The Key Notes : April 2025

Level 2 Blues

We’ve been intentional in our efforts to ensure that Level 2 Behavior Reports are used meaningfully and not excessively, in order to preserve their impact and effectiveness. Last week, we focused on the importance of parent communication. This week, our attention will shift to the role consequences play in reducing Level 2 behaviors.

Consequences

When a Level 2 behavior report is given, it’s essential that a consequence is given.

Consequences help reinforce the idea that choices have outcomes, both positive and negative. Without a follow-through action, even a small one, the behavior report can feel insignificant to the student. It’s the consequence that helps connect the behavior to reflection, responsibility, and ultimately, change.

If you are having difficulties trying to find an appropriate consequence, you can use the examples below or speak to a member of the leadership team for suggestions.

· Apology letter with parent signature

· Restitution for damage or stolen items

· Formal or informal Student-Teacher conference (identify the misbehavior, reteach the appropriate behavior, provide adjusting feedback, allow for practice and/or provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate the appropriate behavior)

· Structured/Supervised Time out (e.g., desk in corner, carpet at back of room)

· Think It Over sheet

· Temporary removal from class to buddy room

· Behavior Mini Course packets located on the “Behavior Site” app or you can click HERE.

Thank you for your continued efforts in making Level 2 behavior reports a valuable and effective part of our student support system.

15-Min O3s

I am looking forward to meeting with each of you next week. Please come to your 15-Min O3 prepared to discuss the following three questions:

· One thing that makes coming to Keystone enjoyable for you.

· One thing we could change to make your work experience better.

· One way that you have grown professionally this year through collaborative coaching with your dean.

Affirmations

Tameka for taking so many unknown variables and making them work. I see you every day hustling, adjusting, and communicating to ensure M-STEP runs smoothly. I’m so grateful that I could entrust you with this big endeavor, knowing you’d pull everything together while making it look easy (although it’s not). Thanks for being someone I can count on.

Robyn M and Stacey Reed for everything that you did to make the 7^th and 8^th grade schedule. I would have been lost without you.

Robyn M for pulling all the data that was needed to make informed class placements.

John for allowing us to use your space for the book fair. Thank you for being mobile the past three days.

Alex for being a dean, AND a 1st grade teacher, AND a 2nd grade teacher. No one—not even me—truly knows the countless hours you spend at home grading papers, creating lesson plans, and communicating with families, all while fulfilling your responsibilities as a dean. Thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made to ensure our 1st and 2nd graders receive a high-quality education.

Stephanie for all of the ordering that you have done recently. I love knowing I can count on you to get it done and at the best price. I truly appreciate you being an intricate part to our positive school culture.

Stacey Ramirez for once again taking my vision and making things beautiful. Our school activities are always so much better because of you.

Tracy for allowing our students another opportunity to support our community. I love that we are adopting an animal.

Lisa for being someone I can trust and count on. I appreciate you helping me with accounting.

Danielle J for helping me clean the staff lounge. I was exhausted and when you stepped in to help, it was a huge sigh of relief.

Tameka for coming in early to turn on all the lights in the front office.

Tameka, Alex, Robyn M, and Stacey Reed for spending your Friday afternoon decorating the front office for appreciation of others.

Stephanie for running multiple errands to get me the best price of food. You are noticed and you are appreciated.

Flo for providing me with a detailed communication timeline. I love how you go above and beyond.

Stephanie and Rachel B for pulling trash in the absence of our custodian. Thanks for seeing a need, and filling a need. You didn’t even hesitate.

Jeanne for taking all the trash outside in the absence of our custodian. You never complained even when you got food all over you. That shows the type of person you are and your willingness to help out always.

Andria for making sure staff morale is high by taking over the candy jar. Thank you for assisting me with this.

Andria, Ellen, Jane, and Cindy for organizing, setting up, breaking down, and assisting students at our book fair. Thank you for being huge contributors to creating cherished memories for our students.

Jen D for sharing encouragement and positivity amongst the staff.

This Week

Wednesday, April :30

· Talent Show 4:30-6:30 PM

· Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna-7^th Grade

Thursday, May 1:

· 5^th Grade Breakfast

Friday, May 2:

· Payday Friday Breakfast-3^rd Grade

Happy Birthday

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

Important Dates

May 5-23: NWEA Testing

May 5-9: Staff Appreciation Week

May 6: Dress Down & Hat $1 each

May 6: SLT Meeting

May 7: Perfect Attendance Rewards

May 7-8: Arts, Beats, and Sweets

May 8: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Asian Pacific American Heritage-What and Why?)-Walczak

May 8: Purple Club

May 9: FINAL IAT Meetings

May 12: NJHS Induction Ceremony

May 13: Staff Meeting

May 13: Staff Meeting Snacks-3^rd Grade

May 15: Band Concert

May 15: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Memorial Day)-Reaume

May 16: Payday Breakfast-Kinder

May 20: MS Goldilocks Play 9:45-11:00

May 22: Y5-8 ORF Benchmarking 3

May 23: Spirit Day $1

May 24: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Asian Pacific American Heritage-Who and How?)-Walczak

