In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News and Announcements
- Learning Opportunity: Sibshops
- Kindergarten Registration
- Attendance
- Immunizations
- Information About Bullying and Harassment
- District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
- Upcoming Dates
Principals' Message
Dear Floris Community,
This week, we had the privilege of celebrating Kindness Week, a fun and meaningful time spent focusing on the importance of treating others with respect and kindness. Our students participated in various activities and had opportunities to reflect on how our words and actions impact those around us.
We also held a small grade-level assembly where we reinforced the message of the "Power of Our Words." This presentation served as a reminder of a similar assembly we hosted earlier in the fall, helping our students understand the lasting impact of their words.
In the coming weeks, we will be presenting Part 2 of "Power of Words" with classroom teachers, focusing on the concept of Impact vs. Intent, helping students understand that how our words affect others is sometimes different from what we meant or intended.
And don’t forget, there’s a three-day weekend ahead to celebrate President's Day! Enjoy the extra time with your families, and we’ll see everyone back on Tuesday!
Thank you for your continued support in fostering a kind and compassionate school community!
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
🏃♀️ Girls on the Run (GOTR) Spring Session is OPEN. Register here
📅February 28: Snack Pack Service Project for 5th grade
📅Spring Enrichment Opens in February! Stay tuned.
👉We have an open Hospitality Chair position for this SY. Please contact florispta.sso@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more!
🍎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.
👉Interested in joining the PTA Board for the '25-'26 school year? Please reach out to Florispta.pres@gmail.com
Check out Sibshops!
What: A program for children in grades 2-6 who have a sibling with a disability.
Participants will have a variety of opportunities to build relationships with other Sibs and receive peer support through directed discussion activities, recreation games and crafts.
When: Saturday, February 22 from 10 am-1 pm.
Where: Sully Community Center (13800 Wall Road Herndon, VA)
Register Here
Questions? Email Maggie Seneca, school social worker, maseneca1@fcps.edu
🧸 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.
Attendance
Let's get your child to class when the bell rings. Every school day is a unique opportunity for students to learn, connect, and grow. The life skills children need to get ready for school are the same life skills that will help them reach graduation and beyond!
A big thank you to:
- 🌟 Students and families who show up every day, even when it's busy.
- 👩🏫 Teachers who create a welcoming and safe haven for learning.
- 👨💼 Administrators who provide a safe and engaging learning environment.
- 👏 Bus drivers, support staff, and volunteers who lend a helping hand to our students.
If your child is not feeling well, please view the Can My Child Go to School? webpage.
Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school — and themselves. See these tips on how to encourage positive school attendance in elementary school: https://bit.ly/3TP2gdB.
Daily school attendance is required by law in the state of Virginia. Watch this short video that helps explain attendance policies.
👉Visit Attendance Resources and Support for more attendance insights and support – because every day is a step toward a brighter tomorrow!
Make Sure Your Children Are Up-to-Date on Immunizations
Please make sure your child has all of their necessary immunizations. Remember, all students are required to be immunized against certain diseases to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of keeping children healthy!
Starting Monday, May 19, students who have not provided proof of immunization may not be allowed to attend school. You can check your child’s immunization status and submit updated immunization information by accessing SIS ParentVUE.
Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your child is up to date on required immunizations for the 2024-25 school year. If your child needs an immunization, make an appointment with your healthcare provider, visit the Fairfax County Health Department website for a list of child immunization clinics, or view other Immunization Resources. Be wise and immunize!
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
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:
- Proposed Budget Progress
- Apply for Dual Immersion and Magnet Lotteries
- Black History Month Event
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 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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