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In this Message:
- Principals' Message
- Thanksgiving Luncheon Schedule
- PTA News and Announcements
- Outstanding Staff Nominations
- Yearbook Cover Art Contest
- Book Fair Coming in December
- Curiosity Corner
- AAP Information
- Superintendent Community Conversations
- Special Education Family Conference
- Upcoming Dates
Dear Floris Families,
We hope you’ve had a chance to schedule a parent-teacher conference to learn about your child’s academic and social progress during the first quarter. If you haven’t scheduled one yet, please reach out to your child’s teacher to find a time to meet. We value our partnership with you, and it’s important that we stay connected and on the same page as we support your child throughout the school year.
Quarter 1 report cards will be available in ParentVUE on Monday, November 9. A hard copy will be sent home with students on Friday, November 13.
We’re also excited to invite you to our annual Thanksgiving Day Luncheon on November 19 in the cafeteria! Families are welcome to join their child for lunch during the scheduled lunch time. This special Floris tradition brings our community together to enjoy good food, Thanksgiving music, and time with one another. Please review the schedule below for the adjusted lunch times.
We’re looking for volunteers to help with cleanup and student transitions during the luncheon. If you’re available to lend a hand, please sign up here: Sign up to volunteer for luncheon
Rob and I will be your emcees for the event. We can’t promise a professional performance, but we do promise to bring our best Thanksgiving spirit!
We look forward to seeing you!
Josh DeSmyter, Principal
Rob Gibbs, Assistant Principal
PTA News and Announcements
✨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 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!🦅
2026-2027 Yearbook Cover Design Contest
Theme: Soaring to New Heights
Do you love to draw? Here’s your chance to show your creativity and have your artwork featured on the 2026–2027 Floris Elementary Yearbook cover!
Guidelines:
- ✏️ Your design must be hand-drawn and relate to the theme “Soaring to New Heights."
- 📄 Use a regular sheet of computer paper (8.5” x 11”) for your drawing (portrait/ vertical orientation).
- ✍️ Be sure to write your full name on the back of your artwork.
- 🎨 Turn your finished design in to Mrs. McGrath or the main office.
- ⏰ Deadline: Friday, December 4 – by the end of the school day.
The winning design will be featured on this year’s yearbook cover!
Let’s see your creativity take flight — because at Floris,
we're soaring to new heights!🦅
📚 Exciting News: The Fall Book Fair is Coming! 🎉
Get ready to discover your next favorite book! The Fall Book Fair is taking over the Floris ES Library from December 7–11. Mark your calendars for special Afterschool Family Shopping on Wednesday, December 9!
We are excited to partner with a fantastic local vendor this year: Bookworm Central from Manassas! They will be bringing an incredible selection of exciting books, hands-on educational games, and fun activities.
💳 Important Update: This Year's Book Fair is 100% CASH FREE!
Shopping is easier and safer than ever using Bookworm Central's digital options:
- Set up a secure Bookworm Central eWallet for a simple, cash-free way for your child to shop independently!
- Send an eGift Card—the perfect gift for students, teachers, or friends, redeemable both in-person and online!
More exciting details will be coming soon! We will also need wonderful volunteers to help make this event a huge success, so be sure to mark your calendars for Book Fair Week, December 7–11!
🧠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!
Within the walls of Floris, there are many sounds, including music! Did you know that physics and music are intertwined?
YOUR CHALLENGE:
Can you make your own music? Using physics and engineering, design your own musical instrument!
- Use materials from around your house.
- Invent a new instrument or build an instrument you already know using new materials!
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?
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.
Superintendent Community Conversations
Join Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid for a Community Conversation. Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss what matters most to them. Everyone is welcome!
The event will take place Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Elementary School. Click the date to register. Registration is not required, but it helps with planning.
Hear From Parents, Students, and Others at the Special Education Family Conference Opening Session
The annual Special Education Family Conference, Stronger Together: Connecting Families and Schools, will take place on Saturday, November 14, at Hayfield Secondary School.
New this year, the conference will open with an inspiring panel discussion featuring voices from across our school community: an FCPS student, a high school principal, a community partner, and an FCPS parent.
Panelists will share personal experiences and practical ideas for building supportive, inclusive communities where students can thrive both in and beyond the classroom.
Register to attend and visit the Special Education Family Conference webpage to learn more about the panelists. Email questions to SpecialEdFamilyConf@fcps.edu.
Dates for the 2026-2027 School Year
November 11: Veteran's Day Concert
November 12: PTA Meeting, 6:30 in the Library
November 19: Thanksgiving Luncheon
November 25-27: Holiday- Thanksgiving
December 1: Fall Picture Make Ups
December 2: 3-Hour Early Release
December 3: STEAM Night, 6:00-7:30
December 7-11: Fall Book Fair
December 9-11: Walk in My Shoes Events for Grades 4-6
December 17: 5th/6th Chorus/Strings Winter Concert, Carson MS at 7PM
December 21-January 1: Winter Break
Find the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar: https://www.fcps.edu/calendars/standard-school-year-calendar
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