FCPS

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Principals' Message

Dear Floris Families,

We had a wonderful first full week back to kick off the new year! Our students and staff were excited to reconnect and dive into learning. As we visited classrooms, it was clear that our students missed the connections they share with their peers during the break.

A quick reminder: Our first PTA meeting of the year will be next Wednesday, January 22 at 6:30 pm in the library. We’ll celebrate our accomplishments as a school for the first half of the year and share our focus for the second half of the school year. We hope to see you there!

Enjoy the long weekend, and we’ll see you next week!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter
• Varsity Tutors
• Free Webinars and Events for Families
• Community Boundary Review Meetings
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈

 

• We have an open Hospitality Chair position. Please contact [email protected] if you are interested in learning more!

 

🏃‍♀️ Girls on the Run (GOTR) Spring Session will open February 3rd.

🍎Please sign-up to help deliver food to Embry Rucker on Fridays! 

• Students put unopened & uneaten food on the cafeteria Share Table each day; other students can take the food or the food goes into the refrigerator and is donated at the end of the week.

• Food sharing can reduce food waste in the cafeteria and help address food insecurity concerns. 

📰Have any old newspapers or magazines? Please drop them off at the front office for our school counselors. They will be repurposed for craft projects.

📅Upcoming Dates:

• Science Fair and Spelling Bee registration open soon!
• January 22 - PTA Meeting at 6:30 in the Floris Library
• January 31: Snack Pack Service Project for 6th grade
• January 31: Movie Night at 6:30 in the Cafeteria

Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter

Gradebook Available Until End-of-Quarter Based on community feedback from the first quarter closure, FCPS revisited the scheduled dates for closing the Gradebook and Report Card modules in the SIS ParentVUE and StudentVUE apps. 

Moving forward, the app will close in alignment with the actual quarter-end dates. This change will allow students and families to view their assignments and grades until the last day of the quarter. Gradebook will be closed for the second quarter from Tuesday, January 28, 4 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 6 a.m.

Access Your Child’s Grades Through SIS ParentVue.

Learn how your ParentVUE account allows you to easily access grade reports and other helpful information about your child.

📑 Varsity Tutors Provides On-Demand Support at No Cost

FCPS is partnering with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors’ services at no cost, including weekly live online classes; on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring; essay editing; and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests. Learn more about online tutoring with Varsity Tutors.

🖥️ 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 Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

📍 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 a virtual meeting:

• 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.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News:  In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• National Merit Commended Scholars
• Celebrating the Best of 2024 in FCPS
• Cell Phones Off, Learning On

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

January 20: Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day

January 21: Club and Candid Photos

January 22: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm

January 28: End of 2nd Quarter

January 29: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

January 31: PTA Movie Night

February 10-14: Kindness Week

February 12: Spelling Bee

February 17: Holiday, Presidents' Day

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Last Chance to Order Kindness Shirts

The schools in the Westfield Pyramid will be celebrating Kindness Week the week of Feb. 9-14.  “We Choose Kindness” shirts are for sale for students to purchase if they wish.  During the week there will be an opportunity to wear the pyramid kindness shirt.  If you would like to order a shirt for your student, the cost is $10 for a t-shirt and $25 for a hoodie sweatshirt. 

Orders are due to Sarah de Kramer by January 15th. 

Checks can be made out to Floris ES and returned in an envelop to Sarah de Kramer.  Please include a note with your student’s name, teacher’s name and the size (YS, YM, YL, AS, AM, AL, AXL).  Financial assistance is available. 

Please reach out directly to [email protected]. 

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

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

Kiss and Ride Traffic Line-up Procedures reminder 

As the cold weather approaches or when inclement weather hits, our Kiss and Ride loop may become slowed by congestion. Please help ensure the safety of our Floris families by continuing to follow the procedures and traffic patterns indicated below. 

General guidelines for entering the Kiss ‘N’ Ride loop safely and respectfully:

• Vehicles entering from Centreville Rd. entrance should remain to the RIGHT of the main entrance. 
• Buses and staff will enter to the left.
• The bus loop is designated only for buses and staff during arrival and dismissal times.
• At the stop light, vehicles coming north on Centreville Rd. (U-TURN), south on Centreville Rd. (STRAIGHT), and LEFT off of West Ox. are expected to JOIN THE CAR LINE ON WEST OX RD. once the Kiss ‘N’ Ride loop and entrance becomes full (see the map below). 
• Cutting in the car line presents safety risks to our families and travelers along Centreville Rd.
• While in the West Ox car line, DO NOT block the Fairfax Fire Department driveway.

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

Principals' Message

Dear Floris Families,

We hope you’ve had a joyful start to the New Year and are enjoying some well-deserved time with family and friends. We miss seeing all of our amazing students this week and can’t wait to welcome them back to school!

We know it’s been a bit of a surprise with all the unexpected snow days, and we’re sure your students are just as ready to return as we are—though we’re guessing they’re secretly hoping for just one more snow day! 

We’re so excited for the second half of the school year and can’t wait to continue this wonderful journey together as a Floris community. When school resumes, we’ll greet your children with open arms and a high-energy, engaging learning environment. Let’s make this half of the year even more memorable!

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• School Delays and Closings
• Dual Language Immersion
• Free Webinars and Events for Families
• Community Boundary Review Meetings
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈

 

 

Head's Up!  Registration for the Spelling Bee and Science Fair will open this month.

A Science Fair Chair is needed. If you are interested, please reach out to us at [email protected]

❄️ 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.

🗺️ Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration

Registration for the countywide lottery for Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. Current pre-K students may apply for the kindergarten immersion program, and current kindergarten students may apply for the first grade immersion program for the 2024-25 school year. 

Dual Language Immersion is available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. 

Parents/caregivers who are interested may want to attend an informational meeting. Meetings are held at the school site. Visit the Dual Language Immersion Program Registration page for a list of meetings by language offered. 

