Smore logo
remove_red_eye 2.9K
page background

Your Weekly Principal Message

Mark Keppel Elementary School

Your Weekly Principal Message Mark Keppel Elementary School
Your WeeklyPrincipal MessageMark Keppel Elementary School

October 11, 2026 October 11, 2026

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

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


Monday, October 12 - REGULAR SCHOOL DAY and PTA Reflections Entries Due


Tuesday, October 13

8:00 AM ELAC Meeting for EL Parents

After School Master Class Workshop for Interested Students


October 12 - 16 - Scholastic Book Fair!

October 14 - Reading Night from 5 - 6 PM

October 15 - Donuts with Grownups from 7:45 - 8:45 AM

Family Academy Session via Google Meets

October 23 - No School for Students

PTA Reflections PTA Reflections

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

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.

Book Fair - October 12-16 Book Fair - October 12-16

Let's get ready to celebrate literacy and the love of reading with the annual book fair.


Volunteers should sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080544ABA72FA1F58-66263484-book#/


Create an "e-wallet" for your child here:

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/markkeppelelementaryschool


Join us for Story time on Wednesday October 14 from 5 - 6pm in the cafeteria.

Join us for Donuts with Grownups before school on Thursday, October 15. Students visiting the book fair should have an adult present with them from 7:45 - 8:30.

Let's get ready to celebrate literacy and the love of reading with the annual book fair.    Volunteers should sign up here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080544ABA72FA1F58-66263484-book#/    Create an "e-wallet" for your child here:  https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/markkeppelelementaryschool    Join us for Story time on Wednesday October 14 from 5 - 6pm in the cafeteria.  Join us for Donuts with Grownups before school on Thursday, October 15. Students visiting the book fair should have an adult present with them from 7:45 - 8:30.
zoom_out_map Show in original size

ELAC Meeting ELAC Meeting

Join us for the ELAC Meeting on Tuesday October 13 beginning at 8:00.

We will discuss

  • the English Language Proficiency Test or ELPAC

  • Ways to support your child at school AND at home

8:00am-9:30am

Keppel School Library

Coffee & snacks provided!

Translation available in Armenian, Russian & Korean.

ELAC Flyer #1 26-27 by Margaret Malone    Learn all about:   the English Language Proficiency Test or ELPAC   Ways to support your child at school AND at home   We would love for you to join us!  Tuesday, October 13  8:00am-9:30am  Keppel School Library  Coffee & snacks provided!  Translation available in Armenian, Russian & Korean.  Join Ms. Malone, Keppel’s Teacher Specialist, Principal Scott, and Dr. Seese for our first English Language Advisory Council (ELAC) Meeting of the Year.
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Family Academy Session Family Academy Session

Our fourth Family Academy session will be held on Thursday, October 15, at 5:30 p.m. via Google Meet, meet.google.com/cjh-gctr-fwd. The presentation, Hate Speech: Speaking to Your Child About Hate Speech, will be presented by Erin Nakamura, LCSW|YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena’s Clinical Supervisor & Yvette Baharyans, MSW|LA County Human Relations Commission, Senior Human Relations Consultant.

This session will provide families with valuable information about how they can help create safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environments where all students feel a sense of belonging. It will provide age-appropriate strategies for talking with children about hate, bias, and discrimination, as well as practical guidance for supporting children who experience these challenges. Families will also learn about addressing trauma and secondary trauma, accessing helpful resources, and using safe third-party support when additional intervention is needed.
Our fourth Family Academy session will be held on Thursday, October 15, at 5:30 p.m. via Google Meet, meet.google.com/cjh-gctr-fwd. The presentation, Hate Speech: Speaking to Your Child About Hate Speech, will be presented by Erin Nakamura, LCSW|YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena’s Clinical Supervisor & Yvette Baharyans, MSW|LA County Human Relations Commission, Senior Human Relations Consultant. This session will provide families with valuable information about how they can help create safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environments where all students feel a sense of belonging. It will provide age-appropriate strategies for talking with children about hate, bias, and discrimination, as well as practical guidance for supporting children who experience these challenges. Families will also learn about addressing trauma and secondary trauma, accessing helpful resources, and using safe third-party support when additional intervention is needed.
open_in_new zoom_out_map Show in original size

Volunteer Policy Volunteer Policy

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)

5th Grade Committee Presents... 5th Grade Committee Presents...

Keppel Winter Shop! Keppel Winter Shop!

