

A Season of Giving and Celebration
December 1, 2023
We have 25 days to Christmas, and prior to the holiday break, beginning on December 22, we have a great many events which feature our amazing band and choir students!
We also have a variety of donation drives this month, and we love to have your participation to support both school endeavors and local drives to support families in need!
NHS Inducts 24 New Members
The students in National Honor Society (NHS) were excited to welcome 24 new members to their distinguished organization at the annual NHS Induction Ceremony. Students are selected for NHS based upon the four pillars of the organization: character, scholarship, leadership, and service.
Current NHS officers, President Michael Gale, Vice President Madison Shippy, Secretary Amanda Handley, and Treasurer Addisyn Rodachy presented at the ceremony and spoke about the exceptional qualities that characterize NHS members. Special thanks to these students and to the exemplary work done by advisor Ms. Catanzarito for organizing this ceremony.
Congratulations to these new members on their induction into this group of outstanding and talented students.
Season of Giving Kick-Off
To kick off our season of giving, from now to December 13, KES will be holding several spirit days to raise money for the Lagrange Lions Club. With a minimum donation of $1 each day, students will be able to choose to wear a hat or dress in their pajamas on December 6 and 13. Donations can be sent with your child; please label the envelope "Lions Club."
Canned Food Competition
In addition to the spirit days, KES Student Council will be having a canned food competition next week (December 4-8). The grade with the most canned food donations will win a prize. Thanks in advance for helping LaGrange families through The Lagrange Lions Club Holiday Cheer campaign!.
Decorate Our Mitten Tree!
To help families in need of assistance during Ohio's cold winter season, NEW mittens and NEW gloves are being collected today through December 21. These items will decorate the mitten tree at KES and be donated to the Lions Club and their partner organization "We Care Closet," who distributes warm clothing to people of Lorain County. A collection box of your donations will be located in the entryway in front of the KES office.
Financial Fact
Per Keystone CFO Adam Hines, the following information regards enrollment.
Overall, school enrollment/population has been decreasing across most districts which is in line with the trends in Keystone. More houses but less children per family. Less students leads to less funding from the State.
Outdoor Classroom Update
Spearheaded by the KES PTA, we are seeking to add to our outdoor classroom at Keystone Elementary. The structure currently consists of a pavilion, built in 2018 by an Eagle Scout, concrete walk and pads for accessibility, a pergola, and a greenhouse. We would like to fully enclose this space with 8-foot fencing to protect the area as well as designate and increase vertical growing space.
When completed, the outdoor classroom will be an engaging environment that has designated spaces for hands-on learning of various outdoor subjects, such as gardening, sustainability, water conservation, and more.
The donation drive ends at noon on December 15. Learn more about this program and donation @ https://donate.seedmoney.org/9666/keystone-elementary-school-outdoor-classroom.
Support Residents at Keystone Pointe
Now through Dec 15, Ms. Strang's class at KES are collecting items to benefit the residents at Keystone Pointe. Donations sought include travel sized hand and body lotion, chap stick, candy canes, Christmas candy, small gift bags, and tissue paper! You can send in the items to the KES office or with your student. There will be a collection box at KES in room 132.
Lorain County Needs Your Feedback!
The Community Foundation of Lorain County is assisting with the outreach for the Lorain County 5-year Strategic Action Plan being developed by the Lorain County Commissioners and Future iQ.
Countywide workshops designed for you to share your insights, ideas, and expertise to help shape the strategic plan will take place from December 4 through December 6. Workshop session locations in our surrounding area and times are outlined below.
- Elyria
- Monday, December 4 from 10-11:30am at Elyria Central Branch Library at 211 2nd Street
- Monday, December 4 from 10-11:30am at Elyria Central Branch Library at 211 2nd Street
- Grafton
- Tuesday, December 5 from 1-2:30pm at Grafton-Midview Library at 983 Main St., Grafton
- Tuesday, December 5 from 1-2:30pm at Grafton-Midview Library at 983 Main St., Grafton
- Wellington
- Tuesday, December 5 from 3:30-5pm at LCCC Wellington Center at 151 Commerce Dr.,
- Tuesday, December 5 from 3:30-5pm at LCCC Wellington Center at 151 Commerce Dr.,
- Oberlin
- Tuesday, December 5 from 6:30 – 8:00pm at Oberlin Enrichment and Activity Center at 36 S Prospect St.
- Tuesday, December 5 from 6:30 – 8:00pm at Oberlin Enrichment and Activity Center at 36 S Prospect St.
Please register on the Strategic Plan website to reserve your spot, as space is limited @
https://lab2.future-iq.com/lorain-county-strategic-action-plan-project/countywide-workshops/