Keystone Newsletter #40
Dear Students, Families, and Staff,
As we close out this school year, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the warm welcome I have received as the new Assistant Principal here at Keystone Elementary School. This school year has been filled with so many wonderful memories, from school assemblies and engaging classroom activities to fun school events and meaningful moments of learning and growth. I am constantly amazed by the dedication and hard work of our students, the unwavering support of our families, and the incredible talent and commitment of our staff.
To our students, I am so proud of your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm for learning. Your resilience and passion for learning inspire us all each and every day. Remember that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to, and I have no doubt that you will continue to excel in all that you do. Remember to always believe in yourselves and never stop striving for greatness. Your potential is limitless, and I am confident that you will achieve amazing things in the years to come.
To our families, thank you for your unwavering support, partnership, and encouragement throughout the year. Your involvement in your child's education is invaluable. Your commitment to their success does not go unnoticed, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our school community. Together, we make a strong and unified school community.
To our staff, I am constantly inspired by your passion and dedication to our students. Your tireless efforts to create a safe and nurturing environment for learning have not gone unnoticed. I am truly honored to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team. I am grateful for all that you do to make our school a wonderful place to be.
Thank you all for making this school year so special and memorable. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this amazing school community. Together, we can continue to support and uplift one another, celebrate our differences, and learn from each other's unique perspectives. By fostering a sense of community and collaboration, we can ensure that all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Let's continue to embrace diversity, promote equity, and strive for excellence in all that we do. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for all. I am confident that the future holds even more amazing opportunities for us to learn, grow, and succeed as a school community.
I look forward to seeing many of you all again in the fall, ready to embark on another exciting school year together. For our rising sixth-graders, as you move on to middle school, remember to continue setting goals, working hard, and always believing in yourself. You have so much potential and the ability to accomplish anything you set your mind to. Best of luck on your next chapter, and always remember to stay true to yourself and never stop learning and growing. I am so proud of all of you and can't wait to see all the amazing things you will do in the future.
I wish you all a safe and joyful summer break filled with relaxation, fun, and joyful memories.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Smith-Herman
Last Week of School Reminders
- Field Day for kindergarten and first grade- Monday June 10th
- Walt Disney Day- Monday, June 10th
- 5th Grade Farewell- Tuesday, June 11th
- Last day of school for students, Thursday, June 13th- Early Dismissal- 1:15pm dismissal
- Please remind your child to check the lost and found this week for any jackets, lunchboxes, or water bottles they may have lost throughout the school year.
😎Summer break begins for students after dismissal on Thursday, June 13th and for support staff by 4:00pm, June 13th.
😎Summer break for teachers begins- Friday, June 14th at 3:30pm.
Important Dates to Remember
👕Field Day⚽
Monday, June 10th- AM- K/1
5th Grade Farewell
June 11th- 10:15AM
June 12th- 10:15AM- Rain Date
😎Last Day of School- Students😎
Thursday, June 13th
Early Dismissal- 1:15pm
Looking Ahead- 2024-2025 School Year
First Teacher Day for 2024-2025 School Year
August 26th, 2024
Orientation Day for K, 6th, & 9th Grade
August 29th, 2024
First Day of School for All Students
September 3rd, 2024
Back to School Nights
Wednesday, September 4th for Grades K, 2, 4
Tuesday, September 10th for Grades 1, 3, 5
Picture Days
Initial Picture Days will take place over two days (grade levels will be determined once schedule is set for the 2024-2025 School Year); September 26th and September 27th
Picture Retakes- November 15th
Late Night for Conferences for the 2024-2025 School Year
Thursday, December 12th
Monday, March 24th
June Calendar
ABC Countdown to Summer- Starting May 8th
Revised 2023-2024 District Calendar
2024-2025 District Calendar
Clap Out for 5th Grade Rehearsal
To Our Rising Sixth Graders
Positive Office Referrals
5th Graders Visiting Their Future Middle School
Armstrong
Franklin
Girls on the Run
"Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others."
"Girls on the Run inspires individuals of all abilities to discover, build, and grow their self-confidence. Together, they experience a sense of belonging and connection as a team. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion."
On Sunday, June 2nd, the Keystone Girls on the Run team successfully completed their first 5K race in Philadelphia. The team consisted of 21 girls who participated in 10 weeks of practices. Practices took place two times a week.
The accomplishment of this milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support, commitment, and dedication demonstrated by Molly, Tammy, Jody, Jenna, and Kim.
These individuals not only selflessly contributed their time and energy but also served as exemplary role models for all participants in the program.
We are very grateful for the inspiring leadership of our Molly, Tammy, Jody, Jenna, and Kim. Many thanks for creating this rewarding and memorable experience for all that participated in Girls on the Run!
