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Dear Island Creek Families,
What a wonderful week it has been with our Crocs!
After dismissal on Wednesday, our amazing educators spent time deepening their own learning. They focused on academic discourse, learning targets, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)—all to ensure every student receives the targeted support they need to thrive. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated teachers leading our classrooms!
It was a true privilege to meet so many of our military-connected families on Thursday. We deeply appreciate your service and sacrifice for our country. Supporting military families is close to our hearts—in fact, Dr. Cash-Pinckney’s husband is retired Army, and Mrs. Fallert’s son leaves for Army Basic Training on October 13!
Fall Picture Day: Mark your calendars for this Monday, September 14! Weekends can be busy, so you'll receive a TalkingPoints reminder message on Sunday.
First PTA Meeting: We invite all families to join us in the library Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM for our first PTA meeting of the school year. The Island Creek PTA does incredible work enriching learning experiences for our students and supporting our staff. We are so grateful for their partnership!
Thank you for your continued partnership and support in making Island Creek a wonderful place to learn and grow!
Warmly,
Jen Fallert, Principal 🐊
Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal 🐊
Together, We Are Navigating a Course Toward excellence!
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School Picture Day is Monday, September 14
📅 Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day
🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416954
📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com
Importance of Strong Attendance Habits
September is Attendance Awareness Month. Some of the ways parents can help their children create healthy routines and a habit of getting to school on time every day include:
- Setting a regular bedtime and morning routine. (Need help? Download this checklist in English or Spanish.)
- Laying out clothes and packing backpacks the night before.
- Talking to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning, if they seem anxious about going to school.
- Developing back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoiding medical appointments or extended trips when school is in session.
If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month
Island Creek's 5th Annual Croc Rock-N-Run will be held during the school day on Friday, September 25. Thank you to the Island Creek PTA, Ms. Mehrtash, and Ms. Barber for leading this special day for our Crocs.
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8:45-9:40: 3rd Grade and 4th Grade
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9:50-10:45: 1st Grade and 2nd Grade
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10:55-11:50: Kindergarten, AM ECCB, PAC, PreK
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12:45-1:40: 5th Grade
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1:50-2:45: 6th Grade and PM ECCB
🐊 Mark your calendars for Friday, September 25!*
This year, the PTA and Island Creek Administration have teamed up to direct funds toward exciting new initiatives that support our students and staff.
📩 Look for a printed flyer from the PTA and a digital flyer from your child's teacher, which will include all the details.
👉 Register and set up your students' fundraising page and learn more about our school-wide goals here.
🙌 Parents and Guardians, sign up here to volunteer during the event.
📣 Families can also register here to attend and cheer on their student.
💚 Want to make an even bigger impact? Click here to join the ICES PTA today—just $10 and takes less than 2 minutes.
*The rain date for this event is Friday, October 2
Spirit Week! September 22-25
Get ready, Island Creek Elementary! We’re bringing the magic, friendship, and adventure of Toy Story to life with an exciting Spirit Week!
Join us each day as we celebrate with fun Toy Story-themed dress-up days.
Tuesday, September 22: To Infinity and Beyond!
Wednesday, September 23: Wild West Wednesday!
Thursday, September 24: You've Got a Friend in Me!
Friday, September 25: Rock those Croc Shirts!
Let’s show off that Croc Spirit!
🍴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. Additionally, due to limited seating capacity in the cafeteria, we kindly ask family members to limit lunch visits with their child(ren) to no more than once per week.
Advanced Academics Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. A continuum of Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services is available to students in Grades K-12 and is designed to match services to each student’s unique academic needs.
Identification for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP services occurs throughout the school year. Full-Time AAP services have two identification cycles:
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Fall identification: Students in grades 3-7 who have enrolled in FCPS since January may be referred by October 15, 2026.
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Spring identification: Any FCPS student in Grades 2-7 may be referred by December 15, 2026.
FCPS uses ability testing as one consideration in the holistic identification process for AAP services.
- All students in Grade 2 take the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT).
- Students in Grades 3-6 who do not have a multi-domain ability test score take the NGAT.
