Weekly Words
September 15, 2023
Dear Island Creek Families,
What a wonderful week of learning as Island Creek has the BEST students, families, and staff! The entire school is excited about the PTA Croc Rock-N-Run next Friday during Specials. Thank you to the PTA, Christine Mehrtash (5th Grade Teacher), and Lindsey Barber (PE Teacher) for their time and efforts in organizing what will be a fun, memorable event for all of our Crocs! An additional thank you to the PTA for purchasing Crock Rock-N-Run shirts for every student and staff member as we are excited to wear them next Friday!
This year our staff is embracing Every Child, Every Day, and through that, we are emphasizing that Clear is Kind. Pictured below are some of the anchor charts that teachers have created with students to ensure clarity with expectations. Additionally, teachers are utilizing the seven steps of interactive modeling to teach, practice, and review classroom routines, procedures, and expectations.
As a reminder, Monday is Picture Day for all of our Crocs!
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for entrusting your children with us.
All our best,
Jen Fallert
Principal
Karen Baxter
Assistant Principal
Every Child, Every Day
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.
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Students should bring their camera pass or order form (sent home in Thursday folders Sep. 7) with them to give to the photographer (even if they are not purchasing photos).
- 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.
Clear is Kind: Anchor Charts created by teachers AND students
Specials: Physical Education (PE)
All students in Kindergarten through 6th Grade have been practicing school-wide and PE-specific class routines and expectations. Students have been learning new warm-ups and practicing different exercises. During P.E., students have played name games and cooperative games and enjoyed welcoming our new Crocs! All students have been practicing moving safely in the gym and working on modeling cooperative and respectful behavior. PE units for the first quarter are Expectations & Cooperative Games, Movement & Fitness, and Throwing & Catching. During the movement & fitness unit, students in 4th grade, 5th grade, & 6th grade will be learning and participating in the functional fitness and VA wellness fitness tests. The PE Teachers are excited to provide learning experiences of various movement activities with all of the Croc students this year!
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Young Crocs in Motion
Registration Extended to September 21st
STEAMOLOGY STEM Fest Offers Hands-On Activities for Students
Students are invited to participate in STEM FEST on Saturday, October 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South County High School. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and more. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information.
2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence
FCPS’ 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in our schools. These five goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts. Our equity commitment and a set of measures in each goal will measure our success.
Under Goal 3, every student will learn to use critical and creative thinking. They will meet or exceed academic goals. Students will reach their full potential.
Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information. Watch this video to learn more about the many voices that came together to create the plan
 The Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Set a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make them 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.
- When possible, avoid medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
Visit our website for more attendance resources. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
 Substitutes Needed at Island Creek
We are always looking for kind and caring substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistants to ensure our students continue to thrive when teachers and instructional assistants need to be out of the classroom. Substitute teaching is a great opportunity for future teachers, stay-at-home family members, retirees, college students, part-time employees, and anyone who wants to make a difference! Substitute instructional assistant pay will be $17.08 per hour and substitute teacher pay will be $19.05 per hour for the 2023-24 school year. You may apply on-line and you can sign up for a virtual, one hour substitute information session here.
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.
Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) Introduction
Each school pyramid has a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist (SAPS) assigned to provide substance abuse prevention, education, and intervention services. Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists are part of the FCPS Office of Student Safety and Wellness. Like school social workers, school psychologists, and school counselors, we do not provide treatment services, but we support students while they are in the buildings. Key roles of a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist:
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug education for students, parents, staff, and the Fairfax County Community
- Intervention services upon violation of the Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook or suspected substance use involvement
- Assessing a student’s level of substance use and, if appropriate, making referrals to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board for additional services or other community resources as appropriate
- Group and individual interventions for students and in addition prevention services for students, staff, parents, and the Fairfax County community
- Most importantly, building positive relationships with students to provide support and encouragement
Resources:
Free Virtual Parent Support Group
Free Online Narcan Training for Opioid Overdoses (English & Spanish)
Free Lock Boxes for Medications & Firearms
Spiritual Support by Phone for Adults
Spanish Podcast: Tips on How Parents Play an Important Role in Substance Abuse Prevention
Juvenile Court Parent Support Group
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: Bryan Villalobos, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialists, bvillalobos@fcps.edu
 Click to view the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar
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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: Pajama Day; Advanced Academics Program Information, 9:30 (will be recorded)
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Wednesday, September 20: Hat Day
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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)
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October 9: Staff Development Day (no school for students)
PTA News
Croc Rock-N-Run Fundraising Update
We're just over a week into our Croc Rock-N-Run fundraising period and we've officially hit our first three goals! However, we only have 40% of students signed up! We would love to have every family sign up and share their fundraising link with friends and family. Our goal is for each student to raise just $35! If all students raise $65, we will reach our final goal! Some families can give more, and some families less, but we appreciate any amount. Whatever the amount, every dollar adds up and gets us closer to reaching our goal!
