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Dear Island Creek Families, 

What a special week we had with our Crocs as excitement was in the air for Winter Break!  As we approach the winter break, we want to express our sincere gratitude to our families for entrusting your children with our dedicated Croc Staff. 

We wish you a safe, healthy, and wonderful winter break filed with joy and relaxation. We encourage our Crocs to read, play outside, and spend time with family. Optional math and reading work was sent home yesterday for those who wish to continue learning.

We look forward to welcoming our Crocs back to school on Monday, January 6, 2025!

Happy Holidays!

Jen Fallert, Principal

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal

Island Creek's School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) Every Day Counts at Island Creek! Help us reach our goal of 5% or less this year!

Regular attendance is a significant factor in a student’s success:

• Chronic absenteeism  (missing 10% of the school year) correlates to low academic achievement;
• Absenteeism is a powerful predictor of dropout rates;
• Absenteeism has been linked to poor outcomes later in life.

To ensure transparency and celebrate our progress, we will be sharing weekly attendance data and updates in our newsletter. By highlighting this important information, we aim to keep our families informed and energized about our collective efforts to encourage regular school attendance

The Main Office will be closed during Winter Break

The main office will be closed during Winter Break, December 21- January 3.  The office will open on January 6, 2025.  Staff will also not be available via email and will return your message when they come back in the new year. If there is an immediate need during this timeframe, please email Jen Fallert, Principal, at [email protected]. Shee will be monitoring email periodically over the FCPS winter break and will respond in a timely manner.

We love our Croc Students & Staff! Chorus Winter Concert

Congratulations to our 5th and 6th Grade Chorus Students for their beautiful concert Tuesday evening! Kudos to our passionate, dedicated, and talented Music Teachers and Choral Directors, Mrs. Laird and Mrs. Arslan. Additionally, thank you to FCPS School Board Member Ilryong Moon for attending the concert as it was a pleasure welcoming him to Island Creek! 

Spotlight on Specials: STEAM

STEAM Students Animate Their Way to Creativity!

This quarter, inspired by the enchanting tale of Balloons Over Broadway, our STEAM students delved into the art of stop-motion animation. Before Thanksgiving break, many students created their own digital Thanksgiving Day parades in Schoology. Our youngest learners, our Kindergarteners, got creative by making their own balloons and using a green screen to bring their parade to life. Now, all classes are crafting original stop-motion projects, combining science, language arts, and technology to tell their unique stories.

Grade level stop-motion animation themes:

Kindergarten – characters: The Three Little Pigs

1st Grade – types of motion

2nd Grade – types of precipitation

3rd Grade – the water cycle

4th Grade – cloud formations

5th Grade – rock formations

6th Grade – weather systems

Inspiring Innovation: PTA's 3D Printer Donation

The STEAM Lab was fortunate to receive 3D Printers from the PTA’s Croc Rock-n-Run. The 3D printer will empower students to bring their innovative ideas to life, providing hands-on learning experiences in design, engineering, and technology. The 3D printer is sure to inspire creativity, foster problem-solving skills, and prepare students for the future of technology. We created a Chubby Croc with our first test run.  Thank you to the Island Creek community and PTA!

Save the Date: Island Creek's 3rd annual This is Us Multicultural Night

The Island Creek Elementary Staff are excited to host our third annual This is Us Multicultural Night on Thursday, January 30 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The This Is Us event will be a celebration where our students and families can come together to learn about the various cultures, countries, and traditions at Island Creek. 

Island Creek Elementary is fortunate to have numerous countries and cultures reflected in our students, as well as families who have traveled or been stationed abroad and throughout the United States. We plan activities for the This Is Us event to enable the Island Creek Elementary School community to connect and learn more about their classmates and families through their cultures, travels, food, and traditions. 

We’d love for you to contribute something from your culture, country of heritage, or from a country or culture you know well. If you wish to prepare an activity,  please register online by Friday, January 24. Registration is only needed for tables and performances.  

News from our Counselors Assessment Dates at Island Creek ST Math Family Math Week

MIND Research is hosting family math week January 13 - January 17, 2025. During that time, students are encouraged to log onto the FCPS Family Math website to engage in math activities with their families at home that include stories with mathematical concepts connected to a variety of different math games from around the world. All activities are available in English and Spanish. 

To learn more about Family Math Nights, check out this video. We hope that all schools will help spread the word and work collaboratively to help us reach our goal of logging on for three million minutes as an FCPS community. 

Information will be available through the Elementary Schoology groups for teachers to easily copy over materials and links for students to participate with their families during math week in the New Year.

School Year 2025-2026 Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program Information

All rising kindergarten and first grade students who live in Fairfax County may enter a lottery to participate in Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs. In DLI programs, students are learning elementary content in two languages with students spending half of the day learning in either language. English Language Arts and Social Studies are taught in English. Math, Science, Health, and Target Language Arts are taught in another language.

FCPS offers DLI programs in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Online lottery application begins on January 13 (8:30 a.m.). For additional registration information, please visit here. For general program information: click here.

❄️ Be Among the First to Hear About School Delays/Closings

Watch this video to see how FCPS makes weather closing decisions. 

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.

Be among the first to hear about weather delays and closings! Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE. Emails and text messages are sent to parents and caregivers based on the addresses and cell phone numbers entered on this platform.

🖥️ Free Webinars and Events for Families

In January, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Overcoming School Refusal and Resistance
• Virtual Meeting for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• FCPS Math Week
• Supporting Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills
• Depression in Teens
• Understanding Trauma in Your Child/Comprendiedo el Trauma en su Hijo (presented in Spanish)

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

📣 Sign Up and Speak Out: Fairfax County’s Pre-2025 Session Public Hearing

The Fairfax County delegation to the Virginia General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2025 session on Saturday, January 4, at 9 a.m., in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center. 

As Fairfax County residents, you may sign up in advance to speak at the hearing and let the delegation know what matters most to you. To participate, register online using this form or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) by noon on Thursday, January 2. Find additional guidelines for speaking at the public forum on the Fairfax County Government website

📍 Comprehensive Boundary Review Update

The Superintendent’s Boundary Review Advisory Committee held its second meeting on December 16 at Gatehouse Administration Center. View key takeaways from that meeting and access the meeting agenda, slides, and other materials that committee members received.  If you did not get a chance to attend an in-person Community Boundary Review Meeting, please consider participating in one of the following virtual meetings:

• Friday, January 10, 2025, 6-7:30 p.m. 

• Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. 

• Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:30-11 a.m. 

• Monday, January 27, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

• Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

• Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:30-8 p.m. 

Language interpretation will be available. 

All virtual meetings will follow the same format as the in-person meetings that were recently held, and the same information will be shared. Please stay tuned for details on how to register. Visit FCPS’ Comprehensive Boundary Review webpage to learn more. Sign up for FCPS’ School Boundary Review newsletter as well.

Upcoming Dates

❤️December 23-January 3:  Winter Break

❤️Monday, January 6, 2025:  Welcome Back to School, Crocs!

