Floris Family Message
In This Message:Â
- Principals' Message
- PTA News
- Library Books are Due
- AAP Information
- Parent Input for Next School Year
- Summer Extravaganza
- Family Information Phone Lines
- Attendance
- Mental Health Services
- Floris SOL Schedule
- SOL Support
- Upcoming Dates
Dear Floris Community,
Thank you for the incredible love, generosity, and kindness you showed our staff during Staff Appreciation Week. Your thoughtful notes, treats, meals, and gestures of encouragement made our team feel valued and supported.
A special thank you to our amazing PTA for going above and beyond to celebrate our staff. The delicious food, thoughtful planning, and constant encouragement throughout the week made such a difference and reminded our team how fortunate we are to have such a supportive partnership with our families.
We also want to recognize our students for the joy they brought to this week, especially the cheerful chalk messages out front on the sidewalk. Those kind words and colorful surprises brought so many smiles and were a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do every day.
We are grateful to be part of a community that takes the time to uplift and appreciate the people who serve Floris students. Thank you again for helping make this week so meaningful for our staff.
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
🌎International Night
Thank you to our amazing staff, families, and community members for bringing International Night to life! It was such a joyful evening filled with culture, connection, and incredible performances. Check out the PTA website for photos and videos from the night.
🍎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.
Want to learn more about the PTA? Visit our website.
Time to Return Library Books!
With the school year beginning to wind down, all library books need to be returned to the library. Beginning this 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!
AAP Information
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. Â
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.
Discover Exciting Summer Learning Activities and Ideas
Join Fairfax County Public Schools for a free, family-friendly community celebration filled with hands-on STEM, arts, and creative experiences for students of all ages. This year’s Summer Extravaganza takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Woodson High School.Â
Explore summer learning resources and connect with FCPS offices and community partners. Don’t miss the Student Market and a full day of engaging activities designed to spark learning, growth, and inspiration for the whole family.Â
For more information, visit the Summer Extravaganza webpage.
Family Information Phone Lines
FCPS family information phone lines are available in nine different languages. An FCPS employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.Â
Call the phone line with questions about your child’s education or FCPS, and someone will help connect you to resources or arrange for you to speak to the appropriate school employee. Learn more about family information phone lines.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow.
We All Belong Here!
In FCPS, we all belong. From the first day of school, to the last day of school, every child matters. If your student is having a hard time finishing the year strong and attending school, please contact a trusted adult at our school — a teacher, counselor, or administrator. Visit FCPS’ website for more attendance resources.
Your Child's Mental Wellness Matters: Access Comprehensive Services
Reach out to the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) for specialized youth mental health services designed to help your child succeed. The CSB has individual and family counseling, psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, medication management, parenting groups, peer support, crisis response, recovery supports that include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive services, and other services.Â
Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.Â
Additional Mental Health Resources:
FCPS has resources available to support your child’s mental health. During after-school hours, parents and students who need additional support can use the 988 Lifeline to get free, confidential guidance from trained crisis counselors on how to best help someone experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. You can call or text the number.Â
Recent reports have shared an 11% drop in suicides among young people since the rollout of 988. Please note, the hotline is not only for those experiencing suicidal ideation (or thoughts), it is also available for any mental health or substance abuse-related crisis and those with a loved one experiencing those crises or suicidal thoughts.Â
And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.
 Grades 3 and 4Â
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 AssessmentsÂ
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Learn more about how to support your child and why test participation matters.
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. Â
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 Â
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
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Find the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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