February 18-21
Dear FES Families,
Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family! It has been such a joy to see the smiles, joy, and fun shared by our students during their Valentine's Day parties today!
We had the opportunity to visit with our Campus Educational Improvement Committee (CEIC) on Tuesday and reviewed an overview of our third quarter attendance, discipline, and academic data so far this year. Our students are showing excellence and progress overall, and our teachers are working to close any gaps that may exist as we move into the final part of our school year. We had the opportunity to reflect on many of the strengths and challenges in our school and discussed some ideas to support our school as we plan for the future. The committee recognized the work of our incredible teachers who make such a difference in all that happens each day at Florence Elementary School and the important role of the support of our parents. When our students are supported, loved, and nourished at home, they are able to be their best at school! It is truly a partnership between families and staff! The committee also contributed some ideas for ways to utilize a generous donation of $9619.00 from Jenny's Penguin Patch and we look forward to sharing more information about the use of that generous donation soon! Thank you, also to Doty Realty and Doty Construction for spoiling our teachers and staff today with the Sonic drink of their choice!
We hope you all have a WONDERFUL long weekend and hope to see everyone next week for our FES Open House Safari Adventure!
Courtney Brandel
Principal, Florence Elementary School
Thank you to our PTA and Co-curr team for hosting a fun day of celebrating friendship at Florence! Our students enjoyed playing, having a snack and sharing in fun with their classmates. They also enjoyed exchanging valentines day cards in their classrooms!
A little extra cold weather can't stop us from having a great time during indoor recess. Our 3rd grade students enjoyed playing classic board games, drawing, and constructing!
Each month, our staff nominates members of the staff who go above and beyond and stand out for their amazing contributions to our campus. We enjoy sharing these winners during our morning announcements so that the students can see -
We have the best School Resource Officer! Thank you, Officer, Greg for keeping our studnets safe, for keeping our building secure and for sharing smiles amongst our students!
Jamie Burnett- 4th Grade Teacher
"For the last 7 years Jamie has organized the 4th grade fundraiser in support of the North Texas Humane Society. This work involves numerous duties outside regular teaching responsibilities demonstrating a commitment to both the local community and the well-being of animals in need. Jamie’s efforts to organize such an event not only raise funds for the Humane Society Keller location but also inspire students to become more socially responsible and compassionate individuals. Her efforts have helped FES 4th graders raise over $5,000 to support our local humane society!"- Jojo Brinton
Terra Peters- Campus Secretary
"Terra needs a title upgrade … master of chaos, coordinator of disarray, organizer of craziness, calmer of panic, and so many other things. We are so thankful for her!"- Leah Dimmitt
"We’re so grateful for Mrs. Mistler! Not only has she poured so much dedication into our daughters reading and math but she even called her after hours after she had missed school to assure her she would still get to celebrate 100 days of school. She pours her heart into each student."- Sara, Parent
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 17- President’s Day- No School
February 19-20- TELPAS Testing
February 20- Open House
5:00-5:45 Last Names A-J
6:00-6:45 Last Names K-Z
February 20- Spirit Night at Mountain Mike's 5pm-9pm
February 28- Wear RED for Go Red Day!
February 28- Keller Shake- District Event
March 1- Casey’s Kids Fun Run
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.
We are so excited for this year's Open House where we will celebrate all of the learning, literacy and arts at FES this year! Parents, you and your child will begin your safari adventure in your child's homeroom class where you will get to share in some of their work and will receive your Safari Guide booklet. From here, you will move around the building to visit our library, our gym, and our fine arts areas! As students and parents complete the activities in each Safari location, you will receive an animal sticker.
Our goal is for our parents and students to share in each experience together, so parents, you must participate with your child to receive your sticker! Upon completion of all of the events in each of the rings, we will have a treat for students to pick up on their way out in the courtyard. We can't wait for you to share in this experience with your child!
*Weather permitting, we plan to have the side gate open for overflow parking, but ask that families, please plan to arrive by last name in order to help ensure that there is enough parking and space in the building for all of our Falcon families!
Come and cheer on our 2 teams of Battle of the Books competitors!
FES students are learning and participating in a variety of jump rope activities for the Kids Heart Challenge through month of February. Register today to donate before February 28th.
We’re thrilled to announce that award-winning children’s author Tammi Sauer will be visiting our school! Tammi has written over 30 beloved picture books, including Nugget & Fang and Mary Had a Little Glam. During her visit, she will inspire students with her fun, engaging stories and share what it’s like to be an author.
To make this event even more special, families have the opportunity to pre-order signed copies of her books! Order forms are attached and must be returned to our librarian, Mrs. Sustaita, with payment by Monday, February 24th. Don’t miss this chance to bring home a personalized book from a fantastic author!
Click to print and download or you may pick up a printed form in the office or from our library!
Thank you for supporting our Casey's Kids Pajama Jam! We raised $440 dollars for a great cause!
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
4th graders will enjoy a special visit from KCAL on February 20th for a unique guidance lesson featuring career exploration, hands on STEM activities, and an introduction to what the Keller Center for Advanced Learning has to offer KISD students!
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
Come discover the newly-opened Mountain Mike's Pizza at 1521 Keller Pkwy! A portion of sales during Spirit Night will be donated to Florence, so come hang out with friends and support your school while enjoying delicious pizza!
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
I smell prune juice and Werther’s Original! Hit me up with those 100 day pics!! 👵🏻👴🏻
Upload your Western Day photos here
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
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.
Be sure that your email is correct in your infosnap to be sure you receive all of our Blackboard communications (emails and texts).