April 14-17
Celebrating a Week of Excellence, Service, and Enrichment
Dear Families,
What an incredible week it has been at Florence—a true reflection of many of our values with excellence, service, and enrichment!
Our students also had the opportunity to shine in our annual PTA Talent Show, and what a show it was! From music and dance to magic tricks and comedy, our students wowed the crowd with their courage and creativity. It was a beautiful celebration of self-expression and school spirit, and we are so proud of every performer who took the stage!
We also had the honor of celebrating Mrs. Howell, who was named our Teacher of the Year at the district’s annual awards ceremony. Mrs. Howell’s commitment to student growth, her creativity in the classroom, and her positive leadership make her truly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, Mrs. Howell—we are so proud of you!
On Saturday, our school family came together for our BIG Event service project, supporting Cook Children’s Hospital. Students, staff, and families assembled craft kits and hygiene kits to bring comfort, care, and creativity to young patients. It was a powerful reminder of how much we can accomplish when we come together with hearts ready to serve.
Speaking of service, we had a great time celebrating our amazing volunteers. Whether they are serving as a Watchdog to keep our students safe, helping with classroom projects, organizing events, or lending a hand during busy times, their time and care make a lasting impact! Our school is stronger, more connected, and more joyful because of their dedication. We are deeply thankful for all they do.
Our first graders also took a step back in time during their field trip to Nash Farm, where they explored life in the past through hands-on experiences and learning. This trip brought history to life in a meaningful and memorable way!
Looking ahead, next week is STAAR testing for many of our students. Please note that the campus will be closed to visitors on April 14, 15, and 17 to maintain a quiet and focused testing environment. If you’d like to come for lunch or visit, please plan for another day. While STAAR is one important measure of academic progress, we want to recognize that the true story of our students' growth this year goes far beyond a single test. Every day, we see students rising to challenges, thinking critically, showing kindness, and growing into their best selves.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. It takes a village—and we are so grateful to be on this journey with you!
In Falcon Spirit,
Courtney Brandel- Principal, Florence Elementary School
We had an FES student place at the Texas state level for the Reflections Art Program. Gemma Lovell won Honorable Mention for her film, "My Wonderful Purple Birthmark". She will be traveling to Austin to receive her award. Congratulations to one of our many very talented Falcons.
We had an incredible time at the 2025 Big Event! This year, the falcon family partnered in serving Cook Children's Hospital, creating activity kits and hygine kits as well as encouraging cards. Thank you to all the families who participated by coming and serving and by donating!
Thank you to all of our FES Volunteers who have helped and supported our school this year! We had a great time sharing a delcious breakfast spread prepared by our staff as a way to say "THANK YOU!" for all that you do!
Thank you, Watchdogs
On Thursday evening and Friday morning, several of our FES students graced our stage with their amazing talents! We had everything from joke telling, to singing, dancing, Rubix cube solving, dancing dinos and more! It's amazing the talent that our students shared and their bravery in taking the stage to perform!
Our 1st grade students had an amazing time visiting Nash farms where they learned about how things were in the "olden" days. They got to experience everything from marble making, to butter churning, washing clothes, and tending the animals, and even learning about what bathrooms were like in the past. The weather was perfect and the day was memorable for all!
Mrs. Howell was recognized at the district's Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony on Thursday night, joining all 42 campuses in recognition of this peer selected award! Congratulations, Ms. Howell!
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!
April 14-15- STAAR Testing Window- No visitors on campus
April 15- 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR (RLA)
April 16- P.S. It's My Body Presentations (see below)
April 16- Kindergarten Sight Word Egg Hunt
April 17- STAAR Testing Make-Up Testing- No visitors on campus
April 17- Kindergarten Graduation Pictures
April 18- District Holiday- No Classes
April 21- Teacher Workday- No Classes
April 23- CEIC Meeting
April 23- National Administrative Professional Day
April 24- 4th Grade Program and PTA Meeting
April 24- PTA Spirit Night at Jason's Deli (5:00-9:00)
April 25- The Creature Teacher Assembly visits FES
April 29- May 1- STAAR Testing Window- No visitors on campus
April 30th- 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR (Math)
May 2- Kindergarten Orientation- 2025-2026
May 2- PTA Family Fun Night
May 6- 4th Grade Play Day
*More 2024-2025 information and dates to come. Plan ahead by visiting our new website to access our full year FES Campus Calendar.
Our 3rd and 4th grade students will be completing their STAAR Reading test on Tuesday.
Due to testing, our campus will be closed to visitors Monday-Tuesday and Thursday, so we ask parents of all grade levels to please choose another day to join us for lunch.
Testing Reminders
Get a good night's sleep the night before.
Have a nourishing breakfast.
Please be sure that your child is at school at the regularly scheduled time. Testing process will begin at 7:55 AM.
Encourage your child to take their time and do their best.
Students may bring extra snacks to have at their desks; we are requesting that they bring healthy snacks that do not make their fingers or working space sticky, wet, colorful, or greasy.
They may also have a water bottle.
Students are encouraged to bring a jacket or sweater to wear in the classroom (no blankets or stuffed animals).
