Floris Family Message
In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News
- Food Allergies- Action Required
- Library Volunteers
- Literacy Adventure
- Activities from the Herndon Library
- Attendance
- Winter Resources for Families
- Curiosity Corner
- AAP Information
- Educate Fairfax
- Upcoming Dates
Hello Floris Families,
As we approach the holiday season, I want to extend warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. This time of year offers a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate the many moments of growth, learning, and joy we have shared together as a school community.
It has been a pleasure seeing so many of you this week at our grade-level holiday celebrations. These moments of connection and celebration truly highlight the strong sense of community we share.
We are so grateful for your continued partnership and support. Our students’ success is made possible by the strong connection between home and school, and we appreciate all that you do.
I hope to see many of you this evening at the Floris Holiday Concert at Carson Middle School. Our students and staff have worked hard to prepare for this special event, and we look forward to celebrating the season together through music and community.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year.
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.
Food Allergy Notification Form
Does your child have a food allergy? Please take a moment to complete the Food Allergy Form and email it to dietary.forms.fns@fcps.edu.
You can access the form here: https://florises.fcps.edu/announcements/food-allergy-form-families
Sharing this information helps us make sure your child’s dietary needs are met safely at school. Thanks so much for your help!
📚 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!
Winter Break Literacy Adventures
Engaging in literacy activities over winter break helps students maintain the reading, writing, and speaking skills they built during the first half of the school year. Even a little daily practice, such as these 10 fun family activities, helps ensure they return to school confident and ready to continue growing in literacy.
Enjoy these literacy adventures as a family!
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!
Check out the January 2026 activities calendar, provided in both English and Spanish!
Reporting Student Absences
We are committed to partnering with families to promote positive attendance habits. Any day that your child is unable to attend school, parents should report the absence. By reporting absences, families are partnering with our staff so that everyone can make sure students are supported and have access to resources.
Full-day absences can be reported in SIS ParentVUE. Parents can also report absences by calling our school attendance line. School staff will call parents if students are absent, and our school has not been notified in advance.
Parents can monitor their child’s attendance records in SIS ParentVUE.
Attendance Codes in SIS ParentVUE Explained
Attendance codes in SIS ParentVUE are assigned by school staff to better identify the reasons behind student absences. This allows us to respond thoughtfully and provide appropriate support. Visit the FCPS Attendance Policy webpage to learn more about the codes.
When Your Child Is Sick
It is also important to keep your child home when they are sick. The Can My Child Go to School? webpage provides helpful recommendations on when to keep your child home.
For instance, as long as they are feeling like they can participate in school activities, a child should attend school if they have cold symptoms. However, if they have severe, uncontrolled, or rapid coughing; wheezing; or difficulty breathing, definitely keep them home and contact your health care provider.
⛄ Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
Even If School Is Closed, Learning Can Continue!
We encourage students to take advantage of fun learning opportunities during the upcoming winter break and on snow days.
Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
🧠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.
Support Our Schools: 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge
Join Educate Fairfax’s 25 for 2025 Giving Challenge and help ensure every FCPS student has the tools, support, and inspiration to succeed. Every gift, whether you can give $25 or $2,500, helps students learn while supporting the teachers and staff who make a lasting difference.
Educate Fairfax is the nonprofit education foundation that supports FCPS by providing resources, recognizing outstanding educators, and strengthening connections between schools and the community. Educate Fairfax invests directly in classrooms and programs. Last year, they contributed $1.27 million back into our schools.
The foundation supplied more than 5,000 school supply kits to more than 61 schools, centers, shelters, and Welcome Centers. Its Food for All Campaign packed more than 1,000 snack packs and helped feed more than 350 families over Thanksgiving. Read the Educate Fairfax Annual Report to learn more about their impact.
Together, we can support and encourage all learners and educators and strengthen the future of our schools. Donate to Educate Fairfax today.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
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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