Staff Appreciation Week

Over that past year and half, you have pushed yourself to learn new and innovative ways to reach students academically, behaviorally, emotionally, and socially.  You work hard to meet students at all levels and to provide supportive yet rigorous instruction. Now more than ever, I am proud to be a part of the Keystone team.

As adults, we ALL need appreciation for what we do, so I want to assure you that although working as a teacher can sometimes feel like an unappreciated effort day in and day out, it is NOT. The admin team, PTO, Board, and our families appreciate all those extra things and extra hours you work.

We want you to know that we have searched under the stars and over the moon and CAMP find any better teachers and staff than you! We in-TENT-sly want to say we are WILD about our staff.

We hope you enjoy Camp Keystone! Happy Staff Appreciation Week (SAW)!

Staff Appreciation 2021 by embryjd on Scribd

Lexia

 

Thank you for your active participation during our Lexia training on Tuesday. To prepare students to use Lexia during summer school, we need to make sure that all your students are appearing on your roster. The good news is your class has been rostered for you, you just need to verify all students are accounted for before our next staff meeting on May 11^th. You can verify your roster through My Lexia which can be accessed through your Clever portal.  If you are missing a student, please let Andria know.  During the staff meeting, we will be discussing next steps: placement assessment administration and classroom usage expectations. 

Thank you for your support as we launch this great resource.

Shout Outs

 

Julianne, Sarah Z, Jen H, Diane, and Cindy Chuang for going above and beyond for a student!  

Ashley H for being available on the weekend, so next week can be special!   

Sarah Z for all the things that you do privately for others.   

Stacey for getting clarification on the master schedule.  

Liz for ensuring that our students receive services regardless of their instructional model.  

Andria for Lexia communication.

Andria, Diane, Stacey and Jenaca for being willing to be leaders in our building.

Stacey for PD communication and clarification. 

Jamie and Tameka for another successful week of M-STEP. 

Teri and Monique for assisting with onboarding a new colleague.

Christina for always being willing to help others!

Deb, Gary, and Tab for putting down new social distance stickers.

Deb for cleaning up after everyone again. I appreciate you cleaning up all the food in the staff lounge after our staff meeting.

Sarah D for creating our SAW flyer in one day. I love being able to creatively partner with you.

Keystone staff for your active participation during the Lexia training.   

Ashley for having difficult parent conversations about enrollment. I love having you as my backup.

Sarah Z for providing a family with requested information in a timely manner.

Important Dates

 

Monday, May 3:

·    Staff Appreciation Week (SAW): Picnic Lunch and Comfy Camping Day

Tuesday, May 4:

·    SAW: Trail Mix Bar and Comfy Camping Day

Wednesday, May 5:

·    SAW: Mexican Food Truck, Comfy Camping Day, and Gift

·    Deadline for Summer Learning Participation

·    PTO Meeting 4:30-5:30 PM

Thursday, May 6:

·    SAW: Lumberjack Breakfast and Afternoon Snack

Friday, May 7:

·    DUE: Morning Assembly Presentation-6^th Grade (Asian Pacific American Heritage)

·    SAW: S’MORE Bar, Bear Claw, and Gift

May Birthdays

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

Progress Reports

 

Parents will be viewing their child’s progress report on the Parent Portal this Friday, April 30. As a part of our Green School initiative, we aren’t printing progress reports. Please make sure that you have a true representation of their child’s academic progress by having enough grades entered.  

Shout Outs

 

Jamie for handling all the COVID situations in my absence.

Stephanie for taking on additional COVID tasks.

Sarah Z for ALWAYS showing care towards our students. Your compassion knows inspires me to do better!

Stacey, Robyn, Jamie, and Tameka for everything hat you did during my absence. I love having a strong leadership team that I can count on.

Robyn for setting everything up over the weekend! Everything looked great!

Andria for taking the lead on Lexia and becoming our in-house expert.    

Ashley H for always keeping the workroom free of clutter.  

This Week

 

Monday, April 26:

·    2^nd Grade ELA Interim

Tuesday, April 27:

·    PLC Meetings 4-5 PM

Friday, April 23:

·    DUE: Morning Assembly Presentation-7^th Grade (Asian Pacific American Heritage)

·    Payday Breakfast-1^st Grade

·    Progress Reports

·    Spirit Day

Important Dates

 Please view the right side of the blog for important dates in

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

Friday PD

 We have a half day on Friday. During that time, salary employees need to complete OnCourse trainings pertaining to an overview of core subjects for the 21-22 school year. The admin team has decided to allow staff to complete these two modules at home. You may leave at 11:45 after you have signed-in in the staff lounge.

Your dean will be sending you specific details before Friday about our expectations for this “work from home” PD.

Staff Fun

 We have a few things planned this week for staff fun, but we need your help with one of them. On Monday, please help us show some love to each other. Read the note below for specific information.

Stocked Staff Lounge by embryjd on Scribd

The most important thing to remember is that we want to “spread” the love. So, if you notice that someone already has a note on their door, please find someone who doesn’t. Also, don’t forget about those who may not have a door - paras, office staff, Aramark, kitchen, etc.

You can place a sticky note on their door or write directly on their window with one of the Neon Expo markers. Both items are in the staff lounge. Please make sure to return my Neon Expo markers, or else.😊

Looking forward to reading all the compliments!

