Floris Family Message
In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News
- Spirit Week Next Week
- Library Volunteers
- Floris Annual Giving Tree
- Full-Time AAP Referral Information
- Activities from the Herndon Library
- Attendance
- Food Assistance
- Curiosity Corner
- AAP Information
- Volunteer FCPS
- FY 27 Budget
- Upcoming Dates
Hello Floris Families,
We’ve had another successful and fun week here at Floris ES! With the holiday break quickly approaching, our students are definitely excited, but they are also continuing to learn and engage at a high level. Their energy and curiosity have made this a joyful time of year in our building.
I also want to take a moment to celebrate some wonderful news. Our recognition as a Virginia Distinguished School is truly something worth celebrating, and it is a direct reflection of the hard work, expertise, and commitment of our entire staff. This honor belongs to every single member of our Floris team.
Floris continues to shine because of the intentional work happening every day, strong Tier 1 instruction, thoughtful small-group support, meaningful enrichment opportunities, and the joy our staff brings into classrooms and hallways. These are not just programs or initiatives; they are who we are, and they are the reason our students are thriving.
Being named a Distinguished School isn’t a finish line, it’s a milestone that shows we’re on the right path. We are incredibly proud to lead alongside such a talented and passionate group of educators, and we hope you take a moment to feel proud of what we’ve achieved together as a community.
Have a wonderful and warm weekend!
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
Student Program Information
VASO A: Registration is open, visit https://www.florispta.org/science-olympiad for more information and the form to register. The first 45 student registrations will receive priority in forming teams and registering for events. Registration will close once the desired number of participants is reached.
🗓️ The PTA has exciting programs and events coming up in 2026.
Mark your calendars!
January 16: Bingo Night at 6:15pm in the Cafeteria
February 2: Spelling Bee, 1st Round at 6:30pm in the Cafeteria
February 19: PTA Meeting at 6:30pm in the Library
February 26: Spelling Bee, Final Round at 6:30pm in the Cafeteria
February 27: STEAM Night at 6:30pm
March 26: Science Fair at 6:30pm
April 16: PTA Meeting at 6:30pm in the Library
April 30: International Night at 6:30pm
May 21: Spring Carnival at 5:30pm
Want to learn more about the PTA? Visit our website.
📚 Volunteers Needed in Our School Library! 📚
Do you have a few minutes to spare and a love for books? Our school library could use your helping hands! We’re looking for volunteers to assist with shelving books and keeping our library organized and welcoming for all our young readers.
No experience is needed—just a willingness to help and a smile! Even a short shift makes a big difference.
If you’re interested, please reach out to Ms. Papas at mopapas@fcps.edu. Together, we can keep our library a bright, cozy place where our kids’ imaginations can soar!
Thank you for supporting our readers!
Floris Annual Giving Tree – Supporting Local Families
As we enter the holiday season, we are reminded that some families in our community may need extra support. Once again, Floris Elementary is proud to host our Annual Giving Tree to help local families in need.
How You Can Help: Participating is simple! Please consider signing up to purchase a Target or Walmart gift card to benefit our families. Once purchased, gift cards may be mailed or dropped off at the school office.
👉 Sign Up Here! 👈
Gift Card Deadline: All gift cards should be received by Monday, December 15th.
Mailing Address:
Floris Elementary School
Attn: James Duffield
2708 Centreville Road
Herndon, VA 20171
If you are—or know of—a family in need of support this holiday season, please contact James Duffield at jcduffield@fcps.edu.
Thank you for helping make the season brighter for others! We are deeply grateful for your generosity and kindness.
Full-Time AAP Referral Window Reminder for Families
Parents/caretakers who would like their student to be screened for Full-Time Advanced Academic Program services may submit the Full-Time Referral Form (translations linked below) to their local school’s Advanced Academic Resource Teacher (AART), Amy Albanese abalbanese@fcps.edu no later than December 15, 2025. Late referrals will not be accepted.
Full-Time Referral Form (PDF)
Each year, families of students in grades 2-6 can submit a referral for Full-Time AAP services any time from the first day of school through December 15. No late referrals for Full-Time AAP services will be accepted.
Once a referral is received, our school will compile information related to the student. Then, a committee of six trained professionals from across the county will review materials to determine eligibility for full-time AAP services.
Next Steps for Parents
Eligibility decisions are communicated by early April. Parents may request a copy of their child’s materials after February 20, 2026, by emailing Amy Albanese, abalbanese@fcps.edu
At the elementary level, referrals for subject-specific and part-time AAP are screened by the school. If you miss the full-time referral deadline, your student can still be screened for subject-specific or part-time AAP services for the remainder of the year.
