January 27-31
Dear FES Families,
Happy Friday! It's been a chilly and fun week at FES with our students working hard on their new units in math and RLA after a long weekend, and we were excited to be able to go outside for recess once again as things are getting a little less cold. Please be sure to send your child with a jacket and long pants.
This week, we got to hear our kindergartners sing on our stage and see them shine with their amazing dance moves in their program. We enjoyed watching our Battle of the Books team, battle it out as they shared their knowledge of all that they had read, and we ended the week with fun from our PTA spirit store!
We have an action packed couple of weeks ahead! Preparations are under way for our Western Day dances and we hope that you will be able to join us for the fun next week! Please see the information below for specific details on how to join the fun with us next Friday! We also look forward to sharing in kindness week with some dress up days and activities throughout the week!- see the Counselor Corner below for more details! We also have our Spring Book Fair just around the corner!
In Falcon spirit,
Courtney Brandel
Principal, Florence Elementary School
Our kindergarten students showed off all they know about the four seasons, showcasing their singing, dancing, speaking, and showmanship! What an amazing show they put on for our students and for our parents later that evening! It was a spectacular show and we are incredibly proud of all of their hard work!
Congratulations to all of our 3rd and 4th grade students who participated in the Battle of the Books! Our battlers have been working for the last several months to read and remember several books in preparation for the battle to show their skills and knowledge of the books they have read. Students worked as a team to answer questions about the books and did an outstanding job! Our top two teams will move on to compete in our district Battle of the Books at Fossil Ridge High School soon!
On Wednesday night, Florence Elementary students who earned District-level awards in the Reflections Art Program were honored alongside other talented students from across Keller ISD.
Games, reading, learning and fun this week! Students in Mrs. Parten's hybrid class played a game to practice representing two-digit numbers with base 10 blocks and in expanded form. Mrs. Aldredge's class used a fun picture book to begin exploring their unit of theme, examining the characters actions and thoughts that support the theme. Mrs. Kleine is back and theatre is a fun place to be! Our 3rd grade students have begun practicing their handshakes, conversational skills, and eye contact in preparation for Keller Shake!
We love celebrating the tradition of excellence at FES! As a part of that process, we will be recognizing our amazing staff members and would like your help.
Please share the name and information of the staff member you feel who is deserving of recognition along with some words that share the reason they are being recognized. Please note, your response with be shared with the staff member and may be featured in our publications/ social media and any student names that are included may be omitted for confidentiality.
Fill out a shout out on this Staff Shout Out Form to help us celebrate excellence among our FES teachers and staff!
January 27-31- The Great Kindness Challenge Week
January 27- PTA Reflections Art Reception 2:15 - 3:15- Participants Only
January 27- Kindness Week- Wear Red
January 28- Kindness Week- Wear Yellow
January 29- 1st Grade Water Safety Field Trip - Natatorium
January 29- 3rd Grade Fine Arts Field Trip
January 30- Kindness Week Pajama Jam- Donate $1.00 to Casey's Kids and wear PJ's
January 30- 4th Grade District Honor Choir Field Trip - CHS
January 30- CEIC Campus Walks
January 31- Western Day (Co-Curr Activities)
January 31- Book Fair Preview
February 3- Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and Texas A&M Agrilife Assembly (2nd-4th grades)
February 3- Book Fair Preview
February 4-7- Spring Book Fair
February 4- 100th Day of School
February 4- Spring STAAR Interim (3rd-4th Grade Math)
February 5- College Spirit Day
February 5- Spring STAAR Interim (3rd-4th Grade Reading)
February 6- PTA Executive Board Meeting (9:15am-10:15am)
February 6- Multicultural Night (5:30pm-8:00pm)
*More 2024-2025 information and dates to come. Plan ahead by visiting our new website to access our full year FES Campus Calendar.
🤠 Join us to share in the fun during your child's co-curr time! (see schedule below).
Students will perform a dance they have been practicing as a part of their PE class and then will rotate through fun, Western themed activities.
It’ll be a rodeo of a good time and y'all don't want to miss it!
Student Attire
Students are invited to show off their best western wear and usually dress in boots, hats, handkerchiefs and blue jeans!
Volunteers Needed:
We will need at least 4 Rodeo Clowns per grade level and volunteers this year, so make sure you signup to help using the QR code above! Yee-haw!
4th 8:10am-9:10am
3rd 9:10am-10:10am
2nd 10:10am-11:10am
1st 12:55pm-1:55pm
Kinder 2:00pm-3:00pm
4th 7:45-8:15
3rd 8:45-9:15
2nd 9:45-10:15
1st 12:30-1:00
Kinder 1:35-2:05
Photo Ops
After the Western Day activities, there will be opportunities to share in enjoying all of the fun decorations in the cafe/gym that PTA has put together where you can commemorate the event with photographs.
Exit
In order to ensure the effective transition of our students, we ask that parents kindly exit through door 20 (south side gym door) at the conclusion of your child's grade level Western Day. If you are staying for the next group, please return to the "Corral Area" to grab a front row seat!
Early checkouts on Western Day:
We encourage students to stay for the duration of the school day as we will still have a regular day of learning. However, if you do wish to check your child out early:
Grades 4,2,3 check out early in the main office.
Grades K and 1 will walk with the class to the classroom- parents will sign out with teachers on a roster.
(*Older siblings must be checked out through the front office after the younger student has been checked out)
We have two grade levels who will be going on field trips this week! Students travel to the event using the district transportation and it is preferred that they return with their class on district transportation. If you wish to for your child to ride home with you from a field trip you will need to communicate with your child's teacher by the day prior and you will need to complete the district form indicating your wishes. Your teacher will be happy to provide you with this form, upon request. Please note, only a parent or legal guardian may check out their child from a field trip and you may only pick up your own child from a field trip.
We will be celebrating The Great Kindness Challenge this week. See the flyer below for our dress up days.
We can't wait to see you warm and cozy in your PJ's on Thursday for our Pajama Jam!
Casey's Kids is a non profit organization that uses funds to support KISD students in need via the Counseling Department. Counselors can purchase clothing, shoes, backpacks, grocery items, and other essentials to ensure students have what they need to learn and be successful! So, check your piggy banks, look under the couch cushions, and bring those coins to support a great cause!
Casey's Kids Annual 5K/Fun Run is March 1st! Sign up HERE
Save the date! We are excited to announce that The Big Event is returning on April 12, 2025! This districtwide day of service is open to all Florence Elementary School students, their families, teachers, and staff members. Learn more about The Big Event at www.KellerISD.net/BigEvent. We will make an announcement in March about what service activities are available and about our collaborative service project. Hope to see you there! #KISDBigEvent25 #CelebrateKISD
We are in need of henna artists and multicultural performers! Please contact Diane Du at dufamily08@gmail.com if you'd like to participate!
Pack your bags; we're taking a trip around the world! Time to get creative and plan your display for FES Multicultural Night!
This year, students will announce their presentations on stage in the "parade of cultures." They will then head to their displays where they can present and answer questions while students and families "travel" near and far! Enjoy a variety of performances on stage throughout the evening. Your presentation could be based on your own culture, or you could feature any country or culture that interests you!
Register here:
Due to weather, the FWSSR adjusted their schedule to accomodate for the schools that they missed during snow days, so on Monday February 3rd,The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo will provide a wonderful opportunity to help educate our students. They have teamed up with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for AgVentures! They will present throughout Fort Worth and surrounding areas to teach children about the process from the plant to the plate. Assembly is for 2nd, 3rd, or 4th-grade students.
