NHA App Communication

During August PD, we talked about NHA’s commitment to communication that is Quick, Clear, and Kind.

These three communication principles make a big difference in how we serve our families and build a strong school community.

NHA is monitoring our communication practices, and I’m excited to recognize the Top 3 staff members in each category! 

Congratulations to Emily Caruso who is in the top 3 for all categories!

Thank you to everyone for being intentional with your communication practices that serve as a model of our Core Value, “Make our school the best choice for parents and students.”

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 this required form before Friday, September 25. 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. 

Out of the Office

 

Sally, Robyn, and I will be out of the building on Wednesday attending CPI training at Arbor Prep High School. Tameka will be the acting principal for the day.

Stacey will be in the building, but she will be supporting our Special Education Open House throughout the day. With only one active member from the leadership team available, please support Tameka by handling situations at the classroom level whenever possible.

ABCDE Goals-Attendance

 

Congratulations to Mr. Higgins’ and Mrs. Roberts’ classes for spelling the word, HERE. We are making great strides toward our attendance goal! We have already decreased chronic absenteeism by 11% YTD, and it’s early in the school year. That is HUGE!

Thank you for everything you do each day to make this progress possible.

Affirmations

 

Robyn and Tameka for setting up all the cones outside to help keep our students safe and ensure GoTime runs efficiently.

Stacey Reed for facilitating our family event and making sure our new families feel welcomed and connected to the Keystone community.

Sally for going above and beyond to support your team during a time of transition. You have taken on newsletters, lesson plans, test administration, and so much more while continuing to carry the responsibilities of being a dean. Your flexibility, dedication, and willingness to step in have made a tremendous difference. Thank you for being the kind of leader who sees a need and fills a need.

Stacey Ramirez and Stephanie for taking the time to listen to and address a parent concern, allowing me to focus on other priorities while knowing the family was being heard and supported.

Theresa and Sandy for stepping up to lead instruction in the classroom when the dean needed to step away to handle her other responsibilities. Thank you for your flexibility and willingness to jump in and support the team.

Andria and Cindy for helping create a safe and secure environment for our students, and Stacey Reed for always being ready to step in as backup when needed.

Teri for stepping in to support our morning assembly by taking pictures of our Moral Focus students when you noticed no one else was doing it. You saw a need and took the initiative to fill in without being asked.

Tracy for not hesitating to share the field this spring with a new club initiative. Your flexibility and willingness to collaborate show what it means to put our students first. Thank you for being so supportive and helping create more opportunities for our Keystone students.

This Week

 

Sunday, September 20:

     ·      Tammy’s Birthday

Monday, September 21:

     ·      Fall Picture Day

Tuesday, September 22:

     ·      Education Benefits & Parent-Student Compact Jeans w/Appropriate Top Day

     ·      PLC Meetings 

Wednesday, September 23:

     ·      SpEd Open House

     ·      Jorvonna, Robyn, and Sally Out of the Building (CPI Training)-Tameka Acting Principal

Thursday, September 24:

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

     ·      Jacquelyn’s Birthday

Friday, September 25:

     ·      Spirit Day $1.00 and Popcorn $1.00

     ·      Dolly Parton Spirit Day for Staff

     ·      Y5/Kinder Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna

Happy Birthday

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

Important Dates

September 28: Jorvonna Out of the Building (Bay Mills)-Robyn Acting Principal

September 29: Sally’s Birthday

October 1: Field Trip Location & Date Submitted to Jorvonna

October 2: Progress Report

October 2: Payday Friday Breakfast-2^nd Grade

October 3: Emily’s Birthday

October 5: Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Kindness—Students may wear a yellow or gold top with jeans for FREE.

October 6: Breast Cancer Awareness-wear pink shirt w/jeans for $1.00

October 6: SLT Meeting @3:50

October 7: Perfect Attendance Reward

October 7: Count Day

October 8: Aimee’s Birthday

October 8: Purple Club

October 8: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)-Patton

October 9: GL Intervention Meeting

October 10: Monique’s Birthday

October 12: Anti-bullying Unity Day—Have the Courage to Roar! Students may wear an orange shirt with jeans FREE

October 13: Staff Meeting

October 13: Staff Meeting Snacks-4^th Grade

October 14: ½ Day Dismissal at 11:20 AM 

October 14: ½ Day PD Snacks-ABSS/EL

October 15: Family Learning Night

October 15: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Bullying Prevention Month)-Dietz

October 15: Courtney’s Birthday

October 16: Payday Friday Breakfast-1^st Grade

October 19: Glow Like Glenda—Students may wear a sequin, sparkle, or neon top with jeans for $1.00.

