Weekly Words - Sep 29
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Weekly Words September 29, 2023Dear Island Creek Families,
Our Croc students had another wonderful week of learning! As we close out the month of September, we are amazed at our students’ progress. Our grade-level teams collaborated this week to analyze beginning of year assessment data and form Croc Time intervention groups targeting specific skills.
October is a busy, fun month and we have some great events for parents/guardians, including:
- Zoom-in With Principal Fallert: Wednesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 25 (11:30 am-12:00 pm), please register here to access the Zoom link for 10/4
- Social Emotional Supports at Island Creek (hosted by the Island Creek Clinical Team): Wednesday, October 18 (9:00 am and 5:30 pm)
- Local Level IV Information Session, Interested Families of students in Grades K-2: Thursday, October 26 (5:45 pm, will be recorded)
We hope everyone enjoys the beautiful Fall weekend and takes time to snuggle with a good book!
All our best,
Jen Fallert
Principal
Karen Baxter
Assistant Principal
Every Child, Every Day
Morning MeetingEvery class starts the day with Morning Meeting which consists of a greeting, sharing, activity, and morning message. Morning Meeting supports a positive inclusive classroom environment while strengthening students' social-emotional skills.
Zoom-In with Principal Fallert Wednesday, October 4; 11:30 AM - 12:00 PMDo you have questions, wonderings, and/or thoughts that you would like to share with Mrs. Fallert? Ideas on how to make Island Creek an even better school community? I realize that not every family is able to attend in-person chats, so I cordially invite families to join me on select Wednesdays from 11:30-12:00 via Zoom. Please register here to access the Zoom link (a new link will be sent each session)
National Walk to School Day: October 4National Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 4th! We are excited to celebrate as a school on Wednesday morning with students, staff, and families. We encourage all families that can participate to join in on the fun by making the healthy and safe choice of walking to school! We will have music and stickers to hand out as students and families arrive at school. If students are unable to participate and go on a walk outside of school hours, they are welcome to pick up a sticker during their PE class. We look forward to celebrating a safe and healthy route to school!
Share the Warmth Winter Clothing Drive October 10-30We are thrilled to announce that we will be holding our 2nd Annual Share the Warmth Winter Clothing Drive! We are collecting donations of new or lovingly used winter clothing for children, ages 4-12. We kindly request that all lovingly used clothing be washed before donating. Mrs. Fallert will bring all donated clothing to a Title 1 school in Fairfax County which will host a November “shopping night” for families free of charge.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Student Voice At Island CreekEach year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by acknowledging and celebrating the unique histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The celebration started on September 15th and runs through October 15th. This year's theme, Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America highlights the contributions of Hispanics to America’s economic, political, and social growth. It’s a wonderful time to pass on the beauty of Latino culture to children of Latino descent or expose any child to learning about a diverse group of people and new cultures.
If your child is interested in recording a 1-2 minute segment for our Morning News Show please use this link: https://flip.com/95550918 as we would love to learn from our Crocs! Alternatively, if your child would prefer to make a poster to display in the hallways at Island Creek, please have them bring their poster to the front office to be displayed
Bonus: The first 50 students to share about Hispanic Heritage (poster and/or recording for ICNN News Show) will receive a Friendship Bracelet that was handmade in Peru.
Storybook Character Day!On Tuesday, October 31, Island Creek will have Storybook Character Day! Students are invited to find a great story and dress up like their favorite character. Book Character Day is a fun, voluntary activity for both students and staff that promotes a love of reading, specifically favorite book characters. We are looking forward to seeing which characters inspire our students!
Dressing up is optional. If you choose to do so, please adhere to the following so that our students have a safe and productive day.
- Costumes should not be scary nor have words, graphics, or toy weapons that are inappropriate for school
- No costume face masks
- No painted faces
Whether you are wearing a costume or not, don’t forget to bring your favorite storybook.
Lunch with Your Child(ren)The staff at Island Creek has diligently been teaching and reinforcing routines and procedures with students, including when eating lunch in the cafeteria. We would like to provide parents the opportunity to eat lunch in the cafeteria with their child(ren). Starting Monday, October 2, parents may choose to come in to eat lunch with their child in the cafeteria.
