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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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 Mrs. Belisle’s 6th graders chose to work towards reading to Ms. Piermattoe's kindergarteners as their PAWS point goal. They achieved their goal and started off the day reading to new friends!
Ms. O'Connor's scientists went on a nature walk using their 5 senses!
Important Upcoming Dates
September 15: Rosh Hashanah - Religious Evening Observance
September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
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 26-29: PAWS-itivity (Spirit) Week
September 28: Fall Picture Day
September 29: Blue Star Welcome Week - Breakfast for Military Families
September 29: SR&R Acknowledgement/Signature Due
September 30: PTA Laps for Learning - 8:00 AM
October 4: Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day
October 4: Principal’s Walking Club - 8:00AM
October 4: PTA Meeting - 6:30PM
October 9: No School - Staff Development Day
October 12: Advanced Academics Program Information Night - 6:00PM - Library
 OC Bears earned Crazy Hair Day today for raising $5,000 so far for Laps for Learning!
Overview of this Issue
New This Week
1. Back to School Night - September 21
2. Woodson Feeder Night - September 22
3. Welcome New OC Team Members
4. PAWS-itivity Spirit Week
5. Blue Star Welcome Week
6. Donate to Laps for Learning
7. Arrival Parking Reminders
8. When a Student Should Stay Home from School
9. Tips to Stay Healthy This School Year
10. Save the Date! Upcoming Holiday & Observances
11. 2023-30 FCPS Strategic Plan- Goal 4: Equitable Access & Opportunity
Reminders
12. Bears in the Spotlight
13. Sign up for Fall After School PTA Clubs
14. Fall Picture Day
15. Advanced Academics Program Information Night
16. Attendance Awareness Month
17. National Hispanic Heritage Month
18. Fall for the Book Fall Festival
19. STEM Fest - October 14
20. Contacts
21. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
New This Week
1. 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
2. Woodson Feeder Night - September 22
For tickets, visit https://www.woodsonsports.com/
3. Welcome New OC Team Members
Tatiana Castro, Art Teacher
Hello everyone! My name is Tatiana Castro, and it is a pleasure to join the Olde Creek family as the new art teacher! I was born in Colombia but have lived in Florida for most of my life. I completed a BS and MA in Art Education from Florida International University. I have exhibited my artworks at galleries and museums in South Florida. One of my favorite hobbies is to paint landscapes, which I enjoyed during abroad programs in France and Italy. I recently completed a Master of Arts program in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University to collaborate with museums, focusing on accessibility. Some of my favorite hobbies include painting, cooking, binge watch cooking shows, visiting museums, and hanging out with my awesome boxer dog, Henri.
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4. PAWS-itivity Spirit Week
What? Olde Creek is having a PAWS-itivity week to showcase our school-wide expectations. Please see the graphic for more information about what students should wear each day!
When? September 26-29
Who? Everyone can participate! Participation is optional 😊
5. Blue Star Welcome Week
Every year, approximately 600,000 military-connected families relocate. Most of these families move to new duty stations, while some transition out of the military and others transition in. Most of these moves take place over the summer, and Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to ensuring our military families feel welcomed and a sense of belonging to their local community.
Blue Star Welcome Week is an opportunity for our community to welcome our military-connected families and show them our appreciation for their service and sacrifices. Throughout the week, FCPS will help ease their transition through events, messages, actions of welcome, and opportunities to make meaningful connections.
At Olde Creek, we are hosting a welcome breakfast for military kids and families on Friday, September 29 to get connected with each other and our school community. We invite our military families to join us in our cafeteria from 7:45-8:15AM. An invitation is being sent to families with RSVP information.
6. Donate to 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.
Laps for Learning is the PTA's main fundraiser. We promise we won't ask you to sell wrapping paper one month, candy the next, and candles after that. Just click here to donate and click here to register to attend Laps for Learning.
Our goal is to raise $15,000. As we get closer to that goal, our students will enjoy these fun prizes:
$2,500: Bubble Greeting for Students (Achieved!)
$5,000: Crazy Hair Day for Students (Achieved!)
$7,500: Silly string Principals and Teachers (Achieved! - Coming soon!)
$10,000: Pie Principals in the Face
$12,500: Principals will serve lunch in the cafeteria
$15,000: Pajama Day and movie for students
$17,500: Glow Stick Dance Party
*Grades that raise $1,500 will receive a “Popsicles on the Playground” party!*
*The grade that raises the most money gets ice cream party!*
Money raised at Laps for Learning funds field trip transportation, classroom supplies for teachers, Math and Literacy Nights, and fun events, like the Halloween Howl or Sock Hop. Thank you for supporting OCES PTA!
7. Arrival & Dismissal Parking Reminders
During arrival and dismissal, we ask everyone to be mindful of where you are parking. Please ensure that you are not blocking driveways.
