FES Knightly News
Weekly Family Newsletter
Week of February 25th- March 1st
New and Important Information
Early Release Day on Friday, March 1st
This Friday, March 1st will be an early release day so that teachers can have a common professional learning time. Students will be released at 12:30. Buses will run 3-hours earlier. Students will receive lunch before they leave.
Congratulations to the FES Jr. Lego League Team
The Florence Glow Squad team and the Florence Girl Power team competed in the 2024 Lego Expo at Northern Kentucky University. The 3rd grade Glow Squad team won the Coding Award for giving effective explanations about how their code made their team model move and showing good communication skills. The 2nd grade Girl Power team won the Team Model Award for displaying innovative and creative thinking through the design and building of their team models. Great job, teams! Way to make FES proud! The team is coached by 1st grade teacher Vita Speagle.
Spring Pictures
Spring pictures will be tomorrow (Monday, February 26th). Pre-order using the information below.
Math Bingo Night
Friendly reminder that Math Bingo Night is next Thursday! Please click the link or scan the QR code on the flyer to RSVP for the event! Food will be provided so it is very important that we get an idea of who plans to attend! We hope to see you there!
Family Movie Night
Family movie night has been moved to Friday, March 8. Doors will open at 5:30 and the movie will begin at 6:00. Make sure to bring your own chairs and blankets. We will have the concession stand open. We will be selling popcorn, candy bars, and soft drinks. The concession stand is cash only. Admission is free and adult supervision is required. Have a great weekend!
American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge
Kids Heart Challenge is HERE!
FLORENCE Families, Kids Heart Challenge™ has officially kicked off!
Our students will feel good by doing good, knowing they made a difference for kids just like them!
Start by downloading the Kids Heart Challenge APP or click this link
http://www2.heart.org/goto/FlorenceElementarySchoolKY to sign up!
• Complete Finn’s Missions: learn TWO lifesaving skills as a family TONIGHT!
• Become a Heart Hero: Send emails/e-cards on the website or texts via the app to invite friends and family asking for support.
Thank you so much for supporting our school and the American Heart Association!
From the FES Library
Library: Mark your calendars! Book Fair will be March 18-29, Students will have the opportunity to visit and create a wish list to take home the week of March 18-22. Students will shop the week of March 25. Your child's teacher will send home more information about the date they will shop. Family shopping will be Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Read Across America Week
See the photo at right for the themes for Read Across America week dress up days! This will be the week of 03/04-03/08.
Ryle High School Cheer Team Fairytale Ball
Meet your favorite princess at the Ryle High School Cheer Team's Fairytale Ball on Saturday, March 2nd from 10 AM to noon. See the picture at right to sign up.
Repeats from Last Newsletter
Non-Cognitive Survey
Dear Boone County School Families, We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the children in our district. Boone County Schools value 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 experience for everyone.
In order to learn more about student experiences at school, we will be asking for your child's feedback via an online survey they will be completing at school. The survey shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes to complete.
We are asking that all of our students participate in the surveys, as their feedback will provide invaluable insights into their experiences and how we can improve and adapt our district to their needs. 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. We are partnering with a third-party vendor to support us in administering these surveys.
Please notify us if you would like your child to opt out of taking the surveys by completing the Google Form below with your name and your child's name by March 1, 2024. We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses. If you have any questions about the survey administration, please don't hesitate to contact us at Florence Elementary School 859-282-2610. https://forms.gle/wAPadtQrLy3rHa3X8
Jolly Plumbing Teacher Award
Does your child's teacher deserve some special recognition? Nominate him or her for the Jolly Plumbing Teacher Award at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc971BfcdTmxbsuCWTgKa2wIXZTWwzZy84574dNPW-btjTXkQ/viewform
Zonar Card Information for Parents
Haga clic aquí para ver esta información en español
Cliquez ici pour voir ces informations en francais
Soon, Florence Elementary students will be issued a card to scan when they get on and off their school bus. This card works with the Zonar app to inform parents that their student is on the bus. Please see the message below from the district about this program:
The Boone County School District strives daily to ensure the safety of your children in
everything we do. In our continued efforts, we are excited to begin the rollout of the new
ZPass student ridership program. This tool will aid the school district and parents in quickly
locating students and will provide transportation with real time rosters for each bus. This
program will be offered to all elementary school students and students grades 6- 12 who use
special transportation.
How does the card work? Each Zpass card contains a passive RFID chip which is assigned
a unique identifier when the card is issued to the student. When the card is tapped on the
scanner, the RFID is activated and automatically logs their entry or exit time and location. The
card does not offer any capability to track a student - it merely tells us when and where a
student scanned the card on and off of the bus. Parents can download the My View Parent
App and choose to receive information instantly and securely regarding when their child
boarded or loop exited a bus.
What happens if my child loses their card? Students without cards will still be permitted to
board the bus. If the card is lost or damaged, a new card can be requested by notifying your child’s
school. If the card was recently lost, we ask that you look for one day before reporting the card as
lost. If it is still lost after that time, please notify the school and a new card will be issued. If a lost card
is found please return it to school.
What information is stored on the card? The only information that is stored on the ZPass
card is the unique identifier that is only meaningful to the ZPass program. A lost or stolen
ZPass card does not put sensitive student information at risk. Parents will only have access to
their student’s information. Under our terms with the company providing this technology, all
student information is protected.
Students whose families opted out of this program will receive a NON-RFID card. The
NON- RFID card will still contain the student barcodes for use in the cafeteria and media
center but will be clearly labeled “NON RFID Card”. This student identification card will still
need to be presented when a student boards district transportation so that transportation staff
will be able to identify students who are present on the bus.
