FAlcon FAMILY
Weekly Newsletter
April 8-12
Week 30
Courtney Brandel
Principal
Mrs. Brandel's Message
Dear Falcon Families,
Spring has sprung and we are enjoying these sunnier days at FES! This week, our students had the chance to play on our new playground equipment and were excited to explore the climbing equipment and additions to our north playground! Thank you, PTA and fun run donors for making this possible!
This week, we also shared in recognizing many of the hard working people at FES who go above and beyond, often behind the scenes to take care of our students:
FES Paraprofessionals: We would not be able to do all that we do without the hard work and commitment of our FES support staff members! Thank you, to our instructional aides who take care of our students learning needs in the classrooms and in the PE gym, with love, support, and care! Thank you also to our front office ladies who keep everything running smoothly and effectively, always with a smile! This dedicated and hard working group of ladies are essential to the success of our students and we appreciate their support!
FES Librarian: It was also librarian appreciation day at FES and we could not be more grateful for the contributions that Mrs. Roberts has made to our school, delivering meaningful and enriching lessons in the library, fostered a love of reading, and supported our teachers and staff with their library and media needs! We are grateful for all that she does to ensure the success of our students and to make our library the heart of our Falcon's Nest!
FES Assistant Principal: It is also Assistant Principal appreciation week and I could not ask for a better team-member! Mrs. DeLeon continually serves our students and supports our staff with any need that arises each day! We are fortunate and blessed with the BEST Assistant Principal and grateful for all that she does each day!
We have TWO very exciting things coming up in the next few days and hope that you will join us:
Big Event: Join us TOMORROW as we serve our community!
Solar Eclipse on Monday afternoon!
Have a wonderful weekend!
In Falcon Spirit!
Courtney Brandel
HIGHLIGHTING THE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE AT FLORENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
New Playground!
Thank you, PTA, for our playground additions! The students have had a blast on the new equipment that accommodates more students and includes a new seating area.
Congratulations, Mrs. Pak- Golden Egg Recipient!
Misty is a joy to work with! Whether we are working together at dismissal, during R.O.C.K. Club meetings, or PD meetings, Misty exudes professionalism and a genuine dedication to helping her students and colleagues. She has a sense of calmness and joy that is truly palpable, and I always leave our short talks a bit happier than I was before. During dismissal, she is calm, kind, and patient as she calls names for pick up. In addition, I have been blessed to see her working with our students during R.O.C.K. Club. Her patience and commitment to helping students grow is evident as she interacts with the children. During PD meetings, she is positive and eager to share ideas, as well as seek additional opportunities for ways she can prepare her students for third grade. Misty is a bright light, and I am so grateful and blessed to know her! - Anna Marie Rice
Want to shout out an FES Staff member for embodying the tradition of excellence?
We love celebrating the tradition of excellence at FES! As a part of that process, we will be recognizing our amazing staff members and would like your help.
Please share the name and information of the staff member you feel who is deserving of recognition along with some words that share the reason they are being recognized. 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.
Fill out a shout out on this Staff Shout Out Form to help us celebrate excellence among our FES teachers and staff!
upcoming events
April 8- Solar Eclipse Viewing
April 8- Choir and Marimbas Program and PTA Meeting (6:00 PM- FES Cafeteria)
April 10- Yearbook Purchase Due
April 11- Volunteer Recognition Breakfast (9:00 AM)
April 12- 4th Grade Playday
April 15-17- Campus Closed to Visitors due to STAAR Testing
April 16- 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR Test (Reading)
April 18- FES Talent Show
April 18- Kindergarten Graduation Photos
April 23- School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
April 25- Kindergarten Fort Worth Zoo Field Trip
April 26- 1st Grade Nash Farms Field Trip
April 29- 2nd Grade Music Fine Arts Field Trip
April 30- 3rd and 4th Grade STAAR Test (Math)
May 1- School Principal Day
April 29-May 2- Campus Closed to Visitors due to STAAR Testing
May 3- School Lunch Hero Day
May 6-10- Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8- School Nurse Day
May 9- 4th Grade BCI Tour
May 9- Game Night/Kinder Orientation (5:00 PM-7:00 PM)
May 17- Mayfest
May 20- Senior Walk
May 21- EOY Award Celebrations (Kinder 8:00 AM, 1st Grade 9:15 AM)
May 22- EOY Award Celebrations (2nd Grade 8:00 AM, 3rd Grade 9:15 AM)
May 23- EOY Award Celebration/Clap Out (4th Grade 9:30 AM)
May 23- Early Release/Student's Last Day (11:55 AM)
FES CLubs and Activities
Monday
FES Run Club (3:25-4:00)
Cook Learn Grow (3:30-4:30)
Tuesday
Cook Learn Grow (3:30-4:30)
Wednesday (March 20, April 3, May 15)
ROCK Club (3:15-4:15)
Thursday
Choir (Dress Rehearsal 3:25-4:15)
Current/new News
Tomorrow is the day that we say "Thank you" to our community through service!
