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Keystone Newsletter #32
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Dear Keystone Families,
Welcome to this week's edition of our April newsletter! I can't believe how quickly this school year is flying by. As we head into the homestretch, we have some exciting updates and events to share with you. From a BTSD STEAM night (April 17th) to wearing purple to honor of the month of the military child (April 17th) to a PTO sponsored semi formal dance (April 26th), we have a lot to look forward to this month.
We will continue to host the Spring Scholastic Book Fair this week. Students will be visiting the book fair during their scheduled library time. Friday, will be a make-up day for anyone that did not get the opportunity to shop during their scheduled library time.
Also, the Keystone Spirit Wear Store is now open; https://keystone-elementary-spring-24-ols.itemorder.com/shop/home/ .The store will be open until April 24th, 2024 at 11:59pm.
The last day to order a school yearbook will be April 21st.
Starting next week, our learners in grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th will begin their PSSAs (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment), starting with ELA. While the PSSA exams are an important part of our educational system, it is essential to remember that they are just one measure of student achievement. We encourage you to talk to your child about the importance of doing their best on the exams while also reminding them that their worth or potential is not determined by their test scores. It is important to remember that these tests are just one measure of your child's academic growth and progress. Our goal is to help them feel confident and prepared, so they can showcase their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities.
Also, if you are able to spend a few minutes to fill out the Federal Programs Survey, it would be greatly appreciated; LINK TO SURVEY. The deadline to complete this survey is April 26.
Have a wonderful week!
Respectfully,
Mrs. Smith-Herman
Important Dates to Remember
✏️Every Tuesday✏️
Smencil Sales ($1.25 each)
🥨Every Thursday🥨
Pre-Order Pretzels
👕Every Friday👕
Wear Paw Shirts
📚Scholastic Book Fair📚
April 12th-19th
April 12th-April 18th- Students will attend book fair during scheduled library time.
April 19th will be the make-up day.
April is the Month of the Military Child
April 17 is "Purple Up!" day. We are encouraging all to wear purple on April 17.
National Sign Language Day
April 15th
STEM Night- At Armstrong Middle School
April 17th- From 6:00-8:00pm
2nd Grade Field Trip
Group 1- April 22nd
Group 2- April 29th
🎨District Art Fair🎨
April 24th and 25th
PTO Sponsored Event- Special Someone Dance
April 26th
📝PSSA Testing at Keystone Elementary School📝
ELA- April 22nd, 24th, and 26th- Grades 3, 4, 5
Math- April 30th and May 1st- Grades 3, 4, 5
Science- May 2nd and May 3rd- Grade 4 Only
Looking Ahead
🏈5th Grade Spirit Day⚽
Wednesday, May 8th, 2024
Rain Date- Thursday, May 9th, 2024
It will take place in the stadium at Truman High School.
1st Grade Field Trip
May 9th
🎵Spring Music Concert🎵
Wednesday, May 15th at 7 pm
Keystone Community Dinner/Spring Engagement
May 29th
Kindergarten Field Trip
May 31st
🍎5th Graders Visit Future Middle School🍎
June 3rd
⚾BTSD Music Night at Trenton Thunder🎵
June 4th, at 7:00pm
Kindergarten Move-Up Day Celebration
June 5th- AM
👕Field Day⚽
Thursday, June 6th- AM- K/1
Thursday, June 6th- PM- 2/3
Friday, June 7th- AM- 4/5
Rain Dates: June 7th (PM), June 10th (AM and/or PM) and/or 11th (PM)
5th Grade Move-Up Day Celebration
June 11th- AM
😎Last Day of School- Students😎
Thursday, June 13th
April Calendar
* Revision- Please note- PTO Meeting will be on Wednesday, April 3rd- NOT April 2nd. Thanks!
Revised 2023-2024 District Calendar
2024-2025 District Calendar
Keystone Staff Member Spotlight
Bob Cullman
Position: Art Teacher
Worked at Bristol Township School District Since: 36 years
Strengths: Being creative, problem solving, fixing anything, drawing, painting, photography, most sports.
Pets: 4 dogs- Winnie & Remi, both Great Pyrenees, Dexter, Great Pyrenees/Bernese Mountain Dog mix,
Dumplin, Cavalier King Charles SpanielHobbies: Creating new pieces of original art, vacationing with my family, riding my motorcycle, going to car shows and events, hunting for classic cars and getting them running.
Favorite Color(s): There are too many beautiful colors to pick just one!
Favorite Snack: Anything salty/sweet
Favorite Sports' Team: All Philly sports teams, and I follow Nascar.
Three Fun Facts:
1) My wife and I work with dog rescues, and foster dogs until they find their forever home.
2) I am a Graphic Designer and Illustrator with published works.
3) I have two grandsons, Dean-4, Wyatt-1 1/2.
Additional Facts:
Two of my dogs are trained support and service dogs.
Parent & Student Spotlight
Dress Like a Staff Member/Student Swap Day
Lillian and Chris Nelson - dressed like Mrs. Nean and Mr. Sleppy!
