Weekly Words

February 2, 2024

Dear Island Creek Families,

We had a fantastic 5-day school week! We love our Crocs and it was nice to have a full school week with them.

Thank you to Rachel Blumenthal, Samantha Jacobson, and Julia Gillett for hosting Wednesday’s Supporting Beginning Reader’s information session and we appreciate the family members who were able to attend as your questions were great. The recording and slides are linked below, and please reach out should you have any questions.

We loved seeing many of our Croc families at last night’s Authors and Artists event! Your children are so creative with their artistic skills as well as their writing. A special thank you to Rachel Blumenthal, Allison Rozycki, and Rachel Williams for taking the lead and supporting this event.

We are thrilled to host our 2^nd Annual This is Us Multicultural Night on Thursday, March 7 (5:30-7:00) and we would love for you to contribute something from your culture, country of heritage, or from a country or culture you know well. If you wish to prepare an activity or simply attend the event, please register online by Friday, March 1.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us to support your child(ren). Have a wonderful weekend and spend time with a good book!

Warmly,

Jen Fallert

jrfallert@fcps.edu

Club and Candid Yearbook Photos 

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 

On Tuesday, February 6, Barksdale photography will be taking club and candid photos for the yearbook. 

Clubs include: Safety Patrols, Student Council, Student Ambassadors, Chorus, Young Crocs in Motion, News Crew, Band, Strings, and Principal Advisory Council 

Arrival and Dismissal reminders

• All Adults entering the building must have a valid driver’s license with them
• Doors open to students at 8:20
• After 8:35, students must report to the office for a Tardy Pass
• No parking in the Bus Lane during morning arrival or starting at 3:00 for dismissal
• Tassia Dr is for residents only
• No animals on FCPS property unless the pet is an identified service animal
• Kiss and Ride: please do not use your cell phone while in the line to maintain efficiency and safety
• Kiss and Ride: Load and unload students from the passenger side of the vehicle; children should NOT cross in front or between vehicles

Information from the Supporting Beginning Readers Information Session (Families of rising Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade students) Thank you to Rachel Blumenthal, Samantha Jacobson, and Julia Gillett for facilitating Wednesday’s information on the Science of Reading and how to support beginning readers. The slides from the session, including resources and strategies to use at home with your child(ren), are linked here and a recording of the session is linked here.  Additionally, a video of the 44 phonemes in the English language is linked here.

Authors and Artists

(we loved seeing so many Croc Families last night!)

February is Black History Month February is Black History Month which is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in United States history. Did you know the theme for this year’s Black History Month is African Americans and the Arts? Thanks to our Equity and Family Engagement Committee, all of our Croc Students are learning about a famous African American on our daily Morning News Show. This morning students learned about George Washington Carver’s scientific contributions and one of his famous quotes, Education is the key to unlock the golden door of free. On Monday students will learn about Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist who taught himself to read and wrote many books, and one of his quotes, Once you learn to read, you will be forever free. Shown to the left is a gorgeous display that our 5th Grade Students created profiling famous African Americans whose contributions shaped the United States. We love the display so much, that we’ll be placing it in a permanent location in the building.

Candy Grams: On sale, January 29-February 9

Specials: Music

In January, students explored movements and dance in music. 5th and 6th grade students explored the language of dance and created their own 5-part dance sequence, while other students practiced different dance and movement skills through games and folk dances. In February, students will be learning about music that’s connected to different cultures. Starting with Lunar New Year, Mrs. Tien brought some of her favorite childhood games she played when growing up in Taiwan for the students to explore. We are also learning all about instruments, music, and traditions from countries that celebrate Lunar New Year. During Black History Month, students will explore music written, played, and sung by some of the most significant black musicians of different genres. We will explore jazz, ragtime, rhythm and blues, spiritual, swing, rap, hip-hop, pop, and more! To end the month, students will have the opportunity to listen to classical music and will apply critical thinking skills when responding to and connecting with music

Kindness Week at Island Creek (February 12-16)

Island Creek Celebrates Diversity  We want to empower our Island Creek students to have a strong voice, share their experiences, and learn from, and celebrate, each other! We would love to hear from our Crocs about the various traditions, holidays, observances, and cultural experiences families celebrate or recognize.  During February we would like our students to learn about the following observances: Black History Month Lunar New Year Presidents Day Washington’s Birthday Additional February observances or celebrations that your child would like to share If your child is interested in recording a 1-2 minute segment for our Morning News Show please use this link: https://flip.com/95550918 as we would love to learn from our Crocs! Alternatively, if your child would prefer to make a poster to display in the hallways at Island Creek, please have them bring their poster to the front office to be displayed.

Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener

The Spring Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3-6 during the week of February 26 through March 1. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. More information is available about the SEL Screener by accessing this link: 

https://www.fcps.edu/student-tests-and-assessments/student-assessment-details/social-emotional-screener  

If you have any questions, please reach out to our SEL Screener Lead, Nikki Bohnert, at 571-642-6300.

Save the Date: (2^nd annual) This is Us Multicultural Night!

We are excited to host our second annual This is Us Multicultural Night! Please complete this Registration Form and join us on Thursday, March 7, from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. We hope all Island Creek families can attend! Should you have questions please email our Family Liaison, Jane Horowitz, at jrhorowitz@fcps.edu

Click here to view the event flyer for more information. 

Yearbook Cover Art Contest

We are looking for talented artists to create our yearbook cover for the 23-24 school year. Entries will be accepted from all grade levels.

This year, we would like for students to draw Crocky doing their favorite activity! So if you like to read, draw Crocky reading – if you like to skateboard, draw Crocky and some friends skateboarding – video games, sports, dancing, watching movies - it’s whatever you enjoy doing!

Cover submissions must be 8.5 x 11 inches (same size as standard printing paper) and all designs must be vertical (portrait) orientation.

Submissions must have:

• The name of the school: Island Creek Elementary (please double check spelling and grammar – proper titles should be capitalized).
• The school year: 2023-2024.
• The student’s full name and teacher written neatly on the BACK in pencil.

Things to keep in mind:

• Bright and vivid colors are best since the cover must be scanned before printing.
• Your design should fill the entire page and have lots of color - even the background! (The less white space, the better)
• Be mindful that small details can be difficult to see – design elements should be big, bold, and defined.
• Designs can include several mediums – Colored pencil, marker, crayon, watercolor, oil pastel.
• Artwork must be an original creation.
• One submission per student.

Cover art should be submitted to the main office by Friday, March 5 or sooner.

Kindergarten Orientation 

Updated date: April 2, 2024 - 2:30 - 3:30 PM 

We're excited to welcome our newest Crocs to Island Creek Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year! 

This event is intended for the rising kindergarten student and their parents/guardians. This year we are trying something new! Rising kindergarten students and their parents/guardians will be placed in tour groups and visit eight different locations at Island Creek to see our amazing school and meet our fantastic staff. At 3:30 we will have Popsicles on the Playground and the opportunity for students to board a school bus.

Due to limited space, we ask that only rising Kindergarten students and their parents/guardians attend. 

2024-2025 School Year

We will begin accepting registrations for the 2024-25 school year at the beginning of April 2024. Do you have a child that will turn 5 by September 30, 2024? Virginia law states that parents/guardians must ensure a child attends school if he or she will be five years old on or before September 30.

You may begin the process by completing the registration intake on our website: https://islandcreekes.fcps.edu/resources/new-student-registration.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our registrar Theresa Painter at tepainter@fcps.edu

Families of Rising 7^th Grade Students

FCPS Cares! The FCPS CARES Program is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care. We invite you to submit your story, so we can all acknowledge the good work of FCPS employees at Island Creek Elementary! We love our Croc staff, let's tell them how we feel!

Superintendent to Present FY 2025 Proposed Budget

Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will present the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, February 8, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Reid’s presentation, as well as other budget documents, will be available after she presents to the board. 

View the meeting on FCPS Cable TV Channel 99 (Verizon Channel 11), the FCPS YouTube Channel, or the FCPS website. To watch School Board meetings dubbed in Spanish, please visit the FCPS en Español YouTube channel.

If you would like language interpretation or American Sign Language support for any School Board meeting, please contact the board clerk. Find your School Board member and how to contact them on the School Board Members webpage.

Click to view the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar

• February 2024:  Black History Month
• Saturday, February 10-24:  Lunar New Year (The Year of the Dragon)
• Monday, February 12-Friday, February 16: Kindness Week at Island Creek
• Monday, February 19:  Washington’s Birthday and Presidents Day (school holiday)
• March 2024:  National Women’s History Month
• Tuesday, March 5: Presidential Primary, School Closed for students
• Thursday, March 7:  This is Us Multicultural Night (5:30-7:00)
• Sunday evening, March 10-Tuesday, April 9:  Ramadan
• Friday, March 22:  Last day of 3^rd Quarter of School
• Spring Break for students:  March 25-April 2
• Sunday, March 31:  Easter
• Tuesday, April 2:  Orientation for Rising Kindergarten students (2:30-3:30)
• Wednesday, April 3:  4^th Quarter begins

Island Creek PTA Virtual Silent Auction

The Island Creek PTA Virtual Silent Auction is now open. Bidding will end at 7:30 p.m. on February 9.

