Dear Keystone Families and Staff,

We are excited to welcome the new month of April, filled with a variety of fun and exciting activities for our learners. The month of April celebrates Autism Awareness and is also the Month of the Military Child. In addition, starting April 23rd, our students in grades 3rd-5th will be taking the PSSAs.

For those who celebrate, Eid al-Fitr. Wishing you a joyous celebration filled with gratitude and togetherness.

Tuesday, April 2nd is National Paraprofessional Day. We want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our amazing paraprofessionals. Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering support make such a difference in the lives of our students. You help create a positive, inclusive, and caring learning environment, and we are so lucky to have you on our team. Thank you for everything you do!

Reminders:

📎 No School for Students- Monday, March 31st

There will be no school for students on Monday, March 31st, as the staff will be participating in professional development activities.

📓Kindergarten for 2025-2026

Registration will open starting April 1st, for incoming kindergartners for the 2025-2026 school year. For any questions please email marianne.mensinger@bristoltwpsd.org .

💚Autism Awareness Assembly – April 1st

On Tuesday, April 1st, we will be hosting Autism Awareness assemblies. We are encouraging all staff and students to wear green or Eagles gear to show support for the presenter's favorite sports team and color. We want to make sure that our guest speaker feels welcomed, appreciated, and part of our amazing Keystone community!

🎥6ABC News will be joining us at Keystone for the afternoon assembly and the end-of-day bubbles event. We’re excited to have the news crew with us to capture the spirit of diversity, inclusion, and kindness that makes Keystone Elementary School so special!

We also will be live streaming our first assembly, starting around 9:45am, via our Youtube Keystone News Network.

💙World Autism Awareness Day- Wednesday, April 2nd

Students and staff are encouraged to wear the color blue.

As we welcome the warmer weather and longer days, let's make the most of this month and embrace all the opportunities and adventures it has in store for us. Here's to a fantastic April filled with joy, success, and happiness. We look forward to seeing all of the amazing things our students will accomplish. Let's make the month of April amazing!

Respectfully,

Mrs. Smith-Herman & Mr. Wilicki

Smencils will be sold.

Wear Keystone Paw Shirt

Pretzels $1

(Money needs to be turned in by Thursday to get a pretzel on Fridays.)

March 31st

Wear Green or Eagles clothing

April 1st

Wear blue

April 2nd

Wednesday, April 2nd

April 7th- April 15th

Students will visit the book far during their scheduled library time.

We are encouraging all to wear purple on April 16.

Thursday, April 17th- No School/Offices Open

Friday, April 18th- No School/Offices Closed

Monday, April 21st- No School/Offices Closed

Please consider donating a dollar to wear pajamas to school.

Proceeds will go to support PTO initiatives.

Tuesday, April 22nd

April 23-25- ELA (3rd, 4th, 5th)- AM

*Make-ups in the PM

April 28-29- Math (3rd, 4th, 5th)- AM

*Make-ups in the PM

April 30th-May 1st- 5th Grade Science- AM

*Make-ups in the PM

Orders need to be in by April 28th.

Wednesday, May 14th, with a rain date of Thursday, May 15th.

May 14th at 7 pm

May 21st and 22nd

6:00-8:00pm

June 5th- Kindergarten/First- AM

June 5th- 2nd/3rd- PM

June 6th- 4th/5th- AM

Rain Dates- June 9th and 10th

Friday, June 13th

Tuesday, June 17th

Week 1: July 28-Aug 1st

Week 2: August 4th-8th

9:00-11:30am

Certified Autism Center Information

From their website: "Crayola Experience is proud to offer an exclusive night for families and guests with special needs. Enjoy a fun, creative,night filled with 25 hands-on attractions in a quiet environment (so no music!) Our staff will be there to take care of all needs so your night will be relaxing and fun!

For information and to reserve your tickets, call 610-515-8000 (Press 4) or email: groupreservations@crayola.com 1:1 ratio for guests who need special assistance. Advance purchase required for admission."

​

Crayola Experience

30 Centre Square

Easton, PA 18042

610-515-8000

Certified Autism Center

From the zoo's website: "In May of 2018 Elmwood Park Zoo became the first zoo in the world to earn certification as a Certified Autism Center. The designation, given by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), is awarded to organizations who have completed a training and review process with the goal to better serve individuals with autism and other sensory needs." You can find a list of their accessibility services here - https://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/visit/accessibility-amenities/

They also hold early morning access and other sensory sensitive events throughout the year. You can check their calendar here to see what is coming soon.

