Benton FFA Veteran's Breakfast

The Benton Community FFA Chapter will be hosting a Veterans Benefit Breakfast on Sunday, November 8th at the Van Horne Community Center from 7 AM to Noon.  The breakfast will consist of pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee.  The cost of this breakfast is a free will donation.  All proceeds will go to the Benton County Veterans Assistance Program.  The Benton County Assistance Program provides assistance to veterans and their families in filing applications for service, connected disability, compensation, non service connected pension, claims for aid and attendance/household status, serving spouse pension and other federal and state benefits. They also provide short term assistance to veterans and dependents who need help with rent and utility payments, food and provisions, prescription medications, and transportation assistance.  Please come join the Benton Community FFA and enjoy a great breakfast while raising money for the men and women who have fought for our freedom!

November Newsletter / Dates on deck

   November Newsletter      

DATES ON DECK

Wednesday, November 4^th- 1:00 dismissal for Professional Development.

Wednesday, November 18^th- 1:00 dismissal for End of 1st Elementary Trimester

Monday, November 23^rd- P/T Conferences K-6  3:30-7:30pm

Tuesday, November 24^th- 1:00 dismissal for 7-12 PD and K-6 P/T Conferences 3:00-7:30 pm

Wednesday, November 25^th- NO SCHOOL Staff Comp Day

Thursday and Friday November 26^th & 27th- NO SCHOOL-Thanksgiving Holiday

BCPTO MEETING

The BCPTO meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 2nd at 6:30 PM at Keystone Elementary. 

BENTON THEATRE

"You’re the One that I Want! Come join us for the Benton Theatre HS production of Grease on November 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30pm in the high school auditorium. Danny, Sandy and all the gang are rockin’ and boppin’ on stage as they explore the cliques, chicks and guitar licks that were every day fare in the 50s. Our show is loaded with music, dance and a lot of heartfelt high school angst, but as a school version it’s appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Order online at showtix4U.com. “

IOWA ASSESSMENTS

Third grade students at Keystone Elementary will begin Iowa Assessment testing the week of November 9^th.  Students will test during scheduled periods throughout each that week.  If possible, please try to have your student in attendance all day, every day to avoid having to reschedule testing time for students who are absent.  Thank you.

VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

All Keystone Elementary students will be participating in the annual Veterans Day program on Wednesday, November 11^th at 9:30 a.m. at the BC MS/HS.   The public is invited to attend. Keystone students should wear BLUE for the program.

P/T CONFERENCES

Parent/Teacher conferences are from 3:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 23^rd and from 3-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 24^th. NOTE-These times have been changed from what was previously written in the district calendar. Parents, please call Candi in the office to schedule your conference time. 319-442-3221

BOOK FAIR

The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Keystone Elementary from Thursday, November 19^th through Tuesday, November 24^th.  Students will have the opportunity to view and make purchases at select times throughout the school day.  The Book Fair will open online on November 15^th. The Book Fair will also be open during conferences. The Book Fair can be previewed online using this link: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/preview.do?method=preview

THANKSGIVING VACATION

There will be no school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 26-28.

Classes will resume on Monday, November 30.

 CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Keystone students in grades K-3 will be having their annual Christmas program on Friday, December 4^th at 7 p.m. More information will be coming home at a later date.

SHOW CHOIR APPAREL

The BC Show Choir has a HUGE variety of Bobcat apparel for all! Men’s/Women’s/Boy’s/Girl’s/Toddler – something for everyone for the holidays! Check it out at:  http://www.facebook.com/SportYourTeaminBling  Orders are due November 6^th! 

Show Choir Apparel order form / Book Fair link

Show Choir Apparel order link
https://www.facebook.com/SportYourTeaminBling






Book Fair Link
http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/keystoneelemsch

Keystone Newsletter / Dates on Deck

Wednesday, October 28^th- 1:00 PM DISMISS

Special Schedule

Monday 10/26:  Day 1- PE/Guidance

Tuesday 10/27:  Day 2- Art/Guidance

Wednesday 10/28:  Day 3- PE/Music

Thursday 10/29:  Day 4- Art/Guidance

Friday 10/30: Day 5- Music/Guidance

PINK

On Thursday, 10/29 Keystone students will be wearing pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness!

