KLSD Back-to-School Update Center
Use the resources on this page to access ALL of our publications and updates related to the restarting of the 2020-21 school year. This page will be updated daily as new information is received.
COVID-19 Updates and Superintendent's Newsletters
September 25, 2020
The Lorain County Public Health Department reported 0 new COVID-19 cases at Keystone for the week of September 14 – September 21.
We are providing free breakfast and lunch for our virtual learners beginning the week of Sept 30. I outlined a few details below; however, for the comprehensive process along with the sign-up form, please access the article titled “VIRTUAL LEARNER MEALS” on our website. The first food pickup will be on Oct 1 and 2. In order to receive meals, VIRTUAL learners must fill out an order form EVERY Tuesday by 12pm. Food must be picked up between 9:15am and 10:30am on Thursday OR Friday of each week. You will select your pickup date each time you submit the meal form. The first meal form deadline is Tuesday, Sept 29 at noon. Meals will be distributed on Thursday, Oct 1 and Friday, Oct 2 from 9:15-10:30. If you have questions, please contact Food Service Supervisor Jody White at 440-355-2389. Again, for the complete process of free meal distribution for our virtual learners, please visit our news article @ Virtual Learner Meals.
We are excited to offer live streaming of Keystone volleyball, soccer, and football games. Follow Athletic Director Jon Bailey on Twitter @jbaileyKLSAD and links to the live streams will be posted as the broadcast begins!
Lastly, the census deadline is September 30, 2020. The census is important because your response helps us obtain federal funds for our community for schools, roads, and other public services. The survey takes only minutes to complete and is accessible @ https://my2020census.gov/.
Have a great weekend Keystone!
September 18, 2020
Happy Friday Keystone!
The Lorain County Public Health Department reported 0 new COVID-19 cases at Keystone for the week of September 7 – September 14.
Google is having problems with their educational platform, our primary resource for our virtual learners. We have reported these issues to Google and many other districts are experiencing these issues and reporting them as well.
We understand the frustration this causes for all those involved: our students, parents, and teachers. Please hang in there with us as we continue to report these issues. Google has responded, and their engineers are working on this problem and addressing it as a high priority.
We will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch for all students throughout the fall semester. Free breakfast items include two grains, fruit, and milk. Lunch includes one meat/meat alternative (yogurt or cheese), a fruit, vegetable, grain, and milk. Thank you to Jody White, our Food Service Supervisor, and her staff for the incredible job they have done in handling this increase to our school breakfast and lunch.
Have a great weekend Keystone!
September 11, 2020
COVID Update & Superintendent's Newsletter
The Lorain County Public Health Department reported positive COVID-19 cases amongst the staff. The Health Department determined there was no exposure at the school; thus, no one required quarantine. Any person testing positive must quarantine until cleared to return to school by the Health Department.
Although I dislike beginning my newsletters in this fashion, I want to assure parents we are transparently reporting COVID-19 cases at our District. Thus, throughout this school year, my newsletter will begin with the COVID update, followed by our school news, events, accomplishments, and more. With that being said, GREAT WORK to all of our students, staff, parents, and families on an awesome first week of school! The transition back, even after a six-month hiatus, went very smoothly!
The USDA announced free breakfast and lunch for all students throughout the fall semester. This will start on Monday, Sept 14 at all three Keystone Schools. Free breakfast items include two grains, fruit, and milk.
Lunch includes one meat/meat alternative (yogurt or cheese), a fruit, vegetable, grain, and milk. If you pack a lunch, and you need an individual item, such as a milk, it will need to be purchased for .50. A la carte items are not included.
Lastly, please join me in welcoming the newest members of our Keystone family, this year’s kindergarteners, on Monday, Sept 14.
Have a great weekend Keystone!
September 3, 2020
For our online learners, we now have materials ready for you to pick up. You can pick up these materials on Friday, September 4th, from 9-11 or from 1-3. You may also pick up materials next week on Tuesday, September 8th, from 4:30-6 or Wednesday, September 9th, from 4:30-6. You will pick up materials behind KES by the playground. These materials consist of workbooks, books and some other resources that may be needed during online learning. This pick up will not include chromebooks. If you got your materials today while picking up your Chromebook, you do not need to come again. You have what you need. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.
September 2, 2020
Keystone Family,
As we prepare to welcome our students back next Tuesday, I want to take this opportunity to address Coronavirus concerns and explain to you the process we will use to communicate positive cases.
Q. What safety measures are in place at Keystone?
Our safety measures include spatial barriers, face mask requirements, plexiglass, social distancing, and cleaning protocols.
Q. Will we be contacted if someone tests positive at Keystone?
Early each week, I will send communication and share with you any positive cases at Keystone. Legally, however, due to privacy laws, we cannot give the name, grade level, or any other identifiable information concerning positive results.
