Weekly Words - Feb 16

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 02/16/2024 04:30 PM EST
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Weekly Words 

February 16, 2024 

Dear Island Creek Families,

What a great Kindness Week at Island Creek! Thank you to all students who purchased CandyGrams and to the SCA for selling and distributing the CandyGrams just in time for Valentine’s Day!

As a reminder, all schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, for the Presidents Day holiday.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us to support your child(ren). Have a wonderful 3-day weekend and spend time with a good book!

Warmly,

Jen Fallert

jrfallert@fcps.edu

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Congratulations to Mr. Moran

It is bittersweet that we share Mr. Mark Moran has received a promotion from School-Based Technology Specialist (SBTS) to Technology Support Specialist. Mr. Moran has been the SBTS at Island Creek for nearly 2 decades and both of his daughters were Crocs. He spearheaded the initiative at Island Creek and FCPS with FCPSOn to ensure equitable access to technology for every student and staff member. Mr. Moran has facilitated numerous professional development opportunities for staff, collaborated with teachers and teams to incorporate technology to support student learning, troubleshooted with tech resources and equipment, served as School Testing Coordinator, supported assessments, co-led the Morning News show, created and taught this year’s amazing STEAM initiative, and so much more. Mr. Moran was recently awarded  the Tech4Learning Wixie Innovative Educator Award.

We will miss Mr. Moran dearly and wish him all the best with his promotion! #OnceACrocAlwaysACroc

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Monday, February 19, 2024

All schools and offices will be closed on Monday, February 19, for the Presidents Day holiday.

Learn more about Presidents Day in Britannica.com.  Classes resume on Tuesday, February 20th. 

See the complete school year calendar here.

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Lunar New Year: February 10-24

Did you know approximately 2 billion people celebrate Lunar New Year? 2024 is the Year of the Dragon and the dragon symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success! This year the Lunar New Year starts on Saturday, February 10 and lasts until Saturday, February 24. The Lunar New Year is a holiday that marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, which is the calendar traditionally used in many east Asian countries including China, Vietnam, Singapore, and South Korea. In these and other Asian countries, it is one of the most important holidays of the year. The Lunar New Year is all about ushering in luck and prosperity with family. Read more about Lunar New Year and its animal symbols in National Geographic Kids.
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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 week our students learned about Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, Ruby Bridges, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks.

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.

Click here to learn more about Black History Month. 

Preschool Paint n' Juice Box Sip

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Sites Around School!

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

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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.

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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. 

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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

Spring Semester Launch

The Family Literacy Program has launched its spring semester. Classes meet twice a week, either online or in person and will run for twelve weeks.  We are currently offering classes at thirteen FCPS sites. We are always accepting new students, so feel free to check out our website Family Literacy to see our school sites.. You can refer families by sending us an email with the name and contact information of the family that you would like to invite. We will make sure that they are welcomed to our program.  To participate, families must have children enrolled in FCPS or have a preschool-aged child that will attend an FCPS school.

For more information, contact Micheline Lavalle, Family Literacy Specialist at mblavalle@fcps.edu or Natalia Sosa Molina, Program Assistant at ensososamolina@fcps.edu 

Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget Focused on Educational Excellence and Competitive Compensation 

At the last School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid proposed a budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that focuses on excellence and providing students an equitable education in an inclusive and respectful environment, where access, opportunity, and achievement are available to all. 

The budget also prioritizes competitive compensation to attract and retain a world-class workforce. 

The FY 2025 Proposed Budget totals $3.8 billion, an increase of $301.8 million, or 8.6%, over the FY 2024 Approved Budget. Nearly 86% of the budget is focused on instruction. Key highlights include:

  • Supporting students academically by maintaining existing class size formulas and providing necessary support to all students. 
  • Retaining and attracting world-class educators with a 6% market scale adjustment.
  • Strengthening student well-being outside of the classroom with expanded athletics offerings, additional athletic trainers, and enhanced stipends for fine and performing arts.
  • Continuing initiatives including expansion of inclusive preschool, adoption of green initiatives, and funding assistant director of student activities positions previously funded with ESSER III.

Special education daily contract extensions, funding for the safety and security screening program, and late buses to support academics and activities at middle schools are several of the priorities to be addressed at the end of FY 2024. 

The School Board is scheduled to adopt the Advertised Budget on Thursday, February 22. Read more about the proposed budget. Keep up with FCPS’ budget development process.

Our Schools, Our Future: Community Conversations Continue

Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for Our Schools, Our Future – A Community Conversation. Your voice matters! Share your thoughts about FCPS and bring your questions to a conversation on:

Pre-registration for a Community Conversation is not required but will help FCPS plan. Childcare and interpretation services will be provided for all events based on staff availability. Events are open to all. Learn about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.

FCPS Summer Camp Opportunities 

Registration is now open for several summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools..

  • Tech Adventure Camps allow students who are currently in grades K-5 to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math), culinary, health, trades, business and marketing areas. 
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps are being offered for students who are currently in grades 6-11. CTE camps develop skills, and begin career exploration in fields to include business and information technology, family and consumer sciences, health and medical sciences, marketing, technology and engineering education, and trade and industrial.
  • Institute for the Arts (IFTA) and Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) camps are offered for students currently in grades 2-11. E-IFTA is for elementary students currently in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. IFTA allows older students to select from nearly 90 classes in art, dance, health and physical education, music, and theater. Visit the IFTA webpage or E-IFTA webpage to register.
  • The FCPS Family Resource Center has compiled a comprehensive list of summer camps in the Fairfax County vicinity. The list includes camps sponsored by FCPS and external camps. 

Free Tax Preparation Help 

  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) - If you or your family earned less than $64,000 in 2023, you may qualify for this free service! IRS-certified volunteers will help you receive the maximum tax refund and help determine if you are eligible for the earned income tax credit. For more information and tax preparation site details, visit their website. 
  • MilTax - Tax Services for the Military - MilTax provides free tax services for active military, veterans, and their families. Services include tax preparation and e-filing software, and one-on-one help from military tax experts. 

Eating Disorder Parent Information 

In 2013, Virginia passed a law requiring every school system to provide information to parents annually about eating disorders with parents/guardians of students in the fifth through twelfth grades. 

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA 2023),

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights. In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

There is no single cause of an eating disorder. Rather, it is a complex combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors that converge and set off an individual’s predisposed genetic vulnerability.

In collaboration with the Fairfax County Health Department, FCPS has developed a web page with detailed information and resources about eating disorders.  To find out more, please visit the FCPS Eating Disorders website.

In addition to the information on the FCPS website, the National Eating Disorders Association has a toll free, confidential Helpline, 1-800-931-2237.

Learn About Science, Technology, and Arts Magnet Schools

Three FCPS elementary magnet schools provide programs that enhance learning in science, technology, and performing arts. 

If you are interested in sending your student to an elementary magnet school program, consider attending a school-based information night at Hunters Woods Elementary School, Bailey’s Primary Elementary School, or Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. 

Information nights will provide an opportunity to learn about individual school programs, student eligibility, the lottery process, and transportation.

Registration for the 2024-25 elementary magnet lottery is open Tuesday, March 5, through Friday, April 12. Get more information about the schools, their programs, and locations.

FCPS Adult and Community (ACE) Student Enrichment Classes 

FCPS ACE 4 Kids is offering online classes for students in grades 3-8 and STEM kits for students in grades 3-5. Check out this link for additional information. 

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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 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 3rd 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:  4th Quarter begins