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To read this newsletter in other languages, please visit our website.
Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
Để đọc bản tin này bằng ngôn ngữ khác, xin quý vị truy cập vào trang mạng của chúng tôi.
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Important Upcoming Dates
August 31: Summer Reading Bingo and Summer Innovation Challenge Due
September 1: No School
September 4: No School
September 5: Band, Strings & Chorus Recruitment Forms Due
September 6: PTA Meeting - 6:30PM
September 21: Back to School Night - 6:00PM
September 22: Woodson “Feeder Night” Football Game - 7:00PM
September 25: Yom Kippur - FCPS Schools and Office Closed
September 29: SR&R Acknowledgement/Signature Due
September 30: PTA Laps for Learning - 8:00 AM
Overview of this Issue
New This Week
1. Message from Mrs. Miller
2. Welcome New OC Team Members
3. Back to School Night - September 21
4. Parent Permission to Use Digital Resources
5. Opt-out Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights
6. Band, Strings, and Chorus Recruitment
7. 2023-24 Student Rights & Responsibilities
8. Safety Drills During the School Year
9. Bears in the Spotlight
10. Birthday Celebrations
11. Register for Laps for Learning
12. PTA Fall Club Flyer
13. Woodson Feeder Night - September 22
14. 2023-30 FCPS Strategic Plan - Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
15. Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
16. Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages
Reminders
17. Olde Creek Opportunity
18. School Calendar
19. Attendance Matters
20. ParentVUE Accounts
21. Preparing for and Paying for Meals
22. Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
23. Contacts
24. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
 It was a fantastic first week of school with our Bears! Looking forward to learning and growing together this year!
New This Week
1. Message from Mrs. Miller
Dear Olde Creek Families and Friends,
We have had an exciting and busy first week of school! It has been amazing to have our Bears back in school and to see their engagement and smiles throughout the day. Our Bears have been reconnecting with old friends and making new friends. Our staff has been focused on getting to know our students and building strong relationships. We want each of our Bears to feel connected and to have a sense of belonging within their classroom and at Olde Creek. Our school community has also been focused on our school-wide PAWS expectations and classroom expectations. Classes have been visiting locations across the school to complete their Bears’ Path to a PAWS-itive Year! You can ask your student what PAWS means and what it looks like in our hallways, bathrooms, at recess, in our cafeteria. The focus on our expectations and routines will support a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment for our students throughout the year.
Friday, September 1, and Monday, September 4, are Labor Day holidays for all FCPS employees and students. The Code of Virginia requires that schools opening prior to Labor Day must be closed the Friday immediately preceding Labor Day. We hope everyone takes the long weekend to celebrate a strong start to the school year and enjoy time with family and friends. See the complete school year calendar.
We look forward to partnering with each of you this school year! Please consider joining our PTA and reaching out to us as questions arise. It is going to be an exceptional year, Go Bears!
Our Best,
Melissa Miller, Principal
Alison Butler, Assistant Principal
Stephanie Kaminsky, Assistant Principal
2. Welcome New OC Team Members
Cameron Boster, School Counselor
Hello! My name is Cameron Boster - known as Mr. Cam by the students - and I’m very excited to be Olde Creek’s new School Counselor. I was born and raised in Virginia and went through the Fairfax County public school system - go Robinson Rams! I’m a graduate from Susquehanna University with a Bachelors in Communication Studies and later Marymount University with a Masters in Counseling. I’ve always had a passion for helping others grow, especially K-12. Growing up I was a swim coach for many years as well as a competitive swimmer at the national and collegiate levels. This propelled my desire in supporting others inside and outside the pool. When I'm not at school I'm either at the gym or at a bowling alley practicing for my weekly league nights. I’m a coffee and dog lover, and am a frequent overseas traveler who loves exploring other cultures. If you were to ask many of my former colleagues and students one nickname they would describe me as is “Cool Cam.”
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Taylor DaCosta, Music
Hi! My name is Taylor DaCosta and I am so excited to be the new Music Therapist for OCES! I am from Virginia, and I went to school in Fairfax County. I can play the piano, guitar, ukulele, and the drums. My favorite genre is R&B/Neo-Soul. I like to bake, go to concerts to hear live music, spend time with friends and to watch movies. I started working for the county last school year, and I am excited to meet the students and build positive relationships through music!