- As we monitor the volume of families and capacity in our cafeteria, we ask families to limit to one day per week for lunch.
- Prior to going to the cafeteria, parents need to check in at the office with a valid driver's license.
- At this time, we cannot accommodate additional siblings.
- Please do not bring food from outside vendors to your child during lunch. This creates challenges for other students who may not have the opportunity to eat lunch with their family members or have a special lunch brought to them.
- Due to class sizes in Grades 4-6, there is very limited seating for family members
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a comprehensive Family Life Education (FLE) program.
FLE instruction begins in kindergarten and continues through grade 12. FLE includes topics in human growth and development and social and emotional health. FLE instruction helps students gain knowledge and skills needed to make healthy, responsible, and life-enhancing decisions related to relationships and their physical, emotional, and social health. Parents and guardians are partners in their child’s learning.
FLE instruction supports the development of strong families, positive relationships, and a healthy community. Parents and guardians can review FLE materials. Parents/guardians can access FLE lessons in Schoology using their SIS username and password. Due to copyright permissions, we are unable to stream all media titles online. Lessons and media are available for review at your child’s school. Lessons only are also available at the City of Fairfax Regional Library (this location does not have media).
FLE program descriptions and opt-out forms are available on the FCPS website.
- Elementary School
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/family-life-education - Middle School
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/middle/family-life-education - High School
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/family-life-education-fle
Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast will be $1.75. Lunch will be $3.25, milk $0.60. Money can be added to your child(ren)’s accounts using www.myschoolbucks.com. During the school year, you can find the menu for breakfast and lunch at https://fcps.nutrislice.com/menu/shrevewood-elementary
Free and Reduced - Price Status
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will continue to receive these benefits through the end of September. A new application must be filled out each new school year. Forms are available online now: https://www.fcps.edu/resources/student-safety-and-wellness/food-and-nutrition-programs/free-and-reduced-price-meals. Applications are accepted at any time, but we encourage you to apply or renew your application before the end of September. Call (703) 813-4800 if you need help. This must be completed for eligible students to receive free meals.
Important Forms for Caregivers to Complete✔️ Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
During the first weeks of the year, caregivers receive many forms to complete. Several of the most important ones are below:
- Digital Resources Consent: Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent/caregiver consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Digital Resources - Parent Consent page. This page also includes directions on how to provide permission.
- Student Rights and Responsibilities: This document explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses. Parents using SIS ParentVUE will be prompted to sign the document when they log in to that platform. A printable version of the document with a signature sheet is available on the SR&R webpage.
- Opt-Outs: The Opt-Out Booklet is online or available from your child’s school. It contains information on:
- Parents’ rights to inspect and consent or opt out before their child participates in certain surveys.
- Parents’ rights to inspect instructional materials.
- Rules regarding student records and disclosure of student information (including photo/video of students) and the right to opt out.
- Parents’ rights to opt out of the Social Emotional Learning Screener, physical exams not required by state law, career or social emotional counseling, Library Equity Access Pass Project, and/or Tutor.com.
- The process by which complaints may be filed if parents or students believe their rights have been violated.
Paper forms can be signed and returned to school.
Steamology STEM Fest Offers Hands-On Activities for StudentsStudents are invited to participate in STEM FEST on Saturday, October 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at South County High School. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in robotics demonstrations, coding experiments, and more. High school students are invited to volunteer. Visit the STEAMOLOGY website for more information.
October Events Hosted by the Family Resource CenterThe Family Resource Center offers free webinars, confidential consultations, a lending library, and resources to help adults support the success of all students, including those with learning challenges, special needs, and disabilities. The FRC is hosting the following events in October:
- Building Family and School Partnerships for Twice Exceptional (2e) Students, Friday, October 6, at 10 a.m.
- Sibshops: An Exciting, In-Person Workshop for Brothers and Sisters of Children with Special Needs, Monday, October 9, 9 a.m. to noon, at Providence Community Center.
