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Dear Island Creek Families,
🌸 We hope our Croc Families had a relaxing Spring Break. Our staff is refreshed and ready to finish strong with our students!
Upcoming Events
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Kindergarten Orientation: Friday, April 10 (1:30 PM – 3:00 PM)
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Spring Photo Day: Wednesday, April 15 (Note: This is the rescheduled date from March).
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Purple Up! Day: Wednesday, April 22 (Note: New date due to Spring Photo Day). Wear purple to celebrate our military-connected students! Did you know Island Creek has 126 military-connected students!
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This is Us Multicultural Night: Thursday, April 23: We are looking for participants! Please Sign-up here to reserve a table or a performance slot.
- Yearbook Orders due no later than Friday, April 24
ST MATHness Class Challenges
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ST MATHness Class Challenge: Participation was so high in March that we will have ST MATHness Class Challenges in April and May. Keep up the great work with completing ST Math Puzzles and growing your math brains, Croc Mathematicians!
As a calendar reminder, tomorrow, Friday, April 10th is a School Planning Day and there will be no school for students.
Warmly,
Jen Fallert, Principal 🐊
Denise Cash-Pinckney, 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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April is the Month of the Military Child! Every year we take the opportunity to recognize military-connected youth for their service and contribution to our community. Fairfax County Public Schools is proud to have over 14,000 military-connected youth as a part of our student body, including many students in the Island Creek community. We appreciate the varied life experiences they bring to our school community and recognize their strength and resilience. We are so proud of our 126 Island Creek military-connected students!
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Spring AAP Referrals Due April 15
FCPS is now screening students for Subject-Specific and Part-Time advanced services for the next school year. These programs provide specialized challenges for students who need instruction beyond the standard curriculum.
Please see the full AAP Spring Newsletter for more specifics on the levels of service and the holistic review process.
Island Creek's Fourth Annual This is Us Multicultural Night!
Thursday, April 23 (5:30-7:00)
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
SPRING PICTURE DAY
New Date: Wednesday, April 15
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
Wear purple to show your support for Island Creek's 126 military-connected youth!
Purple is chosen as it combines all the branch colors of the military.
2025-2026 Yearbooks on Sale! Orders due by April 24
School yearbooks are on sale! The price is now $25.
Ordering is simple: Just go http://www.buytheyearbook.com, put in Island Creek School ID 732462, 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.
ST MATHness Class Challenge
Participation was so high in March that we will have ST MATHness Class Challenges in April and May. Let's solve puzzles, Croc Mathematicians!
Let's solve puzzles, Croc Mathematicians
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Monthly Prize: The homeroom class from each grade level with the most puzzles completed during April (and again in May) wins a celebration!
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Reward: Winning classes get to choose between a Popcorn Party or a Popsicle Party.
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End-of-Year Goal: Every student should aim to complete 1,000 ST Math Puzzles by June 1.
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Our Progress: So far this school year, our Crocs have already tackled a massive total of 463,931 puzzles!
Spotlight on Specials: STEAM
Our 3rd and 4th grade STEAM students have been busy applying their creativity and critical thinking to real-world challenges! We recently wrapped up an engaging unit on structural design using Keva planks, where students explored the balance between height and stability while also tackling the added challenge of constructing buildings with both a roof and a door. This hands-on experience encouraged problem-solving, perseverance, and innovative thinking.
Building on these engineering skills, students then applied their knowledge to create and refine paper mâché rocks, focusing on durability and realistic design—another opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world applications.
Currently, our young scientists are in the final stages of an exciting experiment investigating the absorbency of different brands of paper towels. At this stage, students are strengthening their collaboration skills by designing their own experiments, preparing to collect and record data, and soon transitioning into using technology to “publish” their findings for peer review.
As we look ahead, students will bring together the many skills they’ve developed this year—bio-architecture, engineering, scientific inquiry, collaboration, and communication—for a culminating model-building project. More details to come!
Our 5th and 6th grade students are diving into the exciting world of coding with hands-on experiences using Ozobots! These small but powerful robots help bring coding concepts to life as students learn how to program through color codes and introductory block-based coding.
Throughout this unit, students will build problem-solving skills, explore sequencing and logic, and see how creativity and technology work together. By guiding their Ozobots through custom-designed paths and challenges, they’ll gain a deeper understanding of how coding impacts the world around them.
We’re excited to watch our students think like innovators, collaborate with peers, and develop essential STEAM skills for the future!
Class Placement: Parent/Guardian Input (optional) due Friday, May 8
This spring, Island Creek Staff will begin creating tentative class groupings for the upcoming school year. Classroom assignments will be finalized in mid-August.
When making these placements, we carefully consider many factors, including:
- Individual student information
- Teacher input
- Social relationships
- A blend of children with diverse needs, personalities, and learning interests in every class.
Due to the numerous factors involved in creating balanced classroom placements, including teacher staffing, we are unable to honor requests for specific teachers.
If you have information you believe is important for us to consider regarding your child’s placement for next year, please complete this form by Friday, May 8 at 4:00 PM.
If you do not have any specific information you would like us to consider, there is no need to complete the form.
