FAlcon FAMILY
Weekly Newsletter
April 29-May 3
Week 33
April 29-May 1- Campus Closed to Visitors due to STAAR Testing
Courtney Brandel
Principal
Mrs. Brandel's Message
Dear Falcon Families,
Oh what fun we have had this week with glow in the dark co-curr, field trips for kindergarten and 1st grade and recognitions of staff members who make an impact on our school each day!
Next week for our 3rd and 4th grade students who will be taking the Math STAAR test. During our previous testing session, I was incredibly proud of the support of the entire school who kept a quiet environment and especially of our testers! I look forward to seeing them continue to utilize their strategies and take their time to do their very best, showing off all they have learned during math this year at FES! I am proud of how much they have all grown this year and know that these tests will provide a snapshot of all the greatness of our students!
Next week, we move into our final month of the school year! (How did that happen so fast?!) It's hard to believe that are are 90% of the way through our school year and I am excited for these final weeks of continued engagement in learning experiences as as our students:
Focus on respect
Engage in Learning and
Strive to do their best!
Have a wonderful weekend!
In Falcon Spirit!
Courtney Brandel
HIGHLIGHTING THE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE AT FLORENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
Glow week!
Students enjoyed glow week this week in PE and in music where they bowled in the dark and practiced drumming in the light of the glow! Thank you to our incredible teachers, Mrs. McIntire, Mrs. Castranova and Mrs. Bolton for creating these memorable experiences for our studetns!
Kindergarten Zoo Field Trip
Lions, and tigers, and bears, and amphibians, oh my! Our kindergarten classes had the BEST time yesterday enjoying the Fort Worth Zoo and observing living things as a part of their science unit!
KISD Art Show
Congratulations to all of our artists who participated in the district art show! It was incredible to see the showcased talents from around the district!
STAFF Recognitions
Secretary Appreciation Day
Thank you, Terra Peters, for all that you do each day to take care of all the behind the scenes needs that keep our school functioning! From processing information, coordinating activities, events, coordinating with district supports, ensuring that all of our systems are working properly and ensuring resources are all available for our staff and students! Terra pours her heart into serving and taking care of others day in and day out and we could not be more grateful for her!
Administrative Professional Appreciation Day
Leah Dimmitt and Allison Stetz are such a wonderful part of our school! They keep everyone taken care of and ensure that all the needs are met, often juggling 50 things at once (which they somehow make it look so easy)! We are grateful for their incredible presence, welcoming spirits, and ability to see and meet the needs of our students, parents, staff, and guests each day!
Congrats, Mrs. Lytle!
We have been privileged to have a student teacher wtih Mrs. Hetherington's class this year! Graduating from Texas A&M in May, Mrs. Lytle has completed her requirements with us, serving as a continual encouragement and support for our students! Congratulations, Mrs. Lytle, and thank you for the impact you have made at FES during your time here!
upcoming events
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 1- 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
STAAR Testing for 3rd and 4th Grade
Our 3rd and 4th grade students will be completing their STAAR Reading test on Tuesday.
Due to testing, our campus will be closed to visitors Monday-Wednesday, so please choose another day to join us for lunch.
Testing Reminders
Get a good night's sleep the night before.
Have a nourishing breakfast.
Please be sure that your child is at school at the regularly scheduled time. Testing process will begin at 7:55 AM.
Encourage your child to take their time and do their best.
Students may bring extra snacks to have at their desks; we are requesting that they bring healthy snacks that do not make their fingers or working space sticky, wet, colorful, or greasy.
They may also have a water bottle.
Students are encouraged to bring a jacket or sweater to wear in the classroom (no blankets or stuffed animals).
Students may not wear smart-watches or have any internet capable devices in the testing room. If they do bring them, we will collect them and lock them up until the end of the day.
If your child will be absent on testing day, the make-up day will be the following day, May 1st.
Students will have the entire school day to complete the assessment.
Students will have a break for lunch at their normally scheduled lunch time and may bring a lunch or order lunch from the cafeteria as they normally would.
2024-2025 Intent to Return- Past Due!
Parents, if you did not fill out the 2024-2025 Florence Elementary Student Intent to Return Form for each of your students, please email Terra Peters at terra.peters@kellerisd.net
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade Author Visit
We are excited to welcome Mrs. Mary Brooke Casad, author of the Bluebonnet series, to our library! Her Bluebonnet books share the adventures of Bluebonnet the Armadillo who explores various landmarks across Texas and highlight Texas history.
Where: Florence Elementary School Library
When: May 7, 2024
8:30-9:00am 1st Grade
9:15-9:45am 2nd Grade
10:00-10:30am 3rd Grade
Students will have the opportunity to purchase a book for $10.00 and have Mrs. Mary Brooke Casad sign it on the day of the visit. As the publisher has shared that there will be a limited supply the day of the event, students may purchase book(s) online through this direct link: http://www.cowboybookworm.com for $12.99 per book with free shipping to the address of your choice. However, the online purchased books will not be signed by Mrs. Mary Brooke Casad.
Please click on the link below for Mrs. Mary Brooke Casad's bio and books:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LhgqMsOiwCfeiwQ7wd0o3yOrGpeRxmAQ01NO2BMZ0uQ/edit?usp=sharing
If you do not wish for your child to participate in this author visit, please contact your child's teacher to inform them of your wishes and we will arrange for them to be in an alternative location during that time.
Lost and found
Parents, please have your student check lost and found for any unclaimed and/or lost items. Our lost and found area has outgrown its capacity. You are encouraged to come and check the lost and found as well, to help your students reclaim their favorite sweater, stuffy, jacket, hair band, water bottle, bracelet, shoes and much much more! All items that are not claimed by May 23rd will be donated to Community Storehouse.
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!
Announcing the 2024-2025 PTA Reflections theme, "Accepting Imperfection," coming this fall! So much beauty can be found in life's imperfections, and we can't wait to see how this theme inspires our kids as they show their creativity through music, dance, film, photography, literature, and visual arts.
“'Accepting Imperfection’ is a reminder to myself that mistakes are welcome because they are a part of being human. Our flaws are as much a part of us as our strengths, so being imperfect should be perfect enough for us.” (Paige Opaska, Texas 8th grader and theme winner)
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.
We need volunteers for our last Spirit Store of the year.
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C084FABAE2FA4F9CE9-spirit2
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).