Embedded Files
August 25-29
Week 3
Courtney Brandel
Principal
courtney.cullum@kellerisd.net
Dear Florence Families,
It’s been an exciting and energizing first full week of school! Back to school procedures and routines have been established, and our classrooms are fully alive with learning! As I visit each classroom, I see students eagerly engaging with their teachers, classmates, and new learning. We’re already seeing students across all grades step into the year with confidence and curiosity. What fun it was to celebrate Independence Day today as our Kindergarten students arrived independently and to recognize our 4th grade students who earned extra recess for being amazing leaders in following our hallway expectations.
This week, students have already begun to SHINE in so many ways:
In phonics, they’ve been joyfully exploring sounds and building the building blocks of reading.
In math, they’re embraced challenges with confidence—using patterns, counting strategies, and problem-solving skills.
In writing, we’ve seen creativity flourish as students began expressing their thoughts and stories on paper.
Our SHINE theme—Strive, Honor, Inspire, Nurture, Elevate—is more than just a motto. It's a commitment we make every day, and already we’ve seen our students live it out in their classrooms, in the cafeteria, and on the playground. Whether it's a kind word to a new classmate or a hand raised with curiosity, these small moments are what make Florence so special.
A big thank you to all the families who joined us for our orientation sessions on Monday and Tuesday. Your presence and involvement set a positive tone for the year ahead, and we are so grateful to be in partnership with you as we support each child’s learning journey. Your collaboration helps our school community SHINE brighter every day!
We’re off to a fantastic start, and we look forward to many more weeks of learning, growth, and SHINING together!
With warmth and excitement,
Courtney Brandel
Principal, Florence Elementary
Phonics and Math fun!
Kindergarteners walking independently this week! We loved seeing all the red, white, and blue across our school in celebration of our youngest Falcons!
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.
1st 9 weeks Events and Activities
1st 9 weeks Events and Activities
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 (6:00-7:30) and STUCO Speeches Due
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) and Book Fair Night
September 25- 1st Grade Performance/PTA Meeting
September 29- Fun Run Kick-Off
September 30- International Dot Day
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.
SAVE THE DATE
SAVE THE DATE
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
Nurse Consent Form- Complete by August 28, 2025
Nurse Consent Form- Complete by August 28, 2025
In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 12, Keller ISD must obtain written permission from a parent/guardian before providing routine health-related services including basic first aide to that individual’s child. Please click the "Complete and Sign Form" button in the message you received in parent square to submit your form by Thursday, August 28, 2025. If you prefer to complete a physical copy of the form, you can pick one up from our front office.
As a part of our continuous improvement process, we are looking for teachers, staff, parents, and community members to serve on the FES Campus Educational Improvement Committee (CEIC). The CEIC is an advisory group for the campus and serves the purpose of gathering and providing feedback and input in matters of campus planning, operations, policies, and procedures. If you are interested in serving as a representative, please complete this no later than 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 3rd. Even if you are not interested in serving, please consider forwarding this information on to any business representatives or community members who you think may be interested in serving on our CEIC committee.
How to Support Math Learning at Home
How to Support Math Learning at Home
The Elementary Math (K-6) Department has created a 9 weeks newsletter using SMORE. The newsletter contains an overview of upcoming material, important concepts, student misconceptions, ideas for supporting student at home, and DreamBox support. Click below to open the document and select the corresponding grade level to access the SMORE link.
Rise and Shine Florence
Rise and Shine Florence
We’re so excited to launch our brand-new morning show: Rise and Shine Florence! 🎤📹 Each day, our amazing 4th grade anchors will bring you the latest school news, birthdays, weather, and more—all with the help of our incredible 3rd grade tech crew working behind the scenes. 🙌
Our morning announcements will be streamed and recorded right on YouTube, so you can catch the fun live or watch later!