On April 6, each KISD campus will come together at the same times across our district and the surrounding communities to serve and give back. I’m excited to share that Florence Elementary School will be participating in the following activities on the day of The Big Event, and your student(s) and your family are invited to join us:
9:00 AM -11:00 AM
Kindergarten: make friendship bracelets for patients at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children
Will meet in the library.
12:00 PM -2:00 PM
First Grade: plant flowers and work in school’s courtyard garden; make individual flowerpots for recipients of Metroport Meals on Wheels
Will meet in the courtyard.
Second Grade: trash pick-up at Royal and Annie Smith Park
Will meet in the library and transition to the park.
Third Grade: Make homemade blankets for those staying at Salvation Army of Tarrant County
Will meet in the cafeteria.
Fourth Grade: donation drive for non-skid socks and card/drawing creation for residents at Heritage House Keller Rehabilitation and Nursing
Will meet in the exchange space D200.
How do I sign up and sign the waiver?
You can sign your child and your family up to volunteer and sign the district’s liability waiver on KISD’s secure Web Store here. To access the Web Store, parents/students must log in with their student ID number and student’s last name (in upper/lowercase letters). Once logged in, you should see your child’s name at the top of the screen. After clicking on your child’s name, you will see a search feature at the top of the screen. Type “Big” in the search field and click search. You will be taken straight to the Big Event items for your child’s campus.
Preparing for The Big Event:
Be sure to sign up (See above for more information on signing up.)
We encourage you to wear your Florence Elementary School T-shirt
Get your social media accounts ready to share photos of your family volunteering; follow Keller ISD on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter); tag the district; and be sure to use the hashtag #KISDBigEvent24!
This is a family-centered event, so we’d ask that families attend with their children.
Have questions?- Check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, and you can also find more information including a video that guides you through the registration process at: www.kellerisd.net/bigevent.
When you arrive:
Please enter through the front door (door 1) and proceed to the area that your grade level will be conducting their service activity.
If you have not yet registered or signed up through the Web Store, you will need to do that before joining in on the service fun.
At your location, we ask that all students and parents sign in on our attendance sheet so that we area able to track our participation for the day.
Please plan to stay with your child and share in the service activity together. If you're able to stay for the whole two hours, great! If you have a sports event, family event, or something else that you need to get to, please stay as long as you can and then feel free to leave when you need!
Solar Eclipse Viewing
Eclipse Information
On April 8, 2024, our area will be in “path of totality” for a solar eclipse. In order to allow our students an opportunity to experience this rare event, the Keller ISD Education Foundation has purchased eclipse glasses for all KISD students. These ISO-certified glasses can be used by students to view the eclipse without harming their eyes. Information about how and when each school will make viewing the eclipse available to students will be provided by campuses closer to the date of the event.
*All students at school on April 8 that have not turned in an Opt-Out Form will be given the opportunity to go outside (weather permitting) to view the eclipse with their classmates and teachers using the ISO-certified eclipse glasses.
Join us for the Eclipse!
FES families are invited to join their child for this once in a lifetime viewing of the solar eclipse at FES!
Please bring your own eclipse glasses, as we only have glasses that were donated by the KISD Education Foundation for our students and staff members and do not have extra pairs on hand.*
Please pre-register using this FORM before Friday, April 5th so that we can ensure a quick check in process for all of our FES family guests. On the form, please indicate whether or not you will be checking your child(ren) out early after the viewing.
Check-in: Check in at the gate located at the far north end of our building (to the left of the library gate). Please plan to arrive by 1:20 in order to ensure that you are checked in before the eclipse begins and to allow time for everyone to be checked in.
Upon arrival: Please join your child and sit with them on the blue top (court located on the north playground). *If you have multiple children and would like for them to watch together, please go to your oldest child(ren)’s teacher(s) first to request that your oldest child(ren) come(s) to sit with your youngest child’s line.
If you indicated on your pre-registration form that you would like to check your child out early after the viewing, you must sign your child out with their teacher before leaving.
*If you did not indicate on the pre-registration form that you wanted to check your child out, your child will return to their classroom and you will need to go to the front office to check your child out. We will then call them out from there for early dismissal, per our regular procedures.
Eclipse Viewing Opt Out Form:
While we view this as a tremendous learning opportunity for our students to learn firsthand about the solar eclipse, we understand that some parents may not wish for their child to participate in viewing the eclipse outside in this manner.
If you do not want your child to go outside to view the eclipse, please complete and sign this Opt-Out Form and return it to your school’s principal by April 5, 2024. Students who opt out of viewing the eclipse or whose parents have turned in an Opt-Out Form will remain in the building under supervision of school staff will be provided with an alternate activity while the eclipse is viewed by other students. Forms are also available in the office if you prefer to pick up a copy.
*Please note, our schedule for the day, including lunch times will be changing to accommodate the event:
Kindergarten Cap and Gown Photos!
Attention all Kindergarten parents. Cap and Gown photos will be taken on April 18th. Please be sure to have your student here promptly, as the photographer will begin photographing students at 8:00am.
