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Dear Floris Families,
What a wonderful first week of school for the 2020-2021 school year. Our teachers and students took time in their virtual classes to build relationships and set-up routines and expectations for the school year just as we do at the beginning of each school year. We know there were some connectivity issues this morning and we appreciate the patience and flexibility of our families and staff with these issues.
Please remember that Monday, September 14th is our first Floris Read and Ride. Families will drive up to door one, remain in their cars with face masks on, and have a piece of paper with their child’s name and student ID number ready. The student will tell the staff member which type of book(s) they want and the books will be delivered to the car.
Although virtual learning remains our main focus for all students and staff, we want to remind everyone that there may be some classroom changes when there is shift to an in-person environment. Currently, we don't know exactly what that will look like or when it will happen, but please know that FCPS continues to plan and develop metrics.
We look forward to seeing many of you at Read and Ride on Monday and at the PTA Meeting on Wednesday evening.
Have a great weekend,
Holly Walker and Amanda Dorr
hjwalker@fcps.edu
acdorr@fcps.edu
Student Rights and Responsibilities
Parents and guardians, please review the Student Rights and Responsibilities and related resources at www.fcps.edu/srr.
After reviewing the information, fill out the SR&R Parent Acknowledgement Form using this link below.
The form must be filled out one time per student.
FCPS 2020-21 Parent and/or Guardian SR&R Acknowledgement
Virtual Back to School Nights: Save the Date
Our Back to School Nights (BTSN) will be held virtually on September 22 for Kindergarten-2nd grade and September 24 for 3rd-6th grade. Teachers will provide families with information and be available to answer questions about the curriculum or school year. Two sessions will be held each evening so that families with more than one student can attend the live sessions. Session 1 will be held from 6:30-6:55pm and Session 2 will be held from 7:05-7:30pm. One of the two sessions will be recorded for parents who are unable to attend the live sessions.
Homework
While we are in the distance learning mode, students will not be assigned homework outside of the school day. Children may have work that needs to be completed independently during the school day in Eagle Time or on Mondays. Students should continue to read each night.
Food for Students
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Office of Food and Nutrition Services is offering healthy breakfast and lunches at locations throughout Fairfax County this school year under the USDA National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The goal is to provide every student in FCPS daily access to a healthy breakfast and lunch during this pandemic.
Floris is part of the Bus Route distribution and a bus will be at Floris in the Bus Loop, Monday-Friday, between 8:00-8:10am for families to grab and go breakfast and lunch. Please check out this link for details and additional locations. https://www.fcps.edu/index.php/return-school/food
Attendance
We are required by the State of Virginia to take attendance each school day, Monday through Friday. Classes will have a live morning meeting each day at 9:15am where attendance will be taken. Morning Meeting is an engaging way to start each day, build a strong sense of community, and set your child(ren) up for success socially and academically.
Parents should inform the Floris Front Office of the reason for the absence or late arrival using the Floris Attendance Form or calling the Floris Attendance Line at 703-561-2929. Parents will receive a message from FCPS each day your child is absent or arrives late without notifying the front office.
Parents are asked to notify the Floris Front Office by calling 703-561-2929 if their child participated in independent (asynchronous) learning instead of participating in the live (synchronous), on-line learning. Whole group lessons will be recorded and posted for student access.
We understand that not every student will be able to participate in online instruction at the scheduled time. Our schools will be flexible in recording attendance and absences. We do not want to punish a student for missing an online class due to the extenuating circumstances of virtual learning. We want to partner with our families to ensure the success of each child.
More information about attendance is available online.
AAP (Advanced Academic Programs)
Hello Parents! Please mark your calendar as there will be an AAP information session on Sept 30 at 6:30PM for all parents interested in learning more about Advanced Academic Programs, the levels of service, and the screening and identification process for our AAP programs. A link will be sent as the date approaches.
