 In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News and Announcements
- Makeup/Retake Pictures Available Online
- Middle School Start Times
- Winter Break Closure
- Winter Weather
- Winter Resources Available
- Giving Tree Charity
- Advanced Academics Information
- District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
- Upcoming Dates
Principals' Message
Dear Floris Families,
While it's cold outside, we've been filled with warmth and generosity as we kicked off the holiday season here at Floris. Our Giving Tree is thriving thanks to your kind donations. These gifts will bring joy to families in need within our community. Tomorrow our first graders will show their compassionate hearts by creating snack packs for those less fortunate through their service project.
We're grateful for your continued support and involvement. Together, we're making a positive impact on our community.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Thank you,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
Makeup & Retake Images Now Online!
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Makeup/Retake Day images are now viewable online.
Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc
- Use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
- For questions regarding school pictures, please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
⏰ Update on Potential Changes to Middle School Start Times
At Tuesday’s School Board work session, staff from Prismatic Services, Inc., presented options for adjusting start times at FCPS middle schools. As a reminder, Prismatic is charged with developing an action plan to help the School Board reach its goal of starting middle school at or after 8 a.m.
The presentation includes five options for adjusting middle school start times based on the consultant’s analysis from community forums, surveys, and interviews with staff, parents, associations, and other groups. The School Board will provide next steps to the superintendent.
Watch a video of the work session. Visit the Middle School Start Times webpage for more information on the project.
❄️ Winter Break Closure❄️
Just a reminder that all FCPS Schools are closed from Monday, December 23 - Friday, January 3 for Winter Break.
School resumes on January 6, 2025.
There is no school for students, and the Floris Main Office will be closed.
❄️ 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.
Winter Resources from Fairfax County Government Agencies
🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. There are many resources available to support those who need food assistance. Learn how to help these families and the many resources available to support those who need food assistance on Fairfax County’s website or view the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
📚 Bundle Up With Books Over Break
Fairfax County Public Library’s (FCPL) winter reading adventure has begun and will continue through Friday, January 31, 2025. Visit your local FCPL library branch or visit their website to register and get a sneak peek at the prizes being offered.
Check out their Winter Reading Events webpage to learn about laser tag, movie nights, crafting sessions, Noon-Year Eve celebrations, and book discussions.
⛄ Get Outdoors for Winter Fun!
The Fairfax County Park Authority has rounded up its seasonal fun into a handy list of events happening across the county.
Learn more about the Winter Wonderland and the Holiday Train at Burke Lake Park, Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park, and many more fun events.
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!
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:
- Family Academy Orientation
- Literacy Resources
- Winter Programs and Activities
Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year
December 23- January 3: Holiday, Winter Break; No School for Students and Floris Main Office Closed
January 14: Club and Candid Photos
January 20: Holiday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Inauguration Day
January 22: PTA Meeting, 6:30pm
January 28: End of 2nd Quarter
January 29: Student Holiday, Teacher Workday
January 31: PTA Movie Night
February 10-14: Kindness Week
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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