|
English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو
Dear Island Creek Families,
What a fantastic start to the school year! Our Crocs are already settling in, making friends, and diving into exciting new routines. It has been a true joy watching them build strong connections with their classmates and teachers.
Thank you for sending your children to school ready to learn each day. We truly have the best students, families, and staff, and Together We Are Navigating a Course Toward excellence!
Important Note: Tuesday is Back to School Night for parents and guardians. We look forward to seeing you there!
Warmly,
Jen Fallert, Principal 🐊
Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal 🐊
|
Back to School Night: Tuesday
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)
- Wellness Supports at Island Creek will be held in te Library
- Preschool - 4th Grade Sessions will be held in your child's classroom
- 5th Grade Sessions will take place in the Gym
- 6th Grade Sessions will take place in the Cafeteria
Student ID Cards for Island Creek Bus Riders
On Monday, August 31, we will begin distributing student ID cards to our students who are assigned a FCPS bus route or use FCPS transportation services (note, these are currently only being distributed to students who are assigned a bus route/use transportation services). We will continue to distribute these cards to our students throughout the week. ID cards should be worn or attached to your child’s backpack and brought to the bus each day.
We ask for your patience.
Bus drivers will begin checking in studentsand may need some extra time at each bus stop while they do this. Students who have student ID cards should begin tapping as they board and exit the bus. The FCPS transportation team is working hard to minimize any potential delays.
Learn more about the bus navigation and student ID cards.
Band Registration (Grades 5 and 6)
Band is open for registration until Wednesday, Sept 2. Please fill out this on-line form to register.
Band will begin the week of Sept. 7th.
Band instruments include, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, and percussion.
Classes will include embouchure building, sight-reading, scale pattern technique, concert marches, jazz improvisation, popular music, and early preparation for middle school district band auditions. Curriculum is designed for all skill levels.
Contact Mr. Lindsay pilindsay@fcps.edu with any questions.
Strings Registration (Grades 4, 5, and 6)
Strings registration is now open. If you are new to Island Creek or didn’t sign-up in the Spring, please use this LINK to sign up for strings. Any 4th, 5th, or 6th grader can play violin, viola, cello, or double bass and if you play cello or double bass, you get a home instrument so you don’t need to take your large instrument to school each week.
We would like to close registration on September 2, so we can start playing on September 7.
In strings class, we will learn basic string technique, bow use, how to read music, ensemble playing, and fun music. I look forward to having you in strings class and am honored to be your teacher. Please contact me, Sandra Ragusa, at sragusa@fcps.edu if you have any questions.
☕ Coffee, Donuts & Military Family Connections
Calling all Island Creek Military-connected Families! Join us on September 10 from 8:35–9:45 a.m. for coffee, donuts, and a morning of connection.
Location will be the Library
We’ll have guest speakers from Fort Belvoir and United Through Reading, followed by time for families to mingle and connect.
Please complete the following link so we can know how many families plan to attend: https://forms.gle/2GnAX3sJeJoT8n7J8
We hope to see you there!
School Picture Day is Monday, September 14
Additional information will be shared soon!
Spotlight on Specials: Art
Welcome back to our new and returning Croc Artists!! Our first week brings getting acquainted, establishing class expectations and of course, beginning our first projects! Mrs. Rozycki’s classes have begun working on projects involving our getting to know each other better with self-portraits in kindergarten, 1st grade chalk board monsters and 3rd grade bubble or block letter name tags. 5th and 6th graders are working on using negative space and design and patterns in creating name art. Preschoolers and EAC are learning about colors and smiles for World Smile Day coming soon.
|
Mr. Korrow's 2nd and 4th Grade classes are stepping forward into an exciting year of learning. Second Graders will focus on "Community" as a theme with areas of focus including: using lines, shapes, forms, and basic perspective; exploring color theory and value; and building basic forms and sculptures. Fourth grade will look at "Time" with one of the most exciting units in Elementary Art, drawing the human form in motion. We will also explore deeper considerations for color choices and how to improve blending, as well as how art translates into valued learning for other areas of interest. We are so overjoyed with anticipation to see what our Crocs will create.
Due to popular demand, we are pleased to offer once again our Square 1 Art Fundraiser where student art is transferred to treasures coming soon in September with more information to follow.
We are looking for volunteers for the art room. We need help with hanging and taking down student artwork and preparing supplies for classes and helping with displays. If you are interested, please reach out to: Mrs. Rozycki amrozycki@fcps.edu
Apply Today for Free and Reduced-Price Meals
According to the Centers for Disease Control, eating breakfast at school is associated with better attendance rates, fewer missed school days, and better test scores. Studies show that students who eat both school breakfast and lunch tend to have healthier diets than those who don't participate in school meals.