At the middle school level, honors courses are open to all students.
For more information, please visit the Advanced Academic Programs website.
Activities From the Herndon Library
Looking for fun indoor activities to do this winter? Here are a couple of ideas from Herndon Fortnightly Library:
❄️FCPL Winter Reading Adventure
The Fairfax County Public Library has a winter reading adventure, Read for the Gold, from December 1st - January 31st. Participants will earn ten or fifteen virtual badges by reading or listening to books, reading for 20 or 30 minutes, completing activities, or a combination of all three.Once participants have met the reading goals for their age/grade, they can visit their neighborhood library branch and receive prizes for finishing the program!
Then be sure to join other readers for the Winter Olympics Bonanza - Fairfax Library Calendar - Library Home A Winter Reading Challenge celebration with crafts and games on Dec 30th from 11-12 at Herndon Fortnightly Library!
🙋♂️ Attendance Is Important Every Day!
Every year, absences increase in the weeks before and after winter break. Give your child the gift of education and help build a habit of attendance. Visit the FCPS website for more attendance resources.
🍲 Food Assistance and Resource Guide
Food insecurity impacts more than 96,000 Fairfax County residents. Learn how to help and discover the many resources available to support those who need food assistance or shelter. View the county’s Human Services Resource Guide.
🧠Curiosity Corner🧠
Monthly Maker Missions
Within the walls of Floris, there are many cultures, characteristics, and systems that make our community unique. This month, students are taking on a creative challenge — to design a monument or statue that represents Floris Elementary! They’ll consider all aspects of our school — our people, procedures, traditions, and values — as they create a design that captures what makes Floris such a special place to learn and grow.
The goal is to promote creative and critical thinking and engage in the engineering and design process. Submissions are due in the Curiosity Lab at the end of the month and will be highlighted within the school building and on the student news show. Let's get curious!
AAP Information
If you are interested in having your child screened for full-time AAP services (Grades 2 – 6 only) you will need to submit an AAP Full-Time referral form to Amy Albanese by no later than Dec 15, 2025, for possible eligibility for the 26-27 School year. In addition to the Referral form, parents are encouraged to submit the Optional Parent Questionnaire and up two pages of work samples. Submission can be submitted digitally to Amy Albanese on or before the deadline. No late submissions will be accepted.
If you should have any questions regarding AAP services, please reach out to Amy Albanese our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher here at Floris ES. She works Mon – Thurs from 8:45AM – 4:15PM and is most easily reachable via email: abalbanese@fcps.edu
Learn more about AAP on our Floris webpage.
Volunteer FCPS Helps Community Members Connect With Schools
Volunteer FCPS allows individuals to search and register for volunteer opportunities across the division. It helps ensure a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment at all of our schools. All volunteers must:
- Create a profile in Volunteer FCPS.
- Register for opportunities through Volunteer FCPS.
- Sign in and out of schools using our visitor kiosk.
Individuals can complete a volunteer orientation on the Volunteer FCPS website. View Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the volunteer levels.
Recent Updates to Volunteer Opportunity LevelsDue to the overwhelming response from our community, FCPS is temporarily pausing fingerprint requirements for most Level 3 volunteers. Those who have already been fingerprinted will be processed to be eligible for all Level 3 opportunities.
As part of the application, all volunteers sign a statement confirming they have not been convicted of violent crimes, crimes against children, or other serious misconduct.
Field trip chaperone opportunities are now classified as Level 2 (not requiring a comprehensive background check).
FCPS’ Budget Supports the Success of the Local Economy
When our schools have the resources they need, all of Fairfax County succeeds!
FCPS is one of Fairfax County’s largest employers, and every paycheck we issue helps support local businesses, services, and housing markets. FCPS’ annual operating budget flows through our local economy — supporting jobs, purchasing goods and services, and contributing to regional stability.
Learn more about the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and how FCPS supports the Fairfax County economy.
Fairfax County Joint Budget Committee Meeting
The School Board met with the Board of Supervisors on December 2 to discuss the budget forecast. View the meeting materials and learn more about FCPS' FY27 budget.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
December 15-19: Spirit Week
December 17: 3-Hour Early Release for Students
December 18: 5th/6th Winter Music Concerts, 7:00 at Rachel Carson MS
December 22- January 2: Holiday- Winter Break
January 15: 4th Grade Winter Concert, 7:00 in Cafeteria
January 16: PTA Bingo Night, 6:15
January 19: Holiday- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 28: End of 2nd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release
January 29-30: Staff Development Days, No School for Students
Find the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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