Floris Family Message
In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News
- Library Volunteers
- Curiosity Corner
- Herndon Library Information
- AAP Information
- Immunization Events
- Attendance and Illness
- Better Sleep
- Meal Accommodations
- Cell Phone Policy
- Emergency Response Buttons
- Schoology
- Upcoming Dates
Dear Floris Families,
Can you believe it? We are already nearing the end of the second quarter; this school year is flying by! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming students back in August, and now we’re talking about winter weather forecasts and cozy layers.
Speaking of winter… it looks like snow may be heading our way. If you’ve been in our hallways lately, you may have noticed that all I hear is that school will definitely be closed next week…clearly, we have many aspiring meteorologists among us! While their enthusiasm is impressive, please know that FCPS will be monitoring the official forecast closely and will communicate any schedule changes if weather impacts school operations.
We also want to remind families that there will be no school for students next Thursday and Friday due to Staff Development and a Teacher Workday. While students enjoy a short break, our teachers will be hard at work planning, collaborating, and sharpening their skills to continue providing high-quality instruction.
As we wrap up Quarter 2, we want to thank you for your continued partnership and support. This year may be moving quickly, but we are grateful for every moment spent learning and growing together.
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
Student Program Information
Floris Arabic Student Club:
Is your child interested in learning basic Arabic and learning about Arabic culture (games, songs, stories, and crafts)?
Registration for the Floris Arabic Student Club (FASC) is OPEN for any Floris 3rd-6th graders. FASC will meet on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:00pm.
A big thank you to Ms. Noon Ragi! She will be directing and teaching this after-school club!
STEAM Night:
Floris Family STEAM Night will be held on Friday, February 27th from 6:00-7:30pm. In order to make this event a success, the PTA is asking community members to sign-up to lead a STEAM station during the event. We are hoping to have at least 20 stations.
Themes for stations can include engineering challenges (think marshmallow structures, penny bridges), chemistry fun, art integration (3D pens, stamped patterns), social science (emotional regulation through breathing/five senses), etc. There are many possibilities. Please sign-up HERE.
Science Fair:
Registration is OPEN! Space is available for up to 60 teams. Please visit our website for more information and the link to register.
Food Share Program:
SIGN UP to deliver donated food on Fridays. It is a quick errand!
Girls on the Run:
Spring season registration opens on February 2.
Want to learn more about the PTA? Visit our website.
Parents Night Out at Black Dragon Martial Arts
Parents, enjoy some well-deserved downtime while your child has a blast!
 |
|
Date: Saturday, Feb 14. 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Black Dragon Martial Arts
13914 Metrotech Dr, Chantilly, VA 20151
Registration Link: https://cp.mystudio.io/e/?=PFyPFH/16231/784929//1768444262
Fee: $30.00 per child
This event is for kids only, ages 4 and up.
Your kids will:
- Play fun, organized games under disco lights
- Enjoy arts & crafts
- Have pizza dinner & popcorn
- Watch a movie
|
📚 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!
🧠Curiosity Corner🧠
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!
Activities From the Herndon Library
Looking for fun indoor activities to do this winter? Check out all that is being offered in February at Herndon Fortnightly Library:
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!
Immunization Events for FCPS Students
FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will provide school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. Additional dates will be available throughout the school year.
Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. View immunization resources on the FCPS website.
When Should Your Child Stay Home?
Help your student succeed in school by encouraging them to miss as few days as possible. However, do make sure your student stays home if they are sick. Visit the FCPS website for helpful insights regarding absences and how to work with your child and our school to minimize impacts on learning.
If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to let us know so we can provide assistance, if needed.
Healthy Habits to Reduce the Spread of Flu and Other Germs
Fairfax County is seeing very high levels of influenza (flu) illness. Visits to emergency departments and urgent care centers for flu-like illness have increased, especially among children, and multiple flu outbreaks have occurred in our community and school settings.
Consider these tips from the Fairfax County Health Department to help reduce the spread of flu and other germs.
Strategies for Better Sleep
Sleep is essential to good health, and getting enough sleep has big benefits to your physical and mental health and well-being. Sleep is restorative, allowing your body time to recover and repair.
This is true for your child, too. In fact, adequate sleep in children supports healthy brain development, learning, and memory consolidation, as well as their mood. And it is important for a strong immune system and the prevention of infections.
Read about how much sleep a person needs and get some sleep strategies you can use with your family.
Meal Accommodations Provide Safe, Nutritious Meals
FCPS’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) works to ensure every student has access to school meals that are safe, nutritious, and meet their individual dietary needs.
FNS works closely with families to provide reasonable meal accommodations for students whose medical needs affect what they can eat at school. To support students appropriately and safely, families are asked to submit medical documentation to FNS from a U.S. licensed health care provider so we can tailor meals to each child’s needs.
Learn more about the documentation required and the steps to develop a menu for your child.
Did Your Student Get a New Phone or Device?
For a distraction-free start to the New Year, please remind your student about FCPS' policy for cell phones and personal devices. This policy helps students focus, interact more with their peers and teachers, and build independent problem-solving skills.
Visit FCPS’ cell phone policy webpage for more information and answers to frequently asked questions, including:
- Exceptions for students with medical conditions or IEP/504 plans.
- Cell phone use on buses and field trips.
- Consequences for cell phone policy violations.
If you need to reach your student during the school day, please call our main office.
Enhancing Safety and Security for Staff and Students
School safety and security are being enhanced across FCPS with a new emergency management system. The system includes sensors installed in schools and a wearable emergency response button (ERB) for staff.
The button allows staff to quickly and discreetly request help and, once pressed, they provide location information within the school. The ERB will only work on school grounds and does not rely on cellular service. It is not meant to replace calling 911, but is an additional safety tool that can be used if calling 911 may not be safe or practical.
Learn more about the emergency management system. You may submit questions to the FCPS Chief of Safety and Security Office.
Access Schoology to Support Your Child
Schoology is the learning management system used in FCPS. Parents and students can use Schoology to view assignments and messages from teachers. Learn more about how to access and navigate Schoology.
Visit the Schoology Snippets YouTube playlist to watch short tutorials that walk you through how to use Schoology.
Need help logging in or accessing Tech Support? Visit the Schoology for Parents page.
Follow Our Budget Process
Encourage your neighbors, friends, and community members to follow the FCPS budget process and look for opportunities to share your ideas about funding public education. Key decision dates and engagement opportunities are coming up in the next few weeks:
- The Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly will hold a public hearing regarding the upcoming 2026 session on Saturday, January 10, at 9 a.m. in the Board Auditorium at the Fairfax County Government Center.
Fairfax County residents can sign up in advance to speak at the hearing online or contact the Department of Clerk Services at 703-324-3151, TTY 711, by Thursday, January 8, at noon.
Thursday, January 22, Dr. Reid will present the proposed budget to the School Board.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
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 13: Club and Candid Photos
February 16: Holiday- President's Day
February 17: Teacher Workday, No School for Students
February 25: 3-Hour Early Release
February 27: STEAM Night, 6:30 in Cafeteria
Find the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
|