If we reach the following goals, the school will have a….
- $5,000: Superhero Day (September 15)
- $10,000: Pajama Day (September 19)
- $18,000: Hat Day (September 20)
- $25,000: Recess Party with a DJ
- $35,000: Fun School-wide Assembly
- $45,000: Slime the Principals Assembly
Click here to visit our Croc Rock-N-Run page to download a detailed information packet containing our school-wide goals, instructions on how to sign up, grade-level run times, and more!
Goal 1 Achieved!
Dress as a superhero or wear a superhero t-shirt on Friday, September 15!
Goal 2 Achieved!
Everyone gets to wear pajamas to school on Tuesday, September 19!
Goal 3 Achieved!
Everyone gets to wear their favorite hat to school on Wednesday, September 20!
Follow us on Facebook to participate in challenges that can earn students a prize throughout the fundraiser.
1st Challenge Winner Announced!
Congratulations to Rylie Lantz for winning our "Let's Get It Started" challenge. Rylie won a waffle at CoffeeIn! ($10 Gift card)
2nd Challenge Winner Announced!
Congratulations to Gelila Robel, Audrey Peters, Ethan Bonney, and Jocelyn Kroll for winning our "Pie in the Face" challenge. They will each get to pie one of our four teacher volunteers! We'll share photos/videos from the pie'ing once scheduled.
PTA Membership Challenge!
We have a membership challenge underway. If we can reach 300 members by Wednesday, September 20, the PTA will provide popsicles to students during lunch! You can purchase an individual membership or family bundles here.
50 State Challenge Underway!
If the school receives a donation from all 50 states by Tuesday, September 19, students can wear something representing their favorite sports team on Thursday, September 21.
We cannot do it without you! You can get involved in multiple ways: sign up your student, donate or share our fundraiser with friends and family, register to attend, or volunteer to help run.
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
Save the Date: Croc Flock iCode Burke (Parents Night Out)
Join us at iCode in Burke for a Croc Flock Parent Night out! Drop the kids off at iCode Burke for game night fun, and all the proceeds will go back to Island Creek's PTA!
Kids will get to play in our eSports gaming lounge, play Roblox with friends in our Mac room, go to a virtual world using our VR Oculus Headsets, get creative with Lego, color, watch movies, and have fun!
Pizza and Drinks are included!
Open to kids ages 5 - 12
Registration:
Save the Date: Croc Bite Spirit Night: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Stop by Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Lansdowne Center between 7 am - 9 pm on Tuesday, October 17, for smoothies, sandwiches, and wraps!
Save the Date: Walk of Fame Treat or Toss
"Walk of Fame" Treat or Toss!
Save the Date: Friday, October 20, from 6 - 7:30 pm
Get ready to mark your calendars because the "Walk of Fame" Treat or Toss event is coming to town, and it's going to be an unforgettable evening of pure delight!
You won't want to miss out on this epic gathering hosted by the ICES PTA. It's a candy extravaganza like no other, and we're rolling out the red carpet for you!
Pre-registration is an absolute must to ensure we have enough trunks, candy, and food trucks to make this night truly spectacular.
And last but not least, we need your star power! We're looking for families who are up for the challenge of host a trunk or donating candy. This year, our theme is "Walk of Fame," so let your creativity shine and decorate your trunk as your favorite movie or Hollywood icon. It's your time to shine!
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