Weekly Words
September 8, 2023
Dear Island Creek Families,
We had another wonderful week of learning and with the hot weather, students enjoyed playing games with one another during indoor recess. We hope everyone enjoys a relaxing weekend with a good book!
All our best,
Jen Fallert
Principal
Karen Baxter
Assistant Principal
Crocs’ Character Traits
Island Creek utilizes Responsive Classroom methodology and our revamped CROCS to teach and reinforce schoolwide expectations while supporting each student’s social-emotional learning.
Every class at Island Creek has a daily Morning Meeting which includes: Greeting, Sharing, Activity, and Morning Message. Pictured are students from Mrs. Jacobson’s 1st Grade class practicing their rainbow wave greeting. Morning Meeting is an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community, and set children up for success socially and academically.
During the month of September, our Crocs will focus on the first “C” of CROCS being Caring and Considerate.
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National Day of Service
September 11 National Day of Service
With the upcoming 22nd anniversary of the tragedy of September 11, FCPS acknowledges the loss of life, the heroism of our first responders, and the resilience of our country. The September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, also called Patriot Day, is a chance to reflect and act in service to others to honor those who were injured or killed in the terrorist attacks.
All FCPS students are encouraged to participate in service learning as it supports Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Middle and high school students can learn more about service learning by logging into their Naviance account to access x2VOL.
Get started this fall with two great opportunities: Public Lands Day (September 23) and Volunteer Fairfax’s VolunteerFest (October 21). Information on service projects can be found on the Volunteer Fairfax website
Picture Day
Monday, September 18
Dear Island Creek Families,
This school year we are partnering with a new photography company, Barksdale, for student photos and our yearbook.
Click here to pre-order your student's fall photos from Barksdale (order code: 0037455IN).
- Online orders will generate a 'camera pass' that is sent to the parent's email. This pass should be printed at home and sent in with the student on picture day to be given to the photographer. If the pass cannot be printed, online orders will be matched in post-production with the student's photo
- Pictures can be ordered online until 8:00 PM, September 18. After that, access to online ordering will be temporarily closed so that production can begin on submitted orders.
- Picture packages will be delivered to the school and sent home in Thursday folders.
For those who did not pre-order, a proof will be sent with information on how to place an order. Please keep in mind, these orders are subject to shipping and handling costs of up to $8.50 since they will be shipped directly to your home.
Advanced Academic Program Parent Information Meeting
The Island Creek Advanced Academic Program parent information meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 9:30 AM in the Island Creek Cafeteria. The Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Amy Ivey, will provide information about levels of Advanced Academic service and discuss examples at Island Creek. This meeting will focus on AAP services in elementary school. A video recording will be available for those unable to attend. For more information about AAP Services, please go to the AAP Website.
The meeting is open to all K-6 parents.
Please contact Amy Ivey at amivey@fcps.edu with questions.
Art Department Volunteers Needed
We are looking for volunteers to assemble and help hang up our school wide mural. We are also in need of help with preparing art room supplies and hanging up and taking down artwork. Please stay tuned for other opportunities as well. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Rozycki (Art Teacher) amrozycki@fcps.edu.
Thank you for considering!
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2023-24 Health and Safety Guidance for Schools
Although the COVID-19 hospital transmission level (previously the COVID-19 Community Transmission level) for Fairfax County is currently low, COVID-19 cases have risen in Virginia during the last few weeks, and flu season will soon be upon us. Be sure to review FCPS Health and Safety Guidance for the best ways to prevent the spread of disease and to find out when students should stay home from school
SEL Screener Parent Notification and Updates
FCPS is committed to supporting the mental wellness of all students. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener helps our students share their perspectives on how their schools and communities support them and help them develop the skills they need to succeed.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3 through 12 in the fall and spring. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions. Students also share how successful their school and community are at making them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to plan programming for the division, schools, and individual students.
Key updates to the screener this year include:
- Different versions for students in grades 3-5 and 6-12.
- Fewer topics with more questions to provide schools and families with more data to support planning.
- Additional questions aligned with FCPS’ commitment to educational equity.
Results are mailed home to families after each screening. Families who wish to opt their child out may do so by completing the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or SIS ParentVue.
For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact us at 703-503-3700.
Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey. For more information about the Youth Survey, see the Fairfax County Youth Survey site.
Parental Permission to Use Digital Resources
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent 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.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Fall is the perfect time to get outside, get moving, and enjoy the beautiful
fall weather by joining Walktober – a virtual wellness challenge!
How to Access Free Resources from Tutor.com
All FCPS students continue to have unlimited access to live, 24/7, one-on-one online tutoring services through Tutor.com at no cost to families. Student participation is optional and parents/caregivers can opt their student(s) out of accessing the services. Get more information on the Tutor.com Online Tutoring Services webpage.
