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Dear Island Creek Families,
We loved having our Crocs at school for the entire week! It was great to see everyone back for full school days. Thank you to our First and Second Grade Families who attended this monring's Breakfast Bash - what a wonderful way to start the day!
Wednesday was an exciting day for our Island Creek Crocs! Students enjoyed a virtual visit and read-aloud session with author Tiffany Hammond, who shared her book, A Day with No Words, followed by an engaging Q&A.
A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Heil, mother of two Island Creek students, for securing a grant from the Organization for Autism Research. Her efforts made this fantastic opportunity possible for our school community!
Please take note of the following schedule for next week:
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Monday, Feb. 16 (Presidents Day): School and SACC are CLOSED.
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Tuesday, Feb. 17 (Teacher Workday): No school for students. However, SACC will be open.
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for entrusting your amazing children with us!
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.
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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Virtual Author Visit
On Wednesday, Island Creek welcomed author, Ms. Tiffany Hammond. Ms. Hammond met virtually with Island Creek students in KDG-6th Grade. She uses storytelling to amplify Autistic voices and to reframe how the world understands disability, communication, and family.
Her debut picture book, A Day With No Words, offers a powerful and intimate window into the life she shares with her nonspeaking son, Aidan.
Her storytelling speaks directly to Island Creek’s vision of engaging every child and advancing every day. By honoring different ways of communicating and learning, Ms. Hammond’s work reflects our mission to ensure equitable access to learning, nurture lifelong learners, and build a safe, supportive, and inclusive community where every child is seen and valued.
Her story reminds us that inclusion is not just about access, but about honoring different ways of being, communicating, and participating in the world.
 
🐾 Animal Shelter Collection Drive
Thank you for donating items for the Lorton Animal Shelter! Thanks to your generosity and support, we gathered an incredible 540 items and $95.
To put that into perspective, last year we collected 282 items and $70 — what an amazing increase! Your efforts truly made a difference, and the shelter (and the animals!) will certainly feel the impact of your kindness.
We’re so grateful for everyone who contributed to making this such a success!
Mark your calendars and save the dates for upcoming family events at Island Creek Elementary! All events are sponsored by the Island Creek staff, and there is no cost to participate.
Details for each event will be shared in the Weekly Words, sent every Friday by Principal Fallert. Information about table and performance sign-ups for our annual This Is Us Multicultural Night will be coming soon! We love when families share their cultures so we can learn from one another and celebrate the wonderful diversity of our community!
At Island Creek, our Croc staff wants every student and family to know just how much you belong and are valued—we truly have the most amazing community!
Because it was such a hit last year, we are thrilled to bring back our Family Friday Breakfast Bash. This is a wonderful chance to gather, share a meal, and get to know other families in your child’s grade.
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When: Friday mornings, 7:45 AM – 8:20 AM (grade levels have assigned dates)
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Where: Island Creek Cafeteria
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Who: Families and their children
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What to bring: A breakfast dish to share (think muffins, fruit, donuts, or your favorite breakfast casserole!)
We can’t wait to enjoy some great food and fellowship with you before the school day begins. The Breakfast Bash dates for every grade level are shown below.
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Kindergarten Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, February 20
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1st and 2nd Grades Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, February 13
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3rd and 4th Grades Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, February 27
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5th and 6th Grades Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, March 13
We hope to see your family at one of these events!
Ramadan Observation
Ramadan is from sundown February 17th to sundown March 19th.
If your student requires prayer time or lunch alternatives during the school day, please complete this Ramadan Participation Questionnaire or reach out directly to Principal Jen Fallert (jrfallert@fcps.edu).
From February 18 to March 19, 2026, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) waiver allows students fasting during the school day to request take-home meal kits. These kits include a complete school breakfast and lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Important Meal Kit Information: Kits are charged based on a student’s meal status (Free, Reduced, or Paid). Students may claim one breakfast and one lunch kit per day. Students who eat a meal at school during the day are not eligible for a take-home kit on the same day. Kits are distributed at the end of the school day. Students must pick up their own kits; adults are not permitted to collect them.
Parents or guardians must submit a weekly request form via the FCPS FNS website by the deadlines:
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February 11, 2026 for week of February 18, 2026
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February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
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February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
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March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
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March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Forms must be submitted on time to receive meal kits for the following week.
Congratulations to our Croc Stars who demonstrated the Crocs Creed character traits of Open and Honest!
Upcoming Student Experience Survey at Island Creek
Our school will participate in the FCPS Student Experience Survey. This survey will gather important feedback from students about their school experiences to help FCPS make meaningful improvements.
All students in grades 3 through 6, except those who have opted out, will receive a link to the survey in their FCPS email on February 23. We will administer the survey during the school day on Wednesday, February 25. Any student may take the survey at home, if they are unable to take the survey during the school day. You will receive a communication with details on how to preview the survey and opt your child out, if you choose. The electronic opt-out form can also be accessed at this link.
We believe it's important to hear from our students about what we're doing well and where we can improve. This work also aligns with the equity commitments in FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan, which include a focus on amplifying student voice and experiences as we work toward meeting plan goals.
