Olde Creek Weekly Update
 During Earth Week, our kindergartners became conservation heros and particpated in a Recycling Relay Race!
Important Upcoming Dates
April 21: No School/ Religious/Cultural Observance - Eid al Fitr
April 21: Family Engagement Night RSVPs Due & Square 1 Art Orders Due
April 24-28: Spring Book Fair
April 27: Family Engagement Night/Book Fair Late Night - 6:00PM
April 28: PTA Family Heritage Night - 6:00PM
May 1-5: Staff Appreciation Week
May 2: 5th Grade Reading SOL - 9:00 AM
May 3: Bike & Roll to School Day & Principal’s Walking Club - 8:00AM
May 3: 6th Grade Reading SOL - 9:00 AM
May 4: 4th Grade Reading SOL - 9:00 AM
May 5: 3rd Grade Reading SOL - 9:00 AM
May 9: PTA Fundraiser - Wendy’s on Main Street - 6:30AM-9:00PM
May 9: 5th Grade Math SOL - 9:00 AM
May 10: PTA Meeting - 6:30PM (Virtual)
May 11: 4th Grade Math SOL - 9:00 AM
May 12: 3rd Grade Math SOL - 9:00 AM
 Principal's Walking Club took advantage of the sunny weather this week! We had lots of Bears attend this week and earn another charm!
New This Week
1. Calendar Reminder
2. Bears in the Spotlight
3. Earth Week - Garden Care Day
4. Parent Input Form for 2023-24 Class Placement
5. Spring Book Fair
6. Family Engagement Night
7. Equity Book Club & C.U.B Club
8. PTA News
9. FCPS News
Reminders
10. End of Year Events
11. Bears Care Outreach
12. OC Staff Shout-outs
13. New Event: Fentanyl and Other Drugs in FCPS - A Community Conversation
14. SOL Schedule
15. Overtime Athletics Summer Camp at OCES!
16. Kindergarten Registration
17. Techstravaganza by TJ Twist - May 13
18. Girl Scouts Interest Meeting
19. Contacts
20. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
1. Calendar Reminder-April 21
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims congregate that morning for Eid prayers. The most common way to wish someone a Happy Eid al-Fitr is Eid Mubarak, which means “blessed feast” (or festival). Read more at Britannica.com.
FCPS has designated Eid al-Fitr as a religious and cultural observance day to allow students the opportunity to miss school for observances not already designated as school holidays. Eid al-Fitr is from sunset Thursday, April 20, to sunset Friday, April 21. April 20 is a half O Day, April 21 is a student and staff holiday. Our school office will be closed on Friday, April 21.
See the complete 2022-23 School Year Calendar.
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2. 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!
3. Earth Week - Garden Care Day
On April 18, our Green Team students celebrated Earth Week by taking care of our pollinator and sensory gardens. Students from grades 3-6 teamed up with the Woodson Environmental Club to give our gardens a spring makeover. Students weeded, planted new plants, watered, and gave each bed a fresh load of topsoil. It was a beautiful day to be outside taking care of our planet!
4. Parent Input Form for 2023-24 Class Placement
With the end of the year quickly approaching, we are already looking ahead to next year. While we look at class placements for the coming year, we ask for your input and if there is pertinent information to support your child’s success. We cannot honor requests for specific teachers. Parent input forms are due by May 19, 2023. We value your feedback and insight into your child’s learning needs. Thank you for your input.
Olde Creek Parent Input Form 2023-24
5. Spring Book Fair - April 24-28
Book Fair is coming to Olde Creek! Our Bookworm Central Book Fair will take place April 24-28. Students will be able to shop the fair during the school day. Families can shop on Thursday 4/27 from 6-8 pm during our OCES Family Engagement Night. A flier with highlighted books and information on how to shop came home on Thursday 4/13. Join the fun and support our Reading Bears!
Want to volunteer to help with the Book Fair? Email OC Librarian Amy Talbot at aetalbot@fcps.edu. Thanks!
6. Family Engagement Night - April 27
Family Engagement Night is on April 27th from 6:00-8:00 PM. Join us for a pizza dinner and then enjoy games that incorporate Math, Literacy, and Portrait of a Graduate skills. Please RSVP by Friday, April 21 using the QR code on the attached flier or using this link. We can’t wait to see our families there!
7. Equity Book Club & C.U.B Club
Olde Creek is excited for our FINAL Equity Book Club & C.U.B. Club for the school year! The first 40 families to register will receive a free copy of the book, registration closes on 5/12.