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Jenny Gould, 2nd Grade
Hello! My name is Jenny Gould and I am so excited to be teaching Second Grade at Olde Creek this year! I grew up in West Springfield and attended FCPS for all of K-12. I have my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Longwood University. I taught in Special Education classrooms in Hawaii, then K/1st Grade in California. I took a 10 year break from being in the classroom to stay home with my kids. I now have two children who attend OCES and my youngest child is in preschool this year. I started subbing at Olde Creek last year and I loved it so much that I knew I found my new teaching home! I’m an animal lover! I have a Basset Hound named Napoleon and a cat named Fern. I love crafting, cooking, going on adventures with my family, running, hiking and being in nature. I know that Second Graders are capable of amazing things and I can’t wait to see what this year holds for all of us!
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Avery Schwarz, 5th Grade
My name is Avery Schwarz, and I am so excited to be joining OCES as a 5th grade teacher. I grew up in Midlothian, Virginia where most of my family is from, but I just recently moved to the Fairfax area to be a teacher in FCPS. I graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Math for Middle Grades. Go Dukes! In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, painting, and working out. I love going to the beach with my family in the summer, and I hope to spend my future summers getting to travel to different places around the world. One of my favorite places I have visited so far is Italy. I can’t wait to join the OCES family this school year!
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3. Back to School Night - September 21
Please join us for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 21. This evening, our teachers will be presenting sessions, you can meet our specialists, and hear important FCPS information on what to expect this school year. You are able to join classroom sessions in-person. We look forward to seeing you!
6:00-6:15PM - Meet our specialists in the cafeteria
6:15-6:20PM - Parents head to classrooms
6:20-6:30PM - Welcome Videos
6:30-7:00PM - Session 1
7:00-7:10PM - Welcome Videos Repeat
7:10-7:40PM - Session 2
4. Parent Permission to Use Digital Resources
Teachers will use a variety of digital resources to help students learn during the 2023-24 school year. These digital resources have been checked and approved by Fairfax County Public Schools. Please provide your consent for your student to use these resources through the Parent Digital Consent System. Scan this QR code with your phone to complete the form online or go to this website: www.fcps.edu/node/42022. You will be asked to log in with your ParentVUE username and password.
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
5. Opt-Out Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights
Fairfax County Public Schools wants all parents to understand its policies regarding surveys, records, curriculum, privacy, and related rights.
In its Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Forms (Annual Notice), FCPS provides explanations of the rights listed above as well as forms that may be used to exercise opt-out choices. Two versions of the Annual Notice are available — a grades K-8 version and a grades 9-12 version. Parents/caregivers with children at different grade levels should read each applicable version of the Annual Notice, because the notices and opt-out rights vary depending on the student’s grade level.
Get more information and view the 2023-24 Opt-Out Booklets.
6. Band, Strings & Chorus Recruitment
Are you interested in joining Band, Strings & Chorus this year? Below is the information to sign-up to participate in these musical ensembles! The form is due September 5th! Please fill out the below google forms or turn in a paper form to participate! Check to see what you are eligible to sign up for based on your grade level. We are so excited to work with you this year!
For more information please see the linked flyer.
Band & Strings Form
Chorus Form
Steve Lovecchio (band) - smlovecchio@fcps.edu
Jennifer Riddle (strings) - jariddle@fcps.edu
Melanie Cruse (chorus) - mlcruse@fcps.edu
7. 2023-24 Student Rights & Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
8. Safety Drills During the School Year
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
By law, the first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills.
9. Bears in the Spotlight
We are excited to announce that we will be continuing to feature students on the OC News Show in our Bears in the Spotlight segment! This is a way for students to share their hobbies and after school activities with the school community. We want to highlight all the amazing things that our students are passionate about!
To submit your student's information, please fill out the Bears in the Spotlight Google Form.
The information that you submit will be used to create a slide that will be shared on the News Show. The slide will include any photos or videos that you include as well as a description of your student's hobby/activity.
We appreciate your help in spotlighting the awesome talents and interests of our OC Bears!
10. Birthday Celebrations
In an effort to foster healthy food choices and avoid possible allergens in the classroom, food items will not be permitted for birthdays. If you would like to send in a small non-food item for all students in the class, you could consider erasers, stickers or birthday pencils on your child’s special day. These items would be handed out at the end of our instructional day.
We would like to remind families that parents are under no obligation to send in birthday treats. Our teachers will recognize birthdays in class and they are celebrated on our Morning News as well. We appreciate your support.
11. Register for Laps for Learning!
Olde Creek Elementary School PTA will hold our annual fundraiser “Laps for Learning” on Saturday, September 30th. At this family-friendly event, we run, walk or cheer on others to raise money for our school. The run/walk begins at 8:00 a.m.