❤️Monday, January 20:  Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday and Inauguration Day (No school for students and staff)

❤️Wednesday, January 29:  Teacher Workday (No school for students)

❤️Thursday, January 30: Spirit Day and This is Us Multicultural Night (5:30-7:00)

❤️Monday, February 10:  3-Hour Early Release (12:20)

❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook link

Instagram:  islandcreekelementary

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Lost and Found

Please stop by Island Creek this evening or Friday to see if missing treasures are in our Lost and Found. All items are located near Door 1. 

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Dear Island Creek Families,

The Island Creek Elementary Staff is excited to host our third annual This is Us Multicultural Night on Thursday, January 30 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The This Is Us event will be a celebration where our students and families can come together to learn about the various cultures, countries, and traditions at Island Creek. 

Island Creek Elementary is fortunate to have numerous countries and cultures reflected in our students, as well as families who have traveled or been stationed abroad and throughout the United States. We plan activities for the This Is Us event to enable the Island Creek Elementary School community to connect and learn more about their classmates and families through their cultures, travels, food, and traditions. 

We’d love for you to contribute something from your culture, country of heritage, or from a country or culture you know well. If you wish to prepare an activity,  please register online by Friday, January 24. Registration is only needed for tables and performances.  

Contact Daphne Callender at 571-642-6300 or email [email protected] with any questions.

The following are activity options for families who wish to contribute to This is Us Multicultural Night. You may prepare as many activities as you want.  

Host a Table Display in the Cafeteria (with or without food): Provide bite-sized food samples, offer a craft representing your culture or country to do at the event or take away to do at home, or prepare a language lesson or handout of commonly used words in your native language. An adult must oversee the table during the entire event or until you no longer have any food samples, crafts, or hand-outs left. 

• Plan to have enough food, crafts, or hand-outs for at least 50 attendees.
• For food submissions, include a note listing all ingredients, making sure to note allergens such as milk eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans. Bring tools needed to serve the food, and paper plates/napkins to hand out the food.
• For take-home crafts, include instructions on how to complete the craft.
• Come to the school between 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm (entering Door 7) on the day of the event, to receive your table assignment and allow time to set up your table.
• Pack up your items and clean up as needed from 6:45 pm to 7:00 pm to help prepare for the next school day.
• An adult must oversee the table during the entire event or until you run out of food samples, crafts, or handouts.

Prepare a 3-5 minute presentation for the Cultural Performance showcasing your culture, country, or traditions. 

• Song
• Musical performance
• Story
• Dance
• Other

*Dinner will NOT be served. Please plan to eat before coming to the event.*

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Message from Mrs. Fallert

Dear Island Creek Families,

What a fun, busy week! Thank you for your generosity in donating new toys, books, and games for the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) Motor Squad's Toy Drive! Our Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and 2nd Grade students enjoyed the FCPD Motor Squad's visit on Tuesday (especially the Grinch).

Thank you to our families for attending the Book Fair! Fostering a love of reading is a wonderful gift.

It's hard to believe we only have one more week of school in 2024! Next week we will share a Winter Break Reading and Math Challenge for students to encourage them to read and complete some math work over break!

We are excited to celebrate three Island Creek staff members who were nominated for Outstanding Employee Awards! We received many nominations from families and staff, and are very appreicative of famlies who took the time to nominate an Island Creek Staff member. The 24-25 winners are:

• Jen Odell, Special Education Teacher: Outstanding New Teacher Award
• Michelle Devine, 2nd Grade Teacher: Outstanding Teacher Award
• Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal:  Outstanding Leader
• Jen Fallert, Principal:  Outstanding New Principal Award

Ms. Odell, Ms. Devine, and Ms. Fallert will now be considered for additional recognitions at the pyramid, region and district levels. Please join us in sharing our congratulations with Ms. Odell, Ms. Devine, and Ms. Fallert.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for entrusting your children with us. We are blessed to work with the BEST students, staff, and families!

All our best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal

Spirit Week: December 16-20 Fairfax County Police Department Motor Squad visited our Crocs!

Thank you to our caring Island Creek families for your generous donations of new toys, books, and games for the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) Motor Squad's yearly contribution to INOVA Children's Hospital Child Life Unit. On Tuesday, our Preschool-2nd Grade students welcomed Santa's Ride and the Grinch was very popular!

Full-Time AAP Referral Reminder Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)  Full-Time Referral Form and optional materials to Ms. Emily Mextorf at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024.

The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. All forms may be found on the AAP forms page.  No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.

Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. 

For more information, please visit the  Advanced Academic Programs website. Feel free to reach out to Ms. Mextorf, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, with any questions at [email protected]

Hallway Displays at Island Creek! Kindergarten Students share their Family Traditions

We love celebrating the diversity within our Island Creek Community! Look how Kindergarten is recognizing family traditions!

Band and Strings Winter Concert

Congratulations to our Band and Strings Students for their festive concert Thursday evening! Our Strings Teacher, Ms. Hicks, and Band Teacher, Ms. Bae, are passionate with supporting students' love of learning to play an instrument!

Fairfax Winter Resources

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource GuideFood insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county. 

Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care. You can also reach out to a member of Cub Run’s Clinical Team for assistance by calling the main office. 

Free Family Winter Activities! ⛄Student and Family Resources

Fairfax County Public Schools has compiled a list of resources for students and families in case they need assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources webpage for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.

School’s Closed, Learning Can Continue! 

FCPS encourages students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during winter break and snow days. Consider these winter activities to blend education and play for your students during winter break or weather-related school closures

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings

Community meetings regarding FCPS' divisionwide boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. We encourage you to attend the meeting in your region, but you may attend another if it is more convenient. Please click on a date to register:

• Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria, Region 3. 
• Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., Annandale High School Cafeteria, Region 6. 
• Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Madison High School Cafeteria, Region 1.

Language interpretation will be available. Visit the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage for more information

Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter

The latest issue of the FCPS Special Education and 504 Newsletter is available online. Topics in this issue include:

• Community Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Save the Date: 2025 Family Summit
• SEL Screener Results
• New Accessibility Resources
• Adapted Physical Education and Recreation Program
• Why Some Students with Disabilities Stay in FCPS Until Age 22
• VR Programs Supports Out-of-State Post Secondary Schools
• Executive Functioning Webinars
• Early Literacy Resources
• ESY and Assessment Webinar
• COVID-19 Compensatory Education: FCPS Service Delivery Options

Subscribe to the Special Education and 504 Newsletter.

Upcoming Dates

❤️Tuesday, December 17: Chorus Concert

❤️December 23-January 3:  Winter Break

❤️Monday, January 6, 2025:  Welcome Back to School, Crocs!

❤️Monday, January 20:  Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday and Inauguration Day (No school for students and staff)

❤️Wednesday, January 29:  Teacher Workday (No school for students)

❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook link

Instagram:  islandcreekelementary

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Winter Spirit Week is Next Week!

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

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Picture Retakes Tomorrow  December 11, 2024 

Tomorrow will be picture retakes at Island Creek!  

Students who were absent or newly enrolled on the original picture day will have an opportunity to be photographed. 

Students who purchased a photo package but would like to retake their photo must bring the original package with them to be turned into the photographer. 

Students who would like to retake their photo and did not purchase a photo package, can photograph tomorrow as well. 

Here are some guidelines from O'Neil Studios for a successful retake day: www.vosphoto.com/retakes.

