Embedded Files
December 1 - December 5
Week 15
November 24-28 thanksgiving Break
District holiday- No Classes and offices closed
Courtney Brandel
Principal
courtney.brandel@kellerisd.net
Dear Families,
As we enter this season of gratitude, I’m reminded every day of how much we have to be thankful for in our school community. The spirit of Thanksgiving has been woven through our halls these past few weeks; not only in celebrations, but in the joy of learning, the teamwork among staff, and the support you provide at home. This season of thanks gives us a wonderful opportunity to pause and appreciate just how far they’ve come! In our classrooms, students are engaged in meaningful, thoughtful learning that reflects both curiosity and growth. Whether collaborating in small groups, tackling new challenges, or sharing their thinking with peers, our students continue to amaze us with their dedication and enthusiasm.
Our 2nd graders recently shined in their STEAM performance musical, showcasing not only their creativity but also the incredible integration of arts, engineering, and teamwork. Likewise, our kindergarten feast celebration was a beautiful reminder of community and togetherness, as our youngest learners gathered to share traditions and joy. Grade-level Thanksgiving celebrations across the school brought students and staff together in a spirit of unity, reminding us that learning is not only academic, but it is also relational, joyful, and filled with connection.
In this season of Thanksgiving, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every member of our community—teachers, staff, families, volunteers, and students. It truly takes all of us working in partnership to support our learners. Your collaboration, encouragement, and trust are what make our school such a special place.
As we prepare to turn the page to December, we look forward to a month filled with both celebration and reflection. Students will participate in mid-year MAP testing, giving us a chance to see the growth and progress they’ve made so far. We’re also excited for Nutcracker Day, holiday parties, and other festive events as we wrap up the first half of the school year.
On behalf of our entire team, I wish you and your family a warm, joyful, and restful Thanksgiving. May your holiday be filled with gratitude, connection, and peace!
In Falcon Spirit,
Courtney Brandel
Principal, Florence Elementary
2nd Grade STEAM Show
2nd Grade STEAM Show
Our 2nd grade students wowed the crowd with their program about all things science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. From outer space, to geometry, they delivered an amazing performance of intellect and movement talents! Way to go, 2nd graders!
IMG_8672.MOVOzobot Coding Fun in the Library!
Ozobot Coding Fun in the Library!
Ozobots are small robots that follow color-coded lines and simple programs. They’re a fun way to learn about coding, problem-solving, and teamwork. This past week, students colored balloons, attached them to our Ozobots, and created their own Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! At your child's next visit to the library, they will try their hand at coding their own track. Be sure to ask your child about their Ozobot adventures!
Turkey, Family, Friends and Fun!
Turkey, Family, Friends and Fun!
It's been a fantastic Friday of fun at Florence with one of our favorite traditions- celebrating and enjoying a delicious turkey dinner together with our Florence Families! Thank you to our incredible cafeteria staff members for a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving luncheon!
Kinder Feast Fun!
Kinder Feast Fun!
Our Kindergarten students showed off their singing skills with the Pumpkin Pie song and then they demonstrated their manners with a kinder-sized Thanksgiving feast! As a part of their social studies unit, students learned about community, traditions, and sharing! This unit culminated perfectly in the chance to share in Kinder feast together! Thank you to all of our parents who contributed and helped with making this event a success!
Want to recognize a FES staff member?
Want to recognize a FES staff member?
Fill out a shout out on this Staff Shout Out Form to help us celebrate excellence among our FES teachers and staff!
*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.
2nd 9 Weeks Events and Activities (Oct-December)
2nd 9 Weeks Events and Activities (Oct-December)
November 22- Spirit Night- Tommy's Express Car Wash (7am-9pm)
November 24-28- Thanksgiving Break- No School
December 1-4- PTA Penguin Patch
December 3- College Spirit Day
December 3- PTA Executive Board Meeting
December 3-5- MOY MAP Window (Reading- in reading class)
December 4- Marimba Choir Performance
December 8- School Spelling Bee
December 8-12 Students can begin bringing Nutcrackers for Nutcracker Day
December 9-11 MOY MAP Window (Math - in math class and Fluency Dec. 11th)
December 9- Angel Tree Due
December 10- ROCK Club 3:15p.m. - 4:15p.m.
