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In this Friday Message you will find:
- Principals' Message
- Tip of the Week
- Picture Day
- Kids' Clubs
- Soaring Eagles
- Positivity Project
- Staff Spotlight
- PreK and Early Head Start Applications
- TJHSST PTSA - Diversity In STEM Talk
- Upcoming Dates
Dear Floris Families,
Next week is Spring Break. We hope everyone is able to take some time to find ways to relax, get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, read a book for fun, or whatever helps you to rejuvenate yourself.
It is hard to believe that today is the end of the 3rd quarter. Our students and staff continue to impress us with their open-mindedness and willingness to try new things as we work together to continue to develop our virtual and concurrent learning. Our teachers will continue to develop engaging lessons for all students, both virtual and in person, as we finish the year strong. We cannot say this enough; thank you for your continued support for our teachers, staff, administration, and school.
Enjoy your Spring Break! Please remember that Monday, April 5 is a student holiday. There will be no morning meetings or asynchronous work for students. We will see you on Tuesday, April 6 at 9:45 online and in-person for the first Morning Meetings of the 4th quarter!
#Eagles:SoaringHigherTogether
Holly Walker and Amanda Dorr
hjwalker@fcps.edu
acdorr@fcps.edu
This week's tip focuses on Math and was shared by Katherine Catanzaro!
Everyday Math
Math plays such an important role in our lives every day. For some students, numbers are intuitive and fun; for others, they are just challenging. Regardless of how your child feels about math, here are small things we can do to encourage our mathematicians to stretch their brains and think about the applicable math that we use every day.
Enjoy math activities without labeling it as “math”
There are so many fun things we can do that involve math. This could be cooking or baking, doing home projects that involve measuring or grouping parts, playing games, or drawing a picture together using different shapes that are rotated, reflected, congruent, or similar. A lot of times when we label something that we’re doing, it puts more pressure on us to fit into a mold of what we know that should look like. If we don’t label what we’re doing as specifically “math,” we can enjoy the process of what we’re doing far more than thinking about getting to a solution.
Make math hands-on, using real objects and real situations
The more your children see you using math every day in your life in real situations with real objects, the more they’ll start to understand and be able to apply math skills that they’ve learned in class to their everyday lives. The more relevant something is to children, the easier it is for them to learn and the more willing they are to learn it! That goes for adults too! 😊 Some examples you could use are: calculating if you have enough cash to buy a treat, or calculating what change you’d get back; figuring out how much time you have until dinner, or deciding what activities you have time to do before dinner and what might have to wait. All are great, easy ways to bring attention to math we do throughout each day.
The power of “I wonder…”
Two words that hold so much power are “I wonder…” Try this with your child and see where it gets you! Kids have so many imaginative and analytical thoughts in their brain that the possibilities are endless. Go on a walk with your child and look around: “I wonder how some flowers are symmetrical.” Do some baking or cooking with your student: “I can’t find the 1 cup measuring cup. I wonder how many ½ cups we could use instead.” Just starting with “I wonder” leads children to investigate why or how something might be occurring, leading them to deeper and more insightful thoughts.
- Monday, April 19, 8:30AM – 4:30PM Virtual Only families (Appointment required)
- Tuesday, April 20 All Group A (Tuesday/Wednesday) in-person students
- Thursday, April 22 All Group B (Thursday/Friday) in-person students
Floris Kids' Clubs
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
Social Intelligence
What does Social Intelligence mean? Social intelligence refers to a person’s ability to understand and manage interpersonal relationships. It is distinct from a person’s IQ or “book smarts.” It includes an individual’s ability to understand, and act on, the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of other people.
Why does it matter? Social intelligence helps individuals build relationships – and is important to numerous aspects of a person’s life. It allows an individual to form friendships and alliances. On a group level, social intelligence is what allows us to function as humans. We are social beings and rely on each other’s cooperation. By understanding ourselves and other people, we can find ways to collaborate for mutual benefit. Strong leaders often possess social intelligence in abundance.
Quote of the Week: “When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thing about what I want to say.” - ABRAHAM LINCOLN
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.
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.
MADDIE MALLON
Years of babysitting and being involved in athletics confirmed Maddie Mallon’s love for working with children and sparked an enthusiasm for learning about how the body works. “Becoming a PE teacher blended both perfectly,” she says, adding, “I have to admit, I have the best job! What I love most about teaching PE at Floris is getting to interact with all our students daily. I love to jump in and move with the kids when possible, and I never turn down a good pickleball match. The students keep me young at heart and I try my best to keep them healthy!” A fun fact is that Ms. Mallon’s great grandmother was the librarian at Floris many years ago.
This is Ms. Mallon’s 11th year teaching PE, and all of them have been at Floris, with a few gaps to take care of her own children after they were born. Her husband is also a PE teacher (he can be found at South Lakes High School). They have two young daughters and it’s no surprise that they are always on the move. “We love to swim, bike, run, and are fierce Green Bay Packers fans. We’ve been fortunate to meet so many great families while serving this community. We live, work, and play here.” Ms. Mallon is an avid runner who has completed five marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2014. She is hoping to make a reappearance in 2024!
Ms. Mallon has a master’s degree in exercise science and is a certified group fitness instructor. There’s no question about her devotion to the physical fitness of our community and we look forward to many more active, fun, healthy years together.
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FCPS offers a PreK and Early Head Start income eligible program serving children ages 3 or 4 by September 30 in multiple classrooms across the county and ages 6 weeks to 2 years in the Reston, Herndon and Springfield areas.
Currently, FCPS is still accepting applications. If you are interested and need to determine whether or not you are eligible to apply for one of these FCPS programs, please select this link: FCPS PreK Application Information for further information and application forms and requirements.
Should you have questions, you can call:
English Line: 703-208-7900
Spanish Line: 703-208-7901
or email FCPS PreK Program Office at fcpsprekoffice@fcps.edu.
Parents, register at this Zoom link: http://bit.ly/TJStemTalk4
Submit questions in advance here: https://bit.ly/tjdiversitytalks
March 29-April 2: Spring Break
April 5: Teacher Workday - No School for Students
April 12: Read and Ride 1:00-3:00pm
April 19: Picture Day 8:30AM – 4:30PM Virtual Only families (Appointment required)
April 20: Picture Day All Group A (Tuesday/Wednesday) in-person students
April 22: Picture Day All Group B (Thursday/Friday) in-person students
Find the 2020-2021 School Year Calendar Here
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