|
Thank you to Floris Brownie Troop for the awesome inspirational sign for our Outdoor Classroom!
Dear Floris Families,
Every fall, the new school year brings fresh energy, questions, ponderings, and questions. Please remember Ms. Dorr and I have open door policies and are available via email or phone call. We love working with our parents and families, and look forward to hearing from you.
As the year swings into full gear, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Back to School Night for Kindergarten Parents
Please plan to attend our Back-to-School Night from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10th.
Please keep in mind that these evenings are for adults, and we respectfully request that you pre-arrange a babysitter for your child so that you can give full attention to the important information being shared by your child’s teacher.
Birthday Treat Policy
In collaboration with surrounding schools in the Westfield Pyramid, Floris has a non-edible birthday treat policy. As an educational setting, we strive to encourage healthful ways of living throughout every moment of the day. Students develop habits early, and it is our priority to cultivate healthy lifestyles in ways such as encouraging alternative methods to celebrate birthdays. Many times, students choose to share their birthday cheer in one of the ways listed below:
- Donate a book to the class or school library in honor of your child. You may want to arrange to visit your child’s class to read the book aloud to the students.
- Bring in one non-edible treat for each classmate such as a pencil, bookmark, or sticker. Please note, balloons and treat bags are not allowed.
- Nut-free cookies may be ordered from the cafeteria for the class during lunch. Orders must be placed with the cafeteria manager at least two weeks in advance. (Parents of students with health concerns may request a listing of ingredients in the cookies from the cafeteria to determine if they are safe for their child). In addition to promoting healthy alternatives, Floris is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all students. As you know, many children are at risk of having serious reactions to certain foods. These students may feel left out and are possibly even put at risk when a snack is brought into the classroom for everyone to share. Together, parents, families, and the school can keep the environment safe, healthy, and happy for everyone.
Positivity Project
Floris teachers and staff are excited to kick off The Positivity Project here at Floris! The mission of The Positivity Project, also referred to as P2, is to empower students to build strong relationships by understanding, appreciating and living out the 24 core character strengths in us all. Ultimately, we want our students to develop an “Other People Matter Mindset”! In order to do that, students will be focusing in on one of the 24 traits each week. We will be spotlighting that trait in the Floris Friday Message so you can chat about that trait with your child!
To kick off P2, students will be attending a pep rally on Monday afternoon. Students will learn all about The Positivity Project and the Other People Matter mindset! Students will also learn chants and find out what their teacher’s top trait is. Please have your child wear green on Monday to help us kick off this awesome initiative!
This time every year, we are excited about the blank canvas before us as school begins. Throughout the year, we love seeing it filled with learning, innovation, community building, and happiness, and this year will be no different. Here’s to 2019-2020 at Floris, a place where we are all Learning Today… Leading Tomorrow!
Sincerely,
Gail Porter, Principal and Amanda Dorr, Assistant Principal
ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (AAP) ELEMENTARY CONTINUUM OF SERVICES
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) offers a continuum of advanced academic services for all students in Grades K-8. Learning experiences are designed to develop higher-level thinking through enrichment, acceleration, and extension of the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs). Teachers, administrators, and Advanced Academic Resource Teachers (AARTs) work together to provide the following levels of services. A video showing each level of service in action, as well as information about middle and high school services, are available at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics.
-
Critical and Creative Thinking Lessons, Grades K-6 (Level I)
Level I services are provided to all students in Kindergarten through Grade 6. Level I services includes teaching students to use critical and creative thinking skills to process content. It also includes periodic opportunities to use advanced academic curriculum throughout the year. Student responses to these lessons are used as part of the identification process for Levels II-IV. Parents may practice the nine strategies during family conversations and activities. Descriptions and videos of the nine critical and creative thinking strategies can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/academics/elementary-school-academics-k-6/advanced-academics/critical-and-creative-thinking.
Because Level I services are for all FCPS students, there is not a screening process.
-
Differentiated Lessons in Areas of Academic Strength, Grades K-6 (Level II)
Level II services are available for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 for students with strength in a specific subject area. The AART collaborates with classroom teachers to provide additional challenges using materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV to extend and enrich in the subject area strength. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. Multiple criteria are used to screen for this level of service and decisions are made at the local school level.
To have your student screened for Level II services, complete the AAP School-Based Referral Form available at https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/AAPSchoolBasedServicesReferralForm_0.pdf.
-
Part-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-6 (Level III)
Level III services are available for students in Grades 3-6 who are eligible for part-time direct services from the AART. Students are identified by a screening committee at the local school. The AART uses materials from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV in the four core subject areas through either a weekly pull-out class or weekly co-teaching model with the classroom teacher. Screening for this level of service is ongoing throughout the school year. Multiple criteria are used to screen for this level of service and decisions are made at the local school level.
