School Connect

 

One of our Core Values is “Make our school the best choice for parents and students.” Every year, our parents express their appreciation for how well we keep them informed through the Voice of the Parent survey results.

To continue to provide effective communication between home and school, we need to be mindful of the number of communications that are sent each week. It’s a best practice to only send your newsletter and possibly one other post (if you forgot something) a week. Parents shouldn’t be receiving 3 or more communications per week because it can be overwhelming, especially if they have more than one student. Thank you for ensuring our communications are clear and concise! 

Assessments & Grading

 

As a reminder, the purpose of this grading and autonomy document is to provide clarity and consistency around grading expectations while also supporting teacher autonomy. By establishing shared guidelines, we ensure fairness for students, alignment across grade levels, and transparency for families. At the same time, teachers maintain professional judgment in how they design and implement assessments within these parameters.

Our goal is to create a system that is equitable, consistent, and focused on accurately reflecting student learning and growth.

Board Holiday Gift

 

Please complete this survey if you have any ideas for this year’s holiday gift from our board.

Employee Referral Program

 

The NHA Employee Referral Program, Refer & Earn, is designed to reward employees for referring friends and family to NHA for employment opportunities.

The goal of the program is to incentivize employees to make connections and help NHA find candidates who share the same passion as NHA to impact the lives of the students we serve. Please click here to learn about the guidelines and bonus payout amounts.

Leadership Observation

 

For the month of October, leadership calibration observations will focus on the Teaching competency.

Please take a moment to review the teaching competency in this document, which highlights what we’ll be looking for when we observe you in action. Remember, this isn’t about “gotchas”—it’s about supporting you, building consistency across classrooms, and ensuring every student benefits from high-quality teaching. If you have any questions or would like to talk through the expectations, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re in this together!

Affirmations

 

Gloria for the unexpected gift. Thank you for thinking of me.  

Jessica S for finding a creative (and hilarious) way to deal with student behavior.

Steve for trouble shooting our projector issues in the gym. Thank you for taking on an additional task that has nothing to do with your role. 

Falak, Kathleen, Amy, Flo, Mandy, Megan, Jessica W, Alex, Sarah M, Cayla, Teri, Aimee, Danielle, Diane, Steve, Yasmeen, Sarah G, Tracy and Emily for getting 100% of both forms turned in by last Friday. Thank you for going above and beyond.

Amanda for sharing your little piece of joy with me.

Stacey Reed for consistently making my mornings better with your generosity.

Jen H and Kathleen for collaborating and effectively applying our ABSS process to support Level 2 behaviors.

Sally for reassembling calendars so we can create fun memories for staff.

Stephanie for always helping me figure out dimensions. You coming in anticipation of my weakness is truly funny.

Stephanie for ordering all the items for two separate events. I really appreciate you being willing to do extra things to save money. 

Jen D for providing me and the girls with a treat. Your thoughtfulness extends beyond me.

Taylor for making Strive for 5 work for our school. 

Stacey Ramirez for being a listening ear as I finalize the schoolwide game. You motivate me to make this better. 

Robyn M for organizing our first middle school dance. You've went above and beyond to make this a special night for our students from creating a flyer, finding a theme, buying/ordering food, securing a D.J. and so much more. 

Tameka for organizing peer observations. Thank you for ensuring our staff have this opportunity.

This Week

 

Monday, September 29:

     ·      Sally’s Birthday

     ·      Jorvonna Out of the Building (Bay Mills PD)-Robyn Acting Principal

Tuesday, September 30:

     ·      Jorvonna Out of the Building (Bay Mills PD)-Stacey Acting Principal

Wednesday, October 1:

     ·      Field Trip Location & Date Submitted to Jorvonna 

     ·      Count Day-Free Dress Down Day

Thursday, October 2:

     ·      Purple Club

     ·      Falak’s Birthday

Friday, October 3:

     ·      Emily’s Birthday

     ·      Progress Reports

     ·      Payday Friday Breakfast-5^th Grade

Happy Birthday

 

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

Important Dates

 

October 6-10: Coat Drive

October 6: October 6: “Game Piece”-Dress as your favorite game piece or color for $1.00.