May 26: No School-Memorial Day

May 26-30: K-2 Numeracy

May 27: PLC (Team) Meeting

May 30: Payday Breakfast-6^th Grade

May 30: Field Day

May 30: Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna-8^th Grade

June 2: Tri 3 School Store

June 3: Tri 3 School Store Rewards

June 3: Move Up Day

June 3: Staff Meeting

June 3: Staff Meeting Snacks-Leadership Team

June 4: Perfect Attendance Reward

June 4: All Grades Entered

June 5: 8^th Grade Promotion

June 5: Purple Club

June 6: Kinder Promotion

June 6: 8^th Grade Clap Out

June 6: End of Tri 3/Report Cards Go Home

June 6: Last Day of School-1/2 Day

June 9: Ja’Rayl’s Birthday

June 13: Sandy’s Birthday

June 14: Cayla’s Birthday

June 15: Alex’s Birthday

June 26: Magic Show 12-1 PM

June 28: Gloria’s Birthday

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

Secret Staff Spirit Week #2

As we head into the final month of the school year, we know the days can feel long and our energy level starts to decrease—so we’re planning to add a little extra joy to the final weeks to help boost momentum and end the year on a fun, positive note!

Shhh…another Secret Staff Spirit Week is coming at the end of May! As a reminder, a secret spirit week is exclusively for teachers to participate in and be aware of. So do not confirm or deny allegations from students or parents when asked. We want to drive the students crazy like we did in the fall.

As we always do, we are seeking your feedback. Your feedback will ensure that week is something you’ll truly enjoy. Please take a moment to complete this one question survey and share your ideas for different themed days.

1/2 Day PD

As you know, the leadership team used your feedback when designing our ½ day PDs. We are using our ½ day PD on Wednesday for professional development AND additional prep/planning time. You will spend half of the time exploring Social-Emotional Learning based on your feedback (see below).

We also utilized your feedback when selecting SEL topics. Based on your written responses, we identified four key areas of focus. Please take a moment to complete this survey and select two of the four topics that you would be most interested in exploring further during our breakout sessions. Please complete the survey by noon on Monday. For anyone who hasn’t submitted their responses by the deadline, session selections will be made on their behalf.

The remaining 1 ½ hour is yours to prep/plan at your discretion. However, all staff must remain in the building until we launch you at 3:30 PM from the gym. You can see the full ½ PD agenda HERE.

We hope the additional 6 hours of prep that our half days provided this school year reaffirms that “you matter!” As you know, the leadership team loves using your feedback to make our school better!

Level 2 Behaviors

We’ve been working diligently to ensure that Level 2 Behavior Reports are used purposefully—not excessively—so we can reinforce their value.

After taking a closer look, I’ve identified two things that can strengthen the effectiveness of Level 2 behavior reports:

1. Consistently informing parents when a Level 2 is issued

2. Following through with appropriate consequences for students who receive them

This week, I’ll be focusing on the importance of keeping parents informed. Next week, I’ll shift the focus to the significance of assigning appropriate consequences.

Informing Parents

Please ensure that you check the “Include in Daily Behavior Report – Print” box.

· This will automatically email the behavior report to the student’s parent between 4-5 PM each day.

· Recently, we’ve had meetings with several parents regarding concerns about their child’s behavior. When we shared that a pattern of specific behaviors had emerged and that more serious consequences might be necessary, many parents expressed they were unaware of the previous behavior reports we had referenced. After looking into it, we found that in many cases, the box had not been checked, meaning the reports were not sent home. It’s essential that this box is marked every time a behavior report is submitted.

When families are aware of what's happening in the classroom, they’re better equipped to reinforce expectations at home, offer support, and help guide their child toward more positive choices.

Here are a few key reasons why communicating with parents matters:

1. Promotes Accountability – When students know their behavior is being communicated home, it encourages responsibility and helps them understand that their actions have consequences both at school and beyond.

2. Supports Consistency – Consistent messaging between school and home creates a united front. Students benefit when expectations are clear and reinforced in both environments.

3. Builds Trust with Families – Regular, honest communication shows parents that we care about their child’s overall growth—not just academically, but socially and emotionally too. It reassures them that we’re paying attention and want to work with them, not against them.

4. Allows for Early Intervention – Notifying parents early, especially if a pattern is developing, allows time to address concerns before they become bigger challenges.

Affirmations

Falak for going above and beyond to use your artistic abilities to make something personal and heartfelt.

Robyn M for working so hard to make sure our PSAT went smoothly.

Tameka and Stacey Reed for all the hours you spent creating the specials schedule during M-STEP. There were so many variables to consider, I have no idea how you did it. I am in awe of you!

Robyn M and Stephanie for staying late on Friday to help me make a lot of parent phone calls. We wouldn’t have reached our goal without you two!

Tracy for organizing our Earth Day clean up. Our school grounds look SO much better.

Jen D for providing our families with resources. Your compassion knows no bounds.

Tracy for allowing our students another opportunity to support our community. I love that we are adopting an animal.

Alex, Stefanie, Mandy, Kim B, Lisa, Megan, Flo, Theresa, and Sandy for hosting ANOTHER Kinder Camp for our registered students. You have truly supported our school enrollment goals.

Stacey Ramirez for my sweet treat! To be thought of…just because really makes me feel special.

Stacey Reed, Morgan, Rachel, Holly, Jen S, and Laurie for being in IEP meetings all day. Thank you for your commitment to our students.

Holly for enhancing my project. I really appreciate that I can call on you at the last moment and you create something better than I imagined.

Stacey Reed for allowing a student to test in your office twice so we can make informed decisions.

Cindy, Jane, Andria, and Ellen for not hesitating to teach art, even at the sacrifice of your planning time. Thank you for jumping in and supporting others.