July 2025
Summer Newsletter
Dear Florence Families,
I hope this message finds you enjoying a safe, restful, and joyful summer! As your principal, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to a brand new school year at Florence Elementary. Whether you are a returning family or new to our community—we are so glad you are here. This year, we are embracing the idea that "Together, we SHINE," which reflects the heart of who we are and what we strive for every day:
✨ Strive for Excellence
✨ Honor our Students and Staff
✨ Inspire Learning
✨ Nurture Students
✨ Elevate Success
Each letter in SHINE represents our unwavering commitment to creating a learning environment where every child feels seen, supported, and challenged to be their very best. We believe that when students SHINE, the entire school community glows with pride and possibility.
✨ Looking Ahead
Our school will open its doors for the first day of learning on August 13th. In the coming weeks we look forward to:
August 4th- Our teachers and staff return for campus and district training!
August 8th- Expect a phone call from your child's teacher, welcoming them to the new school year
August 11th- Meet the Teacher Night (Last Names A-L 5-5:45, Last Names M-Z from 6:00-6:45)
August 13th- The First Day of School
As we enjoy these final weeks of summer, I encourage you to rest, read, and reconnect. We can’t wait to welcome your children back with open arms and full hearts. Together, we will SHINE brighter than ever!
With warmth and excitement,
Courtney Cullum Brandel
Principal, Florence Elementary
📧 courtney.cullum@kellerisd.net | 📞 817-744-4700
🌐 https://fes.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 24.
FES Campus will be closed:
Mondays and Fridays
June 19th- Holiday
June 23rd- July 7th
July 30 - 31 *Kinder Camp (8:00-11:00 or 12:00-3:00)
August 8- Class Lists Shared- Teachers will contact students and parents throughout the day
August 11- Meet the Teacher Night (Last names A-K 5:00-5:45 and L-Z 6:00-6:45)
August 13- First Day of School 2025-2026 School Year
August 13- Boo-Hoo/Woo-Hoo Breakfast, sponsored by FES PTA (7:45-8:15 a.m. in the cafeteria). This event is for Kindergarten families and families in any grade who are new to FES.
August 18- Parent Orientation/Hybrid
Kindergarten: 5:00-5:30
1st Grade 5:30-6:30
2nd Grade: 6:30-7:30
August 19- Parent Orientation/Hybrid
3rd Grade 5:00-6:00
4th Grade 6:00-7:00
August 22- Independence Day- Wear Red, White, and Blue to celebrate students independently walking to their classrooms in the morning!
September 1- Labor Day Holiday- No School
September 2-4- BOY MAP RLA (during reading classes)
September 8-10- BOY MAP Math (during math classes)
September 10- BOY MAP Fluency (During reading classes)
September 11- Multicultural Night (5:30-8:00)
Week of September 15-19 Book Fair
September 15- Lunch with Grandparents (Last names A-K)
September 16- Lunch with Grandparents (Last names L-Z)
September 16- CEIC Meeting (3:45-5:00)
September 17- Watchdog Kick Off (6:00-6:30)
September 22- STUCO Speeches Due
September 25- 1st Grade Performance/PTA Meeting
September 29- Fun Run Kickoff
October 1- College Spirit Day
October 2- Fall Yearbook Pictures
October 3- Red Ribbon Spirit Day
October 3- 3rd/4th STUCO Elections
Week of October 6-10 KHS Spirit Week (Dress Up Days TBD)
October 6- KHS Homecoming Parade
October 7- Fun Run
October 9- KHS Homecoming Game
October 9- End of the 1st 9 Weeks
October 10- Student Holiday- Parent/ Teacher Conferences (by appointment)
Week of October 13-17- District Holiday- Fall Break- No School
*View our full calendar on our website.
Printable KISD 25-26 Instructional Calendar
Returning Student Registration - Due August 7
Returning families will need to confirm your student's registration for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year using the KISD Infosnap Registration. Parents of returning students (those who were enrolled with us during the 2024-2025 school year) will receive a Snapcode on Tuesday, July 9th from noreplyregistration@powerschool.com, which will be emailed to the email address of the parent/guardian listed first in Aeries. If, for some reason, you do not receive your code on July 9th, first check your spam/ junk mail for an email from noreplyregistration@powerschool.com . If you have not received an email on July 9th, please reach out to terra.peters@kellerisd.net or call our campus office at 817-744-4700.
New Student Enrollment
For any student who is new to Keller ISD, including incoming kindergarten students who were not previously enrolled in KISD Pre-K, please visit The KISD 25-26 Enrollment Page to begin the registration process.
Parents, have your phone handy and be sure the sound is on! On August 8th, you will receive a call from your child's new teacher, welcoming you to the 25-26 school year.
