Lower and Middle School students show off their Science Fair projects | |
|
This year marked a pre-pandemic return to in-person Science Fair presentations for students in grades 3-4. They unfurled their three-fold display boards and happily discussed their projects with older students, younger ones, and parents who browsed the displays.
Meanwhile, fifth and sixth graders presented their science fair projects in the theater. What began as a pandemic adjustment is now a new tradition for our young scientists.
Click here for photos from the presentations
| |
Keystone closed March 13-17
A reminder that Keystone will be closed March 13-17 for Spring Break.
The next Communiqué will come out March 24. Enjoy your time off and we'll see you back on March 20.
| | |
From left: Amanda, Caroline, Middle School Social Studies Teacher Mrs. Sadosky, Kunling, Nidhi, Alexandra, and Aditi. | |
Eighth-grade team takes second in state competition
Congratulations to 8th graders Nidhi and Kunling for taking second place statewide in the Speak Up/Speak Out competition in Austin, and winning the award for Community Engagement. Earlier this year, the duo won the San Antonio competition for their proposal to address the need for feminine products in schools.
A team of seventh graders – Aditi, Amanda, Alexandra, and Caroline – advanced to the state gathering by coming in second place in the San Antonio competition, and delivering a strong presentation.
| |
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society honors three Keystone students
Congratulations to the three Keystone students who received honors at the San Antonio Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student Visionaries Dinner.
Sophomore Aarav and junior Nandini, and a friend from another school won the Mission Pillar Award for Research and were runners-up for Student Visionaries of the Year. They joined together as Team “Be The Change,” and raised $73,687 in seven weeks.
Sophomore Rashmi won the Mission Award for Advocacy Service, and she won the Hero Award for individually raising more than $50,000.
The funds raised from the Student Visionaries of the Year campaign help find cures and ensure access to treatments for cancer patients.
What wonderful work!
| |
From left: Upper School Head Mr. Spedding, Aarav, Nandini, Rashmi, and Head of School Mr. Handmaker. | |
6th graders hone persuasive techniques
Students in Mrs. Luckie’s 6th grade English class delivered speeches that aimed to persuade their listeners.
Before working on this assignment, students read essays from famous authors that were written in different persuasive styles. Then the students brainstormed topics and narrowed them down to a single one. They researched their topics and incorporated persuasive techniques, such as pathos, ethos, and logos.
The topics chosen addressed international issues, national problems, penal reform, proper parenting, the necessity of economics classes, and the revision of school dress codes to name a few.
Such a terrific assignment!
| |
|
Little Schoolers celebrate Read Across America and welcome firefighters
What a fun couple of weeks at the Little School!
Last week, they commemorated Read Across America with activities that included a visit from Cat in the Hat. Earlier this week, the Little School welcomed firefighters from the San Antonio Fire Department, who told them about their work and stressed the importance of fire safety.
| |
|
Upper schoolers perform Much Ado About Nothing
| |
|
Upper schoolers brought a contemporary twist to Shakespeare with their rendition of "Much Ado About Nothing" this week.
The romantic comedy tells of two couples falling in love, and the trickery, manipulation, and misdirection along the way.
Kudos to the students and advisors for creating a delightful production!
| |
Newest edition of The Keynote now online | |
The newest edition of The Keynote, the student publication, is now online. Check it out at KeystoneKeynote.com. | |
Keystone summer camps are almost all full!
Almost all the summer camps are full.
Here's the lineup:
Little School Camps - May 30-June 9: Students 3-8 years old will delight in art and cooking projects. Cost: $585/student for the two-week camp, add $150/student for extended day program. All spots are filled. Please email Head of Preschool Dena Hoenig Valdez at dvaldez@keystoneschool.org to be added to the waitlist.
Camp Cobra - May 30-June 2: Basketball and volleyball for rising 3rd-8th grade students. Camp is now full.
Camp Hollywood - June 5-9, and June 12-16: Students in rising 3rd-8th grade will write, direct, star and film their own productions. Cost: $300/student per week. Camp is now full.