October 7: SLT Meeting

October 7: Nikki’s Birthday

October 7: Breast Cancer Awareness-wear pink shirt w/jeans for $1.00

October 8: Aimee’s Birthday

October 8: Perfect Attendance Reward

October 9: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)-Phetteplace

October 10: Leadership Committee Agendas Due to Tameka

October 10: Monique’s Birthday

October 14: Staff Meeting

October 14: Staff Meeting Snacks-ABSS & EL

October 15: Courtney’s Birthday

October 15: ½ Day-Staff PD  

October 15: ½ Day Snacks-Kinder

October 15: “Anti-bullying Unity Day”-wear an orange shirt with jeans for FREE

October 16: Family Learning Night

October 16: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Bullying Prevention Day)-Higgins

October 17: Intervention Meetings

October 17: Payday Friday Breakfast-8^th Grade

October 21: Robyn P’s Birthday

October 21: Picture Retake

October 21: Year 2 30 Hour PD

October 22: “All In for Kindness” (Card Game Inspiration)-Dress in any combination of red, black, or white for $1.00.

October 23: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (American Indian Heritage-What and Why?)-Patton

October 24: MTSS (IAT) Meetings

October 24: Parent & Student Compacts Due to Stephanie

October 24: Trunk or Treat

October 25: Kim J’s Birthday

October 27-31: 3-8 ELA & Math Interim 1

October 27-31: Science Interim 1 (3-4 & 6-8)

October 28: Team PLC Meetings

October 29: “Game Show Lights”-neon tops and jeans for FREE

October 31: Payday Friday Breakfast-Front Office

October 31: Spirit Day & Popcorn $1.00 each

October 31: Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna-1^st Grade

 

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

 I am happy to announce that we have seen a significant decrease in our chronic absenteeism rate (YTD). This is due to the collective efforts of everyone.

If you are copied on an email from Taylor regarding a student who has accumulated multiple absences and is approaching a next step, please partner with her by promptly communicating if that student continues to be absent. This helps us accurately track attendance and hold parents accountable.

A special thank you to Flo, Megan, Amy, Tracy, Kathleen, Alex, Falak, and Jessica W for keeping Taylor informed about students who continue to miss school after the initial email.

Core Values_BWC

 One of our Core Values is to “behave with care.” We want to encourage our staff to use Motivosity. To create a school culture built on respect and positivity, any staff member that sends 5 recognitions each month will receive a jeans pass. Please make sure to notify your dean to receive your jeans pass.  

Peer Observations

 

Don’t forget to fill out this Google Form by September 26 if you would like to participate in peer observations. 

Leadership Opportunities

 

Please make sure you take time to meet with your leadership committee and complete this agenda. Leadership committee agendas are due to Tameka on October 10.

ABCDE Goal-Attendance

 

Congratulations to Ms. Lowe, Mrs. Jeng, Mrs. Baker, and Mrs. Kaminksi’s classes for spelling the word, HERE! I am thrilled with the number of classrooms that have already accomplished this so early in the school year.

Affirmations

 

Kathleen for assisting with pest control.

Jessica S for finding a creative (and hilarious) way to deal with student behavior.

Taylor for creating a survey to recognize perfect attendance.  

Stacey Reed for presenting important information to our families.

Stacey Reed, Ellen, Andria, Jane, Cindy, Stefanie, Jen D, Kim J, and Jen H for taking the time to attend a parent meeting.

Robyn for arranging and creating coverage for arrival and dismissal. Thank you for showing care to all.  

Lisa and Cayla for being flexible with the 15-min O3 schedule.   

Stacey Reed for creating editable documents for the leadership team.

Christina for your kind message that put a smile on my face.

Stephanie for getting all the forms and communication sent out in a timely manner. 

Sally for pulling data on students to help me make an informed decision.

Robyn for taking the initiative to respond to a parent.

Tameka for providing our staff with schoolwide fun.

