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Dear Island Creek Families,
Happy Friday! We had another wonderful week learning and growing with our students.
Here are a few quick updates and upcoming events to keep on your radar:
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Croctoberfest is Tonight! Join us from 5:30–7:00 PM for our SCA Croctoberfest! Please note: This is a family event, not a drop-off activity. Parents/guardians must remain with their children.
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Wednesday, October 21: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:20 for school-age students. Please let us know your childcare plans for these Early Release Wednesdays using this form: https://forms.gle/LTAbstdNsAVAGyM18
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Wednesday, 10/21: Wear orange for Unity Day and stand against bullies and cyberbullying
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Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Thank you to the 3rd and 4th grade families who joined us this morning! Next Friday we look forward to welcoming our 5th and 6th grade families for breakfast.
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Friday, October 23: Picture Re-Takes
Have a wonderful weekend and we hope to see you this evening!
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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First Early Release Wednesday for School-age Students is October 21; Please Let Us Know Your Child’s Dismissal Plan!
This school year includes four 3-Hour Early Release Wednesdays at 12:20 PM for school-age students. These shortened school days for students allow teachers to attend professional development sessions and participate in other collaborative work.
Our dismissal time will be at 12:20 PM on these days. Here are the dates for Island Creek:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
We encourage all parents/caregivers to have their student take their normal route home or to daycare (bus, walk, kiss and ride) at 12:20 PM on these days, but we will ensure that every student has supervised activities at the school and returns home at the regular time if necessary.
Please let us know your childcare plans for these Early Release Wednesdays using this form: https://forms.gle/LTAbstdNsAVAGyM18
Please note you will need to submit one form for each child.
📷Picture Re-Take Day
Friday, October 23
Our photo studio, Victor O'Neill Studios, will be back to conduct picture re-take.
Re-takes is for any of the following students:
- No purchase is necessary to retake photos!
- If a package was purchased, students MUST return their original photo package to the photographer to receive a new package.
Digital Citizenship Week
Next week, Island Creek is gearing up to "Level Up Our Digital Life" during Digital Citizenship Week! Rather than treating screen time like a constant battle, we’re helping our students become smart, kind, and responsible digital gamers and online explorers.
Throughout the week, students will complete daily "levels" during school to build positive online habits:
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🛡️ Level 1 (Monday): Shield Up! — Focus: Password protection & privacy. Students learn to protect their accounts like a high score by keeping passwords and personal information locked down tight.
Family Conversation: Use a pretend message or situation. What information should stay private? What could you do if someone asked for it?
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🤝 Level 2 (Tuesday): Fact vs. Glitch — Focus: Media literacy. Students practice spotting online "glitches" (fake news and clickbait) by learning to check facts and ask trusted adults.
Family Conversation: Use an example provided by school or make up a claim together. What would you want to check before deciding whether it is true?
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🔍 Level 3 (Wednesday): Friendly Player 1 — Focus: Kindness & positive communication. Good sportsmanship isn't just for games! Students learn to spread kindness, leave uplifting comments, and stop cyberbullying
Family Conversation: Talk through a made-up situation where someone feels left out or hurt. What could a kind response look like, and when might a trusted adult help? WEAR ORANGE TODAY
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⏸️ Level 4 (Thursday): Pause & Think — Focus: Digital footprint. Before hitting "post," students learn to pause and ask the 3 key questions: Is it Kind? Is it True? Is it Necessary?
Family Conversation: Imagine a fictional character is deciding what to share online. What details might be private, and what could those details tell others?
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🔋 Level 5 (Friday): Bonus Round — Unplug & Recharge! — Focus: Healthy screen-time balance. After completing the levels, students celebrate stepping away from controllers and screens to enjoy real-world fun with family and friends!
Family Conversation: Choose one small habit that could help your family make time for rest, play, learning, or connection. Talk about how it might help everyone feel their best.
🏫Absences & Early Pick-up: Can I Use Talking Points?
Please do not use Talking Points to communicate any absences, early pick-ups, doctor's appointments, etc. Our Office Team cannot monitor Talking Points. Instead, you can communicate through the Attendance email or through ParentVUE. You can also leave a voicemail on our attendance line.
Our attendance line is: 571-642-6363
Our attendance email is: IslandCreekElem.Attendance@fcps.edu
What's For Lunch?
View your child’s school menus with MealViewer You can apply for free/reduced meals here. Families can add money to their child's account at My School Bucks.
Our wonderful Croc artists are really starting to come in to their stride with their enthusiasm and creativity. Currently all grade levels with Mrs. Rozycki are wrapping up their special projects for our art department Square 1 fundraiser – artwork to keepsakes! More information will come home soon in early November. Grades pre-K, Kinder., 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th are all transitioning to seasonal fall projects including; torn paper autumn trees for pre-K, Kindergarten clay pumpkins and shapes scarecrows, 3rd grade watercolor zentangle pumpkins, and 5th and 6th grade architectural technical drawing/ watercolor painting in the form of abandoned or spooky houses.
