Floris Family Message
In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- Optional: Snow Globe Choice Board
- PTA News
- Library Volunteers
- Curiosity Corner
- Herndon Library Information
- AAP Information
- FCPS App
- Kindergarten Registration
- Weather Closings
- Winter Resources for Families
- Upcoming Dates
Dear Floris Families,
I hope everyone is staying safe, warm, and enjoying some time together despite the snow!
Tomorrow, Thursday, January 29, is a staff development day, and Friday, January 30, is a teacher workday. While students have these days off, our staff will be preparing for an amazing start to the third quarter. Hopefully, the forecast will bring us less snow, and we can settle into a smooth start to the new quarter.
If you’re looking for ideas to keep your child engaged while at home, please check out this link of county resources. There are fun and educational activities for all ages to enjoy! You can also check out the optional snow globe choice board below, if you're interested.
We can’t wait to hear about all of the wonderful snow-day adventures when our students return next week. Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and care—it makes the Floris community so special.
Stay safe, warm, and enjoy the snow (and hopefully some cozy downtime, too)!
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
Snow Globe Choice Board
It feels like we’re living inside a snow globe right now! ❄️✨ As we embrace this wintry moment, we’re sharing an optional snow globe–themed choice board filled with fun, engaging activities your students can enjoy at home.
 👉Get your own copy of the choice board here!
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!
📱 More News and Updates — on the go — With the FCPS App
Gone are the days of digging through emails or hunting for bookmarks. The FCPS app provides a custom experience that is both powerful and easy to use. Here is how it makes life easier:
- Customized for Your Family: Do you have students at two (or more!) different schools? You can "follow" multiple schools to get a feed of news, notices, and events specific to your family.
- No Sign-In Required: Access essential content like district-wide announcements, live updates, and school calendars instantly — no password to remember, no login required.
- Real-Time Notifications: Get push notifications for urgent updates — including weather announcements! — ensuring you never miss an important announcement from the district or your school.
- Everything in One Place: From bell schedules and staff directories to athletic event locations and school menus, the app is a central hub for all things FCPS.
To ensure every family stays informed, the app supports automatic translation for more than 100 languages. Learn more about the app, or download it today in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
🧸 Kindergarten Registration: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3…
There’s an easy five-step process for parents wanting to register their child for kindergarten:
- Determine eligibility.
- Identify your local school.
- Gather documents.
- Fill out forms.
- Schedule an appointment.
After the appointment at the school (the student and one caregiver must be present), the student will be ready for orientation or any other introductory events each school may host. Read more about the registration process. For more information, call our student information assistant/registrar at 703-561-2900.
💻 Try Online Registration
Parents may register their children online for kindergarten through 12th grade. Learn how to begin the online registration process. When registering, parents will create (or log in to an existing) SIS ParentVUE account.
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
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 weather. 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 snow or inclement weather days.
Consider these winter activities to blend education and play at home.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
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
|
