May 12-16
Dear Families,
As we enter the final two weeks of the school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible support and sense of community that surrounds our school. I am especially grateful for the heartfelt appreciation shown during Teacher Appreciation Week. A huge thank you goes out to our amazing PTA, our dedicated parents, and our thoughtful students—you made the week truly special for our teachers and staff.
I truly believe that teaching is one of the hardest, yet most important, of jobs there is. Every day, our educators pour their energy, passion, and heart into helping students learn, grow, and discover their potential. Teaching is not just about delivering lessons—it’s about building relationships, nurturing confidence, and inspiring a lifelong love of learning. It takes patience, creativity, resilience, and deep care. When our teachers feel valued and supported, it makes a meaningful difference in their work and in the lives of our students.
The final weeks of school are always filled with a special kind of excitement. Classrooms are buzzing with energy as students wrap up projects, prepare for celebrations, and reflect on all they’ve accomplished. There are so many joyful traditions ahead—Mayfest, performances, and end-of-year milestones—that bring our school community together and highlight how far our students have come.
Thank you for being a vital part of this journey. Your partnership and encouragement throughout the year have helped create a strong foundation for learning and growth. Let’s make the most of these last few weeks and celebrate all that we’ve achieved together!
With gratitude,
Courtney Brandel- Principal
With the rain, our Community Helpers on Wheels event was moved inside and our students enjoyed learning from an astrologist, from our bus drivers, Southlake Police Department, and Southlake Fire Department. What a fun day of hands on learning for our Kinder and 1st Grade students!
Thank you to our FES parents who joined us and shared all about their jobs with our students during announcements this week!
Director of Strategy, Charles Schwab
Commercial Real Estate
Home Builder
Chief Development Officer for Dallas Habitat for Humanity
Our 4th grade students visited BCI where they toured and learned all about being a 5th grade student!
Happy Nurse Appreciation Day to the sweetest school nurse around!
Thank you for being the calm in the chaos, the Band-Aid queen, and the warm smile that makes every scraped knee and tummy ache feel better. Your care, patience, and heart make our school a safer, happier place every single day.
You're not just our nurse—you’re our superhero in comfy shoes!
Mrs. Persyn was recognized at this year's retirement ceremony for her 34 years of service to Keller ISD, all of which has been spent serving the community of Florence Elementary! We are grateful for her lasting impact upon generations of falcons and wish her all the best in her well-deserved next chapter!
Misti Pak- 2nd Grade
"Ms. Pak has shown up as a passionate educator despite navigating a hard season in her professional life. My son has formed a new level of empathy but her kindness, strength and positive spirit this year.- Danielle, FES Parent
Destiny Howell- 3rd Grade
Miss Howell is a fantastic teacher when it comes to academics, but what really sets her apart is the kind of person she is. She shows so much patience, understanding, and kindness—especially when it comes to helping the third-grade girls navigate their friendships. She’s often the one stepping in to help them talk through small disagreements and calm down tense situations with grace and care.
She’s also spent many recesses helping a group of her class girls come up with a cheer for the school talent show, just one example of how she goes above and beyond. These things may seem small, but they show how much she truly cares about her students, not just as learners but as people.
I’m so thankful for the positive influence she’s had on my daughter and her classmates.- Kylee- FES 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!
May 12- Choir and Marimbas (6:00-7:00)
May 13- STUCO EOY Party
May 14 - *Rescheduled 4th Grade Play Day at Keller ISD Athletic Complex (KHS)*
May 16- Mayfest
May 19- Senior Walk (7:30-8:30)
May 20- Kindergarten EOY Celebration (8:00-9:00)
May 20- 1st Grade EOY Celebration (9:15-10:15)
May 21- 2nd Grade EOY Celebration (8:00-9:00)
May 21- 3rd Grade EOY Celebration (9:15-10:15)
May 22- 4th Grade EOY and Clap-out (9:30-10:30)- with class presentation at 9:00
May 22- Early Release (11:55)
*More 2024-2025 information and dates to come. Plan ahead by visiting our new website to access our full year FES Campus Calendar.
If your family is planning to move over the summer, please remember to notify the Elementary School Registrar, Terra Peters, at terra.peters@kellerisd.net as soon as possible.
Keeping your contact and address information up to date helps us:
Ensure a smooth transition for your child
Transfer records to the new school (if needed)
Stay in touch with important updates
Thank you for helping us keep everything running smoothly!
Do these look familiar to you? Please stop by the lost and found to retrieve your forgotten items before the last day of school. All items after May 22nd will be donated to Community Storehouse.
Playday has been rescheduled to May 14th due to severe weather this week.
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C084FABAE2FA4F9CE9-56478161-mayfest
We look forward to an exciting day of fun with this year's Mayfest! We will kick off the day with our tradition of the Maypole dance at 8:10 on the blue top.
Reminders:
Bring a water bottle
Wear play clothes (shorts, shirts) that allow for movement, activity and fun.
