruffin, MSW
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
dsmcneil@fcps.edu

Reminders

14. Student Laptops

As we get closer to spring break and warmer weather, the chance of snow days is coming to an end. We will not continue to send student laptops home beginning on March 31. Student devices will remain at school starting March 30. Please make sure that your student returns the charger that they have been using at home to charge their device overnight. We appreciate your help with this.

15. Woodson Pyramid Art Show - March 27

16. Equity Book Club & C.U.B Club

Olde Creek is excited for our 3rd Equity Book Club & C.U.B. Club!

• WHO: Equity Book Club for grades K-2 & C.U.B. Club for grades 3-6.
• WHAT: Reading-  "Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You." Considering- "How can we help create a safe/equitable community?"
• WHEN: Tuesday, March 28th from 3:15-4:15
• Please complete this Google Form to indicate if your student(s) will be participating.

The first 40 families to register will receive a free copy of the book, registration closes on 3/24.

17. Lost and Found

Is your child missing any items? Please encourage your child to look for missing items or feel free to stop by and check out our lost and found in the cafeteria. Over spring break, all unclaimed items will be donated or discarded.

18. Career Shares in April

We are looking for parent/guardian volunteers that would be willing to create a 10-15 minute video for guidance shares during the month of April. In this video you will share your knowledge and expertise relating to your career. Feel free to answer the following questions as a guideline for your video response.

1. What is your career/job?
2. What education or training is helpful/required for your job?
3. What are the joys and challenges of your work?
4. What would be the highlights of a typical day if a student were to shadow you?
5. What brought you to this occupation? Who and/or what were your inspirations?
6. What did you want to be or do when you were in elementary school?

Please contact Jeanna Squif at jmsquif@fcps.edu if you are interested for more info on how you can share about your career!

19. Family Engagement Night - April 27

Use the QR code below, or click here to RSVP!

20. SOL Schedule

As you plan for upcoming appointments, we want to be sure you have our SOL dates. We encourage you to schedule appointments and any absences that can be avoided with these dates in mind. 

3rd Grade: Reading - May 5; Math - May 12 

4th Grade: Reading - May 4; Math - May 11

5th Grade: Reading - May 2; Math - May 9; Science - May 16

6th Grade: Reading - May 3; Math - May 17

21. Overtime Athletics Summer Camp at OCES!

See below for the flyer about camps at Olde Creek this summer!

Registration Link: https://otamanage.azurewebsites.net/office/nova 

22. Olde Creek Opportunities

Olde Creek is looking for energetic family members, friends, grandparents, or adult siblings, who may be looking for an opportunity to join our Olde Creek Elementary staff. Olde Creek is a positive work environment, and we are ready to fill the following opportunities with members of our community. Applicants must be 18 or older.

Site-Based Substitutes

Hourly 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Monday-Friday, $24.86 per Hour

Are you or somebody you know interested in working as a substitute with FCPS?  FCPS is seeking individuals to serve as substitute teachers, instructional assistants, public health training assistants, and public health attendants! We are looking for a site-based substitute to work at Olde Creek five days a week. You will find information about the application process here.  Interested applicants should contact Mrs. Miller, mhmiller@fcps.edu or at 703-426-3100. Please also send your resume directly to Mrs. Miller, principal, mhmiller@fcps.edu. To sign up for an information session, please visit our substitute information page here.  Please feel free to share information about this opportunity with anyone else you think may be interested.

Student Monitors

Hourly 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Monday-Friday, $16.36 per Hour

Description

Provides supervision of students throughout the school day, including but not limited to the classroom, hallways, lunch, recess, specials, and at arrival/dismissal; helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students; operates technology; performs administrative and non-instructional duties; ensures all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed; works with individual and small groups of students.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience is equivalent to graduation from high school. Must be comfortable managing student behaviors in large and small groups, ensuring all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed, and have general familiarity/skills with basic office technology in support of teachers, students, and the classroom.

Please pass this information along to anyone you may know.  Interested applicants should contact Mrs. Butler, ajbutler@fcps.edu or at 703-426-3100.

23. Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…There’s an easy five-step process outlined for parents looking to register their child for kindergarten:

1. Determine eligibility. 
2. Identify your local school. 
3. Gather documents. 
4. Fill out forms. 
5. Schedule an appointment.

After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation, Bridge to Kindergarten, or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process. 

24. Bears in the Spotlight

We continue to highlight the incredible things our Bears are doing outside of school on our News Show segment titled Bears in the Spotlight! If your student is interested in sharing their skills and talents, please complete this Google form. Examples can include pictures or videos from their games, playing instruments, cooking, singing, etc. We can’t wait to feature our OC Bears on the News Show!

25. OC Staff Shout-outs

Our Olde Creek staff is outstanding and we are grateful for all they do every day! We want to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of our teachers and staff during the 2022-23 school year. If your family would like to give a shout out to an OC staff member, please complete this survey. We recognize our staff in our weekly staff messages, on the morning news, and at staff meetings. Our students have also been sharing great stories and experiences to highlight the exceptional work of our staff. 

FCPS CARES

The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for families, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Olde Creek. We love our staff members; let's tell them how we feel!

26. Contacts

Olde Creek Attendance Phone Line: 703-426-3192
Olde Creek Attendance mailbox: OldeCreekElem.Attendance@fcps.edu
Technology Support for Families/Parent Help Desk: 1-833-921-3277
Parent Information Phone Lines/Support for parents who do not speak English as their first language: Parent Information Phone Lines
Parent and Student technology support: IT Support Portal

Melissa Miller, Principal, mhmiller@fcps.edu
Alison Butler, Assistant Principal, ajbutler@fcps.edu
Stephanie Kaminsky, Assistant Principal, sjkaminsky@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
Maria Ruiz, Family Liaison, miriuiz@fcps.edu

27. Be Informed, Stay Involved!

• 2022-2023 School Year Calendar
• Sign up for News You Choose 
• Join the Olde Creek PTA
• Report Your Child’s Absence 
• Visit the Olde Creek Website
• Substitute Teaching Opportunities
• Follow Olde Creek on Social Media Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
• Monitor your student's academics with a SIS Parent Account
• Recognize a FCPS Employee at FCPS Cares
• Mental Health Resources and Emergency Services Information

9524 Old Creek Drive Fairfax, VA 22032  | Main Office: 703-426-3100
Attendance: 703-426-3192 | Web | Twitter