In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News and Announcements
- Optional Parent Input for SY25-26
- K-2 Field Day Reminder
- Westfield HS Spring Musical
- Financial Workshop Opportunity
- Earth Spirit Week
- Family Resources/ Registration
- Attendance
- Budget
- Stop Arm Cameras
- Yearbooks on Sale
- Spring SOL Schedule
- District News/ In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)
- Upcoming Dates
Principals' Message
Dear Floris Community,
We hope everyone had a wonderful and restful Spring Break! It’s been such a joy to welcome our students back, ready to learn, full of energy, and excited to reconnect with their friends and our amazing staff. Our fantastic Green Team, led by Ms. de Kramer, Dr. Hollen, and Ms. Lynch, also did a phenomenal job planning events and lessons for Earth Week!
This week, we’re also celebrating Administrative Professionals Appreciation Week, and we want to take a moment to recognize the heart of our school, our incredible front office team. Their dedication, kindness, and behind-the-scenes efforts help keep Floris running smoothly every single day. We are so grateful for all that they do!
A thank you to all the families who joined us for the PTA meeting Wednesday night. Your involvement and support mean so much to us and truly make a difference in our community.
We’re also looking forward to seeing many of you next week at International Night, one of our favorite events that showcases the rich cultures, traditions, and talents within our Floris family. It promises to be a fun and inspiring evening for all!
As a reminder, we have a three-hour early release on Monday for state required professional development. Please ensure that your child is aware of their after school plans. Enjoy the weekend!
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
Thank you to everyone who attended our PTA General Meeting last night! We had thoughtful, engaging conversations around several meaningful topics—all aimed at enriching the experience of every student at Floris.
We’re excited to share that the general body approved funding for an Eagle Scout project by Boy Scout Akash Kaji to restore the historic bell in our courtyard, dating back to 1955. Congratulations, Akash!
We also elected two new PTA Board members for the upcoming school year: congratulations to Amy May, our incoming President, and Rupa Vass, our new Vice President of School Affairs. We're thrilled to have them join Treasurer Kseniya Strasburg and Stacy Nelson (Communications Secretary) on next year's leadership team—it’s going to be an amazing year!
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are still in need of a Recording Secretary to complete our board. If you're interested or would like to learn more, please reach out to florispta.pres@gmail.com.
We also have several board, chair, and committee roles available for next year. If you’re looking for a way to get involved, we’d love to have you!
Upcoming Student Dates:
🌎International Night is April 30. Learn more and sign-up here!
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Bingo Night, Friday, May 9
- Snack Pack Service Project: Second grade - Friday, May 23
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Wednesday, May 21, 5:30 - 7:30pm - SPRING CARNIVAL on the blacktop and outside fields! Sign up here to help create games.
Upcoming Staff Appreciation Dates:
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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
Optional Parent Input Form For Next School Year
We are into the last quarter of the school year and are beginning our planning for summer programming and next year. We have a process that ensures we are making the most balanced, positive classroom environments, taking multiple stakeholders' input into account.
If you would like to share information that you believe would help us as we are making these placement decisions, please click on this link. Completion of this form is optional.
**Current 6th grade families, please do not complete this form. This is information for Floris planning. It is not information for Rachel Carson MS.**
Please note that the deadline for submitting this information is Friday, May 16, 2024.
K-2 Field Day Next Friday, May 2!
Our Kindergarten-2nd graders are getting excited for next Friday's Field Day! Some reminders to help the day go smoothly:
- Please be aware of your child's color group (red, blue, yellow, green)
- Be sure to bring a water bottle
- Please apply any sunscreen and/or bug spray prior to arrival at Floris
We will send further messaging out next week, but we just wanted to keep this fun event on your radar!
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Westfield High School Theatre Presents
The Sound of Music by Rodgers & Hammerstein
May 1, 2 at 7pm and May 3, 4 at 1pm
Tickets: $15 adult, $10 student.
All seats reserved.
All info found at: www.westfieldtheatre.com
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Check out this financial workshop offered by Oakton High School Students! |
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 We've had a great Earth Week thus far at Floris! Don't forget that it will be culminating in a the Ultimate Earth Day Pledge for the weekend of April 25-27. Hard copies of the pledge will be available at school as well!
In conjunction with Earth Week, The SCA is sponsoring a food drive to benefit LINK against Hunger. LINK is a Herndon based food assistance program that serves families in Herndon and Sterling. The SCA is making this a friendly competition amongst grades. See your student’s requested donations below!
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Kindergarten – Cereal, granola bars and oatmeal, pancake mix
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1st grade – PB, jelly and canned chicken or tuna
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2nd grade – Applesauce, canned fruit, canned vegetables
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3rd grade – crackers, pretzels, goldfish, cheez-its
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4th grade – beans (canned and dried) and rice
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5th & 6th grade – pasta, spaghetti sauce and mac-n-cheese
Get to Know FCPS and the Resources Available to Families
Being connected to your school community helps you stay informed and support your child’s success. Take some time to get familiar with the many resources and tools available to FCPS families, including:
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School Age Child Care (SACC) – This Fairfax County government program provides a safe and fun environment before and after school for elementary school-age children.
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FCPS Communications for Families – FCPS shares news and information to support student learning and promote family engagement.
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FCPS Family Academy – We know that as a parent or caregiver, you play a critical role in your child's education. The Family Academy compiles classes, webinars, workshops, and programs offered by FCPS to help you support your child's needs and learning at home. The Family Academy also includes information about resources to help you ensure your child has what they need to succeed.
There’s an easy to follow five-step process outlined for parents registering their children for kindergarten. Be sure to register your child as soon as possible!
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!
Excellence Is at a Crossroads
Excellent teachers are the heart of FCPS! They inspire our kids, go the extra mile, and make a real difference. But the current Fairfax County Board of Supervisors advertised budget underfunds FCPS by $150 million for next year.
Being fully funded helps keep class sizes down and the number of highly-qualified teachers up at FCPS. Keeping the best teachers includes compensation that allows them to live and work in Fairfax County. The Fairfax County budget priorities survey is open until Thursday, April 24. Take a moment to share your thoughts. Now is the time. Learn more about how excellence is at a Crossroads.
🛑 Cameras Installed on School Bus Stop Arms
Cameras have been installed on the stop arms of 50 FCPS school buses. These cameras will be used to identify drivers who pass stopped school buses while children are entering and exiting the bus (called a “stop arm violation”).
Drivers have begun to receive warnings. After a 30-day warning period, citations will begin to be issued on Monday, May 12.
According to Virginia law, drivers must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights on and their stop signs extended. Motorists should stop when approaching from any direction, unless there is a barrier or median separating their lane from where the bus is stopped. They should remain stopped until everyone is clear, and the bus is moving.
We appreciate our law enforcement partners for working with FCPS to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Read more about the stop arm cameras and other ways FCPS works with our county partners to keep students safe on their way to and from school.
📕Yearbooks on Sale Now! 📕
- Cost: $20
- Order Deadline: April 25, 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!
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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- Celebrating Our Successes
- FCPS Resources for Families
- Budget Update
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 28: 3-Hr Early Release Monday for Staff Professional Development
April 30: International Night: 6:30-7:30
May 1: Spring Strings Concert: 6:15-6:45; 7:30-8:15
May 2: K-2 Field Day
May 6: Spring Band Concert: 6:30-7:30
May 8: 5th Grade Science SOL
May 9: PTA Bingo Night
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
May 21: Spring Carnival, 6:30-7:30
May 26: Holiday, Memorial Day
June 4-5: 6th Grade Musical
June 10: 6th Grade Promotion
June 11: Last Day of School for Students
Find the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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