Floris Family Message
In This Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News
- Library Books are Due
- Big Truck Day
- AAP Information
- Budget Update
- New Cell Phone Policy
- Attendance
- Upcoming Dates
Hello Floris Families,
It is hard to believe that we only have 17 school days left in the 2025–2026 school year! As we head into the final stretch, we are looking forward to celebrating all of the learning, growth, and memories our students have made this year.
We hope all of our Floris families enjoy a wonderful and restful long weekend ahead. As a reminder, please pay close attention to the upcoming calendar:
- Monday, May 26 – Memorial Day Holiday
- Tuesday, May 27 – Teacher Workday
- Wednesday, May 28 – Student Holiday
There will be no school for students on all three of these days.
We would also love for you to join us this evening for our final PTA meeting of the school year! The meeting will take place in the Floris Library at 6:30 PM. Thank you to our PTA for their continued partnership and support throughout the year.
We are looking forward to a strong and joyful finish to the school year!
Sincerely,
Joshua DeSmyter, Principal
Robert Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
PTA Meeting
Join us tonight at 6:30pm in the Library for our final PTA Meeting of the ‘25-26 school year!
🍎Food Share Program:
-
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!
Thank you for your continued help locating Floris library books. The number of overdue books is slowly decreasing!
As a reminder, all library books should be returned to the library. Overdue notices will be sent home this week- K-2nd grade will receive paper overdue notices in their Friday Folders, 3rd-6th grade will receive email overdue notices in their school email accounts. All parents of students with overdue books will receive an emailed overdue notice.
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!
Big Truck Day
The Floris Annual Big Truck Day for our kindergarten students is returning and is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3.
Parking spaces in the Kiss and Ride parking lot will be blocked off to visitors and staff for the event.
There will be no parking on this side of the school building that day.
The Kiss and Ride lane will be closed during school hours and there will be a modified morning Kiss and Ride lane. In the past, this has not allowed us to be able to hold our normal capacity. We greatly encourage your students to ride the bus on Wednesday, June 3. If you must use Kiss and Ride, please be patient, give yourself extra time, and be aware of the trucks entering and setting up. Throughout the day, parking will be limited at Floris ES.
Please keep this in mind to help promote the safe use of our parking lot during the event.
**If you are a participant or a parent volunteer for Big Truck Day, please note that you are required to sign in at the front office with a valid government-issued photo ID.**
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.
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!
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update
On Friday, May 8, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid provided an update on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget. FCPS receives the majority of its funding from the Fairfax County Government and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Fairfax County Government recently adopted its FY 2027 Budget, and at the funding levels provided, there is currently a $28 million budget gap. In addition, the state budget has not been finalized. At last Thursday's School Board meeting, the superintendent proposed adjustments that would balance the FCPS budget.
Read Dr. Reid’s message to the community for more information on the budget process and budget priorities.
New Cellphone Policy Starts July 1
On Thursday, May 7, the Fairfax County School Board approved changes to the FCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R). The approved changes include updated guidance for cellphone possession and use, to align the FCPS cellphone policy with Senate Bill 108. This new Virginia law goes into effect on July 1 and states that all schools in the Commonwealth must follow a “bell-to-bell” phone-free policy.
This means that starting July 1, 2026, across all grade levels at FCPS, student cellphones, phone accessories, and all smart devices (including watches that serve a dual purpose, such as smart watches, as well as earbuds, headsets, smart glasses, and other other items connected to the internet) must be off and personally stored (i.e., put away in backpacks) for the duration of the school day — thus, no cellphones from bell to bell.
High school students will no longer be able to use cellphones and personal devices during lunchtime. More details are available on the FCPS Cellphone Policy webpage.
Other SR&R Changes for the 2026-27 School Year
Visit the FCPS website or the School Board agenda to learn about additional updates, including:
- Added guidance and procedures for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and discipline investigations, including supports for students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
- Expanded guidance and standardized disciplinary procedures (“Universal Grade Matrices”) related to harassment, hate speech, discriminatory behavior, and Title IX reporting requirements.
- Responses to incidents involving intimate images, fighting, physical aggression, object throwing, and drug policy violations.
Finish the School Year With Strong Attendance!
As we enter the final weeks of the school year, Fairfax County Public Schools appreciates your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. Regular attendance plays an important role in helping students stay engaged in learning, maintain connections with their teachers and peers, and finish the school year strong.
Attending school consistently also helps students build valuable habits such as responsibility, perseverance, and daily routines that support success both in and out of the classroom.
If your child needs to miss school, please remember to report the absence. Full-day absences can be reported in ParentVUE. Families may also report absences by calling the school attendance line or emailing the school-designated attendance address.
If your child is experiencing challenges that are affecting attendance, we are here to help. Please contact your child’s school so staff can partner with you to provide support and resources. Learn more about 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.
Contact CSB Entry and Referral to get started by calling 703-383-8500 or emailing csb@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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.
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.
And as always, if your concern is an emergency, you should call 911.
Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
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
|