If you would like to order pictures, you can place a preorder for retake day using the link below: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001183192#login.

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Book Fair Open Now 
5:00 - 7:00 PM

Please stop by Camp Read A Lot, our Fall Book Fair, TONIGHT from 5:00 – 7:30 to shop our selection of over 700 exciting books for your own home library or for gifts for family, friends, or teachers!

Secret Grownup Shopping

If there are books on your child’s wish list that you would like to buy in secret and save for holiday or birthday gifts, you may shop during school hours on Tuesday or Wednesday from 9AM to 3PM.  You will need your photo ID to check in at the main office before shopping.  Your holiday purchase here rather than at Amazon or a big box store supports our library and Bookworm Central, a local small business out of Manassas!

Student Shopping During School Hours

You can send money with your child to shop during the school day with teacher permission through Wednesday.  To ensure students don’t lose cash at school, we recommend creating an eWallet online at https://www.bookwormbmaps.com/eWallet/.  Last Chance Shopping

We will also be open for family shopping on Wednesday after school until 5:30PM.  If parking in the school lot, please wait to park until after buses have left.

Volunteers Needed

Book sales workers are still needed tomorrow and Wednesday during school as well as Wednesday after school.  And Thursday we need many hands to help transform our space from a bookstore back into our school library. Please sign up here if you can help – it’s fun!

Thank you for helping to spread book joy this holiday season!

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation Webinar

Webinar - Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online December 13, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m. Register Here

Join us for this important webinar presented jointly by Fairfax County Schools, the Fairfax County Police Department, the Department of Justice, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Webinar Highlights:

• What is Sextortion?
• What are FCPS and FCPD seeing in relation to sextortion?
• How can families help prevent their kids from becoming victims?
• How should families respond if their child was victimized?

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

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Stop by Island Creek today! (10-12)

We invite our Crocs families to stop by Island Creek today any time between 10-12! Please enter the school through Door 1.

• Book Fair (Library)
• Lost and Found (front lobby outside the cafeteria)
• New Mural (front lobby across from the gym)

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

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Message from Mrs. Fallert

Dear Island Creek Families,

What a busy and cold first week of December! Congratulations to our 5th and 6th Grade Chorus for their exceptional performance at last night's School Board Meeting with singing the National Anthem. Island Creek has two incredibly talented Chorus Directors, Ms. Laird and Ms. Arslan.

A heartfelt thank you to our Croc Families for your donations with our December to Remember to celebrate Island Creek Staff throughout the month of December.

• Book Fair! We invite students and families to attend our Family Shopping events, including this evening from 5:00-7:30 and tomorrow morning from 10:00-Noon.
• Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) Motor Squad's new toy, books, and games collection! We are excited to serve as a collection site for the FCPD Motor Squad's annual toy drive and our Preschool-2nd Grade students will welcome Santa's Ride next week! New toys, books and games may be placed in the collection box outside the front office.
• Picture Retakes are Wednesday!

Have a wonderful weekend and we hope to see you at the Book Fair!

All our best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal

Our Beautiful Mural!

Thank you to the Island Creek Community and the Island Creek PTA as  we were able to have a beautiful mural painted in the lobby with funds raised from the Croc Rock-N-Run!  

Here is a link to our mural being painted via a video on Facebook.

Fall Picture Retakes are next week!

 

📅 Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

 

 

Literacy Resources for Families

A new Literacy Resources for Families webpage has been published to the external web to provide families with information about how to support their children with developing literacy knowledge and skills at home. It provides valuable information about the reading and writing resources to be used at home, the VALLSS, Reading Plans, guidance for Parent Teacher Conferences, and training available through the Family Academy.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application

Families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals for the 2024-25 school year.

Students approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meals may qualify for additional benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes. Schools also benefit from funding opportunities based on Free and Reduced Price Meal application numbers. 

You may access the following website for more information and an online appication. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online. 

This is a confidential process and shoud you have any questions, please reach out directly to Jen Fallert, Principal, at [email protected]

Coffee and Conversations: Friday!

Island Creek families are invited to join our counselors, Mrs. Bohnert and Dr. Clinkscales, on Friday at 8:40 to learn about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) supports at Island Creek and in the community.

This Month's Cultural Observances Around the World

December 6: St. Nicholas' Day 

December 10: Human Rights Day (International)

December 16 - 24: Las Posadas( Christian Mexico)

December 25 - January 2: Hanukkah

December 25: Christmas

December 26 - January 1: Kwanzaa

Book Fair: December 4-11

 

The excitement of Book Fair has begun!   Camp Read-A-Lot is open for business tomorrow until Wednesday, December 11!

eWallet Setup

Creating an eWallet for your child is the easiest way to allow them to shop during the school day without worrying about carrying/losing cash.  You can create an eWallet and pre-authorize purchases up to a certain amount, and your card will only be charged for the amount spent.  Create your eWallet here:

https://www.bookwormbmaps.com/eWallet/

Cash or check made payable to Island Creek Elementary is also accepted from students.  Credit card purchases may be made at our Family Shopping events.

Book Fair Volunteers Needed

We are so grateful for the extraordinary work of parent volunteers who help set up our beautiful Camp Read A Lot!  Volunteers are still needed to make Book Fair both fun and successful.  Daytime, evening, and Saturday shifts are available.  Please sign up to join us here!

Books for All – Sponsor a Free Book

Friday, 12/6               5:00PM – 7:30PM

Saturday, 12/7          10:00AM - Noon 

Monday, 12/9             5:00PM – 7:30PM

Wednesday, 12/11     3:30PM - 5:30 PM    

Books for All – Sponsor a Free Book

We aim to ensure that ALL Island Creek students experience the joy of getting to choose a new book. Please contact Ms. Keaney or your child's counselor or teacher if your child is in need of a free book certificate.  Free books will also be won in raffles and contests by many other students on each day of Book Fair, so student privacy will be protected.  The Island PTA is helping to raise funds for the goal of reaching every student who may not be able to afford a free book.  A $15 donation will allow an Island Creek student to choose their own next favorite book.   To spread the book joy and sponsor a book, please donate here or scan the QR code.

2024 Fairfax Motor Squad's Santa's Ride Toy Collection at Island Creek!

In December, our Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade students will welcome Santa's Ride presented by the Fairfax County Police Department Motor Squad! The purpose of this event is to collect new toys, books, and games for children who are sick in local area hospitals. With your assistance we can make a significant donation to INOVA Children's Hospital Child Life Unit year after year. 

A Toy Collection Box is outside the main office at Island Creek. There is also a QR code to donate through the 501(c)(3) charity Making Everything Good.  A copy of the INOVA Child Life “wish list” that can be used as a guide: https://a.co/d1d2srn. They have also asked for diaper donations this year. Currently, their population are majority infants and teenagers.

Spotlight on Specials: Art

At a time of giving, our art department is most grateful for all the support our Island Creek families received as we had great success with our first Square 1 Art fundraiser. It is so exciting to see and hear the joy from our young artists as they report receiving their products with their artwork. Next, we will plan our course to purchase special supplies for our students and classes! We were also glad to hear that so many were able to visit the ICES art exhibit that has been on display the month of November at the Kingstowne Library.

