Floris Family Message
In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- Important Boundary Update
- PTA News
- Kindergarten Big Truck Day
- Library Books are Due
- Herndon Library May Calendar
- Required Immunizations
- Curiosity Corner
- AAP Information
- Parent Input for Next School Year
- Floris SOL Schedule
- SOL Support
- Equity Award
- Ombuds
- Upcoming Dates
Hello Floris Families,
I hope you are having a wonderful week. As we head into the weekend, I wanted to share a few important updates and reminders with our Floris community.
International Night – This Evening!
We are excited to welcome families to our Floris International Night tonight! This is always one of the most special events of the year, as we come together to celebrate the many cultures, traditions, and backgrounds that make Floris such a vibrant and connected community. We hope you will join us for an evening of learning, fun, and community building. Thank you to all of our families and staff who helped plan and support this wonderful event, we are looking forward to seeing you there at 6:30pm!
Staff Appreciation Week – Next Week
Next week is Staff Appreciation Week, and it is an important opportunity for us to recognize the incredible work of our Floris teachers and staff. Every day, our team works tirelessly to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence are what make Floris such a special place for children to learn and grow.
We encourage families to take a moment next week to send a note, email, or message of appreciation. A few kind words go a long way and mean more than you know.
Boundary Updates – Please Review
Lastly, I want to remind families to carefully review the boundary updates provided below. These updates are important, and we encourage all families to stay informed as we move forward through this process. Please take time to read the information.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support.
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
Important Update on Potential Boundary Changes & Community Engagement Opportunity
I want to ensure that you are fully informed about a boundary study currently being conducted in our region, which includes Floris Elementary School.
I believe in being transparent with our community. While no decisions have been finalized, I want you to be aware of the possibilities and remain informed as this process continues. I encourage you to stay engaged by participating in the ongoing community meetings. In fact, there is an engagement opportunity tonight from 6:00–8:00 p.m., linked here:
https://www.fcps.edu/about-fcps/maps/boundary-adjustments-information/skyview-high-school-and-western-pyramids-boundary
Boundary Explorer Tool
Families can now explore and visualize how the draft scenarios may affect school boundaries using the Boundary Explorer Tool.
Developed specifically for the Skyview High School and Western Pyramids boundary study, this interactive tool—similar to the one used during the comprehensive boundary review—helps families understand how proposed changes could impact their school or neighborhood. Community members can also share feedback directly through the tool, which will help inform the boundary development process.
Please note: these maps reflect very early draft scenarios, based on more than 1,400 feedback form responses and other community input. These scenarios will continue to be revised and shared again for additional feedback.
How to Review Scenarios and Provide Feedback
There are currently three scenarios under consideration. To review them and make your voice heard, please follow these steps:
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Access the Scenarios: Open the tool and select the scenario you wish to review from the menu on the left side of the screen.
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Leave a Comment:
- Click the “Leave a Comment” button located under the scenario list.
- The button will change to read: “Click on a location on the map to leave a comment.”
- Click directly on the Floris ES area on the map.
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Submit Your Feedback: A dialogue box will appear where you can describe how the proposed changes may impact your family.
Important Reminders
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Be specific: You may submit comments on each individual scenario.
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No limit: There is no limit to the number of comments you can provide.
Your participation is vital to ensuring our community’s needs are heard and considered during this process. Thank you for staying engaged, and thank you for your trust and advocacy as we navigate this process together.
PTA News and Announcements
🌎International Night:
- International Night is tonight from 6:30-7:30pm in the Floris Cafeteria. International Night is a celebration of the diversity of our students and families from different parts of the world. Looking forward to seeing you there and celebrating together!
🍎Food Share Program:
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Sign up to deliver donated food on Fridays. It is a quick errand!
2026-2027 PTA Leadership Opportunities:
- Our PTA is seeking a Staff Appreciation, Enrichment Program, and Room Parent Lead. These roles are essential in recognizing Floris’ dedicated staff and enriching our students’ academic experience. Open PTA positions are listed here. We are happy to provide training and support! For more details, contact florispta.pres@gmail.com.
Teacher Appreciation Week
- Celebrate our amazing teachers and specialists next week May 4-8! Help us recognize everyone who supports our students and SIGN UP to treat a specialist during Teacher Appreciation Week 🎉 The PTA needs parent volunteers to make TAW a success! Please consider signing up.
Want to learn more about the PTA? Visit our website.
