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In this Friday Message you will find:
- Principals' Message
- Requests to Change
- Dismissal Routine for In-Person Students
- Tip of the Week
- Coming Soon- Picture Day
- Kids' Clubs
- Soaring Eagles
- Positivity Project
- Rising 7th Graders
- Staff Spotlight
- Upcoming Dates
Dear Floris Families,
Another fabulous week at Floris! The weather might not have been as awesome as last week, but the learning continues to be be amazing. Our 100% virtual classes continue to operate smoothly, and we welcomed more students to the in-person concurrent learning this week. It is a challenge and also a fun puzzle to balance the virtual and hybrid/concurrent programs simultaneously.
The Virtual Science Fair was incredible. We had some truly fantastic presentations by our Floris scientists and an inspiring guest speaker, Planetary Astronomer, Heidi Hammel. Many thanks again to the Michele Bolos and the PTA team for finding a way to continue this annual tradition virtually this year.
Spring officially starts tomorrow. It is a season of blooms, warmer weather and growth. We appreciate your patience as we adjust to teaching concurrently – we are growing and improving every day!
Enjoy your weekend!
#Eagles:SoaringHigherTogether
Holly Walker and Amanda Dorr
hjwalker@fcps.edu
acdorr@fcps.edu
Requests to Change Programs
As you know, principals have been taking requests from parents to change their students from virtual to in-person, and we have approved many of these requests depending on space availability in the grade level/class. On March 26, we, along with all schools in FCPS, will no longer allow any changes from virtual to in-person program.
How Is Your Child Getting Home
At dismissal time, our teachers are sending your child home according to what our school records show as his/her way for getting home. Typically, if your child arrived at school on the bus, we send them home on the bus unless you clearly tell the teacher or the office otherwise. If you dropped your child off at Kiss & Ride in the morning, we’re sending him/her to Kiss & Ride at dismissal unless you clearly tell the school staff otherwise.
Please use the Attendance and Dismissal Change Form to let us know or call the main office at 703-561-2900. All changes should be made by 2:00pm. Schools are active places and we may not see requests that come to us late in the afternoon.
This week's tip comes from our School Based Technology Specialist, Willa McGrath
Particularly in this year of virtual learning, we have seen the tremendous benefits of YouTube, allowing for students to engage with academic content across the globe. However, as educators and parents, we are also aware that YouTube is filled with other distractions and experiences for our students, and it can be tricky to monitor. FCPS has received numerous requests to block YouTube from student devices, but this is not feasible due to the amount of curricular content being accessed there. So, how do we navigate the good cop/ bad cop nature of YouTube? Check out the Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube from Common Sense Media to make a plan for your own family.
If you would like to add more parental controls beyond those offered by our FCPS Internet Content Filter, there are many options listed at the bottom of this page under “Learn More About Parental Controls." We cannot provide support for these services, but some of them do allow parents to restrict particular sites. There are also options for blocking things at the router level from internet service providers. Each works a little differently, so there are links you can explore to see which option might work best for your family.
In-Person Students
Our in-person students will have 30 minutes of outdoor recess daily (weather permitting) using the fields and a rotating schedule for the playground equipment and swings in order to follow our social distancing protocols. Students will sanitize their hands immediately before and after using the apparatus/equipment.
Students will continue to wear masks, social distance and hand sanitize before recess and upon return to their classrooms whether they are playing on the fields or the playground equipment.
Virtual Students
Physical activity, games and fresh air are so important to all students. We hope that our virtual students are also able to participate in recess each day.
There are so many great ways to just get outside and have fun... take a walk, ride your bike, shoot some hoops, jump rope, hop scotch, play with friends (with masks and social distancing), run, skip, do a scavenger hunt, create an obstacle course/fitness pathway, have an old-fashioned dance party or so many other ideas.
All brains and bodies need that break!
COMING SOON: Floris Picture Day (SAVE THE DATE)
Floris is organizing a day in which all families will be provided the opportunity to have a school picture taken of their child(ren). We are working with Barksdale School Portraits to ensure a clean and safe environment for all students, should they choose to have a picture taken.
Here is the schedule:
- Monday, April 19, 8:30AM – 4:30PM Virtual Only families (Appointment will be required)
- Tuesday, April 20 All Group A (Tuesday/Wednesday) in-person students
- Thursday, April 22 All Group B (Thursday/Friday) in-person students
More details regarding scheduling an appointment (all-virtual families only), placing orders and picture day procedures will be made available soon.
