In this Message: 

• Principals' Message
• Purple Star Award Designation
• PTA News and Announcements
• Curiosity Corner
• AAP Information
• Picture Day on Oct. 15
• Social- Emotional Learning (SEL) at Home
• Calendar Change
• Attendance
• Community Conversations
• Transportation Survey
• AAP Expansion
• Water Safety Festival at Skyview HS
• Upcoming Dates

Floris Families,

I want to begin by sharing an important staffing update with our Floris community. Our Assistant Principal, Resheeda Hinkson, will be transitioning to Hutchinson Elementary School, and her last day at Floris ES will be this Friday, October 9.

As we began this school year, our enrollment numbers at Floris were lower than anticipated. At the same time, Hutchinson Elementary continues to grow and has an increasing need for additional administrative support. As a result, FCPS has asked Resheeda to transition to Hutchinson, where her leadership and expertise will be an important asset to their growing school community.

Although Resheeda has only been part of our Floris family for a few months, she has already made a meaningful impact on our school. We are incredibly grateful for the energy, experience, and care she has brought to our students, staff, and families. She has quickly built relationships, supported our teachers, and helped strengthen the work happening across our school.

While we are certainly sad to see her leave Floris, we are excited for the opportunity ahead of her and know that the Hutchinson community will benefit greatly from her leadership. Please join our entire Floris team in thanking Resheeda for everything she has contributed to Floris and wishing her the very best in her new assignment.

Once a Floris Eagle, always a Floris Eagle!

I am also pleased to share some exciting news with our Floris community! The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has published this year’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) data, and I am proud to share that Floris Elementary School has once again been recognized as a Distinguished School!

The SPSF provides a broader look at how Virginia schools are serving students. For elementary schools, the framework considers student mastery of grade-level standards, student growth in reading and mathematics, and readiness, which includes chronic absenteeism. This recognition is based on our school’s data from last year and the progress our students and staff made across these areas. It is an important reflection not only of where our students are performing, but also of the progress they are making.

While we are proud of this distinction, we are even more proud of the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our students, teachers, staff, and families that made this achievement possible.

This recognition is a wonderful reflection of the momentum we have built together, and we are excited to continue that momentum as we strive for academic excellence and ensure that every student is known, valued, challenged, and supported.

Thank you for being such an important part of the Floris community. We are proud of what we have accomplished together, grateful for the people who make Floris such a special place, and excited for all that is ahead!

You can preview the Virginia School Quality Profile and explore our school’s data here:

Virginia School Quality Profile

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

Floris Has Been Awarded the Purple Star Award

We’re proud to share that Floris Elementary School has received the Virginia Purple Star Award! This honor recognizes schools that help military-connected students and their families feel welcomed and supported.

Thank you to everyone in our school community who helps make Floris a caring place for all students. We’re especially grateful for the support shown to our military-connected students and families.

Learn more about the FCPS Purple Star Distinction.

PTA News and Announcements

MathCounts is back for 2026–2027!

With the goal of making math fun, MathCounts is a national program for students in 6th–8th grade that helps build problem-solving skills, mathematical reasoning, teamwork, and confidence.  At Floris, the 2026–2027 MathCounts program is open to 6th-grade students only. Sessions will be held Tuesdays from 4:00–5:00 PM at Floris, starting October 13th. The competition is planned for February 6, 2027. Space is limited to the first 20 students who register, so sign up early! 

Register here: https://forms.gle/Gr7s9dkT8DJqkn1M9 

🎃 Floris Elementary Trunk or Treat – October 30! 🎃

It’s almost time for one of our favorite fall traditions—Trunk or Treat! On Friday, October 30, families are invited to join us in the school parking lot for an evening of costumes, candy, and community fun.

👻 Here’s how you can join in the fun:

• Bring your trick-or-treaters – Kids (and adults) can dress up and collect candy from decorated trunks.
• Volunteer your car (and creativity!) – Families are encouraged to decorate their trunks and help create a festive atmosphere.
• Treat donations – We welcome NEW, unopened, unexpired candy (nut-free preferred) and non-food treats. There is a monster collection bin in the front office.

And because no Trunk or Treat announcement is complete without a little humor:

• Why don’t mummies take vacations? … They’re afraid they’ll relax and unwind!
• Why did the vampire read the newspaper? … He heard it had great circulation!