At Florence Elementary, creating class lists is a process we approach with great care, intention, and heart. These are not simply names on a page—they represent opportunities for relationships and friendships to form, support systems to grow, and excitement to build for the year ahead. Our staff utilizes a collaborative approach that starts in April and dedicates significant time and thought to crafting classroom communities that will best support each child’s unique strengths, talents, and learning needs. We carefully consider a variety of factors, including:
Academic strengths and areas for growth
Social-emotional development
Peer relationships
Learning styles and support services
Balanced class sizes and dynamics
Each class is thoughtfully designed to be a safe, engaging space where students can thrive—and our teachers are already eagerly preparing for the year ahead. Even before the first day, teachers are filled with excitement, care, and genuine love for the children they have yet to meet. They are imagining the smiles, the “aha” moments, the creativity, and the connections that will unfold in their classrooms in the year ahead!
Most importantly, please know this: no matter where your child is placed, they will SHINE. Every class at Florence Elementary is a place where students are valued, celebrated, and supported to grow in confidence, character, and curiosity. We are deeply committed to making sure your child feels a strong sense of belonging and purpose in their learning journey. Thank you for your trust and partnership! We cannot wait to begin this bright new chapter together!
Keller ISD will be utilizing a new communication platform that will allow parents to customize the ways in which they receive notifications and information. Stay tuned for more information!
Click on the presentation to see the information that was shared at Kindergarten Orientation in May.
*Reminder- Our offices are closed from June 23- July 7th and will re-open on July 8th to receive any paperwork/ documents that are pending and any registrations for Kinder Camp.
*What is Kinder Camp?
Kinder Camp is a two day orientation in July for our incoming kindergarten students that allows them the opportunity to preview kindergarten and experience a half day over the two days. This gives students a foundation and positive experience before the full kindergarten day in August, and is designed to ease them into the transition to starting kindergarten. Students will visit each of the kindergarten classrooms, work with each of our teachers, and play and explore in our Discovery Lab and begin to make new friends. Over the two day camp, students will complete activities and our teachers will identify the unique strengths and needs of students which supports us in preparing for their arrival in August. Kinder camp is optional, but encouraged. On June 30th, parents are invited to stay for the first hour in our library for a parent meeting and Q&A session.
*What do I need to bring?
Bring comfortable clothes
A water bottle labeled with your child's name on it.
A light snack will be provided (Goldfish) but if your child is allergic to goldfish, please send an alternative snack (nut free) in a bag labeled with their name. (Please avoid liquids, messy, or items that need to be refrigerated as they will be having their snack while they listen to a story.)
Register for Kinder Camp!
Incoming Kindergarten students are invited to join us at Kinder Camp Wednesday and Thursday, July 30th and 31st during either an AM (8:00-11:00) or a PM (12:00-3:00) session. Your child will attend at the same time on both days.
Confirm your registration for our AM or PM Kinder camp by contacting our FES secretary, Mrs. Terra Peters at 817-744-4700 (after July 7th) or by emailing her at terra.peters@kellerisd.net and indicating your preference for the AM two-day session or the PM two-day session.
For school supplies, please refer to the lists below. You are welcomed to bring your supplies with you on Meet the Teacher night (August 11th). If you ordered school supply packs through the PTA, those packs will be in your child's classroom on Aug. 11 at Meet the Teacher."
Save the date for the Keller ISD Back-to-School Bash on Thursday, July 24 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Fossil Ridge High School! All Keller ISD families are invited to this annual event, which provides free school supplies, backpacks, health screenings, physicals, and vaccinations; assistance with school registration, free/reduced lunch registration; and other community resources.
Want to be a part of the fun on campus this school year? Keller ISD is now accepting volunteer applications for the 2025-2026 school year! Whether you're dreaming of chaperone duty or want to lend a helping hand in the work room, now's the time to sign up. Your volunteer application must be submitted and approved before you can volunteer on-campus. Click here to learn more and apply: https://shorturl.at/xM1B2.
New Kindergarten families and families new to FES in any grade, please join us for the annual "Boo-Hoo/Woo-Hoo" Breakfast, sponsored by FES PTA! This event will be held on the first day of school (Wednesday, Aug. 13) from 7:45-8:15 a.m. in the cafeteria.
Looking for a meaningful and fun summer project for your student? Get a head start on the 2025-2026 Reflections Art Program, where creativity meets self-expression!
This year’s theme, "I Belong!" is a powerful idea submitted by 6th grader Ben Morgan from Idaho, who shared:
“I have found belonging with my family and friends. The people in my classes can also be like part of my family, even though we aren’t directly related. 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.”
Whether your student loves to draw, dance, write, compose music, take photos, or make films, this is their chance to shine and reflect on where they feel they truly belong.
Be sure to check the rules by category to ensure their work meets all guidelines:
www.txpta.org/reflections-participation.
Questions? Reach out to PTA Cultural Arts Chair Lyndsay Lovell at: lyndsay.lovell@gmail.com. We can’t wait to see what your Falcons create!
FES on Facebook FES on Facebook
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