Embedded Files
December 8 - December 12
Week 16
Courtney Brandel
Principal
courtney.brandel@kellerisd.net
Dear Families,
Happy December! As the temperatures continue to drop and winter weather settles in, our school is buzzing with energy, excitement, and learning. Please make sure your child comes to school bundled up and ready for the chilly mornings as we want everyone to stay warm and healthy during this festive season. It was so much fun this week to see our students excited to shop for their loved ones at the Penguin Patch! Thank you to Jenny's Penguin Patch for your support of Florence Elementary School and for donating proceeds to our school through this event!
This month also marks an important milestone in our academic year with our middle of the Year MAP testing. We are incredibly proud to share that our students have already shown impressive growth in just these first five months. A huge congratulations goes out not only to our students but also to our dedicated teachers, who continually guide, support, and challenge our learners every day. This growth is a direct reflection of the partnership between school and home, and we are grateful for your continued support.
December is a favorite month filled with joyful traditions and celebrations. We’re looking forward to Nutcracker Day next Friday, where students will enjoy themed activities that bring the magic of the season to life. Later this month, our classroom holiday parties will give students a chance to celebrate together, build community, and wrap up 2025 with smiles and fun.
As we move through this busy and exciting time of year, I want to thank each of you for being part of our school family. Let’s continue to celebrate our progress, support one another, and make this month memorable for every child.
Wishing you warmth, joy, and a wonderful start to December!
Warmly,
Courtney Brandel
Principal, Florence Elementary
✨ Magical Marimbas + School Choir = Pure Holiday Magic! ✨
Our talented performers jingled, jived, and joyfully dazzled the crowd with a festive show that had the whole school smiling. They settled the debate of what holiday is the best with little rhythm, a lot of harmony, and a whole bunch of holiday cheer! 🎶❄️🎄
IMG_9275.MOV
FES Has an Official Weather Station!
FES Has an Official Weather Station!
The Sainlogic FT0310 Professional Weather station was donated by the Love family (Sean is now a 5th grader; Sloane is a 4th grader.). Mrs. Burnett has been facilitating the implementation of this exciting new feature that supports our students' science TEKS and general understanding about weather.
The Sainlogic FT0310 Professional Weather station was donated by the Love family (Sean is now a 5th grader; Sloane is a 4th grader.). Mrs. Burnett has been facilitating the implementation of this exciting new feature that supports our students' science TEKS and general understanding about weather.
The outdoor collection station features an anemometer, thermo-hygrometer, rain collector, wind vane, and UV and light sensors. The information collected is displayed on the indoor monitor. In addition to indoor/outdoor temperatures and humidity, the unit also shows wind direction and speed, wind chill and heat index, moon phase and makes a weather forecast based on changes in barometric pressure.
The outdoor collection station features an anemometer, thermo-hygrometer, rain collector, wind vane, and UV and light sensors. The information collected is displayed on the indoor monitor. In addition to indoor/outdoor temperatures and humidity, the unit also shows wind direction and speed, wind chill and heat index, moon phase and makes a weather forecast based on changes in barometric pressure.
In Fourth grade science, students learn to collect and analyze data to identify and predict weather patterns and seasonal changes (changes to temperature and amount of daylight), as well as to identify and predict patterns of change in the phases of the moon. Thank you to the Love family and to Mrs. Burnett for bringing this to our school!
In Fourth grade science, students learn to collect and analyze data to identify and predict weather patterns and seasonal changes (changes to temperature and amount of daylight), as well as to identify and predict patterns of change in the phases of the moon. Thank you to the Love family and to Mrs. Burnett for bringing this to our school!
Principal's Pizza Party
Principal's Pizza Party
We had fun wrapping up our Fun Run celebrations with our Principal's Pizza Party with Mrs. Brandel and Mrs. Price for all of those students who participated in the final push of $30 or more on the last day! Students enjoyed a slice, some sunshine, and some fun in our courtyard! Thank you, PTA, for the pizza donation!
4th Grade Kindness
4th Grade Kindness
Our 4th graders kicked off the week with a powerful lesson in community and teamwork. First, they searched for balloons with their own names—four long minutes later, the mission was complete. But when they switched gears and looked for each other’s balloons, every student had theirs in under three minutes. A sweet reminder that we rise faster when we lift one another up. 🎈🤝✨
IMG_9253.MOVWant 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)
December 8- School Spelling Bee (3rd and 4th Grade qualifiers)
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.
Keller ISD will be on Winter Break from December 22 through January 5. Schools and administrative offices will be closed, with high schools releasing early on Thursday, December 18, and all campuses observing an early release on Friday, December 19. Offices reopen Monday, January 5, and classes resume Tuesday, January 6.
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
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.
*Note: these activities are taking place during co-curr as a part of the students' regular school day and we will not able to accommodate spectators, however, we would love to have parents come to volunteer to help with facilitating the activity!
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 about volunteer opportunities: stacimleonard@gmail.com.
Help Contribute to our Nutcracker Museum
Help Contribute to our Nutcracker Museum
To help make the week leading up to it even more magical, we're creating a "Nutcracker Museum" for students to visit. If you would like to, 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.
2nd 9 Weeks - SMORE Math Curriculum Overview - 2025-2026.pdfMath 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!
Colder Weather is Here!
Colder Weather is Here!
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!
If temperatures or wind chill 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.
A WEEK OF SMILES & HOLIDAY SHOPPING FUN AT PENGUIN PATCH
A WEEK OF SMILES & HOLIDAY SHOPPING FUN AT PENGUIN PATCH
Our students had a ball shopping at the Penguin Patch Holiday Shop, all thanks to PTA member Jennifer Randklev and her wonderful business, Penguin Patch!
Students eagerly browsed the shop to choose special gifts for family and friends. From heartfelt surprises to fun little treasures, students were so excited to find just the right gifts for the people they love. It was a joy to watch them carefully make their selections and beam with pride as they checked out. (And they even got a fun lesson in math: determining the cost of goods, how much they had versus how much they could spend, and even learning how to make change!)
Thanks to Jennifer and Penguin Patch for bringing so much festive cheer and so many sweet memories to Florence this holiday season.
SAVE THE DATE: STEM NIGHT & SCIENCE FAIR (JAN. 15)
SAVE THE DATE: STEM NIGHT & SCIENCE FAIR (JAN. 15)
Mark your calendars for our annual STEM Night and Science Fair on Thursday, Jan. 15 from 6-7:45 p.m.! Students can start brainstorming and planning their science fair projects now; more details about guidelines and participation will be shared soon.
If you work in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math) field and would like to share your expertise by hosting an informational table that evening, please contact FES PTA STEM Night Chair, Anna Reyes (anna.reyes@kellerisd.net) by Friday, Dec. 19.
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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