We can’t wait to see you and your families there. Costumes, candy, and community spirit—what more could we ask for? Please contact florispta.sso@gmail.com with any questions / concerns. Don’t forget to RSVP by October 23.

🧠Curiosity Corner🧠

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 October's Monthly Maker Mission here! 🔗

Our challenge is to build a durable spider web for Charlotte (get it--Charlotte's Web?) that can withstand the winds of the changing season.  You can use any materials to make a strong spider web, and turn it in by October 31st. 
We can't wait to see what you design and build!

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?

• 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 2-7^th 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. 15^th.
• 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.

Fall Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026

📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001416940

📧 Questions about Ordering? www.vosphoto.com/contact-us

Growing Together: Talking About Social-Emotional Learning at Home

Social-emotional learning (SEL) helps children develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness, and other important skills that support their success in school and throughout life. Join a workshop for parents and caregivers to:

• Understand your child’s Fairfax County SEL Screener results.
• Use the results as a starting point for meaningful conversations at home.
• Support your child’s social and emotional development.
• Build confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills together. 

Learn practical ways to talk with your child about their social and emotional well-being and support their continued growth at home. Events will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Skyview High School and Wednesday, October 21, at Kingstowne Regional Library. View additional dates on the FCPS Family Academy webpage. 

Childcare will be available. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, contact the Family and School Partnerships office at 703-204-4300 or FamilyEngagement@fcps.edu. 

Calendar Change: Eid al-Fitr

FCPS will mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr with an evening-only observance day on Monday, March 8. There will be school on this day, but major school-sponsored events and activities (such as auditions or tryouts) will not take place. 

Tuesday, March 9, will be a holiday for students and staff. 

Wednesday, March 10, will be an observance day. There will be school on this day, but certain activities that cannot be made up (major tests, field trips, or mandatory events) will not take place on this day. 

A new school year calendar has been published, which includes this change. Please note that holidays and observances on the calendar may shift due to anticipated lunar sightings. 

Understanding the FCPS Calendar

Help your child prepare for future success by encouraging them to develop positive attendance habits. Regular attendance supports learning and helps students stay on track for college, careers, and other opportunities after graduation.

Take a look at the FCPS calendar. Try your best to schedule any vacations or planned family events on weekends and school holidays. If the appointment needs to be during the school day, when possible, schedule it for the beginning or end of the day to minimize time missed. 

If your child needs to miss school because of an illness or appointment, please report the absence to our school as early as possible. Find out how to report an absence on our homepage or call the front office.

If you or your family need any kind of support, please let us know. We are here for you! Visit the FCPS Attendance webpage for tips and strategies.

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:

• Monday, October 19, at 6:30 p.m., at Spring Hill Elementary School
• Monday, October 26, at 6:30 p.m., at Beech Tree Elementary School
• Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m., at North Springfield Elementary School
• Friday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School

Safe Routes to School Parent and Caregiver Survey

As part of the Fairfax County School Board’s Annual School-Based Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Assessment, the FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are inviting parents and caregivers to share their experiences traveling to and from school.

The Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Survey asks about walking and biking routes, traffic near schools, kiss and ride experiences, accessibility, and other safety concerns. 

Your feedback will help FCPS identify common issues. Your responses will be kept confidential and shared with school administrators and the Office of Safety and Security. The five-minute survey is open through Thursday, October 15. 

Be sure to identify the school related to your feedback and include specific locations where you have observed a safety issue. If you have students at different schools in FCPS, please complete a different survey for each school. 

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact SafeRoutestoSchool@fcps.edu

FCPS Seeks Community Input on Middle School AAP Centers

FCPS is exploring a plan to offer Full-Time Advanced Academic Program (AAP) services at every middle school. Under the proposal, students who qualify could attend their neighborhood middle school and take advanced classes with other AAP students. The School Board has approved community engagement at Franklin, Hayfield, Holmes, Key, and Whitman middle schools, where programs could open for the 2027-28 school year. The proposal is still under consideration, and the School Board is expected to make a decision in December.

Each community meeting offers in-person and virtual participation. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:

• Holmes Middle: Thursday, October 15, at 6 p.m.
• Whitman Middle: Thursday, October 22, at 6 p.m.

Current middle school students will remain at their assigned AAP centers through middle school. Learn more and find

Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year

October 12: No School for Students, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Staff Development Day 

October 15: Fall Picture Day

October 21: 3-Hour Early Release

October 23: Grades 3-6 Field Day

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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