12 Days Before Winter Break

On Friday, December 5 for the 12 Days Before Winter Break, the leadership team wishes you a Bundt'ch of Holiday Cheer! Click here to select the Bundt Cake flavor you would like to enjoy as a sweet treat by Monday, December 1 at noon. We cannot make any exceptions to the due date—so don’t miss out by completing the form today!

Schoolwide Rule

 

Ms. Lowe’s class has created the schoolwide rule: For each period of the day, students will receive a 10-minute in-class break.

To ensure fairness, each grade level will receive three 10-minute breaks on Monday, November 24. Please follow the expectations and the schedule below.

Expectations:
Students must remain seated and may engage in quiet activities such as drawing, board games, or talking at a Level 1. Students may not use technology from home, run around the classroom, watch movies, or engage in any loud or disruptive activities.

Break Schedule:

Grade Level

Break #1

Break #2

Break #3

Y5s/Kinder

9:55-10:05

11:20-11:30

2:55-3:05

1st Grade

11:40-11:50

12:35-12:45

1:35-1:45

2nd Grade

11:00-11:10

12:00-12:10

2:00-2:10

3rd Grade

9:45-9:55

12:50-1:00

2:55-3:05

4th Grade

9:45-9:55

11:20-11:30

2:55-3:05

5th Grade

10:30-10:40

12:50-1:00

2:55-3:05

6th Grade

10:35-10:45

1:35-1:45

3:00-3:10

7th Grade

9:30-9:40

1:25-1:35

3:00-3:10

8th Grade

9:30-9:40

1:25-1:35

3:00-3:10

Let’s make these breaks a calm, joyful, and engaging part of the day for our students.

P/T Conferences

One of our Core Values is “Make our schools the best choice for parents and students.” Thank you for doing this EVERYDAY, especially as we prepare for P-T conferences next week. Don’t forget to reference my email regarding our expectations for discussing students’ academic performance, attendance, retention, and scheduling.

As a reminder, all salary staff are expected to stay until 8:00 pm on Monday and 4 PM on Tuesday, even if your last conference ends before those times.

Staff must be in professional attire both days. No dress down passes or comfy passes may be used when meeting with families on Monday nor Tuesday.




Reunification PD

 


On Wednesday, December 10, we have a ½ day for our annual reunification training. All staff (hourly, salary, SFE, and Aramark) need to attend to learn/review our reunification plan and visit the reunification location. More information to come.

Thanksgiving Break

 

Just like the past 4 years, we are asking all staff members to “unplug” from work over Thanksgiving break. We want you to use this as an opportunity to relax, unwind, and enjoy a well-deserved break with family and friends. Please set an out of office message (included below) at 4:00 pm on Tuesday and refrain from checking emails until Sunday night (at the earliest).

Out of Office Message:

Thank you for your email. I am out of the building from Tuesday, November 25 at 4:00 pm until Monday, December 1. During this time, all Keystone staff members have been encouraged to unplug and prioritize their mental health and family by temporarily disconnecting from work. I will be more than happy to respond to your email and needs when I return to work on Monday, December 1. Thank you for your understanding and partnership.

Set an Out of Office Message:

Open Outlook àSettingsà View all Outlook settings à Mail à Automatic replies. I copied the message in both boxes for “within the company” and “outside of the company.”

Positive Behaviors

We set a goal of entering one positive behavior per student every trimester from your homeroom. Thank you to everyone who met this expectation. As we begin Trimester 2, don’t forget to have a plan in place to ensure that all students receive one. As you know, this ongoing recognition not only reinforces positive behaviors, but also helps build trust and partnership with families, showing them that we notice and value their children’s efforts every day.

A huge shout out to Ellen, Emma, Andria, Teri, Yasmeen, and Amanda, who each entered over 100 positive behaviors into MyNHA for Trimester 1, with an honorable mention to Jane for her 93 entries.





 

Retentions

If you are considering retention for any of your students, you must have a conversation with the family by December 11. Please make sure that you give your dean the completed retention packet with the parent signature by Friday, December 12.

Classroom Holiday Parties

 


If you are having a classroom holiday party, it must be on December 19 for the last hour of the day. Please remember to keep activities focused on winter, not Christmas, out of respect to all students. 

It's important that you remind families of our policy regarding food items. In our handbook it states, “…only items that are bought directly from the store and with an ingredient list may be brought into school. No homemade treats may be brought in for sharing due to potential allergen exposure.”

Affirmations

 

Steve for thinking of me and providing me with such a sweet treat once again! I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness—it means a lot to me.