In Mr. Korrow's studio, students have just wrapped up final touches on their amazing Square 1 Fundraising project where 2nd Grade students learned all about sunsets and silhouettes, while 4th Grade created Sun & Moon Mandalas as they explored concepts surrounding warm and cool colors. Upcoming 2nd Grade is currently painting seasonal Pumpkin Patches as 4th Grade turns their focus toward kinetic sculpture - sculptures that move. The children have been so enthusiastically engaged. We are eager to see what wonderful creations they devise.
Donations are really needed in the form of baby wipes (NOT Clorox wipes) for the art room - this really helps with our littles and clean up, please consider donating. Also, we are always in need of volunteers to help out with hanging up artwork, supply preparation, occasional help in classes - kindly reach out to Mrs. Rozycki: amrozycki@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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Grades 5 and 6 Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, October 23
Book Character Day: Friday, 10/30
Get ready for Book Character Day at Island Creek Elementary! On Friday, October 30, all Crocodilians are invited to dress up as their favorite book character for a day of literacy fun.
Dressing up is completely optional. If your child chooses to participate, please keep costumes safe and school-appropriate: no scary themes, offensive graphics, toy weapons, masks, or face paint.
Whether dressing up or coming as they are, please remind your child to bring their favorite book to share with their class!
Do You Know an AMAZING Island Creek Employee?
We are now accepting nominations to recognize our outstanding employees at Island Creek Elementary School for the 2026 - 2027 school year! If you have worked with an outstanding employee at Island Creek, FCPS wants your help recognizing them. Croc colleagues and families are invited to nominate:
🏆 NOMINATIONS FOR...
- Outstanding Professional Staff Leader
- Outstanding Educational Services Employee
- Outstanding Operational Services Employee
🗓️DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 13, 2026.
📝SUBMISSIONS: Submissions can be made by completing the form linked here:
Complete the form
Thank you for supporting our outstanding Croc Staff!
Sibshops and SibTeens: Upcoming Session
Join us for a morning of connection, activities, and conversation with peers who share similar family experiences.
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Sibshops is a community-building program for children in grades 2–5 who have a sibling with a disability. Participants can play games, enjoy art activities, and connect with other children. Register here
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SibTeens is a community-building group for students in grades 6–8 enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools who have a sibling with support needs. Through recreational and art-based activities and discussion, students can share about their lives and support one another. Register here
Session details
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Date: Tuesday, November 3
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Time: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. (Sibshops and SibTeens)
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Location: Katherine Johnson Middle School
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Address: 3801 Jermantown Road, Fairfax, VA
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, 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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Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School (note date change)
FCPS Is Participating in Virginia Quality Birth to Five (VQB5)
Virginia Quality Birth to Five is Virginia’s system for measuring and supporting quality in early childhood programs so children enter kindergarten ready to learn. VQB5 builds on health and safety standards by measuring the quality of teacher-child interactions and the use of the curriculum. Visit the Virginia Quality Birth to Five website for more information
Annual Special Education Family Conference: We Need You!
Register now to attend FCPS’ annual Special Education Family Conference, Connected Communities, Thriving Students, on Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School.
Educators, families, and community members are invited to this in-person event at no cost. Participants can connect, learn, and explore available special education services, supports, and resources. Lunch will be provided for all participants. Register to attend the conference.
Volunteers Are Needed to Make This Event a Success!
Find out how to volunteer:
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Adult Volunteers: Sign up through Volunteer FCPS.
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Student Volunteers: Sign up through the Student Volunteer Interest Form. Students will receive service hours for their time.
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Student Showcase Opportunities: Students can complete the Student Participation Form to lead a performance or share information about a club or research project. Service hours will be awarded to students serving in these roles.
Visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage for more information. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Hayfield Secondary's Trunk or Treat!
Get ready for a spooky evening filled with music, candy, games, and fun! Enjoy live musical performances by our talented Tri-M Members while checking out decorated trunks and collecting sweet treats.
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📅 When: Thursday, October 29th from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
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📍 Where: Hayfield SS Senior Parking Lot
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🎭 What to bring: Wear your best costumes and bring your friends!
Follow us on Instagram @hsstrim for timely updates! See you there!
Date: Sunday, November 15th
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Annandale High School, 4700 Medford Drive, Annandale, VA 22003
Admission: Free
Highlights: Over 60 Vendors! Kids' Corner with FREE Crafts & Activities!
Website / Info: bit.ly/AHSHolidayMarket
Donation Request: Please consider bringing a donation of a personal hygiene item for the AHS PTSA Pantry
🗓️ Island Creek Calendar
❤️Tonight! Croctoberfest (5:30-7:00)
❤️Monday, October 19: FLE Overview Session (6:00, Virtual)
❤️Wednesday, October 21: 3-Hour Early Release at 12:20 for school-age students
❤️Friday, October 23: Make-up Picture Day; Grades 5 and 6 Family Friday Breakfast Bash (7:45, Cafeteria)
❤️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
❤️Monday, November 2: School Planning Day; No school for students
❤️Tuesday, November 3: Teacher Work Day; No school for students
❤️Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Lunch (modified lunch schedule)
❤️Wednesday, November 18: STEAM Night (5:30-7:00)
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