In This Message:
Principals' Message
Dear Floris Community,
What a fantastic week we've had here at Floris! Our Kindergarten Orientation was filled with excitement and energy as we welcomed our newest students and their families. There were so many smiling faces as parents and students explored classrooms, sang songs, danced with our specialists, and even had the chance to snap a picture with our friendly eagle mascot!
We truly loved seeing everyone come together to celebrate the start of this wonderful journey.
For those who may have additional questions or want to revisit some of the key information shared, we've put together a slide deck with answers to common questions. You can find it here!
And if all that fun wasn't enough, we wrapped up the week with snow cones and a bus tour, because what's better than a refreshing treat and a little ride around the school? The only thing missing was a snow cone that didn’t melt faster than you could eat it!
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
Upcoming Student Dates:
🏫Schoolwide assembly on April 11 (students only, during school hours)
🌎International Night is April 30. Learn more and sign-up here!
Upcoming Staff Appreciation Dates:
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Assistant Principal Appreciation Week, April 7 - 11
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Bus Driver Appreciation Day, April 22
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Administrative Professionals Day, April 23
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Principal Appreciation Day, May 1
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Lunch Hero Appreciation Day, May 2
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Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5-9
- School Nurse Appreciation Day, May 7
👉Interested in joining the PTA Board for the '25-'26 school year? Please reach out to Florispta.pres@gmail.com
Safety Patrol Interest Form
Calling all 4th and 5th parents! Is your student interested in being a Safety Patrol next school year? Ask them! We had an interest meeting with all 4th and 5th grade students last Friday to discuss what a Safety Patrol is and how to apply. If interested, students with their parents/guardians need to fill out this application by Friday, April 11th . If you would like more information about the program, feel free to look at the slides we showed the students at the interest meeting or reach out to Mr. Barber (rcbarber@fcps.edu) or Mr. Gibbs (ragibbs@fcps.edu).
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: $20
- 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!
AAP Information
If you are interested in having your child screened for subject specific AAP services or Part-Time AAP services for the 25-26 School Year:
- Subject Specific Differentiation (Level 2) – students grades K-5
- Part - Time Services (Level 3) – students currently in grades 2-5
Please submit the Subject Specific and Part-Time AAP Services Referral Form to Katie Pickett kmpickett@fcps.edu (Grades K, 2, 4) or Amy Albanese abalbanese@fcps.edu (Grades 1, 3, 5) by no later than April 15, 2025.
***If you submitted a full-time referral for your child and they are found ineligible for full-time services, we will automatically screen them for part-time services. You do not need to submit additional information to have them screened.
For more information about the different levels of service, please refer to the AAP spring newsletter article - AAP Spring Newsletter ES. Please do not hesitate to reach out to either Katie or Amy with any AAP related questions.
⏰ Coming Soon: School Start Times Survey
Last year, FCPS held community forums and surveyed middle school families regarding middle school start times. Now, we would like to hear from all staff and families on the possibility of adjusting school start times across the division. The goal remains to begin middle school at 8 a.m. or later at the start of the 2026-27 school year.
On April 1, a survey link will be sent by email to staff, parents/caregivers, and students in grades 5-12. The confidential survey will be open for two weeks and will be available in multiple languages.
🏫 Helping Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten
We recognize that parents are their children’s first teachers. Explore the resources on FCPS’ School Readiness and Transition to Kindergarten webpage for ways to help ensure your child starts kindergarten with confidence.
☀️ Save the Date for the FCPS Summer Extravaganza
Discover summer learning and activities available in Fairfax County!
Attend the FCPS Summer Extravaganza on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School and get a jump on summer learning. At this free event, participants can engage in educational and enrichment activities designed to inspire curiosity and growth.
Activities will include student performances, story time, a moon bounce, and face painting. For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
🎤 Save the Date: Community Conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid
Your voice matters, and Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ask questions regarding FCPS on Monday, April 7 at Greenbriar West Elementary School from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Childcare and interpretation services will be provided. Events are open to all. Find out about other opportunities to connect with Dr. Reid.
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:
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- School Start Times Survey
- Science Fair Winners
- Celebrating Champion Students and Staff
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
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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