Q. Will I know the number of positive cases at Keystone?
The number of cases can be considered identifiable information and has the potential to violate privacy laws.
Upon recommendation from the Lorain County Health Commissioner Dave Covell, we will not provide specific numbers. Covell stated that case numbers are not representative of the cases spread at the school.
For example, individuals may gather at an event outside of school in which 5 people contract/spread the virus. This could lead to the assumption that the virus is spreading at school when in reality it is not.
We will always follow Covell’s guidance and recommendations in all situations related to the Coronavirus and the health and safety of our students.
Q. What if someone tests positive in my child’s class?
The purpose of the safety measures is to safeguard against the spread of the virus. If a student tests positive, it does not mean it will spread in the school if everyone follows the safety protocols.
When there is a positive case with an exposure risk, the Lorain County Health Department will contact you if quarantine is necessary.
Q. What should I do if my child tests positive?
Any person testing positive must quarantine until cleared to return to school. The Health Department created a DECISION TREE to address these questions. View this document @ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GROdexVTrXiPTfFhxM0WUPnj5qmcRG4q/view.
Q. Do I need to keep my child home if they have just one or a few mild
symptoms? How do I know the difference between a regular cough, cold,
flu and coronavirus?
The Lorain County Health Department addresses these questions @ https://www.loraincountyhealth.com/covid19resources.
Q. Have there been any positive cases within the District?
Yes. These cases have been addressed in the manner described in the previous questions.
Q. How do I prepare my student for the new safety mandates at school?
Navigate to https://www.loraincountyhealth.com/covid19resources. This site shows the proper way to wear a mask and also offers ways to prepare your child for school.
Talk to your child about their roles and responsibilities concerning safety measures both in and outside of school.
PLEASE stress to your child the mindset that anyone they come in contact with, whether during or after school, is a carrier of Coronavirus.
The Lorain County Health Department has this information and more on their website @ https://www.loraincountyhealth.com/coronavirus.
I am very thankful for our continued partnership with the Keystone community and appreciate your support during this time.
Welcome back Wildcats! This year our open house is taking place virtually. Please check out this video to preview some of the changes that will be taking place for this school year @ https://youtu.be/iZZeFjAuRcc.
View an informational video from Mr. Covell @ COVID-19 Rings of Exposure in Schools.
The guide is available via the link below. In addition, please use the video from Mr. White for further explanation. Please submit any additional questions or concerns to Superintendent Dan White at daniel.white@keystoneschools.org and/or Curriculum Coordinator Amanda Goran at amanda.goran@keystoneschools.org. If you have specific questions pertaining to IEP/504’s, please contact Nikki Campbell at nikki.campbell@keystoneschools.org. If you have specific questions pertaining to gifted services, please contact Dr. Donna Knight at donna.knight@keystoneschools.org.
Keystone's Back-to-School Restart Guide 2020-2021
*DRAFT as of July 27, 2020
Restart Documents
*Click on the following document to view questions as a PDF: 2020-21 School Restart Guide FAQ's
Are there cleaning protocols in place for the general buildings and grounds, classrooms, offices, etc.?
Yes. Protocols have been developed and are in compliance with current orders from the Lorain County Board of Public Health (LCPH). In addition, we have stocked an inventory of needed materials and chemicals to clean and disinfect. Items such as hand sanitizer and hand sanitizing stations have been ordered. All custodians and cleaners will be trained on cleaning protocols. Disinfectants will be available in each classroom for use by teachers and others in between scheduled cleaning. Teachers will also be instructed in proper cleaning protocols.
What happens if a student or staff member becomes ill while at school?
Any student or staff member who develops COVID-19 symptoms while at school will be quarantined in a designated quarantine room until a parent or guardian arrives to pick them up from school. The ill student or staff member will be required to wear a mask unless other health issues prevent it.
Any staff member that develops COVID-19 symptoms while at school will be sent home immediately. Steps will be taken to limit exposure to others, including the wearing of a mask unless other health issues prevent it.
*All exposed areas will be immediately cleaned and disinfected. Students may need to leave their classrooms while cleaning occurs.
How will students who are not sick but need medical attention in another way be treated?
Students who are sick or injured, not related to COVID-19 will be treated by the school nurse or clinic aide with normal standards of care.
How will parents/guardians be kept informed of any changes?
Information will be shared in parent/guardian updates through school messenger and posted on the parent tab of the school website and on our social media accounts.
Will you rotate staff and have students stay in a single room?
Building plans will be put in place. However, know that the middle school and high school students will be rotating to different classes. We will be staggering students in the halls to reduce the number of students in the hall at one time.
