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Dear Island Creek Families,
A huge thank you to Ms. Mehrtash, Ms. Barber, the Island Creek PTA, and all our wonderful volunteers for making today’s Croc Rock-N-Run such a success! The weather was absolutely perfect and so much fun was had by all! We’re so grateful to everyone who came out to cheer—Island Creek truly has the best families, students, and staff! We love our Crocs!
All Kindergarten families are invited to the Family Friday Breakfast Bash on Friday, October 2, from 7:45 to 8:15 AM in the cafeteria. Please bring a breakfast item to share and join us for a relaxed morning of meeting and connecting with other families.
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for your ongoing support!
Warmly,
Jen Fallert, Principal 🐊
Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal 🐊
Together, We Are Navigating a Course Toward excellence!
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Good attendance builds key habits that help your child graduate on time and succeed in their future career.
By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance.
Be sure to check the FCPS Calendar when scheduling doctors' appointments and vacations.
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🍴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 the Full-Time AAP Identification Meeting, led by Alyssa Grabel, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART):
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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.
We are off to a great start in the music room! For the first quarter, our focus areas are singing, music literacy, movement, and effort.
All students in grades prek-6 are exploring the many ways their voices can make beautiful sounds. We focus on using a singing voice, singing with a clear strong voice, matching pitch, staying on our own part, and trying our best.
Our students are mastering part singing with the following forms:
Pre-k-1:
1. Echo songs
2: Call and response songs
3: Songs with an ostinato
4: Canon
5: Partner song
6: Two-part singing (melody and counter melody)
Through games and activities, the students are building a repertoire which will help them to explore and master melodic and rhythmic concepts. We look forward to starting fall folkdances in October.
We have approximately 60 singers signed up for 5th and 6th grade chorus! Chorus meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during Morning Meeting. The 5th and 6th Grade Chorus are preparing for their first gig: singing the Star-Spangled Banner for the Hayfield Secondary football game on October 30. Go Hawks!
Join the Young Crocs in Motion Running Club! Open to 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade students, this program helps kids build character, teamwork, and healthy habits while setting personal fitness goals to work toward a community 5K.
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Practice Schedule and Time:
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Registration Deadline: Friday, October 2
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Fee: $20.00 (includes team T-shirt, prizes, and supplies)
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How to Register: Complete the Google Form at tinyurl.com/3mbt5nhe (or scan the QR code on the flyer) to unlock the registration payment link.
For questions, contact Ms. Barber at lmbarber@fcps.edu.
Family Friday Breakfast Bash
At Island Creek, our Croc staff wants every student and family to know how much you are valued—we truly have the most amazing community! After two fantastic years, we are thrilled to bring back our Family Friday Breakfast Bash. It is a wonderful chance to connect, share a meal, and meet other families in your child’s grade.
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When: Select Friday mornings, 7:45 AM – 8:20 AM (grade levels have assigned dates)
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Where: Island Creek Cafeteria
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Who: Island Creek Families and their children
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What to bring: A breakfast dish to share (think muffins, fruit, donuts, or your favorite breakfast casserole!)
We can’t wait to share great food and connection with you before school starts. Below are the Family Friday Breakfast Bash dates for each grade level:
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Kindergarten Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, October 2
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Grades 1 and 2 Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, October 9
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Grades 3 and 4 Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, October 16
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Grades 5 and 6 Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, October 23
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The team at Victor O’Neill Studios would like to thank your school for a great picture day!
We are reaching out to inform you that student images are now online. Please share the information below with your parents:
Any student who has not had a chance to order, it’s not too late!
Please visit: vosphoto.com/underclass
use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
Thank you!
Victor O'Neill Studios
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On Wednesday, October 7, students, staff, and families are invited to walk to school! Enjoy music and receive a sticker when you arrive.
If you walk outside of school hours, let PE teachers Ms. Atari or Ms. Barber know to claim your sticker during PE class.
Family Life Education (FLE) Materials and Preview Night
Island Creek will host a Virtual Parent Preview Night for FLE on October 19th at 6:00 pm. This session provides an opportunity to ask questions and receive assistance in accessing the materials virtually. You may access the meeting via the following link:
https://myfcpsk12.zoom.us/j/96036325102?pwd=OO0nHqbz9pYITeQYrrL7bt2t6YzCaF.1&from=addon
We invite you also to learn more about Fairfax County's elementary FLE program on the FCPS website.
Please reach out to Assistant Principal Dr. Denise Cash-Pinckney at dcashpinckne@fcps.edu with any questions.
Family Life Education Instructional Program Information
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve. Instruction is seen as a partnership among parents and guardians, the school, and the community in supporting the learning essential to the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community.