December 12- Nutcracker Day (during Co-Curr)
December 16- CEIC Meeting
December 19- Christmas Parties- (in classrooms) Early Release Day/ End of the semester
Kindergarten: 9-9:45 a.m.
1st grade: 9:30-10:15 a.m.
2nd grade: 10-10:45 a.m.
3rd grade: 10:15-11 a.m.
4th grade: 10:30-11:15 a.m.
December 22- January 4- Winter Break, no classes
*View our full calendar on our website.
2025-2026 District Calendar
2025-2026 District Calendar
InstructionalCalendar_2025-26.pdfStudent Lunch Times
Student Lunch Times
Kindergarten: 10:25-10:55
1st Grade: 10:55-11:25
2nd Grade: 11:25-11:55
3rd Grade: 11:55-12:25
4th Grade: 12:25-12:55
Colder Weather is Coming!
Colder Weather is Coming!
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!
Watching the Cold Weather at Recess Time
Watching the Cold Weather at Recess Time
Our goal is for our students to enjoy outdoor recess time as the weather permits. As we monitor the temperature and the upcoming colder weather, we may move to an alternate or indoor recess plan, depending on the circumstances. Following our updated district policy, If the temperature or wind chill drop below 31 degrees, there will be no outside activity.
If temperatures or windchill are between 32-40 degrees and there is no precipitation:
Students may go outdoors only if they are wearing a coat/jacket/or sweater, long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
Outside activity will be limited to 15 minutes,
Staff will monitor students for cold related discomfort.
If there, is rain, lightning, sleet, or ice: All students remain indoors.
If Ozone levels reach red of purple, there will be 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)
FES ANGEL TREE OPEN THROUGH DEC. 9
FES ANGEL TREE OPEN THROUGH DEC. 9
Our FES Angel Tree is open, and we still have "angels" who need adopting this Christmas! Each angel tag on the tree represents the holiday wishlist of a student from Florence Elementary, or our sister school, North Riverside Elementary. Your generosity can help make a child's season merry and bright!
Here's how it works:
1. Select a tag from the Angel Tree in the FES front office. Each tag represents a child's needs or wishes. (Only open during school hours)
2. Use the QR code posted next to the tree to sign out your selected tag(s).
3. Return wrapped gifts with the angel tag attached to the FES front office by Tuesday, Dec. 9.
We know our Florence families will S.H.I.N.E. brightly and help make these holiday wishes come true! Questions? Please contact FES Counselor, Christina Jones (christina.jones@kellerisd.net) or FES PTA Well Wisher, Ashley Anderson (ashley.trott@gmail.com).
Math Support at Home- KISD Smore Curriculum Overview
Math Support at Home- KISD Smore Curriculum Overview
We are continuing to work on mathematical fluency as a campus goal this year! We are jumping into some new math units over the next 9 weeks and encourage you to click on the link for your child's grade level SMORE. This document provides you with an overview of concepts that will be learned, common misconceptions, and ways you can help support your child's learning at home. There are also some fun games to help support our numerical fluency goals at home!
2nd 9 Weeks - SMORE Math Curriculum Overview - 2025-2026.pdfCounselor Connection
Counselor Connection
TOMMY'S EXPRESS CAR WASH FUNDRAISER THIS SATURDAY
TOMMY'S EXPRESS CAR WASH FUNDRAISER THIS SATURDAY
With the rain we've had this week, our cars may be looking a little rough -- but we've got the perfect timing for a shine-up and a great way to support FES!
Join us Saturday, Nov. 22 at the brand new Tommy's Express Car Wash in Southlake (right by our school). When you purchase a single wash in the cashier lane and mention Florence, 50% of the proceeds will be donated directly back to FES!
Location: Tommy's Express Car Wash (3230 W. Southlake Blvd., Southlake 76092)
Time: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. (cashier lane only)
Bring the whole family, spread the word, and enjoy a sparkling clean ride while giving back to our school. Special thanks to PTA 2nd VP - Fundraising, Kimba Vestal, for organizing this event that gives back to our school!
