Classroom Holiday Parties

 

If you are having a classroom holiday party, it must be on December 19 for the last hour of the day. Please remember to keep activities focused on winter, not Christmas, out of respect to all students. 

It's important that you remind families of our policy regarding food items. In our handbook it states, “…only items that are bought directly from the store and with an ingredient list may be brought into school. No homemade treats may be brought in for sharing due to potential allergen exposure.”

Affirmations

 

Steve for thinking of me and providing me with such a sweet treat once again! I truly appreciate your thoughtfulness—it means a lot to me.

Leslie for taking on an additional role out of dedication to what’s best for our school. Your willingness to step in and support our community does not go unnoticed and is truly appreciated.

Jen H and Kim J for bringing a little extra sweetness to Keystone! Your idea for the Pie Potluck was creative, fun, and made everyone smile.

Sally for masterminding such a fun and memorable staff activity! The week-long turkey hunt had everyone searching, teaming up, and sharing laughs—it was a fantastic way to bring some joy and camaraderie to our school.

Taylor for volunteering to help with Trimester 1 recess! Your willingness to jump in doesn’t go unnoticed.

Ellen for organizing such a thoughtful and fun way for our Keystone family to support Jen while she’s out. Your effort to bring a little joy and let her know we’re thinking of her truly shows your care and dedication to our team.

Stephanie for taking charge of finding the winter items for the front office. Your willingness to take on this extra task means a lot to me.

Alex for the reminder! You consistently go above and beyond to make sure I don’t forget anything and that everything runs smoothly.

Stacey Ramirez for once again taking my vision and making it a reality. Thanks for your creativity with the 12 Days Before Winter Break flyer. I really appreciate all you do.

Jen D for your positivity and willingness to try something new.

Stacey Reed for all the things that you do behind the scenes that set me up for success.

Tameka, Robyn, and Sally for ensuring that we create a culture of care while strengthening our connection between home and school. Thanks for all your work with positive behaviors.

Ellen for relinquishing your “only child” status and sharing with me. I think this makes us sisters.

Amy for your honesty, but also the care and intentionality behind your words.

The Next Two Weeks

 

Sunday, November 23:

     ·      Steve’s Birthday

Monday, November 24:

     ·      PT Conferences (4-8 PM) In-person

     ·      Book Fair (November 24-25)

Tuesday, November 25:

     ·      PT Conferences (12-4 PM) In-person

     ·      ½ Day-Dismissal at 11:20 AM

Wednesday, November 26-Friday, November 28:

     ·      No School-Thanksgiving Break

Monday, December 1:

     ·      Goodfellows Canned Food Drive (December 1-5)

     ·      K-2 Winter NWEA (December 1-12)

     ·      Yasmeen’s Birthday

     ·      Start Decorating Hallway Doors- “Deck the Halls”

Wednesday, December 3:

     ·      Perfect Attendance Reward

Thursday, December 4:

     ·      30 Hour PD

     ·      Purple Club

     ·      Morning Assembly Presentation Due (National Human Rights Month)-Jeng

     ·      Band Concert 6 PM

     ·      Complete “Deck the Halls” Decorating

Friday, December 5:

     ·      "Bundt'ch of Holiday Cheer" Treat

     ·      Dress Down and Hat $1 each

Happy Birthday

 

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

Important Dates

December 8: Jen H’s Birthday

December 8: “May Your Holidays be Lit!" Gift from Leadership Team

December 9: Staff Meeting

December 9: Staff Meeting Snacks-5^th Grade

December 9: "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" Dress in your interpretation of winter--puffy vests, winter hats, all white, etc. -FREE (Students may participate)

December 10-12: Holiday Shoppe

December 10: ½ Day-Reunification PD

December 10: ½ Day Snacks-6^th Grade

December 10: “Sleigh the Ice, Stay Merry & Bright!” Gift from Leadership Team

December 10: Parent Teacher Conference Form Due to Ramirez

December 11: Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Bill of Rights Day)-Thomas

December 11: “Swingin’ into the Season” Activity

December 12: “May Your Morning Sparkle” Breakfast from Meemic

December 12: Judy’s Birthday

December 12: MTSS/IAT Meetings

December 14: Jen D’s Birthday

December 15: "Be Cozy and Bright" (Harper Toy Drive)-Wear jeans with a bright, sparkly, festive, and/or ugly holiday sweaters for $1 (Students may participate)

December 16: "Cup of Cheer" Hot Chocolate Cart and Activity from PTO

December 16: PLC (Team Meeting)

December 17: "On the 12th Day Before Break My Students Came to Me…" Activity

December 18: “We’re Flannelling in the Fun this Winter” Wear a flannel or plaid shirt with jeans-FREE (Students may participate)

December 19: 3^rd Grade Social Media Post Due to Jorvonna

December 19: “A Small Gift with Big Cheer!” Gift from Board

December 19: Spirit Day

December 22-January 2: No School-Winter Break

December 28: John’s Birthday

December 30: Emma’s Birthday

January 5: School Resumes

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

ABCDE Goal-Chronic Absenteeism

For our monthly attendance goal update, I usually share data specific to our school. However, in my boss’s newsletter last week, she included chronic absenteeism rates across our region, and I wanted to share that with you to provide some perspective on the tremendous work you’ve been doing.

As you can see, we’ve achieved the largest decrease in absenteeism compared to the other six schools in our region, and we rank 2^nd for the lowest chronic absenteeism rate—with only a 1% difference.

This incredible progress reflects the hard work, dedication, and care of our entire team—thank you for supporting our students and helping make regular attendance a priority!

Reminder: when you are copied on an email from Taylor regarding a student who has accumulated multiple absences and is approaching a next step, please continue to partner with her by promptly communicating if that student continues to be absent. This helps us accurately track attendance and hold parents accountable, ensuring we maintain the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve.

P/T Conferences

As a reminder the last day for parents to sign up for conferences has past. You will need to assign a time for any student who hasn’t signed up by November 18. 

In addition, our wonderful PTO has selected the menu for P/T conferences (see below).

Welcome to the Team

We have two new staff members. Our new Site Coordinator, Will Wells, works M-F from 12-8 PM. In addition, we have a new Occupational Therapist, Laura Turnbull. She works Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please give them a warm Keystone welcome when you see them.

ABCDE Goal-Attendance

 

Congratulations to Mrs. Kaminski’s class for spelling the word, ATTENDANCE. They are the first class. I look forward to them spelling our attendance phrase, Show Up Strong, All Year Long. If she is able to accomplish this, the prizes will be BIG!