Get more information on the DLI Program webpage and DLI Program Registration webpage.

🖥️ 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 Family Academy Events

You are an important part of your child's education! The FCPS Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. Browse Family Academy offerings.

📍 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 a virtual meeting:

• 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.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News:  In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Dual Language Immersion Lottery Registration
• Be Among the First to Hear About Closings/Delays
• Fall 2024 Sports Champions

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

January 20: Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day

January 21: Club and Candid Photos

January 22: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm

January 28: End of 2nd Quarter

January 29: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

January 31: PTA Movie Night

February 10-14: Kindness Week

February 12: Spelling Bee

February 17: Holiday, Presidents' Day

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

Just a reminder that all FCPS Schools are closed from Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 for Winter Break. School resumes on January 6, 2025.  There is no school for students, and the Floris Main Office will be closed. 

 

⛄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. 

Promoting Mental Wellness During Winter Break

Although mental health indicators have improved over the past year, Fairfax County Youth Survey (FCYS) data suggest that more than 25% of students in 8th to 12th grade feel sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more in a row. The holidays can be a time to reduce stress, but they can also contribute to it. Here are some tips for making winter break a positive time for the young people in your life.

Have a wonderful Winter Break!!!

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

 

In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• Winter Break Closure
• Winter Weather
• Winter Resources Available
• Winter Special Education and 504 Newsletter
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

Principals' Message

Dear Floris Families,

This week has been filled with fun and festive activities, and our staff and students have truly enjoyed all the celebrations and class parties. We hope your child is coming home excited and sharing the joy with you at home!
As we approach the winter break, we encourage you to enjoy some quality time with your child perhaps reading together, playing fun family games, or just relaxing and making memories. We also want to remind you that the school office will be closed for the two-week break.

We wish our entire community a safe and relaxing holiday season and look forward to welcoming your child back to school with open arms in the New Year!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈

 

We’re celebrating the grand reveal of our new library furniture with a virtual ribbon cutting! 🎉 Take a look at the photos and join in the excitement! 

 

Vibrant, modern, fun, and customizable to the room — a great way to upgrade this space. Thank you all again, for participating in the Super Hero Fun Run to make this happen! We hope the students enjoy their time in the library and feel proud to see what their efforts brought in. 

Parents, you can come sit at the cool tables during our PTA meetings, too!

 

 

Congratulations to the 5th grade girls team: Aditi K, Aadhira S, Anoushka G, Daniella T, Meera S & Shreeya P ! Their First Lego League team Rainbow Radishes had a very successful showing at the States Competition! They won 3rd place in the Core Values award and were placed 6th in the Robot runs in their division of 54 teams. 

In the Championship rankings they placed 4th in their division and 8th overall among 108 teams.  They now have the opportunity to participate in a world tournament event next year!

 

Head's Up!  In January, Registration for the Spelling Bee and Science Fair will open.

A Science Fair Chair is needed. If you are interested, please reach out to us at [email protected]

❄️ Winter Break Closure❄️

Just a reminder that all FCPS Schools are closed from Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 for Winter Break.

School resumes on January 6, 2025. 

There is no school for students, and the Floris Main Office will be closed.  ❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather❄️

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

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 sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

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.

Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies 🍲 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.

📚 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.

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.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News:  In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Course Selection for Middle and High School Students
• Join Our Teacher Team!
• Comprehensive Boundary Review Updates

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break; No School for Students and Floris Main Office Closed

January 14: Club and Candid Photos

January 20: Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day

January 22: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm

January 28: End of 2nd Quarter

January 29: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

January 31: PTA Movie Night

February 10-14: Kindness Week

February 12: Spelling Bee

February 17: Holiday, Presidents' Day

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• Makeup/Retake Pictures Available Online
• Middle School Start Times
• Winter Break Closure
• Winter Weather
• Winter Resources Available
• Giving Tree Charity
• Advanced Academics Information
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

Principals' Message

Dear Floris Families,

While it's cold outside, we've been filled with warmth and generosity as we kicked off the holiday season here at Floris.  Our Giving Tree is thriving thanks to your kind donations. These gifts will bring joy to families in need within our community. Tomorrow our first graders will show their compassionate hearts by creating snack packs for those less fortunate through their service project.  

We're grateful for your continued support and involvement. Together, we're making a positive impact on our community.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈 Makeup & Retake Images Now Online!

Makeup/Retake Day images are now viewable online.

Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc

• Use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
• For questions regarding school pictures, please email: [email protected]

⏰ 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.

❄️ Winter Break Closure❄️

Just a reminder that all FCPS Schools are closed from Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 for Winter Break.

School resumes on January 6, 2025. 

There is no school for students, and the Floris Main Office will be closed.  ❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather❄️

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

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 sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

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.

Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies 🍲 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.

📚 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.

Floris’ Annual Giving Tree – To Benefit Local Families

As we move towards the holiday season, we are reminded that there are families in need in our community, especially during breaks from school such as winter break.  Floris will once again offer the opportunity to support these families through our Giving Tree.  It is super simple, just sign up to purchase a Target or Walmart gift card and deliver or send to school.    

👉Sign Up Here! 👈

We ask that all gift cards be mailed or dropped off in the office by Dec. 13th.   The school address for mailing cards is:

2708 Centreville Road
Herndon, 20171
attn:  Sarah de Kramer.

If you are or know of a family in need, please email [email protected].   We truly are ONE FLORIS and for that our staff is so grateful!

