FCPS

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Dear Island Creek Families, 

What a fantastic full week of school with our Crocs! We are so fortunate to have the best families and students in FCPS! 

We are excited about our 3rd annual This is Us Multicultural Night on Thursday, January 30 (5:30-7:00)! Your child will receive (or may have already received) a multicultural cardboard doll to decorate with an international culture they associate with or know about. Please send the decorated multicultural dolls back to school as soon as possible so we can display them in the cafeteria for our multicultural event.

As a reminder, schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday and the Presidential Inauguration.

We hope everyone enjoys a wonderful weekend and spends time with a good book! We look forward to seeing our Crocs on Tuesday, January 21.

All our best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal

Multicultural Dolls for Every Student to Decorate for Multicultural Night ❤️Questions? ❤️Suggestions? ❤️Concerns?

Should you have questions, suggestions, or concerns, please reach out to your child's teacher. Additionally, the following staff are here to support and may be reached via email or by calling the front office at 571-642-6300.

Jen Fallert, Principal ([email protected])

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal ([email protected])

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal ([email protected])

Nikki Bohnert, School Counselor ([email protected])

Trina Clinkscales, School Counselor ([email protected])

Jermaine Perkins, School Psychologist ([email protected])

Allison DeGregorio, Social Worker ([email protected])

Corine Washington, Public Health Nurse ([email protected])

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

Croc Stars: Open and Honest

Congratulations to our Croc Stars who demonstrated the Crocs Creed character traits of being Open and Honest!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day/ Inauguration Day- School closed on Monday, January 20

Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday and the Presidential Inauguration.

FCPS is collaborating with Volunteer Fairfax for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Students and families can volunteer on Saturday, January 25, at Give Together at the James Lee Community Center. 

Volunteer Fairfax invites families to participate in thoughtful, engaging service projects working alongside local nonprofit and government agency partners across a variety of mission areas. Projects will include food packing, creating care packages, environmental stewardship, and support for animal welfare. This event is free and open to the public but registration is required.

There will also be Financial Literacy Workshops offered at Give Together for students in grades 3-12. If you would like to attend one of the workshops, sign up during check-in on January 25.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Day of Service

On the third Monday of January, people throughout the United States join in honoring the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As we witness nations around the world continue to struggle under the weight of violence, hate, and poverty, today’s social, political, and economic landscape reveals the urgent necessity of Dr. King’s philosophy and methodology of Nonviolence (Nonviolence365™). This history is a foundational part of American history. 

Students deserve meaningful, sustained opportunities to learn about the experiences and contributions of Dr. King year-round, and the celebration of a Day of Service is an opportunity to honor his work and legacy by actively participating in making our communities cleaner, safer, and more welcoming.

VOKE Chorus Festival

Congratulations to Mrs. Arslan and Mrs. Laird for leading some of our extraordinary Island Creek students at the VOKE Choral Festival last weekend! The students rehearsed all-day Saturday and had a Sunday evening concert. They have been rehearsing after school and at home since October!  

Croc Students:  Amira, Jaelyn, Malala, Ramona, Hailey, and Zoe (who could not attend because of illness).

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.  

Spotlight on Specials: P.E.

During the second quarter in PE students practiced gymnastics skills, worked to create a gymnastics routine, and practiced their basketball skills. We are looking forward to starting our mid-year fitness, dance, and striking units in quarter three! Students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade will be able to spin our Wheel of FITNESS for their warmup and go grocery shopping on scooters with our nutrition cards! Students in grades 4th through 6th will complete their mid-year VA wellness fitness tests and submit their scores into Welnet. We are excited for a fun 3rd quarter of PE classes with all students! 

Even on snowy or rainy days please make sure your child is prepared with the correct tennis shoes for their PE classes.

End of 2nd Quarter/Lunar New Year/Teacher Workday

Tuesday, January 28, is the last day of the second quarter. Wednesday, January 29, is Lunar New Year and a teacher workday. There will be no school for students. See the complete school year calendar.

Chinese New Year Festival: Saturday, January 25

Since 2008, the Asian Community Service Center (ACSC) has endeavored to spread the spirit of traditional Chinese culture and values to our diverse community in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland by holding an annual Festival right before the Chinese New Year.

The program includes traditional dragon and lion dance,classical and ethnic folk dances, dances, musical instruments and vocals, arts and crafts, children’s games, as well as ethnic cuisines. Children learn a little Chinese and how to play Chinese games. At past events, some lucky children even learned how to do the dragon dance! Please visit the following link to view past Chinese New Year celebration events: www.ChineseNewYearFestival.org. Along with entertainment, our festival provides educational opportunities. The mission of our event is: Return to Tradition. We promote a specific, traditional Chinese value each year so everyone can learn some ancient Chinese wisdom. The value of 2025 we have selected is Harmony (和 in Chinese). We hope that our event can help improve family and social Harmony.

