March 17-28
Classes Resume March 24th
Dear FES Families,
Spring has (almost) sprung, and we have had an exciting start to the month of March! I want to share some highlights from our recent events that have brought joy and learning to our school community.
First, we were thrilled to welcome Tammi Sauer, an accomplished children’s author, for a special visit to our library! Our students were captivated by her engaging storytelling and insightful discussions about the writing process. It was such a wonderful experience to see the students inspired by her passion for books and creativity. Our Kindergarten students had a memorable field trip to the zoo! They enjoyed exploring the animal exhibits, learning about different species, and connecting their classroom lessons to real-world experiences. It was a day full of discovery, fun, and learning in the great outdoors! We also held our Character Assembly this month, where we honored students who exemplify integrity. It’s so important to celebrate these positive traits, and we are incredibly proud of our students who demonstrate honesty and strong character in everything they do. Congratulations to all of our honorees! Our 3rd grade students put on an outstanding performance this month with their musical and film show! The students showcased their talents in singing, acting, and film production, and their hard work and creativity were evident in every part of the show. It was a fun, lively celebration of their learning and artistic abilities.
As we head into Spring Break, and the time of the year when everything is green, flowers begin to bloom, I can't help but think about just how lucky we all are! Now, we all know that luck can sometimes feel like it’s all about finding that four-leaf clover or hoping the vending machine gives you the snack you want on the first try (we've all been there, right?). But here at school, luck isn’t just about chance—it’s about the positive actions, hard work, and kindness that make every day just a little brighter. I’m lucky to be part of such an amazing school community, where our teachers and students continue to show up with big smiles and big hearts. They've worked hard, supported each other, and made our school a place where we all feel lucky to be! They’re like lucky charms in their own right!
As we head into Spring Break, I wish you all a time full of rest, relaxation, and just the right amount of good luck—whether it’s finding the perfect spot on the couch to enjoy a good book or feeling lucky as you beat the traffic out of town, or find the coziest chair on the beach! May your days be filled with fun, family, and a little bit of magic. We can’t wait to see everyone back, refreshed and ready to finish the year strong!
Enjoy your break, and thank you for making this school year so lucky for all of us!
Warm (and lucky) regards and Falcon Spirit,
Courtney Brandel- Principal, Florence Elementary School
First grade enjoyed the great outdoors and spent the end of the day in our courtyard, tending to the weeds in the garden and then enjoying some independent and partner reading in their individualized book boxes.
We experienced a first, ever, one of a kind performance from our 3rd grade students this week! Our 3rd grade students have been hard at work both in their theatre and music classes, where they brought the songs they have been singing to life! In theatre, 3rd grade studnets have been creating stop-motion films, using photographs spliced together to create a movie. Each 3rd grade class took one of the songs from the performance, and created a movie to go along with telling the story. Some included acting, others used puppets, and even clay animation. Of course, no performance is complete without a finale all about dancing! Great work 3rd grade!
We loved seeing the school spirit from each grade level as students shared their grade level cheers and our FES school cheer!
This 9 weeks our Character award recognized students who consistently demonstrates honesty, responsibility, and fairness in the classroom. The recipient is someone who can be trusted to do the right thing, even when no one is watching, and who treats everyone with respect and kindness. The Integrity Award honors students who inspire others by setting a positive example through their words and actions, creating a supportive and trustworthy learning environment for all. All of our recipients were recognized by their peers, reflecting how others view their actions and character.
During our ceremony, our incredible STUCO showed leadership as they took the pictures, handed out the yard signs, and helped to reset our cafeteria once we had finished!
McKenna Frey
Jaycee White
Mckenna Webb
Eastwood Ohm
Koryn McMillan
Adley Dulaney
Luna Tricomi
Bryker Moffett
Carter Caraway
Brooklyn Wiginton
Hudson Svoboda
Karter Gonzalez
Alexis Wieser
Sloane Love
Luke Lewis
Rachel Flores
Reese Villafranca
Knox Whitacre
Ella Gunert
Sean Love
Avery Moore
Nael Gebrehiwot
Eloise Tauber
All of our FES students were inspired by Mrs. Sauer who shared with them all of her "Top Secret Tips" to being a great writer and author. She walked them through the writing process, reinforcing the things that they have been learning at school and inspiring them to continue to grow as writers. She shared some of her favorite stories that she has written with our students and invited some of our students to join in as characters! Thank you to our librarian, Mrs. Sustaita, and to our incredible PTA volunteers who made this possible!
