April Weekly Update

As we move into the final stretch of the school year, I want to commend our students and staff for their hard work and dedication. Finishing strong is more than a goal—it’s a mindset—and I am confident that our students are well-prepared for the upcoming state assessments. Through consistent effort, focused instruction, and the support of our families and community, our Wildcat learners have built the skills and confidence they need to succeed. It has also been encouraging to see the continued positive impact of our PBIS programs across all three schools.

Students are not only meeting expectations but also exceeding them, truly exemplifying the core qualities of our Portrait of a Wildcat: becoming global learners, demonstrating resilience, collaborating effectively, communicating clearly, and thinking critically.

Building on this strong foundation, we are excited to showcase the incredible talents and accomplishments of our students. This month’s newsletter highlights many impressive accomplishments across all three schools. We are incredibly proud of our talented vocalists and instrumentalists for their dedication and achievements under the direction of our outstanding music department: Bethany Pearce, John Davis, and Anne Paulchell.

Under the direction of Anne Paulchell, Keystone’s Little Wildcats participated in the Oberlin Choristers Honors Choir at Oberlin's Finney Chapel, along with students from eight other districts.

Each year, students in grades 4–6 are selected by their teachers to take part in this special event, bringing together young singers from across Northeast Ohio for a day of music, collaboration, and fun. This year’s performance brought together nearly 150 students from Lorain and Cuyahoga counties, who performed alongside the Cantate Musica ensemble under the direction of guest conductor Lisa Miragliotta.

Pictured left: L to R: Hadley Spears, Eliot Gallion, Cheyenne Hall, Brianna Schoolcraft, Hadley Thompson, Logan Cunningham, Gianna Terranova, Zoey Jones, Gracyn Schatz, Bridget Wysocki, Lila Simonson, Autumn Saunders, Evelyn Petrillo, and Grayson Lankey.

Several of Keystone’s talented 7th and 8th grade choir students had an exciting opportunity to showcase their voices on a big stage this weekend. Under the direction of Mrs. Pearce, the group performed the National Anthem at the Cleveland Monsters hockey game.

Singing in front of a large crowd, the students represented Keystone with pride! Congratulations to these students and to Mrs. Pearce for an outstanding performance.

Under the direction of John Davis, our Keystone High School’s talented band members took their music all the way to Walt Disney World! During their trip, students had the incredible opportunity to perform in the Magic Kingdom Parade, showcasing their hard work and school pride.

Performing at Disney is a huge accomplishment for our high school band. It takes dedication, teamwork, and countless hours of practice—and our Keystone musicians rose to the occasion in a big way. Marching down Main Street and playing for guests from around the globe is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We are so proud of our students for representing Keystone High School with excellence, enthusiasm, and heart. Way to go, Wildcats!

The Keystone Athletic Team Supporters (KATS) have made an immeasurable impact on our district. Thank you to Mike Conrad and all KATS members for raising nearly $1.5 million for our athletic department and for your continued support and encouragement of our students!

Mike Conrad, Rick Shaw, Ron Shaw, Chuck Sturgill, and Chad Whitacre founded KATS in 1996. Their impact has been incredible—from providing financial assistance to families and offering scholarships to supporting major facility improvements. Most recently, KATS donated $650,000 toward the construction of our on-campus baseball/softball complex.

KATS actively fulfills its mission to support the athletic endeavors of young athletes in the Keystone community through its ongoing actions.

Congratulations to Keystone Athletic Director and Coach Jeff Holzhauer as he was named the 2026 Athletic Administrator of the Year! This recognition speaks to his leadership, dedication, and the positive impact he continues to have on our athletic programs and student-athletes.

Jeff Holzhauer goes above and beyond every day to support our teams, coaches, and students, and this honor is truly well-deserved. Keystone is both proud and lucky to have him as he leads our athletic programs and represents our district in such a positive way!

Above: Jeff Holzhauer (left), Athletic Administrator of the Year, and KATS President Mike Conrad

Special Meetings of the Keystone Board of Education

Wednesday, April 8 @ 5pm in the Board Conference Room

Monday, April 20 @ 5pm in KHS Room 124

Tuesday, April 21 @ 5pm in KHS Room 124

Tuesday, April 28 @ 5pm in KHS Room 124

English Language Arts (ELA) Tests: measure students’ reading comprehension, vocabulary, and ability to understand and analyze texts, as well as basic writing skills.

April 13 & 14 - 4th and 5th Grade ELA

April 15 & 16 - 3rd Grade ELA

Math Tests: assess students’ understanding of math concepts, problem-solving skills, and ability to apply math strategies to different types of questions.

April 20 & 21 - 3rd Grade Math

April 22 & 23 - 4th and 5th Grade Math

Science Test: evaluates students’ understanding of scientific concepts, including life, physical, and Earth science, as well as their ability to think critically and analyze information.

April 27 & 28 - 5th Grade Science

April 15 & 16 - ELA
This assessment focuses on students’ ability to interpret complex texts, analyze information, and demonstrate clear understanding of reading concepts.

April 29 & 30 - Math
This assessment evaluates students’ knowledge of mathematical concepts, reasoning skills, and ability to solve multi-step problems.

May 4 - Science (8th Grade Only)
This assessment measures students’ understanding of key scientific principles and their ability to apply scientific thinking across life, physical, and Earth science topics.

April 16 – ELA II, Part I

Students will complete the first portion of the English Language Arts II assessment, which focuses on reading comprehension and analysis of literary and informational texts.

April 17 – ELA II, Part II
The second portion of the ELA II test will assess writing skills, including organization, development of ideas, and use of evidence.

April 23 – American History & Government (Both Parts)

Students will complete both sections of the Social Studies assessments, covering key concepts in U.S. history and the structure and function of the American government.

April 30 – Algebra I & Geometry, Part I
This portion will assess foundational math skills, including problem-solving, equations, and reasoning in both Algebra I and Geometry.

May 1 – Algebra I & Geometry, Part II

Students will complete the second part of the math assessments, focusing on deeper application of algebraic concepts and geometric reasoning.

May 5 – Biology (Both Parts)

The Biology assessment will cover major topics such as cellular processes, genetics, ecosystems, and scientific reasoning.

Keystone is excited to offer Safety Town for incoming kindergarteners in partnership with the LaGrange Police Department! This engaging program helps young students learn important safety skills while building confidence as they prepare for school. Families are encouraged to register early using the QR code as space is limited and registration closes June 1st, 2026.

Click on the image to view additional information about registering your kindergarten student!

The final day to submit senior yearbook tributes (baby picture/message to your graduating senior) is APRIL 10!!! View more information below (click on the image to enlarge) or @ SENIOR TRIBUTE PAGES 2026