PGK Family Update

Dear Keithley Families,

As we enter November, we are preparing for some important schedule adjustments that will begin during the second quarter, on November 9. These changes are intended to create more balanced learning environments, maximize our available staffing and resources, and ensure that our teachers have classroom conditions that allow them to provide the best possible instruction for students.

I recognize that schedule changes can be difficult for students and families, particularly when students have developed relationships with their teachers and classmates and settled into familiar routines. Please know that these are not changes I make lightly. In fact, I work to avoid disrupting student schedules whenever possible. However, with limited staffing and resources, we have a responsibility to make thoughtful adjustments that support student learning across our entire school.

Families can review their student's schedule through Family Access. Please keep in mind that schedules may continue to change as we finalize classroom placements and balance student needs. I encourage you to check again as we approach November 9.

At this time, we are not accepting individual class change requests unless there is a significant need directly related to student success. If you believe your student has a critical need that requires consideration, please contact your student's school counselor. Our counselors will meet with students, review their concerns, and seek my approval before any changes are made. We appreciate your understanding as we work to make decisions that support both individual students and the learning community as a whole.

A Season of Gratitude

November is also a wonderful opportunity to reflect on gratitude, and one of the things I am most grateful for is the partnership we share with our Keithley families.

Whether you joined us for Back to School Night, attended Family Night, participated in conferences, communicated with teachers, or simply made time at the end of a long day to ask your student how school went, please know how much your presence matters. I cannot overstate how deeply I appreciate the ways our families go out of their way to show up, advocate for their children, and partner with us in their success.

As a school community, we have the privilege of helping young people learn, grow, make mistakes, reflect, and discover who they are becoming. Your partnership makes that work possible, and I am grateful for the trust you place in us each day.

Keeping the Conversation Going at Home

One of the most meaningful ways families can help us support students is through regular conversations about their school experiences. Middle school students may not always volunteer much information when we ask, "How was school?" but thoughtful, specific questions can open the door to important conversations.

As we navigate schedule changes, continue our schoolwide focus on the 3 Be's: Be Ready, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible, and strengthen classroom routines and expectations, I encourage you to choose a few of these questions to ask your student each evening.

About Schedules and Changes

• Have you noticed any changes to your schedule? How are you feeling about them?

• Do you know where to go and what to expect in each of your classes?

• Is there anything about your schedule or learning environment that you need help understanding?

About Classroom Expectations and the 3 Be's

• What does being ready for learning look like in your classrooms?

• How did you demonstrate respect for someone today, even when you disagreed?

• What is one way you took responsibility for your learning or behavior today?

• What classroom routines or transitions have your teachers been practicing with you?

About School Safety and Speaking Up

• Did you see or hear anything at school today that made you uncomfortable or concerned?

• If you notice someone being mistreated, excluded, or behaving in an unsafe way, what could you do?

• Which trusted adults at school would you feel comfortable talking to if something happened?

• Do you know how to report a concern to a teacher, counselor, or administrator? Remember that speaking up is one way we help keep our school community safe.

About Reflection and Growth

• What was something that went well for you today?

• Was there a moment you wish you had handled differently? What might you try next time?

• What helped you learn today, and what made learning more difficult?

• What is one thing you could do tomorrow to make your school day better?

• What is something you are proud of that I might not know about?

About Our Weekly Tier 1 Challenges

• Our school has been practicing beginning and ending class routines. What have you noticed in your classrooms?

• How do you prepare yourself to begin learning when you enter a classroom?

• What does a successful transition between activities look and sound like?

• How do your actions during transitions affect the learning of others?

• What is one way you can contribute to a classroom where everyone has the opportunity to learn?

You certainly do not need to ask every question each evening! Even a few minutes of meaningful conversation can help students develop the skills to reflect on their choices, advocate for themselves, and recognize the impact they have on their school community.

As we move through November, I hope you will also ask your student what they are grateful for at school. Perhaps it is a teacher who encourages them, a friend who makes them feel welcome, a class they enjoy, or an opportunity to try something new.

Thank you, Keithley families, for your continued patience, partnership, and commitment to our students. I am grateful to be part of a community that cares so deeply about helping every Kolt succeed.

With gratitude,

Ms. Castellano

Principal, Keithley Middle School

We are excited to celebrate students who receive Yays—teacher referrals for positive behavior. Each Friday during lunch, students are recognized with a certificate and a visit to the prize box. This week, we are also celebrating our Kolts here—check out what their teachers had to say about their kindness, responsibility, effort, and positive choices!

Wednesday, November 4 - Choir and Guitar concert 6 pm in the Commons

Wednesday, November 4 - Early release 12:25

Friday, November 6 - 7th grade health screening

Wednesday, November 11 - Veterans Day Observed - No School

Friday, November 13th at 7:00 am - Ruby Bridges Day

The Health Room will be conducting annual vision and hearing screenings for all 7th-grade students on Friday, November 6th.

To help ensure all students are screened, please avoid scheduling appointments or planning absences during the morning hours on this day.

A few important reminders:

• If your student wears glasses, please make sure they bring them to school!
• Parents/guardians will be notified of any concerns following the re-screening, which will take place approximately four weeks later.