Students can access Tutor.com via a link in Schoology. Additional information about how to log in and access a tutor is provided to families via the following: Elementary - How It Works and Middle & High - How It Works. Questions not answered in the posted resources may be sent to onlinetutoring@fcps.edu.
Free Parenting Classes from Fairfax County Government Department of Family Services
Mondays, Sept. 11- Dec. 18
Free In-Person Parenting Classes (Parenting Children Ages 5-11 years old)
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria, VA 22309
Do you or someone you know have children 5-11 years old? This free 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 5:30-8 p.m. Ready to sign-up or have questions? Contact us by email or call 703-324-7720. Check out our online parenting tips and resources including upcoming classes.
Tuesday, Sept. 12 – Free Virtual Parent Café: Routines – Starting the School Year Well
Virtual Parent Cafés are a great way for parents to learn from each other as they grow in their parenting skills. All Parent Cafés are open to Fairfax County parents or guardians with children ages 0-18 years old. Join us for this Parent Café on Thursday, Sept. 12 from 6:30-8 p.m. to discuss how to establish nurturing routines to help the school year run smoothly. Sign up by sending an email or call 703-324-7720 to register at least one business day before the Parent Café date. Learn more about Virtual Parent Cafés and other resources.
Family Life Education (FLE) Lessons
Family Life Education (FLE) is a Kindergarten through 6th grade instructional program that includes topics in Human Growth, Development, Social, and Emotional Health. These lesson are taught by the homeroom teacher.
For more information about the lessons, click on the grade appropriate links below:
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
If you have any questions about the FLE curriculum, please contact Karen Baxter at KPBaxter@fcps.edu.
If you would like to opt your student(s) out of FLE Lessons, you can do so by completing the grade appropriate opt-out form linked below. The opt-out form should be returned to the main office.
Kindergarten Opt-Out
Grade 1 Opt-Out
Grade 2 Opt-Out
Grade 3 Opt-Out
Grade 4 Opt-Out
Grade 5 Opt-Out
Grade 6 Opt-Out
Click to view the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar
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Monday, September 11: Commemoration/Patriot Day
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September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Saturday, September 16: Rosh Hashanah (begins sundown 9/15 - sundown 9/17)
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Sunday, September 17: Constitution Day
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Monday, September 18: School Picture Day
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Tuesday, September 19: Advanced Academics Program Information, 9:30 (will be recorded)
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Friday, September 22: Crock Rock-N-Run (during school day)
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Monday, September 25: Yom Kippur, Student and Staff Holiday
PTA News
The Croc Rock-N-Run is Back!
The Island Creek PTA is excited to announce that the 2nd Annual ICES Fitness Week and Croc Rock-N-Run on Friday, September 22! In our inaugural year, we raised $32,000! The support of the ICES community blew us away. The Croc Rock-N-Run funds bought new books for the library, classroom grants, the sensory walk in the lower grade’s corridor, recess equipment for all grades, field trip support, a new laminator, and more!
This year, we worked closely with Island Creek Administration to identify new areas in which the Croc Rock-N-Run funds will be applied. The more we raise, the more we can support Island Creek Elementary faculty, staff, and students!
You will receive a detailed information packet from your child’s teacher by email containing our school-wide goals, instructions on how to sign up, grade-level run times, and more!
Follow us on Facebook to participate in challenges that can earn students a prize throughout the fundraiser.
Register Your Croc!
Support this fundraiser by sharing your child’s donation page link with family and friends. Fundraising will be open from September 8 – September 24. Each registered student can create an individual link and page on the website, or you can donate to the classroom leaderboard. A paper pledge form will also be available on our website if you prefer to donate with a check. The Island Creek Elementary PTA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, making your donation tax-deductible.
Register to Attend!
Come cheer on your child during their Friday, September 22 run. Pre-registration is required. Sign up here.
Parents can bring homemade signs, cheer pom poms, or other items to help make the event special and to cheer all students on! No noise makers, please!
Volunteer to Help!
Volunteer to help support the event (day of). Volunteer roles include parent check-in, water stations, set-up, break-down, or course support. Sign up here.
Upcoming Events:
Movie Night: The Super Mario Brothers
Join us in the fields at dusk at Island Creek Elementary on Friday, September 8 for an outdoor viewing of the Super Mario Bros. Movie!
We anticipate the sunset around 7:40 p.m. We'll be setting up at 7 p.m. You are welcome to come early and grab your spot! Bring comfy chairs, blankets, and snacks.
Three Wishes Bookshop, a children's mobile bookstore, will be set up near the kindergarten playground. Rita's Italian Ice will also be set-up near the kindergarten playground. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the PTA.
Save the Date: PTA General Membership Meeting
Join us for the first PTA General Membership Meeting (in-person) of the year, held from 7 - 8 p.m., on Tuesday, September 12, in Island Creek Cafeteria. During the meeting, verified PTA members will vote on the proposed 2023-2024 budget.
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