Spotlight on Specials: PE
We finished our gymnastics unit prior to the snowstorm and have begun our fitness testing/nutrition unit. Kindergarten and 1st Grade students will learned about the different food groups and identifying foods from each group. Second Grade students will lean about healthy beverages and snack options. All KDG - 2nd Grade Students went "grocery shopping" on scooters with our nutrition cards to identify the different food groups and tried to create balanced meals.
Students in 3rd grade learned and practiced the Virginia Wellness Tests to prepare them for next year and learned about energy balance and macronutrients. Our 4th through 6th grade students completed their mid-year Virginia Wellness Fitness Tests and submitted their scores into Welnet.
We will start our striking unit next week! Students will learn various striking skills by using a variety of striking implements. We will have golf putting, golf chipping, hockey passing, hockey shooting, baseball swinging, lacrosse passing, and use a variety of rackets like pickleball, table tennis and badminton. During this unit we are excited to also have our archery station! All students will have the opportunity to safely experience the sport of archery.
Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Thursday, February 19.
Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
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Wednesday, February 25, is a 3-Hour Early Release Wednesday at 12:20 for school-age students.
Dismissal time and transportation will follow the same arrangements as the December's Early Release Day
If you have any questions or changes, please contact the office (571-642-6300) no later than 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 2/24.
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New-to-FCPS families create a ParentVUE account for online registration. Details are available here: Welcome to Fairfax County Public Schools' (FCPS) Online Registration | Fairfax County Public Schools
Current families can register their new student through their existing ParentVUE account. (No need to register students returning to Island Creek)
Our Registrar, Ms. Bickerstaff, is happy to process registrations directly as well. Please complete this New Student Intake Form and she will respond with registration details and documents necessary to start the process.
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten you can learn more here.
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment
New: Island Creek will have an FCPS PreK Class for School Year 2026-2027!
This is a high-quality Early Childhood Program for eligible families. PreK (which stands for Pre-Kindergarten) is a full-day program, and spaces are limited. The PreK program prioritizes children who will be 4 years old by September 30 but also accepts applications for children who will be 3 years old by September 30.
For more information or to apply, visit the FCPS PreK website, email fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu, or call the PreK Office at 703-208-7900 (English) or 703-208-7901 (Spanish).
2025-2026 Yearbooks on Sale! Order Now and Save!
School yearbooks are on sale! The basic book is just $22 now, but the price will go up to $25 on March 20th.
Ordering is simple: Just go http://www.buytheyearbook.com, put in Island Creek School ID 732461, and pay with your credit card. All orders are online only.
PLEASE NOTE: There will not be any additional books for sale in June. If you want your child to have a yearbook, please order one now.
Students in Grades 3-6 participate in the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests. Students are administered the assessment in the morning and need to get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast at home or school. Please refrain from scheduling appointments when your child has an SOL Test.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
 Support Your Child’s Success in SIS ParentVUE
Signing up for a SIS ParentVUE account helps you to support your child’s academic success. Caregivers can view important information in ParentVUE such as attendance, grades, progress reports and assessment scores. Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. A SIS ParentVUE app is available for Apple and Android devices. Please take a few moments to set up your account today!
Need help setting up your account or finding information in ParentVUE? Reach out to Family Liaison, Amy Garcia, ajgarcia@fcps.edu (call/text 571-595-7015) with any questions. Detailed information about Parent VUE, including videos to help navigate are available here.
Upcoming FCPS Workshop
The Connected Family: Navigating the Digital World Together, Mar 12, 2026, 6:30-8:00pm at the Lorton Community Center 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA 22079
Technology connects us like never before, but it’s important to know how to stay safe while using it. This family workshop provides hands-on learning about internet safety to inform families of:
- Today’s popular social sites and apps used by students
- Effective strategies to engage youth in discussions regarding internet safety
- 7 primary topics to discuss with youth that will remain important from kindergarten through adulthood
Join FCPS Intervention and Prevention Services to learn how your family can build healthy and secure, and positive habits online together. This content is appropriate for parents and caregivers of all grade levels. Interpreters and childcare will be available. Register here.
Capital Area Food Bank Free Monthly Mobile Market at The Journey (6427 Franconia Rd) Saturday, Feb 14, 2026, 11:00am-1:00pm
Free fresh produce for local community members in need. The market is held on the second Saturday of each month at The Journey Church (6427 Franconia Rd). Arrive early for the most variety. Bring your own bags. No pre-registration required. Questions? Email mobilemarket@thejourneynova.org
❤️Monday, February 16: School Closed (Washington’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day)
❤️Tuesday, February 17: No School for Students (Lunar New Year and Teacher Workday); Ramadan Begins at sundown
❤️Friday, February 20: Breakfast Bash with Kindergarten Families (7:45-8:20, Cafeteria)
❤️Wednesday, February 25: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:20 for school-age students
❤️Friday, February 27: Breakfast Bash with 3rd and 4th Grade Families (7:45-8:20, Cafeteria)
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