8. When a Student Should Stay Home from School
Whether students miss school because of illness or any other reason, missing school leads to learning loss.
Help your student succeed by encouraging them to attend as many days as possible, but do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit our site for information on when to keep your child at home.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify their teacher so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school's public health staff. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent, and tell school staff why and for how long.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
9. Tips to Stay Healthy This School Year
Flu season is quickly approaching and communicable diseases continue to be present in our schools. Families and staff are encouraged to follow the health practices below to prevent the spread of illnesses and help keep our schools safe:
- Make an appointment to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine (with rare exceptions). Flu vaccines are widely available at doctors’ and pediatricians’ offices, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you have not done so already. As of Tuesday, September 12, updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use among those aged 6 months or older for the 2023-24 season. Find out where you can get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster in your community by visiting Vaccinate Virginia, or calling 877-VAX-IN-VA or 877-829-4682. Note: Flu vaccines and COVID vaccines can be provided in the same appointment.
- Check with your student’s healthcare provider to make sure they are up to date on their required school entrance immunizations. Immunization records can now be updated in SIS ParentVUE through the Online Verification Update form.
- Check for mild, cold-like symptoms each day, such as fever, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath. If a child is sick, please keep them home and get them tested for COVID-19 to stop further spread from occurring. Additional guidance on when to keep your child home due to symptoms and illness is available on the FCPS Attendance webpage.
- Don’t forget to wash hands regularly, avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and limit the time children spend in large group settings with contagious individuals whenever possible.
The most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 school health practices is available on FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy.
10. Save the Date! Upcoming Holidays & Observances
Friday, September 15, is an evening-only Religious and Cultural Observation day (O day) in recognition of Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown. Evening-only O days are full school days, but important events will not be held after school on those days. Learn more about Rosh Hashanah from PBS.
Wednesday, September 20, is National Voter Registration Day. Learn about registering to vote. Early voting will begin in Fairfax County on Friday, September 22.
All FCPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, September 25, for Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism. Learn more about Yom Kippur on Brittanica.com.
See the complete school year calendar.
11. 2023-30 Strategic Plan - Goal 4: Equitable Access & Opportunity
The 2023-30 strategic plan sets five main goals to create positive change in FCPS. 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 monitor our progress toward these goals.
Under Goal 4, high-quality academics will be available to all students. They will have access to excellent resources that support their success. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn more about how we will measure the success of Goal 4.
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12. 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!
13. Register Now for PTA Fall Clubs
October is right around the corner, which means after school clubs organized by the PTA will start soon! For detailed information and registration, visit the PTA’s website at: https://oldecreekpta.org/after-school-clubs or view the flyer here.
The deadline to register for Spanish is September 18, 2023. Other clubs require registration a week before the start date, but the sooner you register, the easier it is for the PTA to coordinate with vendors and FCPS to ensure a smooth start. See the attached flyer for more information.
See the below flyers for more information regarding each club offering:
Cooking Club (K-3 & 4-6)
Tech Club
Spanish Program (Full Year)
Overtime Athletics (Sports Spectacular & Flag Football/Basketball)
14. Save the Date: Fall Picture Day
September 28th will be Olde Creek's Fall Picture Day!
Order forms will be going home next week in Friday Folders.
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15. Advanced Academics Program Information Night
Any interested parents are invited to join us on Thursday, October 12 from 6 – 7pm in the Olde Creek Library. Our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, Wendy Stobbe, will share an overview of available Advanced Academic Programs at Olde Creek and within Fairfax County Public Schools.
16. Attendance Awareness Month
The beginning of the school year is the best time to develop strong attendance habits! Students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well in reading and math, develop strong social and emotional skills, and graduate from high school on time. Help prepare your child for future success. Visit FCPS’ Attendance web page for tips and strategies.
As you plan upcoming trips and other family events, please remember the importance of sending your child to school every day. Review the FCPS School Year Calendar and try to plan any time away during long breaks from school.
Children who show up for school regularly develop fundamental reading and math skills while building a habit of good attendance that will carry them into college and careers. Research shows that children who were chronically absent (missing 18 days or more) in kindergarten and first grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of third grade.
Read more about how families can help form good attendance habits.
17. National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fairfax Fiesta
Fairfax County's inaugural Hispanic Heritage Celebration, the Fairfax Fiesta, is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 23, from noon to 5 p.m., at the PARC at Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). The free event, presented by the Fairfax County Government and Celebrate Fairfax!, aims to provide an extraordinary experience for all ages and backgrounds. Learn more about Fairfax Fiesta.
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18. Fall for the Book's Festival
Check out the flyer about the Fall for the Book's Kids' Events happening on October 14th!
19. STEM Fest - October 14
Students are invited to participate in STEM FEST, Saturday, October 14, at South County High School.
Participate in STEM FEST: Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and other activities. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information!
20. 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
21. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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