Mrs. Styne- 3rd Grade
"Mrs. Styne is such a wonderful teacher! She is so patient and kind, and it’s clear how much she loves her students — and what she does. She always has a smile on her face and maintains a positive attitude daily. We are so grateful our son has her for 3rd grade!"- Brittany and Brandon, Parents
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!
March 17-21- Spring Break- No School
March 28- Spring Group Pictures
April 2- Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4- School Librarian Appreciation Day
April 7-11- National Assistant Principal Week
April 9- 1st Grade Field Trip- Nash Farms
April 10- Talent Show (5:00pm-7:30pm)
April 11- Volunteer/Watch Dog Breakfast
April 12- The Big Event
April 14-16- STAAR Testing Window- No visitors on campus
April 15- 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR (RLA)
April 18- District Holiday- No Classes
April 21- Teacher Workday- No Classes
April 24- 4th Grade Program and PTA Meeting
April 29- May 1- STAAR Testing Window- No visitors on campus
April 30th- 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR (Math)
*More 2024-2025 information and dates to come. Plan ahead by visiting our new website to access our full year FES Campus Calendar.
On March 28th, Glamourcraft will be taking spring photos, Class photos, retakes and yearbook photos for new students who enrolled after October.
All orders will be shipped to your home. In addition, Glamourcraft will send a proof card to the homeroom teacher for each student approximately two weeks after picture so that orders may be placed by parents using the Glamourcraft online.
*This year Glamourcraft is using a prop in our spring pictures!
Save the date! We are excited to announce that The Big Event is returning on April 12, 2025 from 9:00-11:00 at Florence Elementary! 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.
This year, FES is supporting Cook Children's Hospital with toiletry kits for parents who are staying unexpectedly and with arts and crafts kits for kids who are staying in the hospital, as well as cards to accompany patient's meal trays. Our goal is to bring a bit of sunshine and Falcon Spirit to those who are facing difficult times.
This year's registration will be through a google form. Students must be accompanied by a parent, so make it a morning of family fun through service. Register here to join us on April 12th!
Between now and then, we need your help in providing donations for the items that we will be assembling together on the Day of the Big Event! Our Campus Big Event Coordinator, Mrs. Hannah McLean, has made it easy and created an Amazon Wish List where you can see what is needed and purchase the items.
Florence will host Alliance for Children on April 16th for our required Senate Bill 9 lesson on Personal Safety. You opted your child IN or OUT of this lesson via Infosnap prior to the start of this school year during the registration process. Students who have opted out of the lesson will be given an alternate activity during that time.
If you cannot remember what you selected, you can view your child's authorizations in the Aeries Parent Portal. Click Student Info, Authorizations, Bill 9 (granted or denied).
Preview the lesson HERE. If after previewing the lesson, you would like to change your authorization, complete this FORM, and return to Christina.Jones@kellerisd.net.
Schedule
8:30 - 3rd
9:00 - 2nd
9:30 - Kinder
10:00- 1st
10:30 - 4th
Watch DOGS!
Thank you to all of our amazing Watch DOGS Volunteers. Our Watch DOG volunteer calendar closes on April 1st as we prepare for testing and a busy end of year season. If you missed an opportunity to volunteer and would like to support our campus, we would love to have dads help us open car doors and greet students each day from 7:25-7:55am. No sign up required.
Falcon Family!
Do you have a talent you can't wait to share? Dancing, singing, comedy, martial arts, drama, magic...the possibilities are endless! Register your single or group act today. Volunteer sign-up will be coming soon!
Sign up with the entry form: https://forms.gle/f9MMY4KCtJLkhzkVA
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!
Purchase early to avoid the website overload closer to the due date. Your first two personal pages are free!
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.
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
Florence Elementary, in partnership with iCode Southlake, presents the Tech Club: Empowering students with essential STEM skills! Through hands-on activities in coding, game design, and digital arts, your child will build problem-solving abilities and real-world tech knowledge. From Minecraft creations to Python mastery, we're preparing them for future success – all while having fun! For more information, contact iCode Southlake at 817-527-5270 or email southlake108@icodeschool.com
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
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.
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
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
Be sure that your email is correct in your infosnap to be sure you receive all of our Blackboard communications (emails and texts).