Families who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals can receive breakfast and lunch at no cost for their children. This includes more than one-third of FCPS students. Families must complete the Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FRM) application before the start of each school year. Approved applications may also qualify students for additional benefits.
The application for FRM is now available for the 2026-27 school year. Students who were approved for FRM last year are eligible for the first 30 days of school this year (or until a new application is processed). Families should reapply as soon as possible so eligible children continue to receive meals at no cost.
Access the application and view criteria and up-to-date information on the FRM webpage. Families should reach out to their schools with questions or for assistance.
🍴Lunch with your Child
To help our students get settled and master cafeteria routines, lunch visits from family members will begin on Monday, September 28. Thank you for supporting a smooth start to the school year!
FCPS Advanced Academics Program (AAP) Information Sessions
AAP Overview Session
-
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 23 at 5:00 PM
-
Location: Island Creek Library
-
Topic: Overview of the AAP Continuum of Services (applicable for K-6)
AAP Screening Process Session
-
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 14 at 5:00 PM
-
Location: Island Creek Library
-
Topic: Understanding the Full-Time AAP Identification Process (applicable for 2-6)
In the meantime, you can find details about the Full-Time AAP referral process, forms, and timelines on the FCPS AAP website. Should you have additional questions, please reach out to Island Creek’s Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, Ms. Grabel at angrabel@fcps.edu
Lightspeed Updates
You Can Manage Student Web Access at Home
At Island Creek, we acknowledge that parents/guardians are our students' first and most important teachers. Parents/guardians now have greater control over their child’s FCPS-issued device outside of school hours through Lightspeed Parent Portal.
In addition to monitoring weekly internet activity, parents can now also customize web access at home on FCPS devices through Lightspeed using Schedules and Web Rules.
With Schedules, you can set tailored times to automatically pause or restrict internet access. This makes it easier to enforce rules around homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
In Web Rules, you can create Custom Block Lists to block specific, individual websites they do not want your child accessing at home. This allows parents greater control over what is happening online, under their own roof.
These new custom controls take effect at home, outside of school hours, and when the device is off the FCPS network. They will not override standard district filtering policies during the instructional day.
Customize Your Lightspeed Settings
All parents/guardians can receive weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report emails. To set up these new features, click the “Log in or Register” button at the bottom of your weekly Lightspeed Online Student Activity Report email.
Visit the FCPS Lightspeed Parent Portal Guide for more information. If you have additional questions, submit a Parent Technology Support Ticket.
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to discuss internet boundaries with their children so that they can understand the reasoning behind any limits and the differences between access at home and at school. Get tips on talking to your children about technology safety.
💻 Catch Up on Your Child’s Classwork in Schoology
Teachers use Schoology to post their classroom materials online; to provide a secure forum for students to discuss their ideas and collaborate on projects; and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized, and it keeps the class connected.
A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account. Get more information on how to login and use Schoology.
Scroll Smart. Post Smart. Stay Safe.
The Fairfax County Police Department encourages teens and parents to stay informed, have open conversations about digital safety, and practice smart online habits throughout the summer months. Read recommendations to stay safe online this summer.
♥️SEL Screener Parent/Guardian Notification
The Fall Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener will be administered to students in grades 3 through 12 in October. Students use the SEL Screener twice a year to share their perspectives on how well their school and community help them develop skills they need to succeed. The screener works by asking questions or presenting statements that students can think about and respond to. This gives students a way to share how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information, including SEL Screener questions and opt-out information, please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
News from our Family Liaison
FCPS Adult and Community Education (Registration Open)
Adult ESOL Fall Term
Registration is open for the Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) fall term. Scholarships are available for adults who want to strengthen their English language skills.
Starting Strong & Organized with Brain Strategies
Wednesday, September 2 10–11:30 a.m. | Virtual
Students with neurodiversity may experience additional challenges during back-to-school transitions. Join Formed Families Forward to learn practical strategies and tools for improving organization, strengthening routines, and helping children feel more prepared for the new school year.
Military Families: Welcome BBQ
Wednesday, September 9 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Lake Braddock Secondary School
Military families are invited to join FCPS for an evening of food, connection, and community.
🗓️ Island Creek Calendar
❤️Tuesday, September 1: Back to School Night
❤️Wednesday, September 2: Registration Due: Strings (Grades 4-6) and Band (Grades 5-6)
❤️Friday, September 4: School Closed (Labor Day Holiday)
❤️Monday, September 7: School Closed (Labor Day Holiday)
❤️Wednesday, September 10: Coffee, Donuts & Military Family Connections (8:35, Library)
❤️Monday, September 14: School Picture Day
❤️Monday, September 21: School Closed (Yom Kippur Holiday)
❤️Wednesday, September 23: AAP Information Sessions (5:00, Library)
|