​

Elmwood Park Zoo

1661 Harding Blvd

Norristown, PA 19401

800-652-4143

April is the Month of the Military Child (MOMC), which celebrates and recognizes military-connected students.

April 17 is officially "Purple Up!" day, but our students and staff are not in school that day, due to the start of spring break. We are encouraging all to wear purple on April 16.

What is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day 2024?

"Paraprofessional Appreciation Day is a special day dedicated to those who work in a classroom under a teacher’s direction. A paraprofessional is someone who works under a professional’s guidance to help them in their job. In the school sector, paraprofessional educators are also known as teacher’s aides, paraeducators, personal care assistants, inclusion specialists, teaching assistants, and classroom assistants.

These fantastic people deliver targeted support to students who may need extra help and work to maintain the classroom, keeping it running smoothly.

Paraprofessional Appreciation Day seeks to bring these professionals to the forefront and show them a little extra love for all the incredible work they do, day in and day out.

From: https://www.twinkl.com/event/paraprofessional-appreciation-day-usa-2024

Keystone's Spring Book Fair will be next month! This will be a Buy One Get One Free Fair!

Students will be shopping during their scheduled library time.

Congratulations to our students and staff who participated in this year's Reading Olympics! We are so proud of everyone’s dedication and hard work.

Each team displayed exceptional commitment and passion for reading. We are very proud of their achievements. Great job to all who participated — you’ve all made this year’s Reading Olympics a memorable success!

Results

The RC Readers earned 50 points and a BLUE ribbon.

The Mighty Readers earned 43 points and a RED ribbon.

Chapter 16 earned 45 points and a RED ribbon.

Press Release from the Women's Animal Center

Thank you so much to the Keystone Elementary 4th and 5th grade student council members for organizing a fundraiser for our shelter! Under the guidance of 4th grade teacher Kati Bryson, Keystone Elementary students raised $800 to support Women’s Animal Center, and even presented us with a homemade giant check. We and the pets in our care are so grateful for their generosity!

Fall: Students learned a little bit about the importance of trees - put cages up around seedlings and learned what type of tree/bush each was. (Grade 4 only)

Spring: The students went out to the cages and measured the seedlings, took notes, and drew a picture of what they looked like now. They discussed the importance of keeping data and tree conservation. (Grade 2 and 4 participants)

Final: Poster making (pictured below) about what the students learned about trees and their importance. Posters to be displayed at the Heritage's Spring Fair in May at the outdoor classroom.

Celebrate nature at our Annual Spring Carnival at Croydon Woods in Lower Bucks County. Enjoy refreshments, nature-based games and activities, and expert-led hikes into beautiful Croydon Woods.

Community organizations will be there, hosting activities for all ages, including nature games, art projects, and prize giveaways.

Spring Carnival promises fun for the whole family. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with nature and create lasting memories. Leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome. Free of charge!

Meeting location: Croydon Woods 1900 Summit Ave, Croydon, PA 19021

For questions, information or registration, contact Whittier Henke at whenke@heritageconservancy.org or 215-345-7020 ext. 110

Click the link below to order.

Registration will open starting April 1st, for kindergartners for the 2025-2026 school year. For any questions please email marianne.mensinger@bristoltwpsd.org .

Kindergarten

A child is eligible for admission to kindergarten if they have attained the age of five (5) years on or before September 1st. Upon written request of the parent/guardian the board may admit a child for Kindergarten who has not met the age requirement, if that child can demonstrate readiness for entry by the first day of the school term. Readiness for entry will be determined by using a district wide screener that will measure academic levels. Written requests for this screener but be submitted on or before August 1st. A student who has not met the age requirement and is attending a private kindergarten program (fully accredited or not) will not be admitted to a district kindergarten program unless that child can demonstrate readiness for entry by the first day of the school term. A student who is currently attending a public kindergarten program but does not meet the age requirement may be admitted to kindergarten.

See below link for more information to this Board Policy.

There is an option when both or multiple family contacts use the Family App in Talking Points. In order to see each family members' response, all family members would need to enable "Shared Messaging" in their app settings. After this is completed all family members will be included on each other's responses.

Please see the attached article below for more information.

If you are interested in volunteering for field trips and school events please view the information below in regards to the items needed to obtain your volunteer badge. Once you obtain all your clearances please email them to the following email address; personnel@bristoltwpsd.org .

Federal Program 2024-2025 - This presentation provides an overview of Title 1 funding for the 2024-2025 school year and reviews the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) while highlighting the importance of family engagement.