Advanced Academic Services Information  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 AAP Full-Time Referral Form to  Amy Albanese  [email protected] (Grades 3, 5)  and Katie Pickett [email protected] (Grades 2, 4, 6)   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.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available 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. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Amy Albanese [email protected]  (Grades 3, 5) and Katie Pickett [email protected] (Grades 2, 4, 6)

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News:  In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Family Academy Orientation
• Literacy Resources
• Winter Programs and Activities

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break; No School for Students and Floris Main Office Closed

January 14: Club and Candid Photos

January 20: Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day

January 22: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm

January 28: End of 2nd Quarter

January 29: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

January 31: PTA Movie Night

February 10-14: Kindness Week

February 12: Spelling Bee

February 17: Holiday, Presidents' Day

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

LAST CHANCE To Help with Floris’ Annual Giving Tree

Floris is once again offering the opportunity to support local families through our Giving Tree Program.  It is super simple, just sign up to purchase a Target or Walmart gift card and deliver or send to school.    

👉Sign Up Here! 👈

We ask that all gift cards be mailed or dropped off in the office by Dec. 13th.   The school address for mailing cards is:

2708 Centreville Road Herndon, 20171 attn:  Sarah de Kramer.

If you are or know of a family in need, please email [email protected].   We truly are ONE FLORIS and for that our staff is so grateful!

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• Awesome Things Happening at Floris
• Winter Weather
• Giving Tree Charity
• SEL Screener Results
• Upcoming Webinar on Digital Safety
• Advanced Academics Information
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

Principals' Message

Dear Floris Families,

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! This week, our students returned ready to learn and full of excitement. We had another fantastic week, with many engaging activities. One of the highlights was the return of the "Walk in My Shoes" program, which was a big hit with our students, as well as the First Grade’s Archaeologist Day. Some of our students also had the chance to participate in the Spirit Ball auction experiences with staff, which was a fun and memorable event.

There is so much joy in our building, and the momentum continues to grow. We are excited for all the wonderful activities and experiences your children will be a part of in the coming weeks before the holiday break.

Stay warm and enjoy the rest of your week!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈

• December 13: First Grade Snack Packs (for any donations, please send them by Dec.11 to Mrs. De Kramer).
• All Art submissions for the Reflections Art Contest are due on Friday in the front office.
• Looking for an Early Release Chess Camp on Monday, 12/9? Sign up for Magnus Chess's 3-hour camp from 1-4PM at Floris Elementary. You can ride the bus home at 4PM.

🎉Awesome Things Happening at Floris🎉 Community Service at Floris

On November 22nd our 3rd graders created 200 snack packs for clients of Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter in Reston.  Thanks to the generous donations of 3rd grade parents and the leadership of PTA members, Emily Waite and Katie Sullivan, our students learned first hand about food insecurity in our community and small ways in which we can help.  This will be an ONGOING service project at Floris.  On Dec. 13th our 1st graders will have the opportunity to create the snack packs.  Each month for the remainder of the school year, a different grade will participate.  Parents, be on the look out for a sign-up genius for your student’s grade!

 

The Return of “Walk In My Shoes”

This week, students in grades 4, 5 & 6 participated in the Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) program.  WIMS is an interactive empathy-building program designed to increase our students’ knowledge of various challenges, provide opportunities for perspective-taking, and empower students to include others.  Thank you to all the parent volunteers who came out on Wednesday and Friday to run the program.  We couldn’t have done it without you and our students are so thankful! 

❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather❄️

Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.

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 sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.

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.

Floris’ Annual Giving Tree – To Benefit Local Families

As we move towards the holiday season, we are reminded that there are families in need in our community, especially during breaks from school such as winter break.  Floris will once again offer the opportunity to support these families through our Giving Tree.  It is super simple, just sign up to purchase a Target or Walmart gift card and deliver or send to school.    

👉Sign Up Here! 👈

We ask that all gift cards be mailed or dropped off in the office by Dec. 13th.   The school address for mailing cards is:

2708 Centreville Road
Herndon, 20171
attn:  Sarah de Kramer.

If you are or know of a family in need, please email [email protected].   We truly are ONE FLORIS and for that our staff is so grateful!

Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon

One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices. 

The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.

In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.

Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school. 

Register for ParentVUE

Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.

📝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?

Advanced Academic Services Information  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 AAP Full-Time Referral Form to  Amy Albanese  [email protected] (Grades 3, 5)  and Katie Pickett [email protected] (Grades 2, 4, 6)   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.  Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available 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. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Amy Albanese [email protected]  (Grades 3, 5) and Katie Pickett [email protected] (Grades 2, 4, 6)

Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall. 

For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News:

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Preparing for Winter Weather
• SEL Screener Results
• Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

December 9: 3-hour early release

December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break

January 14: Club and Candid Photos

January 20: Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day

January 28: End of 2nd Quarter

January 29: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

January 31: PTA Movie Night

February 12: Spelling Bee

February 17: Holiday, Presidents' Day

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Chipotle Spirit Night Tonight

Join us tonight, Wednesday, December 4, for Spirit Night at Chipotle!

Come by from 5-9 PM to enjoy dinner with family and friends while supporting the Floris PTA. A portion of the sales will go back to our school, so bring your appetite and school spirit!

 

Please be sure to mention FLORIS when ordering. If you order online, use the code: 9CY29TR

Thank you!!

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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Dear Floris Community,

This is a friendly reminder that we will have an Early Release on Monday, December 9th. Please be sure to mark your calendars!

If there are any updates or changes to how your child will be going home on that day (compared to previous Early Release plans), please notify both your child’s teacher and the front office as soon as possible. If no changes are communicated, we will assume your child will follow the same dismissal plan as the last Early Release on October 28th.

Your timely communication will help ensure a smooth and efficient dismissal process for everyone.

Sincerely,

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Rob Gibbs, Assistant Principal

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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NO EARLY RELEASE TODAY!

Just a reminder that today, Monday, November 25 is a FULL school day. We will NOT be having an early release today. 

The next 3-hour early release will be on Monday, December 9!

Thank you!!

