Weekly Words
April 5, 2024
Dear Island Creek Families,
It was wonderful welcoming our Crocs back to school on Wednesday! On Tuesday, our staff spent the morning engaged in professional development encompassing the new VDOE Math Standards and learned about the new FCPS Language Arts basal. In the afternoon, we welcomed our newest Crocs and their families during our Kindergarten Orientation.
As a reminder, school will be closed on Wednesday, April 10 in recognition of Eid Al Fitr. Additionally, our 5th Grade students will take their first Standards of Learning (SOL) assessment on Thursday, April 11 with the Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) assessment.
Take good care,
Jen Fallert, Principal
jrfallert@fcps.edu
Island Creek’s New Vision and Mission
After 7 months of dedicated work, and seeking input from families, staff, and students, the Island Creek Compass Team is thrilled to share Island Creek’s new Vision and Mission!
Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8!
A solar eclipse is happening on Monday, April 8, 2024. It's a rare and exciting astronomical phenomenon, and one that requires important safety reminders.
Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can permanently damage your eyes. At Island Creek, we have been fortunate to obtain approved eyewear from the National Science Foundation so that Island Creek students in Grades K-6 can safely view the eclipse ONLY while wearing the eyewear. Grade level teams have planned learning activities for the students. Additionally, during Art Class the students will create simple solar eclipse images to commemorate this unique event focusing on the “corona” using chalk and smudging techniques with paper plates.
Here are some important reminders:
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Don't look at the sun without approved eyewear. This applies to students and staff, and we encourage you to reinforce it at home.
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Regular sunglasses are not good enough. We will be providing eyewear that has been approved for viewing.
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Eclipse timing: The eclipse starts around 2:04 p.m., peaks at 3:20 p.m. (which coincides with Island Creek's dismissal), and ends around 4:32 p.m. If you have concerns about your child walking or riding the bus home, please arrange for alternative transportation.
For more details, visit the FCPS Solar Eclipse webpage.
March Croc Stars are Safe and Self Aware!
Spring Pictures
Spring individual and class photos will be taken on Monday, April 15. To order online, go to Barksdale photo.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks are on sale now. Order online here. Final day to order online is April 15.
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April is Autism Acceptance Month
 Look at our schoolwide chain that was created to represent that we are all connected!
This year, the National Institute of Mental Health is providing resources in honor of Autism Acceptance Month. These resources highlight and focus on inclusivity and connectedness and honor the unique perspectives of people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
ASD is known as a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.
Autism Acceptance Month Resource List
Calendar of Self-Paced Learning Opportunities (from the Applied Behavior Analysis Team)
Eid al-Fitr (School Holiday)
In Islam, Eid-al-Fitr is a three-day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Muslims dress in new clothes, give to charity, and pray in congregation. Eid is celebrated with the exchange of presents and delicious food with family and friends. Read more at Britannica.com.
Tuesday, April 9, is an evening observance day. There is school on this day, but important events will not be held after school. Wednesday, April 10, is an FCPS holiday and all schools and offices will be closed. See the school year calendar.
National Arab American Heritage Month
FCPS is proud to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month in April. This special month provides an opportunity to recognize the history and valuable contributions of Arab Americans. Arab Americans have ancestry in one of the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are located from northern Africa through western Asia. The people of these nations are ethnically, politically, and religiously diverse but share a common cultural and linguistic heritage. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS.
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Muslim Heritage Month
Muslim American Heritage Month is a time for celebrating the history, contributions, culture, and an enhanced understanding of the diverse population of Muslim Americans. View the Fairfax County School Board resolution honoring Muslim American Heritage Month.
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Purple Up! on April 17 to Support Military Families April is the Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize children from military families for their contributions and sacrifices. We recognize that children serve too!
Island Creek Elementary is proud to have over 150 military-connected youth as part of our student body. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience. Throughout the month of April, we will feature our military-connected students on the Morning News show as they recite the “Pledge of Allegiance.” On Wednesday, April 17th we will celebrate Purple Up! Day, a special day for our community to come together and wear purple as a visible gesture of support for our military-connected youth and their families. We encourage all students and staff members to wear purple that day as a symbol of the combined colors of all branches of the military.
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Field Day T-Shirts
 We need volunteers for the Book Fair. Please click here to sign up to help at the Island Creek Book Fair
SCREENING FOR SCHOOL-BASED AAP SERVICES
Screening for school-based AAP services (Levels II & III) is done schoolwide in the spring to determine services for the next school year. Parents or guardians may initiate the screening for school-based (level II and III) services by submitting the AAP School-Based Services (Level II-III) Referral Form to the Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART) at Island Creek ES prior to spring screening, no later than Monday, April 15, 2024. Please see the AAP Spring Newsletter and the AAP website for more information about AAP Programs and levels of service. Multiple criteria are used to screen students for all levels of AAP services. Parents or guardians who submit a referral will be notified by Island Creek of their student’s eligibility status by Friday, June 7, 2023. If you have any questions or to submit the referral form, please contact the AART, Amy Ivey, at amivey@fcps.edu.
📖 Lexia Parent Night: How We Help Your Child Learn to Read
Attend a virtual information night to learn about Lexia on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will discover how FCPS is integrating this program into the classroom to support student literacy growth. Tips for supporting students at home will also be shared. Integrating Lexia into the literacy curriculum aligns with the Virginia Literacy Act, FCPS’ Equitable Access to Literacy, and FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3, which aims to have all students reading on level by the end of third grade.
Register Today for the FCPS Family Summit
Registration is open for the FCPS Family Summit, which will take place on Saturday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Marshall High School. The conference will cover topics that are helpful for all families, such as social-emotional resources, along with a specially curated online component to provide supports for students with disabilities and their families.
Some of the topics include raising resilient, independent children; forming meaningful connections with children; addressing big emotions; and the dangers of opioids and fentanyl. The theme — Safe, Supported, and Included — aligns with Goal 2 of FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan.
Save the Dates: Spring SOL Testing for Grades 3-6
Save the Date: Island Creek’s 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony
 Click to view the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar
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Sunday, March 10-Tuesday, April 9: Ramadan
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Wednesday, April 10: Eid Al Fitr (School closed for students and staff)
- Thursday, April 11: 5th Grade IRW SOL
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Friday, April 12-Friday, April 19: Book Fair at Island Creek
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Wednesday, April 17: Purple Up! Day
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Friday, May 3: Orthodox Good Friday (School closed for students; Teacher Workday)
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Monday, May 27: Memorial Day Holiday (School closed for students and staff)
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Wednesday, June 12: Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony (9:00, Gymnasium); Last day of the 2023-2024 School Year (2-hour early dismissal)
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