Embedded Files
September 15-19
Week 6
Courtney Brandel
Principal
courtney.cullum@kellerisd.net
Dear FES Families,
What an incredible week we've had at Florence Elementary School
First, I want to recognize the amazing effort our students put into the MAP testing this week. Their focus, perseverance, and commitment to doing their best truly stood out. I am so proud of the hard work they’ve shown, and I know it reflects their growth and dedication to learning. Way to go, students!
We also had the joy of celebrating our Multicultural Festival, and what a vibrant, enriching experience it was! Thank you to all the students and families who shared their cultures through music, dance, food, art, and storytelling. Your contributions helped create an atmosphere of unity and celebration that showcased the beautiful diversity of our school community. A huge thank you to our PTA and to Kathryn Cox for organizing and hosting such a meaningful and exciting event! Your time, energy, and enthusiasm helped make the festival a memorable evening for everyone involved. Together, we continue to build a school culture that celebrates learning and community.
Next week holds something truly special for our school community, as we open our doors and our hearts to some of the most cherished people in our students' lives—their grandparents and special guests. There’s something magical about the bond between children and their grandparents. It’s a relationship filled with wisdom, unconditional love, shared stories, and treasured memories. On Monday and Tuesday, we’ll have the joy and honor of celebrating that beautiful connection during our Grandparents’ and Special Guests’ Lunch.
We can’t wait to see the smiles, hugs, and happy conversations as our students share lunch with their special guests. It promises to be a heartwarming start to the week, and we are truly looking forward to it along with a celebration of reading with our Fall Book Fair!
With Falcon Pride,
Courtney Brandel
Principal, Florence Elementary
Lebanon
Maine
El Salvador
Honduras
Canada
Canada
Romania
Boston
Book Fair Preview Fun!
Book Fair Preview Fun!
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
Week of September 15-19 Book Fair
September 15- Fun Run Sign-Up Begins
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 (4:00-6:30)
September 24- Reflections Workshop (7:30 - 7:55am)
September 25- Reflections Workshop (3:15pm - 4:15pm)
September 25- 1st Grade Performance/PTA Meeting
September 26- Spirit Store
September 29- Fun Run Kick-Off
September 29- Raising Cane's Spirit Night (4pm-9pm)
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.
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
Grandparents Day Celebration- September 15-16
Grandparents Day Celebration- September 15-16
In order to ensure that there is plenty of space for an enjoyable time for all, we strongly encourage that families with last names beginning with A-K to attend on Monday, and families with last names beginning with L-Z to attend on Tuesday. While we love having our FES parents join us throughout the year, this is a special day reserved for our grandparents and special guests, so we ask that our parents choose a different day to join your child for lunch to ensure that we have enough room for our grandparents and special guests (unless of course, a parent is the special guest!)
Guest Arrival- Check in at the Main Entrance
When our grandparents arrive, we ask that they bring their government issued ID. Our special guests will check in at our sign in table located our main entrance (door 1). Grandparents will wait in the main hallway until their students' grade level's lunch time in order to allow for the transition and cleaning between groups and then will proceed to the cafeteria to meet their grandchild. We will have designated tables that have signs on them specifically for our special guests.
*If you did not RSVP, your grandparent will need to check in through the main office using their government issued ID. Please allow extra time for this.
Guest Exit
Please note, for confidentiality and to maintain the learning environment throughout our campus, guests will not be able to visit classrooms on this day, and upon completion of book fair, fun, students will go to the return location near the library and main stairway, where they will give their goodbye hugs. Grandparents may then exit through door 8, by the library and exit through the courtyard.
Lunch and Activity Times
Lunch and Activity Times
Kinder: 10:25-10:55 (lunch) & 10:55-11:25 (Activities in the library)
1st: 10:55-11:25 (lunch) & 11:25-11:55 (Activities in the library)
2nd: 11:25-11:55 (lunch) & 11:55-12:25 (Activities in the library)
3rd: 11:55-12:25 (lunch) & 12:25-12:55 (Activities in the library)
4th: 12:25-12:55 (lunch) & 12:55-1:25 (Activities in the library)
Cafeteria Menu Options
Cafeteria Menu Options
Monday, September 15th
1- Crispy Chicken Nuggets
2- Hearty Vegetable Salad
3- BBQ Chicken Flatbread
4- Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
Tuesday, September 16th
1- Build your own pizza box
2- Turkey and Cheese Sandwich
3- BBQ Chicken Sandwich
4- Mini Corn Dogs
Cafeteria Lunch
If your special guest or child will be ordering a meal, please be sure to pre-pay to FES Cafeteria through your child's Sodexo account. They will accompany their grandchild through the line and pick up their lunch as they go through. This will be denoted on their tag as they come in, so they don't need to do anything extra to receive a lunch. (https://www.schoolcafe.com/KELLERISD)
Bringing Lunch
Grandparents/ Important Guests are welcomed to bring lunch for their student. Please note, however, that they may not share with any child aside from their own. Additionally, if Nurse Sue communicated allergies in your child's class at the beginning of the year, please communicate these allergy specifications with your child's special guest ahead of time.
Click the link below to sign up to help with Grandparents day:
We will need plenty of sweet treats for our grandparents. Click the link below to sign up to bring your dessert donation:
Book Fair September 15-19
Book Fair September 15-19
Only complete this form if you DO NOT want your child to participate in the book fair.
Students will visit the Book Fair with their class as indicated by the schedule below. Friday and Monday are preview days (Grandparents may shop Monday) with sales Tuesday-Friday, including during Grandparents Day lunch.
Parents and guardians are welcome to join your child to shop our book fair Tuesday-Friday 7:45-8am or during their class shopping time outlined in the graphic.