This Week

 

Monday, September 22:

     ·      Education Benefits & Parent-Student Compact Dress Down Day 

Tuesday, September 23:

     ·      Team PLC Meetings 

Thursday, September 25:

    ·      Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Global Diversity Awareness Month)-Khafagi

Friday, September 26:

    ·      Y5/Kinder Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna

    ·      Spirit Day $1.00 and Popcorn $1.00

    ·      Staff Contact Forms Due to Stephanie

Important Dates

 

September 29: Sally’s Birthday

September 29: Jorvonna Out of the Building (Bay Mills PD)-Robyn Acting Principal

September 30: Jorvonna Out of the Building (Bay Mills PD)-Stacey Acting Principal

October 1: Field Trip Location & Date Submitted to Jorvonna  

October 1: Count Day-Free Dress Down Day

October 2: Purple Club

October 2: Falak’s Birthday

October 3: Emily’s Birthday

October 3: Progress Reports

October 3: Payday Friday Breakfast-5^th Grade

October 6-10: Coat Drive

October 6: “Game Piece”-Dress as your favorite game piece or color for $1.00.

October 7: SLT Meeting

October 7: Nikki’s Birthday

October 7: Breast Cancer Awareness-wear pink shirt w/jeans for $1.00

October 8: Aimee’s Birthday

October 8: Perfect Attendance Reward

October 9: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)-Phetteplace

October 10: Leadership Committee Agendas Due to Tameka

October 10: Monique’s Birthday

October 14: Staff Meeting

October 14: Staff Meeting Snacks-ABSS & EL

October 15: Courtney’s Birthday

October 15: ½ Day-Staff PD  

October 15: ½ Day Snacks-Kinder

October 15: “Anti-bullying Unity Day”-wear an orange shirt with jeans for FREE

October 16: Family Learning Night

October 16: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Bullying Prevention Day)-Higgins

October 17: Intervention Meetings

October 17: Payday Friday Breakfast-8^th Grade

October 21: Robyn P’s Birthday

October 21: Picture Retake

October 21: Year 2 30 Hour PD

October 22: “All In for Kindness” (Card Game Inspiration)-Dress in any combination of red, black, or white for $1.00.

October 23: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (American Indian Heritage-What and Why?)-Patton

October 24: MTSS (IAT) Meetings

October 24: Parent & Student Compacts Due to Stephanie

October 24: Trunk or Treat

October 25: Kim J’s Birthday

October 27-31: 3-8 ELA & Math Interim 1

October 27-31: Science Interim 1 (3-4 & 6-8)

October 28: Team PLC Meetings

October 29: “Game Show Lights”-neon tops and jeans for FREE

October 31: Payday Friday Breakfast-Front Office

October 31: Spirit Day & Popcorn $1.00 each

October 31: Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna-1^st Grade

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

Student Behavior

One of our school goals is to decrease our total number of student behavior counts by 3% from 2,416 in the 2024-25 SY to 2,344.

One way we can achieve this goal is by consistently implementing the Tier 1 and Tier 2 behavior strategies we discussed during August PD and reviewed at last week’s staff meeting. I shared these strategies based on our Top 3 Behavior Incidents, and then you collaborated as a team to create these additional strategies and action steps to address those behaviors. Please reference both documents frequently as you respond to student behaviors.

Thank you for everything that you do that embodies our Core Value “behave with care.”

Peer Observations

 

The leadership team would like to offer peer observations again this year. You will have two opportunities (October/November and February/March) to observe your colleague through this formal process. However, teachers are free to set up additional observation times to take place during open times in their schedule.

To participate in the first round of peer observations, please follow the steps below.

Step 1: Set goals for desired areas of growth with your dean.

Step 2: Request a peer observation by filling out the required Google Form before Friday, September 26. The first round of observations will take place during the months of October and November.

Step 3: The leadership team will set up a 30-45-minute observation based on teacher request and send calendar invites.

Step 4: Teacher will complete this Professional Development Peer Observation form and return to your dean the day after the observation takes place.

Step 5: Debrief with your dean during the following O3 and discuss next steps. 

By doing peer observations, it provides valuable opportunities for reflection, gives insight into teaching practices, mutual professional development, and quality improvement in teaching and learning. Peer observations are not required but provided as an additional way to support teacher growth and development. 

15-Min O3s

 

Every year, I like to hold 15-minute O3s with each staff member at the beginning and middle of the school year. These O3s are an opportunity for us to connect. As we approach the end of the first month of school, I want to check in and hear how you’re feeling about everything. Please come to your O3 ready to share one thing you are enjoying about this school year and one thing that, if changed, could improve Keystone.

I am asking ALL staff members to please use this link to sign up by noon this Wednesday, September 17.

The 15-minute O3s will occur September 22-26. I will be sending out calendar invites next Friday. I look forward to spending this time with you!