Independence Elementary School

Our next new face is Mrs. Sally Christian, Diagnostician.

Hello! My name is Sally Christian, and I'm so thankful to be joining the Maverick family this year. This is my sixteenth year in Education and sixth year as an Educational Diagnostician. I am passionate about serving students, staff, and families in creating the best outcomes for young learners.
My husband, Blake, and I have three children who keep us very busy with cross country, band, and cheer.
I enjoy spending time with my family, running, reading, and travelling.

We would like to start introducing our new staff to the community! Here is the first of just a few new faces at IES this year. Welcome Melissa Zihlman. A not so new face to our community that we are stoked to have long term.

A note from Mrs. Zihlman: Hey, hi, hello! I started teaching in Keller in 2004, and after a hiatus to raise four babies (a senior, a freshman, a fourth grader and a first grader) I’m excited to be joining IES full-time this fall teaching fourth grade math/science/social studies. I have a bachelor's from Penn State and a master's from UNT. I love traveling with my family, reading, college football, working out, Taylor Swift, and photography. 🎉💜📚

Join us for Meet the Teacher on August 12th between 5:30 and 7:00pm. You must have fully completed registration before this date in order to meet your teacher. All students who have completed registration will receive a phone call from their classroom teacher on August 9th.

Dear IES Parents,

I hope you are enjoying your summer and some time with your loved ones.

The returning student registration is now open.

You should have received a SnapCode in your email. (Please check your spam/junk mail if you do not find the email) You will need your SnapCode to update your student's registration. All students will need to verify their information.

Please complete the registration as soon as possible for each student. Our school is staffed based on the number of completed registrations which could mean our campus gaining a teacher or losing a teacher.

You can visit the Keller ISD webpage for Returning Student Enrollment for information.

Thanks for your help!

School supplies for the 2024-2025 school year. We can’t wait to have our Mavericks back on campus come August!

Come join our IES team. Apply online!

Your IES morning crew was ready to welcome our students in a fun way this morning. Have a great summer Mavericks!

Full circle moment for Mrs. Kistler. Today was our last Stampede and TCHS Valedictorian, Moises Rodriguez and Salutatorian, Josh Fleitas came back to IES to visit their kindergarten teacher. They spoke to our students about hard work and dedication. We are proud of these IES alumni.

We have a few pair of unclaimed glasses. Be sure to stop by the office if you see yours!

Enjoyed having the 2024 seniors back for a last hallway walk of IES! Congratulations, class of 2024!

Register Now!

Timber Creek is hosting their 1st Annual Spring Football Game and Festival, Thursday May 16, 4:30-8:00

Our TCHS Falcon Football players came by to share about their upcoming football camps. If you’d like your 1st-4th grader to participate in the June 4th-6th football camp, please register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMiMJMu9HXXDamAGr0jQeLN02MXfbOz1pVI2qY5mRUViwIHA/viewform

The buses are leaving Camp Carter and should be back at Independence about 6:30.

Our April Teacher of the Month is Mr. Lucas! Thank you for working so hard this year with our kiddos!

Show your favorite IES teachers some love. Post a shout out, favorite memory, or words of affirmation for your IES teachers. We can't wait to see how much you appreciate them!

Join us tomorrow after school from 4:00pm-6:00pm for Bingo Night! It's a free event and a chance to win prizes and stock up on books for the summer!

Congratulations to Sherry Langham, the IES Child Nutrition Manager, for being named our Support Staff of the month winner. She was picked By Rachel Johnston, last month's winner for helping feed our Independence students. She always greets the students with a smile and by name. We are so proud to have Sherry on our campus!

We are still collecting donations for Apollo Rescues. If you would like to donate and support to help pets find their forever home, please bring your donation to the office.

Calling all Former Independence Mavericks that are graduating high school this year. You are invited to our Senior Walk, on May 20th from 7:30-8:30. There will be a light breakfast provided before your walk through the halls of Independence. Please register here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScN9yS_2cSmXPpSLOFnAJJwe-j_6Ykg5KDVflLsQS2lJqjzkw/viewform

Please do not forget we are a closed campus to all visitors tomorrow so that our 3rd and 4th graders can focus on their Math STAAR. Good luck!

Dear IES Families,
Next Wednesday, April 17th, IES will be closed to all visitors. This includes lunch visitors. Our 3rd and 4th grade students will be STAAR testing.

You can still order class pictures. Flyer attached. Click on the link and use the code Independence24grps

Shout Out to all our Watch Dogs! They are finishing STRONG!! We only have 6 unfilled days on the calendar so if you are wanting to participate you need to sign up quickly before the spot is taken! Thank you to all of our Dads of Great Students for making it a successful year! We appreciate you being on campus.

Help us support Apollo Rescue and donate new or gently used items!

Do you want to have a yearbook for the end of the year signing party? Tomorrow, April 24 is the last day to order to make sure it is here for the party.

Shout out to Mr. Gauntt for all he has done for IES!

Congratulations to Principal Jeff Gauntt for being named the Rookie of the Year!🏅His exemplary leadership and service to students and staff at Independence Elementary during his first academic year as a Keller ISD principal.

Just a reminder that tomorrow is STAAR day and we will be a closed campus! Good luck third and fourth graders. 💙❤️

Dear IES Families,
Next Wednesday, April 17th, IES will be closed to all visitors. This includes lunch visitors. Our 3rd and 4th grade students will be STAAR testing.

Is your child’s closet looking a little empty? Well you’re in luck!! We have it!! It’s in our Lost and Found! All items not claimed by Friday will be donated.

We can’t wait to see our 2024 Seniors!! Be sure to RSVP so we know you are coming!!

Join us for Kindergarten orientation! If you know of anyone that will be attending IES for kindergarten, please spread the word.