Floris Family Message
In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News
- Let's Help Warm Up FCPS
- Book Fair Volunteers
- Overdue Book Notices
- March Events From Herndon Library
- Yearbooks
- Curiosity Corner
- Meal Kits for Fasting Students
- AAP Information
- Black History Month Celebration
- Summer Learning
- Transition Fair for Special Education Students
- Kindergarten Registration
- Upcoming Dates
Hello Floris Families,
Even though it has been a short week, our students and staff have continued to make the most of every moment. Classrooms have been busy with meaningful learning, collaboration, and growth. It’s hard to believe we have already surpassed the 100th day of school! Time does fly when our students are engaged and thriving.
This is a reminder that we have our first PTA meeting of the new year this evening at 6:30 PM in the library. We hope you will join us to stay connected, hear updates, and continue partnering together to support our school community.
Looking ahead to next week, we are excited for two wonderful events:
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Second Round of the Floris Spelling Bee – Thursday evening at 5:30 PM in the cafeteria
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STEAM Night – Friday evening at 6:30 PM in the gym and cafeteria
Both events showcase the talents, creativity, and hard work of our students. We are looking forward to celebrating their efforts and hope to see many of you there!
Please note that next Wednesday will be a 3-hour Early Release for students. If there are any changes to your child’s dismissal plans, please communicate them to the front office and your child’s teacher in advance.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
6th Grade Snack Pack
On Thursday, February 26, Floris 6th graders will be helping put together 200 snack bags for neighbors in need. Please SIGN UP to donate items for the service project. All donations should be dropped off to Mrs. DeKramer's office by Tuesday, February 24.
PTA Meeting
Thursday, February 19th at 6:30pm in the Floris Library. The meeting will focus on PTA activities for the rest of this school year and PTA leadership opportunities for the 2026-2027 school year. Don't miss out! Your perspective helps shape what's next for our students.
Floris Arabic Student Club
Registration for the Floris Arabic Student Club (FASC) is OPEN for any Floris 3rd-6th graders. FASC meets on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:00pm. This club is for all levels of learners - from those just starting to learn Arabic to fluent speakers.
STEAM Night
Get ready to experiment, create, and explore! Floris Family STEAM Night will be held on Friday, February 27th from 6:00-7:30pm. Sign-up to lead a STEAM station during the event.
✵Single Student Ticket $5 ✵Multi-student Ticket $10 ✵
Tickets available 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.
Girls on the Run
Spring season registration is open. What you need to know when registering for the spring 2026 season of Girls on the Run:
- Who can participate?
- Elementary schoolers in grade 3 or higher can register for a Girls on the Run team.
- When is registration open?
- Registration will open at 9:00 a.m. on February 2 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on February 23.
- How can I register?
- When does the Girls on the Run season start?
- The spring 2026 season begins the week of March 2.
- Where can I learn more about Girls on the Run programming?
Become a GOTR NOVA Coach!
Make an impact as a coach this season! GOTR NOVA provides all the training and materials you'll need to be a successful coach. No previous coaching or running experience is needed. If you are passionate about inspiring and empowering kids to be the best they can be, this is a great opportunity for you. Learn more about coaching
Calling all high schoolers looking to give back!
High school students ages 16-18 can become Junior Coaches and help lead a team! As a junior coach, you’ll inspire and support elementary and middle school participants as they grow in confidence, strength, and character, all while building your own leadership skills. No previous coaching, running, or Girls on the Run experience is necessary. As an added bonus, junior coaches will receive community service hours! Learn more about Junior Coaching
Food Share Program
SIGN UP to deliver donated food on Fridays. It is a quick errand!
Want to learn more about the PTA? Visit our website.
Warm Up FCPS – Divisionwide Spirit Day
Tired of all the cold weather? Let’s warm up with a little school spirit across the division!
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid is encouraging all FCPS students, teachers, and staff to shake the wrinkles out of their brightest outfits and tropical wear to help brighten everyone’s moods on Friday, February 20.
📚 The Scholastic Book Fair is Coming Soon! 🎉
Get ready — the Scholastic Book Fair begins on March 9th and runs through March 13th! Students will kick off the fun by previewing the fair with their classes and creating a wish list to bring home and share with you.
Later in the week, students will return to shop during school hours, and families are invited to join the excitement during our Family Shopping Afternoon on Wednesday March 11th from 4:30–6:00 PM.
Want to make shopping easy and cash-free? Set up an eWallet for your child — it’s the simplest way to let them choose their favorite books. 📖✨
Visit the Floris Elementary School Book Fair website for full details and to create your child’s eWallet today!
We’re looking for parent volunteers to help make the Book Fair a success. Your time and support make a big difference! Please see the Sign Up Genius to sign up for a time to help. Additionally, please go to the Volunteer Signup page to register as a FES Book Fair volunteer.