Soaring Eagles
Please continue to share your love, gratitude and kindness with our staff on Soaring Eagles, the new online tradition at Floris. Please take a moment to say thank you and/or show appreciation for our staff and the hours of hard work happening day and night!
Please click HERE to share your Floris Soaring Eagles!
#EaglesSoaringHigherTogether
#PositivityinAction
Positivity Project
Enthusiasm/Zest
What does Enthusiasm/Zest mean? One approaches life with excitement and energy. Zest/Enthusiasm is the ability to bring life and excitement to different situations. It often leads to a higher level of involvement and engagement both for individuals and for groups. Those who demonstrate zest and enthusiasm bring an energy and level of intensity to individual and group work. These people are often identified as early leaders and innovators as a result of their outward excitement about a task or project.
Why does it matter? For individuals, zest and enthusiasm are easily identifiable and highly desirable personality traits. We feel good when we are energized by an activity or opportunity – and we like to spend time with people who are excited about life. For groups, enthusiasm and zest can be directly tied to high levels of success, happiness, and achievement. Enthusiasm is contagious.
Quote of the Week: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” -Confucius
You may also visit P2 for Families and use the password P2 to access activities and tools for you to use at home with your children.
Rising 7th Grade
Tdap Immunization Requirement
Virginia Law requires that all students entering seventh grade receive a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine prior to the beginning of school. The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus (lockjaw), diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) and is usually given around the age of eleven.
For your child to begin 7th grade you will need to submit one of the following documents before the first day of school. It is recommended that all paperwork be submitted to the school office by July 31, 2021.
Acceptable documentation can be one of the following:
- A copy of your child’s immunization record showing the Tdap vaccine.
- A note on a healthcare provider’s letterhead stating the date the Tdap vaccine was given.
- A healthcare provider’s written statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption.
- A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available online at:
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/certificate_religious_exemption.pdf
The Tdap booster is available from your child’s healthcare provider or the Fairfax County Health Department. The Health Department Clinic locations and hours are available online at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/clinics or by calling 703-246-2411. Please note that students receiving immunizations at the Health Department must be accompanied by an adult and should bring their immunization records with them.
Seventh grade students will not be allowed to begin school in August 2021 without submitting proper documentation.
This week's spotlight...
We started the school-year sharing about our new to Floris Staff and are now sharing some fun details about more Floris Staff members.
MEREDITH KINERNEY
Meredith Kinerney has been a special education teacher at Floris for five of her eight teaching years. She stayed at home with her little ones until they were all in school, so got off to a late start, she says. “My mother is my hero and was a teacher and elementary principal. Her love of children and passion for their education was evident in everything that she did. She believed that every child was somebody special.” Mrs. Kinerney brings that same passion with her to school every day. She loves the family atmosphere at Floris where everyone is so supportive. “You need a village to survive and Floris is the best village,” she says.
Mrs. Kinerney has three children of her own: Judiclaire (20), Jack (18), and Noah (17). Her two oldest are college students and her youngest is a junior at Chantilly High. She also has two dogs that she calls her babies now that her real children are growing up and moving out. She and her husband enjoy watching their boys play football and traveling to see their daughter in Newport News. “I love the beach and simply watching the waves roll in,” she shares.
Weaving her travels into her teaching is something Mrs. Kinerney loves to do. She reflects on a family visit to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, MI. “We saw everything from the old Holiday Inn signs to the car President Kennedy was shot in to the chair Lincoln was shot in to the bus that Rosa Parks sat on. I share these memories with my students when we talk about these historical events.”
Finally, Mrs. Kinerney leaves us with a piece of her mother’s writing:
I strive to relate to those I teach with
Love, understanding and tolerance from my heart
Ideas, principles and plans from my mind
Vision, peace and faith from my spirit
Encouragement, inspiration and guidance from my words --
LIVE everyday with the passion to teach.
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Mar. 22-26: Human Growth & Development Lessons for 4th-6th grades
March 24: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
March 26:
March 29-April 2: Spring Break
April 5: Teacher Workday - No School for Students
Find the 2020-2021 School Year Calendar Here
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