Your Weekly Principal Message

Thank you to everyone that joined us at Baskin Robbins on Wednesday for the Dine to Donate. It was no nice to see everyone out enjoying a sweet treat!

For those who celebrate - Have an easy fast on Monday for Yom Kippur.

Be sure to vote for School Site Council Parent Representatives by September 22.

Parents, please do not move the cones on Virginia Street or on Glenwood in front of school. These are no parking zones. Additionally, do not park in the staff parking lots. Thank you!

Don't forget that every Thursday is SPIRIT day at Keppel! Students and staff are encouraged to wear their Keppel Gear!

Thursday, September 24 - GUSD Family Academy

Tuesday, September 29 - MKS General Meeting at 8:10AM in the library

Wednesday, October 7 - Walk to School Day

Saturday, October 10 - PTA Boo Bash Event

Our second Family Academy session will be held on Thursday, September 24, at 5:30 p.m. via Google Meet. The presentation, G.A.T.E. Connect: A Session for New and Existing G.A.T.E. Parents, will be presented by Narine Yapundjian, our District G.A.T.E. Teacher Specialist from Teaching, Learning, and Family Engagement. This session is an opportunity for families to connect with the G.A.T.E. community and learn what to expect this year. We’ll share important information, resources, and opportunities to support your student’s G.A.T.E. experience. Families are invited to connect, ask questions, and grow together!

Instructions to Complete Your Student Information Update

• Visit the Q ParentConnection portal at parent.gusd.net
• Log in using your email address or PIN and password
• On mobile, click the “Log In” link in the upper-right corner
• Click “Annual Student Information Update” in red at the top of the page
• Update your student and parent/guardian information for each section
• Need extra help? Check out our step-by-step guide

All volunteer guidelines for the school district have been updated. Even if you were previously cleared to volunteer, you must go through the new process. Please find all of the details and steps here. (gusd.net/volunteer)

All Tier 2 clearance (we rarely have anyone who would be a Tier 1 volunteer) is done through the school district office and may take several weeks to complete, so please get started now if you plan to help on campus, be a field trip chaperone, support a class event, etc. Mark Keppel can not clear volunteers, there are no exceptions under the new policy. Once you receive the email from GUSD that you are cleared, please forward it to Rita Janoyan, school secretary, so we have a record of it. (ritajanoyan@gusd.net)

Please join us for our MKS Meeting…

Location: Outdoor Teacher's Lounge

Date: Tuesday, September 29th

Time: 8:15 AM

If you're unable to attend in person, you can join us through ZOOM Audio.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81042335328?pwd=ooXWUeny9IlVmhJ4lOCfY00JhPrHJN.1

Meeting ID: 810 4233 5328

Passcode: 447914

We look forward to having you there.

It’s time to BOO-gie

Save The Date!

Keppel’s 2nd Annual Boo Bash!

SATURDAY, October 10th 2026

4-8pm, 5-630pm for Trunk or Treating

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?!

Boo Bash Trunk or Treat/Carnival Booth Sign Up (deadline to sign up is Oct. 1)

Boo Bash Bake Sale Donations

See flyer below for more info!

PTA membership is just $17 per person, and every dollar goes directly to programs and activities that support our kids and strengthen our Keppel community. Our goal is 100% family membership this year!

So far we have 370 memberships, at 39% of our goal. We are still calculating our class winners and we'll let the community know next week! And there's still time to join PTA.

The top 3 classes closest to 100% participation will earn their choice of a donut or popsicle party and their teacher will receive $150 in Classroom Supply Reimbursements!

Join here: https://jointotem.com/ca/glendale/glendale-mark-keppel-elementary-parent-teacher-association-inc

The PTA does A LOT at Keppel to bring joy and core memories to all students and families, but we can't do it alone! Whether you have a little time, or a lot of time, there’s a place for you in PTA! Join a committee, volunteer for an event, or help from home. Please check off all events and committees that you'd like to support. https://forms.gle/n9mkHLrKwHZAQYB67

Keppel PTA is partnering with Mabel's Label's with personalized waterproof name labels for all of your student's belongings. The labels work on clothing tags and water bottles alike and are perfect to stock up on at the beginning of the school year.

Visit www.campaigns.mabelslabels.com and search for Keppel PTA (Glendale). When you purchase your labels, Keppel PTA earns 20% from every purchase.

PTA Reflections is a national arts recognition program, and this year's theme was made for a school like Keppel. Culture is the food your family makes, the language you speak at home, the stories your grandparents tell, the music that plays at every family gathering. That is the inspiration. The art is how your child chooses to share it.

Your child does not have to be an "art kid" to enter. They just have to have something to say. Every student who submits an entry is recognized, and work that earns an Award of Excellence at the school level advances to Glendale Council, then First District, then California State, and finally the National level. But the point is the making, not the placing.

Six Ways to Enter
Students may enter one or more of the following categories: Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Film Production, Music Composition, and Dance Choreography. One entry per student per category.

Important Dates
Entry Deadline: Monday, October 12, 2026. Drop off entries at the school office.

Judging: Mid-October

Showcase and Awards: October 21, 2026 at our PTA Association Meeting, where all entries will be displayed.

How to Enter
Download the entry packet below. It includes the Student Entry Form, Official Rules, Category Guidelines, and a brainstorming worksheet to help your child find their big idea.

Download the 2026-27 Reflections Entry Packet (PDF): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CQfC8YUZFDymTqlL-TC9ssvTXAuncSoZ/view?usp=share_link

Complete the Student Entry Form, attach it to the finished artwork, and drop it off at the school office by the deadline. Please do not fold or roll artwork.

Questions?
Contact keppelptareflections@gmail.com or visit capta.org/programs-events/reflections for more information.