FCPS PreK and Early Head Start Now Accepting Applications for School Year 2026-27
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).
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
Standards of Learning (SOL) Testing at Island Creek (Grades 3-6)
Please avoid scheduling appointments on test days. Ensure your child eats a healthy breakfast and arrives at school on time to help them do their best.
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3rd Grade: May 5 and May 14
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4th Grade: May 5 and May 14
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5th Grade: May 7, May 12, and May 19
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6th Grade: May 7 and May 19
WHAT: Learn From Current Field Hockey Players and Coaches!
WHEN: Tuesday, May 26th from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE: Hayfield Secondary School - Main Stadium Turf
AGE: Grades 3-8
COST: $50 per child
QUESTIONS: Contact HAYFIELDFIELDHOCKEY@gmail.com
REGISTRATION: Hayfield Youth Clinic Registration
 April is the Month of the Military Child!
April is the Month of the Military Child when we celebrate and recognize the resilience of our military-connected children and thank them for their service as part of a military family. Here at Island Creek we have 125 military connected children. We have two school wide spirit days planned in April. We will celebrate Purple Up! Day on Wednesday, April 22. Please wear purple on that day, the color that represents the blending of the colors of the five branches of our armed forces. In Virginia, we are proud to be home to Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, and National Guard and Reserve families. On Friday, April 24 please wear red to Remember Everyone Deployed. Throughout the month the morning news show will feature “Share Our Story” slides from military connected students. If you are a military connected family and did not receive instructions for submitting a slide please email Amy Garcia, Family Liaison, ajgarcia@fcps.edu.
Partnering with Your Child’s Middle School - Virtual Workshop, Tues, April 14 and Tues, April 28
The FCPS Office of Family and School Partnerships is presenting a virtual workshop for families of rising middle school students. Explore ways to stay connected to your child’s learning and maintain strong family-school partnerships throughout their secondary education. Tuesday, April 14 at 6:00 pm and Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 pm. Register here. Questions? Email Patricia Ramirez paramirez@fcps.edu
Field Day for Military Families, Sat, April 18, 12:00-2:00pm
All FCPS military families are invited to a Military Families Field Day on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 12:00-2:00 p.m., at Annandale High School. Families can participate in various field day activities and enjoy fun crafts. Snacks and treats will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefitting FCPS High School student clubs and organizations. For planning purposes please complete this google form if you plan to attend. Please contact Katie Server at kaserver@fcps.edu with any questions.
Special Education Family Conference, Saturday, April 18, 8am-2pm
The 2026 Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Marshall High School. Visit the FCPS 2026 Special Education Family Conference webpage to register and to find more information, including breakout session offerings and a list of vendors that will be on site. Childcare and language interpretation available.
Upcoming Free Webinars from the Family Resource Center
How to Develop Organizational Skills with Your Child, Friday, April 17, 10- 11:30 a.m.
Join us for a presentation dedicated to building organizational skills. Learn practical tips for setting up effective systems to keep your child on track. Transform frustration into focus and equip your child with the skills they need to be successful and stress-free! Register here
Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Disabilities, Friday, April 24, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
In this session participants will explore the five components of literacy and corresponding instructional practices designed to support the literacy needs of students with significant cognitive disabilities. Register here
Stronger Foundations for Parenting Workshop Series
Fairfax County community members, parents and caregivers with children ages 0-18 years old are invited to a free weekly workshop series to help strengthen parent-child relationships, foster a supportive parenting network, enhance parental resilience, and promote healthy child development and overall well-being! Upcoming workshops include:
Tuesday, April 14, 6:30-8:00pm Virtual Parent Cafe: The Power of Play in Parenting Register here
Wednesday, April 29, 6-8:00pm Holistic Child Well-Being: Mind, Body, and Community Register here
For more information, email buildingstrongerfamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7720.
School Immunization Event – Saturday, April 18, 9:00am-2:30 pm
All students entering 7th grade are required to have one dose of each of the following immunizations:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap) given at age 7 or older
- Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) given at age 10 or older
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child not receive the HPV vaccination.The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
Visit School Required Immunizations for more information.
Inspire Health Alliance is providing immunizations for currently enrolled FCPS students at no out-of-pocket cost. The next Student Immunization Event is on Saturday, April 18, 9:00am-2:30pm at Frost Middle School. Visit the Inspire Immunization Events Student Registration webpage to schedule an appointment. Visit immunization resources to find out additional locations for child immunizations.
Kingstowne Library Opening Saturday, April 11 at 10:00am
The Franconia District Governmental Center ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 11. Located in this facility, residents will find the Franconia District Police Station, Franconia District Supervisors office, Kingstowne Regional Library, Franconia Museum, Kingstowne Active Adult Center, a childcare center, and four community rooms to reserve for meetings and events. The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. followed by open house events throughout the building. 7130 Silver Lake Blvd, Alexandria, VA.
❤️Wednesday, April 15: Spring Photos (rescheduled)
❤️Tuesday, April 21: No School for Students
❤️Wednesday, April 22: Purple Up! Day (new date due to Spring Photos)
❤️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!; Yearbook orders due
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