Monday, May 4:
- Chalk the Walk (8:00–9:00 AM)
- PTA provides breakfast in the lounge
Tuesday, May 5:
- Bring a bloom for the classroom
Wednesday, May 6:
- Drop a note of thanks
- PTA provides lunch in the lounge
Thursday, May 7:
- Shine in your teacher’s signature shade
Friday, May 8:
- Gifts for the G.O.A.T.
- Class baskets, gift cards, and big thanks!
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!
Time to Return Library Books!
With the school year beginning to wind down, all library books need to be returned to the library. Beginning next week, overdue notices for library books will be sent at least every other week via both email and paper notices.
Please take a few moments to help your child locate and return any library books they may still have at home. This is essential to ensure all materials are accounted for before the end of the school year.
There are no fines for overdue books, but all library books must be returned by June 3.
Thank you for your support in helping us keep our library collection complete and available for all students.
If you believe a book has been lost, please contact Ms. Papas at mopapas@fcps.edu to discuss next steps. Thank you!
May Calendar for the Herndon Fortnightly Library
Check out all of the May happenings in May at our local public library!
Required Immunizations for Rising 7th Graders
The following immunizations are required for students entering 7th grade each school year.
All students entering 7th grade are required to receive one dose of each of the following immunizations prior to the beginning of school: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis booster (Tdap), Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
- To meet the Tdap requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 7 or older.
- To meet the MenACWY requirement, the vaccination must be administered at age 10 or older.
- To meet the HPV requirement, the vaccination should be given between the ages of 11 to 12 or as early as 9 years old.
- As a parent/guardian, you may decide that your child will not receive the HPV vaccination. The school does not require documentation if a parent/guardian elects for their student not to receive the HPV vaccination.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to plan ahead by scheduling an appointment with your child’s health care provider now to avoid the rush this summer. Please consider getting your child’s immunizations early so that they can attend school in the fall. Summer is a busy time for families and healthcare providers. As long as your child meets the age requirements listed above, they can be immunized at any time.
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 at no out-of-pocket cost. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations.
Dates will be made available throughout the school year. Parents or guardians may view upcoming events and schedule an appointment for their student. Participation is voluntary. Additional immunization resources are also available.
🧠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!
Optional Parent Input for 2026-27 School Year
As we head into the final quarter of the school year, we’re also beginning preparations for 2026–2027, including the important process of class placement. Our staff works collaboratively to create balanced classrooms that support students’ academic, social, and emotional success. Families are welcome to share helpful insights about their child’s strengths and needs (rather than requesting specific teachers), though submitting input is optional and all students are thoughtfully considered. To ensure fairness and account for possible staffing changes, placements are finalized in late summer and will not be shared in advance.
If you’d like to provide input, please complete this optional form by Friday, May 15, 2026.
 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)
Support Your Children During Important Spring Assessments
Students will be participating in spring assessments based on their grade level and courses. This includes summative assessments like Standards of Learning (SOL) tests, which measure what a student knows, and progress assessments like Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which measure where they are in their learning.
FCPS encourages all families to support their students in taking these tests. Virginia requires schools to test at least 95% of students on SOLs, so when families choose not to participate in testing, it can impact a school’s accreditation, accountability ratings, and ability to measure student progress accurately.
Parents and caregivers can help their children perform their best on these tests by reminding them to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and the cell phone policy still applies during testing season.
It is important that students attend school on scheduled testing dates. If you are aware of a conflict that may cause your student to miss a test, please notify your student’s school as soon as possible.
Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters.
Nominations Open for the Bussey Memorial Equity Award
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award. This award recognizes an employee, student, or community member who has demonstrated significant and impactful efforts to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of students from groups who are marginalized or underserved.
Any staff, student, or community member can nominate an individual for the award. All nomination materials must be submitted by Monday, May 18.
The Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee (MSAOC) sponsors this award to honor the legacy of Dr. Bussey, a founding member of the MSAOC and a longtime advocate for students and families.
Full details and the nomination information form can be found at the Dr. Lawrence Bussey Memorial Equity Award webpage.
Our Office of the Ombuds Is at Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS staff, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds staff do not make or change decisions, policies, or regulations. They do not take sides, and they do not provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may submit a question.
Our Office of the Ombuds Is at Your Service!
Ombuds staff engage with FCPS staff, families, and students to offer resources and improve the experience of each and every member of the FCPS community. They work as an independent confidential resource to help get answers to questions, resolve concerns, and hear complaints regarding FCPS matters.
Ombuds staff do not make or change decisions, policies, or regulations. They do not take sides, and they do not provide legal advice.
Anyone with concerns, questions, or complaints to share with the Office of the Ombuds may call 571-423-4014, email ombuds@fcps.edu, or visit their webpage, where you may submit a question.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
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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