Kindergarten continues their journey of learning about the basic elements of art and have learned to differentiate between 2D and 3D shapes and have worked with modeling clay and most recently kiln fire clay to create 3D pumpkins. Now they are working on good listening and drawing skills as they create snowmen through a “guided draw.”

First grade has been introduced to sculpture through the building of construction paper 2D imaginary robot helpers for their families.

Second grade has been learning about portraits and a technique known as “overlap” to demonstrate who is in the front and who is in the back and are creating special drawings of themselves with a special “community” member inspired by the work of American artist Grant Wood and his famous American Gothic painting.

Third grade has been exploring shapes, bold bright colors, patterns, and the concept idea of “abstract” faces using chalk pastels. Their inspiration is from the work of Canadian artist Sandra Silberszweig.

Fourth grade is learning about proportion and creating “action figures” in 2D drawings/paintings and will soon take to the next level in 3D using wire.

Fifth grade just completed works involving atmospheric perspective while celebrating the season through both holiday themes and honoring our nation's veterans - personal narratives are coming soon.

Sixth grade is creating “Identity Dreamscapes” inspired by Marc Chagall using oil pastels and drawings involving their own unique personal interests. It’s exciting to see their personalities come through in their work. Be sure to ask your child/ children about their creations - they love to share what they have learned!

Interested in helping out in the art room? Please contact Mrs. Rozycki [email protected]

We always need help prepping supplies and hanging up artwork!!

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener Results Are Available

Students in grades 3-12 took the SEL Screener during the month of October, providing information on their SEL skills like achieving goals, understanding, and managing emotions, establishing and maintaining relationships, and making responsible decisions. The screener also asks students how well their school community makes them feel valued, included, and supported.

Individual student SEL Screener results are now available to families in the Documents section of SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent via postal mail.

For support in understanding your individual student’s results or for ideas on how to support them at home, please review the Family Guide or reach out to the Island Creek school counselors, Ms. Bohnert ([email protected]) and Dr. Clinkscales ([email protected]).

Attendance Matters Full-Time AAP Referral Reminder Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)  Full-Time Referral Form and optional materials to Ms. Emily Mextorf at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024.

The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. All forms may be found on the AAP forms page.  No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.

Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. 

For more information, please visit the  Advanced Academic Programs website. Feel free to reach out to Ms. Mextorf, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, with any questions at [email protected]

REMINDER: Federal Impact Aid Survey  

Please be sure to sign in your SIS ParentVUE account to complete this important survey.  

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is eligible for federal Impact Aid grants due to the federal presence in our area. The grants from these programs will become part of FCPS' general operating budget. They are critical to ensuring that students receive an excellent education. FCPS anticipates receiving approximately $3,000,000 in Impact Aid funds.

FCPS uses the survey for Federal Impact Aid to identify federally connected students. On October 18th, the survey will be made available to FCPS families. The survey is available online through ParentVue. Families without ParentVUE can request a paper copy of the survey from their child's school. FCPS staff will process the information with the utmost confidentiality.

🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide

Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.

Family Life Education

Students in grades K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through classroom teachers. Students in Grades 4-6 receive instruction in a human growth and development unit and an emotional and social health unit. For more information about the FCPS Family Life Education program, please see the detailed grade-level program descriptions at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/family-life-education

In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review.

• Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account. (Parent/Guardian Access to FLE Materials in Schoology)
• Materials are found in the All Parents/Guardians Cardinal Forest Elementary Course in Schoology in the Family Life Education Folder.

• Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library. 

Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. Opting out can be indicated on the form sent home earlier this year or you can stop by the main office for another copy. If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the link in Parent Vue, you do not need to contact anyone.

Should you have questions regarding accessing the materials and/or the curriculum you can contact Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal, with any questions: [email protected]

Virginia 2025 School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions

Our school, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Virginia Department of Education, is conducting the Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions. We will survey students in grade 6, as well as classroom instructors and staff, beginning in January 2025.

The purpose of the student survey is to measure student support, student engagement, school discipline, and safety conditions in each school. This information will be used to guide educational practices that produce a safe and supportive school environment.

The survey does not ask for your child’s name and all answers are anonymous. No one, including teachers and administrators, will know how your child answered the survey questions. You will not have access to your child’s survey answers. You may preview the questions asked in the student survey at this website: https://tinyurl.com/VaSchoolSurveyDCJS

If you do not wish for your child to participate, please notify Assistant Principal Cash-Pinckney at 571-642-6300 or [email protected]

📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break

Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.

⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times

At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.

The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.

Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.

Upcoming Dates

❤️Wednesday, December 4-Wednesday, December 11:  Book Fair

❤️Wednesday, December 11:  Picture Retakes

❤️Thursday, December 12: Band and Strings Concert

❤️Friday, December 13: Coffee and Conversatsion, SEL (8:40)

❤️December 15: AAP Full-Time Referrals due 

❤️Tuesday, December 17: Chorus Concert

❤️December 23-January 3:  Winter Break

❤️Monday, January 6, 2025:  Welcome Back to School, Crocs!

❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook link

Instagram:  islandcreekelementary

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Book Fair eWallet, Family Shopping, & Volunteering

The excitement of Book Fair has begun!  Camp Read-A-Lot is open for business today until Wednesday, December 11!

eWallet Setup

Creating an eWallet for your child is the easiest way to allow them to shop during the school day without worrying about carrying/losing cash.  You can create an eWallet and pre-authorize purchases up to a certain amount, and your card will only be charged for the amount spent. Create your eWallet here:

https://www.bookwormbmaps.com/eWallet/

Cash or check made payable to Island Creek Elementary is also accepted from students. Credit card purchases may be made at our Family Shopping events.

Family Shopping Times:

Friday, 12/6        5:00 – 7:30PM
Saturday, 12/7   10:00AM - 12:00 PM 
Monday, 12/9    5:00 – 7:30PM
Wednesday, 12/11   3:30PM - 5:30PM

Book Fair Volunteers Needed

We are so grateful for the extraordinary work of parent volunteers who help set up our beautiful Camp Read A Lot!  Volunteers are still needed to make Book Fair both fun and successful. Daytime, evening, and Saturday shifts are available. Please sign up to join us here!

Books for All – Sponsor a Free Book

We aim to ensure that ALL Island Creek students experience the joy of getting to choose a new book. Please contact Ms. Keaney or your child's counselor or teacher if your child is in need of a free book certificate.  Free books will also be won in raffles and contests by many other students on each day of Book Fair, so student privacy will be protected.  The Island PTA is helping to raise funds for the goal of reaching every student who may not be able to afford a free book.  A $15 donation will allow an Island Creek student to choose their own next favorite book.   To spread the book joy and sponsor a book, please donate here or scan the QR code.

We hope to see you at Camp Read A Lot and thank you for spreading our book joy this Book Fair season!

All the best, 

Maura

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Dear Island Creek Families,

We hope our Croc students and families are enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving Break filled with family, friends, good books, and laughter. We look forward to welcoming our Crocs back to school on Monday!

We are excited to show the best Staff in FCPS, a December to Remember with 10 Days of Cheer! Assistant Principal Baxter, Assistant Principal Cash-Pinckney, and I are planning special staff events and are reaching out to the Island Creek Community for support with donations.

