Floris Family Message- 9/24/26

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 09/24/2026 01:53 PM EDT

In this Message: 

  • Principals' Message
  • PTA News and Announcements
  • ER Wednesday Planning
  • Curiosity Corner
  • AAP Information
  • Twice Exceptional Students
  • Strategic Plan
  • Community Conversations
  • Attendance
  • Immunization Events
  • Upcoming Dates

Floris Families,

We are off to an AMAZING start with our PTA Fun Run Fundraiser! We have already reached TWO milestones this week: $5,000 and $10,000! 🎉

That means we are well on our way toward reaching our fundraising goals, and we are so grateful for the incredible support from our Floris families and community.

It has also been wonderful to see how much our students are loving school this week! There has been so much energy, excitement, and joy throughout our building. It is hard to believe that we are already at the end of September. The school year is flying by, and we are so proud of the way our students have settled into their routines, built relationships, and embraced learning.

A special thank you to our PTA for delivering delicious snacks to celebrate our first $5,000 milestone on Wednesday. And because we reached $10,000, we are now preparing for our Pajama Day Friday! 💤🎉

Thank you for continuing to support our students and help make the Fun Run such a fun experience for our Floris community. We can't wait to see what we can accomplish together!

Josh DeSmyter, Principal
Rob Gibbs, Assistant Principal
Resheeda Hinkson, Assistant Principal

PTA News and Announcements

FUN RUN

Donate today by clicking 👉 HERE 👈

Floris families are on a roll! Thanks to your amazing support, we’ve officially reached over $10,000 in Fun Run donations! Help us reach $20,000 by September 29 and we’ll celebrate with inflatable obstacle courses at recess!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!  We’re looking for volunteers to monitor the inflatable obstacle courses on Tuesday 9/29. We’d love for you to JOIN US!

 

🌟Exciting Enrichment Opportunities for Our Students! 🌟

We’re thrilled to share that several enrichment programs are opening up for registration. Don’t miss out—these fill quickly!

  • Little Scholars before and after-school enrichment: Enrollment is open through 9/28. Register here!
  • Math Olympiad (Grades 4th –6th) – Registration is open.  Sign up here
  • Reflections – NOW OPEN. Visit this link for details. All submissions are due by 11/13. 

There have been several reports of PTA members missing our emails. Please make sure you check your promotions and spam folders and mark us safe! We don’t want you to miss out on any pertinent information due to email filter settings.

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!

🔗Check out September's Monthly Maker Mission here! 🔗

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!

Monthly Maker Missions Cover (Decorative)

Interested in supporting the Curiosity Lab? 
👉Check out our Curiosity Lab Wish List!

AAP Information

Interested in learning more about Advanced Academics at Floris ES?

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.

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.

Twice Exceptional Students

Fairfax County Public Schools is committed to challenging all students through talent development and differentiated instruction. Twice-Exceptional (2e) learners are students who are both gifted and have learning challenges or disabilities. 

Families can learn more about 2e learners, how to support them, and how to partner with schools on the 2e webpage, which also includes a link to the Special Education Handbook.

New information, including printable flyers, has been added under the heading Supporting 2e Learners in FCPS.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Amy Albanese at abalbanese@fcps.edu

Our Focus on Academic Growth and Excellence

The FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan sets five main goals to create positive change in the division. These goals show where we should focus our attention and will help us align our efforts.

The third goal is for all students to achieve academic growth and excellence. We want our students to have the academic skills to be successful, including reading on level by third grade. See how Goal 3 is being put into practice. 

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:

Not Feeling Well? When Your Child Can Come to School

School is better when your child is here! But we do understand that some days, they may feel unwell. Learn more about which symptoms are ok at school (like sneezing or sniffles), and when your child should stay home (if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting, for example). 

If your child has a chronic illness, make sure to notify the school so that assistance can be provided if needed. Keep an open line of communication with your school public health nurse. Call the school as soon as you know your child will be absent and, if possible, let them know how long you think they will be out.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please reach out to our front office. We are here for you! Visit FCPS’ Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

Immunization Events for FCPS Students

FCPS, in partnership with Inspire Health Alliance, will be providing school-required immunizations and optional flu shots for all FCPS students, ages 18 and under, with no out-of-pocket costs. Multiple events will take place at designated FCPS locations. 

Additional 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. 

 

Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year

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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