The Key Notes

Important Dates

February 5: Kim B’s Birthday

February 5-9: Candy Gram -Mott’s Children’s Hospital

February 6: New Teacher PD

February 6: SLT Meeting

February 7-9: NHA Multi-Media Project

February 7: Perfect Attendance Reward

February 9: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Presidents’ Day)-Baker

February 9: Payday Breakfast-5^th Grade

February 10: Jessica W’s Birthday

February 13: Staff Meeting

February 13: Staff Meeting Snacks-3^rd Grade

February 14: Count Day

February 14: Show Some Love Spirit Day-FREE

February 15: Regional Y5s-1^st Grade Dance at Arbor Prep

February 16: Breanna’s Birthday

February 16: IAT Meetings

February 16: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Black History Month)-Fletcher

February 19: No School-Presidents’ Day

February 22: Schoolwide Spelling Bee 1:00 PM in Gym

February 23: Spirit Day $1.00

February 23: Bulletin Boards Changed

February 23: Math Con

February 23: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Reading Month Kickoff)-Nelson

February 23: Payday Breakfast-7^th/8^th Grade

February 24: Stefanie’s Birthday

February 25: Lisa’s Birthday

February 26-March 1: School Leadership Appreciation Week

February 27: Wellness Day

February 28: Jessica G’s Birthday

February 29: Family Learning Night

February 29: Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna-5^th Grade

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

CEO & President Visit

NHA’s CEO (Jason Pater) and President (Nick Sheltron) will be visiting Keystone this Tuesday, January 23. They want to meet with the leadership team and then tour the school through classroom observations. Please make sure your student greeters are prepared to welcome them into your classroom. Greeting is an NHA initiative this school year that they want to see in action, along with high quality instruction that is student-led and engaging.

School Calendar Survey Results

Thank you for your valuable feedback regarding the 2024-25 school calendar. Majority of you voted to start school before Labor Day.

You also voted to have August PD the week before school starts and to continue to have parent-teacher conferences at the end of trimester 1 & 2 (November and March).

I will be working on submitting our calendar for approval. Tentatively, the first day of school would be Monday, August 26, with August PD being August 19-23. However, it’s not confirmed until our calendar is approved. The approval process takes several months, but I will provide you with the finalized calendar once it’s approved by NHA and our Board.

Staff Meeting

Due to the snow days, our staff meeting has been rescheduled for next Tuesday. So, starting at 3:45 on Tuesday, 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.

Click here for the agenda.

ABCDE Goals-Positive Behaviors

We set a goal of entering one positive behavior per student every trimester. We are halfway through the trimester, and I hope that you have majority entered. The purpose of this initiative is to decrease our attrition rate. This can only be done if the positive behaviors are genuine. If you try to enter all the behaviors in the last week of the trimester, it takes away from the authenticity. If you haven’t started, I strongly encourage you to start on Monday.

I am so grateful for each staff member that goes above our expectation. It truly makes my heart happy!

Black History Month

In preparation for Black History Month, I want to remind you of our expectations. Each homeroom needs to do an activity each week in honor of Black History Month. Please make sure to focus on the accomplishments and achievements of African Americans, instead of the difficulties that were/are endured. We would like to reserve those topics (slavery, Civil Rights Movements, etc.) for 5^th and 8^th grade where there are standards and resources to support the accuracy and sensitivity that is required to teach these topics.

Furthermore, I want to encourage you to go beyond African American athletics, actors, musicians, and those whom students are already familiar with (MLK, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, etc.). Instead, introduce students to scientists, lawyers, inventors, entrepreneurs, etc. that will broaden their knowledge of the contributions made by so many other African Americans.

Lastly, please invite me into your classroom when you are doing these activities so I can take pictures and include it in the Sunday night phone cast and on our social media pages.

Affirmations

Stacey Ramirez for having “no findings” on the annual attendance audit. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.

Jen D for my sweet treat. Thank you for always including me in your special deliveries.

Stacey Reed, Tameka, Alex, and Robyn for attending a meeting during the snow days. I don’t take your sacrifice of personal time for granted. Thank you for always being willing to do “whatever it takes” to lead our school in excellence.

Steve for always trying to find ways to make things better. Thank you for your shovel recommendation.

Andria, Ellen, and Cindy for benchmarking all our Y5s-3^rd grade students to provide us with consistent and accurate data. I am amazed at how you are able to get it done so quickly without losing your minds.

Kim J and Jeanne for ALL the things that you do that often go unnoticed. You make Keystone better.

Tameka, Stacey Reed, Robyn, Alex, Emma, Ja’Rayl, Jessica G, John, Jen D, Andria, Jen S, Ellen, and Cindy Conti for braving the weather during arrival and dismissal. There have been many days when you have finished, and you were covered in snow and freezing. The parking lot is something that our families dread, but I have heard from so many that you make it better. You. Are. Very. Much. APPRECIATED!

Stephanie and Stacey Ramirez for assisting me with snow day communications.

This Week

Monday, January 22:

· 3-8 ELA & Math Interim 2 (January 22-26)

· Science Interim 2 (3-5, & 7)

· K-2 Numeracy 2 (January 22-26)

Friday, January 26:

· Payday Breakfast-7^th & 8^th Grade

· Grade Level Intervention Meetings

· Spirit Day and Popcorn $1.00 each

· Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Black History Month)-Jordan