Please sign up for donations using this link. Please send items to the office no later than Friday, December 6.  We are very appreciative of your support!

Warmly,

Jen Fallert

Principal

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Dog Man Deadline Reminder and Book Fair Help Needed 

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It’s nearly Book Fair season in the Island Creek library, and here are some ways you can be part of creating book joy this season!

Dog Man Pre-Order Deadline: Sunday, Dec 1 online and Monday, Dec 2 in person

Dog Man: Big Jim Begins goes on sale on December 3, and all students who pre-order their copy will be invited to a special Dog Man SupaFan unboxing celebration on Tuesday. All pre-orders must be placed on MySchoolBucks by Sunday, December 1. Orders by cash or check will be accepted by Ms. Keaney in a sealed envelope in the library by 9AM on Monday, December 2. If you do not have your order form, please write “Dog Man Pre-Order” and your child’s name and teacher on the sealed envelope. 

Help Us Make Book Fair Magic

Do you have a spare tent, set of patio lights, old artificial tree, cooler, picnic blanket, or other camping gear that we could borrow for decorations for our “Camp Out With Great Books” theme? Please see our loan and donation wish list here. Items may be dropped off on December 3 and loaned items can be picked up on December 12, pack up day.

Be Part of the Fun!

Volunteering at the Book Fair is one of the most fun volunteer roles you can do!  We need volunteers for decoration, set up, and Book Fair sales and wish list help. Please sign up here to volunteer.

Give the Gift of a Great Book

The Island PTA is helping to raise funds for the goal of reaching every student who may not be able to afford to buy a book. A $15 donation will allow an Island Creek student to choose their own next favorite book. To spread the book joy and sponsor a book for another student, please donate here or scan the QR code. Please contact Ms. Keaney or your child’s counselor if your child is in need of a free book certificate. We will be hosting free book giveaways and raffles throughout the week of Book Fair for a variety of reasons, so student privacy will be protected. We aim to give away 100 free books during this fair.

Shop Till You Drop

Please join us for Family Shopping events in the library!  It’s a great time to shop for the holidays for teachers, family, and friends!

Friday, 12/6        5:00 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, 12/7   10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

Monday, 12/9    5:00 – 7:30 PM

Wednesday, 12/11   3:30 - 5:30 PM    Last Chance Shopping

We know that you may be able to find these books for a lower price from online retailers, and we appreciate your support of our Book Fair.  Your patronage helps a local small business, Bookworm Central in Manassas, our fall Book Fair vendor.  More importantly, your purchase at Book Fair allows us to add more high-interest, relevant, updated books to our library collection.  We will keep 25% of all sales from the Fall Book Fair to support our library program, so paying sticker price here directly benefits our Island Creek library collection.

Wishing you and your readers Book Joy at Book Fair and beyond,

Ms. Keaney

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Happy Thanksgiving!

We wish our Croc students, staff, and families a wonderful Thanksgiving and look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, December 2.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application

Families must submit an application and be approved to be eligible for free and reduced-price meals for the 2024-25 school year.

Students approved for Free and Reduced-Price Meals may qualify for additional benefits such as waived or reduced fees for instruments, uniforms, field trips, FCPS class fees, and Parktakes classes. Schools also benefit from funding opportunities based on Free and Reduced Price Meal application numbers. 

You may access the following website for more information and an online appication. Learn more about the Free and Reduced-Price Meal program online. 

This is a confidential process and shoud you have any questions, please reach out directly to Jen Fallert, Principal, at [email protected]

Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to the Island Creek Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART) Mrs. Emily Mextorf at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024. 

The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted. 

Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement.  Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Mrs. Emily Mextorf at [email protected]

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

Book Fair: December 4-11

Excitement is building, as Book Fair time is nearly here!  Our Fall Book Fair will be open from December 4 – December 11, 2024. 

Students will be able to preview the Book Fair and shop during the school day.  We also encourage families to come shop during our Family Shopping events!

• Friday, 12/6        5:00 – 7:30PM
• Saturday, 12/3   10:00AM - 12:00 PM 
• Monday, 12/9    5:00 – 7:30PM
• Wednesday, 12/11     3:30PM - 5:30 PM    Last Chance Shopping

Book Fair Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are gratefully appreciated and needed to make Book Fair both fun and successful.  Daytime, evening, and Saturday shifts are available.  Please sign up to join us here!

 

Books for All – Sponsor a Free Book

We aim to ensure that ALL Island Creek students experience the joy of getting to choose a new book. Please contact Ms. Keaney or your child's counselor or teacher if your child is in need of a free book certificate.  Free books will also be won in raffles and contests by many other students on each day of Book Fair, so student privacy will be protected.  The Island PTA is helping to raise funds for the goal of reaching every student who may not be able to afford a free book.  A $15 donation will allow an Island Creek student to choose their own next favorite book.   To spread the book joy and sponsor a book, please donate here

 

Attendance Matters

During the Academic Matters segment of the November 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure for Goal 2 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan. 

Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.

Data shows that:

• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance. 
• Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
• Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

Attendance is critical for academic success!

Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

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Message from Mrs. Fallert

Dear Island Creek Families,

Thank you to the families who joined us on Thursday for Thanksgiving Lunch and/or Math Night. It's always wonderful to have our Croc families in the building!

There will not be a newsletter next week due to the shortened school week for the Thanksgiving holiday. We look forward to welcoming our Crocs to school on Monday and Tuesday beforeThanksgiving vacation and then for a full week on Monday, December 2. 

Book Fair:  The Book Fair is Coming! December 4-11!

We hope your Thanksgiving is filled with lasting memories, family and friends, and delicious food. Thank you for entrusting your amazing children with us as we truly have THE BEST families, students and staff at Island Creek!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jen Fallert, Principal

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal

Math Night Fun!

Thank you for attending Thursday evening's Math Night! We love our Croc Mathematicians!

Counseling News from Mrs. Bohnert and Dr. Clinkscales Square 1 Art: Last Chance Orders

Due to popular demand, the Square 1 Art fundraiser has been extended until November 30, 2024 benefitting the Island Creek art department! So, if you missed out, there is one last chance. We are VERY appreciative for all of the support that we have received so far and are looking forward to giving our students some amazing experiences!

Fall Book Fair~ December 4-11

 

Click to edit this placeholder text.

Excitement is building, as Book Fair time is nearly here!  Our Fall Book Fair will be open from December 4 – December 11, 2024. 

Students will be able to preview the Book Fair and shop during the school day.  We also encourage families to come shop during our Family Shopping events – a great time to shop for the holidays! Friday, 12/6        5:00 – 7:30PM

Saturday, 12/3   10:00AM - 12:00 PM 

Monday, 12/9    5:00 – 7:30PM

Wednesday, 12/11     3:30PM - 5:30 PM    Last Chance Shopping

Book Fair Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are gratefully appreciated and needed to make Book Fair both fun and successful.  Daytime, evening, and Saturday shifts are available.  Please sign up to join us here!

