Floris Family Message
In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News
- Kindergarten Big Truck Day
- Recess Equipment Donations
- Library Notice: Overdue Books
- May Events at the Herndon Library
- Yearbooks
- Curiosity Corner
- AAP Information
- Floris SOL Schedule
- No School April 21/ Meals for Students
- FY 2027 Budget: Sustaining Excellence
- Community Conversations
- Benchmark/ Literacy Updates
- Summer Learning
- Upcoming Dates
Hello Floris Families,
I wanted to share how excited we are that this is a full week of school for our students. The consistency of a complete week makes such a positive difference for learning, routines, and classroom momentum, and we are grateful to be back in a strong rhythm together.
This week is also our Purple Up Week, as we recognize and celebrate our military-connected students and families. It has been wonderful to see so many students and staff participating and showing their support by wearing purple and joining in on our spirit activities. Thank you for helping us honor the important role military families play in our school community.
Lastly, a reminder that we will be holding our PTA Meeting this evening at 6:30 PM in the Floris Library. We hope to see some of you there!
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
📆PTA Meeting
- Please join us at our PTA meeting tonight at 6:30pm in the Floris Library. The meeting will focus on voting in 2026-2027 PTA officers, and PTA events and activities for the rest of the school year. Don’t miss out! Your perspective helps shape what’s next for our students.
🍎Food Share Program:
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Sign up to deliver donated food on Fridays. It is a quick errand!
🌎International Night:
- International Night will be held on Thursday, April 30 from 6:30-7:30pm in the Floris Elementary School Cafeteria and Gym. International Night is a celebration of the diversity of our students and families from different parts of the world. To make this event successful, we need volunteers. Check out our sign up and host a country table, perform, or just help.
🗣️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.
Want to learn more about the PTA? Visit our website.
Kindergarten Big Truck Day
Kindergarten’s Big Truck Day is rolling in on June 3rd! 🚚🎉
We’re looking for volunteers to bring the fun—if you (or someone you know) have a cool vehicle and can donate a little time, we’d love to have you join us! From big trucks to boats to cars, every vehicle is a hit—the kids are amazed by it all!
Interested? Reach out at BTD.Coordinator@gmail.com and be part of this exciting day!
Recess Equipment Donations
Great news! Our Floris recess bin now has a new drop hatch, making it even easier for community members to donate new or gently used recess equipment.
The recess bin is typically located on the blacktop at the back of the school building. While the bin is locked at the end of each school day to help preserve and maintain equipment for our students, the donation hatch will remain open at all times for your convenience.
Our goal is to keep the bin well-stocked so students have plenty of equipment to enjoy and share during recess each day. We invite you to take a quick look in your garage or attic for any items that are still in good, usable condition and consider making a donation during a short trip to Floris.
We gladly accept the following items:
- Soft or soft-shelled soccer balls
- Nerf footballs
- Frisbees or Frisbee rings
- Basketballs
- Jump ropes
- Playground or kickballs
Thank you for helping us keep recess fun, active, and engaging for all of our students!
Library Notice: Overdue Books
The library is sending out overdue book notices this week.
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Grades K–2 will receive paper notices.
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Grades 3–6 notices were emailed to students and parents on Monday, April 13.
Please take a moment to check for any overdue library books and return them as soon as possible so all students can continue to enjoy our collection.
If you’re having trouble locating a book or need assistance, please contact Ms. Papas at mopapas@fcps.edu.
May Calendar for the Herndon Fortnightly Library
Check out all of the May happenings in May at our local public library!
Yearbooks Are Now On Sale
- Cost: $18
- Order Deadline: April 24, 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🧠
April's Maker Mission: Patterns in Bloom! 🌸
There are many patterns in nature, and Spring is the perfect time to observe them! Create spring art inspired by patterns found in nature—like leaves, flowers, insects, or clouds. Use any materials at home to design your artwork and share it with a photo, drawing, or short explanation.
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
AAP Screening – School-Based Services (Subject-Specific Differentiation and Part-Time Services):
Screening for subject-specific differentiation (grades K-5) and part time services (grades 2-5) will be happening in May for the 26-27 school year. This is a screening process that is completely separate from full-time services. For families interested in referring their child for subject-specific differentiation and/or part-time services you have the option to submit a referral form to Amy Albanese by April 30, 2026. Please note the forms are not required - All students will be automatically screened for possible services, but the form allows the parent to submit their own insights as to why their child needs services. Forms can be submitted digitally to abalbanese@fcps.edu by April 30, 2026.
If you are interested in learning more about the 4 levels of AAP services, please click on this link: Elementary School AAP Levels of Service.
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!
 Grades 3 and 4
Tuesday, May 12 - Language Arts SOL
Thursday, May 14 - Math SOL
Grade 5
Friday, May 8 - Science SOL
Grades 5 and 6
Wednesday, May 13 - Language Arts SOL
Friday, May 15 - Math SOL
Grades 3-6
May 18-May 22 - SOL makeup testing
May 28-June 2 - Expedited SOL retakes (Scores of 375-399 on initial assessment)
April Statewide Election: No School for Students
There will be no school for students on Tuesday, April 21, for the Virginia statewide election. Student activities, athletic practices, and events may proceed as scheduled.
FCPS will offer lunch and a snack at no cost to children aged 18 and under on Tuesday, April 21, at participating schools. The meals must be eaten on site, and enrichment activities will be available for the children. For more information, visit the FCPS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.
Help FCPS Sustain Excellence: Make Your Voice Heard on the FY 2027 Budget
About 70% of the FCPS budget comes from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There are several upcoming opportunities to provide feedback to the county on its budget before final adoption in May. This includes public budget hearings (April 14-16) and an online survey.
Learn how the FCPS budget helps us sustain our excellence.
Community Conversations: Share Your Thoughts With Dr. Reid
As a listening leader, connecting with community members across our school division is critical to FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. Her Community Conversations are opportunities for you to share your thoughts and ask questions. Events will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on:
Click on a date to register to attend that event. Registration is not required, but helps with planning, especially for child care and interpretation services. Events are open to all. Visit the superintendent’s engagement page for the most up-to-date information.
Halfway Through Journeys and Themes in Language Arts
We are halfway through Benchmark Unit 6 in Language Arts! Across grade levels, students have explored stories involving quests, challenges, and problem-solving.
Connect with your child’s learning at school with these fun questions and hands-on activities at home:
- Question: Which character has been your favorite from this unit and why?
- Activity: With your child, brainstorm a brand-new invention to solve a problem, like shoelaces that tie themselves or a clothes dryer that folds clothes. Ask your child to tell or write a story about someone using the invention.
At the end of the unit, your child will take their unit magazine home. The magazine includes an activity calendar with fun ways to help students build on what they’re learning at each grade level. You can also find information on how to support your child’s reading at home on the Benchmark Families website.
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.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
April 21: Election- No School
April 24: K-2 Field Day
April 30: International Night
May 4: Spring Band Concert, 6:30pm
May 7: Spring Strings Concert
May 8: 5th Grade Science SOL
May 12: 3rd and 4th Grades Language Arts SOL
May 13: 5th and 6th Grades Language Arts SOL
May 14: 3rd and 4th Grades Math SOL
May 15: 5th and 6th Grades Math SOL
May 20: 3-Hour Early Release
May 21: PTA Carnival
May 25-27: No School
June 3: Big Truck Day
June 10-11: 6th Grade Musical Performances, 7:00
June 16: 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony
June 17: Last Day of School
Find the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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