 In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News and Announcements
- Awesome Things Happening at Floris
- Winter Weather
- Giving Tree Charity
- SEL Screener Results
- Upcoming Webinar on Digital Safety
- Advanced Academics Information
- District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
- Upcoming Dates
Principals' Message
Dear Floris Families,
We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break! This week, our students returned ready to learn and full of excitement. We had another fantastic week, with many engaging activities. One of the highlights was the return of the "Walk in My Shoes" program, which was a big hit with our students, as well as the First Grade’s Archaeologist Day. Some of our students also had the chance to participate in the Spirit Ball auction experiences with staff, which was a fun and memorable event.
There is so much joy in our building, and the momentum continues to grow. We are excited for all the wonderful activities and experiences your children will be a part of in the coming weeks before the holiday break.
Stay warm and enjoy the rest of your week!
Thank you,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
- December 13: First Grade Snack Packs (for any donations, please send them by Dec.11 to Mrs. De Kramer).
- All Art submissions for the Reflections Art Contest are due on Friday in the front office.
- Looking for an Early Release Chess Camp on Monday, 12/9? Sign up for Magnus Chess's 3-hour camp from 1-4PM at Floris Elementary. You can ride the bus home at 4PM.
🎉Awesome Things Happening at Floris🎉
Community Service at Floris
On November 22nd our 3rd graders created 200 snack packs for clients of Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter in Reston. Thanks to the generous donations of 3rd grade parents and the leadership of PTA members, Emily Waite and Katie Sullivan, our students learned first hand about food insecurity in our community and small ways in which we can help. This will be an ONGOING service project at Floris. On Dec. 13th our 1st graders will have the opportunity to create the snack packs. Each month for the remainder of the school year, a different grade will participate. Parents, be on the look out for a sign-up genius for your student’s grade!
The Return of “Walk In My Shoes”
This week, students in grades 4, 5 & 6 participated in the Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) program. WIMS is an interactive empathy-building program designed to increase our students’ knowledge of various challenges, provide opportunities for perspective-taking, and empower students to include others. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who came out on Wednesday and Friday to run the program. We couldn’t have done it without you and our students are so thankful!
❄️ Preparing for Winter Weather❄️
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather-related closing decisions are made.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible including email, text, social media, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange for childcare if needed.
Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories which may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. See the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance supplying your child with cold-weather clothing, please call Fairfax County's Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health care.
Floris’ Annual Giving Tree – To Benefit Local Families
As we move towards the holiday season, we are reminded that there are families in need in our community, especially during breaks from school such as winter break. Floris will once again offer the opportunity to support these families through our Giving Tree. It is super simple, just sign up to purchase a Target or Walmart gift card and deliver or send to school.
👉Sign Up Here! 👈
We ask that all gift cards be mailed or dropped off in the office by Dec. 13th. The school address for mailing cards is:
2708 Centreville Road
Herndon, 20171
attn: Sarah de Kramer.
If you are or know of a family in need, please email shdekramer@fcps.edu. We truly are ONE FLORIS and for that our staff is so grateful!
Social and Emotional Learning Screener Results Coming Soon
One of the ways FCPS supports the mental wellness of all students is through the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener. In October, students in grades 3-12 took this screener, which gives information about their skills such as achieving goals, handling emotions, building relationships with adults and peers, and making good choices.
The screener also helps students evaluate their school community’s efforts to make them feel valued, included, and supported. Screener data is used to create learning, experiences, and environments for students to succeed.
In early December, families will be able to view student SEL Screener results in SIS ParentVUE. For families who do not have an active ParentVUE account, results will be sent by mail.
Learn more about the screener on the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Screener webpage. For help understanding your child’s results or ideas to support them at home, review the Family Guide or contact your child’s school.
Register for ParentVUE
Learn how to activate your ParentVUE account, so you can easily access your child’s results and other helpful information.
📝Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation Webinar
Webinar - Protecting Kids Against Digital Exploitation: Keeping Kids Safe Online December 13, 2024, from 10-11:30 a.m. Register Here
Join us for this important webinar presented jointly by Fairfax County Schools, the Fairfax County Police Department, the Department of Justice, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Webinar Highlights:
- What is Sextortion?
- What are FCPS and FCPD seeing in relation to sextortion?
- How can families help prevent their kids from becoming victims?
- How should families respond if their child was victimized?
Advanced Academic Services Information
Reminder: Window for Full-Time AAP Referrals Closes on December 15, 2024
Parents/guardians of students in Grades 2-7 who would like their student to be considered for Full-Time advanced academic programs may submit the AAP Full-Time Referral Form to Amy Albanese abalbanese@fcps.edu (Grades 3, 5) and Katie Pickett kmpickett@fcps.edu (Grades 2, 4, 6) no later than December 15, 2024.
The window for families to submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services is the first day of school through December 15, annually. Forms for Full-Time and part-time referrals are available on the AAP Forms Page. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Submitting a referral form for Full-Time AAP will initiate a process that begins at the local school and is then completed at the central office level. Our school will put together a portfolio that includes multiple data which are considered holistically. At the central office level, a committee of six trained professionals from various schools and roles will review the portfolio materials to determine eligibility for Full-Time placement. Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of the portfolio that was submitted after they have been turned in for central selection by emailing Amy Albanese abalbanese@fcps.edu (Grades 3, 5) and Katie Pickett kmpickett@fcps.edu (Grades 2, 4, 6)
Referrals for Subject-Specific and Part-Time AAP are screened at the local school. If you miss this deadline, your student can still be screened for Subject-Specific AAP or Part-Time AAP for the remainder of the year and submit a referral for Full-Time AAP next fall.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
District News/In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
FCPS News:
In case you missed it in FCPS This Week, the school division shared updates on the following topics and others:
- Preparing for Winter Weather
- SEL Screener Results
- Varsity Girls Wrestling Is New Winter Sport
Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year
December 9: 3-hour early release
December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break
January 14: Club and Candid Photos
January 20: Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day
January 28: End of 2nd Quarter
January 29: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday
January 31: PTA Movie Night
February 12: Spelling Bee
February 17: Holiday, Presidents' Day
Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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