Welcome to the 26-27 School Year!
Mark Keppel Elementary School
Welcome back to school, Keppel Cougars!
We are thrilled to welcome our new and returning students to the 2026-2027 school year! This year we have selected the theme "Adventure Awaits" to embark on a new school year. The bond we share as educators, families, and the impact we have on our students’ lives is truly a remarkable adventure. Each day brings new opportunities for growth, creativity, and connection, and we can't wait to see how we inspire one another and our students in the coming months.
New Student Orientation for all new students in grades TK - 5.
You and your child are invited to attend our Welcome Event which will take place on Wednesday, August 12 from 11:00-1:00. Families are welcome to attend at anytime during this window of time. This is an opportunity for children and families to explore a few classrooms and familiarize themselves with campus. During the self-guided tour, families will explore campus. Plan to spend about 30 minutes on campus.
Here is other important information as you prepare for the start of school:
Office Hours
The Mark Keppel Office is open from 7:30-4pm daily. You can email us at keppel@gusd.net or call us at (818) 244-2113. We are here to help!
Classroom assignments will be shared online on Tuesday, August 18 around 4pm. Families can view their child(ren)'s teachers by logging into Parent Square, https://www.parentsquare.com/signin. It's easy to create an account!
First Day of School
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Instruction begins at 8:00 am for all students in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 5th grade. Please plan to arrive early on the first day of school to avoid traffic.
TK and Kindergarten students will line up in the front of school.
Grades 1 - 5 will line up on the playground.
Parents are welcome to walk their child to their classroom line and classroom on the first day of school.
There will be a PTA and MKS Foundation Parent Meeting at the lunch benches starting at 8:10AM. Please join us!
Breakfast and Lunch: All children are eligible to receive 2 meals per day at Mark Keppel. Students may have breakfast before school or during recess and then a lunch. These meals are optional. Students may bring a lunch from home if they prefer. Please note, students cannot get just a “free” milk or piece of fruit. These are considered a la carte items and must be purchased. Only complete meals will be available at no charge.
School Bell Schedule:
Click here for the 26-27 Bell Schedule.
The gate opens daily at 7:30 a.m. for 1st - 5th grade students to begin arriving to school. Students in grades 1 - 5 enter through the Virginia Street Gate. Supervision is provided. Students must be inside their classrooms at the 8:00 bell to be considered present and on time to school. TK and K students line up in the front of the school and teachers will pick up students around 7:55am daily.
New Volunteer Policies
If you are interested in being a room parent, volunteering in a classroom, or chaperoning a field trip, please review the updated requirements here https://gusd.net/volunteer. If you are planning to be a regular volunteer, please begin the application process as soon as possible.
Arrival and Dismissal
While we have staggered dismissal schedules, there is often a lot of traffic on the streets of Virginia and Glenwood. Please:
Do not double-park
Adhere to all traffic laws to ensure student safety.
Do not park in the driveways of neighbors
Cross the street with crosswalks ONLY
We look forward to an amazing 2026-2027 school year with you all!
Go Cougars!
Jaclyn Scott, Principal
Dr. Laura Seese, Assistant Principal
Dr. Laura Seese, Assistant Principal
Dr. Seese has a B.A. in English from Cal State Northridge (Go Matadors!), M.Ed. in Instructional Design, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Educational Psychology, both from the University of Southern California. She has taught middle and high school English and Theatre in Egypt, China, and Southern California throughout her educational career, navigating American, British, and International Baccalaureate frameworks. After returning from living abroad, she served as a Teacher on Assignment at the district level, supporting secondary English Language Arts and International Baccalaureate across multiple sites, and at the site level as the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Coordinator. Most recently, she was an Assistant Principal for the Burbank Unified School District.
Laura hails from the house of Ravenclaw, enjoys strategic board games, RPG video games, and traveling locally and internationally with her husband. They share their home with two cats, Loki and Domino, named after comic book characters, and their dog Wicket, who resembles an Ewok. As an educator, she believes those who have passion live life fully, but those who use passion to inspire live life completely. Laura believes education is one of the few careers where a person can inspire and mold minds to better the future. Educators are not limited by the scope of their institution; English teachers do not just create more English teachers, and math teachers do not just create more math teachers—instead, they cultivate future artists, doctors, scientists, thinkers, and creators. Laura looks forward to collaborating with students, families, and staff to learn, grow, and inspire each other every day.
Daniel Plewnarz, Head Custodian
Paige Kowal, 3rd Grade Teacher
Ricky Hsin, 3rd Grade Teacher
Tali Lobbia, Math Intervention
Keri Picolla, Resident Arist
Macy Yu, Resident Artist
Kevin Wick, Resident Artist
