KLSD Update Center
September 17, 2021
The Lorain County Public Health Department reported 11 new positive COVID-19 cases at Keystone Local Schools from September 13 – September 17. Cases occurring on Saturday and Sunday will be included in Monday’s count. COVID-19 case information is updated daily on our website.
Across the nation, school districts are in desperate need of substitute staff and bus drivers. The significance of this need is shown as Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced Monday he is activating the National Guard to help with school transportation. Our nation has never seen a shortage this substantial.
Here in Lorain County, our substitute numbers are staggeringly low. Generally, there are more than 170 substitutes for the county; we only have 57 this year. In the elementary, middle, and high school combined, we only have 7 permanent substitutes whereas last year we had 12.
Please consider becoming a permanent substitute at Keystone. This means that you are guaranteed work five days a week at $120 a day. We understand that you may have weekly or bi-weekly commitments, and we can accommodate your schedule accordingly. The work hours for substitute teachers at each school are as follows:
- Keystone Elementary 8:15-3:45
- Keystone Middle 7:25-2:55
- Keystone High 7:10-2:40
Qualifications for substitute teachers, mandated by the State, include a Bachelor’s Degree, and BCI/FBI background check. Contact Pam Gamble at the Education Service Center (ESC) at 440-324-5777 ext. 1113 to apply for substitute teaching positions.
To become a substitute for our transportation team, a CDL license is preferred; however, if you do not have one, we will pay for training. In addition, you need to have a BCI/FBI background check and clean driving record. Depending on experience, drivers are paid between $14.90-$16.16 per hour. Most route times are 6am to 9:15am and 2:15pm to 5pm. To apply, call Therese Jackson at 440-355-2411 or email her at therese.jackson@keystoneschools.org.
Please consider becoming a part of the Keystone family in this capacity and providing vital services to our students.
September 10, 2021
The Lorain County Public Health Department reported 5 new positive COVID-19 cases at Keystone Local Schools from September 6 through September 10. Cases occurring on Saturday and Sunday will be included in Monday’s count. COVID-19 case information is updated daily on our website.
The first two weeks of school have gone well here at Keystone. Students have easily made the transition back to school, our fall sports programs are in full swing, and our extracurricular organizations are excited to bring another year of opportunities for students.
Please note that due to nationwide food supply chain shortages because of issues with labor, transportation, and raw materials, Keystone’s breakfast and lunch menus can be subject to change daily. For example, there are long term shortages for bread, bottles for drinks, like Gatorade, eggs, condiment packets, and much more. If you have concerns about your child’s meals, you can call the head cook at your child’s building via the contact information below.
Keystone’s PTA is hosting a Dine to Donate event at Romeo’s Pizza on Wednesday, Sept 15. 25% of all purchases will benefit Keystone’s PTA and all they do for our students.
In addition, the KES PTA is hosting a mums fundraiser now through Saturday, Sept 18. Read more @ KES Mumkins Fundraiser & Order Form.
Lastly, As our country reflects on the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001, I am reminded of how thankful I am for our country's Armed Forces, first responders, and all of our courageous, brave, selfless, and loyal Americans. The words "United We Stand" truly echo in my heart in this reflection.
Thank you for continuing this union as our country works through this pandemic, and thank you for your support of our school District and our students.
Have a wonderful weekend Keystone! Go Wildcats!
September 3, 2021
The Lorain County Public Health Department reported 2 new positive COVID-19 cases at Keystone Local Schools from August 30 through September 3. Cases occurring on Saturday and Sunday will be included in Monday’s count. COVID-19 case information is updated daily on our website.
It’s been a great first week for students in grades one through twelve here at Keystone. We appreciate your patience as we iron out the beginning-of-the-year wrinkles and make necessary modifications.
We met many of our parents and guardians at our elementary, middle, and high school open houses. Taking an interest and active role in your child’s education is a key to success. I encourage parents who could not attend to contact their child’s teacher via phone or email to familiarize yourself with their goals and objectives for student learning. All staff members are listed with their prospective buildings on our website under Quick Contacts.
As a reminder, per the Center for Disease Control (CDC), masks are mandated on transportation. The health and safety of our students is our top priority. While masks are not mandated for students while in the building, it is strongly recommended. Please continue to be diligent in hand-washing and social distancing. It is our goal to keep face-to-face learners in our buildings five days a week.
We look forward to welcoming our kindergarten students on Tuesday, September 7. Have a great Labor Day weekend Keystone!
August 25, 2021
We hope you have had a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing our 1st -12th grade students on Monday!
We have posted to our website our Back to School Update. Please pay close attention to the quarantine guidelines. Schools throughout Ohio are experiencing a significant number of students having to quarantine for up to 10 days due to being in close contact with a person testing positive for Covid.
Students that have to quarantine cannot come to school and cannot participate in extracurriculars such as sports, band or choir while in quarantine. Also, please understand we do NOT have remote learning in place for students that have to quarantine. The best way to avoid quarantine is to either be vaccinated if you are age eligible or wear a mask.
