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Message from Mrs. Fallert
Dear Island Creek Families,
Please join us in celebrating our recognizing our outstanding Island Creek Custodial Team on Wednesday with National Custodian Appreciation Day! Ana, Albert, Mary, Regina, and Cecilia work hard every day to ensure our buidling is safe and clean.
We ask that all families fill out a new UPDATED SURVEY before October 11 to indicate how your child will be going home for our next 3-hour early release Monday on October 21. If you have multiple children, please complete a form for each child.
Next week will be a short week for our Crocs. Students will not have school on Thursday, October 3 (Rosh Hashanah) and Friday, October 4 (Teacher Workday).
Thank you for entrusting your children with us! We hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend and spend time with a great book!
All our best,
Jen Fallert, Principal
Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal
Denise Cash-Pinckney, Assistant Principal
We love our Crocs!
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])
Zoom-In with Administration
Wednesday, October 2; 11:30 AM-12:15 PM
Do you have questions, wonderings, and/or thoughts that you would like to share with Island Creek Administrators? Ideas on how to make Island Creek an even better school community? We realize not every family is able to attend in-person chats, so we cordially invite families to join Ms. Fallert, Ms. Baxter, and Ms. Cash-Pinckney on Wednesday, October from 11:30-12:15 via Zoom. Please register here to access the Zoom link
National Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15th to October 15th, FCPS recognizes and celebrates the histories and cultures of the members of our community who trace their heritage to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Learn more about the heritage months, celebrations, and traditions celebrated in FCPS. Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Fairfax Fiesta, Fairfax County’s Annual Hispanic Heritage celebration, will be held on Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Culmore Community Library. This free, family-friendly event welcomes guests of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy cultural performances and entertainment; an artisan market featuring handmade goods from local vendors; children’s activities such as face painting, crafts, and games; and cultural foods. Visit Celebrate Fairfax's website for more information.
The Fairfax County Public Library will host several events throughout the month including performances, crafts, and games. You can view a list of events on their website.
Look at Island Creek's beautiful Hispanic Heritage Month display! The display was created by our Kindergarten students for all Crocs to enjoy!
National Custodian Appreciation Day
October 2nd is National Custodian Appreciation Day, and we are excited to celebrate our incredible custodial team! Their dedication and hard work ensure that our school remains clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. We are so grateful for their continuous efforts in keeping our building in excellent condition, and we encourage you to join us in showing them our appreciation.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2. That day is an evening-only observance day. Important events will not be held after school.
Thursday, October 3, is a holiday for all FCPS staff. Schools and offices will be closed.
Friday, October 4, is a teacher workday and there will be no school for students
Action item: Updated Survey Form for Island Creek's next Early Release (10/21)
Please complete this UPDATED SURVEY before October 11 to indicate how your child will be going home for our next early release Monday on 10/21/24. *If you have multiple children, please complete a form for each student.
✔️ Caregiver Checklist: Have You Completed These Important Forms?
Update Contact Information
Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from your school and FCPS by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. To update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then click the “Online Verification/Update” icon.
Parents/caregivers who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account should print and complete the Emergency Care Information Form needed for updates and submit it to their child’s school.
2024 Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Monday, September 30.
You can submit questions online regarding the SR&R.
Digital Consent
Step 1
Step 2
A six digit code will be sent to the SIS ParentVUE account email. Please wait a few minutes for the email to arrive. You can also send a new code to the email listed on the page. If you refresh the page it will also trigger a new code. If you get a new code, the old code will be invalid.
Once you receive the code, enter the code and hit the Confirm button.
Step 3
Once you are logged in, you will see an overview of your child's consent forms. To review or update a form, simply click on it.
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Gray: Form is awaiting your review.
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Green: You've approved everything on this form.
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Yellow: This form contains multiple items with mixed responses.
Red: You've declined all items on this form.
Save the Date: Island Creek's Social Emotional Learning Fair!
