Keystone is SA's Best Private School, Niche says |
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Once again, Niche rates Keystone as the Best Private School in San Antonio. Although our focus is working hard to provide the best educational experience for all of our students, it is gratifying for others to recognize our work.
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Admissions Open House - spread the word |
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Dear Parents,
In less than a month, we will hold our annual Admissions Open House, where we can share the good news of Keystone with the broader San Antonio community.
This year, it will take place virtually. We are reaching out to you to ask for your help in sharing the news about our Open House, which will run from 1-3pm on Nov. 8. We also hope to reach families outside of San Antonio, who are making plans to move from other cities.
You know how our school and our community inspire and challenge children, and help them grow intellectually and emotionally. Whenever you can, please tell your friends and coworkers -- people who you think would find a home here -- about Keystone. Just like our students, our school is different. We are not for everyone, but for some students and families, we are the perfect fit.
As Cobra parents, you realize that Keystone is a hub of intellectual inquiry, high expectations, nurturing support, and a commitment to help others. You can help others experience the joy of the Keystone community by spreading the word. We appreciate your advocacy and your support.
With hope and gratitude,
Billy Handmaker
Head of School
Andrea Banks
Director of Enrollment Management
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Art contest to transform wristbands |
As students and parents have learned, everybody who enters campus must have a temperature check and receive a wristband and symptom check to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID.
But what to do with all those wristbands? Sixth-grader Sarah came up with a wonderful and creative idea: Launch an art contest.
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Fourth-grader's essay places second in citywide contest |
Congratulations to fourth-grader Cybella, whose essay received second place in a citywide essay contest.
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Seventh-graders collecting for Humane Society |
Two seventh-graders are collecting donated pet items to donate to the San Antonio Humane Society from Oct. 19-30.
They're asking for a whole host of items and collecting them in bins around campus below the posted flyers.
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No Picture Day - Photo app coming soon |
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Because we're in concurrent learning, we're doing school pictures different this year. Instead of picture day with Lifetouch coming to campus, we decided to switch this year to an app that allows families to take their own photos and submit them to our yearbook staff.
It’s called Selfie Portraits, and Dr. Arnold says that the company is developing a portal for Keystone that should be finished soon. Once it’s finished, we’ll share the link for the app with parents so they can submit their photos.
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Annual Fund Update
A note from Mrs. Villafranca:
We're now in the active phase of the Annual Fund and thanks to you, we're off to a great start!
Keystone’s Annual Fund has reached a 32.22% overall parent participation rate in the first week of the fundraising drive alone. We are very grateful to all the families who have already donated or pledged to this year's Annual Fund. This year's goal is to achieve 100% parent participation and to raise at least $260,000.
Parent participation and financial support are equally important now more than ever to help sustain the Keystone community. Donations and pledges can be made at https://www.keystoneschool.org/donate/. You can pledge now and have until May 31, 2021 to fulfill your commitment.
Here are the class participation rates to date:
- Terrific Turtles 36.36%
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Busy Bugs 26.67%
- Rainforest Frogs 56.25%
- Rainforest Monkeys 35.29%
- K 53.13%
- 1st 19.35%
- 2nd 40.00%
- 3rd 33.33%
- 4th 53.33%
- 5th 36.36%
- 6th 39.47%
- 7th 11.43%
- 8th 12.12%
- 9th 34.21%
- 11th 28.13%
- 12th 34.48%
Adriana Villafranca
Director of Development
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If you're stressed, Keystone's counseling resource is available
Dear Families,
As we near the end of the quarter, we recognize that this continues to be a very stressful time for adults and especially our children. Please know that Keystone has a counseling resource of Dr. Erica Shapiro who is available to families with children on campus and in distance learning. Feel free to contact her at eshapiro@keystoneschool.org.
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Invitation for families in Distance Learning
A note from Mr. Tijerina:
We want to extend a special invitation to you to please send us photos of your child or children who are working in Distance Learning mode. We'd like to post pictures on social media. Please send them to etijerina@keystoneschool.org. Even though you are not physically on campus, you are with us, and we want to share that message with the rest of the Keystone community and beyond.
