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Dear Island Creek Families,
We had a fantastic week as we officially kicked off our ST Math March "MATHness" Challenge! Students are working on their puzzles, helping JiJi the penguin navigate new obstacles.
Mark your calendars for Kindergarten orientation! This year, orientation will be held on Friday, April 10 at 1:30 pm. If you or a neighbor have new students who will attend Island Creek next year, please begin the registration process soon so that we can be prepared for instructional staffing.
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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SPRING PICTURE DAY
Monday, March 16
Victor O'Neill Studios will be on site to take the following pictures:
- student individual (full-length)
- class group
All orders will be placed AFTER picture day.
You will be able to view and order your child’s photos in their online gallery approximately ten days after picture day.
Victor O’Neill Studios - Underclass@vosphoto.com
ST Math March “MATHness” Challenge! Did you know students who complete 1,000+ puzzles per year demonstrate significantly higher growth on year-end standardized tests? This tournament is the perfect sprint to hit that milestone!
📅 Challenge Snapshot
Start Date: Wednesday, March 11
End Date: Thursday, March 26
The Goal: Highest amount of completed puzzles per class for each grade level!
The Reward: Popsicles and major math growth!
Show your grit and keep those puzzles moving! Good luck to all our mathematicians!
World Down Syndrome Day!
Thursday, March 19
We celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome.
This year’s theme is #TogetherAgainstLoneliness. It’s a reminder that true inclusion isn’t just about "being there"—it’s about belonging, friendship, and making sure everyone has a seat at the table.
All are encouraged to "rock their socks" to advocate for a world where everyone is connected. 💙💛
Island Creek students and staff will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday, March 19 since school is closed on Friday, March 20 in recognition of Eid-al-Fitr.
Authors and Artists Night and the Spring Book Fair!
Thursday, March 26 (5:30-7:00)
All are invited to Island Creek on Thursday, March 26 (5:30-7:00) for Authors and Artists Night and the Spring Book Fair! Back by popular demand...the Glow Room!
Book Fair Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for the Spring Book Fair! Please sign-up at
https://tinyurl.com/3xdb5fez or scan the QR Code below.
April Statewide Election: No School for Students on April 21
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
Fairfax County Public Schools will still exceed the required number of instructional hours for students, as set by the Virginia Department of Education.
📚 Finishing Up Our Exploration of Technology and Society in Language Arts 📚
Students are finishing Benchmark Unit 5 in Language Arts! Over the last several weeks, our students have learned, read, and written about why and how we use technology.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: What do you think life would be like if we didn’t have cell phones or the internet?
- Activity: Ask your child to predict the next big invention in transportation, communication, or entertainment. Have them sketch it, name it, and explain how it works.
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.
Body Safety Program
The Body Safety Program is scheduled to take place at Island Creek Elementary the week of April 20-24 for students in Kindergarten-6th Grade.
If you would like to opt your child out of this program, please make sure to send in a signed opt-out form (English/Spanish) no later than Tuesday, April 7. Please note that Rylynn, a Department of Family Services Facility Dog, will be on-site Friday.
We will have a virtual family info session via Google Meet on Tuesday, March 10th at 5:30PM via this link: https://meet.google.com/xze-kydf-itn.
Island Creek's Fourth Annual This is Us Multicultural Night!
Sign-up for a table or a time to perform!
Island Creek Elementary's This Is Us Multicultural Night is an opportunity for the Island Creek school community to connect and learn more about classmates and families through their cultures, travels, food, and traditions.
Sign-up here or scan the QR Code below to reserve a table or performance time.
Registration is only needed for tables and performances
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
Island Creek will have a 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.
Phones Off, Learning On
FCPS’ cell phone policy helps students focus, learn, and engage. When students put their phones away, they have more face-to-face interactions with their peers and teachers and more opportunities to develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Please remind your child that:
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Cell phones and personal devices (earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell).
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Smart watches that serve a dual purpose may be worn, but the phone features (texting, Internet viewing, and calls) are to be off when phone use is prohibited.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our front office at 571-642-6300. Visit our cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.
County Seeking Budget Input
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. They are currently reviewing the county’s 2027 Fiscal Year Advertised Budget and are considering possible adjustments before the final county budget is adopted in May. Provide the county with feedback on how you would like your tax dollars spent by completing this survey.
