FAlcon FAMILY
Weekly Newsletter
April 22-26
Week 32
Courtney Brandel
Principal
Mrs. Brandel's Message
Dear Falcon Families,
The Falcon spirit shone brightly this week from the classroom to the spotlight on stage! What a week of hard work, celebration, and fun we have had! Our 3rd and 4th grade students worked hard on Tuesday's RLA STAAR test, applying their strategies for reading, writing, and doing their best. We are proud of them and the ways in which they stayed focused and committed through the very end of what turned out to be a long day of testing! Our stage was filled with an incredible variety of talents where students showcased their unique passions and abilities for a packed house. I love seeing the successes of our students both in and out of the classroom! Their confidence and persistence inspires us all.
We also conducted our final CEIC meeting this week, and I am grateful for all of our teachers, parents, grandparents, business members, and community members who have been a part of providing input and feedback that guide our continuous improvement! I am proud of the work that has been done by our school this year and look forward to sharing some of the exciting plans that we have for the future as we finalize our planning for next year!
Next week, our youngest falcons will be enjoying class field trips and we can't wait to share in those expereinces with them! Please see below some exciting family opportunities that we will have coming up in early May and spread the word to future Falcon families that Kindergarten registration is open for the 24-25 school year!
In Falcon Spirit!
Courtney Brandel
HIGHLIGHTING THE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE AT FLORENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
FES Talent Show
Commedy, singing, dancing, rubix cubes, poetry, trick shots and more...! The FES stage was filled with the talents of our students who shined brightly in the FES talent show! Thank you to Tannetje' Crocker for leading and organizing this fun showcase of student talents and to all of our parent volunteers and students who were a part of the event!
PTA Brag Luncheon
Our FES PTA joined in with the Keller Council of PTAs to celebrate all the ways in which PTA is helping to "Make Dreams Come True" which was the theme of this year's luncheon. During the luncheon, the successes and celebrations of Keller ISD PTAs are highlighted and shared between PTA board members and principals from each school.
We are grateful for all that the FES PTA does across our district to advocate for public education, to serve our community, to support our students and teachers, and to provide events and experiences for our families!
We even had two of our very own FES parents who were nominated and will be taking leadership roles in the district's council of PTA's next year. Congratulations to Mrs. Caren Pawlak who will be serving as the district's VP of hospitality and to Mrs. Anna Reyes who will be serving as the district PTA's VP of membership!
It was a lovely luncheon with this bunch of ladies who served in representing the FES PTA as the "Fairy Godmother's" in waving a wand and creating opportunities and love for our teachers and students since 1977! Thank you, PTA!
Teacher of the Year and Impact Award Recognition
On Thursday night, we shared in recognizing with our district our Teacher of the Year, Anna Marie Rice as well as Mrs. Deleon who was among 3 finalists in the administrator impact award. Congratulations to both of these inspiring, dedicated, graceful, and passionate educators, who represented FES in the highest regard!
Anna Marie Rice- Teacher of the Year
Anna Marie Rice embodies all the characteristics of an outstanding teacher and embraces her work as a vocational calling; loving and serving everyone she encounters! She cares deeply about her students and empowers them to become the best version of themselves. Even with the incredible amount of experience and wisdom she possesses, she continually seeks to grow and try new ways to best support student success, no matter the challenges! She is a valued team member, an outstanding teacher, and is loved for her grace, humility, contagious zealousness (and incredible fashion sense 🙂). We are truly blessed to have her as a teacher at Florence Elementary!
Tammy Deleon- Administrator Impact
There are just some people who you encounter in life who change you for the better and Tammy is one! She is among the best of the best in education. She is smart, caring and has a heart of gold! She is intentional in making sure that others know the impact they are making and goes 110% to support our teachers, staff and student. I love that she has been recognized as one of the 3 finalists in the district as she is not someone who ever seeks recognition for the million and one things she does! Rather, she is always the one bringing out the best in others! She is so deserving of this and I am so grateful for the IMPACT she makes every single day on our school and on me!
upcoming events
April 23- School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
April 25- Kindergarten Fort Worth Zoo Field Trip
April 26- 1st Grade Nash Farms Field Trip
April 26- Secretary Appreciation Day
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 (May 15)
ROCK Club (3:15-4:15)
Thursday
Choir (3:25-4:15)
Current/new News
Front Doors- Safety Film- Please do not use tape
All of our exterior doors doors and the windows beside them are being fitted with an entry resistant/ protectant film as a part of a state security grant project. As such, we are not able to tape anything to them. The windows that have been lined are marked with a sticker that says "EPIC." We appreciate your help in ensuring that we are not taping anything to the doors or windows in this area.
2024-2025 Intent to Return- Deadline today!
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**
Progress Reports (2nd-4th Grade)
Parents of 2nd - 4th grade students. Your students Q4 progress report has been generated and is available to view in Aeries after 4pm Friday, April 19th. Please reach out to your child's teacher with any questions you have related to grades or assignments.
Walkers
Out of consideration of the safety of our students who walk home after school and after instances that have occurred in our district this year involving pedestrian and vehicle accidents, we have been evaluating our processes for walkers. As such, we are asking for the help and cooperation of our students who walk and their parents to ensure the safety of our students during dismissal. Our staff members will continue to ssist students in safely crossing Johnson Rd. and we request that when when parents see the group of students walking up, please get out of your car to meet them on the other side of Johnson and escort them to your vehicle if you are parked along Cimarron Rd to avoid students running by themselves across the side streets or through yards toward your vehicle. As there is not a sidewalk on Cimmaron, we ask that out of respect for our neighbors, please avoid congregating and walking through the middle of the front yards of these private properties. If you are unable to meet your child once they are across the street and walk them safely to your car, we would encourage you to utilize one of our car pick up lines. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring student safety during the busy dismissal time!
Save the Date
Calling all Falcon Seniors!
get ready for mayfest 2024! MARK YOU CALENDARS.
✔️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.
Summer camps
Sports Camp
Are you looking for a fun activity for your 2nd - 5th grade child to participate in June? Children will enjoy Basketball, Soccer, Tennis and Volleyball. Fill out the permission slip form and turn in your payment to Mrs. Castranova by Friday, May 24th.
PE Camp
Are you looking for a fun activity for your 1st-5th grade child to participate in June? Fill out the permission slip form and turn in your payment to Mrs. Castranova by Friday, May 24th.
PTA Events and Volunteer Opportunities
FES Spirit shirts are still available for sale!
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!
Order your school supplies today!
Orders are due by July 1st
Your school store is now turned on and ready for orders!
Your next steps are below:
1. Your School Store Link: http://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/kits.php?sid=1179150
2. We will send an email to parents who purchased last year letting them know their 2024 kits are ready!
volunteer opportunities
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
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.
Cafeteria Menu- April 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
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!
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).