Shop online and set up your eWallet here:Book Fair Homepage
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Our volunteers receive a 20% discount on book fair purchases! Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4CA8A82EABFB6-58277984-florence
Counselor Connection
Counselor Connection
We hope to see our Dads of Great Students at our Watch DOG Kickoff on Wednesday this week!
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 Volunteer Application. Email your clearance to Christina.Jones@kellerisd.net. Our calendar opens AFTER our kickoff event!
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.
celebrate fes grandparents with a pta membership & a spot on our photo wall
celebrate fes grandparents with a pta membership & a spot on our photo wall
We love our Florence grandparents! Grandparents can now purchase a Community PTA Membership to support our students and be featured on our special Grandparents Photo Wall at FES! Click here to join now!
After you register, email your favorite grandparent photo to PTA's 1st VP - Membership, Anna Reyes: aee.reyes@gmail.com (or bring one on Grandparents Day) to be featured on our Grandparents Photo Wall.
Questions? Reach out to Anna: aee.reyes@gmail.com.
fun run is coming!
fun run is coming!
Fun Run Fundraiser.pdfWe're so excited about this year's main fundraiser: the FES Fun Run! Our goal is to raise $30,000 for teacher grants, school events, and classroom resources to benefit our students and teachers.
During this annual fundraiser, families can earn donations online (through MyBooster.com) to help reach our school goal, and on the final day, all students will participate in our Fun Run to celebrate!
The sign-up begins Monday, Sept. 15; we will officially kick the event off in school on Monday, Sept. 29; and our event day is Tuesday, Oct. 7 during school hours. Stay tuned for more details!
Reflections art program
Reflections art program
Reflections is a PTA-sponsored arts recognition program where students can express their creativity in the categories of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, visual arts and accessible arts. All participants will be recognized, and there are advancement opportunities at the district, state and national levels.
PTA is hosting two brainstorming workshops at Florence where we will review the Reflections categories and guidelines, discuss the theme "I Belong!" and assist students with their artist statements and brainstorming. Students attending the afternoon workshop will also have time to work on their projects.
RSVP for the Reflections Workshop here:
Reflections Art Program Workshop 2025 - Google Forms
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: lyndsay.lovell@gmail.com.
save the date: khs homecoming parade (we need you!)
save the date: khs homecoming parade (we need you!)
The Keller High School Homecoming Parade is Monday, Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m., and Florence is excited to have a float rolling along the parade route. This year, our theme is: "Florence in Paradise with Lilo and Stitch" to correspond with the overall KHS Homecoming Theme of "Homecoming in Paradise: Indians Catch a Wave and Wipe Out the Bobcats!"
We would love for as many Florence students to ride on the float in the parade on Oct. 6! Dress in your Florence T-shirt and add any Hawaiian attire. Parents, please arrive with your children at the Florence float at 5:15 p.m. to gather and assist with any last-minute float decorations. All floats line up along Blue Stem Avenue next to Keller Middle School.
We also need nut-free candy donations to throw to onlookers! Please drop those new, unopened bags off in the FES front office by Friday, Oct. 3.
We're so excited for this year's float and can't wait to see y'all on Oct. 6!
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.
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.
follow fes pta on facebook
follow fes pta on facebook
Follow FES PTA on Facebook for up-to-date information and PTA news!
Extracurricular and Club Opportunities
Extracurricular and Club Opportunities
FES Run Club is a club for 3rd & 4th Grade students to enhance cardiovascular health. The Club will meet every Tuesday from 3:25-4pm. At the end of Run Club the students will be dismissed on the North side of the building. They will need to be picked up promptly at 4 pm. There is room for 80 students total, 40 Third Grade students and 40 Fourth Grade students.
MEMBERSHIP FEE & PAYMENT METHOD: Membership is $20.00 per child. The cost includes a t-shirt, awards, end of year party and “fun run” days for both fall and spring seasons. Once your child is registered, an email will be sent for payment.
COMMUNICATIONS: In the event of bad weather, you will be notified by email or text. Running Club will not meet when it’s raining, on holidays, or on teacher workdays. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at kendal.castranova@kellerisd.net or 817-744-4729 between 8:00-2:00 pm.
To register, please complete this form.
Registration ends
Running Club begins Tuesday, 10/21/25
The last day for Running Club is Monday, 4/21/26
Thank you, Kendal Castranova PE Teacher, Florence Elementary School
Dear Parents,
Thank you for registering your child for the upcoming After School Cooking Class at Florence. Class begins next Monday, September 8th and we still have spots available, so spread the word.
Florence w- BAF.pdfCook, Learn, Grow Parent Info (Click to expand)
Cook, Learn, Grow Parent Info (Click to expand)
Procedures and expectations for parents and young chefs:
Please have long hair pulled back.
Please wear closed toe shoes (no flip flops or open toe type shoes).
Aprons are encouraged but not required.
Students will either be brought to the CLG instructor to an allocated classroom or collected by the CLG instructor from extended day.
Class time begins at 3:30 PM and ends at 4:30 PM
End of class procedures - students in after care will be escorted to that location and then parents picking up will do so at normal location.
Authorized Adults - must present ID when picking up after class - we ask that you please walk up to the instructor. (Students in after care will be escorted to that location.)
If the 'Authorized Adult' information for your child changes, please let me know at least one day before class, if possible, so I can inform my instructor.
Children will not be permitted to go home with an adult who is not cleared by you in advance of class.If your child will be absent from class for any reason, please text me as soon as possible so that I can inform my instructor. (254-631-1628)
If any other information for your child changes (such as allergies or pick up method) please notify me as soon as possible.
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to cooking with the Florence young chefs!
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.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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