Students may not wear smart-watches or have any internet capable devices or have cell phones in the testing room. If they do bring them, we will collect them and lock them up until the end of the day.
If your child will be absent on testing day, the make-up day will be on April 17th.
Students will have the entire school day to complete the assessment.
Students will have a break for lunch time and may bring a lunch or order lunch from the cafeteria as they normally would.
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
Glamourcraft will be here on April 17th to take cap and gown photos for your Kinder grad. Please be sure to have your student dressed for their exciting day.
If your student is absent on April 17th and they miss their photo op, or they were absent for their Spring photo op, Glamourcraft will have a makeup day at their Studio location on May 3rd from 9am to 11:30am. No appointment is necessary. Address is: 7375 South Hulen. Fort Worth, TX 76133.
Parents, please take a moment to fill out the 2025-2026 Florence Elementary Student Intent to Return (Click here) form for each of your students. Please indicate one of the three options:
My child will or will not return for the 25-26 school year.
4th Grade Only: My child will or will not attend BCI for the 25-26 school year.
I am interested in discussing retention.
Please complete the form by April 25th. Each student will need their individual form response.
Pre-K, Kindergarten, or other incoming students planning to attend KISD for the first time during the 2025-26 school year can enroll starting April 1. You can find more information about enrolling your new student at www.KellerISD.net/Enroll.
Attention all seniors who attended FES! Be sure to save the date and upload your pictures for our FES Senior Walk on May 19th.
Our spring small counseling groups are wrapping up, and I've had a few requests for continued opportunities. I plan to offer a 4 week round of skill based counseling groups based on the following topics: stress management, self regulation, and friendship skills. If you'd like your child to participate, please use the following referral link.
Here are some upcoming events and flyers from our friends at Bear Creek Intermediate.
Spirit Night, May 14th 4-8pm at Sweet Frog's in Keller!
We've all been there! Back-to school sneaks up on us, and suddenly we're running from store to store trying to find supplies. But what if you could check it off your list today? Order Here: https://cas5-0-urlprotect.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=https%3a%2f%2f1stdayschoolsupplies.com%2fgs%2f1179150&umid=73469682-d99d-463e-a3c9-ed16ea789d90&rct=1744219910&auth=735fd6d2e0d58d5e2eb04bc8159d38fac3cacd87-aeb060e1820a4600f39539d33b66fc2432570600
1st Day School Supplies makes it easy. In just a few clicks, you can order the exact supplies your teacher requested, packaged in a beautiful new box and delivered on time, stress-free!
Florence is so close to being recognized for having a voice for every child! There is still time to purchase your membership. Right now, new membership purchases will receive a '24-'25 FES yard sign while supplies last! Thank you, parents and families, for helping us achieve this recognition!
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!
27 students submitted artwork for this year’s yearbook cover. The FES PTA voted on the following winners:
1st Place & Front Cover - Carter Caraway, 1st Grade
2nd Place & Back Cover - London Caraway, 1st Grade
3rd Place & Title Page - Eleanor Sweeney, 2nd Grade
All students who submitted entries for the cover contest will also have their artwork featured in the yearbook. We can’t wait to see their works in print! Congratulations to all our creative FES artists!
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
Get Ready for an Exciting PE Camp This June!
Mrs. Castranova is excited to invite you to our upcoming PE Camp, where fun, games, and popsicles await! This fantastic event is scheduled for June, and we can't wait to see you there.
What to Expect:
Engaging Games: Enjoy a variety of games designed to keep everyone active and entertained.
Refreshing Popsicles: Beat the heat with delicious popsicles after a day full of activities.
Fun Activities: Participate in numerous fun-filled activities that promise a great time for all.
Important Date:
Registration Deadline: May 9th
Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay active, have fun, and make new friends. Register now to secure your spot!
Our Keller ISD locations are gearing up for the 2025 Camp Clayton program!
This year, we are offering STEAM Camp, Adventure Camp, Pre-K Discovery Camp, and Teen Leadership Camp—each providing a fun, safe, and enriching environment where kids can explore, create, and connect, with a new theme every week. We’re especially excited about our new locations and upcoming field trips! Our 2025 Keller Camp Clayton location are at the following locations:
Parkview, North Riverside, Hidden Lakes and Independence.
For more information, parents can visit our website for details on locations, pricing, and camp themes: https://claytonyouth.org/camp-clayton.
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
The Elementary Math (K-6) Department has created a 9 weeks newsletter using SMORE. The newsletter contains an overview for families of upcoming material, important concepts, student misconceptions, ideas for supporting their student at home, and DreamBox support.
Click below to access the 4th 9 Weeks Math SMORE Newsletter:
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
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
Keller ISD will observe summer business hours beginning Monday, June 2, with District and campus administrative offices and facilities open Tuesday-Thursday. Employees will work remotely on Mondays to close buildings on those days as an additional cost-saving measure for the District. On those days, campus employees can be reached by email but may not be able to return all phone calls received until they return to campus.
Public business hours will be 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday each week from June 2nd through July 21.
FES Campus will be closed:
Mondays and Fridays
June 19th- Holiday
June 23rd- July 7th
Be sure that your email is correct in your infosnap to be sure you receive all of our Blackboard communications (emails and texts).