Dr. Mark K. Martin, principal

   Florence Elementary

A School of Excellence Shaping the Future

Let me introduce myself. I am Mark Martin, the principal here at Florence. I have been in education now 19 years. This is my eleventh year as an administrator, my eighth year at Florence Elementary. I have a son, Matthew, who is a sixth grader this school year. He is a delightful, bright, whimsical, energetic, all-around boy. That being said, I want you to know that I truly love our students at Florence and believe in treating each one with the same amount of love, respect, and expectations I hold for my own.

Florence Elementary has great students.  It is important to me that our students enjoy their time here. Florence Elementary is honored to be rated an Exemplary campus by the Texas Education Agency. We were also recognized as a Just for the Kids high performing school in Texas by the National Center for Educational Accountability during the 2008-2009 school year. These honors continue the tradition that earned Florence a U.S. Department of Education designation as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

I am genuinely proud of our staff, faculty, community, and parents. The staff is a great balance of diverse teachers. The average years of teaching experience is ten years. Our goal as a faculty and staff is to work together as a team to provide the best educational opportunity for our boys and girls at Florence. The staff is dedicated to watching over our students and treating each child with dignity. I am sure that you share our high expectations for your child(ren). One way to get connect and involved is through joining our school’s PTA. Our PTA works with our community to support and provide our students with a quality education.

Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you and your family. The faculty and staff at Florence Elementary are dedicated to making your child’s learning experience a meaningful one. Your child’s success is our primary goal. If I can be of any assistance, please call – 817-744-4700 - or drop in. My door is always open.

Sincerely,

Mark K. Martin, Ed. D.

Anne Seaberry, Assistant Principal

   Welcome to one of the BEST schools in Texas!

Florence Elementary has a long tradition of being an example of true excellence in education.  A strong commitment to children’s success runs intrinsically through the veins of each one of us who will serve you and your child(ren)at Florence.  Our faculty and staff work tirelessly to bring total value to your child’s life through a balance of three essential foundations – beginning with healthy expectations while incorporating life experiences which lead to educational excellence.  

My name is Anne Seaberry, and I am honored to serve you and others at FES as the Assistant Principal.  God has blessed me with a wonderful marriage of nearly 35 years, 3 healthy and happy adult children, and 4 precious grandchildren.  Elementary education is actually my “second” career.  Prior to coming to Florence, my husband and I served for over 17 years as missionaries in Africa.  We consider it a great blessing to have been able to raise and expose our children to the richness of other cultures.  After returning to the States in 1999, I returned to classroom teaching for the next 8 years.  This is now my 2^nd year in administration.  I believe that all of my life experiences have prepared me for this unique time to serve with you at Florence Elementary.

As the Assistant Principal, I have the opportunity to coordinate and/or be actively involved in many different aspects of this great institution.  The areas that receive much of my time and attention include:  Student intervention services, Special Education services, 504 services, and student assessment.  The following information gives you a brief overview.

STUDENT INTERVENTION SERVICES (SIT) identifies students who are having or who could potentially have academic challenges in the classroom.  This service actively monitors the child’s academic progress while suggesting individualized strategies to help in the implementation of success.  This is a program that involves the parent, the child’s teacher(s), the counselor, and me.  By working as a team, we are able to focus directly on each child and his/her individual needs.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES encompass speech therapy and specialized programs for students identified with learning disabilities. 

504 is a federally-mandated program that offers particular students – those who have identified physical or emotional challenges in their lives – an opportunity to experience true success in the classroom.  The decisions for each child involve the parent, teacher(s), specialists, and me.   

STUDENT ASSESSMENT is a valuable tool that FES teachers use in monitoring true student success.  After careful and thorough analysis, this data enables the teacher to be specific in each child’s individual academic need.  Some of the areas of data collection include the 9 weeks CBAs (Curriculum Based Assessments), AIMSweb, I-Station, SuccessMaker, TPRI, DRA, and TAKS. 

If you ever have any questions about any area of your child’s experience at Florence, I would be honored to help.  Please call me at anytime because I am here to serve you.  Again….welcome to Florence!

Blessings,

Anne Seaberry