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In this Message:
- Principals' Message
- PTA News and Announcements
- ER Wednesday Planning
- Curiosity Corner
- Library Information
- AAP Information
- Student ID/ Bus Tracking
- Strategic Plan
- Community Conversations
- Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
- Upcoming Dates
Hello Floris Families,
Thank you for another great week at Floris! We had three wonderful Back-to-School Nights this week, and it was great to see so many of our families in the building. We hope you enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about your child’s experience at Floris and get a better understanding of what your child will be learning and experiencing throughout the school year.
Our teachers did an incredible job sharing their plans, expectations, and excitement for the year ahead. Most importantly, it was wonderful to connect with you and continue building the strong partnerships that make our Floris community so special.
We are also excited for our Fun Run Pep Rally tomorrow afternoon! Your children are going to have a fantastic time celebrating together, and we expect they will come home excited to tell you all about the fun they had during our assembly. We are looking forward to bringing our school community together and building even more excitement for this year’s Fun Run!
It is going to be a wonderful year at Floris!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Josh DeSmyter, Principal
Rob Gibbs, Assistant Principal
Resheeda Hinkson, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
- It’s not too late to join the PTA! Visit our website florispta.org to see all that we’re doing and how you can support our efforts!
- Please follow the Floris PTA on Instagram (@florispta) as a way to stay connected and receive real time updates on events and news announcements.
The Floris Fun Run is Coming!
The Floris Fun Run is the PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year and every dollar raised helps make a difference for our school!
Our GOAL is $40,000
This year, funds raised through the Fun Run help support:
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New instruments for the Music Department
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Technology upgrades, including new outlets, wireless screencasting, and equipment for the Technology Support Office
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New TVs and mounts for meeting spaces
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A new projector and protective cage for the gym
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Student programs like Math Counts, Spelling Bee, and Girls on the Run
- Events like Spirit Ball, Bingo Night, and the Floris Musical
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Upgrades and improved access to the outdoor courtyard
LET’S KICK THINGS OFF WITH A PEP RALLY!
Tomorrow, we’re kicking off with a Fun Run Pep Rally!
The pep rally will take place during school hours and is for Floris students only. We’ll bring the energy, build the excitement, and get our students ready to make this year’s Fun Run the BEST one yet!
The Floris Fun Run is the PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year and every dollar raised helps make a difference for our school! Prepare to hear more about this over the next couple of weeks!
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Math Olympiad
Available for 4th-6th graders.
Please visit this link if you’re interested in Math Olympiad.
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Early Release Wednesday Planning
As we plan ahead for dismissal and transportation—especially with Early Release Wednesdays beginning in about a month—we’re gathering information to proactively support a smooth, safe dismissal process. Please complete this form if you haven’t already:
https://forms.gle/BhwxyYu6FwgCFqjx5
As a reminder, we have four Early Release Wednesdays this school year. They are:
- October 21
- December 2
- February 10
- May 5
We have received many responses already, so please disregard this message if you’ve already submitted it.
🧠Curiosity Corner🧠
Back, by popular demand, we bring you... Monthly Maker Missions! Each month, we will provide optional STEAM challenges that can be completed at home. 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!
Our first challenge is tocreate "junkbots." Using recycled materials, create a prototype for a robot that will help the school year be a great one!
Interested in supporting the Curiosity Lab?
👉Check out our Curiosity Lab Wish List!
📚Library Information📚
Hello from the Library!
It has been wonderful to see familiar faces and meet new friends this week. We have been reviewing check out policies and students are checking out books.
Library check out policies are:
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Kindergarten: May check out 2 books per visit.
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1st Grade: May check out 2 books per visit, the number will go up as the school year continues.
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2nd-6th Grade: Students may check out as many books as they need. We talk about considering what other things are going on and if a big stack of books is a good idea (ex: Busy week? Just a book or two. Quiet, rainy weekend at home? Maybe a couple more books.). Students also need to be able to carry their books safely and they have to fit in their backpacks.
Books are checked out for 3 weeks, but students can always bring their books back early. Students are encouraged to find a space at home just for their library books, such as a box or basket, to help them remember to return their books and keep them from getting lost.
📚 Volunteers Needed in Our School Library! 📚
Do you have a few minutes to spare and a love for books? Our school library could use your helping hands! We’re looking for volunteers to assist with shelving books and keeping our library organized and welcoming for all our young readers.
No experience is needed—just a willingness to help and a smile! Even a short shift makes a big difference.
If you’re interested, please reach out to Ms. Papas at mopapas@fcps.edu. Together, we can keep our library a bright, cozy place where our kids’ imaginations can soar!
Thank you for supporting our readers!
AAP Information
Interested in learning more about Advanced Academics at Floris ES?
- Please attend the Parent Information Session Wednesday, September 23rd at 5:30 PM in the school Cafeteria.