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program. Students who are opted out are provided with age-appropriate, nonpunitive alternative health instruction, and every effort is made to foster respect for family choices. If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt out forms are available in Parent Digital Consent. Paper opt-out forms are available from your child’s school. Students receiving special education services and accessing modified curriculum will receive a printed opt-out form for modified FLE lessons.
Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online at Elementary (K-6) , Middle School (7-8) , and High School (9-12). FLE grade level-specific lessons and media that FCPS has streaming rights for are available for parents online in Schoology. Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account. Grade level-specific lessons are also available at the City of Fairfax Regional Library (this location does not have media). Grade level-specific lessons and media that is not streamed online are available for review at your child’s school library. Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media online.
Program questions may be addressedrby contacting Assistant Principal Dr. Denise Cash-Pinckney at dcashpinckne@fcps.edu or Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or by email fle@fcps.edu.
Hosted by FCPS Instructional Services and the Hayfield Pyramid Principals, this virtual session offers practical guidance for families navigating social media, gaming, and screen time.
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Date: Thursday, October 8
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Time: 6:30PM - 7:30PM (Virtual)
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Who It’s For: Hayfield Pyramid families and caregivers
Highlights:
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Strategies to set healthy boundaries while fostering independence
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Practical routines for managing devices at home
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Direct insights from student panel perspectives
Scan the QR code on the flyer or access this link.
The Franconia Volunteer Fire Department Station 405 is hosting its annual Open House on Saturday, October 10, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The station will have goodie bags, fun games, and Sparky the fire dog will be stopping by! Visitors will have the chance to meet our members, tour our fire trucks and ambulances and even spray a fire hose.
Set Screen Time Limits and Monitor Online Activity With Lightspeed
The free Lightspeed Parent Portal makes it easy for you to see and manage how your child uses their FCPS-issued device outside of school hours. New Lightspeed Parent Portal features for this school year include:
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Schedules: Pause or restrict internet access during specific times, such as during homework time, family dinners, weekends, or bedtime.
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Web Rules: Block specific websites you don’t want your child accessing at home.
Be sure to check your email (subject line: “Filter Portal Weekly Report”) each Sunday for the Lightspeed Student Online Activity Report, a weekly summary of the websites your child has visited. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
Learn About Applied Behavior Analysis and Teaching New Skills at Home
All family members and caregivers are invited to attend monthly Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Family Training to learn how to support and teach students with autism and related disorders. No registration is needed.
Virtual trainings take place at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Join the session. Upcoming topics include:
- Autism and ABA Overview on Wednesday, October 14. (It is highly recommended that you attend this session before any future sessions.)
- Prioritizing Skills to Teach at Home on Wednesday, November 18.
- Toilet Training on Wednesday, December 9.
- Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home on Wednesday, January 13.
- Communication: a Foundation for Independence on Wednesday, February 10.
Visit the ABA webpage for a full list of classes. Need an interpreter? Contact Stephanie Watkins two weeks before the training at 571-423-4110 or sawatkins@fcps.edu.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome! Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
News from the Island Creek PTA
💙 A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS! 💙
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our 18 incredible sponsors who generously donated to support the students of Island Creek Elementary School! 🐊💚
🌟 18 Sponsors. 698 Students. ONE Amazing School Community! 🌟
⭐️First Impressions Orthodontics ⭐️Wegmans
⭐️Areizo Anderson Realtor ⭐️Elite Ma Center
⭐️Elevate Vending ⭐️Building Forward LLC
⭐️Dimitar Homes ⭐️Volume 13 Salon
⭐️Red Wagon Learning Center ⭐️Coffee Inn
⭐️Tropical Smoothie Cafe ⭐️Burtons Grill & Bar
⭐️Delaney & Smith Pediatric Dentistry ⭐️Children’s Art Classes
⭐️Lee Mount Vernon Sports Club (LMVSC) ⭐️A Harris Homes
⭐️Independence Landscape ⭐️Olympians Family Restaurant
We truly appreciate you and everything you do for our Island Creek family! 💚
Thank you for helping us make a difference! 🐊
🗓️ Island Creek Calendar
❤️Wednesday, October 7: National Walk to School Day!
❤️Thursday, October 8: Hayfield Pyramid Social Media (6:00, virtual)
❤️Monday, October 12: School Closed for students (Indigenous Peoples' Day); School Planning Day
❤️Wednesday, October 14: Full-Time AAP Information Session (5:00, library)
❤️Friday, October 16: NEW DATE: SCA Croc-toberfest (5:30-7:00)
❤️Wednesday, October 21: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:20 for school-age students
❤️Friday, October 23: Make-up Picture Day
❤️Friday, October 30: Book Character Day!; 2 Hour Early Release at 1:20 for all school-age students; 5th and 6th Grade Chorus sing The Star Spangled Banner at the Hayfield Secondary Football Game
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