October 19-23: Coat Drive

October 21: Robyn P’s Birthday

October 22: Jeans w/School Appropriate Top and Hat $1.00 each

October 22: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (American Indian Heritage Month-What and Why)-Phetteplace

October 23: Trunk or Treat

October 23: MTSS/IAT Meetings

October 25: Kim J’s Birthday

October 26: Somewhere Over the Rainbow—Students may wear their favorite color shirt with jeans for $1.00.

October 26: David’s Birthday

October 27: PLC (Team) Meeting

October 27 & 28: Sunrise Social

October 30: Spirit Day & Popcorn $1.00 each

October 30: Payday Friday Breakfast-Specials

October 30: Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna-1^st Grade

October 26-30: 3-8 ELA & Math Interim 1

October 26-30: Science Interim 1 (3-4 & 6-8)

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

School Goal-Positive Behavior Rewards

One of our school goals is to decrease our total number of student behavior counts by 3% (52 total) from the 2025-26 SY to 2026-27 SY. During our staff meeting, we discussed ways to encourage and celebrate positive individual student behaviors. All the examples provided came from each of you—which means these are strategies that actually work.

The best part? This reward system doesn’t cost you anything!

As a reminder, you are not required to use this specific system. Choose what works best for your classroom and students—the key is to be intentional about recognizing and reinforcing individual positive behaviors.

While this system is for individual students, please continue to implement whole classroom rewards too! You can use whole classroom rewards such as tech time, extra recess, movie time, etc. Speak with your team lead or dean if you need additional ideas for whole classroom rewards.

Click here to review our no-cost positive behavior reward system for individual students.

Tech Time

 

Tech Time has been a long-standing whole class reward option at Keystone, and we want to continue using it as a meaningful way to celebrate positive behavior and class success.

Moving forward, we are putting a parent acknowledgment process in place to ensure that families are aware of the expectations and understand the guidelines for participating.

To make this a simple and easy process for you, the leadership team has created a Tech Time Parent Agreement template in the NHA App that will allow us to maintain consistent messaging and expectations across the school.

Before students can participate in Tech Time, a parent/guardian must acknowledge the Tech Time expectations and agreement.

Please follow these steps:

1.    Create a post in the NHA App

2.    Use the Tech Time Parent Agreement template by following these instructions

3.    Do not allow students to participate in Tech Time until a parent/guardian has acknowledged the agreement.

Our goal is to ensure that students, staff, and families are all on the same page regarding device use, appropriate content, safety, and expectations. You can read the parent acknowledgement HERE to be informed on what you are sending to your families.

Thank you for helping us ensure consistency and clarity across all classrooms!

Parent Volunteers

One of our Core Values is to “Make our school the best choice for parents and students.” During our staff meeting, the team leads shared low-effort, high-impact ways to increase parent involvement in your classrooms. As a reminder, it is our expectation that each classroom provides at least one opportunity per trimester for parents to volunteer. For Trimester 1, you may count your grade-level event; however, let’s continue looking for simple ways to bring families into the classroom for Trimester 2 and 3.

Stacey Reed created and used the following forms for parent volunteers in her classroom: Classroom Volunteer form and Confidentiality Notice. Although not required, these resources are available for you to use and adapt as needed to fit your classroom and volunteer needs.

When parents feel connected to and informed about their child’s classroom experience, they are more likely to partner with teachers when challenges arise and work together to support their child’s success. Even simple opportunities to welcome parents into the classroom can help build that connection.

Attendance Matters

 

Congratulations to Ms. Phetteplace’s and Mr. Cheng’s class for spelling the word, HERE.

Affirmations

 

Sally for all the planning, organization, and behind-the-scenes work you’ve put into our new student birthday recognition initiative. Your attention to detail is helping us create a special and consistent way to celebrate our students on their birthdays.

Steve for once again making my mornings better with your thoughtfulness.

Jessica for presenting at the staff meeting. I loved the creative way you emphasized the importance of Keystone Cash.

Ja’Rayl for finding a cost-effective way for us to continue using our soccer field. Your resourcefulness is appreciated.

Cayla, Sarah, and Yasmeen for welcoming not only the entire Leadership Team, but also our DSQ and Executive DSQ, into your classrooms to see the wonderful instruction happening at Keystone. Thank you for opening your doors and allowing us to see your great work in action.

Sally for your creative idea for improving our dismissal process.

Alex for conducting two parent calls that provided each family with a sense of comfort and reassurance. Thank you for dusting off those Dean skills. 

Sally for making "awkward" fun at Keystone.

Steve and Tracy for staying late to conduct our middle school meetings with parents.  