- Students in Grades 3-6 may retake an ability test one time. Families may request the ability test retake by contacting Samantha Jacobson, School Testing Coordinator, at SJacobson1@fcps.edu by September 30.
Families are invited to attend two AAP information meetings, led by Alyssa Grabel, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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AAP Continuum of Services: September 23 at 5:00 PM in the library. Families will learn about the continuum of advanced academic services available to FCPS students.
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Full-Time AAP Identification: October 14 at 5:00 PM in the library. Families will learn about the referral and identification processes for Full-Time AAP services.
For more information, please contact Alyssa Grabel, AART, at angrabel@fcps.edu or visit the FCPS Advanced Academic Programs website.
📚✨ Join Us for Our PTA General Meeting! ✨📚
The Island Creek Elementary PTA is excited to welcome our families, teachers, staff, and school community to our first General PTA Meeting of the school year!
📅 Wednesday, September 16, 2026 ⏰ 6:00 PM
Come learn more about the PTA, hear what we have planned for the 2026–2027 school year, and discover how you can get involved in making this a fun and successful year for our students!
Your voice, ideas, and support matter! We hope to see you there!
Together, we can make a difference!
Questions? Please email: Islandcreekpta@gmail.com
FCPS Proposal to Expand Full-Time AAP to All Middle Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools is proposing to expand Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) to all middle schools over the next few years. More information about the proposed plan can be found on Board Docs.
If approved by the School Board this December, Hayfield Middle School will become the assigned school for students who are eligible for Full-Time AAP and live within the Hayfield Middle School boundary. The new assignment would be for students in grade 7 for the 2027-28 school year and for students in grades 7-8 for the 2028-29 school year.
There will be a community meeting for interested families to learn more about the proposal to expand Full-Time AAP to all FCPS middle schools and provide feedback on September 24, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Hayfield Middle School.
Please let us know if you plan to attend and if you require interpretation services by filling out the Hayfield MS RSVP form.
Save the Date for the Annual Special Education Family Conference
The Annual Special Education Family Conference will take place on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hayfield Secondary School.
Hosted by FCPS and community partners, its theme — Connected Communities, Thriving Students — highlights the power of partnerships that support student success. This no-cost, in-person event brings together families, staff, and community partners to explore special education services, supports, and resources and to build meaningful connections.
The conference will feature an inspiring opening session, engaging breakout sessions, an exhibitor hall, and lunch for all participants. Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for the latest information.
Email SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu with any questions.
Review and Sign the SR&R by September 30
The FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) booklet explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. This year’s SR&R includes new Universal Grade Matrices, which are at-a-glance charts that make it easier for families to see behavior expectations and school responses for grades K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.
Families, please review the SR&R and discuss these expectations with your child. Be sure to sign the SR&R acknowledgement form by Wednesday, September 30, either by logging into SIS ParentVUE or signing and returning the Signature Sheet to your child’s school.
Learn more by watching a short video about the SR&R (available in English and Spanish) or visiting the SR&R webpage.
News from the Island Creek PTA
 Island Creek Elementary PTA Fall 2026 After School Enrichment Classes!
Are you looking for fun and exciting activities for your child this fall? Island Creek Elementary School PTA, in partnership with Baroody Camps, Inc., is excited to offer a variety of Fall 2026 Enrichment Programs designed to inspire students to learn, create, explore, and have fun!
Registration Dates: September 14-27
Financial Aid Registration Dates: September 14-23
Class options, Dates, and Additional information:
https://bc-ffx-islandcreek.jumbula.com/
General PTA Meeting: Wednesday at 6:00 PM
The first General PTA Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 PM in the library. All are invited!
Questions? Please email: Islandcreekpta@gmail.com
🗓️ Island Creek Calendar
❤️Monday, September 14: School Picture Day
❤️Wednesday, September 16: PTA Meeting (6:00, library)
❤️Monday, September 21: School Closed (Yom Kippur Holiday)
❤️Wednesday, September 23: AAP Information Sessions (5:00, library)
❤️Friday, September 25: Island Creek's 5th Annual Croc Rock and Run
❤️Friday, October 2: Rain date: Croc Rock and Run
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