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• Outstanding Employee School Winners
• Upcoming Photo Make Up Day
• Walk in My Shoes
• Floris Recess Bin Donations
• Giving Tree Charity
• Boundary Review
• Advanced Academics Information
• Upcoming Parent Session
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

Principals' Message

Dear Floris Families,

We want to thank all of our families who attended the Thanksgiving Day Lunch today! It was a special day, filled with positive energy and so much joy. Our students, staff, and families had the chance to come together, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate the wonderful community we’ve built.

It was incredible to hear the laughter, see the smiles, and watch our kids connecting with their friends. Your presence and continued engagement in our school make such a difference, and we are grateful for the love and support you bring to our school family.

Thank you again for making this event such a success!

Enjoy the weekend, and we look forward to more moments like these in the future!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the Floris Spirit Ball last Friday. The children had an unforgettable time, and we hope the parents enjoyed the opportunity to connect with fellow community members.

The PTA is deeply grateful for the support and enthusiasm of all the parents and guardians who have participated in events this year. Your involvement not only helps create lasting memories for your students but also has a meaningful impact on their educational experience.

 

First Lego League Winners!

Congratulations to the Floris 5th graders who won the regional First Lego League Division 1 championship at Chantilly High School this past weekend!

The all-girls team of Aditi K, Aadhira S, Anoushka G, Daniella T, Meera S & Shreeya P won 2 awards:  Robot Performance Award ( 2nd place) and the Champions Award ( 1st place). The team "Rainbow Radishes" is headed to the FLL States Tournament at James Madison University on Dec 7th!

Way to go!

  VASO Division B registration is open

Floris students in 6th grade are invited to register for the 2024 Virginia Science Olympiad (VASO) Division B, which holds multiple Spring tournaments typically in mid-February or early-March. FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE.

 

Reflections:

The deadline for entries is Friday, December 6.  Read more information here

🌟Floris Outstanding Employee Winners 🌟

Thank you so much for all of the thoughtful nominations for our fabulous staff!  All of the nomination write ups were put together for a selection committee, which met on Monday morning. The Outstanding Employees from Floris, moving on to compete against other school winners for the Westfield Pyramid, are:

• Outstanding Teacher: Sydney Lynch (1st Grade Teacher)
• Outstanding New Teacher: Jennie Tieff (4th Grade Teacher)
• Outstanding Professional Employee: Willa McGrath (School-Based Technology Specialist)
• Outstanding Operational Employee: Aparajita Mehra (Kindergarten Assistant)
• Outstanding Leader: Robert Gibbs (Assistant Principal)
• Outstanding Principal: Joshua DeSmyter

Every staff member that was nominated received all of the kind words, so that they could feel the love, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive community.  Thank you!

Upcoming Photo Make Up Day on December 4th

You may have noticed in our upcoming dates that our school photographers are coming back on December 4th.  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!

Walk in My Shoes Program: Volunteers Needed!

Floris is once again partnering with “Walk in My Shoes” to bring a special event to all 4th, 5th and 6th graders in December.  Students will participate in hands on learning activities designed to teach students to be respectful and inclusive of all children, especially those with medical, developmental, or learning challenges.  In order for the program to be successful, we need parent volunteers.  Even if your student is not yet in 4th grade, we need you!  Training to run an activity and the related conversation will be provided prior to the event.  It is a lot of fun and easy to do, so please email Sarah de Kramer at [email protected] if you can volunteer.  The schedule is as follows, please let us know if you would like to help on a day or two!!

4th grade – Dec. 6th, 11:00-12:50

5th grade – Dec. 4th, 12:30-2:15

6th grade – Dec. 6th, 9:00-10:35

Please Fill Our Floris Recess Bin!!

Floris has a new recess bin for storage of playground equipment. The equipment is shared by our students and is available during the school day. It will be secured during non-school hours. The problem is….we lack the equipment to share. Thank you to those who have already donated things.  We could really use some more donations of second-hand equipment that can be safely used by our students. We are collecting second-hand equipment to help fill our bin.  The following items (in usable condition) will be accepted:

• Soft or soft-shelled soccer balls
• Nerf footballs
• Frisbees or Frisbee rings
• Basketballs
• Jump ropes
• Playground or kick balls
• Velcro catching mitts and balls

We will be accepting donations in our main lobby and you are welcome to send the equipment to school with your child to be donated. So, please visit those attic spaces and corners of your garage that may contain recess equipment just waiting to be used.

Thank you for considering making a donation to our Floris recess bin.

Floris’ Annual Giving Tree – To Benefit Local Families

As we move towards the holiday season, we are reminded that there are families in need in our community, especially during breaks from school such as winter break.  Floris will once again offer the opportunity to support these families through our Giving Tree.  It is super simple, just sign up to purchase a Target or Walmart gift card and deliver or send to school.    

👉Sign Up Here! 👈

We ask that all gift cards be mailed or dropped off in the office by Dec. 13th.   The school address for mailing cards is:

2708 Centreville Road
Herndon, 20171
attn:  Sarah de Kramer.

If you are or know of a family in need, please email [email protected].   We truly are ONE FLORIS and for that our staff is so grateful!

📍 Boundary Review Community Meeting

Community meetings regarding FCPS’ comprehensive boundary review will take place in each of the division's six regions. You are encouraged to attend the meeting in our region, which will take place on Monday, December 2, 6:30-8 p.m., at Westfield High School Cafeteria.

Please register in advance by clicking on the date. Language interpretation will be available. 

If you are unable to attend on this date, view the full list of meetings on the Comprehensive School Boundary Review webpage.

Advanced Academic Services Information 

Thank you to the families who attended Monday's information session on full-time services screening.  For those that were unable to attend, please find the presentation linked, here on our Floris webpage.

Upcoming Screening Information for Full-Time AAP Services

If you are interested in referring your child for Full-Time AAP services for the 25-26 School Year (Grades 2-6 only), please submit the required Full-Time AAP Referral Form and optional Parent/Guardian Questionnaire to Amy Albanese [email protected]  (Grades 3,5) or Katie Pickett [email protected] (grades 2, 4, 6) by no later than December 15, 2024.