SAVE THE DATE: NUTCRACKER DAY IS COMING TO FES!
SAVE THE DATE: NUTCRACKER DAY IS COMING TO FES!
Our beloved holiday tradition, Nutcracker Day, is coming Friday, Dec. 12! On this day, students will enjoy a special school-wide Nutcracker ballet performance and participate in festive Nutcracker-themed activities during Co-Curr.
To help make the week leading up to it even more magical, we're creating a "Nutcracker Museum" for students to visit. Please send a Nutcracker to school with your child beginning Monday, Dec. 8. (Any shape, size, age, type, or theme.)
Important: Please label the bottom of your child's Nutcracker with your student's name, teacher's name, and grade. Nutcrackers will be returned to your child on Monday, Dec. 15.
Volunteer sign ups will be coming soon, so keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime, please contact PTA Nutcracker Day Chair, Staci Leonard, with any questions: stacimleonard@gmail.com.
PENGUIN PATCH HOLIDAY SHOP COMING TO FLORENCE DEC. 1-5
PENGUIN PATCH HOLIDAY SHOP COMING TO FLORENCE DEC. 1-5
Florence Elementary PTA is so excited to host the annual Penguin Patch Holiday Shop Dec. 1-5! During this special event, students will have the opportunity to shop independently for gifts for the entire family. Items range from $.25 up to $9. Your student will be sent home with a budget envelope for you and your child to select the amount of money they can spend for each person on their list.
During the week of Dec. 1, each class will shop during a designated time slot during the school day. Parents are welcome to come shop with their child from 7:30-55 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1-Thursday, Dec. 4. (Please see the shopping schedule below.) We need lots of volunteers to help make Penguin Patch possible. If you can volunteer, please click here to sign up.
If you have any questions, please contact FES PTA member, Jennifer Randklev: jennifer.randklev@penguinpatch.com.
follow fes pta on facebook
follow fes pta on facebook
Follow FES PTA on Facebook for up-to-date information and PTA news!
District Opportunities
District Opportunities
The Dowager Empress has begun her search for the lost Princess Anastasia, and word has reached Central Stage Theatre that the young royal may be hiding right here in Keller. Perhaps she is closer than anyone realizes… perhaps she is in your very own home!
Central Stage Theatre warmly invites all princes and princesses, ages 3–8, to step into the enchanting world of Anastasia for an afternoon of Royal Lessons. Under the instruction of Dmitry and Vlad, children will learn the graceful walk, noble manners, and royal presence befitting true heirs to the Romanov legacy. They will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, meet members of our cast, and even take a photograph with Anya herself.
Event Time: 12:30–1:00
December 6, 2025
Central High School
Tickets: Five dollars at the door
Reserve your place here: Royal Lessons Registration
We look forward to welcoming your young royals to this magical experience at Central Stage Theatre.
Extracurricular and Club Opportunities
Extracurricular and Club Opportunities
Co-Curr and Lunch
Co-Curr and Lunch
Cafeteria Information
Cafeteria Information
What time is breakfast? Breakfast will begin at 7:30. 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.
Contacts
Contacts
FES Front Office: 817-744-4700
FES Front Office: 817-744-4700
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.brandel@kellerisd.net
Nicole Seidel - PTA President: ptaflorencees@gmail.com
Connect with and Follow Us!
Connect with and Follow Us!
Volunteers
Volunteers
We are grateful for our volunteers as an essential part of our school! If you are interested in volunteering this year, please fill out the Keller ISD Volunteer Application.
All FES visitors are required to enter through the front office, provide picture identification, and obtain a visitor badge before proceeding to any part of the building. This procedure ensures the safety and security of our campus as we know who is in the building at all time. Office staff will verify the visitor is a parent, guardian, or approved contact for the student.
Guests must have their visitor badge worn on their shirt and visible at all times.
Guests are only allowed in designated areas to minimize disruption of the learning environment.
Guests are required to exit the building through the front doors during school hours.
Parent Square Communications
Parent Square Communications
Be sure that your email is correct in your infosnap to be sure you receive all of our Parent Square communications (email, text, and app.)
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