 Family Engagement Survey Open Now!
Your feedback helps us understand what is going well in your child's school and where we can improve. Please take 10 minutes to complete the Family Engagement Survey today! It is available in many languages. All survey responses are confidential: https://bit.ly/FESURVEY2026 Paper copies are also available. If you would like a paper copy or have questions please contact Amy Garcia, Family Liaison, ajgarcia@fcps.edu, 571-595-7015 (call or text) or by Talking Points message.
April Sibshops and SibTeens
Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Gum Springs Community Center (8100 Fordson Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22306) The Sibshops workshops are for children in grades 2-6 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have siblings with support needs to meet other siblings in a relaxed setting. Celebrate the many contributions made by brothers and sisters of children with special needs, share sibling experiences, and receive peer support. Play games and have fun. Register here
SibTeens is a community-building group for Middle School siblings of children with support needs in grades 6-9 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools. We have fun activities, both recreational and art-based, as well as discussion activities. It’s a unique opportunity for students to share about their lives and support each other while normalizing their life experiences. Register here Please contact FCPSSibshops@FCPS.edu for follow up questions about either program.
Summer Camp Reminders
Camp Fairfax (Summer SACC) registration opens Tuesday, March 17 on a staggered enrollment process. Set up your account today if you don’t already have one, it may take up to five days for your account to be active. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/camp-fairfax/summer
Values in Prevention Camp for rising 7th and 8th graders registration opens Tuesday, March 17:
https://www.fcps.edu/get-involved/activities/middle-school-student-activities/vip-summer-camp
The Family Resource Center Tutor List
The FCPS Family Resource Center Tutor List contains the names of current FCPS employees who hold a valid and current teaching license in Virginia and want to tutor after their contracted school day. The 2025-26 school year tutor list is updated monthly. Please fill out this form to obtain the most current list of available tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting, paying, and working directly with the tutors. Visit the Family Resource Center website for additional information: https://www.fcps.edu/frc
The FCPS Special Education Family Conference is Saturday, April 18 (new date!), from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School. Updated conference details are now available on the Special Education Family Conference webpage. Please register for the event.
FCPS Military Families Field Day is Saturday, April 18, from noon to 2 p.m at Annandale High School (4700 Medford Dr, Annandale, VA 22003) To RSVP, please complete this Google form by Friday, March 27, 2026.
Upcoming Community Events
Free Books for All! Reading Opens the World Book Drive and Family Literacy Fair, Saturday, March 14, 10:00am-2:00pm, at the Lorton Community Center (9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA 22079) Caregivers are welcome to choose up to 10 free books per child. Fun family activities including DJ and free arts and crafts. For more information please contact Jack Delaney at jdelaney@fcft.org
Lorton Community Action Center’s Community Health Fair, Sunday, March 15, 1:00pm-4:00pm at the Lorton Community Center -Gym (9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA 22079) Free Health Screenings and Information: Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Cholesterol, Behavioral Health & Women’s Health. Questions? Contact Elizabeth@lortonaction.org, 571-667-6320
❤️Monday, March 16: Spring Photos (class and individual)
❤️Thursday, March 19: Rock Your Socks in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day!
❤️Friday, March 20: Eid-al-Fitr (No School)
❤️SPRING BOOK FAIR: March 23-27
❤️Wednesday, March 25: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:20 for school-age students
❤️Thursday, March 26: Authors and Artists Night and Book Fair Evening Hours (5:30-7:00)
❤️Friday, March 27: Quarter 3 ends; 2-Hour Early Release for all students at 1:20
❤️March 30 - April 6: Student Holiday: Spring Break and Teacher Workday
❤️Friday, April 10: Kindergarten Orientation (1:30-3:00); No School for students
❤️Wednesday, April 15: Purple Up! Day: Wear Purple!
❤️Tuesday, April 21:No School for Students
️❤️Thursday, April 23: This is Us Multicultural Night (5:30-7:00) AND Spirit Day: Wear your Favorite Multicultural Clothing!
❤️Friday, April 24: Remember Everyone Deployed: Wear Red!
❤️Wednesday, April 29: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:20 for school-age students
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