Your Weekly Principal Message

Last week, we had our first monthly earthquake evacuation drill. Students did such a wonderful job following the directions of their teachers. Bravo!

The weather was not cooperative last week but we are hopeful for cooler temperatures. Any time the heat index reaches above 92 degrees, we pivot to "inclement weather" and keep students indoors for their safety.

As a friendly reminder, students should not be bringing toys to school... specifically "squishies". Please keep the adorable dumplings, butter blocks, and nedos at home. Thank you!

Please take a moment and complete the Parent-Student-Teacher Compact.

https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/85590894

See you tomorrow!

Principal Scott and Assistant Principal Seese

The streets around campus are busy. There are a lot of cars. This requires everyone to be patient and follow the rules of the road.

• Do NOT drop off children in the middle of Virginia Street.
• Please be patient in the car line. We are making sure children are exiting the cars safely.

Friday, September 4 Picture Day!

Monday, September 7 - No School - Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday, September 8 - Annual Title I Meeting - Coffee with the Principals @ 8am

Wed., September 16 - Baskin Robbins Night

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)

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! 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! Register by September 11th and your membership will count towards your child's class totals.

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

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.

Over the summer, a group of generous parent volunteers gave their time and their sweat to redesign and refresh the teacher lounges in both the Main Building and the 3000 Building. Here's a few sneak peek before and after photos of the lounges!

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.

Many hands, big impact, stronger community. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there is a way to plug in this year. Welcome Back Picnic, Fall Picture Day, Boo Bash, Winter Fest, Bingo and Game Night, Red Ribbon and Yellow Ribbon Weeks, our Toy Drive, and Coin Wars all run on parent help. Volunteer at an event, join a committee, or pitch in from home. Sign up links are coming soon. In the meantime, email keppelpta@gmail.com and we will get you connected.

Some of our best work happens on short, focused teams that come together for one project, then wrap up when it is done. Boo Bash, our Trunk or Treat, carnival, and biggest fundraiser of the year, runs September through October and needs all hands on deck. Multicultural Fair and the Keppel Together Talent Show will follow this spring. Reflections is up and running now, with its own section above. Want in on any of them? Email keppelpta@gmail.com.