Any questions? Please contact Ms. Papas at mopapas@fcps.edu.
Overdue Book Notices
The library will be sending out overdue book notices this week. Kindergarten through second grade students will receive paper notices, while third through sixth grade students will find their notices in their school email accounts.
Please encourage your children to return library books so others can enjoy them. If you're having trouble finding a book or have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Papas at mopapas@fcps.edu.
Yearbooks Are Now On Sale
- Cost: $18
- Order Deadline: April 17, 2026
- In order to ensure everything is tracked appropriately and efficiently, we will only be conducting online orders.
👉👉You can order the Floris Yearbook from 🔗this direct link 🔗👈👈
- You will need to enter your student's first name, last name, grade level, and provide online payment.
- If you are ordering more than one yearbook, you'll need to complete the above process for each student (separate transactions).
We can expect our yearbooks to arrive from Walsworth at the end of May and they will be distributed to students in June! Thank you!
🧠Curiosity Corner🧠
February’s Maker Mission: A-Maze-ing Leprechaun Adventures!
In preparation of St. Patrick's Day coming up next month, your challenge is to design a maze for a leprechaun using materials found at home! The maze can help a leprechaun reach their gold—or escape with it. There is no right or wrong way to complete this challenge; creativity and problem-solving are encouraged. Have fun exploring, building, and thinking like an engineer!
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!
Meal Kits for Fasting Students
From February 18 to March 19, students who are fasting during the day can take school meals home. These kits include one breakfast and one lunch to be eaten after the school day ends.
Families must fill out a request form each week for every student who wants a kit. The first deadline is Wednesday, February 11, for the week of February 16. Please note other important details below:
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Cost: Meals are charged just like a normal school day.
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Pickup: Students must grab their kits at the end of the school day.
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Menu: Kits include school meals that are easy to heat at home.
Visit the Food and Nutrition webpage for forms, deadlines, and other information. Please contact the Office of Food and Nutrition Services with any questions at FCPSFNS@fcps.edu or 703-813-4800.
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!
Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence
Families and community members are invited to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the voices shaping our future at FCPS’ Second Annual Black History Month Celebration. Rooted in Resilience: Echoes of Excellence will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m., at Carter G. Woodson High School.
The event will honor the rich history, strength, and contributions of the Black community through inspiring student performances and a powerful keynote address by Rev. Vernon C. Walton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Vienna. Light refreshments will be available.
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
Tech Adventure Camp (TAC) is a week-long exploratory camp that allows current K-5 students to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), culinary, health, trades, and business and marketing areas. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open through Friday, June 5.
Elementary Institute for the Arts (E-IFTA) is a weekly fine and performing arts camp for students in grades K-5 who love to sing, dance, act, perform, make, and create. Students attend four daily classes in dance, music, theater, and visual arts and work with experienced educators who create engaging, fun classes.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Planning for Life in and After High School for Students with IEPs
Families, caregivers, and educators of elementary and middle school students receiving special education services are invited to join Career and Transition Services (CTS) to learn about planning for life in and after high school.
The transition fair will take place on Wednesday, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Luther Jackson Middle School.
Ensuring the success of our students with disabilities after high school is dependent on what is known as transition planning. Please join CTS and other support service personnel for an evening focused on planning for the future.
An exhibitor fair will include teachers and representatives from CTS high school courses, career academies, age 18-22 programs, and transition services for students with disabilities. This event also includes a presentation with a brief overview of transition services and a student/parent panel sharing firsthand experiences. Register in advance.
It’s Kindergarten Registration Time!
Kindergarten helps children learn and practice the social, emotional, problem-solving, and self-regulation skills they will use throughout their lives.
Fairfax County public schools typically conduct kindergarten registration events, including orientation, in the spring. Eligible children can be registered throughout the summer, but registering your child early helps schools prepare and ensure they have the teachers and resources needed on the first day of school.
If your child will attend our school, please gather necessary documents and complete registration forms as soon as possible.
FCPS offers support and resources for all families to help with registration and the transition to kindergarten. For support in other languages, please visit the FCPS Registration webpage.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
February 25: 3-Hour Early Release
February 27: STEAM Night, 6:30 in Cafeteria
March 9-13: Spring Book Fair
March 17: Spring Chorus Concert, 7pm in Cafeteria
March 20: Holiday- Eid al-Fitr
March 25: 3-Hour Early Release
March 26: Science Fair
March 30-April 3: Spring Break
April 6: Teacher Workday
April 8: Spring Picture Day
April 10: School Planning Day
April 10: Kindergarten Orientation, 10:00 in Cafeteria
Find the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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