 Floris students working safe and smart!!!
Dear Floris Families
We wanted to share with you some information regarding new games and social media challenges that can be harmful to those who participate...
In Fairfax County schools, county agencies and families are working together to create an environment where children and youth can safely learn, work, and play. We are sending this communication to alert you to a recent rise in new games and social media challenges that encourage young people to participate in harmful behavior.
One example of this is a potentially harmful game called the “Momo Challenge" that has reportedly been posted on different social media platforms to include WhatsApp and assigns players a series of progressively more intense tasks, to include self-harm. It is important to note that the Momo Challenge is a hoax that has received a significant amount of media attention.
This hoax has been seen across the United States in recent months, targeting primarily elementary aged children. Vigilant parents and guardians in Fairfax County have also reported seeing information about the Momo Challenge or similar games on their children's phones and have alerted school authorities.
Please talk to your child about this type of internet hoax, and check his or her phone or other device for signs of an app or communications with anyone telling them to do specific tasks. This provides an excellent opportunity to remind your child of best practices for internet safety and digital citizenship:
- Remind your child information shared on social media is not always true and how quickly misinformation can create a panic online.
- Children should never engage in conversations with strangers online.
- Be aware of the sites and apps your children are using and know their usernames and passwords.
- Turn off suggested autoplay on videos to stop children from viewing content they have not selected, and you have not approved.
- If appropriate, tell your children that Momo is not real and will not hurt them.
- Encourage open dialogue with them around any concerns.
FCPS has additional resources available on this website: https://www.fcps.edu/node/32086. If you have concerns about your child, please contact your school counselor. Please be aware that a number of mental health resources are available, including Fairfax County Public School resources: School Counseling Services at 571-423- 4420, School Psychology Services at 571-423-4250, and School Social Work Services at 571-423-4300 and Fairfax County resources: Crisis Link Hotline at 703-527-4077, Merrifield Emergency Services 703-573-5679 (available 24/7) or Entry and Referral during business hours at 703-383-8500. The Fairfax County Police Department non-emergency number is 703-691-2131.
More information about the Momo Challenge and other internet challenges or hoaxes is available at these links:
We hope this information is helpful. Have a wonderful week!
Sincerely,
Gail Porter, Principal and Amanda Dorr, Interim Assistant Principal
 Floris Odyssey of the Mind teams did outstanding in the league competition!
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.
Kindergarten Orientation & Registration
Help us spread the word that KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION & REGISTRATION will take place Friday, April 5th beginning at 10:00 AM in the Floris cafeteria. For the first time, we are offering families the opportunity to register on this day. We look forward to meeting our future young scholars and their families.
Rising 6th Grader? Immunization Requirement
Will your child be a sixth grader next year? If so, they most likely will need a booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis). Sixth grade students cannot begin school in August without documentation of having had the Tdap booster. Parents or guardians of current fifth graders, please check your child’s immunization records and make arrangements with your doctor for the immunization. Documentation confirming receipt of the vaccination must be turned into the office.
Your Views and Opinions Are Important to Us!
This spring all Floris Elementary School parents will be contacted through email or text message with a link to the FCPS Principal Evaluation Parent/Guardian Feedback Form Online. This survey is part of the Performance Evaluation Program and offers parents an opportunity to provide anonymous input about various issues related to our school. These issues include instructional leadership, school climate, human resources management, organizational management, communication and community relations and professionalism.
The survey will be collected online between March 13 and March 27. When you receive an email or text message from FCPS Surveys, please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your opinions matter.
SAVE THE DATE: “Supporting Kids in a Digital World”
On Tuesday, March 26th, 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.
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!
2019 SOL Testing Schedule
Students in grades 3-6 in our school will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests from May 7th to June 1st. 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
Click here… https://florises.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/inline-files/SOL%20testing%20schedule.pdf to access the Floris 2018-2019 Testing Schedule.
The following is sent from & reflects the views of the Floris PTA
PTA News and Upcoming Events
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Join PTA! Sign up now. Welcome to the Floris PTA!
PTA Membership Meeting – Wednesday, March 20th
You are invited to attend our next PTA meeting on Wednesday, March 20th 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!
Floris PTA Box Top Store – Thursday, March 21st
Bring your box tops to school on Thursday, March 21st and shop the Box Top Store in the cafeteria during lunch time. Floris PTA will have all types of goodies for you to "purchase" with box tops. We will have toys, stickers, pens, pencils and more! Don't worry if you don't have enough box tops right now. The store will return next month! Find collections sheets and a list of participating products.
Silver Knights Chess Tournament – Saturday, March 23rd 1 – 5 p.m.
Silver Knights Enrichment will be hosting a chess tournament at Floris ES on Saturday, March 23rd 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!
Helping Hands – Thursday, April 11th 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!
Westfield HS PTSA Mulch Fundraiser – Place Orders by April 12th
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
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