I can not believe that we are in November already! The weather is definitely starting to fell like fall, at least for now. We all know how the weather can be around here!

Starting this week, during each students' scheduled library time, our learners will be visiting the Scholastic Book Fair. Please review your child's special area schedule to see what day letter day your child(ren) will be visiting the book fair. If your child is absent or misses their scheduled library time, November 14th will be a makeup day and families you will have the chance to shop the night of November 8th.

I would be remiss if I did not share how excited, proud, and overjoyed about how well Keystone's first ever costume parade went on October 31st. I was so happy to see the joy on our learners' faces as they walked around the ballfield for all to see their wonderful costume choices. All families that participated as spectators of this event, I am forever grateful and thankful for your support in following the costume parade rules, as well as for being a fantastic audience. Because we have such an awesome family and community, at Keystone Elementary School, our parade was a huge success!

To all our staff, thank you for making this event possible for our scholars. Your organization, support, and patience was seen, valued, and greatly appreciated. It truly took a team effort in organizing such an event, in a building of our size.

Just a friendly reminder that there is no school on November 7th, an early dismissal on November 22nd, and no school again on November 23rd and 24th.

As always, if you ever need anything please don't hesitate to reach out! Have a fantastic first full week of November.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Smith-Herman, Assistant Principal

Tuesday, November 7th

November 6th-November 14th

November 8th- Nighttime Book Fair- 5:00-7:00pm

November 9th, 2023, from 6:00-7:00 pm,

Wednesday, November 22nd

November 23rd & 24th

November 30th- 4:30pm

December 6th

Wednesday, December 6th

December 20th at 7:00pm

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

Thursday, June 6th- AM- K/1

Thursday, June 6th- PM- 2/3

Friday, June 7th- AM- 4/5

Rain Dates: June 10th and/or 11th

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.

First pretzel delivery date will be Friday, November 10th, with a pre-order to take place on November 9th.

"World Kindness Day is a global observance dedicated to promoting goodwill, empathy, and acts of kindness."

"Celebrated annually on November 13, the day serves as a reminder to prioritize compassion in our lives. It encourages individuals and communities to go beyond their routines and make a positive difference in the lives of others."

Perform random acts of kindness.

Examples:

• Compliment others
• Write an encouraging/positive note to someone
• Write a thank you note to someone
• Draw or color a picture and give it to someone
• Sit with someone new at lunch
• Allow a friend to go first in a game
• Offer to help someone with something
• Tell someone something positive about them

• “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” —Aesop
• “Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” —Scott Adams
• “The world is full of kind people. If you can’t find one, be one.” —Unknown
• “Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give.” —Unknown

Many thanks to our administration team and the Bristol Township Police Department for volunteering to assist with Keystone's costume parade! Your support and dedication to our learners, community, staff, and families is appreciated!

Pictured: Mr. Nitti (Superintendent), Mrs. Coleman (Director of Curriculum and Instruction) , Ms. Hannah (Supervisor of Elementary Curriculum), and Mrs. Smith-Herman (Keystone Assistant Principal)

Not Pictured: Mrs. Kelch (Special Education Supervisor), Mr. Oberman (Director of Student Services), Bristol Township Police Department

Many thanks to Mr. Pierce (Anti-Bullying Climate Specialist) for bouncing between Armstrong and Keystone to help and assist with Keystone's costume parade! We are looking forward to you officially starting November 8th!

Kindergarten

• Elias Bracero

• Laila Chaibe

1st Grade

• Lesley Joseph

• Ariana Williams

2nd Grade

• Michael Linitia-Ramsher

• Melany Castro-Salinas

3rd Grade

• John Long

• Daphne Saba

4th Grade

• Jayden Hibbs

• Quinn Mallon

5th Grade

• Joshua Griffin

• Alana Gunderman

We ask that students wear their paw shirts every Friday to show their school pride!

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.

Fresh fruits an vegetables are sampled at school on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Fridays.

The students in grades K-5 had the opportunity to sample gooseberries, broccoli, and bell peppers.

Many thanks to the students and staff in room A208 and A112 for providing the delivery of the fresh fruits and vegetables to the classrooms at Keystone Elementary School. You are doing a fantastic job! Thanks!

From an early age, remind children that there are times they can solve problems on their own, but there are also times when it's very important to get help from a parent, teacher or trusted adult. If they feel unsafe, if someone is hurting them physically or emotionally, if they see someone else being hurt or if they have tried to solve a situation independently but it didn't work, they should "tell an adult."

https://www.pbs.org/parents/learn-grow/age-8/social-skills/social-problem-solving

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.

The Pennsylvania System of School Assessments

Bristol Township School District students will be taking the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments, also known as the PSSAs, in the spring. What are the PSSAs used for and why should your child participate in the assessment?

What are the PSSAs used for?

The Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA, requires students to take state tests in reading and math every year in third through eighth grade and once in high school. In Pennsylvania, students in third through eighth grade take the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) in English language arts and math. Students in fourth and eighth grade also take a test in science. High school students take end-of-course tests known as the Keystone Exams in Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, English, Biology/Chemistry, U.S. History, World History, Civics and Government.

Why should my child take the PSSAs?

The PSSAs focus on grade level material aligned to the state standards. It gives parents, teachers, and school district leaders information to make decisions that affect student achievements.

• Parents and students see how well their student performed at grade level
• Teachers make informed decisions regarding instruction.
• District Leaders can make decisions about student learning and achievement.
• State leaders can determine which schools require more resources and/or additional funding.

Spring 2024 PSSA Testing Window

English Language Arts- April 22-26th- Grades 3-8

Mathematics, Science, and Makeups- April 29th-May 3rd- Grades 3-8

Keystone Elementary Testing Dates:

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

Coming soon, our newsletter will spotlight different Keystone staff members.

Mr. Pierce will officially be starting with us Wednesday, November 8th. He can be contacted at steve.pierce@bristoltwpsd.org.

School Principal: Mr. Mark Wilicki

Email: mark.wilicki@bristoltwpsd.org

Assistant Principal: Crystal Smith-Herman

Email: crystal.smith-herman@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