Keppel Winter Gift Shop
zoom_out_map Show in original size
Keppel Winter Gift Shop  5th Grade Committee will be hosting a Resale Winter Gift Shop at school this Holiday Season! Donate unwanted items and help fundraise for our school!    We are collecting Gently Used & Like-New Items:    Kids Toys:  Loose Legos  Pokemon Cards (ask your kids for their duplicates)  HotWheels  Small Toy Figures  Board Games   Card Games  Loose Dice & Game Pieces    Sundry:  Sunglasses (like new)  Wallets (like new)  Costume Jewelry (no used earrings)  English, Korean & Armenian Kids Books  Cookbooks  Unused Notebooks   New, Unopened Gift Items (no glass, liquids or electronics)  Baskets, Crates & Trays    Collection: Bins in Front Lobby 9/28-10/16  Shopping: Open at Dismissal 12/10 & 12/11 and at Winter Fest    Please help us provide a fun experience for our kids to shop for themselves and purchase gifts for parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and mentors!!
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Keppel Winter Gift Shop

5th Grade Committee will be hosting a Resale Winter Gift Shop at school this Holiday Season! Donate unwanted items and help fundraise for our school!


We are collecting Gently Used & Like-New Items:


Kids Toys:

Loose Legos

Pokemon Cards (ask your kids for their duplicates)

HotWheels

Small Toy Figures

Board Games

Card Games

Loose Dice & Game Pieces


Sundry:

Sunglasses (like new)

Wallets (like new)

Costume Jewelry (no used earrings)

English, Korean & Armenian Kids Books

Cookbooks

Unused Notebooks

New, Unopened Gift Items (no glass, liquids or electronics)

Baskets, Crates & Trays


Collection: Bins in Front Lobby 9/28-10/16

Shopping: Open at Dismissal 12/10 & 12/11 and at Winter Fest



Please help us provide a fun experience for our kids to shop for themselves and purchase gifts for parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and mentors!!

MKS Family Fund Drive MKS Family Fund Drive

Donate to the Family Fund Drive https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VV9SLDVQF8M9E
open_in_new zoom_out_map Show in original size

PTA Information PTA Information

Food Drive October 5 - 20
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Congratulations to PTA Membership Classroom Winners! Congratulations to PTA Membership Classroom Winners!

We are pleased to share that these are the winning classes of the PTA Membership competition....

Mrs. Ricasa

Mrs. Vardani

Ms. Gomez


Thank you to all families that have joined our PTA. It's never too late to become a PTA member! Join here: https://jointotem.com/ca/glendale/glendale-mark-keppel-elementary-parent-teacher-association-inc

Cre8ors Club! Cre8ors Club!

Hello Cre8ors!

Music Production and beat making is back! Join us this session for a fun music making experience. We have 2 sessions this semester! Tuesdays for the 4th and 5th graders, and Thursdays for the 3rd graders. Tuesdays will be music production led by Mr. Ken and Thursdays will be beat basics led by Mr. Wick, where the kids will be introduced to beat making and start making loops and instrumentals! The session fee is $180 for 8 weeks, starting Oct. 20(Tues.) and Oct. 22(Thurs.) The sessions are limited to 8 students max. Classes will be held in ROOM 1321(Ms. Bamberger's room) Sign up today!

3rd grade : https://forms.gle/fGjrBC4ytmeabR1m7


4th & 5th grade : https://forms.gle/cuoM4AhTFsoeADTWA

Hello Cre8ors!   Music Production and beat making is back! Join us this session for a fun music making experience. We have 2 sessions this semester! Tuesdays for the 4th and 5th graders, and Thursdays for the 3rd graders. Tuesdays will be music production led by Mr. Ken and Thursdays will be beat basics led by Mr. Wick, where the kids will be introduced to beat making and start making loops and instrumentals! The session fee is $180 for 8 weeks, starting Oct. 20(Tues.) and Oct. 22(Thurs.) The sessions are limited to 8 students max. Classes will be held in ROOM 1321(Ms. Bamberger's room) Sign up today!   3rd grade : https://forms.gle/fGjrBC4ytmeabR1m7   4th & 5th grade : https://forms.gle/cuoM4AhTFsoeADTWA
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Adelante, Latinos Event! Adelante, Latinos Event!

Los Gringos Locos Fundraiser for Adelante Latinos
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Sign up to Tour Toll Middle School! Sign up to Tour Toll Middle School!

It's time to start thinking about Middle School!! Keppel students automatically matriculate to Toll Middle School.  We encourage parents to attend a tour to ​learn more about the amazing programs at Toll!   Sign up for a Toll campus tour
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Free Engineering Expo November 1st! Free Engineering Expo November 1st!

CV Robots Expo
zoom_out_map Show in original size

Visit our Website for information + calendar events! Visit our Website for information + calendar events!

Mark Keppel Elementary School
http://gusd.net/keppel

730 Glenwood Road | Glendale, CA 91202

Phone 818-244-2113 · Fax 818-507-6542 · keppel@gusd.net

Loading indicator

close

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Smore empowers educators to connect with their community, streamline school communications,
and increase engagement.

Create a newsletter