We have many items and experiences to bid on! A few of our favorite items are the teacher experiences (over 24), tastings at local wineries (including a private wine tasting for up to 20 people!), tickets to the Washington Nationals and other sporting events, family activities at local businesses, and much more! While the auction is open to the community, the teacher experiences are for ICES students only.

Winners can collect items from 8-8:30 p.m. on February 9 during Bingo. Please stop by during the pickup window to claim your item if you are not attending the event. The winner will receive either the item or a printed certificate that includes instructions for redemption.

Please bid on the items below or consider making an armchair donation here! Funds raised during this auction will support our digital sign purchase and Ready Set Math kits.

Ready Set Math is a program that Island Creek teachers at all grade levels will use to boost every student's math confidence and skills. This research-based program provides engaging, hands-on lessons and activities for whole group, small group, and independent learning. Teachers can target essential numeracy skills like place value, mental math strategies, and problem-solving, ensuring every child builds a strong foundation for success. Ready Set Math kits ($5,000) comes complete with all the materials and game sets needed to make learning fun and effective, even for students who might be struggling. Let's invest in our children's future!

Join the PTA in supporting the acquisition of Ready Set Math for our school and give every student the tools they need to shine in math!

If you have any questions about the silent auction or the information below, please email islandcreekptapresident@gmail.com.  

Upcoming Events...

Register for Bingo

The PTA's Family Bingo registration is open, and tickets are selling fast! This popular event sells out every year, so get your tickets today! Bingo runs from 6 - 8:30 p.m. on Friday, February 9. We will play ten games, and every game will have at least one winner! Tickets are $10.

We need your help to make our family bingo night & silent auction a success! We need volunteers to help the night run smoothly, as well as prize donations for our bingo games. If you are able to help, please sign up here.

• Bingo Prize gift card donations
• Celebrity Callers (Island Creek teachers/staff)
• Check-in desk volunteer
• Pizza distribution volunteer
• Silent Auction distribution volunteer 

Save the Date: February 22

Join us for a Croc Bite Spirit Night at the Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Old Town Alexandria. Stop by between 4 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 22 and a portion of the sales will benefit the PTA. 

Crock Flock: Game Night at iCode

Join us at iCode in Burke for a Croc Flock Parent Night from 6 - 8 p.m. on Friday, March 15. 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 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 - 14 . Registration is open here. 

Teacher Appreciation: Chili Cookoff

We’re planning for the end of the 3rd Quarter on Friday, March 22. Do you make a great pot of chili and love a challenge? Sign up to provide a crockpot of chili or accompaniments, and each teacher will vote on their favorite chili. The winning chef will receive a prize! 

Register for STEAM Night

The PTA's STEAM Night registration is open. STEAM Night runs from 6 - 8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19. Tickets are $10 per student and parent registration is free.

If you would like to volunteer at the event, host a table, or prepare an activity or talk, please sign up here. 

Staff Appreciation Committee

We are looking for volunteers to join our staff appreciation committee. The committee will plan the staff appreciation week events (May 6 - 10). Sign up here and provide your availability for a future planning call. 

Other Ways to support Island Creek

Sign up for Givebacks and select Island Creek PTA as your charity of choice. Givebacks will automatically apply givebacks to Island Creek PTA based on what you buy!

A Special Offer from Our Sponsors

Is Your Child On Track in Math?

The IvyMath tutoring session, parent conference, and learning plan are free for all Island Creek families. Popular times fill up, so please register quickly! Signup here.

Free T-Ball This Spring!

Pioneer Baseball offers free T-Ball this spring for kids ages 4-5. Pioneer also provides recreational baseball leagues for ages 4 - 15 years old. Registration closes on March 3.

Summer Camp Available!

Elite M.A. Center in Kingstowne registration for summer camp is open. Camp includes daily games, fields trips, martial arts lessons, and more! Camp drop off runs from 7:15 a.m. ends at 9:30 a.m. and pick up is available from 4 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance: 571-642-6363 or Submit Absence Online

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