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Para leer este boletín en otros idiomas, visite nuestro sitio web.
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 We had a blast celebrating with families during our Thanksgiving Luncheon last week!
Important Upcoming Dates
November 22-24: No School for Students - Thanksgiving
December 1: SCA Spirit Day - Wear a Kind Message
December 2: National Special Education Day
December 2: Woodson HS Winter Wonderland Event
December 4-8: Book Fair
December 5-9: Inclusive Schools Week
December 6: Book Fair Family Night - 5:30-7:30PM
December 6: PTA Meeting - 6:30PM
December 7-15: Chanukah
December 8: Religious/Cultural Observance: Bodhi Day
December 15: AAP Full-time Referrals Due
December 18-January 1: Winter Break
December 25: Christmas
January 2: School Resumes
Overview of this Issue
New This Week
1. Message from Mrs. Miller
2. Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving Holiday
3. Save the Date: Family Engagement Night - January 18
4. Frost MS Rising 7th Grade Activities
5. Snack Sign-up for Olde Creek Staff
6. Bears Care Outreach/ Girl Scouts Supporting our Bears Care Program
7. Woodson HS Winter Wonderland Event - December 2
8. Special Education Resources for Families
9. Staying Healthy this Cold/Flu Season
10. Student Attendance and Engagement
11. Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15
12. Community Review of Elementary ELA Basal Instructional Resources
Reminders
13. Equity Book Club & C.U.B Club
14. Bears in the Spotlight
15. OC Staff Spotlights
16. Winter Break STEM Kits
17. Contacts
18. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
Updates
1. Message from Mrs. Miller
Dear Olde Creek Families and Friends,
As we approach this season of gratitude, we want to take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for the unwavering support and generosity of our incredible community. We were filled with joy to welcome so many parents and families to our Thanksgiving luncheon last week. It is heartwarming to see our community come together and share in the spirit of gratitude. The luncheon was a wonderful opportunity to connect with one another, foster a sense of belonging, and create lasting memories. We are also grateful for many families donating items for our Bears Care program and for our staff appreciation. These acts of kindness and generosity bring joy to our families and staff, and we thank you.
On Friday, an e-Notify message was sent directly to all of our parents and guardians sharing that I was announced as the new principal of Cub Run Elementary. Below is a portion of the letter.
“It is with a mix of emotions that I share with you that I was announced as the new principal of Cub Run Elementary this morning. I have had the privilege of serving as your principal for almost four years, and I have truly loved having the opportunity to lead this exceptional school community. I am thankful for the strong, collaborative, and connected school community that we have continued to build. Becoming a member of the OC family has had an incredible impact on me and I am forever indebted to this school community that welcomed me as a leader during an extremely challenging time in our world.”
As we gather with our families and friends, let us take a moment to reflect on what we are thankful for this season. We are incredibly thankful for each of you and are honored to be a part of such a caring and supportive community.
With much gratitude,
Melissa Miller, Principal
Alison Butler, Assistant Principal
Stephanie Kaminsky, Assistant Principal
2. Calendar Reminder: Thanksgiving Holiday
Schools and offices will be closed Wednesday, November 22, through Friday, November 24. Classes will resume on Monday, November 27. Learn more about the first Thanksgiving. See the complete school year calendar.
3. Save the Date: Family Engagement Night - January 18
Click here to RSVP! We hope to see you there!
4. Frost MS Rising 7th Grade Activities
Attention rising Frost 7th graders! See the flyer with all upcoming and important dates.
5. Snack Sign-up for Olde Creek Staff
We would love your help as we give thanks to our staff by stocking our staff lounge and teacher planning spaces with individually wrapped snack foods, beverages, and sweet treats. Join us in showing our gratitude to our outstanding staff along with keeping them energized as they educate and support our Bears.
Please sign-up for any of the items at this link and drop off donations to the main office. The main office is open daily, Monday through Friday from 8:00AM-4:00PM. Please note on the item that it is for staff. Thank you for supporting our exceptional staff.
6. Bears Care Outreach
The Bears Care food pantry is now collecting holiday gift cards for students in our program to purchase turkeys or other perishable food items of their choice. Please use this sign up for Safeway, Walmart, and Target gift cards that can either be dropped off at the front office of the school or shipped. (Email Lisa Goodwin at lisamarm@gmail.com for any questions.)