EDUCATIONAL TOUR China's 5,000 year history leaves us some of the most amazing stories and wisdom to learn from. Chinese culture is full of inner meaning. Through stories and presentations designed for school-age children and their parents, as well as teachers and school administrators, participants will get a feel for the true essence of Chinese culture. Group reservations are appreciated although we will try our best to accommodate everyone on a first-come, first serve basis. We sincerely invite all the Island Creek Elementary School students to join our 16th Annal Chinese New Year Festival on Jan. 25 from 10am to 5:30pm at Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.

SCHEDULES Performances- 1:15pm-2pm; 3:45pm-4:30pm. Dragon Parade -2:45 p.m. Educational Tours-11 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., Start from Information Desk All activities are free but children may wish to purchase their favorite Asian dish (all affordably priced) or buy a beautiful Chinese craft. They are encouraged to wear Chinese or Asian dress during the event. We hope you can make it.

Breakfast for Island Creek Staff

Help us kick off the second school semester with our Croc Staff and Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, January 31.

If you can bake something yummy or bring a food item, please access this link to sign up or the QR code below.  Please bring your delicious items to the front office by 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, OR between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. on Friday, January 31. 

All contributions are greatly appreciated!

Assessment Dates at Island Creek Coffee and Conversations 3-Hour Early Release Monday: 2/10

Monday, February 10 is Island Creek's next 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, November 18. 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, February 6.

Hayfield Secondary: Little Hawks Upcoming Dates

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

❤️Friday, January 24:  Coffee and Conversations: Supports for Multilingual Learners (8:45)

❤️Tuesday, January 28:  End of 2nd Quarter

❤️Wednesday, January 29:  Lunar New Year and 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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Dear Island Creek Families, 

There was a lot of excitement in the air as we loved having our Crocs return to school today!

All our best,

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

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.  

Breakfast for Island Creek Staff (new date: January 31)

Due to school cancellations, the staff appreciation breakfast has been rescheduled to Friday, January 31.

Help us kick off the second school semester with our Croc Staff and Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, January 31 (new date).

If you can bake something yummy or bring a food item, please access this link to sign up or the QR code below.  Please bring your delicious items to the front office by 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, OR between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. on Friday, January 31. 

All contributions are greatly appreciated!

Assessment Dates at Island Creek Upcoming Events for Croc Families

Mark your calendars for upcoming events at Island Creek! We hope you can attend!

January Observances

January 6th - Three Kings Day/Epiphany. FCPS has designated Three Kings Day/Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day. There is school on these days, however specific events that cannot be made up will not be held on these observance days. See the complete school year calendar.

January 7th - Orthodox Christmas.  FCPS has designated Orthodox Christmas as a religious and cultural observance day. .

January 19th - Orthodox  Epiphany.  FCPS has designated Orthodox Epiphany as a religious and cultural observance day. 

January 20th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday.

Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

January 29th - Lunar New Year. FCPS has designated Lunar New Year as a religious and cultural observance day. This year, Lunar New Year falls at quarter end on Wednesday, January 29. The day will be a teacher work day and there will be no school for students. 

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.

Coffee and Conversations 3-Hour Early Release Monday: 2/10

Monday, February 10 is Island Creek's next 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, November 18. 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, February 6.

📍 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.

Family Resource Center Webinars and FCPS Family Academy

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.

Upcoming Dates

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

❤️Friday, January 24:  Coffee and Conversations: Supports for Multilingual Learners (8:45)

❤️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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Friday, January 10: 2-Hour Delay and No Morning Preschool

Dear Island Creek Families,

We are excited to welcome our Croc students and staff back to school tomorrow! 

Doors will open at 10:20 for school-age students. Please ensure your child is dressed warmly. 

Morning Preschool is canceled tomorrow.

 

All our best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal

Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal

More Snow Day Photos!

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Thank you to the Island Creek Custodial Team!

Thank you to our amazing Island Creek Custodial Team for their work with clearing the sidewalks to ensure student and staff safety! We truly appreciate their relentless efforts working in the inclimate (and freezing) weather. 

Breakfast for Island Creek Staff (new date: January 31)

Due to school cancellations, the staff appreciation breakfast has been rescheduled to Friday, January 31.

Help us kick off the second school semester with our Croc Staff and Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, January 31 (new date).

