The Keystone Connection

There is something special about fall in Northeast Ohio. The crisp morning air, changing colors of the leaves, and excitement of a new school year settling into its rhythm make this one of my favorite times of the year. Across Keystone, our classrooms are buzzing with learning, our students are showcasing their talents, and our schools are filled with opportunities to grow, connect, and celebrate.

In this edition of our district newsletter, you will find important financial information from our Treasurer, Ms. Isabella, a look at the intentional work our staff is doing to bring our Portrait of a Wildcat Learner competencies to life, and highlights of students exploring future career opportunities through our Career Expo. We will also celebrate the amazing achievements of our students, who continue to make us proud in so many ways.

I hope you enjoy this glimpse into the wonderful things happening across Keystone Local Schools. Thank you for your continued support and for being part of what makes our district so special.

Go Wildcats!

The "Volley for the Cures" event was a wonderful example of the incredible support and generosity of our Keystone staff, students, and community! I am truly grateful to Staci Crabeels for making this event a huge success and to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and resources to make this event a success. Your willingness to come together for such a meaningful cause speaks volumes about the strength and compassion of our Keystone community. Thank you for your continued dedication, generosity, and support. I could not be more proud or appreciative of all that you do for Keystone!

Investing in a Safer Playground at Keystone Elementary

Keystone Local Schools is continuing to invest in the safety and long-term care of Keystone Elementary School, which was built in 2015. This summer, the District removed the existing mulch from the elementary playground and installed a safer rubber playground surface. The new surface provides a more consistent and cushioned area under and around the playground equipment, helping to reduce the risk of injury from falls while also improving accessibility and eliminating many of the maintenance concerns associated with loose-fill mulch.

The playground improvement is being funded through the District’s Fund 010 – School Facilities Fund. These funds originated from litigation related to the failure of the original elementary school roof and are restricted for capital improvements to the elementary school. As a result, these dollars cannot be used for the District’s general operating expenses and must be invested back into the elementary school facility. The playground project provides an opportunity to use these dedicated funds to make a lasting improvement that enhances the safety, accessibility, and overall playground experience for our elementary students for years to come.

As we reflect on the first quarter of the school year, we are excited to celebrate the incredible learning experiences taking place across Keystone Local Schools! Our Portrait of a Wildcat continues to come to life as students engage in meaningful opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom learning.

Through intentional instruction and deeper learning experiences, our students are developing the skills outlined in our Portrait of a Wildcat: Critical Thinker, Collaborator, Communicator, Resilient Learner, and Global Citizen. These competencies help prepare our students not only for academic success but also for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter beyond the classroom.

The pictures below highlight just a few of the many ways our students are putting these competencies into action. Whether they are working together to solve problems, thinking critically, sharing their ideas, overcoming challenges, or making connections to the world around them, our Wildcats are demonstrating that learning is about so much more than a test score.

We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for the dedication and creativity of our staff, who continue to provide engaging, purposeful learning experiences. The first quarter has given us so much to celebrate, and we look forward to building on this momentum throughout the school year!

At Keystone, we are making Bold Moves for Better Outcomes, ensuring our students are prepared for success in school and beyond!

Keep making those Bold Moves, Wildcats! 💜

Each October, we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the abilities and accomplishments of individuals with Down Syndrome. The Down syndrome community reminds us that awareness is only the first step and that acceptance is the goal. For our students, that looks like sitting together at lunch, playing on the same team, and getting to know each classmate as a friend first. Let’s carry that message and spirit of friendship through October and all year long.

For resources and ways to get involved, visit GiGi’s Playhouse at gigisplayhouse.org or the National Down Syndrome Society at ndss.org.

We are excited to announce our partnership with HWS Best Health Counseling to support the mental health and well-being of our students!

We look forward to working with Counselor Bea Grant, LSW, who will collaborate with our school counselors, administrative team, and teachers to expand mental health resources and support for students.

At Keystone, we recognize that students do their best when they feel supported both academically and emotionally. This partnership reflects our continued commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where every Wildcat has the opportunity to thrive.

