Island Creek's Weekly Words: May 29, 2026

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Dear Island Creek Families, 

Field Day Volunteers needed!

If you’d like to join the fun, please scan the QR Code shown below OR

complete ALL THREE Steps:

Step 1: Must be cleared Volunteer FCPS Level 1, FCPS requirement

Step 2: Field Days Volunteer Opportunity (FCPS), FCPS requirement

Step 3: Field Day Volunteer SignUp Genius, PE Teacher Organization tool

            Morning Field Day sign up link   

            Afternoon Field Day sign up link 

We hope everyone enjoys a wonderful weekend, and we are looking forward to Field Day on Friday!

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Warmly,

Jen Fallert, Principal    🐊

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal    🐊 


Every Day Counts at Island Creek!

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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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Island Creek's Read-A-Thon: 

May 20-May 31

Encourage reading and support Island Creek Elementary! Our fourth annual Read-a-Thon runs from May 20th to May 31st

  • Sponsors: Students collect pledges (per minute or flat fee) from adults using forms were sent home Friday, May 15 (extra copies in office). Aim for 5 sponsors at $10! No door-to-door fundraising.
  • Reading: Log reading at home/school (parent/guardian initial required) from May 20th to May 31st. Being read to counts!
  • Return: Send completed Pledge Sheets, Reading Logs, and donations (MySchoolBucks for Island Creek families or checks made out to Island Creek Elementary) to teachers or the office on June 1st or June 2nd.
  • Prizes:
    • All participants get a bookmark!
    • Raise $10+ for a Croc pop-it keychain!
    • Top reader in each class will win a special prize!
    • The class with the most minutes read (1 lower grade and 1 upper grade) gets a class treat (popsicles or pizza!)!

Let's make this Read-a-Thon a success! Thank you for supporting our readers!

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Field Day Volunteers Needed

Field Day will be Friday, June 5 (Rain Date: Friday, June 12). We have a fun day planned with a lot of wonderful activities for the students to enjoy in celebration of the end of the school year!

Field Day Times

  • 9:05-11:05 AM:  Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, PAC, AM ECCB
  • 12:30-2:50 PM:  3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, PM ECCB

We’re looking for parent/guardian volunteers to help with Field Day activities! Volunteers will assist teachers and students in all grade levels (according to grouping above)  at various stations, help with transitions, and keep the event running smoothly.

 

If you’d like to join the fun, please scan the QR Code shown below OR

complete ALL THREE Steps:

Step 1: Must be cleared Volunteer FCPS Level 1, FCPS requirement

Step 2: Field Days Volunteer Opportunity (FCPS), FCPS requirement

Step 3: Field Day Volunteer SignUp Genius, PE Teacher Organization tool

            Morning Field Day sign up link   

            Afternoon Field Day sign up link 

 

Thank you for helping us make Field Day a special day for our Crocs!

For addtional information, please reach out to Ms. Barber at lmbarber@fcps.edu and Mr. Magagnoli at jlmagagnoli@fcps.edu.

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Library Books Due by June 3rd

All Island Creek Elementary School Library books are due back by Wednesday, June 3rd. Please help your child check around your house and return books as soon as possible. If you have any questions regarding your child’s account, please reach out to Ms. Lloyd at selloyd@fcps.edu. Thank you for your help. 


BAND, STRINGS, and CHORUS are NOW REGISTERING FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR

 Attention all rising fourth, fifth and sixth grade Island Creek students and families!  Now is the time to complete Electives Enrollment Forms for school year 2026-2027. 

Current 4th Grade and 5th Grade students are now registering for Band, Strings, and Chorus for next school year!  In the next weeks, students will have an opportunity to see and hear instruments at the Spring Concert performances for all groups. We hope that your child will sign up now to participate in at least one of these exciting musical groups!  Students may choose between Band or Strings, but all students may participate in Chorus.

Current 3rd Grade students are eligible to participate in Strings next year and learn how to play an instrument for the first time!  Each year, many 4th graders participate in the Strings program, and it’s a great way to help your child build skills such as teamwork, resiliency, and leadership! 

 

Register online at the link below or scan the QR code on forms given to students.

 

Please contact our Band, Strings, and Chorus teachers with any questions you might have.

Strings Teacher:  Ms. Hicks: Anhicks@fcps.edu

Band Teacher:  Mx. Hamilton:  lhamilton@fcps.edu  

Chorus Teachers: Ms. Arslan (sbarslan@fcps.edu) and Ms. Laird (salaird@fcps.edu)

  • 4th Grade electives (for this year’s 3rd Grade students):  Sign up for STRINGS
  • 5th Grade electives (for this year’s 4th Grade students):  Sign up for BAND/STRINGS and CHORUS.
  • 6th Grade electives (for this year’s 5th Grade students):  Sign up for BAND/STRINGS and CHORUS.

🚒Fairfax County Firefighters visit Kindergarten

A huge thank you to the Fairfax County Firefighters for visiting our Kindergarten classes! Our students had the best time learning all about what it takes to be a firefighter. We are so incredibly grateful for our firefighters and first responders and the vital, brave work you do every single day. 

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The SCA Talent Showcase was a Huge Success

Thursday evening’s SCA Talent Showcase was a huge success and very well attended! Thank you to everyone who came out to support and encourage our students. We also want to extend a special thanks to Ms. Jacobson, Ms. Gillet, and our dedicated SCA officers and representatives for their outstanding leadership in putting together such a fun event.