Congratulations to all our students who participated in the Girls on the Run program. They put in many hours of practice and time after school to prepare for the 5k race in Philadelphia! We are very proud of each and everyone of you!
Kindergarten Celebration
Field Day 2nd-5th Grade
Grades 2 and 3
Grades 4 and 5
Fifth Grade Farewell- June 11th
Summer Food Services Program
June Stories, Articles, Videos
What is Summer?
Puerto Rican Day Parade- June 9th
Dragon Boat Festival- June 10th
Flag Day- June 14th
Father's Day- June 16th
Juneteenth- June 19th
Social Emotional Learning Tips of the Week
End of School Year Read Aloud
Preventing Summer Learning Loss Articles
Learning Ally Summer Reading
Our students will have continued access to Learning Ally until August 1, 2024.
Parent Directions for home access:
Elementary At Home Packet- Learning Ally
Summer Reading Challenges
Learning Ally Summer Reading Competition
Book It- Pizza Hut Reading Program
Barnes and Nobel Summer Reading Program
Summer Library Events
Math Resources
Father's Day Message- June 16th
Happy Father's Day to all the amazing individuals who play a paternal role in our students' lives! Whether you identify as a father, mother, caregiver, or something else entirely, I want to acknowledge and celebrate the love, care, and support you bring to our students each and every day. You are all important members of our school community and I am very grateful for your presence and support. Enjoy your special day!
Dismissal Plans
In order to maintain the safety of all our learners, we are asking that families alert teachers, in writing, for any transportation/dismissal plan changes prior to 9am each morning.
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 wellbeing of each of our learners.
Snack and Birthday Celebration Policy
To ensure the safety and well being of our students, as per the District Wellness Policy, no outside foods may be brought in by students for classroom parties or birthday celebrations. Shared snacks are not permitted in district schools.
If you would like to send something in to celebrate your child's birthday or for a classroom party, you may send in non food items such as stickers, pencils, play dough etc.
Title 1 Teachers
Mrs. Stacy Cooke
stacy.cooke@bristoltwpsd.org
Mrs. Aimee Ramos
aimee.ramos@bristoltwpsd.org
What is Title I?
Title I is a project funded by the federal government under the Every Child Succeeds Act. The purpose of this Act is to provide all children with fair and equitable opportunity to succeed and close achievement gaps. Money is allocated by the federal government and distributed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to the Bristol Township School. District.
Title I funding is based on a complex formula. These funds are allocated to the states who in turn allocate a portion of that money to the individual school districts within each state. The school district’s share is based on the economic need within a school area, that is, by the number of low income families living there. In our district the number of free and reduced lunch students is used to determine the economic need of a particular school.
Helpful Links and Resources
Anti-Bullying and Climate Specialist
Mr. Pierce has the pleasure of being the Anti-Bullying Specialist at Keystone Elementary School.
In the short time that he has been here he has been able to build a great rapport and begin teaching the Second Step Bullying Prevention curriculum and TKF curriculum.
Some of his roles include bullying investigations, conflict resolution, peer mediations, large group lessons and small group lessons. He also have been working to support the school climate at Keystone.
Mr. Pierce- Anti-Bullying and Climate Specialist
Report Form for Complaints of Harassment/Bullying/Cyber-Bullying
Click here for an electronic version of form; Reporting Form
Social Worker and Counselors Contact Information
Social Worker
Mrs. Jody Como
jody.como@bristoltwpsd.org
Counselors
Mrs. Tammy Surdo
tammy.surdo@bristoltwpsd.org
Mr. Brian Gianfrancesco
brian.gianfrancesco@bristoltwpsd.org
Health Office Contact Information
Lynn Thomson-Merrill
Certified School Nurse 267-599-2473 or 2490
Anna May Tannenbaum
Staff Nurse 267-599-2496
Annamay.Tannenbaum@bristoltwpsd.org
Christine Kelly (M, T, TH, F after 12:30 PM)
Staff Nurse 267-599-2473
Christine.Kelly@bristoltwpsd.org
Our fax number is 215-788-1516.
June Breakfast and Lunch Calendars
We encourage each student and staff member to wear their Keystone Paw Shirts every Friday.
Office Staff
School Principal: Mr. Mark Wilicki
Email: mark.wilicki@bristoltwpsd.org
Assistant Principal: Mrs. Crystal Smith-Herman
Email: crystal.smith-herman@bristoltwpsd.org
Special Education Supervisor: Justina Garofalo
Email: justina.garofalo@bristoltwpsd.org
Special Education Supervisor: Jessica Kelch
Email: jessica.kelch@bristoltwpsd.org
Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Marianne Mensinger
Email: marianne.mensinger@bristoltwpsd.org
Assistant Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Donna Meehan
Email: donna.meehan@bristoltwpsd.org
School phone: 267-599-2470
School fax: 215-788-1041