- WHO: Equity Book Club for grades K-2 & C.U.B. Club for grades 3-6.
- WHAT: Reading "The World Needs More Purple People." Considering "How can we help create a safe/equitable WORLD?”
- WHEN: Tuesday, May 16th from 3:15-4:15
Please complete this Google Form to indicate if your student(s) will be participating.
8. PTA News
Last Call! Square 1 Art Fundraiser
Each Spring, the OCES PTA works with a vendor called Square 1 Art to turn your student’s artwork into a variety of items which make great keepsakes and gifts. A portion of all sales benefits the OCES PTA.
Please place your order by Friday, April 21. The Art Access Code is on the flyer that came home with your student. Please email board@oldecreekpta.com with questions.
Family Heritage Night
Please join us to celebrate the diverse heritage of our Olde Creek community!
Date: Friday, April 28, 2023
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Location: Olde Creek Cafeteria
Sign-up to volunteer, perform, and/or bring food
Family Heritage Night is a celebration of the rich heritage our Olde Creek families represent from around the country and around the world. It is an opportunity to share family traditions in a variety of ways and learn from each other in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
We need your help to make this event a success!
You can support our event in one of the following ways. Please sign-up at the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0a4ba5ab2ea02-olde#/
Taste of Olde Creek – Families are invited to contribute a favorite dish representing their heritage or cultural background. Any amount is welcome but enough to serve around 25 is ideal. Please include a card with your dish listing all ingredients, as we have children with allergies and dietary restrictions.
Heritage Display – Please sign-up to set up a table with information about your heritage such as clothes, music, souvenirs, religious artifacts, maps, flags, Legos, etc.
Performances – Children and families are invited to share a cultural or heritage experience through song, dance, skit, art, sport, or anything else of interest.
The event is free. All Olde Creek families and friends are welcome! For more information, please email Nillab Pazhwak npazhwak@hotmail.com
Staff Appreciation Week
Staff Appreciation Week is fast approaching! Sign up to donate here!
9. FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- Safety and Security Town Hall
- Upcoming Fentanyl Conversation
- Spring Assessments Are on Their Way!
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
10. End of Year Events
We have many exciting events coming up as we celebrate the 2022-23 school year!
Friday, May 19: PTA Sock Hop
Thursday, June 1: Night of the Arts
Friday, June 2: Senior Grad Walk
Wednesday, June 7: Field Day - Grades 4-6
Thursday, June 8: Field Day - Grades K-3
Friday, June 9: Battle of the Books
Tuesday, June 13: Talent Show
Thursday, June 15: 6th Grade Ceremony & Celebration
Friday, June 16: Last Day of School - 2 Hour Early Release (1:15 PM)
11. 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.)
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Olde Creek Bears Care Food Pantry
Please support our Olde Creek Bears Care Community Outreach program for the spring break, which provides food provisions to Olde Creek students and their families in need. Items may be dropped off to the front office, sent through Amazon or any other store like Walmart or Target, or please contact Lisa Goodwin at lisamarm@gmail.com for other options. As always, gift cards or donations through the PTA PayPal is always appreciated as well! Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity!
www.signupgenius.com
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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!
12. 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!
13. New Event: Fentanyl and Other Drugs in FCPS- A Community Conversation with Free REVIVE! Narcan Training
Last month, FCPS hosted a conversation on the dangers of fentanyl. Most fatal overdoses in Fairfax County in recent years involved fentanyl.
FCPS will hold a second event with new information focused on the opioid crisis in Fairfax County Public Schools. The conversation will continue on Monday, April 24, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Woodson High School. Families and students will learn how, as a community, we can partner to reduce the impact of these harmful—and often deadly—drugs. All attendees will receive a free REVIVE! Narcan training during the event and learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.
Childcare will be available. Transportation will also be available from select schools throughout the county. View the registration page for details.
Visit our Opioid Awareness webpage for more information. Visit the Fairfax County Government webpage on opioids for information on how you can take action and get help for yourself or loved ones.
14. 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
15. Overtime Athletics - Summer Camp at OCES!
Looking for summer childcare? Overtime Athletics is offering a weekly summer camp for rising students in grades 1-7 at Olde Creek this summer. When registering, select “Camp” and then select Olde Creek.
Registration Link: https://otamanage.azurewebsites.net/office/nova
 
16. 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:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- 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.
17. Techstravaganza by TJ Twist - May 13
18. Girl Scouts Interest Meeting
Girl Scout Troops are forming at Olde Creek. For more information, view the flyers here. English | Spanish
19. 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
20. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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