Also, students with symptoms of Covid cannot come to school.
Please view our guidance online under our Back to School Update for further information or contact me with any questions.
In spite of the challenges we are facing to start this year, we look forward to seeing our 1st-12th grade students back in school on Monday. Have a great evening and Go Wildcats!
August 23, 2021
As a nation, we continue to face uncertainties as we navigate COVID-19 and its variants. This affects our 2021-22 school year in a variety of ways. We will have cleaning protocols in place and will maintain three feet of separation when possible. Students are encouraged to regularly wash and sanitize their hands. Sanitization stations are available in all buildings. We will continue to communicate COVID cases and exposure on our website in our UPDATE CENTER. Our goal is to have students in our buildings as face-to-face learners five days a week. The measures below will help us achieve this goal.
Policies & Recommendations as of August 2021
Masks & Quarantine
Face masks are required on busing and any other school-provided transportation. Students will have to wear masks on buses whether they are vaccinated or not. Should a student decline to wear a mask, it is the responsibility of a parent or guardian to drive him/her to school. *Note: There are medical and religious exemptions for those that require them. Please contact our Director of Pupil Services, Nikki Campbell at Nikki.Campbell@keystoneschools.org for an exemption.
If students are vaccinated, they do not need to wear a mask during the school day.
If students are NOT vaccinated, it is strongly encouraged that they wear a mask; however, it is not mandated. If a student is NOT masked, he or she has a greater risk of having to quarantine for up to 10 days.
Should a student be exposed to the virus, the CDC mandates that contact tracing and quarantining continue as COVID is still classified as a level one disease.
We will work with the Lorain County Public Health Department, to the extent allowable by privacy laws and other applicable laws, to confidentially provide information about people diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19. We will update our confirmed case count on a daily basis. Monday’s count will include Friday’s, Saturday’s, and Sunday’s case numbers.
Students and staff who test positive for COVID will be directed by health authorities to isolate for 10 days. As soon as we are informed of a positive case of COVID in the school, we will notify the families of students who had close contact with the positive case as well as the health department.
The wearing of masks for students, staff and any visitors is strongly recommended but not required. The wearing of masks reduces the risk of having to quarantine.
When wearing a mask it should,
- Fully cover the mouth, nose, and chin
- Fit securely so there are no gaps
- Not cause difficulties breathing
Physical distancing
Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, three feet social distancing will be utilized where feasible. Recess, physical education classes, *choir, and *band will be held as they were pre-COVID. *Students can request personal protection equipment if desired.
- Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
- Following the guidance of the Lorain County Public Health Department, staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system’s (HVAC) environmental controls will be set to maximize outdoor air circulation.
- Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities
- EPA approved cleaning/sanitizing supplies will be provided for each classroom. Students will continue to sanitize their desks. Lunch tables will be cleaned between classes. Bus seats will be cleaned daily.
- Custodians will continue the increased frequency of restroom checks to ensure soap and paper towels are available.
Symptoms
If your child is experiencing any symptoms of illness, do not send them to school until their symptoms have resolved for at least 48 hours. Contact your child’s physician if symptoms of illness persist or if you suspect they may have been exposed to COVID. Contact the school nurse if your child has an underlying condition, such as asthma or allergies, that may present as symptoms of illness.
COVID symptoms listed by the CDC include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
We will keep you informed as we receive more information from our health authorities.
We look forward to the return of our 1st - 12th grade students on Monday, August 30 and our kindergarten students on Tuesday, September 7.
If you have any questions or need clarification please contact Superintendent Dan White at Daniel.White@keystoneschools.org.
*To view newsletters from the 2020-21 school year, click HERE.
The graph on the link below details the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at Keystone Schools. Cases reported on Saturday and Sunday will be reported with Monday's count. This information is provided by the Lorain County Health Department, and all cases must be confirrmed by them.
| COnfirmed COVID Cases School Year 2021-22 | |
|---|---|
| Monday, Aug 30 |
0 |
| Tuesday, Aug 31 |
0 |
| Wednesday, Sept 1 | 0 |
|
Thursday, Sept 2 |
0 |
| Friday, Sept 3 | 2 |
| Tuesday, Sept 7 | 3 |
| Wednesday, Sept 8 | 0 |
| Thursday, Sept 9 | 2 |
| Friday, Sept 10 | 0 |
| Monday, Sept 13 | 4 |
| Tuesday, Sept 14 | 3 |
| Wednesday, Sept 15 | 4 |
|
Thursday, Sept 16 |
0 |
| Friday, Sept 17 | 0 |
| Monday, Sept 20 | 3 |
| Tuesday, Sept 21 | 5 |
| Wednesday, Sept 22 | |
| Thursday, Sept 23 | |
| Friday, Sept 24 |
To view cases from the 2020-21 school year, click HERE.