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FES Knightly News
Weekly Family Newsletter
Week of November 6th, 2023
School Report Cards
Last week, the state of Kentucky released the school report cards for every school in the state. The report card gives demographic information, general information about the school, and information about academic performance. Overall, Florence Elementary improved from an overall score of 58 to 62.7. This score is based on the following accountability levels:
- 51%- Reading and Math Score
- 40%- Science, Social Studies and Writing Score
- 5%- English Language Learner Scores
- 4%- Quality of School Climate and Culture Survey
Overall, Florence remains at the yellow level. Science and Writing were our highest areas of improvement. While we recognize that we have work to do and improvements to make, we are very proud of our Knights!
To view the complete report card for Florence Elementary, click here.
New Items and Important News
School is closed Tuesday, November 7th
All Boone County Schools will be closed on Tuesday, November 7th for Election Day.
Student Competency Survey
Dear FES Families: On November 6, 2023 our school will begin administering the Student Competency Survey. We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the children in our district. Florence Elementary School values input from our community – and we need to hear from your child or children! Students are important partners as we work to improve our communication, academic program and overall student learning experience. We will be asking for your child’s feedback via an online Student Survey they will be completing at school. The survey should take no more than 20-30 minutes to complete. We are asking that all of our students participate in the surveys. If a student doesn’t feel like they have enough information to answer a question, they will be able to skip the item altogether. The responses to these surveys will be completely confidential. In addition, you can view the survey questions on our website. They can be viewed by going to https://www.boone.kyschools.us/. The questions are located on the parent tab with the heading “Student Survey questions.” Please notify us if you would like your child to opt out of taking the survey by clicking this link, or use the QR code to complete the opt out electronically. If you need a paper opt out, please contact the school and we will send one home with your child. The survey will be administered November 6-17, 2023. If you have any questions about the survey administration, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 859-282-2610.
From the Librarian
Every student at FES will have the opportunity to help update our library. Beginning November 20-December 4 we will be participating in a Read-A-Thon. It's very simple to do-you'll go online, register using a special code and email family and friends to support your reading. There will be prizes to be earned and we will be celebrating readers who read the most in each homeroom! More information will be coming home soon, please keep look for it. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Welden: stacey.welden@boone.kyschools.us Happy Reading!
For Your Information
Veteran's Day Celebration (REPEAT FROM LAST WEEK)
We are planning a school-wide assembly on November 10th (since the 11th is a Saturday). We would like to welcome any Veterans of FES students to attend and be recognized. PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW AND INDICATE IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING THE ASSEMBLY. If the form does not load, please click here.
Knights of the Week
Congratulations! These students and staff were nominated by teachers because they ROCK!
Preschool – Jasmine R. (Lobenstein)
K – Jax P. (Ms. Oppen and Ms. Howard)
1 – Hope D. (Ms. Speagle)
2 – Gunner R. (Ms. Ballard)
3 – Archange W. (Ms. Shaw)
4 – Monserrat S. (Ms. Gripshover)
5 – Karmen T. (Ms. Gambrel)
Staff – Ms. Shaw
Meet the Hard Workers in Our Cafeteria!
Ms. Linda Vohl
Last week, we had the wrong last name for Ms. Linda Vohl. Sorry about that, Ms. Linda!
Ms. Melissa Bingham
Melissa Bingham joined the FES cafeteria staff about 2 months ago. She went to elementary school at Whitehouse Elementary in Whitehouse, Ohio. She has a 14 year-old chihuahua named Diego, and in her spare time she enjoys going on cruises, cooking, and crafting. We're glad to have you on the team Melissa! Thanks for your hard work!
Pictures from Our Past
The photo below is of Ms. Betsy Homes' 3rd grade class in 1965.
Here's What We're Learning This Week!
Kindergarten
Reading/Writing-We are working on being writers. We are checking for spaces in our sentences and learning about all of the things we can write about.
Math-We just finished addition and subtraction to 5.
Social Studies- We are learning about community helpers.
1st Grade
Reading/Writing-This week we will be reading nonfiction books and learning about their characteristics.
Math- In math we will be making 10 to subtract.
Science- We will be learning about sound and light for the next few weeks.
2nd Grade
Reading/Writing- Students will be reading and discussing books that focus on finding beauty in the world around you. Students will be discussing similarities and differences about the books in the text set. Students will also be using the illustrations to help you understand the main message of the stories. Finally, we will work to connect the books to our own lives.
