Keystone celebrates International Day | |
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This year’s edition of International Day featured a song in Sanskrit, a piano performance of Dvorak composition, a flamenco-style guitar performance, songs, dances, and videos in French and Spanish — and a routine from kindergarteners that brought the loudest cheers of the day.
Along with the performances, the day included a buffet of foods from around the world, such as Italian arancini, Japanese curry, Spanish tortillas, South Indian chaat, Argentinian empanadas, Mexican flautas, Indian curries, and some lightly sweetened sesame cookies that are beloved throughout the Middle East, just to name a few.
To round out the day, the varsity basketball team took on a team of faculty members. The faculty won, 82-74, but it was closer than the score showed.
In this week’s blog, Mr. Handmaker discusses the many activities on International Day.
Click here for some photos and videos from the day.
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Author Jennifer Bradbury visits with students
To tie in with International Day, author, Jennifer Bradbury came to campus and discussed her career as a writer, how she writes novels, and she led workshops.
She also talked about the history behind the book, Rock by Rock. The children’s book tells the story of Nek Chand, who transformed weather-beaten rocks into a sculpture garden in Northern India shortly after India and Pakistan were partitioned. That rock garden became a beloved site in India.
The underlying theme of that book, how seemingly small works can add up, proved a fantastic theme for the author’s talks and workshops with different age groups.
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Juniors present Stonecatcher Projects
This week, 11th graders presented their Stonecatcher Projects.
The image of the Stone Catcher refers to someone who catches the stones thrown unjustly at others and plays a role in “Just Mercy,” a book that students read last semester. Students’ projects investigated an issue that creates challenges for people in our community and/or around the world.
On the morning of International Day, students in AP English Language presented their projects to fellow students, parents, and faculty members, using Science Fair-style boards.
Click here for some photos from the presentations.
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Middle Schoolers finish track season
Keystone celebrated several successes during the district championship track meet this week, with the sixth-grade girls placing second in their division.
Here are the medal winners:
6th Grade:
- Isa, Bodhi, Caitlin, and Nyla won the gold medal in the 4x100 meter
- Caitlin won silver in the 800 meters and the 400 meters
- Nyla won gold in the 100 meters and 200 meters
- Dylan won gold in the discus
- Birdie won gold in the shot put
- Everett won bronze in the boys 2400 meters
7th/8th Grade:
- 8th grader Natalia won gold in the 400 meters
- 8th grader J.R. won gold in the 400 meters
- 8th graders Andrés, Wylie, Ryan, and J.R. won bronze in the 4x400 relay
- 8th grader Andrés won bronze in the triple jump
Click here for some photos from the meet.
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Little School welcomes baby chicks
What a fun lesson at the Little School!
Preschool learned about the life cycle of a baby chick, as they hosted fertilized eggs, incubated them and watched them hatch.
It started with incubating more than three dozen at a setting of 100 degrees. Students watched and observed as they automatically turned inside the incubator, and they shined a light from under an egg in the dark to get a better view of how the chick developed.
This week, the chicks began hatching. After the chicks were dry, teachers and students transferred them to an area that provided heat, food, and water. Said Ms. Erin: “We also showed the chicks how to drink and eat on their own, just like real mother hens!”
Students observed and even held the chicks. Now, the baby chicks are at a facility that houses a chicken coop, where they can grow and flourish.
Here are some photos.
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SA Smart team presents to VIA board
How’s this for a practice run: Middle schoolers with the SA Smart team attended a VIA Metropolitan Transit board meeting this week and presented their idea for a VIA Rewards Program.
They shared their idea during a time for public comments, with board member and Keystone parent Melanie Tawil welcoming the students.
The Keystone students will make their formal presentation next month at the finals of the mayor's SA Smart City Challenge.
Congrats and good luck!
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From left, SA Smart team: Eighth-graders Ashwin, Cameron, Audrey, Emily, Neerja and Kunling. Keystone parent and VIA board member Melanie Tawil is second from left. | | |
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Girls on the Run team raising money for SNIPSA
From May 2-5, the school’s Girls on the Run team will sell breakfast items before school starts and popsicles and lemonade during Aftercare.