A change of clothes (or wear dri fit style that dry quickly after water activities, as students will be playing with water on the basketball court)
A hat (optional)
Wear closed toe shoes
Wear sunscreen (students must apply it themselves, as we are not permitted to apply it for them)
Students may bring a lunchbox or they may order a sacked lunch from the cafeteria
Guest Check-in:
We invite parents to join us as volunteers or spectators at the event! Upon arrival, please check in at the gate located just in front of the north playground (next to the library entrance) to receive your visitor sticker. If you have not previously checked in on raptor, you will need to check in through the front office.
Adult Restrooms:
Adults may not use the student restrooms. Adults may use restrooms that are designated for adult use. Please ask a staff member for guidance to the closest located restroom.
Lunch Time:
All students will be having lunch at the same time this year at 11:30. Your teacher will confirm the lunch location for your child's grade level. Parents are welcomed to bring your own lunch to enjoy with your child in their lunch location.
Student Early Check-Out:
While we encourage our students to stay for the entirety of the day, as there are many fun activities, if you would like to check out your child before the end of the school day, you will do so with your child's homeroom teacher and they will sign them out.
May 20- EOY Award Celebrations (Kinder 8:00 AM, 1st Grade 9:15 AM)
May 21- EOY Award Celebrations (2nd Grade 8:00 AM, 3rd Grade 9:15 AM)
May 22- EOY Award Celebration/Clap Out (4th Grade 9:30 AM)
During the final week of school, we look forward to celebrating our students on their accomplishments this year. Parents are invited to join us for the ceremony where each student will be called up on stage to receive their recognition envelope.
Guest Check-in:
We invite parents to join us as we celebrate the end of the school year! Upon arrival, please check in with your government issued ID at the front door to receive your visitor sticker. If you have not previously checked in on raptor, you will need to check in through the front office.
For our 8:00 AM ceremonies, parents may begin checking in at 7:30.
For the 9:15 AM ceremonies, parents may begin checking in at 9:00 AM.
Due to capacity and to ensure that students are able to participate in their end of the year class activities, FES student siblings of other grade levels may only attend their own grade level awards assembly, with the exception of the fourth grade assembly and clap out on the last day of school.
Student Attendance on Awards Assembly Days:
Please note- any student who is checked out before 9:55 AM will be considered absent for the day. We encourage you to keep your child at school for the remainder of the day as there are still end of the year class activities and tasks to complete as a part of the final week of school! If you do wish to check out your child after the awards ceremony on Tuesday or Wednesday, you will need to do so through the front office. We appreciate your patience, as we must process each check out one at a time through Raptor due to the time of day.
Fourth Grade Students and Siblings Only If you wish for the sibling(s) of your fourth grade student to join the fourth grade awards ceremony and clap out, please complete the form that will be sent out via email to fourth grade families next week to indicate your 4th grade student check-out and sibling participation preferences.
May 19th is the last day of the $20 for 20 challenge supporting the Keller ISD Education Foundation, where all donations made will be matched up to $100,000! Don't forget to mention our campus at checkout! Donate here >>> onecau.se/20for20
While the campaign is coming to a close, it's always a good time to support our Foundation as they never cease in their support for Keller ISD. Make sure to follow them to see the impact they make across our district! #KEF20for20 #CelebrateKISD
Attention all seniors who attended FES! Be sure to save the date and upload your pictures for our FES Senior Walk on May 19th.
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: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.attn.tv/a6SYVlAhG3P7
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!
We’re thrilled to share that next year’s inspiring theme is “I Belong!”, submitted by Ben Morgan, a 6th grade student from Idaho. Ben shared:
“For me, ‘I Belong!’ means I know where I am accepted, and I know that I can be myself there without being criticized or judged.”
We can’t wait to see the incredible projects our talented Falcons will create! More details will be shared at the start of the next school year.
If your student decides to get a head start over the summer, please be sure to review the program rules by category to make sure their work meets the guidelines: www.txpta.org/reflections-participation.
Questions? Feel free to reach out to lyndsay.lovell@gmail.com.
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!
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
Are you ready for a summer filled with discovery, innovation, and fun? Our STEM Summer Camp is the perfect opportunity for young minds to dive into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through engaging hands-on experiments, thrilling science games, and collaborative team activities.
🔬 Hands-On Experiments: Campers will get to conduct exciting experiments that bring scientific concepts to life. From chemistry reactions to physics demonstrations, these activities are designed to spark curiosity and foster a love for learning.
🛠️ Engineering Challenges: Participants will tackle engineering projects that encourage creativity and problem-solving. Whether it's building bridges, designing robots, or creating sustainable solutions, campers will learn the fundamentals of engineering in a fun and interactive way.
🎮 Science Games: Our camp includes a variety of science-themed games that make learning fun. These games are not only entertaining but also educational, helping campers understand complex concepts through play.
🤝 Team Activities: Teamwork is a key component of our camp. Campers will work together on projects, participate in group challenges, and develop collaboration skills that are essential for success in STEM fields.
📅 Registration Deadline: May 15th
May 27th -30th is for campers ages 8 -10. June 16th-18th is for campers ages 5 - 7. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to inspire and educate the next generation of STEM leaders. Register now to secure your spot and embark on a summer adventure that combines learning with fun!
We look forward to seeing you at the camp!
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!
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.
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).