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Message from Mrs. Fallert
Dear Island Creek Families,
What a busy and cold first week of December! Congratulations to our 5th and 6th Grade Chorus for their exceptional performance at last night's School Board Meeting with singing the National Anthem. Island Creek has two incredibly talented Chorus Directors, Ms. Laird and Ms. Arslan.
A heartfelt thank you to our Croc Families for your donations with our December to Remember to celebrate Island Creek Staff throughout the month of December.
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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.
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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.
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Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account. (Parent/Guardian Access to FLE Materials in Schoology)
- Materials are found in the All Parents/Guardians Cardinal Forest Elementary Course in Schoology in the Family Life Education Folder.
- Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. Opting out can be indicated on the form sent home earlier this year or you can stop by the main office for another copy. If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the link in Parent Vue, you do not need to contact anyone.
Should you have questions regarding accessing the materials and/or the curriculum you can contact Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal, with any questions: [email protected]
Virginia 2025 School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions
Our school, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Virginia Department of Education, is conducting the Virginia School Survey of Climate and Working Conditions. We will survey students in grade 6, as well as classroom instructors and staff, beginning in January 2025.
The purpose of the student survey is to measure student support, student engagement, school discipline, and safety conditions in each school. This information will be used to guide educational practices that produce a safe and supportive school environment.
The survey does not ask for your child’s name and all answers are anonymous. No one, including teachers and administrators, will know how your child answered the survey questions. You will not have access to your child’s survey answers. You may preview the questions asked in the student survey at this website: https://tinyurl.com/VaSchoolSurveyDCJS
If you do not wish for your child to participate, please notify Assistant Principal Cash-Pinckney at 571-642-6300 or [email protected]
📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered. Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
Upcoming Dates
❤️Wednesday, December 4-Wednesday, December 11: Book Fair
❤️Wednesday, December 11: Picture Retakes
❤️Thursday, December 12: Band and Strings Concert
❤️Friday, December 13: Coffee and Conversatsion, SEL (8:40)
❤️December 15: AAP Full-Time Referrals due
❤️Tuesday, December 17: Chorus Concert
❤️December 23-January 3: Winter Break
❤️Monday, January 6, 2025: Welcome Back to School, Crocs!
❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram
Facebook link
Instagram: islandcreekelementary
7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300
Attendance 571-642-6363
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