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Dear Island Creek Families,
What a wonderful week with our Crocs! On Monday, Island Creek staff engaged in learning encompassing community circles, math workshop reboot, and creating culturally responsive learning environments. On Wednesday afternoon, the focus of professional learning centered on access points for students in inclusive classrooms.
This evening is Hayfield Secondary's Homecoming football game, and we hope everyone attending has a great time! Go Hawks!
As a reminder, Monday, October 20th, is a school holiday in recognition of Diwali. To those who celebrate, we wish you a very happy and prosperous Diwali
We look forward to welcoming our Croc students and staff back to school on Tuesday!
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Warmly,
Jen Fallert, Principal
Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal
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Every Day Counts at Island Creek!
Help us reach our goal of 4% or less this year!
Attendance is a vital life skill that will benefit your child later in life. It’s a good habit to build now to help them graduate from college on time and routinely report to work on time once they have a career.
To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance
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If your student was absent or unhappy with their fall portrait, they'll have the opportunity to retake it next Friday, October 24.
Please email or send a Talking Points to your student's teacher, letting them know you would like your student to retake their photo.
For those who have already bought a picture package, you must return the package to the photographer on the day of retakes.
If you would like to preview your student's Fall portrait from September, use this link: vosphoto.com/underclass. The online code is your student's ID number
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Families of students who receive ESOL Services are invited to attend an information sesssion on Monday, October 27 at 3:40 in the library. Children are welcome to attend with their parent/guardian.
Please reach out to Ms. Daphne Callender at mdcallender@fcps.edu should you have any questions.
Vision and Hearing Screenings will be held on October 28 and 29 for all Kindergarten students. Students who are new to FCPS will be screened as well. The purpose of screening is to identify students who need further evaluation due to difficulty seeing the screening chart or hearing the screening tones. If your child wears glasses, please be sure that their glasses are at school on screening day. Parents/Guardians will be notified by letter if screening results indicate that further evaluation is needed. Prompt follow-up with your health care provider is recommended, as vision and hearing difficulties can interfere with learning.
You might notice that your student's progress report grades in English language arts (ELA) look a little different. This is happening because we've brought in a new curriculum and new ways to check on learning (assessments), and there are new state guidelines called the VDOE Standards of Learning.
FCPS is raising the bar and setting high goals! We are teaching and grading students on the big skills they need by the very end of the school year. Think of it like going on a journey. It’s challenging at first, but on your journey, you learn your way — and maybe even a few shortcuts!
First quarter grades may seem lower than usual as students work hard to reach grade-level mastery.
Please know that this is a positive, expected part of the learning journey. We are here to support every student as they grow and achieve. We are celebrating the effort and growth toward these new, higher standards!
Learn more about this change in ELA grading and reporting..
This week is National School Lunch Week, which promotes the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child’s life and its impact both inside and outside the classroom. View menus for your child’s school to help you plan for the week ahead.
Did you know that families can apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits anytime during the school year?
If a family’s income changes at any point, they may become newly eligible according to federal income guidelines and can apply immediately. This includes income interruptions caused by furloughs, layoffs, or job losses. Once approved, benefits remain valid for the rest of the school year and for up to 30 school days into the following school year, even if the family’s income changes again. Read Superintendent Reid's October 1 letter regarding other resources available to families impacted by the government shutdown
On Friday, October 31, Island Creek will have our Third Annual Book Character Day! Students and Staff are invited to find a great book and dress up like their favorite character. Book Character Day is a fun, voluntary activity for both students and staff that promotes a love of reading, specifically favorite book characters. We look forward to seeing which characters inspire our students!
Dressing up is optional. If students choose to do so, please adhere to the following so that our students have a safe and productive day.
- Costumes should not be scary nor have words, graphics, or toy weapons that are inappropriate for school
- No costume face masks
- No painted faces
Whether your child is wearing a costume or not, please remind them to bring their favorite book.
All Island Creek families are invited to attend the following events hosted by Island Creek Staff!
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STEAM Night: Wednesday, November 12 (5:30-7:00)
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Book Fair: Thursday, December 4 (5:30-7:00)
Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2025
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) Full-Time Referral Form and optional materials to Principal Jen Fallert at jrfallert@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2025.
The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. All forms may be found on the AAP forms page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at Island Creek and is then completed at the central office level. Island Creek will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data points that are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April.
Slides from the Family Information Session may be accessed here.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Benchmark Unit 2 in Language Arts is about why characters matter. Students in K-5 will be learning about different characters and how they shape stories and face challenges. Grade six students will learn about how characters are changed and inspired by others.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: How does the way you act change the way people think about you?
- Activity: Pretend you are a talk show host and interview your child as if they are the main character of their favorite book.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
 Inspire Immunization Events for All FCPS Students
Inspire Health Alliance, in partnership with FCPS, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students.
- Immunizations will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to students or families.
- Registering families will be required to provide insurance information, if applicable, but students without insurance may still participate.
Current event dates are listed below. Additional dates will be made available throughout the school year, 4-5 weeks prior to the event, on the public webpage. Schedule an appointment here.
Willow Oaks Administrative Office, 8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive, Fairfax, VA:
- Thursday, November 6; 3-6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 18; 3-6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 19; 3-6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, November 20; 3-6:30 p.m.
Frost Middle School, 4101 Pickett Rd. Fairfax, VA:
- Saturday, November 15; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Questions? Please visit the FCPS and Inspire Health Alliance Student Immunization Events | Fairfax County Public Schools webpage or contact Island Creek Family Liaison, Amy Garcia, ajgarcia@fcps.edu, call/text 571-595-7015 or by Talking Points.
FCPS Community Boundary Review Meetings
FCPS October community boundary review meetings have begun. Consultants will present the latest draft boundary map (Scenario 4) and changes specific to the designated pyramids. Participants are invited to ask questions. The South County and Hayfield Pyramids Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 22, 6:30-8:00 pm at Hayfield Secondary School, in person or virtual. Click on ‘in person’ or ‘virtual’ to register for the meeting. Visit the Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage for more information. Childcare and language interpretation is available, requests must be made by completing the registration form.
FCPS Family Resource Center Webinar
Wed, October 22: Reading Plans and Your Student, 10-11:30 a.m.
This free, virtual webinar is designed to help parents and caregivers understand the new reading plans, school supports and resources for families in Fairfax County Public Schools. Need an interpreter? You can request an interpreter in a preferred language when you register. Register here
FCPS Family Academy: Military Connected Families Webinar
Fri, October 24: Supporting Military Families Through Deployments Workshop - 10-11:30 a.m.
Deployments can be stressful times for military families. Join Katie Server, FCPS Family Partnerships Specialist, Military-Connected Youth & Families, and Emily Fitzpatrick, FCPS Military Outreach Liaison, for a free, virtual webinar on navigating your service member’s deployment. This webinar will cover the deployment cycle, along with effective strategies for success throughout each stage, including practical preparations, time management, and handling shifts in routine and family dynamics. We’ll also provide families with helpful resources for before, during, and after deployment. Our goal is for our military families to feel prepared and supported throughout the deployment cycle. Register Here
❤️Monday, October 20: Diwali (No School)
❤️Thursday, October 23: PTA event: “Once Upon a Trunk”
❤️Friday, October 24: Photo Retakes
❤️Monday, October 27: Information Session for families of students who receive ESOL Services (3:40, Library)
❤️Friday, October 31: Book Character Day; End of 1st Quarter (2-Hour Early Release at 1:20)
❤️Sunday, November 2: Daylight Saving Time Ends
❤️Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 4: Teacher Workdays- No School for Students
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