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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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 Olde Creek Bears were excited to welcome Superintendent, Dr. Reid, for a visit this week!
Important Upcoming Dates
January 25: Second Quarter Ends; 2 Hour Early Release (1:15PM)
January 26: No School for Students - Teacher Workday
January 26 & 27: Woodson High’s Dessert on Broadway
January 30: Rescheduled: Winter Concert for 6th Grade Advanced Band, 5th/6th Grade Strings, and 5th & 6th Grade Chorus - 7:00PM, Gym
February 2: SCA Spirit Day - Jersey Day
February 2: PTA Family Bingo Night - 6:30-8:00PM
February 5-9: National School Counseling Week
February 7: Principal’s Walking Club - 8:00AM
February 7: PTA Meeting - 6:30PM
February 13: PTA Family Science Night
February 17: Woodson Pyramid Stringapalooza - Woodson High School - 2:15PM
February 19: No School - Presidents’ Day
February 20: Equity Book Club & C.U.B. Club - 3:15PM
Overview of this Issue
New This Week
1. Message from Mrs. Miller
2. Calendar Reminder
3. OC Staff Shout-outs
4. Equity Book Club & C.U.B. Club
5. Attendance Matters
6. Olde Creek Opportunities
7. PTA Bingo Night - February 2
8. After School Clubs - Tentative Schedule and Call for Volunteers
9. Volunteers Needed for PTA Sock Hop & Spirit Wear
10. The Papa John’s Pizza Fundraiser Continues!
11. Transition Planning: The Younger Years Future Planning for Elementary & Middle School Students in Special Education
12. Upcoming Webinars and Events for Families
13. FCPS News
Reminders
14. Snow Days this Winter
15. Woodson’s Dessert on Broadway
16. Bears in the Spotlight
17. OC Staff Spotlights
18. Contacts
19. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
Last night's Family Engagement Night was a blast! Everyone had a chance to show off their skills in math, literacy, and Portrait of a Graduate while playing games and activities. Who knew learning could be so much fun?
Updates
1. Message from Mrs. Miller
Dear Olde Creek Families and Friends,
We hope you are staying safe and warm on this snow day! Thank you to our outstanding neighbors and community members who helped to clear our sidewalks so our Bears could return to school safely on Wednesday. We are requesting the same help after today’s snowfall so our students can walk safely to school and our bus stops when we return to school on Monday. Thank you all!
On Thursday, our school was full of excitement as we welcomed Dr. Reid, our FCPS Superintendent, to Olde Creek! Her visit began with a dialogue with our Student Council officers and Green Team leaders, where she witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication our student leaders have about Olde Creek. Stepping into classrooms, she observed the buzz of focused learning: intervention groups tackling challenges, teachers guiding small groups, and students diligently honing their skills. The visit touched base with the inclusivity that defines our school, showcasing both the innovative technology employed in our Enhanced Autism classroom and the supportive learning environment of our Comprehensive Service Site program. To cap it all, Superintendent Reid was met with the boundless energy of our kindergarteners, working seamlessly in activity centers. The day was marked by student artwork, student leaders, and a clear understanding of our PAWS Expectations – a testament to the collaborative spirit that thrives within our walls. This visit wasn't just a snapshot; it was a glimpse into the beating heart of our school, showcasing the dedication, inclusivity, and joy that defines our learning community.
On Thursday evening, we hosted our annual Family Engagement Night focused on literacy, math and Portrait of Graduate activities! We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing students and families who joined us for a night of fun and learning. Seeing you fill our classrooms with enthusiasm and curiosity as you explored each of our activities and games made for an awesome evening. Thank you for joining us and we can’t wait to see you at our next event!
Special thanks also go to our dedicated teachers and staff who poured their creativity and passion into bringing the evening to life. Your tireless efforts in planning, setting up, and volunteering at the activities made it a true community event where learning felt like a joyful adventure.