- Please plan to arrive through the cafeteria doors.
- Any parents/guardians of students in grades K-6 are invited to attend – no RSVP needed.
- The meeting will discuss the continuum of services for Advanced Academics and the process for screening and identification for these services.
- Please visit our Floris webpage for Fall 2026 Advanced Academic updates.
- Please visit the FCPS AAP website for more information about services and screening.
Are you a Family new to FCPS AND Interested in Full-Time AAP services?
- New Students (grades 3-6 only) can be considered for Full-Time AAP services for this school year.
- If interested, please complete the required AAP Referral Form and Optional Parent Questionnaire found on the AAP Forms website.
- Completed forms need to be submitted via email anytime on or before Oct 15, 2026, to Amy Albanese abalbanese@fcps.edu. No late submissions can be accepted.
- If found eligible, students will begin receiving services in the second semester of this school year.
Interested in Full-Time AAP Services for the 27-28 School Year?
- To learn more about the screening process for full-time AAP services, please join Mrs. Albanese for a parent information session about full-time screening on Wednesday, November 11 at 5:30PM in the Floris Library. This session will discuss the full-time screening process and will feature a question and answer session to address any questions you may have. No RSVP needed, please enter through door 4 from the back of the school via the blacktop.
- Students in Grades 2-7 can be screened for full-time services this year for possible services starting in the 27-28 school year.
- Eligibility decisions are made by central office this March and shared with families in early April.
- If you’d like your 2-7th grader screened, please submit the full-time AAP Referral Form and the Optional Parent Questionnaire found on the AAP Forms website and submit to Amy Albanese abalbanese@fcps.edu by December 15, 2026. This deadline is firm. Forms be accepted anytime between now and COB on Dec. 15th.
- Once referrals are received, the AART (Amy Albanese) will put together a portfolio of information which will be submitted to central office for screening.
Twice Exceptional Programming
We’re excited to share information about Twice-Exceptional (2e) Programming available within our school system. Twice-exceptional students demonstrate advanced abilities while also experiencing learning, attention, or other challenges that may require additional support.
Please visit the FCPS 2e webpage to learn more about 2e programming, available resources, and opportunities to support the unique strengths and needs of twice-exceptional learners.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Amy Albanese at abalbanese@fcps.edu
Any lingering questions?
Please feel free to reach out to Amy Albanese, Advanced Academics Resource Teacher at abalbanese@fcps.edu with any questions. She is available Mondays -Thursdays 8:45 – 4:15PM.
Stay in the Know With Here Comes the Bus
Even though FCPS has launched a new bus navigation system, some aspects like the new FCPS My Ride mobile app are still in development. Families should still use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to track the location of their child’s bus. This app is still compatible with the new system.
FCPS will notify families and schools when the new app is ready to download and use. In the meantime, everyone should reinforce with students that they need to tap on and off the bus with their student ID cards.
Did you already download the new app? That’s okay! The new app is in the final stage of testing, so some features are not yet fully functional. At this time, you should refer to Here Comes the Bus for the most accurate information.
Schools Build Belonging so Students Can Thrive
What does belonging look like in our school? At Floris, we are creating inclusive, supportive environments where every student feels known, valued, and connected — the second goal of the Strategic Plan. From mentoring to cross-grade collaboration, when students feel safe and supported, they can truly thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. See how Goal 2 is being put into practice at FCPS.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join us for a series of Community Conversations that will be held across the school division. Share your thoughts with Dr. Reid and ask her questions. Click on the date to register for any of the following events:
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Monday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m., at Riverside Elementary School
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Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
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Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
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Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
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Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School
Transportation Patience and Safety
Thank you for your patience as we all get used to new routines this school year. We appreciate our families following Kiss and Ride procedures and being patient while waiting for your child’s bus.
If your child’s bus is delayed, you may access the Bus Delay Notification System or use the Here Comes the Bus mobile app to receive the delayed bus report. Email messages will be sent to announce significant bus delays. Please contact the Transportation Office at [phone number] with any additional questions. For concerns after 5:30 p.m., contact the FCPS Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.
Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE to make sure you receive email messages about bus delays.
Reporting Discrimination or Harassment
FCPS is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for people of all races, national origins, and ethnicities. Individuals experiencing harassment or discrimination should report the incident as soon as possible.
Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year
September 21: Holiday- Yom Kippur
October 2: PTA Fun Run
October 12: No School for Students, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Staff Development Day
October 15: Fall Picture Day
October 16: 3rd-6th Grade Field Day
October 21: 3-Hour Early Release
October 30:
- Harvest Parade
- End of First Quarter and Two-Hour Early Release
- PTA Trunk or Treat
November 2-3: No School for Students, Teacher Workdays and Election Day
November 11: Veteran's Day Concert
November 19: Thanksgiving Luncheon
November 25-27: Holiday- Thanksgiving
Find the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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