Nurse’s Notes

For information regarding head lice please check out the following link from the Iowa Dept. of Health

http://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/Files/HCCI/headlice_brochure.pdf

Benton Theatre

"You’re the One that I Want! Come join us for the Benton Theatre HS production of Grease on November 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30pm in the high school auditorium. Danny, Sandy and all the gang are rockin’ and boppin’ on stage as they explore the cliques, chicks and guitar licks that were every day fare in the 50s. Our show is loaded with music, dance and a lot of heartfelt high school angst, but as a school version it’s appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Order online at showtix4U.com.

Winter Apparel

With the temperatures dropping, students should be wearing weather appropriate apparel.  If you are in need of assistance in supplying these items, contact Candi in the office.

FALL FESTIVAL

Keystone Elementary will celebrate their Fall Festival on Friday, October 30^th. Students should NOT wear costumes to school.  They may bring costumes, but will not be dressing up until later in the day. Please, do not send weapons or costume accessories with your child. K-3 students will be doing their annual costume parade at the Keystone Nursing Center at 1:45 p.m. and having their classroom parties.

Socktober

First graders are still collecting socks the entire last week of October!

RED RIBBON WEEK

October 26-30

Monday:  “I pledge to be Drug Free”- Students will WEAR RED and will sign a classroom pledge.

Tuesday:  “Sock it to Drugs”- Wear CRAZY SOCKS!

Wednesday:  “Team up to Whip Drugs” -Students are asked to war team shirts and a special treat will be handed out compliments of our BCPTO.

Thursday:  “I CAN make good choices Drug Free” Students are asked to bring a canned food item to donate to the local food pantry. 

Friday:  “Tune Out Drugs”- we will be playing music in the lunchroom! 

Parent tips for young readers

Another great resource from the Iowa Reading Research Center.  Take advantage of these great resources to help your young reader at home.

http://www.iowareadingresearch.org/blog/parent-tips-for-young-readers/

Thanks for all you do!

Mr. Junge

How can you help your child become a better reader?

Reading 20 minutes a night
A huge piece of helping your child become a better reader is making reading an important part of your daily/weekly routines.  There is strong research and data that shows the impact of reading 20 minutes a night.  Please click on the link to read some information on this topic. http://www.k12reader.com/why-read-20-minutes-a-day/   Also included in this link are some fantastic resources that address specific skill areas of reading, writing, and math that would be great for all kids to use from time to time at home.  When there are extended breaks from school an hour of learning time can go a long way to help reduce the dips that occur during those breaks. Impact of 20 minutes of reading a night.

Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, & Comprehension
These are the "Building blocks of Reading" that our staff and students work on everyday to create a complete reader.  The function of each can be scary and overwhelming for parents when working with students.  Please click on the link to learn more about each of these.  http://www.iowareadingresearch.org/blog/building-blocks-of-reading/


Learning Games
Don't be afraid to allow your children to use games as a way to extend and engage them in learning. Research suggests that learning games are a great way to engage kids in their learning.  Please reference our Keystone Symbaloo page, http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/keystonetech, that we use with our kids.  This allows you to have one safe site for kids to conduct searches and play specific games without worrying about inappropriate content.  The kids use it frequently and they should know it well.


School and Home Collaboration
Always feel free to reach out to your child's teacher to ask questions about their learning and how you can help at home.  All of our teachers have multiple resources you could use at home with your child.  For our students and your children to maximize their learning potential it needs to be a team effort between school and home.  Learning can be more effective for your child when there is collaboration between school and home.

Thanks for all you do!

Mr. Junge

Fire Education, Lock Downs, ALICE evacuations

Fire Education - We are having our bus evacuations on Wed. Oct. 21st along with our Fire Education time with the Keystone Fire Dept.  Keystone Fire Dept. will be here Wednesday morning to talk about fire safety at home and educate on evacuation plans from the home.  Be prepared for questions and suggestions from your kids:)

Lock Down Drills - In the next two weeks we will also be conducting a "lock down in place" drill.  This would be a situation where something has happened in the community and law enforcement has contacted us and said there is a potential threat in the area.  In these situations we lock everything down and do not allow anyone outside the building until the threat is over.

ALICE evacuations - During this two week time we will also be conducting our ALICE evacuation drills for an active threat inside the building.  Our rally point for all students and staff is the Keystone Nursing Care Center.  I am including a link that gives some good information about ALICE. ALICE evacuation information