In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News and Announcements
- Kindness Spirit Week Next Week
- Kindergarten Registration
- Budget
- Information About Bullying and Harassment
- Book Event: Reading Opens the World
- Nominations Open for First-Class Awards
- Ombuds
- District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
- Upcoming Dates
Principals' Message
Dear Floris Community,
It’s been another successful week here at Floris, filled with moments of growth and kindness. This week, we had the privilege of celebrating School Counselor Week, and we want to extend a thank you to James Duffield and Sarah de Kramer for their dedication to supporting our students and staff every day. Their hard work and compassion make a difference in the lives of everyone in our community.
In addition to recognizing our counselors, we’re also incredibly proud of the efforts of our 6th graders, who recently packed over 200 snack packs for Embry Rucker to help feed those in need. This is an example of the community service focus that we strive to cultivate here at Floris, and we are grateful to see our students giving back in such a meaningful way.
Thank you all for your continued support of our school, and here's to many more weeks of success and service!
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
- We have an open Hospitality Chair position for this SY. Please contact florispta.sso@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more!
🐝Spelling Bee registration is OPEN - Register here!
🏃♀️ Girls on the Run (GOTR) Spring Session is OPEN. Register here
🍎Please sign-up to help deliver food to Embry Rucker on Fridays!
- Students put unopened & uneaten food on the cafeteria Share Table each day; other students can take the food or the food goes into the refrigerator and is donated at the end of the week.
- Food sharing can reduce food waste in the cafeteria and help address food insecurity concerns.
📅Spring Enrichment Opens in February! Stay tuned.
👉Interested in joining the PTA Board for the '25-'26 school year? Please reach out to Florispta.pres@gmail.com
Join us for a Spirit Night at Kidz Plaza on Sunday, 2/9!
📅Spirit Week Next Week!
🧸 Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one guardian must be present), the student will be ready for [orientation and any other introductory events your school may host]. Read more about the registration process. For additional information, please contact [name], our school registrar. 💻 Try Online Registration
Online registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. Parents/caregivers may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process.
When registering, parents/caregivers will need to create or log in to an existing SIS ParentVUE account.
Proposed Budget Presented to School Board
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget at the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 23. Watch a video of the presentation.
As Dr. Reid noted in her January 24 letter to families, “The budget is fiscally responsible and invests in excellence — not just for FCPS, but for all of us in Fairfax County who want a strong community with successful young people, dedicated educators and support staff, and a thriving economy.”
The proposed budget reflects the needs of and FCPS’ commitments to Fairfax County students, families, and community members. It focuses on competitive compensation, including a 7.0% salary increase for all staff to recruit and retain our outstanding educators, administrators, and other school-based and operational staff dedicated to the success of our students; investing in students who require additional support; and continuing multiyear initiatives such as inclusive preschool and safety and security updates.
Learn more on the Budget webpage.
What is Bullying and How do we as School Respond?
Bullying is defined in the Students Rights and Responsibilities as, “Any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying. “Bullying” does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument, or peer conflict.”
Harassment involves emotional abuse and includes verbal or physical threats, physical assaults, bullying and theft of property. When bullying or harassment is targeted at members of religious groups, is based on shared ethnic characteristics, or includes gender and sexual harassment of gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender individuals it is considered a violation of federal anti-discrimination laws enforced by the Office of Civil Rights. Schools where such behavior is reported will take immediate action to investigate, and if discriminatory behavior has occurred will take action to end the harassment, to eliminate any hostile environment and its effects, and to prevent the harassment from recurring. Any suspected discrimination or harassment must be reported to the Office of Equity and Compliance.
The page on Fairfax County Public Schools' website provides comprehensive information about bullying prevention and intervention. It highlights the importance of educating students about bullying through age-appropriate language within the health and counseling curriculum. The resources emphasize the role of families, caregivers, and school staff in preventing and addressing bullying. It also outlines various programs and strategies for supporting a safe and inclusive environment, including reporting mechanisms and guidance for addressing incidents. You can read more directly on the provided link for detailed resources and contacts for intervention: FCPS Bullying and Prevention Resources
📚Free Book Event: Reading Opens the World
🏅 Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities Seeks Nominations for First-Class Awards
First-Class Awards are presented each year to individuals who support, design, and/or implement inclusion activities that result in positive outcomes for students. The Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities (ACSD) is seeking nominations for the 2025 First-Class Awards. This is a great opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the inclusion efforts of educators, administrators, and students who demonstrate the inclusion of students with disabilities in all facets of education.
Nominees should model excellence in their role relative to special education, have a positive impact that benefits disabled and non-disabled students alike, and be committed to creating an inclusive environment and mindset.
Nominate an administrator, staff member, student, or community partner who has made an exceptional contribution to inclusive practices in Fairfax County Public Schools. Nominations close Wednesday, February 19.
Office of the Ombuds: At Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS employees, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds office staff members are available to help resolve disagreements between parents/caregivers and schools. They do not change or make decisions, policies, or regulations; take sides; or provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may Submit a Question.
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:
- FY 2026 Proposed Budget
- Student-Driven Lunch Menus
- Inclusion Awards Nominations
Read FCPS This Week to learn more about these topics. If you are not already receiving this weekly newsletter, please sign up today.
Dates for the 2024-2025 School Year
February 7: Candid Photos
February 10-14: Kindness Week
February 12: Spelling Bee
February 17: Holiday, Presidents' Day
February 24: Early Release Monday for Staff Professional Development
March 6: Fiddle Club Concert
March 17: Early Release Monday for Staff Professional Development
March 28: End of 3rd Quarter
April 1: Teacher Workday
April 10: Spring Picture Day
April 14-18: Spring Break
Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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