Parent Session With the Clinical Team:

Book discussion and tips for managing technology use at home

You are invited to join us from 12:00-1:00 tomorrow, Friday November 22nd  in room 165 to review recent research on the impact of social media and other technology use on developing minds and to discuss strategies for limiting use. Reading the book is recommended but not required to join this discussion (we have a few copies available to borrow).

Willa McGrath, FCPS technology specialist, will be joining us to provide some practical recommendations on how to protect students from harmful online exposure. Please RSVP to Maggie Seneca, [email protected]. 

Update!! A virtual session will be offered TONIGHT at 7:00pm. Please email Maggie Seneca to get the link for the virtual meeting.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News:

• In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
• Veterans Day Recognitions
• Resources on IEPs, Financial Aid, Literacy, Community Leadership
• Teacher Hiring Event

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

November 27-29: Holiday, Thanksgiving

December 4: Picture Makeup Day

December 9: 3-hour early release

December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break

January 14: Club and Candid Photos

January 20: Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day

January 28: End of 2nd Quarter

January 29: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday

January 31: PTA Movie Night

February 12: Spelling Bee

February 17: Holiday, Presidents' Day

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

Parent Session With the Clinical Team:

Book discussion and tips for managing technology use at home

You are invited to join us from 12:00-1:00 on Friday November 22nd  in room 165 to review recent research on the impact of social media and other technology use on developing minds and to discuss strategies for limiting use. Reading the book is recommended but not required to join this discussion (we have a few copies available to borrow).

Willa McGrath, FCPS technology specialist, will be joining us to provide some practical recommendations on how to protect students from harmful online exposure. Please RSVP to Maggie Seneca, [email protected]. 

Update!! A virtual session will be offered tomorrow,  Thursday, November 21st at 7:00pm. Please email Maggie Seneca to get the link for the virtual meeting.

We look forward to meeting with you!

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• Walk in My Shoes
• Floris Recess Bin Donations
• Giving Tree Charity
• Boundary Review
• IEP Palooza
• Sensory Disabilities
• Tutoring Resources
• Advanced Academics Information
• Upcoming Parent Session
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

Principals' Message

Dear Floris Families,

We hope you’ve all had a wonderful week! We know that November has had its share of inconsistencies with all the days off, but we want to assure you that our teachers have remained consistent in providing engaging and meaningful instruction for your children.

We are so excited to see our community tomorrow evening at the Spirit Ball! It’s been so much fun seeing the participation throughout Spirit Week as students and teachers dressed up and had a blast together. We appreciate the enthusiasm and spirit that everyone has brought to this week.

And, back by popular demand, we are already gearing up for our Thanksgiving Day lunch on November 21st! We can’t wait to connect with families and see all the smiling faces as we celebrate together. This event will be a great way to bring positive momentum into the upcoming holiday break.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We’re looking forward to all the upcoming events and celebrations as we finish out November strong!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈

 

Third Grade: Snack Pack Service Project is November 22.

👉Sign-up here to donate items.👈

  Get ready for the Spirit Ball!

Thank you to everyone who registered for Spirit Ball. We are looking forward to a great evening on Friday!

REGISTER HERE!

(While this event is FREE, due to capacity limits, we need attendees to register)

WHEN: Tomorrow, Friday, November 15, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

WHERE: Floris Cafeteria and Gym, Enter via Door 6

WHO: All are welcome to the K-6 Spirit Ball!

DJ, Dancing, Pizza, Bakesale, Silent Raffle, Photo Booth, Silent Auction, Merchandise Sale, Class Poster Contest, Spirit Wear Contests and More!

 

 

TONIGHT, November 14th, is Spirit Night at the Chick-fil-A!

Come by from 5-8 pm to enjoy dinner with family and friends while supporting the Floris PTA. A portion of the sales will go back to our school, so bring your appetite and school spirit!

Walk in My Shoes Program: Volunteers Needed!

Floris is once again partnering with “Walk in My Shoes” to bring a special event to all 4th, 5th and 6th graders in December.  Students will participate in hands on learning activities designed to teach students to be respectful and inclusive of all children, especially those with medical, developmental, or learning challenges.  In order for the program to be successful, we need parent volunteers.  Even if your student is not yet in 4th grade, we need you!  Training to run an activity and the related conversation will be provided prior to the event.  It is a lot of fun and easy to do, so please email Sarah de Kramer at [email protected] if you can volunteer.  The schedule is as follows, please let us know if you would like to help on a day or two!!

4th grade – Dec. 6th, 11:00-12:50

5th grade – Dec. 4th, 12:30-2:15

6th grade – Dec. 6th, 9:00-10:35

Please Fill Our Floris Recess Bin!!

Floris has a new recess bin for storage of playground equipment. The equipment is shared by our students and is available during the school day. It will be secured during non-school hours. The problem is….we lack the equipment to share. Thank you to those who have already donated things.  We could really use some more donations of second-hand equipment that can be safely used by our students. We are collecting second-hand equipment to help fill our bin.  The following items (in usable condition) will be accepted:

• Soft or soft-shelled soccer balls
• Nerf footballs
• Frisbees or Frisbee rings
• Basketballs
• Jump ropes
• Playground or kick balls
• Velcro catching mitts and balls

We will be accepting donations in our main lobby and you are welcome to send the equipment to school with your child to be donated. So, please visit those attic spaces and corners of your garage that may contain recess equipment just waiting to be used.

Thank you for considering making a donation to our Floris recess bin.

Floris’ Annual Giving Tree – To Benefit Local Families

As we move towards the holiday season, we are reminded that there are families in need in our community, especially during breaks from school such as winter break.  Floris will once again offer the opportunity to support these families through our Giving Tree.  It is super simple, just sign up to purchase a Target or Walmart gift card and deliver or send to school.    