We can’t wait to see our students shine as they kick off each school day with energy, teamwork, and Falcon pride! 💙💛
The link to our channel is http://www.youtube.com/@Rise-ShineFES
Counselor Connection
Counselor Connection
A Note From Mrs. Jones:
I am SO excited to see everyone back at school. During the month of August, I'll be making my way to each classroom to remind students about my role as the School Counselor, and how I can help. My job is to support students academically by integrating interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, college and career exploration, and lessons about health and safety into student learning and success. I typically visit students once per month in their classrooms, with the exception of Kindergarten, who I see more frequently. Students who are opted out of counseling lessons are given an alternate activity in a different space when I pay a visit to the classroom. If you have ANY questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Here are some upcoming events from the Counseling Office:
Sept. 4th - Student Council information presented to all 3rd and 4th graders during the school day.
Sept. 17th- Watch DOGS Kickoff AND Book Fair Night. If you'd like to be a Watch DOG, don't forget to complete your annual background check. Email your clearance to Christina.Jones@kellerisd.net. Our calendar opens AFTER our kickoff event!
Sept. 30th - DOT Day!
Wear Polka Dots and celebrate the power of YET and the importance of growth mindset!
Calling All Dads! Are you excited to be a Watch DOG? Join us for our double event - Book Fair Night AND Watch DOG Kick Off!
Support The Community Storehouse at Run in the Dark September 27th at Keller Town Hall.
ORDER YOUR FES YEARBOOK & SAVE
ORDER YOUR FES YEARBOOK & SAVE
Get 10% off when you order your 2025-2026 Florence Elementary yearbook by Sept. 30 at www.treering.com/validate using school code: 1016599729561880.
Upload your school event photos to the shared folders so your student's memories can be featured! Event folders stay open for 3-4 weeks after each event, so don't delay in uploading them following each event: Meet the Teacher, first day of school, spirit days, field trips, and more! (Yearbooks will be delivered in May.)
FLORENCE ELEMENTARY MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL
FLORENCE ELEMENTARY MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL
Pack your bags and travel the world -- right here at Florence! Join us on Thursday, Sept. 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. for our annual Multicultural Festival. Families will have the chance to taste, see, hear, and explore cultures from all around the globe without ever leaving the school.
FES PTA would love for you to be a part of the celebration! Families are invited to sign up to host a table to share their heritage or showcase a culture they love. Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/aeWy7.
Come enjoy this fun-filled evening as we celebrate the diversity that makes our Falcon community so special!
keller isd volunteer application
keller isd volunteer application
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.
JOIN FES PTA TODAY!
JOIN FES PTA TODAY!
Help support our Falcons by purchasing your FES PTA membership today! Memberships are just $11 each and can be purchased for anyone (parents, grandparents, and community members). Signing up for PTA does not require you to volunteer! Click here to join today: https://florenceelempta.membershiptoolkit.com/home.
REGISTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT ACCOUNT TODAY
REGISTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT ACCOUNT TODAY
PTA's Membership Toolkit is your one-stop-shop for all things PTA, including: the FES family directory, teacher "favorite things" lists, Spirit Store purchases, volunteer sign-ups, PTA documents, PTA sign-ups, and so much more! Visit https://florenceelempta.membershiptoolkit.com/ to register.
Reflections 2025-2026 theme is: "I belong!"
Reflections 2025-2026 theme is: "I belong!"
We're so excited about this year's Reflections theme, "I Belong!" This year’s theme 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 SPIRIT WEAR NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
FES SPIRIT WEAR NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Florence spirit wear shirts are now available for purchase online! Choose from a variety of shirt options, all offered in both youth and adult sizes.
New shirt designs: $20 each
Last year’s shirts: Only $5 each
Don’t miss out -- grab your favorite designs while supplies last! Shirts will be sent home with your student. Shop now: https://florenceelempta.membershiptoolkit.com/store/19046.
FES PTA STOCKS TEACHER'S LOUNGE WITH SNACKS & DRINKS
FES PTA STOCKS TEACHER'S LOUNGE WITH SNACKS & DRINKS
This week was a busy one for FES teachers with evening Parent Orientations (on top of everything else!), so PTA stocked the teacher's lounge with cold drinks and plenty of snacks to help them power through. PTA is so grateful for our teachers and all of their hard work and dedication to FES' students. Thank you, teachers, for all you do!
Extracurricular and Club Opportunities
Extracurricular and Club Opportunities
Cook Learn Grow.pdfCo-Curr and Lunch
Co-Curr and Lunch
Co-Curr Sched.(Aug).pdfCafeteria 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.cullum@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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