 

Books for All – Sponsor a Free Book

We aim to ensure that ALL Island Creek students experience the joy of getting to choose a new book. Please contact Ms. Keaney or your child's counselor or teacher if your child is in need of a free book certificate.  Free books will also be won in raffles and contests by many other students on each day of Book Fair, so student privacy will be protected.  The Island PTA is helping to raise funds for the goal of reaching every student who may not be able to afford a free book.  A $15 donation will allow an Island Creek student to choose their own next favorite book.   To spread the book joy and sponsor a book, please donate here or scan the QR code.

 

Calling all Dog Man SupaFans!

Our Book Fair coincides with an exciting time for our library’s most popular fictional character, Dog Man!  December 3 is the release of the 13th book in the series, Dog Man: Big Jim Begins.  To celebrate this exciting new release, our DogMan SupaFans at Island Creek are encouraged to pre-order the book to be invited to participate in a special unboxing and DogMan SupaFan celebration and reading party in the library on December 3, getting their hands on the new book on its very first day available!  Order forms were sent home in Thursday folders this week.  The Island Creek library will be able to earn 25% of the sales price of all DogMan pre-orders.  Although the new book may be purchased for less than sticker price at retailers such as Amazon, we appreciate your support of the library by purchasing Dog Man: Big Jim Begins through our book fair!

 

Grownups are welcome to sign up as DogMan SupaFan unboxing celebration volunteers on our Book Fair Volunteer signup.

Attendance Matters

During the Academic Matters segment of the November 9 School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid discussed student attendance and engagement. Attendance and absenteeism rates are one measure for Goal 2 of our 2023-30 Strategic Plan. 

Chronic absenteeism — which is defined as a student missing 10% or more of school for any reason — is a concern across Virginia school districts. Although FCPS continues to outperform the state average in attendance rates, we are tracking chronic absenteeism closely.

Data shows that:

• Missing just 10% of school — just two days a month — negatively affects a student’s academic performance. 
• Only 17% of students who were chronically absent in both kindergarten and first grade were reading proficiently in third grade, compared to 64% of those with good attendance.
• Students who fail to read at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely than students who achieve proficiency to drop out of high school.
• By sixth grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

Attendance is critical for academic success!

Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.

A Preschool Thanksgiving Feast! 2024 Fairfax Motor Squad's Santa's Ride Toy Collection at Island Creek!

In December, our Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade students will welcome Santa's Ride presented by the Fairfax County Police Department Motor Squad! The purpose of this event is to collect new toys, books, and games for children who are sick in local area hospitals. With your assistance we can make a significant donation to INOVA Children's Hospital Child Life Unit year after year. 

A Toy Collection Box is outside the main office at Island Creek. There is also a QR code to donate through the 501(c)(3) charity Making Everything Good.  A copy of the INOVA Child Life “wish list” that can be used as a guide: https://a.co/d1d2srn. They have also asked for diaper donations this year. Currently, their population are majority infants and teenagers.

Spotlight on Specials: Music

In the second quarter, students in all grades have continued to learn more rhythmic and melodic concepts through the practice of singing folksongs and playing music games. The literacy concepts we have covered are:

6th Grade:

Rhythms up to sixteenth and eighth note patterns, la pentatonic scale

5th Grade:

Rhythms up to sixteenth note patterns, la pentatonic scale

4th Grade:

Rhythms up to whole note patterns, do pentatonic scale

3rd Grade:

Rhythms up to half note patterns, do pentatonic scale

2nd Grade:

Rhythms up to quarter rest patterns, the melody notes sol and mi

1st Grade:

Rhythms up to quarter and eighth note patterns, the concept of high and low

Kindergarten:

Fast and slow, loud and soft, the concept of steady beat

A great way to practice our literacy skills is by playing instruments. Students in grades K-2 have been playing songs with the musical concepts above on unpitched percussion instruments. Students in grades 3-5 will be applying these skills to recorder study in November and December, and students in grade 6 will be applying their musicianship skills to the Orff instruments.

Highlights from the quarter include first grade rhythm compositions with fruits, 6th grade playing a competitive rhythm game called King of the Mountain, and many classes enjoying their hard-earned Music Class Game Day.

The end of November also brings one of our favorite music class games “Shoo Turkey!” “Shoo Turkey” is a circle game shared by musicologist and singer Bessie Jones, a resident of the Georgia Sea Isles and an ambassador of the Gullah culture.

Island Creek Elementary School PICTURES ARE ONLINE NOW!

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. If your school provided emails to the VOS team, please let parents know to be on the lookout for an email from Victor O'Neill Studios. If they do not see it in their inbox, check the spam/junk folder. 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: [email protected]

Fall Picture Retakes are Coming!

 

📅 Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024

 

More information coming soon!

Full-Time AAP Referral Reminder Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)  Full-Time Referral Form and optional materials to Ms. Emily Mextorf at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024.

The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. All forms may be found on the AAP forms page.  No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.

Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. 

For more information, please visit the  Advanced Academic Programs website. Feel free to reach out to Ms. Mextorf, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, with any questions at [email protected]

Student Feedback Opportunity for FCPS Cell Phone Policy and SR&R

FCPS is working with K12 Insight to host a community forum for families, staff members, and students to provide feedback on the school division’s cell phone policies and practices, and the Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) document. FCPS is looking for more student participants (grades 3-12) to help ensure diverse perspectives from our community.

The community forum will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Willow Oaks Administrative Center. If your student is interested in providing feedback, please visit the Cell Phone Policy Forum registration page to learn more. Families must register their child by Monday, November 25.

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact us. 

Register for ParentVUELearn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated. 

Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities

We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.

If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health ca

Boundary Review Community Meetings

Community meetings regarding FCPS' divisionwide boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. We encourage you to attend the meeting in your region, but you may attend another if it is more convenient. Please click on a date to register:

• Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria. 
• Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria. 
• Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria. 
• Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., at Annandale High School Cafeteria.
• Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria

Upcoming Dates

❤️Wednesday, November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break (No school for students and staff)

❤️Wednesday, December 4-Wednesday, December 11:  Book Fair

❤️Wednesday, December 11:  Fall Picture Retakes

❤️December 15: AAP Full-Time Referrals due 

❤️December 23-January 3:  Winter Break

❤️Monday, January 6, 2025:  Welcome Back to School, Crocs!

❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook link

Instagram:  islandcreekelementary

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Math Night is tomorrow night! We are having a mural painted!

Exciting news.....thanks to the Island Creek community for the funds raised with the Croc Rock and Run, our amazing Island Creek PTA is paying for a mural to be painted in our front lobby! Yesterday, was day 1 of the mural's creation and our students (and staff) are very excitedWe can't wait for everyone to see the finished project and enjoy for years to come!

Thanksgiving Lunch is tomorrow!

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

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3-Hour Early Release Today

Today, Monday, 11/18 is a 3-hour early release at 12:20pm for school-age students. We will follow parent/guardian repsonses from the Early Release on Monday, October 21. 

If you need to change your child’s plans, please call the school office at 571-642-6300.

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

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Message from Mrs. Fallert

Dear Island Creek Families,

What a wonderful week with World Kindness Day and Ruby Bridges Walk To School Day! Thank you to Christine Mehrtash, SBTS, for creating a Kindness Rainbow with our Croc students. Thank you to Lindsey Barber, PE Teacher, for creating a beautiful banner with our students for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.