👉Sign Up Here! 👈

We ask that all gift cards be mailed or dropped off in the office by Dec. 13th.   The school address for mailing cards is:

2708 Centreville Road
Herndon, 20171
attn:  Sarah de Kramer.

If you are or know of a family in need, please email [email protected].   We truly are ONE FLORIS and for that our staff is so grateful!

📍 Boundary Review Community Meetings Start This Month

As a reminder, FCPS has started the process of reviewing school boundaries across the division. This important work will help the district better support student population growth, changes in school capacity, and evolving community needs. Community input is vital to this process. With that in mind, FCPS, in partnership with Thru Consulting, will be hosting a series of community meetings in each of FCPS’ six regions. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and learn more about the boundary review process.

Please visit FCPS’ website for meeting dates, locations, and other information. Sign up for the School Boundary Review newsletter for updates.

IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair

• Parents/caregivers, school staff, and students over the age of 14 are invited to attend an interactive event celebrating the individualized education program (IEP) process. The IEP Palooza and Community Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. 

The event is sponsored by Fairfax County Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA). Activities include simulated IEP meetings, break-out sessions on the various parts of an IEP, and a resource fair to learn more about community supports. Register in advance.

Services for Hearing-Impaired and Visually-Impaired Students

Students with sensory disabilities require specialized services and support to access instruction that is typically presented visually and auditorily (by means of hearing). FCPS provides educational services to students who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or visually impaired. They are supported in various settings, including at their school or through itinerant specialists who travel to different schools to work with students, rather than being based in a single school. Learn more about Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Services for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired.

Visit the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) website for Resources for Serving Students with Sensory Disabilities.

Tutoring Resources for Families

Is your family looking for resources to help support your child’s academic success? FCPS’ Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of district employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to be hired as a tutor by parents. FRC maintains this list, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with tutors. This list is not “approved” by FCPS and is only meant as a resource.

FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.

✨ FCPS’ 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 3: Academic Growth and Excellence, reminds us of our commitment to supporting each and every student and helping them meet or exceed high academic standards.

Advanced Academic Services Information 

Thank you to the families who attended our information session on September 30th.  For those that were unable to attend, please find the presentation linked, here on our Floris webpage.

Upcoming Screening Information for Full-Time AAP Services

If you are interested in referring your child for Full-Time AAP services for the 25-26 School Year (Grades 2-6 only), please submit the required Full-Time AAP Referral Form and optional Parent/Guardian Questionnaire to Amy Albanese [email protected]  (Grades 3,5) or Katie Pickett [email protected] (grades 2, 4, 6) by no later than December 15, 2024.

For families interested in learning more about the screening process for full-time advanced academics, we will be hosting an information session about this process on Monday, November 18th at 6PM. 

• This information session will be virtual and can be accessed via this Zoom link.

Parent Session With the Clinical Team:

Book discussion and tips for managing technology use at home

You are invited to join us from 12:00-1:00 on Friday November 22nd to review recent research on the impact of social media and other technology use on developing minds and to discuss strategies for limiting use. Reading the book is recommended but not required to join this discussion (we have a few copies available to borrow).

Willa McGrath, FCPS technology specialist, will be joining us to provide some practical recommendations on how to protect students from harmful online exposure. All are welcome, Please RSVP to Maggie Seneca, [email protected].

 

Update!! A virtual session will be offered Thursday, November 21st at 7:00pm. Please email Maggie Seneca to get the link for the virtual meeting.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News:  In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Fall Testing Results
• Boundary Review Community Meetings
• Resources for Families 

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today. 

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

November 15: PTA Spirit Ball

November 20: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm

November 21: Thanksgiving Lunch

November 27-29: Holiday, Thanksgiving

December 4: Picture Makeup Day

December 9: 3-hour early release

December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

Reminder!

Don't forget: the Spirit Ball is on Friday, so we're kicking things off TOMORROW, with a spirited week here at Floris!  Take a peek:

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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  There's Still Time to Nominate Some of Our Amazing Floris Staff Members for Employee Awards!

To submit a nomination for a Floris Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form. You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Please note that if your nominee is selected to represent Floris ES, you will be asked to complete the Nomination Packet. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards and the eligibility requirements are below. 

Outstanding Teacher  
Eligibility: Has at least three years of experience as a teacher (in any school/school district).

Outstanding New Teacher
Eligibility: Within their first three years of being a teacher (in any school/school district).

Outstanding Professional Employee  
Eligibility: At least one year experience in current position as a Schedule-B employee or other non-instructional employee in a school that supports school leadership
Common positions in this category: School Counselor, School-Based Technology Specialist, Technology Support Specialist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Resource Teachers that serve in an administrative role in a school

Outstanding Operational Employee
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in current position as Schedule-A or Classroom Instructional Support Scale employee
Common positions in this category: Administrative and Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Food Service Staff, IA, PHA, PHTA

Outstanding Leader
Eligibility: At least one year of experience in their current position as a Schedule-C or School-Based Administrator scale employee (that is not the building principal)
Common positions in this category: Assistant Principals

Outstanding Principal
Eligibility: Has at least three years of being a building principal (in any school/school district).

Please Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 12.

If you have any questions, please contact Willa McGrath at [email protected]

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• Spirit Week Next Week
• Outstanding Employee Award Nominations
• Last Chance to Honor Your Hero
• Walk in My Shoes
• Giving Tree Charity
• Impact Aid 
• Advanced Academics Information
• Upcoming Parent Session
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

Principals' Message

Dear Floris Families,

Thank you to everyone who attended today's Veterans Day concert. It was truly a special event, and it was wonderful to see our community come together to honor and celebrate this important day. Your support and participation made the event even more meaningful. Remember, that we do not have school Monday, in observance of Veterans Day. 

