 Fourth and Fifth grade teachers enjoy the staff barbecue
Dear Families,
Our sincerest appreciation goes out to one of the hardest working team of teachers in the county! Our teachers are known for providing the highest level of instruction for students, and we know they felt the love from the entire community throughout this Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers were treated to a catered lunch from Zeffirelli Ristorante Italiano, as well as a cook out with an extended lunch time, snacks and treats and a visit from the Fro-Yo Truck. Thank you to the PTA and all the parents who donated items and their time to make this week so special.
On Thursday, Meteorologist Alex Liggitt from ABC 7 WJLA, brought his “Lunch Box Weather” program to Floris Elementary second grade students. He began with a presentation teaching them about why the DC area is a difficult place to forecast, how to measure the weather with a variety of instruments and used his niece Emma to help make a cloud in a bottle. He then took them outside to show them the StormTrak7, the truck they use to broadcast from the field. Thank you Mr. Liggitt for sharing your time and weather expertise with our students. Here is the link to the clip that aired during the 5 o’clock news on Thursday, May 9th… https://wjla.com/weather/lunch-box-weather/lunchbox-weather-at-floris-es-in-herndon-va.
As the year is coming to a close, we have already begun the planning process for next year. Classroom teachers, counselors, resource teachers, and administrators meet to collaboratively to decide the best placements for our students. We spend a considerable amount of time discussing individual needs of each child we serve. We value your input and would like to provide you with the opportunity to share information to help us determine the best learning environment for your child.
If you have information to share regarding your child’s placement, please email Mrs. Porter at Parent_Input@fcps.edu by June 4th. (Note: there is an underscore after ‘Parent’ and before ‘input’.)
Please remember that we do not take requests for specific teachers as we base our decisions on individual student strengths and instructional needs.
As an additional note, please be aware that grade level assignments for staff are sometimes modified due to late enrollments, unforeseen changes and other considerations. Staff assignments are determined at the end of the summer. Staff members have been directed not to give out information about student placement in order to eliminate last minute surprises when changes half to be made due to staffing issues.
We appreciate your input and your support you provide the school. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Gail Porter, Principal and Amanda Dorr, Assistant Principal
 Second graders watching meteorologist Alex Liggitt use a weather measuring tool!
Run for Remembrance!
On Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 8AM, Westfield High School will host a Run for Remembrance in honor of Conor Bouveron (son of Marty Bouveron, Floris School Psychologist and Mike Greiner, Westfield High School English teacher. Use this link for all the details and how to register
http://florispta.org/2019/04/30/run-for-remembrance-2019/
2018-2019 Yearbooks NOW ON SALE!
Order your yearbook today before we sell out. To place an order, click this link… www.ybpay.com. The SCHOOL CODE is: 13275719. Order yours today!
Rising 6th Grader? Immunization Requirement
Will your child be a sixth grader next year? If so, they need a booster dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis). Sixth grade students cannot begin school in August without the school having documentation that they have 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 before your child can start school on August 26th, 2019.
Floris Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) 2018-2019 Testing Schedule
Students in grades 3-6 will be taking the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests beginning May 13th through 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. Click here to see the testing schedule… https://florises.fcps.edu/index.php/announcements/floris-sol-testing-calendar
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
The following is sent from & reflects the views of the Floris PTA
PTA News and Upcoming Events
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PTA Summer Book Swap – Book Collection Ends May 31st
The PTA annual Summer Book Swap is happening NOW! Books are being collected until May 31th and then the book swap cart will visit classrooms the week of June 3rd to 7th. This event is for Kindergarten to 6th grade.
Bring in your gently used books to donate to the swap. Students can bring in 1-5 books. Each book they bring in gets them that many in swapped books. Students can donate as many books as they want but will only be allowed up to 5 books to take home. Please make sure that the books donated are appropriate for grades K-6. No toddler board books.
Swapping Instructions:
- Step 1 – Pick out books to swap
- Step 2 – Fill out the book ticket on the attached flyer (flyers will be available on the box at school also and sent home in Tuesday packets)
- Step 3 – Put ticket and books in a tied plastic bag
- Step 4 – Put tied plastic bag in the box at school
Look for the drop box at school near the front office. The box will be available until May 31th. Please email Pam Mika with any questions.
Helping Hands – Thursday, May 9th 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Looking for ways to help your teacher? Please join us on May 9th from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Green Workroom. This will be our last “Helping Hands” of the school year! Any time you can spare is always appreciated! Read more about it on our website. Sign up now!
PTA Membership Meeting – Tuesday, May 14th 6 p.m.
You are invited to attend our next PTA meeting on Tuesday, May 14th at 6 p.m. Enjoy free pizza and child care! This will be our last PTA meeting of the year!
Run for Remembrance – Saturday, May 19th
Join us at the Run for Remembrance 5K and 1K on Sunday, May 19th at 8 a.m. Westfield High School lost two beloved members in 2015 and 2016. Conor Bouveron, a recent graduate (son of Floris Elementary Psychologist), and English teacher Mike Greiner. A portion of the proceeds raised from the event will be donated to The Ryan Lopynski Big Heart Foundation in memory of Conor and Mike. Check out the details on our website.
Chipotle and Baskin Robbins Spirit Night – Tuesday, May 21th 5-9 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE! Double the Spirit! Double the fun! Both Chipotle and Baskin Robbins will be hosting a Spirit Night on Tuesday, May 21st from 5-9 p.m. Come join us for dinner AND dessert in Franklin Farm Village Shopping Center! Remember to mention you are there for Floris PTA. See you there!
Floris PTA Box Tops Store – Thursday, May 23rd
Bring your box tops to school on Thursday, May 23rd and shop the Box Tops 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! Find collection sheets and a list of participating products on the box top website.
PTA Enrichment Program Survey – Help Us Improve Our Program!
Did your child love one of our before/after school programs? Are you looking for something new and different for before/after school enrichment for your child? Do you have ideas to help us improve our enrichment programs? Let us know! Please complete this survey now to help us plan PTA sponsored enrichment programs for next year!
Volunteers Needed – PTA Committees, Executive Board & Chair Positions
Are you looking for a way to get more involved in Floris PTA? Do you love Floris ES and want to learn more about how you can support your child's education? WE WANT YOU! We are currently recruiting volunteers for our Nominating Committee and our Audit Committee. There will also be several open positions for the 2019-2020 school year. Executive Board Positions: VP of School Affairs, VP of Fundraising, VP of Social Engagement, Communications Secretary. Chair/Organizer Positions: Science Fair, Walk in My Shoes, Spirit Events, Bingo Night, Movie Night, Girls on the Run, Box Tops, Spirit Wear. There are so many great ways to get involved! Which one will you choose? Please email the Nominating Committee to learn more!
Ice Cream Social – Friday, June 7th
SAVE THE DATE! More info coming soon!
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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