Leslie for taking on an additional role out of dedication to what’s best for our school. Your willingness to step in and support our community does not go unnoticed and is truly appreciated.

Jen H and Kim J for bringing a little extra sweetness to Keystone! Your idea for the Pie Potluck was creative, fun, and made everyone smile.

Sally for masterminding such a fun and memorable staff activity! The week-long turkey hunt had everyone searching, teaming up, and sharing laughs—it was a fantastic way to bring some joy and camaraderie to our school.

Taylor for volunteering to help with Trimester 1 recess! Your willingness to jump in doesn’t go unnoticed.

Ellen for organizing such a thoughtful and fun way for our Keystone family to support Jen while she’s out. Your effort to bring a little joy and let her know we’re thinking of her truly shows your care and dedication to our team.

Stephanie for taking charge of finding the winter items for the front office. Your willingness to take on this extra task means a lot to me.

Alex for the reminder! You consistently go above and beyond to make sure I don’t forget anything and that everything runs smoothly.

Stacey Ramirez for once again taking my vision and making it a reality. Thanks for your creativity with the 12 Days Before Winter Break flyer. I really appreciate all you do.

Jen D for your positivity and willingness to try something new.

Stacey Reed for all the things that you do behind the scenes that set me up for success.

Tameka, Robyn, and Sally for ensuring that we create a culture of care while strengthening our connection between home and school. Thanks for all your work with positive behaviors.

Ellen for relinquishing your “only child” status and sharing with me. I think this makes us sisters.

Amy for your honesty, but also the care and intentionality behind your words.

The Next Two Weeks

 


Sunday, November 23:

     ·      Steve’s Birthday

Monday, November 24:

     ·      PT Conferences (4-8 PM) In-person

     ·      Book Fair (November 24-25)

Tuesday, November 25:

     ·      PT Conferences (12-4 PM) In-person

     ·      ½ Day-Dismissal at 11:20 AM

Wednesday, November 26-Friday, November 28:

     ·      No School-Thanksgiving Break


Monday, December 1:

     ·      Goodfellows Canned Food Drive (December 1-5)

     ·      K-2 Winter NWEA (December 1-12)

     ·      Yasmeen’s Birthday

     ·      Start Decorating Hallway Doors- “Deck the Halls”

Wednesday, December 3:

     ·      Perfect Attendance Reward

Thursday, December 4:

     ·      30 Hour PD

     ·      Purple Club

     ·      Morning Assembly Presentation Due (National Human Rights Month)-Jeng

     ·      Band Concert 6 PM

     ·      Complete “Deck the Halls” Decorating

Friday, December 5:

     ·      "Bundt'ch of Holiday Cheer" Treat

     ·      Dress Down and Hat $1 each

Happy Birthday

 




There is a special gift in the mailboxes of all the people who celebrate their birthdays in December.

Important Dates

December 8: Jen H’s Birthday

December 8:May Your Holidays be Lit!" Gift from Leadership Team

December 9: Staff Meeting

December 9: Staff Meeting Snacks-5th Grade

December 9: "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" Dress in your interpretation of winter--puffy vests, winter hats, all white, etc. -FREE (Students may participate)

December 10-12: Holiday Shoppe

December 10: ½ Day-Reunification PD

December 10: ½ Day Snacks-6th Grade

December 10: “Sleigh the Ice, Stay Merry & Bright!” Gift from Leadership Team

December 11: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Bill of Rights Day)-Thomas

December 11: “Swingin’ into the Season” Activity

December 12: “May Your Morning Sparkle” Breakfast from Meemic

December 12: Judy’s Birthday

December 12: MTSS/IAT Meetings

December 14: Jen D’s Birthday

December 15: "Be Cozy and Bright" (Harper Toy Drive)-Wear jeans with a bright, sparkly, festive, and/or ugly holiday sweaters for $1 (Students may participate)

December 16: "Cup of Cheer" Hot Chocolate Cart and Activity from PTO

December 16: PLC (Team Meeting)

December 17: "On the 12th Day Before Break My Students Came to Me…" Activity

December 18: “We’re Flannelling in the Fun this Winter” Wear a flannel or plaid shirt with jeans-FREE (Students may participate)

December 19: 3rd Grade Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna

December 19: “A Small Gift with Big Cheer!” Gift from Board

December 19: Spirit Day

December 22-January 2: No School-Winter Break

December 28: John’s Birthday

December 30: Emma’s Birthday

January 5: School Resumes

*If you have an event to add or something has been forgotten, please let me know!