Also, please be sure to check Mrs. Albanese’s website for updates on AAP programs and optional enrichment ideas for your students. You may also email Mrs. Albanese (Advanced Academics Resource Teacher) with any questions regarding Advanced Academic Programs, abalbanese@fcps.edu .
Tech Support for Families and Students
FCPS has launched a new Parent Technology Help Desk, effective Monday, August 24. The help desk can be reached at 833-921-3277 (833-921-FCPS) and will be answered by staff members between 7:00am and 11:00pm, seven days a week.
Each week we will be spotlighting a staff member or team to show the amazing things that are happening at Floris. For these first few weeks, we will be spotlighting staff who are new to Floris.
Ms. Keefer is entering her 15th year teaching and is so excited to be joining Floris Elementary’s third-grade team. She grew up in Herndon, VA and attended James Madison University receiving both her undergraduate and graduate degrees there. Outside of school, Ms. Keefer enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, following sports, and coaching swimming. She is looking forward to this school year and helping her students SOAR!
Hi, my name is Lydia Petraglia and I am one of the new 3rd grade teachers. This will be my first year teaching and I am so lucky to be spending it at Floris! I grew up in Oakton, VA and am a proud FCPS alumni. I attended college at Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. This school year is going to be different for all of us, but we will get through it and grow together!
Mrs. Toni Tupper, LCSW
I am originally from Southern California and moved to Northern Virginia in 2001. I received my master’s in Social Work from University of Southern California. I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), since 2003. This is my third year at Coates Elementary and my first year at Floris Elementary, but I have worked for Fairfax County Public Schools since 2006. In my spare time I love spending time with my seven-year-old son, husband, family and friends. I enjoy traveling, playing, gardening, reading books, and biking.
I’m very excited to continue working with students and families in the Herndon community. I’m dedicated to all student’s growth, success, and their well-being! Please reach out to me if you have any questions by calling your school’s front office, or please send me an e-mail.
September 14: Read and Ride, Curbside Library Book Checkout, 1:00-3:00pm
September 16: Virtual PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
September 22: Virtual Back to School Night, K-2nd grades, 6:30-7:30pm
September 24: Virtual Back to School Night, 3rd-6th grades, 6:30-7:30pm
September 28: Read and Ride, Curbside Library Book Checkout, 1:00-3:00pm
September 30: Virtual AAP Informational Session, 6:30pm
October 12: Student Holiday- No School- Professional Development Day for Staff
The following is sent from & reflects the views of the Floris PTA
2020 – a year of quarantine, masks and online education!
We were taught resilience, strength and adaptability. Let's step into an exciting school year with these learnings!
On behalf of the Floris Parent Teachers Association, it is our pleasure to welcome you to our wonderful community! We are looking forward to a great year filled with fantastic events, community building activities and, most importantly, supporting our kids and teachers so they can continue to attain excellence in education!
You are important to our PTA. Your presence and involvement in your child’s development and education are critical factors to school success and student achievement. When parents are engaged (actively involved) in their child’s education, students benefit in many ways, including (but not limited to):
- Higher grades and test scores
- Better attitudes and behavior
- Better school attendance
- Greater likelihood of graduating from high school
- Better chance of enrolling in post-secondary education.
The primary way to make this the best year for your family and our community is to join the PTA. This is your chance to be a member of a great organization that funds many of the opportunities you see around campus. Your support enhances your child’s experience at our school and we want to hear from you! When you join the PTA you are not obligated to attend all meetings nor volunteer; you can participate as much or as little as you would like or are able, finding a perfect balance that is right for you.
The next way to make it the best school year ever is to volunteer. By joining and volunteering in the PTA or donating to Friends of Floris, there is no better way to get connected.
This school year we are working to continue the tradition of providing great student and family programs that combine fun, enrichment, and virtualization!
Our wonderful PTA Board members have been working tirelessly all summer to bring us unlimited options for remote activities in the pipeline.
Please Zoom into our first PTA meeting on 09/16/2020 @ 6:00 PM EST.
Go Eagles !!!
Soumya Mohanty, PTA President
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