If you can bake something yummy or bring a food item, please access this link to sign up or the QR code below.  Please bring your delicious items to the front office by 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, OR between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. on Friday, January 31. 

All contributions are greatly appreciated!

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.  

Upcoming Dates

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

❤️Friday, January 24:  Coffee and Conversations: Supports for Multilingual Learners (8:45)

❤️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)

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

School Closed: Wednesday, January 8

Dear Island Creek Families,

I hope our Croc students, staff, and families enjoyed the second snow day today, especially with the sun shining! Tomorrow our Crocs will have another snow day! ❄️

Thank you to the families and staff who shared their Snow Day photos with me. Addtional photos are shown below!

Thank you to our Island Creek Custodians for their work today and tomorrow with ensuring snow and ice are cleared from the school grounds. 

Enjoy snow day number 3 tomorrow and stay safe and warm!

All my best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

More Crocs' Snow Day Photos! Upcoming Dates

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

❤️Friday, January 24:  Coffee and Conversations: Supports for Multilingual Learners (8:45)

❤️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)

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

School Closed: Tuesday, January 7

Dear Island Creek Families,

I hope our Croc students, staff, and families enjoyed today's beautiful snow and have another fun snow day tomorrow! ❄️

Thank you to the families and staff who shared their Snow Day photos with me. Photos are shown below!

Enjoy the snow day tomorrow and stay safe and warm!

All my best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

Crocs' Snow Day Photos  Upcoming Dates

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

❤️Friday, January 24:  Coffee and Conversations: Supports for Multilingual Learners (8:45)

❤️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)

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

School Closed: Monday, January 6

Dear Island Creek Families,

Enjoy the snow day tomorrow! ❄️

To make it even more memorable, I'd love to create a photo collage of our Croc students and staff having Snow Day Fun. Please feel free to email a photo of your child enjoying the snow to Principal Fallert at [email protected] or tag us on our Facebook link.

If your child needs a break from the snow, we encourage them to read, write, draw, create with their imagination, and/or practice math. You can find some helpful math resources below.

Have a wonderful and safe snow day!

All my best,

Jen Fallert, Principal

Practicing Math Skills at Home

The FCPS Quarterly Overviews for grade level math curriculum may be accessed here. (click: grade level, curriculum, standards by quarter, math).

The following is a list of sites in which you and your child might enjoy exploring to practice math skills. 

• 28 Math Card Games for Students to Ace (online directions, need 1 deck of cards)
• Khan Academy Math (choose grade level and/or skill; optional to make an account)
• Math is Fun (choose grade level and/or skill)
• IXL(students may try up to 20 free pratice questions per day)
• Varisty Tutors:  A Plus Math (interactive math games and flashcards for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts)
• Funbrain (choose grade level and playing piece)
• Math Game Time (online math games for PreK-7th Grade)

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Welcome Back and Happy New Year!

We are excited to welcome our Crocs back to school in 2 days on Monday, January 6, 2025! Given the forecast for Monday, information has been included regarding school delays/closings.

We hope our Croc students, staff, and families are enjoying the last weekend of a healthy, happy, and memory-filled Winter Break. We look forward to welcoming our students and staff on Monday morning.

Happy New Year to all Croc students, staff, and families! May 2025 be filled with good health, happiness, and joy!

All our best,

Jen Fallert, Karen Baxter, and Denise Cash-Pinckney

Sign-up for Island Creek's Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Help us kick off 2025 with our Croc Staff and Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, January 10.

If you are able to bake something yummy or bring a food item, please acess this link to sign up or the QR code below. You may bring your delicious items to the front office by 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 9 OR between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m. on Friday, January 10. 

All contributions are sincerely appreciated and we look forward to an amazing 2025 with our Crocs!

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.

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.  

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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.  

Practicing Math Skills at Home

The FCPS Quarterly Overviews for grade level math curriculum may be accessed here. (click: grade level, curriculum, standards by quarter, math).

The following is a list of sites in which you and your child might enjoy exploring to practice math skills. 

• 28 Math Card Games for Students to Ace (online directions, need 1 deck of cards)
• Khan Academy Math (choose grade level and/or skill; optional to make an account)
• Math is Fun (choose grade level and/or skill)
• IXL(students may try up to 20 free pratice questions per day)
• Varisty Tutors:  A Plus Math (interactive math games and flashcards for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts)
• Funbrain (choose grade level and playing piece)
• Math Game Time (online math games for PreK-7th Grade)

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)

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

Winter Spirit Week is Next Week!

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Attendance 571-642-6363

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

English | Español | አማርኛ | 中文 | 한국어 | Tiếng Việt | العربية | فارسی | اردو

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

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram