February 2-7
Dear FES Families,
Howdy! Last week was a true showcase of the Falcon spirit, with our western day fun! Thank you to all of our volunteers and to our co-curr team who led the way for one of our favorite Florence family traditions! I also had the opportunity to witness the talents of our honor choir students who represented Florence on Thursday at the district honor choir, singing and performing alongside students from all of the KISD elementary schools! What a beautiful sight and sound it was! We also celebrated our district spelling bee participant, Owen, as he competed in our district spelling bee!
This week, our 2nd-4th grade students will get to share with the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Ag-ventures as they visit us as a part of our science units. We also ook forward to celebrating the 100th day of school on Tuesday, where our kindergarten students will be participating in 100th day activities all day long as they celebrate being 100 days smarter and practice counting to 100 as a part of their math unit! We will also be conducting the STAAR interim test for our 3rd and 4th grade students on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then, on Thursday evening, we invite all of our families to join us in celebration of the cultures and heritages of our FES students at our Multi-cultural night!
As always, thank you for your support, for your partnership and for the encouragement that you continually provide to our teachers and staff! We are blessed to have the opportunity to work with and serve our students each day!
In Falcon spirit,
Courtney Brandel
Principal, Florence Elementary School
Owen Boto did an incredible job of representing Florence at the district spelling bee, passing through multiple rounds! We are proud of you, Owen!
On Thursday morning, our CEIC parent members joined Mrs. Brandel for some campus walks, looking at the progression of Math and RLA and its components across grade levels. It was wonderful to share in discussions about the wonderful things happening in our classrooms each day!
Friday was a wonderful showcase of our students' line dancing that they have been practicing in PE. Thanks to our Co-curr teachers, Caren Pawlak, our PTA volunteers, and our rodeo clown dads (and mom), it was a day of games, fun and festivity!
Our 4th grade Honor Choir students joined in perfect harmony with the elementary campuses across the district on Thursday night! They spent the day workshopping and then ended with a fabulous performance!
We are excited to welcome, Gracie Cohen, as our new STARS teacher, as she fills our vacant position.
"My name is Gracie Cohen, and I am thrilled to be your child's STARS this year! I hold a degree in Applied Arts and Sciences with a focus in Child Development from Texas State University, and I’m currently finalizing my teacher certification from Texas Teachers of Tomorrow in Elementary Core and Special Education. I have spent the majority of my life working with kids and helping them succeed!
Teaching is not just a profession for me—it's a passion. I genuinely love working with children and helping them overcome challenges to achieve their fullest potential. I believe that every child can succeed with the right support and encouragement, and I am committed to making our classroom a nurturing and positive environment for your child to learn and grow.
Outside of school, I cherish my time with my family, and I strive to bring that same sense of care and community into our classroom. I am excited to partner with you to make this a fantastic school year, and I look forward to supporting your child's success every step of the way!"
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Cohen to Florence Elementary!
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!
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 4- 2nd Grade Field Trip: Casa Manana
February 5- College Spirit Day- Wear your college colors!
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)
February 6- Book Fair Family Shopping (5:30pm-8pm)
February 10- 4th Grade Keller Shake Auditions (7:25 am)
February 11- CEIC 3rd Meeting (3:45pm-5:15pm)
February 14- Valentines Parties
February 14- School Resource Officers Day
February 17- President’s Day- No School
February 19-20- TELPAS Testing
February 20- Open House
February 28- Wear RED for Go Red Day!
February 28- Keller Shake
March 1- Casey’s Kids
March 5- College Spirit Day
March 6- PTA Executive Board Meeting (9:15am-10:15am)
March 11- Program- PTA Meeting/Film Festival
March 13- Kindergarten Field Trip- Zoo
March 14- Library Author Visit
March 14- End of the 3rd 9 weeks
March 17-21- Spring Break- No School
*More 2024-2025 information and dates to come. Plan ahead by visiting our new website to access our full year FES Campus Calendar.
State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) Interim Assessments are online assessments that align to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and that help educators monitor student progress and predict student performance on STAAR. These tests provide our teachers with data to monitor student performance related to the state standards and provides us with insight as to areas where students may need additional support either in general or individually. This also gives our students a practice opportunity in a testing environment and with the new STAAR 2.0 question types that include drag and drop, free response, and multiple answer selection which differs from how STAAR was prior to 2023.
Math: February 4th
Reading: February 5th
For more information on the STAAR Interim test, please visit TEA: https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/assessment-initiatives/staar-interim-assessments
We have had an increase in students requesting snacks from the front office. Please continue to send your child with snacks, as our teachers allow daily snack time throughout the day at a designated time. (2 snacks are suggested for Kindergarten) As our students are growing quickly, some students have been sharing that they are increasingly hungry, and might benefit from a bit more to help sustain them with the energy they need to learn through the day! While we have a limited amount of snacks in the office for those who may be in need, we are unable to consistently provide students with daily snacks.
Students will be visiting the book fair with their class as indicated by the schedul ebelow. Monday wil be a preview day, with sales starting Tuesday- Friday.
Parents and guardians are welcome to join your child to shop our book fair Tuesday- Friday before school from 7:45-8:00 AM.
Shop online and set up your e-wallet at:
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!
Casey's Kids Annual 5K/Fun Run is March 1st! Sign up HERE
Alliance for Children will be at FES on February 24th to present a lesson on internet safety. Please click the link HERE if you would like to preview the lesson. Students opted out of regular counseling guidance lessons will be given an alternative activity during the presentation time.
Schedule
3rd grade - 8:30
2nd grade - 9:00
Kinder- 9:30
1st- 10:00
4th - 10:30
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
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 to showcase a country or culture by 2-4-25!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe34v5wQh62tK0Qt2HczxL9MQU_0HQ5MfFD4wp1zBfuwSD6-w/viewform
PTA is providing bags for studnets to collect their valentine's day cards. Please see your teacher's newsletter for specifics regarding the card exchange, which will take place during the school day, as planned by each teacher.
FES students will not be permitted to attend their siblings' parties and will participate only in their own grade level's party. If you wish to check out your child(ren) early, you may do so at the conclusion of your child's party time (any siblings will be called down to the office at that time). Early check-outs will be counted as a partial absence.
Kindergarten and 1st Grade: Check out with the teacher using the sign-out sheet. (Siblings will need to be called down to the office after the grade level event has concluded).
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade: Check out through the main office.
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).