Still have questions? A list of frequently asked questions has been compiled using responses from
the parent survey and from other districts who have already implemented this program. This
document is found on the transportation page of the district website. If after reviewing this document
you still have questions, please reach out to the transportation department directly.
Transportation Department Phone Number: 859-384-5340
Transportation Web Address: https://www.boone.kyschools.us/transportation-department
Kindergarten Registration
Please spread the word! If you know have a child or know a family who has a child who will be 5 years old on or before August 1st, 2024, kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 school year will be on March 4th from 4:30-6:30 at all Boone County elementary schools.
All registrations will be online, and paper registration packets will no longer be accepted. If you don't have access to a computer or have questions about registering, there will be staff on hand to assist at Florence Elementary on March 14th.
The following items are required to complete registration:
- Certified Birth Certificate
- Proof of residence (phone bill, utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)
- Current KY Immunization Certificate (must be dated within 1 year of start date of school
- Current Physical
- Social Security Card
Parents with children currently enrolled in Boone County preschool will still be required to register their child for kindergarten.
Knights of the Week
The Knights pictured below were chosen as Knights of the Week because the ROCK! They consistently RESPECT themselves and others, OWN their actions, make the CHARACTER count, and KEEP expectations for themselves high!
Here's What We're Learning this Week
Kindergarten
Reading/Writing- We finished with our introduction to opinion writing and will be doing Valentine writing this week.
Math-We finished decomposing numbers to 10 and addition. This week we will be subtracting.
Science-Weather change.
Social Studies-Solving problems in our community.
First Grade
Reading/Writing-Students will be learning about poetic language. They will read different type of poems with different beats and rhythms. They will also practice writing poetry.
Math-Students are continuing to practice addition with two digit numbers.
Science-We have concluded our solar system unit!
Other information from 1st Grade- Makerspace will be visiting our classes on Thursday! They will help us create constellations!
Second Grade
Reading/Writing-Students will be reading stories that focus on facing challenges. Students will also use the illustrations and graphics to help them understand the text.
Math- Students will be working on adding multiple two digit numbers.
Science- Students will begin a unit on plants. This week we will focus on the importance of plants and sunlight.
Third Grade
Reading/Writing-This week we are still studying biographies. This is our last week. Students will be working on composing a biography. They will paired with another third grade student, conduct an interview, and write a biography.
Math-We are still working on fractions! This week we will express whole numbers as fractions, identify equivalent fractions, and compare fractions with the same numerator and denominator.
Social Studies- This week the students will continue to work on their Black History Biographies for Mrs. Weldon.
Fourth Grade
Reading/Writing- Students will continue learning text structure, specifically compare and contrast text structure.
Math-Students are learning how to compare fractions with unlike denominators.
Science-Students are learning the structure and function of plants and animals.
Fifth Grade
Reading/Writing-Students will be explaining relationships in historical texts.
Math-Students will be starting their unit on fractions. They will be focusing on conversions as fractions.
Science-Students will be learning about earth's rotation and shadow patterns.
Social Studies-Studnets will be learning about James Madison and constructing the Constitution
Gym
Kindergarten is learning to follow a rhythmic activity leading up to a dance.
First grade is learning to move in various pathways and levels during a dance.
Second grade is focused on aerobic activities and Cardiovascular.
Third grade has started a learning a dance sequence and pattern leading to a dance.
Fourth grade is working on muscular endurance using plyometric
Fifth grade is learning how flexibility and muscular endurance can be beneficial in their daily life.
Music
All grades will observe and interact with new instruments daily. Participation includes briefly playing the instrument, learning about the history of the instrument and the related cultures, and clapping/dancing along with the performance. Instruments that will be discussed: (Jan.29-Mar.1) Djembe (West African Hand drum) Darbuka (Turkish Hand drum) Lekgodilo (South African Flute) Egg Shaker (America) Steel Pan (pitched percussion instrument from island of Trinidad) Students will also collaborate musically through singing songs, drumming on pads to notated rhythms, learning dance choreography, listening and analyzing music, and playing fun music related games.
Photos from Around the Building
Happy Birthday!
Birthdays this week include:
Students
- Elijah C.
- Sophia F.
- Kamila C.
- Emma P.
- Ben W.
- Tony N.
- Penelope T.
- Hoyt G.
Staff
- Ms. Vallandingham
- Officer Combs
- Mr. Lee
- Mr. Klopp
- Mr. Lacoude
- Ms. O'Hara
From the First Aid Room
Information from health services regarding Covid:
If your student tests positive for Covid and have no sick symptoms, please contact your primary care provider to obtain guidance and determine when your child can return to school. If your child is sick and tests positive for Covid please contact your primary care provider for guidance on care and when to return to school. Students should not return until they are recovered, and symptoms resolved.
Pictures from Our Past
Did you have a guess as to the identity of this mystery Knight? It's our very own Ms. Cindy O'Hara. Ms. O'Hara is one of our fabulous interventionists. She works daily with students in grades 2-5 to ensure they are ready for the next grade. Thanks for your hard work, Ms. O'Hara.
From the Cafeteria
These menus are accurate at the start of the week, adjustments may be required due to supply issues. If you have any questions about meals or food service, please contact the FES cafeteria manager at Melody.Linneman@boone.kyschools.us.
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).
Click here to view the January minutes. At the February meeting, SBDM approved the hiring of two special education para-educators for the remainder of the year. They also reviewed and approved the family engagement policy for next school year. The full minutes of the February meeting will be available after the March meeting. The next meeting is March 4th at 4:15 in the library.
All of our SBDM policies are available on the FES school website.
On the Calendar
Important January/February Dates
- February 27th- Boone's Beginners, FES; 5:30-7:00 PM
- Feburary 29th- Grandparent's Math Bingo Night (other family members invited as well); 5:30-7:00 PM
Click the calendar above to see the schedule of all events throughout the year.