We hope everyone is having a great October so far! This past week we had the honor of welcoming the Walnut Street Theater to Keystone Elementary School. They performed a play called The Big Bad Bullysaurus, for our primary grade leveled students (K-2). The play did an excellent job of teaching friendship and forgiveness skills. We look forward to bringing more opportunities like this to our learners as the year progresses.

This week, we will be welcoming the Croydon Fire Department, as Keystone's annual fire prevention assembly. This is something the staff and students look forward to each year. Look for photos to come, in next week's newsletter.

In addition, this Wednesday, October 18th (pending rain) is Keystone's Trunk or Treat! We are looking forward to seeing all the fantastically decorated car trunks and creative costumes! Please feel free to share any pictures of this event to our KeystoneNewsletter@bristoltwpsd.org email account.

Please continue to review the "Important Dates" section of the newsletter each week. As new events and activities get added, we continue to revise that section to include them.

As always, if you ever need anything please don't hesitate to reach out! Have a beautiful week!

Respectfully,

Mr. Wilicki, Principal

Mrs. Smith-Herman, Assistant Principal

All month

October 13th and 16th- No School/Offices Open

Wednesday, October 18th- 6:00-8:00pm

Rain Date: Wednesday, October 25th

October 19th

October 20th

Grades K-2- 9:30-10:10am

Grades 3-5- 10:15-11:00am

Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month by wearing PINK on

Friday, October 20th.

October 23rd-27th

October 26th- 4:30pm

Wednesday, November 1st

Friday, November 3rd

Tuesday, November 7th

November 6th-November 14th

November 9th- Nighttime Book Fair

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

Wednesday, November 22nd

November 23rd & 24th

November 30th- 4:30pm

December 6th

Wednesday, December 6th

English Language Arts-

April 22-26th- Grades 3-8

Mathematics, Science, and Makeups

April 29th-May 3rd- Grades 3-8

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

Wednesday, October 18th will be the last day that "Ghost Pops" will be on sale. Each Ghost Pop will cost 50 cents.

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.

Please look for more information to be sent home soon as to when this is going to start.

Bring the whole family out for Trick or Treating! There will be a photo booth, Selfie stations and a contest with prizes for the top three best decorated trunks. We will also have light refreshments for sale and a food truck available for purchasing some additional tasty treats this year as well. (Cash only please)

Trunk participants are needed to decorate their trunks and hand out treats. You will need to supply a treat for at least 600 trick-or-treaters.

To reserve your spot, email PTO at KeystonePTObtsd@gmail.com with your full name and phone number by October 13th. Space is limited and offered on a first come first serve basis.

If you are unable to decorate a trunk but would love to help, we are accepting candy/treat donations.

Rain Date: Wednesday, October 25th, 2023

Complementary Paw shirts have been ordered for every student at Keystone! We are expecting each student to receive their paw shirt prior to the end of the month.

The Online Keystone Spirit Wear store is now live. Here is the link for you to start to browse and shop; https://keystone-elementary-fall-2023-ols-335.itemorder.com/shop/home/. The store closes on October 27th. This fundraiser helps to support Keystone's SWPBIS Behavior program. Thank you for your support!

SAVE 10% off your fall fun tickets at Shady Brook Farm and help Keystone raise money for positive behavior initiatives and SWPBIS!

Direct Website Link: https://shadybrookfarm.com/discount/23KEY?redirect=%2Fcollections%2F2023-fallfest-ticket-only

CODE: 23KEY

On October 12th, 2023, the students in grades K-2 showed excellent audience skills as they listened actively to a play called THE BIG, BAD BULLYSAURUS, performed by the Walnut Street Theater.

Big shout out and immense gratitude to Mrs. Nober for organizing and arranging this fantastic opportunity for our primary grade leveled students!

Show Synopsis (taken from the Walnut Street Theater Website); "When Paleontologist Mark learns that his niece, Natalie, is being harassed by a local bully, he tells her the story of Ryan Rex Jr., a little dinosaur with a big bully problem of his own. With the help of his companions, Terry Pterodactyl and Billy Bullysaurus, Ryan and Natalie both learn a lesson about friendship and the importance of forgiveness. Filled with heart and humor, The Big Bad Bullysaurus entertains its audience while touching on this very timely issue."

Students in Ms. Ehrgott's kindergarten class enjoying being terrific audience members, while listening to the lessons about friendship and forgiveness.

Student council provided two wagons full of oversized games for recess. They are filled with Jenga, Chess/Checkers, Uno, Cards, Dominoes, and Yard Yahtzee.

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 seedless grapes, grape tomatoes, and prune plums this week.

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!

Mrs. O'Brien's class was reading the poem Weather by Eve Merriam. They were practicing their fluency skills. They were focused on reading at the right rate, being accurate with their words and reading with expression. Their performance for the principals was amazing!

To help children communicate their thoughts and feelings with family and peers, teach them how to state directly how they are feeling in a particular situation. One technique is the "I" statement: "I feel _______ (insert feeling word) when _____ (share what caused this feeling)." These statements open up the door to honest communication, authentic apologies and creative problem solving. Here are some examples of how "I" statements can be used social situations.

• I feel mad when my little sister goes into my room without asking me first.
• I felt sad when you formed a group at recess and didn't include me.
• I got upset when you caught the ball because I wanted to catch it. I'm sorry I yelled and ran off the field.
• 
  

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

This fall, all three elementary schools will be hosting fun Family Engagement Nights to foster and promote family participation in our Title I programs. Please see the schedule below for the date of your child’s school’s Family Night. Each school will host a night of fun activities and games. Families will also have the opportunity to attend information sessions about curriculum, Title I programs, PSSA’s, assessments, iCampus, and technology.

Brookwood will hold its annual Family Night on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 5:45-7:00.

Keystone will hold its annual Family Night on November 9th, 2023, from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Mill Creek will hold its annual Family Night on Thursday, October 26th, 2023, from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

All students and their families are invited.

Please be on the lookout for more detailed information from your child’s school. If you would like to know more about our Title I programs, please refer to the 2023-2024 Elementary Handbook.

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

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

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