Register here to join the fun! To receive a t-shirt by the event day, please register by Tuesday, September 12th.
More information about Laps for Learning can be found on the PTA’s website.
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12. PTA Fall Club Flyer
Beginning in October, the Olde Creek PTA will be hosting a variety of after-school clubs (3:30-4:30). Please see the linked flyer and club schedule/pricing below.
13. Woodson Feeder Night - September 22
 For tickets, visit https://www.woodsonsports.com/
14. 2023-30 Strategic Plan – Goal 1: Strong Start, Pre-K-12
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Each goal has an equity commitment and a set of measures that will be used to evaluate success.
Our first goal in the strategic plan is to help all students develop academic skills, curiosity, and a love for learning. These skills and attitudes are crucial for success from pre-K to 12th grade. Our related equity commitment is to ensure authentic and affirming partnerships with families and key stakeholders through collaborative decision making that results in each student's success.
Visit FCPS' Strategic Plan webpage to find out how we will measure the success of Goal 1.
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15. Lightspeed Parent Report on Child’s Device Activity
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours.
Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
16. Parent Information Phone Lines Available in Eight Languages
Parents/caregivers who speak Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, or Vietnamese may call a telephone information line for general information about FCPS. View the list of phone numbers.
17. Olde Creek Opportunity
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.
18. School Year Calendar
School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances.
- Days marked with blue Hs are student holidays.
- Days marked with orange Os are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings if only half marked).
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students, but working days for teachers and staff.
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, and the start of each month coincides with the birth of a new moon. The date of Eid a-Fitr is regionally decided, which can lead to unexpected date changes. Eid al-Fitr is currently slated to begin at sunset on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, and last through sundown Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Tuesday is designated a half-O day, and Wednesday is a holiday, with all schools and offices being closed. If the day for Eid changes after the school year begins, the calendar may be adjusted.
19. Attendance Matters!
DID YOU KNOW?
- Students who attend 90% or more of the school year are more likely to graduate from high school on time.
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10 percent (or about 2 days per month) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
- Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day every few weeks.
- Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
- Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with peer conflicts or facing some other potentially serious difficulty, and help is available.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
- Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before school starts to help her transition.
- Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
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20. ParentVUE Accounts
Do you have your ParentVUE account? ParentVUE is a secure solution to access your child's attendance, SOL scores, test results, class performance and demographic data.
Certain opt-out options and paper forms are transitioning to electronic forms which can be accessed in parentvue. Learn more about Parent SIS accounts here!
If you don't have a ParentVue account, create one today by submitting a parent support request here.
Update Contact Information to Receive Messages From FCPS
Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from FCPS and our school by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. Make sure you complete the Emergency Care Form for your child every year and update when necessary.
To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then select the “Online Verification/Update” form in the drop down menu. Click “Begin Packet.”
Parents who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account may still communicate updates via the normal paper process. They may also print and complete a blank Emergency Care Information Form with updates and submit it to the front office.
21. Preparing for and Paying for Meals
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meals benefits. School breakfast for students costs $1.75. Lunch is $3.25 for elementary students and $3.50 for middle, secondary, and high school students.
Free and Reduced-Price Meals
The application for free and reduced-priced meals is now available for the 2023-24 school year. Students who were approved for free and reduced-price lunch last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should re-apply as soon as possible for the 2023-24 school year, so eligible students continue to receive meals at no cost.
Paying With MySchoolBucks
The best way to purchase meals (and keep food lines moving!) is to use MySchoolBucks. Set up your student’s MySchoolBucks account today. Our front office staff can help with any questions.
MySchoolBucks accounts can be set up to add money to the account automatically, as needed. Families with multiple children can use the same MySchoolBucks account. Visit FCPS’ Food and Nutrition webpage for more information.
22. Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application for School Year 23-24
Families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
Interested families are encouraged to submit the Free and Reduced-Price Meal application at this link prior to the start of school on August 21st.
La Solicitud de Comidas Gratuitas y a Precio Rebajado Aplique en Linea
Students approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meals may qualify for additional benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes. Schools also benefit from funding opportunities based on Free and Reduced-Price Meal application numbers.
Learn more about the Free & Reduced Price Meal program online.
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23. Contacts
Olde Creek Main Office: 703-426-3100
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
Christie Armstrong, Administrative Assistant, cparmstrong1@fcps.edu
Lizardo Santos, Student Information Assistant, LISantos@fcps.edu
Sandy McCulloch, Office Assistant, slmcculloch@fcps.edu
24. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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