Our Food Services Department goes above and beyond to create a fun and welcoming cafeteria experience for our students! From festive holiday decorations to interactive games and activities, our cafeteria staff finds creative ways to make lunchtime enjoyable and memorable for our Wildcats!

And they've been busy! During the month of September alone, our cafeterias served 2,783 breakfasts and 10,303 lunches! Thank you to our amazing cafeteria staff for all you do to keep our Wildcats fed, happy, and ready to learn!

The Keystone High School football team had an incredible season, finishing with an impressive undefeated 9–0 record, including a perfect 6–0 record in the Lorain County League (LC8) to secure first place in the conference!

The Wildcats enter the state playoffs as the No. 1 seed in their region and will host the winner of the Vermilion and North Union High School matchup on Friday, November 6.

Throughout the season, our Wildcats demonstrated determination, teamwork, and dedication, making our school and community proud. Congratulations to our players and coaches on an exceptional season filled with memorable moments and remarkable accomplishments!

The Keystone girls golf team followed up its fourth-place finish at the state tournament in 2025 with an impressive fifth-place finish in 2026!

Leading the team throughout the season was junior All-Ohioan Sophia Clarico, who shot rounds of 80 and 73 at Firestone, earning an outstanding eighth-place individual finish in Division II. Senior Caseabella Fye also delivered an impressive performance with rounds of 86 and 89, while senior Kennedy Accavallo recorded scores of 89 and 90. Rounding out the team were juniors Annamarie Vilchez, who shot rounds of 107 and 100, and Chloe Rumancik, who finished with scores of 106 and 104.

Congratulations to these talented student-athletes and their coaches on another outstanding season! Their hard work, dedication, and continued success at the state level are a testament to the strength of Keystone's girls golf program.

Congratulations to our boys golf team on earning the LC8 Conference Championship! Their hard work, dedication, and outstanding performances throughout the season led to this exciting accomplishment.

A special congratulations to Ryan Younglas, who was named LC8 Most Valuable Player (MVP) in recognition of his exceptional performance. We are proud of these student-athletes and all they have accomplished this season!

Keystone Cheer recently delivered an impressive performance at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Regionals, earning third place in the Division II Game Day Building Division and securing a bid to UCA Nationals!

This accomplishment is especially exciting as the team moved into a more competitive division this year, facing new and challenging competition. With only the top four teams advancing to Nationals, our Wildcats rose to the occasion and earned their place among the best! Congratulations to our cheerleaders and coaches on this outstanding achievement!

Keystone Middle School seventh grader Sam Menges is putting the district’s Portrait of a Wildcat competencies into action by demonstrating what it means to be a global citizen, an effective communicator, and a collaborator.

Over the past year, Sam has researched the potential impact of a proposed data center site in Lorain County, gaining a deeper understanding of the issue and sharing his findings and perspectives with others. His involvement led to an opportunity to speak before the Data Center Study Committee at the Ohio Statehouse in June, where he addressed state senators and representatives about the proposed development.

Following his presentation, a question from Senator Blackshear about other students' perspectives inspired Sam and his mother, Leslie, to launch a statewide student letter-writing initiative. To date, they have collected approximately 33 letters from students in four Ohio counties, representing a variety of viewpoints. Sam has also been invited to participate in the Center for American Progress Storytelling Program in Washington, D.C., which is helping bring attention to his initiative.

Sam recently shared his experiences with Keystone High School government students, providing an opportunity for students across grade levels to connect, learn from one another, and explore the importance of civic engagement while demonstrating the district’s Portrait of a Wildcat collaborator competency.

Sam's efforts reflect three important Portrait of a Wildcat competencies: global citizen, communicator, and collaborator. By staying informed about issues beyond the classroom, engaging with elected officials, considering different perspectives, and encouraging others to share their ideas, Sam is demonstrating how students can become active, informed participants in their communities. Sam's initiative is an example of how students can use their voices, take initiative, and make a difference, regardless of their age.

A big thank you from Keystone Local Schools to Bus Driver of the Year Allison Libengood and our entire Transportation Department for always going the extra mile for our Wildcats! Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to keeping our students safe is truly appreciated!