All proceeds will go to SNIPSA, an organization devoted to helping homeless and unwanted animals in the San Antonio area.
If you would like to donate to the Girls on the Run team for SNIPSA, scan this QR code to send money to Keystone parent and one of the team’s coaches, Dina Tom.
Good luck, girls!
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If you have checked out a book from the school library, turn it in before May 5, reminds school Librarian Mrs. Vilagi.
Students who turn in their books on time will be entered into a raffle for some cool prizes. Mrs. Vilagi will draw winners’ names on May 15th.
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Register for Writers Workshop now!
There are still a few spaces open in the summer Writers Workshop:
The workshop runs 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.
Our other summer camps are full.
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Billy's Blog: From our Head of School | |
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“He built and built and built. He dreamed bigger than one man could manage alone, but he was not discouraged.”
-Rock by Rock: The Fantastical Garden of Nek Chand by Jennifer Bradbury, Illustrated by Sam Boughtton
Anyone who feels pessimistic about where our country is headed should spend time with Keystone students. The outstanding academic research exhibited by the juniors combined with their plans for addressing social and political issues left visitors to yesterday’s Stonecatcher Fair impressed and inspired. The fair kicked off an amazing array of activities on International Day, and the Little School Fiesta Float Parade at the end of the day showed the promise of a new generation of Cobras.
If there had been a theme for Thursday’s variety of events, it could have been the difference a single individual can make. Lower School students began their day by hearing author Jennifer Bradbury discuss her book “Rock by Rock: The Fantastical Garden of Nek Chand.” A huge thank you goes to librarian Jeanette Vilagi for bringing Ms. Bradbury to campus to talk with students about her work as a writer and the themes of her beautiful book. Many students expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for Keystone’s hosting Ms. Bradbury.
Credit also goes to senior Sarah M for working with Ms. Vilagi on the program for the day. When she was a junior, Sarah wrote her Stonecatcher Project paper on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and some possible solutions to this decades-long issue. Ms. Vilagi introduced Sarah to the book “Rock by Rock” and they floated a plan for International Day that would include a variety of activities stemming from everyone reading the book and learning how one individual can produce meaningful change.
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Important Events and Notes | |
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Spring Virtual Alumni Gathering - May 3
Dear Alumni:
Join us for a special presentation on the history of Keystone by two current Upper School students and an update on your alma mater from Head of School Billy Handmaker. The virtual gatherings are a great way to connect with alumni from all over the country.
The gathering is scheduled for Wednesday, May 3rd at 6 pm CST. For the zoom link please email Bella Peters, bpeters@keystoneschool.org.
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Travel Society pizza sale - May 12
Come get your pizza to support the Travel Society.
Slices of cheese pizza cost $2 each in advance and orders will be billed through RenWeb. A La Carte, salad bar and milk will be available for purchase through Cafeteria Services.
Pizza purchased on the day of the sale cost $2.50 per slice.
Scan the QR code or click here to place your order.
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Keystone Night at the SA Philharmonic - May 13
The San Antonio Philharmonic and Keystone are joining for a special concert on Saturday, May 13. On that night, conductor Noam Aviel leads the orchestra in Beethoven’s “Eroica,” with additional works by Rodrigo, Piazolla and Plaza.
Purchase your tickets here: https://saphil.org/event/cl9
Use promo code KEYSTONE for a 20% discount.
Then come early for a special Keystone reception before the show.
Download the invitation here for more information.
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Cobra Radio podcast features two seniors: Quincy and Stella | | |
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The current episode of Cobra Radio features two Keystone seniors: Quincy and Stella.
They're lifers and have known each other since kindergarten. In this conversation, they share stories of Keystone and how their friendship has evolved over the years.
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".
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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.
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Support Keystone while you shop | |
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Keystone is proud to announce a partnership with ShopRaise.
ShopRaise is an easy way to make philanthropy part of your online purchases. From groceries and apparel to technology and travel – a percentage of almost everything you buy goes to support our cause. The best thing is the program is free, you do not pay any more for the items you buy, and you get access to all the best coupons and deals.
Please help us support and promote our program by doing these 3 simple things:
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We want to hear from you! | |
Follow Keystone on social media | | | | |