To have your student screened for Level III services, complete the AAP School-Based Referral Form available on the Forms page: https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893
-
Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs, Grades 3-8 (Level IV)
Level IV services are available for students in Grades 3-8 who are found eligible through a central selection process. Eligible students use curriculum from the AAP Curriculum Framework for Levels II-IV in the four academic subject areas on a full-time basis.
Multiple criteria are reviewed to determine eligibility for all FCPS advanced academic services. The countywide central selection committee determines eligibility for full-time AAP Level IV placement.
Screening for Level IV services occurs during specific screening cycles:
- Fall screening is held for students who are new to FCPS and have been referred
- Spring screening is held for any FCPS-enrolled student who has been referred
Due to the volume of files screened centrally for Level IV services, deadlines are strictly held.
- A referral form may be turned in from the first day of school until the published deadline.
- The referral deadline is October 10, 2019 for students who are new to FCPS and January 9, 2020 for students who are not new to FCPS this school year.
- The referral form is available on the Forms page: https://www.fcps.edu/node/38893
Additional information about the holistic screening process and information used for screening can be found at https://www.fcps.edu/registration/advanced-academics-identification-and-placement/current-fcps-students.
Middle and High School AAP
Additional information about middle and high school services may be found on the Advanced Academic Programs web page:
Elementary Parent Information Meeting
A parent information meeting will be held at Floris Elementary on October 3 at 6PM in the Cafeteria. The AART will provide information about levels of service and examples at Floris ES, as well as explain and answer questions about the screening processes for part-time school-based and full-time Level IV services.
Ability Testing
In the fall, the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) is administered to all FCPS first grade students and the CogAT- Custom Form is administered to all FCPS second grade students. During the fall testing cycle, the NNAT and/or Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) may be administered to students in Grades 3-6 who do not have an ability test score.
Parents or guardians may exercise a one-time retest option during the fall testing cycle. Please contact Amy Albanese, AART no later than September 15, to request a one-time retest for either the NNAT or CogAT.
Please do not wait for test scores before submitting a referral for your student in Grades 2-7 as there will be no referrals for Level IV screening accepted past the January 9, 2020 deadline. If you are waiting for test scores and would like your student screened for Level IV, please submit the referral by the published deadline (even if you have not received the test scores for your student).
The following is sent from & reflects the views of the Floris PTA
PTA News and Upcoming Events
Join Our Mailing List! Stay on top of news and events from your Floris PTA.
Join PTA! Sign up now. Welcome to the Floris PTA!
Are you a Friend of Floris?
Friends of Floris is a single, straight-donation fundraiser operated solely by the PTA. Donation starting at $80 per student or $150for families with 2 or more. Benefits include two free memberships to the PTA and a front row seat to the exciting activities that happen all yearlong. Any donation of $250 and above includes those items, and I’ll add a FREE 2019-2020 yearbook. The class with the highest contributions wins a pizza party! DONATE TODAY!
Do you have Box Tops?
The Box Top Store is BACK! September 19th is the first store for the school year!!!
Bring your box tops to school on Thursday, Sept. 19th and shop the Box Tops Store in the cafeteria during lunch time. The store will have all types of goodies for you to “purchase” with box tops. We will have toys, stickers, pens, pencils and more! We have something for you, even if you have just one box top. Find a list of participating products on the box top website.
The store will return every Third Thursday DURING lunch periods. Students must bring the box tops with them to lunch and based off the amount they possess they can make a “purchase.” NO CURRENCY IS NEEDED.
FALL ENRICHMENT IS OPEN!
Registration for Fall 2019 Enrichment Programs sponsored by our PTA begins on 8/27/19 at 8am. Don’t miss out on these great classes that will fill up FAST! This year is filled with exciting and fun activities; such as robotics, kickball, cartooning, zumba and much more. Registration closes on 9/9/19 at Midnight. Class will begin September 24th. Learn more on our website.
PLEASE NOTE: Girls on the Run will take place in the Spring for the 2019-2020SY. Thank you!
Spirit Wear Store is now OPEN
Don’t delay, order your Eagles wear today! Check out our online spirit wear store open now until October 6th at midnight (MDT)! No late orders will be accepted. Show your Floris Pride. Checkout the Store.
Helping Hands – Thursday, September 12th9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Looking for ways to help your teacher? Please join us on Sept.12th 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, September 17th6 p.m.
You are invited to attend our first PTA meeting of the school year on Tuesday, September 17th at 6 p.m. in the Cafeteria. Most meetings will beheld on the third Wednesday of the month. Check out the full schedule on our website. PTA leadership and Floris administrative leadership will be present to answer your questions. Learn more about how we organize student enrichment programs, foster a strong community, and support our Floris teachers and staff. And learn how you can get involved in making a difference! Now is a great time to Join PTA!
Volunteers Needed – PTA Committees & 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 to 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!
Harris Teeter – Together in Education
(You have to register your card every school year!!)
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.
|