Edmund Tijerina
Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications
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Billy's Blog - From our Head of School |
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“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
I don’t usually want students to miss school, but sometimes a learning opportunity arises and it’s too good to pass up.
So when several students asked me to sign the papers allowing them to serve as election clerks on Election Day, November 3, I happily agreed that this was an important educational experience worth missing a day of school. In this non-partisan position, they will help ensure the electoral process proceeds smoothly at the polling places.
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Due to the pandemic, college representatives are visiting Keystone virtually. Here are the visits for this week:
Mon., Oct 19:
University of St. Andrews (Scotland), 8AM *before school visit
Clark University (MA), 2nd Period
Northern Arizona University, 5th Period
12th Brown Bag, 6th Period
Rice University (TX), 8th period
Tues., Oct 20:
Baylor University (TX), 3rd Period
Davidson College (NC), 4th Period
Hampshire College (MA), 6th Period
Wed., Oct 21:
University of Oregon, 4th Period
Wesleyan University (CT), 5th Period
Hawaii Pacific University, 6th Period
Thurs., Oct 22:
Oglethorpe University (GA), 4th Period
St. Edward’s University (TX), 6th Period
Fri., Oct 23:
Connecticut College, 6th Period
College visits to Keystone are intended for students only. Links for the visits are accessible through Naviance 15 minutes prior to the visit. Please see Ms. Christiansen for assistance.
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Important events and notes |
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Maintaining Social-Emotional Health During COVID Workshop - Oct. 20
Our friends at the Winston School invite us to a virtual workshop they're hosting, “Maintaining Social-Emotional Health During COVID: Practical Strategies for Schools and Families.”
This workshop presents strategies to help families during these unusual times. The expert panel will consist of: Courtney Crim, Ed.D., Educator and Associate Professor at Trinity University, and Amanda Koplin, LPC, a mental health therapist specializing in helping teens cope with anxiety, depression and addictions.
They will be discussing this topic and answering questions. To attend, please RSVP here.
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PTO General Meeting - Oct. 19
From the Keystone PTO: Parents are invited to attend the PTO General Meeting on Monday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Here's the info:
Meeting ID: 921 0731 5288
Passcode: 3eR1dK
The meeting will include an introduction from Head of School, Billy Handmaker, PTO updates, and guest speaker Dr. Erica Shapiro, Keystone Counselor. Dr. Shapiro will present on how to protect parent and child mental health during difficult times. The presentation will be followed by Q&A.
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Special invitation for alumni in the Southeast US - Oct. 22 event
Southeast Alumni! Please join us for a virtual townhall on Thursday, October 22nd at 7:30 pm EST. Invited are alumni of all ages living in West Virginia, Virginia, Washington D.C., Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
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Texas Book Festival - Oct. 31- Nov. 14
Keystone families will want to attend the Texas Book Festival, which runs from Oct. 31-14. Usually it's in Austin, but this year it's virtual - and it's free.
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Message for Keystone alumni, parents and grandparents
Would you like to create a legacy at Keystone School? How about honoring a friend or family member for years to come? Join us for an information session on Wednesday, October 28 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CST to learn how you can benefit through creative, flexible estate and planned giving options.
When you make a charitable gift through your estate, you are often able to make a bigger impact than you ever thought possible. Presenters include Keystone’s Head of School Mr. Billy Handmaker, Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy John Benage, and Legacy Circle Member Class of ’67 Carolyn Brown Langenkamp. Please register for the Zoom meeting at avillafranca@keystoneschool.org.
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Hot lunches now available |
Cafeteria procedures may have changed, but hot lunch is still available.
Now it's packaged in to-go containers and students eat either in their classrooms or outside.
For more information, including how to load your account go to:
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Support Keystone while you shop |
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If you're purchasing items from Amazon, please consider supporting Keystone with your purchases and use AmazonSmile. Just designate Keystone as the beneficiary and a portion of your purchases will go to the school.
Make sure to install the Smilematic browser extension. It works with Firefox, Chrome and Safari and automatically redirects users to AmazonSmile when they visit Amazon. Here's the tool: https://couponfollow.com/smilematic.
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We want to hear from you! |
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Follow Keystone on social media |
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