Monday is our 3-Hour Early Release Day for school-age students at 12:20 pm. We will follow parent/guardian repsonses from the Early Release on Monday, October 21. If you need to change your child’s plans, please call the school office at 571-642-6300 as soon as possible and no later than Thursday, November 14. 

Thursday evening (5:00-6:30), we invite families to attend Island Creek's Math Night where we will have games, activities, raffles, and food trucks!

Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for entrusting your children with us as we have the best students and families in FCPS!

All our best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal

Crocs Celebrate Ruby Bridges!

As students arrived to school on Wednesday, they had the opportunity to write a word or phrase that representd kindness and fairness.  The hearts and hands were then glued onto a banner, creating a collective message. The completed banner was displayed in the lobby on Thursday, November 14th (Ruby Bridges Day). 

Thank you to Mrs. Barber, PE Teacher, for creating the banner!

Kindness Rainbow

Look at the beautiful kindness rainbow created by our Crocs under the loving guidance of Christine Mehrtash! Spread the Love! One Handprint at a Time!

An Attitude of Gratitude

During the month of November, the Island Creek staff share an Attitude of Gratitude. Our three "turkeys", Gabriel, George, and Gertie, visit classrooms spreading thankfulness. Shown belows are photographs from Gertie's recent visit to Ms. Devine's 2nd Grade Classroom when the students reflected on the people and things they are grateful for! 

Attendance Matters Spotlight on Specials: PE

We had a few special guests in PE last week as we started the second quarter with all classes Kindergarten through 4th grade participating in an EMA taekwondo class. Instructors from the EMA school led our PE classes and the students got to try out and showcase their taekwondo skills! 

We are excited to start our gymnastics unit next! Students in 4th, 5th, & 6th grade will work on various gymnastics skills and create their own gymnastics routine. Students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade will work on performing gymnastics skills and showcasing their learning through different animal walks, rolls and balance challenges. The following two units for the second quarter will be ball handling and fitness/nutrition. We are looking forward to a fun second quarter of learning for all students in PE!

Thursday: Thanksgiving Lunch “Family Friday Breakfast Bash” at Island Creek on November 22: RSVP for 5th & 6th Grades

5th and 6th Grade Families, we look forward to welcoming you to the Family Friday Breakfast Bash on Friday, November 22 from 7:45-8:20. Please ; RSVP here

• 5th & 6th Grades Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, November 22; RSVP here

We hope to see your family at one of these events!

Full-Time AAP Referral Reminder Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024

Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for full-time advanced academic programs may submit the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP)  Full-Time Referral Form and optional materials to Ms. Emily Mextorf at [email protected] no later than December 15, 2024.

The window for families to submit a referral for full-time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. All forms may be found on the AAP forms page.  No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.

Submitting a referral form for full-time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for full-time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. 

For more information, please visit the  Advanced Academic Programs website. Feel free to reach out to Ms. Mextorf, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, with any questions at [email protected].

3-Hour Early Release: Monday, November 18

Our next 3-Hour Early Release Monday will be  Monday, November 18 at 12:20 pm. We will follow parent/guardian repsonses from the Early Release on Monday, October 21. 

If you need to change your child’s plans, please call the school office at 571-642-6300 as soon as possible and no later than Thursday, Novemer 14.

Math Night at Island Creek on Thursday, November 21 (5:00-6:30) Spongebob at Hayfield Secondary 📈 Student Testing Results (Fall) Screening Assessment Reports Available in SIS ParentVUE

Each fall, FCPS students take part in screening assessments for reading and mathematics to identify strengths and areas for support. Score reports for families are posted in ParentVUE in the “Documents” section, generally about one month after testing has been completed.

• iReady reports in grades 1-8 and Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) reports in grades 1-3 are available in ParentVUE now. 
• VALLSS and Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP) reports for kindergarteners will be available by Friday, November 15, and for pre-K students by Friday, December 6. 
• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth reports for grades 6-12 will be available by Friday, December 13, following an extension to the fall testing window. 

Visit FCPS’ website for additional information about student tests at each grade level, including what each test is for and when each test takes place. Caregivers may follow up with their children’s teachers for more information about how they use test results to support student success.

Boundary Review Community Meetings

Community meetings regarding FCPS' divisionwide boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. We encourage you to attend the meeting in your region, but you may attend another if it is more convenient. Please click on a date to register:

• Monday, November 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Glasgow Middle School Cafeteria.
• Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria. 
• Tuesday, December 3, 6:30-8 p.m., at Lake Braddock Secondary School Cafeteria. 
• Monday, December 9, 6:30-8 p.m., at Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria. 
• Thursday, December 12, 6:45-8:15 p.m., at Annandale High School Cafeteria. 
• Wednesday, December 18, 6:30-8 p.m., at Madison High School Cafeteria.

♻️ Fairfax Recycles Day and Touch-a-Truck Event

Fairfax County Solid Waste Sustainability Team is hosting a Drop-Off and Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, November 16, at the Gerry Hyland Government Center parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your hard-to-recycle items, check out some cool trucks, and enjoy a warm beverage and donut. 

All Fairfax County residents are invited to attend and learn more about recycling and efforts to achieve Zero Waste by 2040. Visit the event website for a list of acceptable materials to drop off.

🗓️ Upcoming Events with the Family Academy

You are an important part of your child's education! The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

🖥️ Free Webinars for Families

In November, the Family Resource Center (FRC) will host webinars for families on:

• Supporting siblings of children with disabilities for middle school siblings (in-person event).
• 5 Ways to De-Escalate a Nuclear Meltdown and Stop the Shame Cycle.
• Language Arts and Literacy Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities.
• Executive Functioning Skills (presented in Arabic).
• Helping Teens Develop Coping Skills and Emotional Intelligence.
• Starting the Conversation About Drugs.

Sign up for the FRC newsletter or visit their webinar webpage.

Military Families

Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids® is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering extracurricular activity grants to children and teens of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post-9/11 combat wounded, ill, or injured Veterans in treatment. OMK activity grants build the children's self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community.

Military Child Care

Access to childcare directly affects mission readiness, morale, and retention of defense personnel worldwide. For this reason, the Department of Defense is committed to connecting military and DoD-affiliated families to quality, affordable childcare programs. For an overview of MCC and how you can request childcare for your family, watch this short video and/or select Learn More.

National Museum of the United States Army (Fort Belvoir)

Free general admission ticket reservations are encouraged. Walk-up tickets are available. 
Up to 9 tickets per request. See Group Tickets for 10 tickets or more.

Military Family & Life Counselors

The Military and Family Life Counseling Program provides free, confidential non-medical counseling to service members, their families and survivors on or near installations. Trained to work with the military community, military and family life counselors deliver valuable counseling services, briefings and presentations to the military community.