Lilli wore a Diabetes Awareness shirt, a lanyard labeled "Mrs. Nean" and carried a coffee cup.
Chris also wore a personalized "Mr. Sleppy" shirt and had a whistle.
Miss. Kennedy Bellerby decided to dress as Mrs. Smith-Herman for the day!
Semi-Formal Dance- April 26th, 2024
Last Call for Yearbook Orders
Ordering Online Access Code Needed:
Access Code: 11702YBNational Sign Language Day- April 15th
Five interesting facts about American Sign Language:
1. When you raise your eyebrows, it means you are asking a “yes” or “no” question in ASL. The eyebrow raised provides a question mark to your statement, making what you communicated become a question. This is a good example of how sign language incorporates signs, gestures, and facial expressions.
2. In different countries, there are different types of sign languages. On its own, ASL is considered a foreign language.
3.American Sign Language is closer to French Sign Language, especially in its grammar, word order, and style.
4. ASL is the third most commonly used language in the United States.
5. Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., is a unique university that is a global leader in education for deaf & hard of hearing students. It offers most of its courses in American Sign Language.
Educational Publisher, Twinkl, will celebrate National ASL Day by providing FREE American Sign Language Resources on their website. April 15, 2024 is National ASL Day – an event celebrated every year to raise awareness of American Sign Language (ASL).
Autism Acceptance Day
Keystone Elementary School in Bristol Township celebrated Autism Acceptance Day with a Blowing Bubbles for Autism event. Over 1,000 students blew bubbles while music about friendship played in the background. The songs included: Somewhere Over the Rainbow, (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole), You've Got a Friend in Me (Randy Newman), True Colors (Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick) and Count on Me (Bruno Mars).
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.
Why Blow Bubbles? Blowing Bubbles for Autism started over 20 years ago in NJ. It is held every year in April to foster acceptance, a sense of community and an awareness for the importance of celebrating diversity. Tens of thousands of people now participate every year.
Bubbles can provide a range of benefits for people with autism. In addition to sensory stimulation and relaxation, bubbles can also help improve visual tracking skills, promote social interaction and communication, enhance hand-eye coordination and encourage focus and attention.
Keystone is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and empathy. Promoting appreciation and celebration of differences is essential for creating a more inclusive and accepting society. It is through activities like this one that we can help nurture a culture of understanding and respect for all individuals, while creating a more inclusive and harmonious school community, where everyone feels valued and accepted for who they are.
Mrs. Smith- Kindergarten
Mrs. Nean- Kindergarten
Mrs. O'Neil- Kindergarten
Mrs. Grafius- First Grade
Mrs. Vorgity- First Grade
Miss. Jablonski- First Grade
Mrs. Loefler- 2nd Grade
Mrs. Formicola- Third, Fourth, and Fifth
Mrs. Schweiker- 5th Grade
5th Grade
Solar Eclipse- April 8th, 2023
Miss. Rausch- Kindergarten
Mrs. Bryson- 4th Grade
Classroom Spotlight- Mrs. Nober
Stem Project
It was a fun day filled with building and teamwork!
Keystone Spirit Wear
Sales end April 24th at 11:59pm.
5th Grade Recess
We, at Keystone Elementary School, are grateful for the dedication and commitment of the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bristol Township Police Department to our school community. Their presence and involvement with our students not only enhances safety on our campus, but also promotes positive relationships between law enforcement and our young learners.
This past week, Officer Daulton Brady joined the students on the playground during recess and played a game of kickball. The students were thrilled to have the officers participating with them and they all had a great time competing and laughing together. It was a fun way for the officers to interact with the students in a positive and engaging way, building rapport and trust within the community. The students were excited to see that police officers could be friendly and approachable, and the officers enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the younger generation outside of their usual law enforcement duties. Overall, it was a memorable and heartwarming experience for everyone involved.
Also, many thanks to Mr. Pierce, Keystone's anti-bullying specialist. His dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students does not go unnoticed, and we are grateful for all of his hard work and commitment to fostering a positive school culture. Thank you, Mr. Pierce, for your tireless efforts in promoting kindness and respect. We truly appreciate everything you do for our school community.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with the State Police and the Bristol Township Police Department, and we are excited to see the positive impact they will continue to have on our school community. Many thanks to the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bristol Township Police Department you for your ongoing support and commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.
PSSA Information for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade
Dear Keystone Families,
As we approach the upcoming PSSA assessments, (ELA- April 22nd, 24th, and 26th for Grades 3, 4, 5; Math- April 30th and May 1st for Grades 3, 4, 5; Science- May 2nd and May 3rd for Grade 4 Only) which will be taken electronically, via the Chromebook, we wanted to take the time to share some important information with you about the testing process. In addition, please review the PSSA Code of Conduct for Test Takers, found on the following page of this letter.