We invite Island Creek families to join us on Thursday, October 17 between 5:00-6:30 for our Social Emotional Learning Fair! We will have interactive activites, information, mindfulness, and more! We will also have a Food Truck!
Spotlight on Specials: STEAM
Exciting things are happening at Island Creek in STEAM education! STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, and it's all about integrating these subjects to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Island Creek continues to bring this innovative approach to the classroom, where students explore real-world problems and develop solutions through hands-on projects and collaborative activities. From designing simple machines to coding robots and creating artistic presentations of scientific concepts, STEAM education makes learning engaging and relevant.
For the first few weeks of school, we had the students “do CRUT.” All the kids looked at each other and had no clue what CRUT was. That was the point of the activity. Students worked creatively for 15-20 minutes, using supplies in the center of the table. Their creativity, teamwork, communication, and collaboration shined through! Were there bumps in the road? Of Course, but they were resilient! CRUT stands for Cooperation Respect Understanding and Trust. Take a look below at some of our students’ creations.
Please help support Island Creek's STEAM program by donating an item from our Amazon Wish List.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2IOSVD4LSNENT?ref_=wl_share
National Walk to School Day: Wednesday, October 9
National Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 9th! We are excited to celebrate Wednesday morning with students, staff, and families. We encourage families that can participate to join in on the fun, 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 but let Ms. Barber and Mr. Magagnoli know about a walk they take 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!
Family Life Education
Students in grades K-6 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their classroom teacher. Students in Kindergarten through third grade, receive instruction in an Emotional and Social Health unit. Students in grades four through six, receive instruction in a Human Growth and Development unit and an Emotional and Social Health unit. For detailed grade-level program descriptions, go to https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary/family-life-education.
You are invited to an evening opportunity to preview the Family Life Education media & lessons and to talk with school staff about the program. The virtual meeting will be held on October 9, at 6:00 – 7:00 PM using this link: https://meet.google.com/quc-ffys-gag. All program materials and media for all grade levels are available for your review at: https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k6/elementary-family-life-education
You can also preview these lessons by grade level on Schoology (use the same login as your SIS ParentVUE account). Once logged in, select ‘course dashboard’ then click on ‘all parents at Island Creek’. Select the ‘parent preview – FLE instruction’ folder; select what grade level you would like to view.
Parents/guardians who do not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction may choose to opt their child out. If you would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please fill out this form: https://www.fcps.edu/node/31710 and return it to the main office by November 8. If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons, you do not need to complete another form. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify Island Creek’s principal, Jen Fallert at [email protected], in writing before instruction begins.
An alternative non-FLE health instructional program is provided for children who do not take part in FLE instruction, and every effort is made to foster understanding and respect for family choices and to avoid peer pressure for or against participation in the program.
Instruction of the instructional units occurs at various times during the school year. Please contact your child’s teacher for specific dates of FLE instruction. We look forward to working as your partner in providing information that will help your child make healthy choices related to the exciting changes and new challenges he/she will be facing in the next few years.
Advanced Academics News
New to County Full-Time Referrals
Are you new to FCPS? Are you interested in referring your child in grades 3-8 for Full-Time Advanced Academics services? Full-Time referrals for the fall screening cycle are due Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Full-Time referrals for all other students are due no later than Sunday, December 15, 2024. Please visit the FCPS AAP site for helpful information regarding the continuum of services and the referral process. For more information about all of the AAP services we offer, please visit your child’s Schoology course and look in the Advanced Academics Folder for the AAP Fall Newsletter. Use your ParentVUE login credentials to access Schoology. If you have any questions, please contact our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher (AART), Emily Mextorf, at [email protected]
Elementary Parent/Guardian Information Meeting
A parent information meeting focusing on the AAP levels of service and the Full-Time referral process will be held virtually and in-person on Wednesday, October 9 at 9:00 in the cafeteria. Our AART, Ms. Mextorf, and Assistant Principal, Ms. Cash-Pinckney, will provide information about levels of service and answer questions about the advanced academic continuum of services and the Full-Time screening process. You may attend in-person or access the meeting virtually by clicking this link. After the meeting, the slides will be shared via email. If you have any questions, please contact our AART, Emily Mextorf, at [email protected]
We All Belong At School!