- What Your 11th and 12th Graders Are Learning in School About Drugs and How You Can Talk with Them
- Presented in English on Friday, October 13, at 10 a.m.
- Presented in Spanish on Friday, October 20, at 10 a.m.
- Coping Strategies for Anxiety, Depression, and Stress: A Two-Part Series, Friday, October 27, at 10 a.m. and Friday, November 10, at 10 a.m.
Click the links above to register for the events. For more information, visit the Family Resource Center webpage.
FCPS Policies, Regulations, and Notices Available OnlineVirginia’s Standards of Quality require all school divisions to notify the public annually of the availability of the school system’s policies. A continuous review process ensures ongoing examination and revision of each policy, regulation, and notice as needed. View Fairfax County Public Schools policies.
Any citizen who requests a hard copy of a directive has a right to receive it and should be provided the most current version printed from the website. The School Board office, at Gatehouse Administration Center, maintains the historical records of all directives.
For more information, call 571-423-1075.
FCPS School Readiness ProgramsFCPS offers families the opportunity to register for two free school readiness programs.
The Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program is for parents of preschoolers who are two, three, or four years old and who are not already enrolled in a FCPS preschool program. Parents meet with instructors for one hour a week to gain tools, skills, and gain confidence to practice school readiness activities with their children at home. The program is available in English and Spanish. Contact Elisabeth Bruzon at 703-204-4350 or Sara Parada at 703-204-4307 for more information.
The Early Literacy Program offers twice weekly, interactive parenting classes for parents of children from birth to five years of age who are not already enrolled in an FCPS preschool program. Parents take part in early learning activities with their children and other families to help build a family support network. Programs are available in Arabic, English, Korean and Spanish. For more information contact:
- African Heritage Early Literacy - Connie Wilson, 703-204-4380
- Arabic Early Literacy - Gigi Hammoud, 703-204-4347
- Hispanic Early Literacy - Andrea Antezana, 703-204-4345
- Korean Early Literacy - Aejin Lee, 703-204-4346
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Learn more about the program including eligibility criteria and how to enroll HERE.
Child Supervision GuidelinesFairfax County government’s Department of Family Services has developed Child Supervision Guidelines for parents and caretakers to consider before leaving a child alone. Every child is different and must be assessed based on their maturity, skills and comfort level to be home alone.
Is my child ready? Does he or she:
- understand instructions and follow important rules?
- know how to ask for help from friends, neighbors, and police?
- make good decisions when away from you or other adults?
- know when to contact you and 911 when needed?
- feel comfortable and confident about staying home alone?
Age Guidelines
- 8 years old and younger should always be in the care of a responsible person. Children this age should never be left unsupervised in homes, cars, playgrounds or yards.
- 9-10 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised up to 1.5 hours during daylight and early evening hours.
- 11-12 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised up to 3 hours during daylight and early evening hours.
- 13-15 years old may be ready to be left unsupervised more than three hours but not overnight.
- 16 years old and older may be ready to be left unsupervised overnight for one to two days, with a plan in place.
Babysitting Age Guidelines
- 10-12 years old may provide care of other children for up to three hours with the help of an adult.
- 13-15 years old may babysit infants and children but not overnight.
- 16 years old and older may watch children overnight.
In addition, Fairfax County Government Family Services offers these steps to prepare your child to be left home alone.
Questions? Call the Child Protective Services Hotline 703-324-7400, TTY 703-222-9452
Click to view the 2023-2024 FCPS School Calendar
- Wednesday, October 4: National Walk to School Day; Zoom-In with Mrs. Fallert (11:30-12:00, register here)
- Monday, October 9: Indigenous Peoples' Day; Staff Development Day (no school for students)
- October 10-30: Share the Warmth Clothing Drive
- Wednesday, October 18: Social-Emotional Supports at Island Creek Information Session (9:00 and 5:30)
- Friday, October 20: PTA: “Walk of Fame” Treat or Toss (6:00-7:30)
- Wednesday, October 25: Zoom-in with Principal Fallert (11:30-12:00)
- Thursday, October 26: Local Level IV Information Session, Interested Families of students in Grades K-2 (5:45, will be recorded)
- Tuesday, October 31: Storybook Character Day
- Friday, November 3: End of First Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release for students (1:20)
- Monday, November 6: School Planning Day (no school for students)
- Tuesday, November 7: Teacher Workday (no school for students)
- Thursday, November 9: Family Math Night (5:00-6:30, information forthcoming)
- Wednesday, November 15: Thanksgiving Lunch (information forthcoming)
- November 22-November 24: Thanksgiving Break (Student and Staff holiday)
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Croc Rock-N-Run last Friday. We were so happy to see many students, staff, volunteers, and parents cheering and dancing.