Math-Students will be working on comparing lengths of objects and using a graph to find and answer questions.
Science- Students will start a unit on Erosion and Earth's surfaces.
3rd Grade
Reading/Writing- In reading, students are identifying and describing text structures - including comparison, cause/effect, and problem/solution. In writing, students are still working on writing claims and supporting them with evidence from the text.
Math- In math, students are multiplying one-digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range of 10-90.
Social Studies- In Social Studies, students are giving examples of and explaining group and institutional influences such as religious beliefs, laws, and peer pressure on people, events and elements of culture.
Other 3rd Grade Info: On Monday students will be taking the Unit 2 Math Common Formative Assessment.
4th Grade
Reading/Writing- Students will continue making inferences while reading information texts. Begin to look for text features.
Math- Students will understand that multiplication is repeated addition. Students will begin to learn factors, and multiples.
Science- Students will learn about different types of waves.
Social Studies- Students will work on mapping skills.
Other information from 4th Grade: Students will be taking the MVPA (a standardized assessment) on Monday and Tuesday. Please be sure they get enough sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast!
5th Grade
Reading/Writing-Students will be using context clues to understand vocabulary.
Math-Students will be multiplying multi-digit numbers using multiple strategies.
Science- Students will be learning about food chains, producers, and consumers.
Social Studies- Students will be working on an Early Foreign Policy DBQ.
STEM
Kindergarten is learning about weather patterns and seasons. First grade is learning about patterns in the night sky, including the moon and stars. Second grade is continuing to learn about material properties and changes in matter. Third grade is continuing a Project Lead the Way unit on the forces of flight. Fourth grade is continuing a Project Lead the Way unit on energy. Fifth grade is learning about ecosystems.
Physical Education
Kindergarten is working body management First grade is working on foot skills Second grade has started SEL of the week and engaging in foot skills. Third grade are working on foot skills leading to soccer game. Fourth grade has started SEL and working on foot skills. Fifth grade are reviewing the proper foot skills leading to a soccer game.
Music
Melody, the main idea of a song and how notes move to create an idea. Line and space names of the treble clef staff. Grades 2-5 will be learning a song about Veterans
Art
K&1 are learning about the ocean and creating different art with ocean animals. 2&3 are creating sea gull collages with several different materials. 4&5 are creating lighthouse collages with several different materials. 2-5 all learned about how to draw cylinders to use in their collages.
Leadership Team
The Incredible Leadership Team at FES!
2nd Grade Team
Cinderella and her mice
Ms. Dodd's Class
Kindergartners practice letters
5th Grade
Ms. Ziegelmeyer's Knight Time Reading Group
Glow Dance!
Thanks to our PTO for this great event!
Glow Dance!
Thanks to our PTO for this great event!
From the Transportation Department
From FES Lead Bus Driver, Mr. Dave Burton (Bus 137)
In order to alleviate delays, please be sure to be at the designated bus stop five minutes prior to the stop time.
Also be aware that eating and drinking are not permitted on the buses for health and safety reasons.
From the Cafeteria
SBDM Update (UPDATED FROM LAST WEEK)
The School Based Decision Making Council at FES is made up of the principal (Ryan Burch), three teachers (Alicia Bachman, Abbigail Supe, and Megan Timmerding), and two parents (Alicia Coulter and Vee Miller). This group makes policy decisions and approves some of the school's financial and instructional activities. Meetings are usually held on the first Monday of each month at 4:15 in the FES library. Meetings are open to the public (except for occasional closed sessions).
The November meeting will be held November 6th at 4:15 in the FES library and are open to the public. Click here for the November SBDM agenda.
All of our SBDM policies are available on the FES school website.
On the Calendar
Important November Dates
- Parent/Teacher Conferences- November 2nd; 4:30-7:30
- Board of Education Meeting- November 2nd; 7:00 PM, Ralph Rush Center
- Glow Dance- November 3rd; 6:00-8:00, FES
- SBDM Meeting- November 6th; 4:15, FES Library
- PTO Meeting- November 6th; 5:30-6:30 FES Cafeteria
- Election Day (School Closed)- November 7th
- Family Game Night (mini-golf/science night)- November 16th; 5:30-7:00
- Thanksgiving Break; November 22-24
Click the calendar above to see the schedule of all events throughout the year.