Weekly Words
March 15, 2024
Dear Island Creek Families,
I extend my warmest wishes to those observing the month of Ramadan. I hope it brings moments of reflection, joy, and connection. We have many Croc students who are fasting for Ramadan and thank you to Ashley Chapman, Librarian, for permitting the use of the library.
It’s hard to believe that next Friday is already the last day of the 3rd Quarter of school. As a reminder Spring Break for students is Monday, March 25-Tuesday, April 2.
As an educator, I continually engage in reflection and seek feedback for growth. The following is a list of feedback opportunities in which your feedback is sought and, as always, please feel free to reach out directly to me should you have questions, suggestions, or concerns.
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy time with a good book (or two). Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
Warmly,
Jen Fallert, Principal
jrfallert@fcps.edu
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A heartfelt thank you to the Island Creek community for donating items for our staff’s Trail Mix Bar on Monday. Your generosity is very much appreciated!
All the best,
Jen Fallert
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Thursday, March 21: Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day!
Island Creek students and staff will be recognizing World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday, March 21 with “Rock Your Socks” where students may wear their favorite, wackiest, silliest, most colorful, fun socks! At Island Creek we want ALL students to be seen, valued, heard, and appreciated for their uniqueness. Did you know according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in every 772 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down syndrome the most common chromosomal condition?
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Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form
On Monday, March 18, Island Creek Elementary parents/guardians will be sent an email containing a link to complete the online FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form. This questionnaire is part of the VDOE-mandated Performance Evaluation Program for principals and offers parents/guardians an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various topics related to our school. These topics include how the principal demonstrates/impacts instructional leadership, school climate, management, communication and community relations, culturally responsive and equitable leadership, and professionalism within the school.
The questionnaire will be administered between March 18 and April 5. When you receive an email from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire. Your feedback matters!
Seeking Feedback: This is Us Multicultural Night
As we reflect upon last Thursday’s This is Us Multicultural Night, we are reaching out to families to share their input so we can continue to improve. Please use this form to share your feedback. Thank you!
Spotlight on Specials: Physical Education
During the third quarter in PE, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade students learned a dance routine specific to their grade level, practiced different dance warmups, and practiced jump roping. Students in 4th, 5th, & 6th Grade created their own dance routine in small groups and had performance days to showcase their group dance. We will be creating dance mash-up videos and are hoping to showcase everyone’s routines!
Students had the opportunity to show and demonstrate rhythm jump roping stations and Tinikling. This was either a new experience or a connection for students, with learning about Filipino culture and practicing the dance with jump bands. The warmup for the lesson was a Black History Month warmup that showcased black athletes that have made an impact in various sports. The students enjoyed learning about these athletes that changed the world of sports.
Our volleyball unit consisted of practicing the overhead set and bump during fun games called clean out your backyard and keep it up. Students used beach balls and volleyball trainers to practice their volleyball skills while collaborating and communicating with their classmates in game situations.
We have started our striking stations in PE! Students are learning about striking skills by using a variety of striking implements. We have golf putting, golf chipping, hockey passing, hockey shooting, tennis hitting, baseball swinging, and badminton striking stations. We are excited to introduce a new station of archery! The students have been able to safely experience the sport of archery and are enjoying archery.
Throughout our volleyball and striking units, students have also been learning about healthy snack options, locating specific bones and muscles in the body, reading nutrition labels, the three macronutrients found in a variety of foods, and the different types of bone joints in our body.
We are looking forward to the fourth quarter with our units of fitness, foot skills, and outdoor recreational activities.
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Spring Break
🌷 March 25-29 is spring break and the Island Creek Office will be closed. We wish our students and staff a happy and restful Spring Break! See the complete school year calendar
Spring Classes are Forming at Lane Elementary for the African Heritage Early Literacy Program
The African Heritage Early Literacy Program is a free multi-week program designed to promote parent engagement early-on in a child’s learning. Parents with children ages 2 to 5 years old who have not started kindergarten and are not already enrolled in an FCPS preschool program are eligible to attend. Parents will learn school-readiness strategies to prepare their child for future school success. Topics covered include developmental milestones, getting ready for kindergarten, positive discipline and communication, health, nutrition and safety. For more information call Connie Wilson at 703-204-4380 or email her at cmwilson1@fcps.edu.
Rising 7th Grade Parent Coffee at Hayfield Secondary
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Thursday, March 21, 2024
9:00 - 10:30 AM
Hayfield Secondary School
Middle School Lecture Hall
Please join Director of Student Services, Tim Hopkins, who will answer questions regarding the transition to middle school.
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Family Engagement Survey
 Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) strongly believes family engagement is a shared responsibility between home and school. Together, we are the co-creators in preparing students for success.
The FCPS Family Engagement Survey is available until Friday, March 22. Families are encouraged to complete the survey as it provides the opportunity to share family perspectives and offer feedback on their family’s engagement experience within FCPS. The survey results will help the school division better recognize, understand, respect, and address family strengths and needs in our school community.
Parents/caregivers should have received an email invitation with a unique survey link from K12 Insight on March 3. The subject line was: FCPS Family Engagement Survey. Families may also access the survey through the FCPS website.
For more information on FCPS resources, please email militaryfamilies@fcps.edu.
 National Women's History Month
Every year, March is designated as Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions to American history. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Read more about Women’s History Month in National Geographic Kids.
Purple Up! on April 17 to Support Military Families
Join our community and turn FCPS purple on Purple Up! Day, Wednesday, April 17. Wear purple in recognition of FCPS’ 14,000 enrolled military-connected students.
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Browse Summer Camps and Learning Programs
Have you made summer plans for your child yet? Are you looking for a camp for your child with special needs?
The Family Resource Center has compiled information on summer camps including local options, camps for students with special needs (sorted by need), and camps for students experiencing grief or who have parents in the military.
 Kindergarten Orientation
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
Save the Dates: Spring SOL Testing for Grades 3-6
 Click to view the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar
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Sunday, March 10-Tuesday, April 9: Ramadan
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Thursday, March 21: Rock Your Socks for World Down Syndrome Day
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Friday, March 22: Last day of 3rd Quarter of School
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Spring Break for students: March 25-April 2
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Sunday, March 31: Easter
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Tuesday, April 2: Orientation for Rising Kindergarten students (2:30-3:30)
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Wednesday, April 3: 4th Quarter begins
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Wednesday, April 10: Eid Al Fitr (School closed for students and staff)
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Wednesday, April 17: Purple Up! Day
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