This Week

 

Monday, September 14:

     ·      1-2 Fall Math Numeracy (September 14-18)

Tuesday, September 15:

     ·      Taylor’s Birthday

     ·      Dismissal Extra Prep Begins

Wednesday, September 16:

     ·      Education Benefit Form & School-Parent Compact Due

Thursday, September 17:

    ·      Constitution Day

    ·      Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Hispanic-Latino Month: Who & How)-Khafagi

Friday, September 18:

    ·      Rachel’s Birthday

    ·      Social Contract Posted

    ·      Substitute Binder Due

·      Payday Breakfast-3^rd Grade

Happy Birthday

 

Important Dates

 

September 20: Tammy’s Birthday

September 21: Fall Picture Day

September 22: Education Benefits & Parent-Student Compact Jeans w/Appropriate Top Day

September 22: PLC Meetings 

September 23: SpEd Open House

September 24: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Global Diversity Awareness Month)-Robinson

September 24: Jacquelyn’s Birthday

September 25: Spirit Day $1.00 and Popcorn $1.00

September 25: Dolly Parton Spirit Day for Staff

September 25: Y5/Kinder Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna

September 28: Jorvonna Out of the Building (Bay Mills)-Robyn Acting Principal

September 29: Sally’s Birthday

October 1: Field Trip Location & Date Submitted to Jorvonna 

 

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

Staff Meeting

Starting at 3:45, please go to the staff lounge to sign in, pick up documents, and grab some snacks. Our staff meeting will begin promptly at 4:00 pm in the technology room in the middle school hallway.

Please click here for the agenda.

ABCDE Goals-Positive Behaviors

 

One of our school goals is to decrease our total number of student behavior counts by 3% (52 total) from the 2025-26 SY to 2026-27 SY. One way we can achieve this goal is by consistently recognizing and recording positive student behaviors. Every staff member is expected to enter positive behaviors. Classroom teachers should enter at least one positive behavior per student each trimester for their homeroom. Specials and auxiliary staff should enter positive behaviors for their caseloads, or for a minimum of 25 students per trimester. This initiative is powerful because it reinforces positive choices, motivates students, and fosters a classroom culture with fewer disruptions and greater focus on learning. Your efforts are making a real difference in our school community. Thank you for everything that you do that embodies our Core Value “Behave with Care.”

Substitute Binder

 

One of our Core Values is to “take ownership for the success of our students.” To do this, it’s important that quality instruction occurs even when there is a substitute teacher. Please make sure to complete this substitute binder checklist by September 18 and turn it into your dean.

Staff Children

 

As a reminder, if you have children that attend Keystone, please see our expectations below. 

     1.    Please make sure your child is not roaming the building unattended. It’s fine if they are going to a designation alone, but they shouldn’t just be walking around.

It’s a safety concern for the student and liability for the building.  This also causes other staff members to spend time addressing behaviors or concerns when they are here early or staying later to accomplish work.

 

     2.    Children of staff members are not allowed in the staff lounge and shouldn’t be eating the items brought for the staff.

We work hard to keep the staff lounge a place where everyone can step away from work and engage in “safe” conversations and activities without the concern of little eyes and ears. We also commit to bringing in food for the staff, but we have many staff member kids here and if they are eating the food, many staff members that participate in these activities miss out on the opportunity because items are gone.

 

     3.    Children of staff members need to stay in their classroom until Go Time has ended. They should not be in their parent’s classroom before 3:45 pm. 

While you still have your students in your classroom, you are responsible for supervising them and half of another class due to “extra prep.” That’s already an abundance of students in one classroom, we shouldn’t be adding anymore with staff children.  

ABCDE Goal-Attendance

Congratulations to Mrs. Reaume’s and Ms. Caruso’s class for spelling the word, HERE. We are starting off strong with our attendance initiatives. We have already had a 2% increase in our perfect attendance in comparison to last year (YTD).

Affirmations

 

Taylor for going above and beyond to secure our attendance field experiences at an affordable rate and helping make these opportunities possible for our students.

Ellen for continuously finding creative ways to strengthen our school culture and create meaningful opportunities for staff to connect and celebrate.

Stacey Ramirez for seeking out additional funding opportunities that allow us to provide special experiences to show appreciation to the staff.

Tracy for once again using your knowledge to help me keep everything organized and on track.

Stacey Reed for taking on all the extra work of tracking down and correcting IEP paperwork for our new students and making sure they receive the appropriate services and support they need to be successful.

Ja’Rayl for entering all the coaching information in Oracle. Thank you for taking care of that for me!

Andria, Ellen, Mark, Cindy, Jen D, Amanda, Linsey, Kathleen, Teri, Steve, Yasmeen, Lynne, and Monique for adding your favorite song to our staff meeting playlist. Thank you for sharing your love of music and giving us a glimpse into what you enjoy.