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💊Medication Pick Up from the Health Room

Pick up your child’s medication from the Health Room by:

🚨Wednesday, June 17 by 2 pm

The school health room is reminding parents and guardians that all medication stored in the health room must be picked up no later than 2:00 p.m. on the last day of school, June 17. Medication left in the health room after that time will be discarded. It is school policy that medications must be picked up by the parent or guardian. Medication cannot be sent home with your student.

Medication authorization forms for next school year may be obtained from the school or online at https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/school-health-services. A medication authorization form is required for any medication, prescription or over-the-counter, to be kept at school.

If you have any questions, please contact the school health room at 703-642-6310


Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony

Families of Sixth Grade students are invited to celebrate the accomplishments of our sixth-grade students and reflect on their time at Island Creek on Wednesday, June 17th at 9:00 a.m.  Doors will open at 8:30 a.m.

Please note all adult family members must have a valid photo ID.

Students should "dress their best" in appropriate attire for this special day.

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Summer Events at Island Creek

Kindergarten Playdate for Rising KDG Students and Families

  • Friday, July 24 (3:00-4:00) and Friday, July 31 (9:00-10:00); Playground

Popsicles on the Playground for All Students and Families

  • Friday, August 7 (9:00-10:00); Playground

6th Grade Chat and Chew with the Principals (Rising 6th Grade students)

  • Thursday, August 13 (12:00-1:00); Library

Welcome Tours for Families New to Island Creek

  • Friday, August 14 (9:00-9:30 and 3:00-3:30); Door 1

Open House and Meet the Teacher for Students and Families

  • Wednesday, August 19
    • Optional early time (4:00-4:30) for Preschool, Kindergarten, and Students with IEPs
    • All Students (4:30-6:00)

First Day of School!

  • Monday, August 24:  Parents of kindergarten students and students who are new to Island Creek may walk their child to their classroom on the first day of school only.

Back to School Night for Parents/Guardians

  • Tuesday, September 1
    • Session 1:  5:45-6:20
    • Session 2:  6:40-7:15 (Repeat of Session 1)
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Spotlight on Specials:  Art

As we wrap up another wonderful year in Art, our students have been busy creating, experimenting, and growing as artists!

1st graders have completed flower still life paintings and weavings and are currently working on stitchery. 3rd graders have completed realistic self-portraits incorporating their culture and recently created paintings inspired by the work of Australian Aboriginal artists. They will complete the year with a small weaving using yarn. 4th graders created some amazing Virginia landscape paintings learning about foreground, middle ground and background and horizon lines, they are also completing wire sculptures and we may squeeze in some textile work. 5th grade completed still life cactus paintings involving contrast and pattern usage. We will likely complete the year with a stitchery unit.

Mr. Korrow’s Kindergarten and 2nd grade students have been developing their observational drawing skills while learning about shapes versus form, shading techniques, and how artists create the illusion of 3D space through drawing and painting still lifes. Kindergarten artists will finish the year with self-portraits and weaving projects, while 2nd graders are putting the finishing touches on their ceramic fish sculptures before concluding their year with painting.

Our 6th grade artists have continued exploring process art through multiple ongoing projects at once, learning how artists develop ideas over time. We recently completed an exciting printmaking project and are now hard at work finishing ceramics projects. To celebrate their final year of elementary school, students will conclude the year by designing personal logos that reflect their individuality and creativity.

It has been a fantastic year filled with imagination, hard work, and artistic growth. We are proud of all our young artists and the enthusiasm they bring to the art room each day! We encourage all students to continue to be creative over the summer inside or out in nature


Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services

Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services. 

Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov

Additional Mental Health Resources

FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number. 


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FCPS Summer Extravaganza, Saturday, June 6, 10:00am-2:30pm 

Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School. Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.

 

Virginia Sun Bucks

Virginia SUN Bucks is a one-time benefit to help families with the cost of groceries during the summer when children are not in school. Some families will automatically qualify for SUN Bucks based on participation in SNAP, TANF, income-based Medical Assistance, or free or reduced-price meals at school. Whether you're applying for SUN Bucks or automatically qualify, make sure your child's school and/or Public Assistance and Employment Services (PAES) have your correct address.  Learn more about SUN Bucks and how to apply. Questions? Please reach out to Amy Garcia, Family Liaison, ajgarcia@fpcs.edu, call/text 571-595-7015 or by Talking Points.

 

Resource Database

The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has created a platform to provide information about VA community resources. From affordable childcare to school supplies to healthcare support, use zip code to find information about services. Search this free resource to access over 466,000 local and state social care programs. Access this continuously updated platform at https://bridge2resourcesva.org/.


🗓️ Island Creek Calendar

️Sunday, May 31: Last day of the Read-A-Thon!

️Monday, June 1:  Chorus Concert; Read-A-Thon Reading Logs due!

️Tuesday, June 2:  Strings Concert; Read-A-Thon Reading Logs due!

️Wednesday, June 3:  Library Books due

️Friday, June 5:  Field Day

️Thursday, June 11:  Band Concert

️Friday, June 12:  Field Day (rain date)

️Tuesday, June 16: Last Day of School for Preschool Students

️Wednesday, June 17:  Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony (9:00, doors open at 8:30); Last Day of School for School-age Students (1:20 dismissal)


❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram

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Facebook link

Instagram:  islandcreekelementary