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a series of standardized tests taken by students in grades 3-8 to assess their proficiency in various subjects, including English language arts, mathematics, and science. These exams provide valuable data to help educators understand how well students are mastering the content and skills outlined in the state's academic standards.
While the PSSA exams are an important part of our educational system, it is essential to remember that they are just one measure of student achievement. We encourage you to talk to your child about the importance of doing their best on the exams while also reminding them that their worth or potential is not determined by their test scores. It is important to remember that these tests are just one measure of your child's academic growth and progress. Our goal is to help them feel confident and prepared, so they can showcase their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities.
We encourage you to continue to support and motivate your child during this time. Remind them of the hard work and dedication they have put in throughout the school year. Encourage them to stay positive, focused, and to believe in themselves.
To help your child prepare for the PSSA exams, we recommend making sure they get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast on testing days, and try to remain focused, take deep breaths and remind them that they are prepared and capable of doing well on the test. Remind them to stay positive and confident in their abilities. You can also encourage your child to practice their test-taking strategies, such as pacing themselves, reading questions carefully, and reviewing their work before submitting their answers.
We understand that testing can be a stressful time for students and families, and we want to assure you that our teachers and staff are here to support your child every step of the way. Remember, the most important thing is that your child tries their best. We are proud of all of our students and the effort they put forth each day. Thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your child.
Together, we can help your child succeed and reach their full potential. Thank you for being an important part of our school community.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Smith-Herman and Mr. Wilicki
Autism Awareness Month District Resources
April is the Month of the Military Child
April is the Month of the Military Child (MOMC), which celebrates and recognizes military-connected students.
April 17 is "Purple Up!" day. We are encouraging all to wear purple on April 17.
Positive Office Referrals
We would like to acknowledge the students who have received a positive office referral for displaying outstanding positive behavior choices;
Angie Campos
Greysen Roberts- Juarbe
Graham Tomcho
Mason Hanks
Wyatt Contrevo
Paislee Slevenski
Erick Sisalima
Mariana Gonzales-Ortega
Kevin May
Aluna Gonzalez-Perez
Elliot Boyle
John Uribe
Joel Burgess
Davaiya Hicks
Leon adamson
Dominic Walker
Charlotte Vogelei
Ms. Donna, Mr. Pierce, and Mrs. Smith-Herman are looking forward to acknowledging more positive office referrals, as well as speaking with parents and guardians to let them know just how proud we are to have their child at Keystone!
Keep up the great work!
Take Your Child to Work Day- Pre-Approval Attendance Letter
BTSD Music Department
Bristol Township STEAM Night- April 17th- At Armstrong Middle School
Join us for an evening of creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving at Family STEAM Night!
On April 17th, from 6-8 p.m., head to Armstrong Middle School, 475 Wistar Road, Fairless Hills, PA.
This district-wide event is open to ALL Bristol Township school district families. Sponsored by Bristol Cares and Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, Inc.
Don't miss out on the fun and educational experience!
Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025
Results from Last Poll
Thank you for all who have participating in our newsletter's weekly poll! It looks like most people would like to be able to play the piano (35%) well!
💐Something Fun!💐
What was your favorite subject in elementary school?
Bristol Township School District Comprehensive Planning Priorities and Goals
2024 National Autism Conference
April Stories, Articles, and Videos
National Sign Language Day- April 15th
April 17th- Emancipation Day
Earth Day- April 22nd
Social Emotional Learning Tips of the Week
How to Sign Emotions
Taking Big Tests
Grounding Exercises for Big Emotions
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program- April
BTSD Opt out procedure for PSSA and Keystones
Section 4.4 of Chapter 4 of the State Board of Education regulations provides for the right of any parents or guardians to excuse their child from the state assessment if, upon inspection of the testing materials, they find the assessment to be in conflict with their religious beliefs. Please note that this is the only basis for a parent or guardian to excuse his or her child from the statewide assessments.
Parents/guardians requesting that their child be excused from the PSSA or Keystone Exam must adhere to the following procedural guidelines:
Within two weeks of the date the child is to participate in the PSSA or Keystone exams, parents/guardians must contact the Chief Academic Officer, Mrs. Amy Coleman, to arrange an appointment to review the assessment(s) by completing this survey.
Survey Link: PSSA REQUEST TO REVIEW
For more information, please visit: https://www.pacode.com/secure/data/022/chapter4/s4.4.html
Attendance Policy
- 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: Donna.meehan@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.
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.
23-24 Weather Emergency Information
Link to Elementary Remote Learning Overview: (Click here)
For additional information please visit https://www.bristoltwpsd.org/cms/one.aspx?portalId=377235&pageId=51110003
Is It Bullying? Poster
Keystone's Fabulous Counselors, Social Worker, and Anti-Bullying Specialist
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.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus- April
We encourage each student and staff member to wear their Keystone Paw Shirts every Friday.
Support Keystone's SWPBIS program by purchasing a soft pretzel. Each soft pretzel will cost $1 each. Students will be asked to preorder their pretzel each Thursday, for a pretzel delivery to take place on Fridays.
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