You can visit the PTA Facebook page to view videos and photographs from the Croc Rock-N-Run.
We did it! We've reached our goal of $45,000 and exceeded it. Our final total was $47,404!
Upcoming Events (more details soon!):
- $25,000: recess party with a DJ!
- $35,000: Fun school-wide assembly!
- $45,000: Slime Admin and the PTA President!
The PTA will work closely to purchase outdoor classroom equipment, flexible seating, and more. We’ll share photos and videos online as these items appear at Island Creek Elementary!
Without further ado, it’s time to announce our classroom and leaderboard winners. And the winners are…
Our top three classes that earned the most in donations are:
- 1st Place: Carrubba (4th Grade) - Earned a Pizza Party!
- 2nd Place: Morrison (Kindergarten) - Earned a DIY Snack Party!
- 3rd Place: Hopler (2nd Grade) - Earned Popcorn Party!
Our top fundraising student was a tie!
- Matthais Tomas and William Parr raised over $2,000 each and will be the Principals for the Day! Ms. Fallert will schedule it directly with the students based on their schedule.
Our top 5 fundraisers will have lunch with Ms. Fallert, provided by the PTA!
- Matthias Tomas (Kindergarten/PAC/Pre-K)
- William Parr (4th Grade)
- Spencer Dumm (2nd Grade)
- Luca Cassano (2nd Grade)
- Hudson Langer (1st Grade)
The following seven students will get to slime our volunteers, including the principal, vice principal, or the PTA president! Our top fundraising students by grade level were:
- Kindergarten/Pre-K/PAC: Matthias Thomas
- 1st Grade: Hudson Langer
- 2nd Grade: Spencer Dumm
- 3rd Grade: Adam Shingler
- 4th Grade: William Parr
- 5th Grade: Ian Scully
- 6th Grade: Dylan Kunkel
Upcoming Events
Save the Date: Croc Flock iCode Burke (Parents Night Out)
Join us at iCode in Burke for a Croc Flock Parent Night out! Drop the kids off at iCode Burke for game night fun, and all the proceeds will go back to Island Creek's PTA!
Kids will play in our eSports gaming lounge, play Roblox with friends in our Mac room, go to a virtual world using our VR Oculus Headsets, get creative with Lego, color, watch movies, and have fun!
Pizza and Drinks are included!
Open to kids ages 5 - 12.
Registration:
Save the Date: Croc Bite Spirit Night: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Stop by Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Lansdowne Center between 7 am - 9 pm on Tuesday, October 17, for smoothies, sandwiches, and wraps!
Save the Date: Walk of Fame Treat or Toss
"Walk of Fame" Treat or Toss!
Save the Date: Friday, October 20, from 6 - 7:30 pm.
Get ready to mark your calendars because the "Walk of Fame" Treat or Toss event is coming to town, and it will be an unforgettable evening of pure delight!
You will want to attend this epic gathering hosted by the ICES PTA. It's a candy extravaganza, and we're rolling out the red carpet for you!
Pre-registration is a must to ensure we have enough trunks, candy, and food trucks to make this night truly spectacular.
And last but not least, we need your star power! We're looking for families who are up for the challenge of hosting a trunk or donating candy. This year, our theme is "Walk of Fame." Let your creativity shine and decorate your trunk as your favorite movie or Hollywood icon. It's your time to shine!
7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300
Attendance: 571-642-6363 or Submit Absence Online