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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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 6th graders from Mrs. Belisle's class shared their love of reading with Kindergarten Bears in Ms. O'Connor's class!
Important Upcoming Dates
October 16-20: Digital Citizenship Week
October 20: Woodson Homecoming Parade - 4:30PM
October 24: Woodson Pyramid Chorus Concert - 7:00PM
October 24: PTA Family Dinner Night - Noodles & Company - 4:00-8:00PM
October 27: PTA Halloween Howl
November 1-2: Religious/Cultural Observance: All Saints Day/Dia De los Muertos
November 3: End of the First Quarter - 2 Hour Early Release
November 6 & 7: No School for Students
Overview of this Issue
 Mrs. Cronin's class earned a PJ Day today with their PAWS points! Way to go first graders!
New This Week
1. PTA Laps for Learning
2. Woodson Homecoming Parade
3. Welcome to our new Librarian, Ms. Sweda
4. Digital Citizenship Week is October 16-20
5. The Zones of Regulation
6. Music Donation
7. October PTA Family Dinner Night
8. PTA Halloween Howl
9. Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
10. SEL Screener Offered in October
11. Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
12. Students Reading by the Third Grade
13. FCPS Lexia Parent Night
14. National Bullying Prevention Month
15. Disability History and Awareness Month
16. LGBTQIA+ History Month
17. FCPS News
Reminders
18. Bears in the Spotlight
19. Student Monitor Opportunity
20. Fall for the Book Fall Festival
21. STEM Fest - October 14
22. Contacts
23. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
New This Week
 1. PTA Laps for Learning Update
We are incredibly thankful to our school community and PTA for an outstanding Laps for Learning this year! A big thank you for supporting our school by participating, volunteering, donating, and for coming out to cheer on our Bears! We achieved our goal and now have a total of $15,425! Way to go, OCES!
The last day for Laps for Learning donations is Tuesday, October 17th! We are so close to earning popsicles on the playground for EVERYONE! Here's where things stand:
- 5th grade has raised the most money with $1,937.50! They have earned popsicles on the playground and will get an ice cream party if they can maintain their lead!
- 4th grade has also earned popsicles on the playground and is still in second place
- 2nd grade has now joined 5th and 4th grade and earned popsicles on the playground!
All remaining grades need LESS than $200 to earn popsicles on the playground!
- 3rd grade needs just $135 to earn popsicles on the playground
- Kindergarten and 1st grade are still tied! They each need only $184.50 to earn popsicles on the playground
- 6th grade needs only $197 to earn popsicles on the playground
We are only $1,997 away from the highest earning Laps on record EVER!
We only need to raise $2,095 to earn a Glow Stick Dance Party for everyone!!
Click here to donate or send this link to family and friends. Laps for Learning is our biggest fundraiser and provides more than half of the PTA's operating budget for the year. So, let's beat some records and get popsicles and glow sticks for everyone!
2. Woodson Homecoming Parade
3. Welcome to our new Librarian, Ms. Sweda!
As we shared during our PTA meeting last week, Ms. Talbot has accepted an educational specialist position within library services for Fairfax County Public Schools. She will be an exceptional support to many librarians and programs throughout our division.
We are excited to welcome Ms. Sweda to the Olde Creek family. See below for an introduction from Ms. Sweda!
I am coming from the Office of School Support where I have been an Elementary Literacy Resource Teacher since 2017. Before that, I was a Reading Teacher at Belvedere Elementary and Westlawn Elementary. I also taught 3rd and 5th grades at Westlawn Elementary. I began my career teaching 4th grade in Prince George’s County, Maryland and also taught 6th grade at the International School of Bolivia in Cochabamba where I was the head coach for the high school girls’ soccer team. I grew up in Fairfax County and graduated from Woodson High School. I then attended The University of Virginia where I played soccer for the women’s team. I love traveling: driving across the United States (and camping each night) for two months, backpacking through Europe, and exploring Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, China, and Thailand. If not teaching, I spend my time being a mom to two super cool children or out on the front porch reading with a cup of coffee.
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4. Digital Citizenship Week is October 16-20
 Olde Creek is celebrating Digital Citizenship Week October 16-20! This is an opportunity for students to learn about and practice responsible technology use. Building healthy habits around tech use is important for students of all ages. It can help them stay safe online, protect their privacy, and be respectful of others. We will have a spirit week and each day will have a digital citizenship theme. Please see the information below.
Monday, October 16: It’s Sports Day! Represent your favorite sport to celebrate getting outside and moving and having media balance.
Tuesday October 17: Dress up in Olde Creek Spirit Wear or wear red as a reminder that we are a school community and keep ourselves and others safe online.
Wednesday, October 18: Today is Unity Day! Wear orange, which represents standing up against cyberbullying!
Thursday, October 19: Wear wacky socks as a reminder to think about your digital footprint!
Friday, October 20: It’s Hat Day! Wear a “thinking hat” to remember to ask questions about what we see online!
Click here to learn more about Digital Citizenship in FCPS.
5. The Zones of Regulation
During our PAWS-itivity Spirit Week, we kicked off the week with assemblies. There was a fun video of teachers demonstrating our PAWS expectations as we reviewed our school-wide expectations. We introduced the “Zones of Regulation” to our Olde Creek Bears with the help of some of our sixth grade students. They explained that all of the Zone are okay, and we can find tools to help us regardless of the Zone we find ourselves in. Our clinical team also presented during last week’s PTA meeting to explain social emotional learning and the Zones of Regulation. Click here to learn more!
6. Music Donation
Hello Amazing Families of Olde Creek!
The music teachers of Olde Creek (Mrs. Cruse and Ms. DaCosta) are in search of two ¾ size guitars (child size guitars) to use with the students. We are also willing to take any instruments you would like to donate to the music department.
7. October PTA Family Dinner Night
Our first family dinner night will be at Noodles and Company (10296 Main Street location) from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on October 24th. The restaurant will donate 25% of all qualifying orders to the PTA. For online orders, guests can apply the coupon code, “GIVING25” in the Coupon Code line at checkout. Please make sure you are signed into your rewards account to use this code, if you are not already a member, please sign up! When ordering in-restaurant, guests must mention your organization or present the flyer upon placing your order prior to paying. Flyers: English | Spanish
Join Papa John's & support Olde Creek PTA every Thursday this school year! Every Thursday, you will receieve 40% off all menu prices, and Olde Creek PTA will receieve 10% of sales! See the flyer for more information.
8. PTA Halloween Howl
We are looking forward to Olde Creek's beloved, annual Halloween Howl happening on October 27th!
We need your help to make the 2023 Olde Creek Halloween Howl a success! Sign up to donate candy and cakes, decorate your car for Trunk-or-Treat, and/or help with day-of activities. All volunteers will receive instructions for their role along with additional event details. Thank you for supporting our Bears!
9. Attendance Tip: Scheduling Family Trips or Events
Good attendance is an important life skill that will help students succeed in school and beyond.
When scheduling trips or family events, try to use weekends and school holidays, and refer to the FCPS Calendar when planning. Every day of learning is a day toward success. Keep in mind that absences add up quickly. Students who are absent 10% of the school year (or just two days per month) are considered chronically absent.
When possible, schedule appointments for your child outside of school hours. If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or another reason, you must report the absence to their school. Most schools have links to their attendance email or notification systems on their homepages. If you are unsure how to report an absence, please call your school’s front office.
Watch this video with tips on understanding our school calendar and visit our Attendance webpage for additional information. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
10. Social & Emotional Learning Screener Offered in October
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is the SEL Screener.
The screener is offered to all students in grades 3-12 in October and again in February or March. It addresses skills like achieving goals, understanding and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships with adults and peers, and making responsible decisions.
The SEL Screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create the learning, experiences, and environments students need to be successful. 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.
SEL Screener results are sent to families via postal mail. Families who wish to opt their child out should complete the opt-out form in the Annual Notice packet or in SIS ParentVUE. If you have already submitted your opt-out form, there is no further action needed.
For more information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage or contact your child’s school.
Please note that the SEL Screener differs from the anonymous Fairfax County Youth Survey.
11. Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health
Children go through a lot of changes, and it can be hard to tell if their behavior is developmentally appropriate or if they could benefit from mental health support. It’s important to talk to your child and pay attention to their actions, especially these warning signs:
- Increased irritability, hyperactivity, energy, and/or aggressive behavior.
- Excessive sadness, hopelessness, or worries.
- Loss of appetite, or significant weight gain or loss.
- Lack of sleep or too much sleep.
- A decline in grades, school avoidance, or attendance concerns.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Withdrawal from activities and/or friends and family.
- Thoughts of harming themselves or others.
If you notice any of these warning signs or feel your child may be experiencing a mental health challenge, help is available. All Fairfax County public schools have at least one school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker.
Please reach out to one of these staff members to discuss your concerns and identify resources. Call our school or visit the website for staff members’ contact information. Find additional information to support your child’s wellness.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis such as thoughts of harming themselves or others, please take action right away. Call 988, go to the nearest emergency room, or contact the Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
12. Students Reading by the Third Grade
During the Academic Matters and strategic plan update segments of Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented on the divisionwide target to have students reading by third grade.
FCPS has continued to improve its approach to reading over the last several years through our Equitable Access to Literacy (EAL) plan. Reading by third grade is also one of the measures of Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence in our 2023-30 strategic plan.
By focusing on foundational skills for our young readers and literacy intervention for upper grades, FCPS has made significant progress towards narrowing the achievement gaps in this critical skill. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage for more information.
13. FCPS Lexia Parent Night: Learn about Literacy Support
FCPS funds Lexia for all elementary and middle schools to use as part of their literacy instruction. Lexia is a computer-based program that supplements classroom instruction to help students develop literacy skills. It also provides teachers with the data to identify students who need additional support, and the ability to know which specific concepts and skills to prioritize. Attend an information night to learn more about Lexia and how FCPS is integrating it into the classroom. Parents/caregivers will also get tips for supporting their students at home.
Information nights will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on:
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Wednesday, October 18, at Thoreau Middle School (Cafeteria).
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Thursday, October 19, at Edison High School (Auditorium).
Register to attend or submit a question in advance.
Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.
14. National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To help develop a common understanding of Bullying, below is the FCPS definition.
Bullying in Students Rights and Responsibilities is defined as: “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
For more information on how FCPS handles a bullying situation please visit the FCPS Bullying Prevention and Intervention webpage. Our goal is to ensure all students feel safe and welcome at school. If you have questions and/or concerns about something that is going on at school, please contact the front office so that they can support you and most importantly your student
15. Disability History and Awareness Month
In Virginia during October, Disability History and Awareness activities provide an opportunity to create greater public awareness for individuals with disabilities, with the goal of full inclusion in our community.
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16. LGBTQIA+ History Month
LGBTQIA+ History Month is recognized in October nationwide. We acknowledge and celebrate that LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and families are an integral component of our nation. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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17. FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- New School Lunch Menu Options
- Know FCPS’ Security Terms
- National Bullying Prevention Month
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, sign up today.
18. 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 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!
19. Student Monitor Opportunity
 Olde Creek is looking for energetic family members, friends, grandparents, or older 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 opportunity with members of our community. Applicants must be 18 or older.
Student Monitors
Hourly 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, $16.85 per Hour
Description
Provides supervision of students throughout the school day, including but not limited to the classroom, hallways, lunch, recess, specials, and at arrival/dismissal; helps maintain order and discipline and assists in managing the behavior of students; operates technology; performs administrative and non-instructional duties; ensures all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed; works with individual and small groups of students.
Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience is equivalent to graduation from high school. Must be comfortable managing student behaviors in large and small groups, ensuring all layered prevention/safety protocols and procedures are implemented and followed, and have general familiarity/skills with basic office technology in support of teachers, students, and the classroom.
Please pass this information along to anyone you may know. Interested applicants should contact Alison Butler, ajbutler@fcps.edu or at 703-426-3100.
20. Fall for the Book's Festival
Check out the flyer about the Fall for the Book's Kids' Events happening on October 14th!
21. 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!
22. 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
23. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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