It’s been another amazing week here at Floris, and we couldn’t be more proud of how quickly our students have settled back into the swing of things. There have been so many smiling faces and engaged learners in every classroom, and it's clear that our students are excited to back at school.

We look forward to all that the coming weeks will bring!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈

 

Third Grade: Snack Pack Service Project is November 22.

👉Sign-up here to donate items.👈

  Get ready for the Spirit Ball!

REGISTER HERE!

(While this event is FREE, due to capacity limits, we need attendees to register)

WHEN: Friday, November 15, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

WHERE: Floris Cafeteria and Gym, Enter via Door 6

WHO: All are welcome to the K-6 Spirit Ball!

DJ, Dancing, Pizza, Bakesale, Silent Raffle, Photo Booth, Silent Auction, Merchandise Sale, Class Poster Contest, Spirit Wear Contests and More!

 

 

Next Thursday, November 14th, is Spirit Night at the Chick-fil-A!

Come by from 5-8 pm to enjoy dinner with family and friends while supporting the Floris PTA. A portion of the sales will go back to our school, so bring your appetite and school spirit!

Spirit Week Next Week! 🥳Nominations are now open for the 2024-2025 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!🥳

To submit a nomination for a Floris Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form. You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Please note that if your nominee is selected to represent Floris ES, you will be asked to complete the Nomination Packet. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards.

• Outstanding Teacher
• Outstanding New Teacher
• Outstanding Professional Employee
• Outstanding Operational Employee
• Outstanding Leader 
• Outstanding Principal

Please Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 12.

If you have any questions, please contact Willa McGrath at [email protected]

Last Chance to Honor Your Hero!

If you have a friend or family member that your student would like to include on our Veteran’s Day “Hero Wall” (outside the cafeteria), please complete the below flyer and send to Sarah de Kramer, [email protected]. 

Walk in My Shoes Program: Volunteers Needed!

Floris is once again partnering with “Walk in My Shoes” to bring a special event to all 4th, 5th and 6th graders in December.  Students will participate in hands on learning activities designed to teach students to be respectful and inclusive of all children, especially those with medical, developmental, or learning challenges.  In order for the program to be successful, we need parent volunteers.  Even if your student is not yet in 4th grade, we need you!  Training to run an activity and the related conversation will be provided prior to the event.  It is a lot of fun and easy to do, so please email Sarah de Kramer at [email protected] if you can volunteer.  The schedule is as follows, please let us know if you would like to help on a day or two!!

4th grade – Dec. 6th, 11:00-12:50

5th grade – Dec. 4th, 12:30-2:15

6th grade – Dec. 6th, 9:00-10:35

Floris’ Annual Giving Tree – To Benefit Local Families

As we move towards the holiday season, we are reminded that there are families in need in our community, especially during breaks from school such as winter break.  Floris will once again offer the opportunity to support these families through our Giving Tree.  It is super simple, just sign up to purchase a Target or Walmart gift card and deliver or send to school.    

👉Sign Up Here! 👈

We ask that all gift cards be mailed or dropped off in the office by Dec. 13th.   The school address for mailing cards is:

2708 Centreville Road
Herndon, 20171
attn:  Sarah de Kramer.

If you are or know of a family in need, please email [email protected].   We truly are ONE FLORIS and for that our staff is so grateful!

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.  

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Advanced Academic Services Information 

Thank you to the families who attended our information session on September 30th.  For those that were unable to attend, please find the presentation linked, here on our Floris webpage.

Upcoming Screening Information for Full-Time AAP Services

If you are interested in referring your child for Full-Time AAP services for the 25-26 School Year (Grades 2-6 only), please submit the required Full-Time AAP Referral Form and optional Parent/Guardian Questionnaire to Amy Albanese [email protected]  (Grades 3,5) or Katie Pickett [email protected] (grades 2, 4, 6) by no later than December 15, 2024.

For families interested in learning more about the screening process for full-time advanced academics, we will be hosting an information session about this process on Monday, November 18th at 6PM. 

• This information session will be virtual and can be accessed via this Zoom link.

Parent Session With the Clinical Team:

Book discussion and tips for managing technology use at home

You are invited to join us from 12:00-1:00 on Friday November 22nd to review recent research on the impact of social media and other technology use on developing minds and to discuss strategies for limiting use. Reading the book is recommended but not required to join this discussion (we have a few copies available to borrow).

Willa McGrath, FCPS technology specialist, will be joining us to provide some practical recommendations on how to protect students from harmful online exposure. Please RSVP to Maggie Seneca, [email protected]. If there is enough interest, an evening session will be offered on Thursday November 21st at 7:00 p.m.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News: In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Calendar Reminders
• Resources for Families 
• Complete Impact Aid Survey

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.  

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

November 11: Holiday, Veterans' Day

November 15: PTA Spirit Ball

November 20: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm

November 21: Thanksgiving Lunch

November 27-29: Holiday, Thanksgiving

December 4: Picture Makeup Day

December 9: 3-hour early release

December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

In This Message: 

• Principals' Message
• PTA News and Announcements
• Outstanding Employee Award Nominations
• Walk in My Shoes
• Westfield Theatre Workshop on Nov. 1
• Impact Aid 
• Advanced Academics Information
• Upcoming Parent Session
• District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
• Upcoming Dates   

Principals' Message

Hello Floris Families,

Thank you for showing up and participating in our PTA Trunk or Treat night! We had an amazing turnout, and it was wonderful to see so many families come together. A big thank you also to everyone who joined us for our Harvest Parade today. We’re grateful for the beautiful weather, which made the day even more special for our staff and students—they had a blast!

As a reminder, there will be no school tomorrow due to a cultural observance, no school on Monday for staff development, and no school on Tuesday for a teacher workday.

But don’t worry, we’ll be back in school on November 6th—mark your calendars! Just think of it as a mini vacation... and you can use the extra time to practice your best “I miss school” face for when we return!