Writers Workshop - June 19-30 (Monday-Friday): Students in rising 6th-9th grades will create their own original works in different literary styles. Cost: $300/student for the two-week camp. Click here to register
Looking forward to seeing you this summer!
| | |
Billy's Blog: From our Head of School | |
|
“If you have an opportunity to use your voice you should use it.”
-Samuel L. Jackson
Our students continually amaze and inspire me. Guided by outstanding teachers, they combine their excellent academic background with a passion for a variety of local, regional, national, and international concerns. Children and young adults research topics, write compelling papers, present their ideas, and propose solutions in speeches. They also take their activism and advocacy to the greater community. Watching these young people find their voice and speak out on those topics they feel passionate about is a true joy.
Just this past Sunday evening at the San Antonio Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student Visionaries Dinner, sophomores Aarav and Rashmi and junior Nandini were recognized for their advocacy on behalf of patients and families who suffer from blood-borne cancers. Aarav and Nandini, and a friend from another school, won the Mission Pillar Award for Research and were runners-up for Student Visionaries of the Year having raised $73,687 in seven weeks. Rashmi won the Mission Award for Advocacy Service and raised over $50,000. As you can imagine, there was quite a buzz in the room regarding Keystone students and their success in helping cancer research and advocacy.
| |
Important Events and Notes | |
Keystone Food & Drink Festival - March 31 |  | |
Our annual spring fundraiser is this month! The Keystone Food & Drink Festival, takes place on Friday, March 31 on campus.
This event brings together parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, and friends of Keystone on campus for an evening of enjoying outstanding dishes, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, while coming together and catching up in person.
Keep an eye on Keystone social media accounts as we reveal auction items such as bundles and international trips (example photo shown above).
Sponsor signs are starting to go up, but it's not too late to see your name in print! Whether you would like to represent your business or your own family, please consider purchasing a sponsorship for the upcoming Keystone Food and Drink Festival. The Food and Drink Festival offers exciting opportunities to strengthen your brand while supporting Keystone in its efforts to help its students realize their potential.
To secure a sponsorship, or purchase individual tickets, go to: https://event.gives/foodanddrink
Please also consider donating an item for the silent auction. If you would like to contribute to the auction, please contact Bella Peters at bpeters@keystoneschool.org.
| | |
Special Thanks to our Platinum Sponsors | |
Join your PTO Council!
The PTO Council is currently building the Election ballot for School Year 2023-24 and there are a few open positions available. It's a great opportunity to work with faculty, staff and other parents who plan activities in support of Keystone's outreach and academic programs.
Open positions:
- Middle School Representative
- Upper School Representative
If you wish to learn more about the positions on the ballot and/or wish to be considered as a candidate, please contact either Rose Parham, rose@thekneadedcupboard.com or Sumiti Green, Sumiti.Green@gmail.com.
The deadline for adding candidates is Friday, March 31.
| |
Family Fun Day - April 22
Save the Date: Saturday, April 22
Time: 4 pm – 7 pm
Location: Main Campus
Enjoy an outdoor event filled with food trucks, free games, inflatables, and crafts. Open to all Keystone families, grandparents and siblings.
| |
PTO General Meeting - April 25
From Keystone's PTO:
Save the date for the Spring PTO General Meeting on Monday, April 25 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. Agenda and list of speakers to follow. Parents will receive an email with a link to the meeting.
| |
Cobra Radio podcast features three seniors: Maya A., Ana, Hazel | | |
|
|
The next episode of Cobra Radio features three Keystone seniors: Maya A., Ana, and Hazel.
All three have known each other since kindergarten here, and they share stories of becoming friends in Lower School, challenges in Middle School, and experiences in Upper School.
It drops on Tuesday, March 21.
Find this episode and subscribe on:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
If you're searching for it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts, type in "Cobra Radio" and "Keystone".
| | |
Get your Keystone gear now | |
We are working with Follett, which provides fanwear and other merchandise to colleges, universities and K-12 schools. Place your orders with Follett, and your merchandise will ship directly to your house.
| |
Support Keystone while you shop | |
We want to hear from you! | |
Follow Keystone on social media | | | | |
