Back to School Message
In this Summer Message:
- Save the Date: Floris Back to School Events Timeline
- Back-to-School Checklist
- 2025-2026 Supply Lists
- Student ID Numbers Needed for School Meals
- Cell Phone Policy
- Upcoming Opportunity: Asha- Jyothi 5K
- Family Academy
- Early Release Wednesdays
- Volunteer Management System
- Bond
Hello Floris Families,
Welcome back! We’re so excited to kick off another wonderful school year together. This is a friendly reminder that our Open House is tomorrow, and we can’t wait to see you all.
Our classrooms are bright, welcoming, and ready for students! During Open House, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Drop off school supplies
- Greet our specialists and classroom teachers
- Visit the front office or clinic as needed
We’ve also created a Communication Link with several important resources for families. Some examples include:
- ParentVUE access
- Digital Resources Consent (required every school year)
- Kiss and Ride registration for the 2025-2026 school year
- And more!
💡Pro tip💡: check things off of the list ahead of time so you can hit the ground running.
We are looking forward to a wonderful and exciting year ahead with our Floris community!
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
We’re Eager to Welcome You Back to School!
As summer winds down, we are looking forward to welcoming students back to our classrooms. Please review this checklist to make sure your child is ready!
☑️ Sign Up for SIS ParentVUE
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Contact our registrar, Vernella Lanham, if you need an activation code. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Update Your Contact Information
Be sure you receive important information! Update your phone number(s) and/or email address(es) in the Parent/Guardian section of SIS ParentVUE.
☑️ Update Immunizations and Records
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school in Virginia. This is an important part of protecting them from certain diseases and keeping them healthy.
When your child is immunized, remember to request a copy of their immunization record and bring that to our front office or submit the record via SIS ParentVUE as soon as possible. Find more information on FCPS’ website.
☑️ Learn About School Meals
Parents/caregivers need to provide their students with money to purchase meals at school, send them with a packed lunch, or apply (and be approved) for free and reduced-price meal benefits.
☑️ Bookmark the School Year Calendar
Be sure to bookmark the FCPS school year calendar to keep track of school holidays, breaks, and observances:
- Days marked with a blue “H” are student holidays. Schools are closed on these days.
- Days marked with an orange “O” are religious and cultural observance days (or evenings, if only half marked). There is school on these days, but certain events that cannot be made up may not be scheduled on these days.
- Days marked in pink are holidays for students but working days for teachers and staff.
Please note that some holidays and observances, such as Eid al Fitr, may shift, and the calendar may be adjusted.
School Supplies for Next Year!
There's still time to get school supplies before Open House! Check out our 2025-2026 School Supply Lists, in case you still need them!
If your family needs help purchasing school supplies, please contact our counselor, Sarah de Kramer at shdekramer@fcps.edu.
Student ID Numbers Needed for School Meals (New This Year)
Starting this school year, students will enter their student ID number — not their current cafeteria PIN — at the cash register to receive school meals. Please remind your child of their student ID number, which you can find in SIS ParentVUE. View more updates and reminders for school meals this year.
We Are a Phone-Free School!
Please remind your student that cell phones and personal devices (airpods, earbuds, headsets, other items connected to the internet) must be off and away for the entire school day (bell to bell). Cell phones are also not permitted to be used as an instructional tool.If you need to contact your student during the school day, please call our front office at [phone number]. Learn more about FCPS’ cell phone policy, which helps students stay focused, safe, and engaged at school.
Asha-Jyothi 5K Run/ Walk on September 21st
Let's raise money for Floris while also having fun and getting fit in the process! Asha-Jyothi is a local nonprofit that gives back to schools in the area through race registration of a 5K. The more registrants that identify Floris as our school, the more money Floris will receive to use towards student-centered projects in our STEAM Lab!
Register to race here, and check out more details in the flyer below:
🏫 Building a Brighter Future, Together: FCPS Family Academy
The FCPS Family Academy promotes connections and collaborations between families, educators, and the community. Its work is aimed at strengthening partnerships in support of each and every student’s success.
Explore a wide range of resources; tools; and virtual and in-person webinars, workshops, and programs. The FCPS Family Academy helps you become a key part of your child’s education! Learn more about the FCPS Family Academy.
Save the Date: Early Release Wednesdays
As with last year, to ensure adequate teacher planning time and professional development, FCPS is designating eight Early Release Wednesdays for the 2025–26 school year at Floris Elementary.
🗓️3-Hour Early Release Dates:
- September 17, 2025
- October 15, 2025
- November 19, 2025
- December 17, 2025
- February 25, 2026
- March 25, 2026
- April 29, 2026
- May 20, 2026
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
A new volunteer management system, Volunteer FCPS, will allow students, parents/caregivers, and community members to register and search volunteer opportunities within the school division.
All volunteers (new or returning) will register in Volunteer FCPS, complete a volunteer orientation, and be required to sign in using the visitor kiosk. Some volunteers will also be required to undergo a background check. Visit the Volunteer FCPS website for details.
🏗️ School Bond Referendum on Ballot Tuesday, November 4
A $460 million School Bond Referendum will be on the Tuesday, November 4, general election ballot.
Bond-funded projects provide safe, welcoming, effective, and modern spaces for students to learn and staff to work.
The building and renovation of our schools is not funded through FCPS’ operating budget. Voter-approved bonds that allow payment for projects over time, while seeking to avoid an increase in property tax rates, fund building and renovation. Without bond funding, renovations would likely cease, delaying much needed repairs at many schools. Potential bond-funded projects are identified in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program, which was adopted by the School Board in February.
Voters have a direct role in shaping the future of FCPS schools. Read more about the 2025 Bond Referendum. Learn more about registering to vote.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
August 15: Open House
August 18: 1st Day of School
August 29-September 1: Holiday- Labor Day Break – All FCPS schools and offices closed
September 9: No School for Students, Special Election Polling Place
September 16: Back to School Night (Grades 1,2,3,&5 only) 6:30pm-8:00pm
September 17: 3-Hour Early Release for Students
Back to School Night (Grades K, 4, 6 only) 6:30pm-8:00pm
September 23: Holiday- Rosh Hashanah- all FCPS Schools and Offices Closed
October 2: Holiday- Yom Kippur
October 13: No School for Students, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Staff Development Day
October 15: 3-Hour Early Release for Students
October 20: Holiday- Diwali
October 31: End of First Quarter and Two-Hour Early Release
November 3-4: No School for Students, Teacher Workdays and Election Day
November 11: Holiday- Veterans' Day
November 19: 3-Hour Early Release for Students
Find the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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