Facebook groups for local military families 

GAMS - https://www.facebook.com/groups/greateralexandriamilitaryspouses/

PCS to DC - https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCSMilitaryMovetoVirginia

Fairfax County Spouses - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2053938148258566/

Other Resources

School Liaison Office – Fort Belvoir

EFMP Military One Source

EFMP – Fort Belvoir

MWR – Fort Belvoir

Upcoming Dates

❤️Monday, November 18:  3-Hour Early Release for students (12:20)

❤️Thursday, November 21:  Thanksgiving Lunch; Math Night (5:00-6:30)

❤️Friday, November 22: 5th and 6th Grade Family Friday Breakfast Bash  (7:45-8:20)

❤️Wednesday, November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break (No school for students and staff)

❤️December 15: AAP Full-Time Referrals due 

❤️December 23-January 3:  Winter Break

❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook link

Instagram:  islandcreekelementary

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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3-Hour Early Release on Monday

Our next 3-Hour Early Release Monday for school-age students will be this coming Monday, November 18 at 12:20 pm. We will follow parent/guardian repsonses from the Early Release on Monday, October 21. 

If you need to change your child’s plans, please call the school office at 571-642-6300 tomorrow, Thursday, November 14.

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

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Message from Mrs. Fallert

Dear Island Creek Families,

Thank you to our Veterans as we appreciate your sacrifice and service for our country. Veterans Day is a time to pause, reflect, and recognize the extraordinary sacrifices our veterans and their families have made on our behalf. “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.” Learn about the history of Veterans Day. 

• Share the Warmth Clothing Drive was a huge success! On Monday, Mrs. Fallert and Ms. Bohnert delievered the clothing to the receiving school whose families are "shopping" tonight! Thanks to our Principals' Student Advisory Council, all clothing was sorted and folded. Your generosity will be warmly received this evening! 
• We have 2 Spirit Days next week! World Kindness Day is held on Wednesday, November 13 and students are encouraged to weak Workout Wear  as they continue to learn to "work out" problems with Kindness. Thursday is Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and all students will learn about this special day from one of our amazing 6th Grade students as well as how to participate in a special schoolwide recognition. Students are encouraged to wear purple on Thursday as its Ruby Bridges' favorite color!

• Our next 3-Hour Early Release Monday will be Monday, November 18 at 12:20 pm. We will follow parent/guardian repsonses from the Early Release on Monday, October 21. If you need to change your child’s plans, please call the school office at 571-642-6300 as soon as possible and no later than Thursday, Novemer 14.

As a reminder, Monday is Veterans Day and school is closed for students and staff. We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and spends time with a great book! 

All our best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal

Thank you Veterans! Two Spirit Days Next Week! Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

We are looking forward to the Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Thursday, November 14, 2024, and we hope you can join us!  Ruby Bridges is an icon who believes the most important thing is uniting students. .

This event was started in 2018 by a group of 5th graders from San Mateo, CA who learned about Ruby and decided she needed a special day to celebrate her.  At six years old, Ruby Bridges advanced the cause of civil rights on November 14, 1960, when she was the first African American to integrate an elementary school in New Orleans.  Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is a great way for students to honor the courage of Ruby and the advancement of civil rights. Her simple but courageous act of showing up for school each day played an important part in the Civil Rights Movement.  

Information you may want to share with your child(ren) can be found here and here. 

Please join us in honoring Ruby’s legacy by walking to school, as a community, one step at a time.

Crocs Creed Character Traits October Croc Stars: Caring and Considerate Square Art orders due November 13

Fun fact: did you know that in addition to your child’s recent school project, you can upload other additional artwork as well to be created in to keepsakes?! All orders must be placed by November 13, 2024 and are great for gift giving! Some of the proceeds will go toward purchasing unique supplies for  Island Creek students to explore, learn and create. In addition, proceeds will also help us create exciting art displays/ mini-galleries for showcasing our amazing Crocs' student art work (maybe even a glow-in-the dark art show)! We appreciate your support!!

National Symphony Orchestra: 4th Grade “Family Friday Breakfast Bash” at Island Creek on November 15: RSVP for 3rd & 4th Grade

3rd and 4th Grade Families, we look forward to welcoming you to the Family Friday Breakfast Bash on Friday, November 15 from 7:45-8:20. Please RSVP here

• 3rd & 4th Grades Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, November 15; RSVP here
• 5th & 6th Grades Family Friday Breakfast Bash: Friday, November 22; RSVP here

We hope to see your family at one of these events!

Coffee and Conversations: Join us on Friday, November 15

You are invited to join our Reading Specialists, Ms. Blumenthal and Ms. Jacobson, on Friday, November 15 (8:40-9:30) to learn about Fairfax County Public Schools' new Benchmark Advanced Literacy Program. Session materials will be uploaded to our webiste.

Visitors at Island Creek

All visitors at Island Creek must enter through Door 1 and report to the main office. They must have a valid license and sign in using the Visitor Management System (VMS).

Please note that visitors must use the VMS for all events when students are in the building, including grade-level events such as Thanksgiving Lunch and 6th Grade Promotion.

With large-scale events, we encourage families to arrive early as there will be a line to access the VMS machine.

Advanced Academics Programming (AAP) Important Information

If you have a student in grades 2-6 and are interested in submitting a referral for Full-Time Advanced Academic services, the following information provides a timeline for screening and identification. If you have any questions or to submit the referral form, please contact the AART, Emily Mextorf, at [email protected].

December 15, 2024

• Advanced Academic Programs Full-Time Referral Form and optional materials for students in Grade 2 who are not Universal Screener referral candidates and students in Grades 3–7 due to Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART).
• PLEASE NOTE:
• Universal Screener referral candidates are announced in early December.
• If you would like your student screened you may submit a referral from August 21 to December 15, 2024. No exceptions to the referral deadline are made.

March 2025: Central Screening Committee meets. April 3-4, 2025: Eligibility decisions sent. April 7-May 2, 2025: AAP orientations are held at Full-Time AAP sites. May 1, 2025: Appeals due to the AAP office. Fall 2025: Eligible students in Grades 3-8 may attend Full-Time AAP sites beginning first semester.

Next 3-Hour Early Release: Monday, November 18

Our next 3-Hour Early Release Monday will be  Monday, November 18 at 12:20 pm. We will follow parent/guardian repsonses from the Early Release on Monday, October 21. 

If you need to change your child’s plans, please call the school office at 571-642-6300 as soon as possible and no later than Thursday, Novemer 14.

Math Night at Island Creek on Thursday, November 21 (5:00-6:30) Kingstowne Library: Croc Art Work

Art work from Island Creek now on display at Kingstowne Library until December 6, 2024.

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests

Spongebob at Hayfield Secondary Upcoming Dates

❤️Monday, November 11:  Veterans Day Holiday (No school for students and staff)

❤️Wednesday, November 13:  Spirit Day:  Workout Wear for World Kindness Day ("Work out" Problems with Kindness)

❤️Thursday, November 14:  Spirit Day: Wear Purple for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day!

❤️Friday, November 15:  3rd and 4th Grade Family Friday Breakfast Bash  (7:45-8:20); Coffee and Conversations: Benchmark Advanced Literacy (8:40-9:30)

❤️Monday, November 18:  3-Hour Early Release for students (12:20)

❤️Thursday, November 21:  Thanksgiving Lunch; Math Night (5:00-6:30)

❤️Friday, November 22: 5th and 6th Grade Family Friday Breakfast Bash  (7:45-8:20)

❤️Wednesday, November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break (No school for students and staff)

❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram

Facebook link

Instagram:  islandcreekelementary

7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram