Floris Friday Message

Floris Green Team works with Farmer Patrick from Frying Pan Park!

Dear Families,

On Wednesday, our Green Team learned about the life cycle of a seed from Patrick McNamera of Frying Pan Park.  The students collected seeds from plants they grew last year at the farm (lettuces, beans, corn and sunflowers).  They will plant these seeds next month under our grow lights in the cafeteria for all to watch!  Eventually, the plants will make their way back to our garden at Frying Pan Park.  We thank Patrick and Frying Pan Park for their support of our Green Team over the past 6 years!

Exciting News! Breakfast is coming to Floris!! It has been proven that when students have breakfast each day, they are better prepared for their classroom responsibilities.  Research also demonstrates that children who eat breakfast perform better in school.  So, beginning March 18, 2019 all students will be offered breakfast for $1.75.  Food and Nutrition Services will have a fully pre-packaged breakfast ready for students to purchase, pick up and carry to their classrooms. The breakfast will be available in the front lobby each morning from 9:00 - 9:15 AM. Students who arrive as walkers or Kiss ‘n Ride will need to come to the front lobby to get their breakfast.

In other news, we again have been highlighted in the Herndon Connection. This time we are highlighted for our fabulous Science Fair. Check-out the article….Floris School Eagles Soar in Science

We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Gail Porter, Principal and Amanda Dorr, Interim Assistant Principal

Kindergarten Registration for 2019-2020 now OPEN

Do you have a rising kindergartener or know someone in the community who will have a child in kindergarten next year? Registration is now open for the 2019-2020 school year. Please contact our registrar, Amanda Armitage, at 703.561.2900, to make an appointment and start the registration process.

SOL Testing Calendar

Students in grades 3-6 in our school will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests from May 7^th to June 1^st. It will be very helpful if you can avoid appointments which may take your child out of school during this time period. To help your child to perform at his or her best, ensure he or she has had a good night’s rest, a healthy breakfast and comes to school with a positive attitude.

The Virginia Board of Education is now allowing elementary school students who fail SOL tests by a narrow margin (scoring between a 375 and 399) to be retested before the end of the year provided parental permission is obtained. In grades 3-6, a student’s performance on the SOL does not impact the student’s grade in the class, nor their academic record. If your child falls in this range, staff members from Floris will be contacting you to see if you believe your student would benefit from a second opportunity to demonstrate proficiency before the end of the school year.

What are the SOLs? Each year, there are annual assessments, commonly known as SOL tests, to provide information on individual student achievement including those with special needs in grades 3-12 in the subjects of math, English, social studies and science. Not every student in every grade will take every test. In 3-6, the tests will vary by grade. 

How can I help my child with the SOLs? The best thing to do with your child is to prepare them for the testing days in a few simple ways:

• Encourage them to be relaxed and calm
• Have a positive attitude yourself
• Ensure they have a good night's sleep and healthy breakfast
• Be on time to school
• Try to avoid appointments that can be rescheduled like check-ups
• Help students remember important items - glasses, medications
• Let them wear comfortable, familiar clothes

Floris Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) 2018-2019 Testing Schedule

SAVE THE DATE: “Supporting Kids in a Digital World”

On Tuesday, March 26^th, from 6:15 to 8:15 PM at Westfield High School, the Westfield Pyramid School Based Technology Specialists will be hosting a community event to help families learn about being safe online, how their online activity affects others and family resources available to help balance a student’s digital life with offline activities.

School Health Room Services Survey

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) employs school health aides and public health nurses who provide school health services to the students in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To determine the quality of these services, a survey has been developed by the FCHD to be shared with all parents or guardians and school staff members who interact with the school health rooms. This may include principals, school counselors, and main office staff members. The survey has been approved for distribution by the FCPS’ Internal Survey Advisory Committee.

Electronic versions of the survey forms may be accessed at:

School Health Services Survey – Parents 2019: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85QGH7C

School Environment: Parent Survey

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is studying how school environments relate to discipline practices in the Division. As part of the study, you will receive a survey from FCPS’ Office of Research and Strategic Improvement (ORSI). The surveys are designed to help FCPS understand your and your child’s thoughts about the school environment and how discipline is approached in their school.

Surveys to parents will be translated into multiple languages and come via eNotify.

Participation is voluntary for you and your child, and all responses will be anonymous.

I encourage you to participate in this important survey to help FCPS understand what is working well and where we can improve.

FCPS Parent Engagement Survey

Fairfax County Public Schools will be conducting a survey to gather information about family engagement in our schools. Relationships are important to us, and your opinion is critical to help us support your engagement in your child’s education. Your feedback will also help us determine how well we are reaching the goals for Caring Culture we have set in our Strategic Plan. Survey translations will be made available, and the survey can be taken on electronic devices, including smartphones.

Survey administration is scheduled for March 24-April 12, 2019, and you will receive more information about how to take the survey in the near future.

We look forward to hearing from you!

All smiles from Floris Green Team members!!

The following is sent from & reflects the views of the Floris PTA

PTA News and Upcoming Events

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Chuck E. Cheese Fundraiser – TONIGHT Friday, March 1^st 3 – 9 p.m. (Snow Date)

Join your Floris ES friends at Chuck E. Cheese tonight, Friday, March 1^st from 3 – 9 p.m. This is our kids’ favorite fundraiser of the year! Just notify the cashier that you are participating in the Floris PTA fundraiser and Chuck E. Cheese will donate up to 20% of sales to support our kids! Read more about it on our website!

Bingo Night – Friday, March 8^th 6 – 8 p.m.

Bingo Night will be Friday, March 8th from 6 – 8 p.m. in the cafeteria. Cards cost $3 for 4 cards or $7 for 12 cards. Pizza, drinks and baked goods will be available for sale. Read all about it on our website. We hope to see you there! As always, we could not have these events without the support of our fabulous volunteers! Please sign up to volunteer!

Helping Hands – Thursday, March 14^th 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Looking for ways to help your teacher? Please join us! We meet once a month from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Green Workroom. Any time you can spare is always appreciated! Read more about it on our website. Sign up now!

PTA Membership Meeting – Wednesday, March 20^th

You are invited to attend our next PTA meeting on Wednesday, March 20^th at 6 p.m. Enjoy free pizza and child care! Check out the full schedule on our website. Now is a great time to Join PTA!

Silver Knights Chess Tournament – Saturday, March 23^rd 1 – 5 p.m.

Silver Knights Enrichment will be hosting a chess tournament at Floris ES on Saturday, March 23^rd from 1 – 5 p.m. The tournament is open to grades K – 8 and to players at every skill level. Read more about it here!

Westfield HS PTSA Mulch Fundraiser – Place Orders by April 12^th

Place your order now for the Mulch Sale at Westfield High School, our feeder school. Each year they quickly sell out of the high-quality, double shredded mulch, and especially their spreading services. They’ll deliver your mulch right to your driveway for only $5 per bag. Spreading services are also available for $2.50 per bag. Place your order online or download and mail in an order form.

Harris Teeter – Together in Education

Harris Teeter's Together in Education program gives schools a chance to earn funds when you link your VIC card and shop Harris Teeter brands. Harris Teeter has donated over $27.4 million to Together in Education schools since 1998! When you shop Harris Teeter brands, a percentage of your purchase is donated to your school. There are NO LIMITS to how much a school can earn. Link your card now online or in the store by mentioning Floris Elementary School PTA or code 5921. Thank you!

Giant – A+ School Rewards

Giant’s A+ School Rewards is an easy way to earn money for Floris! Link your Giant Card by logging in or registering online. Once you are logged into your account, you may select Floris Elementary as your school. This money does not come through the PTA, but goes directly to the school.

Amazon Smile – Earn Money for Floris PTA While You Shop

This is the easiest way to raise money to support our kids! Click the link. Shop on Amazon. Done! Bookmark it and use it for all of your Amazon purchases.

Volunteer – Your Gift to the Floris Community

There are so many opportunities here at Floris to get involved and to support your kids. Learn more about what is happening right now. Sign up for future opportunities.

Message from our PTA President

2708 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171 | Main Office: 703-561-2900
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