Shout Outs

 

EVERYONE FOR EVERYTHING! It really has been a team effort these past two weeks.

Jamie, Sarah Z, Tracy, Steve, Jena, and Tully for ensuring that we had a smooth PSAT.

Ashley for your diligence with the 21-22 enrollment.     

Sarah D for figuring out logistics for Chromebook checkup.

Jamie, Robyn, and Tameka for being wonderful PE teachers this week!

Diane, Julianne, and Cindy for being transparent and providing possible solutions to change.

Ashley H for taking on additional task. You are constantly “seeing a need, filling a need” to make my life easier. You have no idea how much I appreciate that.

Jamie for being proactive and getting ½ day specials schedule together.

Stacey for attending a meeting when you were sick at home.

Stephanie for putting my new office chair together.

Mandy, Sloane, Ellen, Sarah D, Sarah Z, and Teri for fulfilling a last minute request.

This Week

 

Sunday, April 18:

·    Amelia’s Birthday

Monday, April 19-23:

·    DDI Meetings

·    Admin Professional Week

Friday, April 23:

·    ½ day of school

Happy Birthday

 

Amelia: April 18

2021-22 School Calendar

 We were approved by the MDE to start the 2021-22 school year before Labor Day! See the draft of our school calendar below. Please do not share this with families yet, as it needs to be approved by our Board as the final step.  

Keystone 2021-22 FINAL DRAFT Calendar by embryjd on Scribd

Professional Development

 

NHA has adopted a new ELA digital tool, Lexia. It’s the ELA version of Dreambox. 😊 We will have our first Lexia training on Tuesday, April 27 from 3:45-5:15. This professional development will be hosted by representatives from Lexia. Please read the overview below in preparation.

Lexia Overview by embryjd on Scribd

Staff Meeting Cancelled

 

We are cancelling the staff meeting this week. This should help to give you back time since we will be meeting longer on April 27.

Staff Attire

As the weather warms up, I wanted to remind everyone of our expectations for staff attire regarding shoes and tops. Our staff handbook states,

“You may wear sandals, but they must have a strap on the back or a heel. Sleeveless shirts and/or dresses are acceptable, but majority of your shoulders and back must be covered, no thin straps.”

Also, please remember that gym shoes are not allowed unless you have a doctor’s note or it’s Spirit Day (last Friday of every month). Gym shoes should not be worn on pay day Fridays or with your jeans pass.

Intent to Return

 

Believe it or not, the time has come to think about next school year!  If you are not planning to return to Keystone for the 2021-22 school year, it will be very helpful for us to know now so that we have ample time to find a suitable replacement. Remember, even if you are not planning on returning to Keystone next school year, your 2020-21 benefits and pay will continue through mid-August as long as you complete the school year. 

If you are planning to return, keep in mind that the admin team hopes to make final teacher placements by mid-May.  Ideally, teachers will be placed into their desired position, but sometimes changes are necessary to best meet the needs of our students.

Please complete the survey: https://forms.gle/RtmwU8fXs1tJ7qMe6 by Friday, April 16. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with me as soon as possible regarding your plans for next year.

Technology Usage

 

M-STEP testing starts next week and goes until May 14. Due to bandwidth limitations, students are NOT allowed to use technology during lunch or recess. In addition, teachers CANNOT livestream instructional content, instead it must be downloaded. 

Shout Outs

 

Keystone Staff for all the unknown things that you did this week to ensure that our week went smoothly despite being short staff.

Tully and Kari for jumping in to assist with lunch.    

Stefanie for hosting Paperwork and Pastries. I appreciate all your efforts towards enrollment.   

Diane and Cindy Chuang for always being willing to do whatever it takes. It’s so refreshing knowing that we can come to you and you are open and receptive to new ideas. You have no idea how much we appreciate you!

Stacey for working so diligently with the master schedule. You are a lifesaver.

Jamie and Tameka for all your communication and planning pertaining to M-STEP.

Kim B for checking in on me and offering encouragement.

Steve for thinking of the safety of everyone.

Andria, Robyn, Jenaca, Tracy, Lisa and Sarah P for sending the most High Fives last month from your team.

Jamie for handling our breakfast crisis like a boss. 

Tracy for always popping in and talking with me. I enjoy our mini-conversations.

Tameka, Stacey, Jamie, and Robyn for being lunch aides, classroom teachers, deans, and all the other roles that you had to cover this week. The school could not function without you.

Jessica G for covering PE. Thank you for taking on additional responsibilities.

Sloane for always assisting me with gift ideas.

Sandy for giving me grace in a new role.

Jessica G, Sarah D, and Emma for spending some evenings with the admin team and helping us to make difficult decisions.

Andria for being willing to take on additional responsibilities to support the academic needs of our students.

Theresa for being everywhere this week covering multiple roles.

Jenaca for creating a bulletin board that encourages and motives our students.

Ashley H for asking how she can help! I appreciate you being willing to assist with lunch this week.   

This Week

 

Monday, April 12:

·    Ellen’s Birthday

Friday, April 16:

·    Intent to Return Due

·    Payday Breakfast-4^th Grade

·    DUE: Morning Assembly Presentation-8^th Grade (Earth Day)

Happy Birthday

 

Ellen: April 12