Girl Scouts Supporting our Bears Care Program
Girl Scout Troop 55067 is collecting snacks (individually wrapped, non-perishable, with several month shelf life) for the OCES Bears Care Program. Donations can be dropped off in the front office through Friday, December 8. Please note on the item that it is for Bears Care.
7. Woodson HS Winter Wonderland Event - December 2
Come join us for a Winter Wonderland on December 2, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Cav Hall! The entry fee is $10 per kid and the parent comes in free. Each kid gets a free slice of pizza, and extra slices are an additional $2. All the activities inside are free, so your kid will be occupied the whole time. There will be hot chocolate, crafts, pizza, face painting, and so much more!
8. Special Education Resources for Families
Fairfax County Public Schools has the following resources available to help assist families of students with special needs:
- The Office of Special Education Procedural Support helps staff, families, and students with the implementation of and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended.
- Kathy Murphy, the assistant ombuds for special education, provides information and support to caregivers and students regarding special education and Section 504 services. Contact the Ombuds Office by submitting a question, calling 571-423-4014, or emailing ombuds@fcps.edu.
The Virginia Department of Education has updated the Virginia Family's Guide to Special Education. This state guide was developed to help those involved in special education including families, teachers, school administrators, advocates, and students.
9. Staying Healthy This Cold/Flu Season
Cases of RSV, the flu, and other viruses often rise this time of year. It is important for students to wash their hands regularly and cover their coughs and sneezes. Please monitor your child’s health daily and keep them at home if they are sick. Visit FCPS' Health and Safety Guidance webpage for more tips.
10. Student Attendance and Engagement
During the Academic Matters segment of last Thursday’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure of Goal 2 for our 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Chronic absenteeism, which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.
Data shows that:
- Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance.
- Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
- Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
- By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Attendance is critical for academic success.
Missing School Over the Holidays
Looking ahead to the holiday season, if missing school is unavoidable, please speak with your child’s teachers in advance to create a plan for making up missed work. But remember, a homework packet cannot make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom.
Visit our website for more attendance resources.
11. Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2023
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time (Level IV) Referral Form to Wendy Stobbe, AART, at wmstobbe@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2023.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for full-time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Wendy Stobbe, AART, at wmstobbe@fcps.edu.
Referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific AAP or part-time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for full-time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
12. Community Review of Elementary English Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources
FCPS will adopt new Elementary School Language Arts Basal Instructional Resources for the 2024-25 school year. Public review of the recommended materials is part of the process for selecting new resources. The resources may be accessed in person and online from Wednesday, November 15, until Friday, December 15, at noon.
Digital materials for public review and comment will be available on the Elementary Language Arts Basal Resource Review webpage. If you review instructional materials, please complete an electronic comment sheet which will be on the webpage during the review period.
Visit FCPS' website for instructions on how to view hard copies of the instructional materials at Pimmit Hills Center. The Elementary Language Arts team will be on site to answer questions Friday, December 1, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, December 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
All community feedback will be shared with the review committee and the School Board.
13. Equity Book Club & C.U.B Club
Olde Creek is excited for our FIRST Equity Book Club & C.U.B. Club of the school year! Families who register by 11/24 will receive one copy of the book per family. Registration closes on 12/8.
- WHO: Equity Book Club for grades K-2 & C.U.B. Club for grades 3-6.
- WHAT: Reading "Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion." Considering "How can we appreciate Deaf Culture and music?”
- WHEN: Tuesday, December 12th from 3:15-4:15
Please complete this Google Form to indicate if your student(s) will be participating. A paper copy of this information went home with your child in their Friday Folder.
14. 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. You can find the form here.
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!
15. OC Staff Spotlights
We're excited to highlight our incredible staff members in our Staff Spotlights! In these features, our staff shares their love of working at OC and their hobbies and interests. To browse more staff spotlights, visit the Features section of our Olde Creek website!
16. Winter Break STEM Kits
 Order now!
17. 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
Lizardo Santos, Student Information Assistant, LISantos@fcps.edu
Sandy McCulloch, Office Assistant, slmcculloch@fcps.edu
18. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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