Enjoy your weekend, and we appreciate each and every one of you!

Thank you, 

Joshua DeSmyter, Principal

Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal

PTA News and Announcements 👉Join the PTA! 👈

 

Get ready for the Spirit Ball!

REGISTER HERE!

(While this event is FREE, due to capacity limits, we need attendees to register)

WHEN: Friday, November 15, 6:30 - 8:00 PM

WHERE: Floris Cafeteria and Gym, Enter via Door 6

WHO: All are welcome to the K-6 Spirit Ball!

DJ, Dancing, Pizza, Bakesale, Silent Raffle, Photo Booth, Silent Auction, Merchandise Sale, Class Poster Contest, Spirit Wear Contests and More!

 

🥳Nominations are now open for the 2024-2025 FCPS Outstanding Employee Awards!🥳

To submit a nomination for a Floris Elementary Outstanding Employee in one of the categories below, please complete the nomination through this Google form. You may nominate an employee in one or more categories. All that is required for a preliminary nomination is a paragraph or two about how this employee demonstrates exceptional work in the criteria for that category. Please note that if your nominee is selected to represent Floris ES, you will be asked to complete the Nomination Packet. The google form link has more information regarding the criteria for each of these awards.

• Outstanding Teacher
• Outstanding New Teacher
• Outstanding Professional Employee
• Outstanding Operational Employee
• Outstanding Leader 
• Outstanding Principal

Please Note: The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, November 12.

If you have any questions, please contact Willa McGrath at [email protected]

Walk in My Shoes Program: Volunteers Needed!

Floris is once again partnering with “Walk in My Shoes” to bring a special event to all 4th, 5th and 6th graders in December.  Students will participate in hands on learning activities designed to teach students to be respectful and inclusive of all children, especially those with medical, developmental, or learning challenges.  In order for the program to be successful, we need parent volunteers.  Even if your student is not yet in 4th grade, we need you!  Training to run an activity and the related conversation will be provided prior to the event.  It is a lot of fun and easy to do, so please email Sarah de Kramer at [email protected] if you can volunteer.  The schedule is as follows, please let us know if you would like to help on a day or two!!

4th grade – Dec. 6th, 11:00-12:50

5th grade – Dec. 4th, 12:30-2:15

6th grade – Dec. 6th, 9:00-10:35

Westfield Theatre Workshop

Westfield Theatre is offering a FREE workshop on Friday, November 1st at Westfield HS from 10am-12pm!

Students in 4th-8th grades can join us for fun theatre games, snacks and a backstage tour. Space is limited - click here to register!

Return Your Federal Impact Aid Survey

FCPS is asking all families to fill out a Federal Impact Aid Survey. The form is available online in SIS ParentVUE. If you have not already filled out the form online, we will provide paper forms in November. Please be sure to return them by Friday, November 17. 

Completing this form for each school-aged child in every household is important, because information from this survey resulted in more than $4 million in funding last year from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are used to support all Fairfax County public schools and centers.

Please watch this video and visit the Federal Impact Aid Survey page for more information.  

Need to Register for ParentVUE? 

Learn how to activate your SIS ParentVUE account, so you can easily submit your survey. 

Technical support for using ParentVUE or completing the survey online is available by submitting a Parent Support Request ticket. Select SISParent in the Application dropdown menu and type Federal Impact Aid Survey under Issue Description. Or, call the Parent Technology Help Desk at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS).

Advanced Academic Services Information 

Thank you to the families who attended our information session on September 30th.  For those that were unable to attend, please find the presentation linked, here on our Floris webpage.

Upcoming Screening Information for Full-Time AAP Services

If you are interested in referring your child for Full-Time AAP services for the 25-26 School Year (Grades 2-6 only), please submit the required Full-Time AAP Referral Form and optional Parent/Guardian Questionnaire to Amy Albanese [email protected]  (Grades 3,5) or Katie Pickett [email protected] (grades 2, 4, 6) by no later than December 15, 2024.

For families interested in learning more about the screening process for full-time advanced academics, we will be hosting an information session about this process on Monday, November 18th at 6PM. 

• This information session will be virtual and can be accessed via this Zoom link.

Parent Session With the Clinical Team:

Book discussion and tips for managing technology use at home

You are invited to join us from 12:00-1:00 on Friday November 22nd to review recent research on the impact of social media and other technology use on developing minds and to discuss strategies for limiting use. Reading the book is recommended but not required to join this discussion (we have a few copies available to borrow).

Willa McGrath, FCPS technology specialist, will be joining us to provide some practical recommendations on how to protect students from harmful online exposure. Please RSVP to Maggie Seneca, [email protected]. If there is enough interest, an evening session will be offered on Thursday November 21st at 7:00 p.m.

District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)

FCPS News

In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:

• Federal Impact Aid Survey
• Football Players Tackle Literacy
• Tips to Keep Children Safe

Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.

Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year 

November 1: Holiday, Diwali-  All FCPS schools and offices closed

November 4-5: No School for Students, School Planning Day and Teacher Workday

November 11: Holiday, Veterans' Day

November 15: PTA Spirit Ball

November 20: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm

November 21: Thanksgiving Lunch

November 27-29: Holiday, Thanksgiving

December 4: Picture Makeup Day

December 9: 3-hour early release

December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break

Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook

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

  Two-Hour Early Dismissal 

Today, Thursday, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter, and a two-hour early release for students.

 

Floris Dismissal Time is 2:00pm today. 

 

Friday, November 1, is a holiday this year for Diwali and Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day. All schools and offices will be closed.

Schools are closed for students on Monday, November 4, for a school planning day, and Tuesday, November 5, for a teacher workday.

🗓️See the complete school year calendar.🗓️

We look forward to seeing everyone back on Wednesday, November 6th!

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
Attendance: 703-561-2929 | Web | Twitter | Facebook