We hope our families enjoy a wonderful winter weekend. We look forward to welcoming our Bears back on Monday!
With much gratitude,
Melissa Miller, Principal
Alison Butler, Assistant Principal
Stephanie Kaminsky, Assistant Principal
2. Calendar Reminder
Quarter End, Early Release and Student Holiday/Teacher Workday
Thursday, January 25, is the last day of the quarter and a two-hour early release for students. Also, schools are closed for students on Friday, January 26, for a teacher workday.
See the complete school year calendar.
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3. OC Staff Shout-outs
Spread the Sparkle: Tell Us About an OC Gem!
Attention, all students and families! Do you know a teacher or staff member who has gone above and beyond this school year? Are you bursting with gratitude for their extra help, infectious enthusiasm, or unwavering dedication? Now's your chance to make their day (and ours!) with a Teacher and Staff Shout-Out!
We're re-launching our special celebration campaign to recognize the extraordinary efforts that make our school community thrive. Whether it's a teacher who sparked your passion for science, a custodian who greets you with a smile every morning, or a librarian who always recommends the perfect book, take this opportunity to express your appreciation. Simply submit a message through this survey and share what this special person means to you. We'll compile the shout-outs and surprise our amazing staff with a heartwarming dose of recognition throughout the coming weeks. Let's shower our school with gratitude and show everyone how much their contributions matter!
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4. Equity Book Club & C.U.B. Club
Register by 2/9 to receive one copy of the book for your family. Registration closes on 2/16.
- WHO: Equity Book Club for grades K-2 & C.U.B. Club for grades 3-6.
- WHAT: Reading "Ablaze with Color " by Jeanne Walker Harvey. Considering the questions, “How can we celebrate Alma’s Thomas’ perseverance in overcoming racial injustice to find her passion and inspire her community?" and "How can we be like Alma Thomas?"
- WHEN: Tuesday, February 20th 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 is going home with your child in their Friday Folder.
5. Attendance Matters
When students miss too many days of school, they fall behind and struggle to keep up with their classmates. Whether the days missed are due to illness, truancy or for any other reason, the end result for the student is the same — learning time is lost. Children and adolescents will get sick at times and may need to stay at home, but we want to work with you to help minimize the number of days your student is absent from school. Click here for more information.
6. Olde Creek Opportunities
Olde Creek is looking for energetic family members, friends, grandparents, or 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 opportunities with members of our community. Applicants must be 18 or older.
Dining Room Assistant
Hourly - Daily - 10:45AM-1:45PM, $12.39 per Hour
Description: Assists students during lunch time. Supervises student clean-up, keeps order, and dismisses students to their teachers.
Qualifications: Friendly, energetic, and assertive in maintaining expectations of cafeteria behavior, and loves working with children.
Please pass this information along to anyone you may know. Interested applicants should contact Mrs. Butler, ajbutler@fcps.edu or at 703-426-3100.
Student Monitor
Hourly 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Monday-Friday, $16.36 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 Mrs. Butler, ajbutler@fcps.edu or at 703-426-3100.
7. PTA Bingo Night - February 2
BINGO Night is Friday, February 2nd from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM. For more information click here.
Ticket Information
We strongly encourage pre-purchasing BINGO Card rentals and tickets for concessions online here.
Help Needed!
We also need a few volunteers to assist with the will call table and the prize/concessions table. Sign up to here to help.
8. After School Clubs - Tentative Schedule & Call for Volunteers
Spring Clubs will begin February 20 (with the exception of Spanish, which is year-round).
Our tentative schedule is below:
Monday - Spanish (K-4)
Tuesday - Chess (K-6) and Basketball/Kickball (4-6)
Wednesday - Spanish (K-4) and Basketball/Kickball (K-3)
Thursday - Zumba (K-5)
Friday - Drama (4-6) and Artistic Drawing (K-5)
The final schedule is subject to volunteer participation and approval by OCES. For spring clubs, we would like a parent volunteer to come to the school from 3:10pm-4:30pm on days when a club is taking place. The PTA wants to keep providing after school clubs for students, so we are asking parents to sign up to cover the dates when we’re hoping to have spring clubs.