Each one of us is unique, and every student matters. If your student is having a difficult time attending class, please speak with a trusted adult at school.
Watch this video to see how everyone belongs at school. Visit our Attendance webpage for resources on attendance. Attend today, achieve tomorrow!
Coffee and Conversations at Island Creek
We invite families to join us at our Coffee and Conversations! No worries if you are unable to attend as session information will be made available on our website. Our next Coffee and Conversations is on Wednesday, October 9 at 9:00 and the topic is Advanced Academics.
Next 3-Hour Early Release: Monday, October 21 at 12:20
Please completed the updated survey linked here (one survey form for each child) before Ocotober 11.
Share the Warmth Winter Clothing Drive (October 15-31)
We are thrilled to announce our 3rd Annual Share the Warmth Winter Clothing Drive! We will collect 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.
🎤 Our Schools, Our Future: Register Today for a Community Conversation!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will host a series of Community Conversations this fall. She invites you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Click the dates below to register for any of the following conversations:
Events take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
✨ The 2023-30 Strategic Plan — Goal 4: Equitable Access to Opportunities
FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.
The fourth goal ensures all students have the same access to opportunities, no matter what school they attend. This includes academics and other programs that inspire and engage students and allow them to explore their passions and talents. See how Goal 4 is being put into practic
Benchmark Advance: the New K-6 Language Arts Curriculum
Join us for an overview of the new K-6 language arts curriculum. This will include background information regarding the Benchmark Advance and how this program is organized to ensure evidence-based literacy instruction for all K-6 students.
Webinar Highlights:
- What is evidence-based literacy instruction?
- What is The Benchmark Advance and its cross-curricular units?
- Provided scaffolds and supports for students with disabilities
Join the FCPS Instructional Services Department and FCPS Office of Special Education Instruction for this important webinar.
October 8, 2024, 6:30-8 p.m.
October 9, 2024, 10-11:30 a.m.
Register Online
Math is Everywhere! Talking to Your Children about Mathematics
Join the FCPS Elementary Math Team to discuss ways to engage your children in mathematics.
During our time together we will highlight books, games, and other materials that assist you in talking about mathematics with your child throughout the day.
Teaching math to your children doesn’t have to be intimidating. This webinar will provide concrete examples for caregivers with ideas to spark math joy.
October 18, 2024 10-11:30 A.M.
Register Online
Literacy for Children ages 1-5
❤️Follow Island Creek on Facebook and Instagram
Upcoming Dates
❤️Wednesday, October 2: Zoom-in with Island Creek Administration (11:30-12:15; Please register here to access the Zoom link)
❤️Thursday, October 3: Rosh Hashanah (No school for students and staff)
❤️Friday, October 4: Teacher Workday (No school for students)
❤️Wednesday, October 9: Walk to School Day; Advanced Academics Family Information Session (9:00-10:00; in-person or virtual link; slides will be shared); FLE overview (6:00-7:00, virtual link)
❤️October 15-31: Share the Warmth Winter Clothing Drive!
❤️Thursday, October 17: SEL Fair for Families (5-6:30)
❤️Monday, October 21: 3-Hour early release at 12:20 for school-age students
❤️Thursday, October 31: Book Character day; 2-Hour early release for students (1:20)
❤️Friday, November 1: Diwali and All Saints Day (No school for students and staff)
❤️Monday, November 4: School Planning (no school for students)
❤️Tuesday, November 5: Teacher Workday (no school for students)
Facebook link
Instagram: islandcreekelementary
7855 Morning View Lane, Alexandria, VA 22315 | Phone: 571-642-6300
Attendance 571-642-6363
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