Floris Family Message
In This Message:Â
- Principals' Message
- PTA News
- Food Allergies- Action Required
- Body Safety Program
- Activities from the Herndon Library
- Attendance
- Curiosity Corner
- AAP Information
- Upcoming Dates
Dear Floris Families,
Welcome back, and Happy New Year!
Our first week back from winter break has been a joyful and energizing one. It has been wonderful to see our hallways full of smiles, laughter, and the familiar routines that make Floris such a special place. Our students returned ready to learn, reconnect, and support one another, and we could not be prouder of the way they jumped right back into school life.
I also want to recognize our incredible staff. From the moment students walked through the doors, our teachers and support staff created warm, welcoming classrooms and worked thoughtfully to ease everyone back into learning.
Thank you, families, for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are off to a strong start in 2026, and we are excited for all that lies ahead for our Floris community.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and a great start to the year!
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
🎊 Congratulations! 🎊
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We are so proud to share that Principal DeSmyter has been selected for the Virginia Department of Education's Principal of Distinction program! The Statewide Principals of Distinction program recognizes outstanding principals and supports their professional growth. Principal DeSmyter was chosen because he demonstrates strong leadership in elevating student achievement, strengthening instructional practices, and fostering a positive school culture.
Congratulations Principal DeSmyter! It is a joy to recognize and celebrate you! Thank you for your dedication to Floris' students and staff 💙
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Bingo Night!
Friday, January 16 from 6:15-8:00pm in the Floris Cafeteria
Cards $2 each or 3 for $5
Join us for pizza, snacks, raffles, and WIN amazing prizes!
Register HERE
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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.
Science Fair: Registration coming soon!
Girls on the Run: Spring season registration opens on February 2.
3rd Grade Snack Pack
On Thursday, January 15th, Floris 3rd graders will be helping put together 200 snack bags for neighbors in need. The students will be learning about food insecurity in their community and then take action to help. Please consider signing-up to bring in items for the service project. All donations should be dropped off to Mrs. de Kramer's office by Tuesday January 13th.Â
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!
Body Safety Program
The Body Safety Program is scheduled to take place at Floris ES the week of 2/3-2/6 for all grade levels. If you would like to opt your child out of this program, please make sure to send in a signed opt-out form (English/Spanish) no later than 1/23/26. Please note that Rylynn, a Department of Family Services Facility Dog, will be on-site Friday. If you have any questions about this program, please review the link above or reach out to Maggie Seneca our school social worker, maseneca1@fcps.edu.
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 AdventureÂ
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!
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.Â
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.  Â
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.Â
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.
🧠Curiosity Cornerđź§
Monthly Maker Missions
During November and December, our Make It Monumental challenge brought out some truly great work from students. The projects showed creativity, effort, and pride, and really captured what Floris culture is all about. Check them out below!
January’s Maker Mission: Can you design or build a prototype to safely capture a Yeti? Your challenge is to trap it without causing harm—scientists are eager to learn more about this legendary creature!
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 should have any questions regarding AAP services, please reach out to Amy Albanese our Advanced Academics Resource Teacher here at Floris ES, or learn more about AAP on our Floris webpage!
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year Â
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 23: Club and Candid Photos
January 28: End of 2nd Quarter, 2-Hour Early Release
January 29-30: Staff Development Days, No School for Students
February 2-6: Body Safety Program
February 9-13: Kindness Week
February 12: Spelling Bee, 5:30 in Cafeteria
February 16: Holiday- President's Day
February 17: Teacher Workday, No School for StudentsÂ
February 25: 3-Hour Early ReleaseÂ
February 27: STEAM Night, 6:30 in Cafeteria
Find the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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