In This Message:
Principals' Message
Dear Floris Community,
Spring is officially here and while we might still be adjusting to the time change our students are already embracing the warmer weather! This week, they’ve been excited to get outside and soak up the sunshine, even if some of them might still be trying to figure out how to function on that “lost hour” of sleep.
As we quickly approach the end of the quarter, we’re excited to reflect on all the progress our students have made. It’s hard to believe we’re already this far into the year!
A quick reminder: Monday is our next early release day, so please plan accordingly. Also, don’t forget about our PTA meeting on March 19th – we’ll be discussing our Midyear school data, and there’s a lot to talk about. We’d love to see you there!
Enjoy the wonderful warmth this weekend!
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
🍎Sign up to donate to the 4th grade snack pack service project. Read more about the program here.
👉Interested in joining the PTA Board for the '25-'26 school year? Please reach out to Florispta.pres@gmail.com
🧸 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!
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
📕Yearbooks on Sale Now! 📕
- Cost: $18
- Order Deadline: April 11, 2025
- In order to ensure everything is tracked appropriately and efficiently, we will only be conducting online orders.
👉👉You can order the Floris Yearbook from 🔗this direct link 🔗👈👈
- You will need to enter your student's first name, last name, grade level, and provide online payment.
- If you are ordering more than one yearbook, you'll need to complete the above process for each student (separate transactions).
We can expect our yearbooks to arrive from Walsworth at the end of May and they will be distributed to students in June! Thank you!
Developing a Strong Academic Foundation, Curiosity, and Joy for Learning
The FCPS Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Advertised Budget invests in academic growth and excellence for each and every student, which is one of the priorities of the FCPS Strategic Plan.
A strong start for every student is Goal 1 of the Strategic Plan. Pre-K classrooms are making a difference in our community. In this video, we explore the importance of bringing children under the age of five together, regardless of abilities.
Learn more about the FCPS FY 2026 Advertised Budget. View the Budget Development Calendar to stay up to date and learn about opportunities to provide feedback to Fairfax County and FCPS.
💬 Share Your Input on the County Budget
The Fairfax County government presented its Fiscal Year 2026 Advertised Budget Plan to the Board of Supervisors on February 18. The community is invited to share feedback through an online survey, email, phone calls, or by attending Budget Town Hall meetings.
Preparing for Tough Conversations With Teens
Discussing tough topics like fentanyl and other drugs can feel challenging — no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:
- Set the stage. Choose a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Talk while driving, taking a walk, or doing chores together.
- Make it a two-way discussion. Ask open-ended questions.
- Stay patient and reserve judgment.
- Check in with your child early and often.
Visit our website for more information on how to Become Unskippable with your teens.
🚀 Prepare for a Summer of Learning and Fun
Registration will be available soon for summer camps offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) camps and Institute for the Arts (IFTA) camps will be held in July at Lake Braddock Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Registration begins for these programs on Monday, March 10, and ends Friday, June 6.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp designed to allow current K-5 students to explore activities in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary arts, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps.
E-IFTA is a weekly arts camp for students in grades 2-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students take part in four daily classes related to dance, music, theater, and visual art. They work with FCPS fine arts teachers who create fun and engaging classes.
For more information, see the Summer Learning page.
Give Your Kids a Strong Start: Apply for Early Childhood Education Programs
FCPS Pre-K and Early Head Start programs provide a high-quality early learning experience for qualifying children with economic and educational risk factors ages 6 weeks to 4 years living in Fairfax County.
Pre-K prioritizes 4-year-old applicants but also accepts applications for children 3 years old by September 30. Early Head Start is located at three elementary schools — Clearview, Crestwood, and Dogwood — and accepts applications from expectant mothers and for children 6 weeks to 2 years old.
Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however, space is limited and provided based on need, not “first come, first serve.” Applications are accepted online, by email, by postal mail, or in person at our office at 7423 Camp Alger Avenue, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.
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:
- A Strong Academic Foundation
- 70th Annual Regional Science Fair
- New Breakfast Options
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
March 17: Early Release Monday for Staff Professional Development
March 28: End of 3rd Quarter
March 31: Eid Holiday, No School
April 1: Teacher Workday
April 10: Spring Picture Day
April 14-18: Spring Break
May 2: K-2 Field Day
May 8: 5th Grade Science SOL
May 12: 5th and 6th Grade Reading SOL
May 13: 3rd and 4th Grade Reading SOL
May 15: 5th and 6th Grade Math SOL
May 16: 3rd and 4th Grade Math SOL
Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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