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Dear Island Creek Families,
We know the federal government shutdown is adding stress for many families in the Island Creek community. Please know Assistant Principal Karen Baxter and I are here to support you.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid sent a message to the community on Wednesday with resources. Please visit the FCPS website for links to each of these resources and read the superintendent’s full message: https://bit.ly/4pRv4Cg
Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
Families can apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits anytime during the school year. If a family's income is interrupted—due to things like a furlough, layoff, or job loss—they may become newly eligible based on federal guidelines and should apply right away.
Once a family is approved, the meal benefits are valid for the remainder of the current school year and for up to 30 school days into the next, even if their income changes again.
Enjoy the weekend!
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Warmly,
Jen Fallert, Principal
Karen Baxter, Assistant Principal
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We want your children to be as successful as possible at school. Success in school is not just about reading and math. It is also about knowing how to learn and how to get along with others. This school year, we will be using the Second Step program in your child’s classroom to teach these critical skills. Wednesday was your child's first Second Step lesson! |
The Second Step program teaches skills in the following four areas, which are aligned to Social Emotional Learning:
KDG-5th Grade
- Growth Mindset and Goal-Setting
- Emotion Management
- Empathy and Problem Solving
6th Grade
- Mindset and Goals
- Developing a Positive Sense of Self
- Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions
- Managing Relationships and Social Conflict
Currently in Second Step® Elementary, students are learning concepts taught in Unit 1: Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting. In this unit, children learn how to pay attention and manage distractions, develop a growth mindset, and apply goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
A growth mindset is an important skill to establish early in the school year, helping students persevere through challenges, welcome mistakes, identify and achieve goals, and gain confidence as they learn.
Students also learn that their brains grow and change when they tackle new challenges, try hard, and practice their skills.
In Kindergarten through Grade 2, students develop skills necessary to focus their attention and avoid distractions, as well as learn about the importance of practice and effort in acquiring new knowledge. Grade 3 introduces the brain science behind learning, practice, and planning. With this foundation, Grades 4 and 5 shift to focus on the goal-setting process. Grade 6 students learn about making specific goals, trying new strategies, and monitoring progress.
Walk, Bike, & Roll to School!
Wednesday, October 8, is the 29th Annual National Walk & Roll to School Day! Have an enjoyable walk or bike to school together, meet other parents, develop healthy habits, and get a bit of exercise to start the day.
From September 15 to October 15, 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
Take a look at the beautiful Hispanic Heritage Month display in the main lobby, created by the kindergarten team!
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) believes in supporting social and emotional learning (SEL) for all students. In FCPS, students use a tool called the SEL Screener to think about their own SEL skills and experiences at school. Island Creek students in grades 3-6 will be participating in the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener in October 14-17 and again in February (TBD).
After each screening, results are available in the Documents tab of SIS ParentVUE and mailed to families without a ParentVUE account. For more information about the SEL Screener including information on opting out please visit the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage.
This photo day is for students who were absent, new to the school, or who were not happy with their original package (students are required to return their original package to the photographer). No purchase is necessary.
Anyone who has not ordered can still preorder retake photos using the link below :
https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001273163
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Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) provides a comprehensive, sequential Family Life Education (FLE) program for students in grades kindergarten through grade twelve.
Parents/guardians may choose to opt their child out of all or part of the Family Life Education program.
- If you wish to opt your child out of all or part of FLE for this school year, opt-out forms are available in Parent Digital Consent.
- Paper opt-out forms are available from your child’s school.
Detailed grade-level program descriptions are available online and are divided into Elementary (K-6), Middle School (7-8), and High School (9-12).
Program questions may be addressed at your child’s school or by contacting Instructional Services at 571-423-4550 or by email to fle@fcps.edu.
FCPS is continuing to explore options for adjusting school start times, with the primary goal of beginning the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later. In order to minimize any costs associated with this change, elementary and high school start times would need to shift as well.
Providing feedback opportunities for the community is a critical part of this effort. Since 2024, FCPS’ consultant has hosted five community forums and administered two surveys. A new School Start Times Survey is open and includes two options that are designed to support student well-being, align with research, balance transportation logistics, and minimize costs.
Staff, parents and caregivers, students, and community members may provide input on the two options by taking the survey. The survey deadline has been extended to Monday, October 6. Find more information on adjusting school start times on the FCPS website.
Early Release Wednesdays (12:20) for school-age students
Reminder: Window for Full-time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2025
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 Principal Jen Fallert at jrfallertf@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2025.
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 Island Creek and is then completed at the central office level. Island Creek will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data points that 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.
Slides from the Family Information Session may be accessed here.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
On Friday, October 31, Island Creek will have our Third Annual Book Character Day! Students and Staff are invited to find a great book 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 look forward to seeing which characters inspire our students!
Dressing up is optional. If students 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 your child is wearing a costume or not, please remind them to bring their favorite book.
 Community Resources - Food Assistance
The Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) provides basic needs and supportive services to families residing in zip codes 22079 and 22060. Once registered, households are eligible to pick up food weekly, along with other services. Contact the Client Services Team to learn how to register or visit https://lortonaction.org/register-for-services/
Koinonia provides food, clothing, and emergency assistance to clients who live in the Franconia-Springfield area, including Kingstowne and zip codes 22310 and 22315. Call 703-971-1991 for assistance and to learn more.
Food for Others distributes food weekly at neighborhood sites. If you need food, visit one of these neighborhood sites at the times listed. The only question asked is, “how many people are in your household?” Please bring your own grocery bags. For a list of all neighborhood sites and to learn more about additional Food for Others programs, visit https://foodforothers.org/ or call 703-207-9173.
Springfield Gardens: Fridays, 6 pm at the Community Center behind Springfield Plaza at 7224 Commerce Street, Springfield
Springfield – Chelsea Square: Tuesdays, 6:00 pm at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5800 Backlick Road, in the basement of the Fellowship Hall, on the side next to Chelsea Square Apartments.
The Food Corner at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield, VA, 22153, 703-451-8223. Food distribution on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, 3:30-6:00pm. No appointment required.
For questions about these resources or if you need help accessing them, please contact Island Creek Family Liaison, Amy Garcia, ajgarcia@fcps.edu, (call/text) 571-595-7015 or send her a Talking Points message.
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