Principal's Page

PMEA BAND FEST We were recently privileged to host the 2008 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Middle School Band Fest at Keystone High School. Mr. Rembold, Elementary Band Instructor, planned the event with assistance from the music staff at Keystone School District. Host conductors were Jerry Rembold and Randi Libby. Two hundred thirty students in grades 6, 7, and 8 from 49 schools in 5 counties came together to participate for 6 hours of rehearsal and a one hour public concert. Over 800 parents and guests were in attendance. Guest conductors were Ron Allaman, reitred band director from Clarion Area and also from Keystone, and Don Croft, reitred Music Instructor at North Star. The students involved were exceptional examples of disciplined and diligent young people and fine representatives from their school. I urge you as parents to continue to support and encourage your children's participation in programs such as these, which are the essence of the educational process. Working together with each other towards a common goal, these young "right brain-directed" musicians not only created a great program, but also honed other skills to improve learning in all areas. Cooperation, diligence, design and creativity are among the essential aptitudes for individuals to succeed in the 21st Century. I am pleased that we at Keystone were able to be a part of this excellent program. Thanks to Mr. Rembold and Keystone's music staff for planning and executing the 2008 PMEA Band Fest.

Dear Parents, We have already begun our plans for next year at Keystone Elementary School. We work together as a staff to make appropriate decisions for students as to home room placement, scheduling, and special needs such as speech and language, learning support, Title I reading and math. If you have requests or suggestions to assist us in making the appropriate placement for your child, please feel free to do so. Questions about your child's progress or requests for evaluation by our school psychologist, IEP meetings, or parent/teacher conferences can be made at any time. If you have a request for a homeroom placement for your child for family, medical, or academic reasons, please submit a request in writing to the Elementary Office. This request must be received by the last day of the current school year to be considered in our scheduling. Thank you for working with us to provide the best education for our children. We are looking forward to another successful year at Keystone.

Parents: We appreciate your willingness to send in treats with your children to share with classmates. We request, however, that you do NOT send candy, pop, or baked goods with your child to share. Healthy snacks such as pretzels, cheese, veggies and fruit are gladly accepted and distributed. Non-food treats, such as pencils, stickers, notebooks, bookmarks, and small toys are also appreciated. If you wish to send a treat to school with your child to share on a birthday or as a part of a classroom party, please contact your child's teacher for suggestions. Thanks for your cooperation and continued generosity.

Dear Parents, During the next few months, our required PSSA testing will take place in Writing, Reading, Math and Science. More information

A note to parents, community members and organizations who use the building facilities after school hours: We are pleased that we can offer our Elementary building facilities to you for your organization's use. If you use our facilities after regular school hours, please supervise students at all times. We must ensure the safety of our children and protect the facilities available for public use. Thank you for your compliance with this request.

Are you familiar with our Student Support Services? Please see the Parents page for more information.

Parents: Please remember that the school day ends at 3:35 and instruction continues in our classrooms until then. If you are picking your child up at school, please make arrangements to do so at the first bell at 3:35. Thank you for respecting our staff's efforts at maximizing instructional time by avoiding unnecessary classroom interruptions.

Keystone Wellness Policy Public Law 108-265, the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, requires all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to develop local wellness policies. One requirement of the law is that nutrition guidelines must be developed for all foods available on each school campus during the school day. The objectives are to promote student health and reduce childhood obesity. The standards apply to all grades in all buildings. The standards will require us to regulate what foods can be accepted from home as snacks, birthday treats, or other holiday foods, as well as what we serve in the school cafeteria. Please read the newly approved Keystone School District Wellness Policy. In addition, you may check the Pennyslvania Department of Education website at www.pde.state.pa.us for more information on wellness policies. Also, see the Guidelines for Nutritional Standards for Competitive Foods in Pennsylvania Schools on the PDE web site. You may also see which treats may be sent to school.

Do you have questions about the PSSA testing in which your child is involved? See the "PSSA Frequently Asked Questions 2006" page on the PA Department of Education web site.

Elementary office hours during the school year are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. During these hours, secretaries may be reached at 797-1251, extensions 110, 111, or 115.

From the Desk of Mrs. Corcetti, Principal . . .