Floris Family Message- 10/15/26

Fairfax County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 10/15/2026 10:23 AM EDT

In this Message: 

  • Principals' Message
  • PTA News and Announcements
  • Field Day for Grades 3-6
  • Harvest Parade
  • Outstanding Staff Nominations
  • Curiosity Corner
  • AAP Information
  • Transportation Survey
  • Immunization Events
  • Community Conversations
  • Upcoming Dates

Dear Floris Families,

I’m excited to share that Floris Elementary School is a Distinguished school under Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). Based on data from last school year, Floris earned an overall score of 95.61, placing us in the state’s highest performance category.

Virginia’s framework looks at school performance across academic achievement, student growth, and readiness measures. While this recognition is something to celebrate, our students are much more than standardized test results or a point total. Every day, our educators create moments of joy in learning and help students grow. This achievement reflects the dedication of our staff, students, families, and entire school community.

We will continue building on this success by maintaining high expectations, supporting each student’s strengths and needs, and creating a school where every child feels welcomed, challenged, and cared for. We are grateful for the support and partnership of our families. Your involvement makes a difference in helping our students thrive.

Thank you for being such an important part of the Floris community. Together, we will keep learning, growing, and reaching for excellence.

Josh DeSmyter, Principal
Rob Gibbs, Assistant Principal

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.

Trunk or Treat Flyer

Upper Grades Field Day is Coming!

Get ready for a day of fun, movement, and school spirit! Our 4th/5th and 3rd/6th Field Day will take place on Friday, October 23rd.

Our 4th/5th grade field day will be from 12:20 PM – 1:55 PM and our 3rd/6th grade field day will be from 2:05 PM – 3:40 PM.

Students will enjoy a variety of engaging outdoor activities and games as they celebrate teamwork and have a great time with their classmates.

We’re looking for volunteers to run stations to help make this event a success. If you’re available to lend a hand, Sign Up Here!

We’re excited for a fantastic Field Day and appreciate your support in making it a memorable experience for our students!

The Harvest Parade is Back!

When: Friday, October 30, 9:45am-10:30am 

Where: Floris Field

What: Students have the option to dress in a school appropriate costume for this seasonal parade. Accessories that would be carried should stay at home to prevent the chance of losing them. Look alike weapons (ex. toy gun with police costume, sword with pirate, etc.), masks, and blood are not allowed. 

How: Students and parents will be outside, and students will parade by grade level. Please see map below. Since we will not be using the visitor sign-in station, family members are welcome to spectate from the field space indicated on the map. The arrows show the parade direction. Kindergarten will start the parade. 

Parents: You should report directly to the field. Parents should not enter the building for the parade. This will also save you the step of signing in!

✨Do You Know An Amazing Employee? ✨

Each year, FCPS recognizes staff members who go above and beyond to make a difference in their schools and communities. We invite you to join us in celebrating the incredible people who make Floris such a wonderful place for students to learn and grow.

🏆 NOMINATIONS FOR...

  • Outstanding Teacher
  • Outstanding New Teacher
  • Outstanding Professional Staff Leader
  • Outstanding Educational Services Employee
  • Outstanding Operational Services Employee
  • Outstanding Principal

Learn about the criteria for each category here, on the FCPS webpage.

 

👉 Submit a Nomination Here 👈

🗓️DEADLINE: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, November 13, 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact Willa McGrath at wimcgrath@fcps.edu

🦅Thank you for supporting our outstanding Floris Staff!🦅

 

🧠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!

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.

Share Your Feedback on Traveling to and From School

The FCPS Office of Safety and Security and Safe Routes to School program are asking families to share their experiences traveling to and from their child’s school. The feedback will help inform the Fairfax County School Board’s annual assessment of traffic and pedestrian safety near schools. 

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. 

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 available.

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:

 

Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year

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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