2024-2025 Intent to Return
Parents, please take a moment to fill out the 2024-2025 Florence Elementary Student Intent to Return Form (Click here) for each of your students. Please indicate one of the three options:
My child will or will not return for the 24-25 school year.
4th Grade Only: My child will or will not attend BCI for the 24-25 school year.
I am interested in discussing retention.
Please complete the form by April 19th. Each student will need their individual form response.
**If you are planning on moving, please email Terra Peters, Campus Secretary at terra.peters@kellerisd.net**
FES Talent Show!
FES Talent Show is coming up on April 18th!
Today, April 5th, is your last day to register and submit a virtual audition.
Google Form Link here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uKmb7qBG-gMK3bA_4MU2VSvji35LEpw_jjBK5ksw-g8/edit?pli=1
Yearbook Updates
This is the LAST WEEK to order yearbooks!
‼️‼️‼️Don’t forget to order as this is your LAST week to order yearbooks if you want to have it before the end of the school year (and we will not have extra yearbooks to buy if you forgot)!‼️‼️‼️
https://web.treering.com/school/243502/2023/school-content/school-photos/302244593
School code : 1016599729561880
Use the code to purchase a yearbook or check to see if you ordered a yearbook and just forgot you did it! 🤣
Customize the TWO FREE pages for your student!
Send in your 4th grader’s baby picture!
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast - Please RSVP
If you have volunteered in any capacity at FES this year, please join us so that we can celebrate and recognize your incredible contributions!
Please confirm your attendance here: https://forms.gle/27EUUbi25mhmKfw28
Save the Date
Glow in the Dark Week in Music
We will have Glow in the Dark Week in music April 22-26? The kids like to wear glow in the dark clothes, etc. More information coming soon from Mrs. McIntire.
Calling all Falcon Seniors!
✔️Mark your Calendars for BCI Parent Night. This is a meeting is for our 4th grade parents transitioning to 5th next school year. Expect to learn about what it’s like to be a BCI Student, Meet the Principal and some Faculty and learn more about academics offered. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get answers. So please join us to familiarize yourself to the school and what lies ahead in the new school year for your student. If you are unable to make it, information will be available by a future link, please direct all questions to the BCI school office.
PTA Events and Volunteer Opportunities
We are looking for PTA leadership!
The Florence PTA Nominating Committee is currently seeking volunteers to serve as Officers and Chairmen for the 2024-2025 school year. Join us in supporting our campus, students, staff, and families! If you are interested in serving in any of the positions below, please follow the link to complete the form by Friday, March 29th.
Information Central for PTA!
Check out Membership Toolkit for valuable information concerning PTA events, dates, ways to volunteer, directory, teacher favorites list and much more. Check it out! ➡️
Signup on the PTA Website!
Mrs. Robert’s is needing volunteers to help reshelf library books for the months of March, April and May! The signup is now posted on our Florence PTA Website! ➡️ https://florenceelempta.membershiptoolkit.com/Volunteer
In case you missed it
We LOVE VolunteerS!
✅Get Cleared to Volunteer! All volunteers must complete a yearly background check. Click the link to apply for a volunteer position through KISD.
Click here to access the KISD background check application.
✅ Check out the PTA Website for upcoming Volunteer opportunities.
Watch D.O.G.S.
Calling all dads, uncles, grandparents, etc. to join our campus for a day! If you would like to volunteer for Watch D.O.G.S., please complete a KISD background check and forward your approval email when you receive it to Mrs. Bowen at angelina.bowen@kellerisd.net to get access to the sign-up.
New Student Enrollment for 24-25
Pre-K, Kindergarten, or other incoming students planning to attend KISD for the first time during the 2024-25 school year can enroll starting April 1. You can find more information about enrolling your new student at www.KellerISD.net/Enroll.
Enrichment Opportunities
Cafeteria Menu- February 2024
Cafeteria information
https://kellerisd.sodexomyway.com/
What time is breakfast? Breakfast will begin at 7:25. The line will close at 7:50 for students to be in class at 7:55.
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
FES Front Office: 817-744-4700
Allison Stetz- Front Office / Substitutions: allison.stetz@kellerisd.net
Leah Dimmitt- Front Office/ Reception/ Attendance: leah.dimmitt@kellerisd.net
Terra Peters- Campus Secretary: terra.peters@kellerisd.net
Sue Piehler - Nurse: susan.piehler@kellerisd.net
Esmeralda Gallegos - Cafeteria Manager: esmeralda.gallegos@kellerisd.net
Kelly Roberts- Librarian: kellene.roberts@kellerisd.net
Angelina Bowen - Counselor: angelina.bowen@kellerisd.net
Tammy DeLeon - Assistant Principal: tammy.deleon@kellerisd.net
Courtney Brandel - Principal: courtney.cullum@kellerisd.net
Jessica Fry - PTA President: ptaflorencees@gmail.com
Connect with and Follow Us!
FES PTA Facebook
FES on X (formerly Twitter)
Also, be sure to follow @MrsBrandel
Blackboard Communications
Be sure that your email and phone number is correct in your infosnap to be sure you receive all of our Blackboard communications (emails and texts).