In this program, Farmer Howdy (with help from Cornelius Cob) takes the Moos Brothers through their farm and describes the importance of each aspect of the farm. The program covers the everyday use of corn in products, how tomatoes have vitamin C to help our cuts and scrapes heal, and how beef provides us with protein. The combination of foods will help promote healthy eating habits and help teach kids where their food comes from and aligns with our life science unit of science.
Please be sure that your child is coming to school with weather appropriate clothing including a jacket or a coat, as they will continue to attend recess outside when the temperature falls within our district policy. Please be sure to label all coats, jackets, and winter accessories with your child's name as this is the time of year where our lost and found tends to grow!
As we monitor the temperature and weather, we may move to an alternate or indoor recess plan, depending on the circumstances.
We will continue to follow the KISD guidelines for outdoor activity including recess and PE:
Wind chill or actual temperature between 40-32 degrees Fahrenheit – Students must have the ability to cover all extremities. Limited outside activity not to exceed 20 minutes.
Wind chill or actual temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit – No outside activity.
Students will participate in activities in the classrooms or flex space and will have a choice of games, hands on activities, movement and other options. (Not an iPad time)
*** Please be sure your child is dressed for the cold weather with their arms, legs, and body covered and with a coat, gloves, and winter hat on cold days. ***
With the winter season here, Keller ISD’s emergency operations team will be closely monitoring upcoming weather conditions. Any decision about altering our schedules due to weather conditions will be made after considering the conditions of roads and sidewalks in the District and surrounding areas, building conditions, and forecasts from the National Weather Service.
Should there be any winter advisories that would impact the district, updates will be posted by the school district to www.KellerISD.net. An email notification will also be sent to all Keller ISD families, employees, and students. Updates will be posted to Keller ISD’s official social media accounts, as well (Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter).
We encourage everyone to remain weather-aware throughout the weeks ahead and throughout the winter season and to be sure that your contact information and emergency contact information is correct and up to date. (See your parent portal in Aeries to see all information and contact Terra Peters terra.peters@kellerisd.net if you need any changes or updates.)
- Clayton before-school programs will be unavailable when schools are delayed to open in the morning.
- Clayton will be closed when schools are closed for the entire day.
- Clayton will be closed when schools close early or cancel after-school activities with reasonable notice to families.
- *If schools cancel afterschool activities late in the day and close to dismissal times, Clayton employees will arrive at campuses at normal time and contact all families to pick up as soon as possible because we will be closing early. Clayton staff will stay until the last child is picked up.
The Elementary Math (K-6) Department has created a 9 weeks newsletter using SMORE. We will share the links with specific grade-level teachers. Please communicate this information as well with your teachers and families. The newsletter contains an overview of upcoming material, important concepts, student misconceptions, ideas for supporting their student at home, and DreamBox support.
Parents are always welcome at FES! If you are interested in volunteering, you must fill out the Keller ISD Volunteer Application. All FES visitors are required to enter at door #1, go through the front office, provide picture identification, and obtain a visitor badge before proceeding to any part of the building which must be worn in a visible area for the duration of the time on campus. Office staff will verify the visitor is a parent, guardian, or approved contact for a student.
Guests are only allowed in designated areas to minimize disruption of the learning environment and may not go throughout the building, to the playground, or classrooms.
Guests are required to exit the building through the office during school hours. We value and appreciate guests and all volunteers at FES!
FES 2024-2025 yearbooks are on sale NOW! Everyone is a yearbook photographer with the Treering App. You can upload photos from FES events as they happen throughout the year to be included in the yearbook. Each book also comes with two free custom pages. Grab yours today! 📚📸
https://web.treering.com/create-account/1016599729561880?PassCode=1016599729561880
Sodexo has received several concerns regarding the printed menu reflecting options which are either substituted or changed completely on the serving line due to product unavailability or use of State provided commodity items. While Sodexo strives to minimize the number of changes to the menu, they are still at the mercy of product manufacture shortages and logistical challenges from all providers which places a burden on the program to provide the menu as previously planned.
To improve the communication of menu changes Sodexo has recently launched new and improved online menus for Keller ISD through Nutrislice at https://kellerisd.nutrislice.com/menus-eula .
This change will provide students, staff and families the most up-to-date printable and digital menus that are reflective of any changes that need to be made to the menus.
Did you hear? There are FIVE choices for lunch each day this year!
https://kellerisd.sodexomyway.com/
What time is breakfast? Breakfast will begin at 7:25. The line will close at 7:50 for students to be in class at 7:55.
What is offered? This school year Sodexo will be offering 3 hot side options and 2 cold side options.
How do I add money to my child’s cafeteria account? You may place money on your child's lunch account by setting up an account for them on School Cafe. The link is below and you will need your student's ID # to do so.
Sodexo - Breakfast and Lunch.
Tyler Lamon- Front Office / Attendance: tyler.lamon@kellerisd.net
Leah Dimmitt Front Office / Substitutions: leah.dimmitt@kellerisd.net
Terra Peters- Campus Secretary: terra.peters@kellerisd.net
Sue Piehler - Nurse: susan.piehler@kellerisd.net
Jessica Sustaita- Librarian: jessica.sustaita@kellerisd.net
Christina Jones - Counselor: christina.jones@kellerisd.net
Chelsea Price - Assistant Principal: chelsea.price@kellerisd.net
Courtney Brandel - Principal: courtney.cullum@kellerisd.net
Nicole Seidel - PTA President: ptaflorencees@gmail.com
Esmeralda Gallegos - Cafeteria Manager: esmeralda.gallegos@kellerisd.net
Kindergarten: 10:40-11:10
1st Grade: 11:10-11:40
2nd Grade: 11:40-12:10
3rd Grade: 12:10-12:40
4th Grade: 12:40-1:10
4th Grade:8:10-9:10
3rd Grade: 9:10-10:10
2nd Grade: 10:10-11:10
1st Grade 12:50-1:50
Kindergarten 2:00-3:00
Marimba: 3rd, every Tuesday 7:25-7:50
Marimba: 4th, every Thursday 7:25-7:50
Falcon Choir: 3rd & 4th, every Thursday 3:25-4:15
R.O.C.K Club: 1st-4th, the last Wednesday of the month 3:15-4:15
Run Club: 3rd & 4th Grade, every Monday 3:25-4:00
Dear Florence Parents,
CookLearnGrow is returning to Florence with NEW curriculum and recipes for the spring semester. After-school enrichment classes for 1st - 4th grade will be on Mondays or Tuesdays, starting January 27 & 28 from 3:30 - 4:30 PM.
Register here https://cooklearngrow.com/dallas-classes/
Spots are still available for both sessions!
Clayton's Spring Break Camp would like to request your help in spreading the word among Florence parents and families. This year's theme is "Color Explosion", and the camp will offer various activities, including arts and crafts, STEM, physical education, games, and more that will be specifically tailored to engage and educate students, ensuring a fun and memorable spring break experience! We have an early bird discount, so we encourage parents to register by February 7th to receive the discount.
Please see our Spring Break flyer, which includes the locations of our camps, and parents can learn more about these locations, pricing, and the theme for our camp on our website. (https://claytonyouth.org/holiday-camps)
While we appreciate a phone call letting us know your child is absent, with the updated Attendance procedures, we will now request a written explanation of absences for each day they were absent.
This may be an email sent to Tyler.Lamon@kellerisd.net or a written note that is sent upon your child's return. An absence is considered to be a partial absence any time that a student leaves early or arrives later than the first 15 minutes of the day and parents may utilze a parent excuse for these if there is not documentation. Please see the Keller ISD Attendance 101 for more information. https://www.kellerisd.net/students-families/resources/students-families-resources/attendance-truancy
Be sure that your email is correct in your infosnap to be sure you receive all of our Blackboard communications (emails and texts).