Can my child come in for electives such as band and choir?
Although the online curriculum for option 2 does not offer band and choir electives, it does offer a plethora of other electives including music appreciation. Since the curriculum offers electives, you must choose an elective from the digital academy. If your child returns after first semester, they will be given a period in their schedule to finish this elective for credit.
AP courses are not offered through the digital academy. How can my child participate in AP, CCP and Honors courses?
Since AP, CCP and Honors courses are not offered digitally and there is nothing offered for your child to earn that credit digitally, your child may come in for the AP, CCP or Honors course they are taking.
Will my child’s digital academy teacher be the same teacher if they return?
No. We will have a designated staff member for the digital academy that is different from our face-to-face teachers. It is unrealistic to expect our teachers to provide quality instruction in both face-to-face and digital classrooms at the same time, without providing them time for the digital classroom.
If my child chooses the digital academy, can my child still participate in extra-curricular activities?
Yes.
If more than 25 % of children choose online, does everyone go remote?
No. There will still be face-to-face. However, we will then arrange for our teachers to have time in their schedules to provide instruction via Google Classroom at this point. Our purpose of using the option 2 is to keep our teacher schedules as a full day of face-to-face instruction and reduce class sizes to help implement safety measures. If our percentage is higher, we will then provide teachers time throughout their day to provide face-to-face instruction as well as manage online courses.
If we choose the online option, does my child have to be logged in for the normal school hours?
No. Your child just needs to make sure the time and effort is being put into their assignments. They will receive a grade.
Where can I find more information about the curriculum for Edmentum?
Course Catalog (6-12): https://www.edmentum.com/course-catalog
Course Catalog (K-5): https://calvertlearning.com/curriculum
What if my child is on an IEP and wants to do online learning?
Please contact Nikki Campbell, Director of Pupil Services to help answer specific questions.
Back to School Transportation Plan 2020-21
THIS PERTAINS TO K-5 ONLY. KMS BUSING WILL REMAIN THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.
We continue to receive guidance from local health authorities concerning bussing for the upcoming school year. Due to social distancing mandates and student safety, we do not foresee being able to provide bussing for students living within a 1-mile radius of the school. This decision is based on our present numbers of bus riders and social distancing requirements. We are very sorry for the hardship this will cause families living within the 1-mile radius of the school, and we appreciate your understanding.
View this information as a pdf @ KLSD Transportation Guidelines 2020-21
To view your distance from the school,
Step 1: Navigate to https://www.mapdevelopers.com/draw-circle-tool.php
Step 2: In the ADDRESS field, type 531 Opportunity Way Lagrange Ohio.
Step 3: In the RADIUS field, type 1 (the number).
Step 4: Click New Circle. If your home falls within the circle that appears on the map, we cannot offer your child transportation at this time. **If you have trouble using the site, the PDF of this document provides additional support on steps 1-4.
Rough estimates of areas that cannot be serviced at this time. *These are estimates; please use the site above for exact locations.
- Route 303 between the school and Indian Hollow to the east and school and Factory St. to the West.
- Indian Hollow Road from the cemetery to Whitney Road
- Whitney Road between Route 301 and Indian Hollow Road
- Route 301 From Harmon Court to Whitney Road
- William Street
- Appomattox Court
- Taylor Blvd
- Forest Street
- Parklane Drive
- Church Street
- Union Street
- Pleasant Street
- Railroad Street
- Glendale Street
- Part of Hendrix Blvd
- Part of Rundle Street
We will not allow alternate drop off or pick up at another address. The drop off and pick up address must be the same one that is listed as your child’s home residence in the school records.
We are very sorry for the inconvenience this will cause our families. We are doing everything we can to keep all of our staff and students safe.
Please CONTACT Therese Jackson at 440-355-2411 or at therese.jackson@keystoneschools.org with questions. Only questions sent via email or phone will be addressed. Thank you for your understanding.
We are happy to inform you that we are able to provide Key Care services this upcoming school year. Key Care is a self-funded program. The cost of using Key Care covers ONLY the program’s expenses (staffing, food items, etc). Due to increased operational costs, we anticipate the cost per session per child to be $5.00 for the 2020-2021 school year. We understand this increase may be hard for some of our families, but unfortunately, Key Care will not be sustainable without the price increase. If you plan on using Key Care services this year, please fill out the survey @ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfRklqIc8-V7eT7Au-JKdza4w7LPUvULiHdVMBDOEI_xm86Jg/viewform. This survey will help us prepare to welcome students on September 8, 2020.
Key Care will be offered during the 2020-21 school year. Information about the pandemic changes can be found @ https://www.keystonelocalschools.org/parents/key-care. This site also contains information about pricing, operation times, and more.