The parent volunteer will serve as a back-up in case the club instructor is running late or does not show up. In the event an instructor doesn't arrive by 3:25 p.m., the parent volunteer would contact Kelly Hughes and stay with the children to ensure they're supervised until the instructor arrives or parents pick up the children.
You may sign up to cover a date using this sign up sheet. If you have questions about clubs, email Kelly Hughes at kkidwell55@gmail.com.
9. Volunteers Needed for PTA Sock Hop & Spirit Wear
The PTA is looking for a Spiritwear Coordinator. We have some leads on companies to print and sell spiritwear and some design ideas, but we need a volunteer to coordinate this effort so we can all buy some awesome OCES shirts and sweatshirts!
We're also looking for volunteers to help with the Sock Hop, which is scheduled for March 8th. This event is like a spring version of the Halloween Howl and includes activities and a DJ. We need someone to lead the event and we're also hoping to have a committee of volunteers assembled to help that person.
Email the PTA at board@oldecreekpta.com if you can help!
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10. The Papa John’s Pizza Fundraiser Continues!
Every Thursday from now until the end of this school year the OCES community can order pizza from Papa John's at a 40% discount and OCES gets 10% back on all orders. The promo code is OCES4010. The promotion is valid all day from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. for delivery or carryout (carryout until 10:00 p.m.) at the Fairfax location.
This is an online promotion only, but, if for some reason, users experience any issue with the code or the website, customers can still place an order simply by calling the store. They will honor the code by phone. Click here for the flyer.
11. Transition Planning: The Younger Years Future Planning for Elementary and Middle School Students in Special Education
It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for your future. We want to help you and your family start planning for a successful transition from school to life as a young adult. Join CTS for expert guidance on disability supports, career options, and student self-determination. Click here to view the flyer and to RSVP.
12. Upcoming Webinars and Events for Families
The Family Resource Center offers free webinars for adults to support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. Upcoming events include:
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Meet the Author Series: Mind in The Making with Ellen Galinsky – Help your children learn how to take on life's challenges, communicate well with others, and remain committed to learning. Friday, February 2, 10-11 a.m.
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Youth Mental Health First Aid – This in-person course teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. Friday, February 9, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Family Resource Center.
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Behavior Solution Series for Elementary and Secondary Families – Join FCPS Behavior Intervention Services staff for help encouraging positive communication and behavior at home. Webinars will be held at 10 a.m.:
- Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication, Friday, February 16
- Taming Tantrums and More, Friday, March 15
- Proactive Strategies for Effective Communication, Friday, April 19
- Taming the Teen-Aged Brain, Friday, May 31
- Elementary Webinars:
- Secondary Webinars:
Click the linked titles above to register.
13. FCPS News
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics:
- FCPS Receives $16 Million to Buy More Electric Buses
- Science Fair Judges Needed
- How Families Can Help Fight Opioid Misuse
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving the weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
14. Snow Days this Winter
For the current school year, FCPS will be returning to its previous procedure for snow days — there will be no virtual learning days when school is closed due to bad weather.
During snow days, students may still access Tutor.com, complete any supplemental learning opportunities recommended by their teachers, and view educational programming (available virtually and on public access television channels):
Eleven snow days are built into the existing FCPS calendar. Eliminating virtual learning days will allow us to maximize students’ in-person learning and provide equitable access to instruction and student services.
15. Woodson’s Dessert on Broadway
Save the Date: Woodson’s 35th production of Dessert on Broadway will be coming January 26-27, 2024. Bring your friends and enjoy a great evening of desserts and music! Tunes from a variety of Broadway shows will be performed by the award winning Woodson Choral Department.
To purchase tickets in advance use this link.
16. 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!
17. 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!
18. 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
19. Be Informed, Stay Involved!
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