Outside Food Snack Policy- Per the district's Wellness Policy, " No outside foods may be brought in by students for classroom parties. Shared snacks are not permitted in District schools." If you would like to send something in to celebrate their child's birthday or a classroom party, you may send in non food items such as stickers, pencils, play dough etc.

• Reminder, when your child is absent a written excuse note is required.
• For the first 10 absences the note may be from the parent.
• It can be in an email to the school secretary who handles attendance, at heather.saeger@bristoltwpsd.org
• If your child misses more than 10 days of school, then we only accept a medical note.
• Please email or send in the note within 10 days of their return to school, this is a PA State Law.

In order to maintain the safety of all our learners, we are asking that families alert teachers, in writing, (written note) for any transportation/dismissal plan changes prior to 9:00am each morning.

If for some reason a written note is not able to be written prior to 9:00am, an email must be sent to our secretaries at heather.saeger@bristoltwpsd.org and marianne.mensinger@bristoltwpsd.org, in addition to your child's teacher. Please keep in mind, that if your child's teacher is absent for the day, and you only write to your child's teacher, the office will not be aware of any early dismissal or transportation changes for your child(ren).

We do understand that emergencies may arise throughout the day that requires a change to a child's dismissal plan for that particular day. For those situations, please make sure you are alerting the office staff as soon as possible, so they can communicate the change to the teachers as soon as possible.

We thank you for your support in helping us ensure the safety and well-being of each of our learners.

Planning an educational trip, please click HERE to access the Educational Trip Form.

District Guidelines:

1. Parents are required to notify the school at least ten days prior to the absences covered by this regulation so that the student may obtain work to keep current with class progress.

2. Parents and students should be informed that make-up work for the time missed is the responsibility of the student

3. The total number of approved days of absence for this purpose shall not exceed five days in a given school year. Days exceeding these guidelines may be considered unlawful and/or unexcused.

Reporting Procedures

Anyone who is the victim of or has witnessed bullying please submit the incident form to the Anti-Bullying/School Climate Specialist, Steve Pierce, (steve.pierce@bristoltwpsd.org ) and building administration. Students can also report bullying to guidance counselors, teachers, or any other adult in the building.

To access the bullying form please click on the attached form below.

Social Worker
Mrs. Jody Como
jody.como@bristoltwpsd.org

Counselors

Mrs. Tammy Surdo

Grades- K, 2, 4
tammy.surdo@bristoltwpsd.org

Mr. Brian Gianfrancesco

Grades- 1, 3, 5
brian.gianfrancesco@bristoltwpsd.org

Mr. Steve Pierce

Email: steve.pierce@bristoltwpsd.org

Phone: 267-599-2481

Interventionist Teachers at Keystone

Mrs. Stacy Cooke

stacy.cooke@bristoltwpsd.org

Mrs. Aimee Ramos
aimee.ramos@bristoltwpsd.org

For more information about Title 1 please visit; https://www.bristoltwpsd.org/administration/state_and_federal_programs_/title_i .

Michele Gentilcore

Certified School Nurse 267-599-2473 or 2490

michele.genticore@bristoltwpsd.org

Jessica Williamson

Staff Nurse 267-599-2496

Nurses' fax number is 215-788-1516.

For any transportation/bus issues or concerns please reach out to the transportation department.

Hours of operation:
5:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Phone Number is 267-599-2390

Transportation Coordinator: Traci Williams, traci.williams@bristoltwpsd.org. 267-599-2370
Transportation Secretary: Annie Bulla, annie.bulla@bristoltwpsd.org. 267-599-2370
STA Terminal Manager: Devon Padilla, dpadilla@ridesta.com
AM Dispatch: Joyel Ryan, jryan@ridesta.com
PM Dispatch: Gabrielle Musnuff, gmusnuff@ridesta.com
BTSD Transportation Email address: transportation@bristoltwpsd.org

Address:

940 Tulip Ave.

Croydon, Pennsylvania 19021

School phone: 267-599-2470

School fax: 215-788-1041

School Principal: Mr. Mark Wilicki

Email: mark.wilicki@bristoltwpsd.org

Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Marianne Mensinger

Email: marianne.mensinger@bristoltwpsd.org

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Crystal Smith-Herman

Email: crystal.smith-herman@bristoltwpsd.org

Assistant Principal's Secretary: Heather Saeger

Email: heather.saeger@bristoltwpsd.org

Special Education Supervisor: Robyn Battershell

Email: robyn.battershell@bristoltwpsd.org

For additional information please click on the buttons below.