Screening Requests for Other Grade Levels:

If you have concerns about your child's vision or hearing and would like them screened, regardless of grade level, please email Nurse Marta at **mesquiveltexocotitla@fpschools.org**.

Dear Families,

We invite you to join us for the annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Friday, November 13, 2026. This special morning honors the incredible courage of six-year-old Ruby Bridges, who walked into William Frantz Elementary School in 1960, paving the way for desegregation and integration in public schools.

To celebrate her legacy and show our commitment to a kind, inclusive, and connected school community, we invite all students, staff, and families to wear purple proud on this day.

Event Schedule:

• 6:45 AM – Community Walk: We will gather at the PLU Sign (Park Ave S. & Garfield St. S) to walk to the school campus together, symbolizing our collective steps toward unity and inclusion.

• 7:00 AM – Family Breakfast: After our walk, please join us in the school cafeteria for a complimentary breakfast. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents, meet our staff, and discuss how we can continue to build a welcoming environment for all children.

Please RSVP by filling out the form by clicking the link below so we can get an accurate head count for breakfast.

Ruby Bridges Day 2026 RSVP – Fill out form

Thank you for walking with us and supporting our students. We look forward to seeing you there!

At Keithley, we believe that learning is a process and that every student deserves the opportunity to grow. As a standards based learning district, we recognize that students develop understanding and demonstrate proficiency at different rates. This means students should have multiple opportunities to practice, receive specific and timely feedback, and reassess their learning to demonstrate progress toward the standards being taught in class. A student's first attempt should not be their only opportunity to demonstrate what they know.

Our goal is for students to understand what they are learning, recognize where they need to improve, and take ownership of their progress. This includes opportunities to practice skills during class and through homework, use teacher feedback to make improvements, and demonstrate their learning again. We encourage families to advocate for these opportunities and help students understand that learning requires effort, reflection, and sometimes multiple attempts before reaching proficiency.

How can you support your student's academic success at home?

• Canvas: Review classroom assignments, learning activities, and resources with your student. Ask them to show you what they are working on and explain what they are learning.

• Family Access: Check grades and missing assignments regularly. Rather than focusing only on the grade, ask your student what standard they are working toward, what feedback they have received, and what opportunities they have to improve.

• ParentSquare: Stay connected through classroom updates, teacher announcements, and school communications. These updates can help you anticipate upcoming assignments, assessments, and learning opportunities.

• Communicate with the teacher first: If you have questions about your student's academic progress, missing assignments, reassessment opportunities, or classroom expectations, please begin by contacting their teacher. Teachers are best positioned to explain the learning standards, provide context about student progress, and work with you to develop a plan for improvement.

Questions to ask your student at home:

• What are you learning in class right now, and how will you know when you have mastered it?

• What feedback has your teacher given you about your work?

• If you did not demonstrate proficiency on an assessment, what can you practice before trying again?

• Have you asked your teacher about opportunities to reassess or improve your work?

• What assignments or learning activities could you complete at home to strengthen your understanding?

• What support do you need from your teacher, your family, or yourself to be more successful?

As we continue working together, I encourage families to help students see grades as information about where they are in their learning rather than a final judgment of their abilities. Our focus is on growth, proficiency, and developing students who can advocate for their own learning. When families, teachers, and students work together with that shared understanding, we create more opportunities for every Kolt to experience success.

At Keithley, we are using our schoolwide behavior data to better understand where students are experiencing challenges and how we can strengthen our systems of support. Recent data show that many behavior concerns occur during classroom instruction, independent work, and transitions, particularly later in the school day.

Rather than simply asking students to change their behavior, we are also asking what we can do differently to create the conditions for their success. Our teachers are focusing on explicitly teaching routines, strengthening classroom expectations, and helping students develop independence and self-advocacy skills.

Let's Partner! Start With a Conversation at Home.

Consider asking your student:

• Success: What part of your school day goes really well? What makes it successful?

• Challenges: When is it hardest to stay focused, organized, or engaged? What might help?

• Advocacy: When you need help or feel overwhelmed, do you know how to ask for support? Do you feel comfortable doing so?

We Want to Hear From You!

Your perspective helps us better understand and support your student. Here's how we can work together:

1. Talk with your student. Listen to their experiences and identify what is working and what might need support.

2. Connect with their teacher. Share what you're noticing and ask what strategies might help at school and home.

3. Request additional support. If concerns continue or extend across classes, reach out to our counseling or administrative team to explore additional supports.

4. Follow up. Let us know what's improving and what may need adjustment.

Not sure where to start? Contact our main office, and we'll help connect you with the appropriate staff member.

Our Shared Commitment

We don't expect students to arrive knowing every skill they need to succeed. Our responsibility is to teach, model, reinforce, and support those skills while partnering with you along the way.

You don't have to wait for a behavior referral or a failing grade to advocate for your student. Your questions, observations, and feedback matter!

Together, we can build a Keithley community where every Kolt feels supported, connected, and empowered to succeed.

While it is not typical, the reality is that sometimes unsafe situations can happen at school. With more than 750 students and many adults sharing our campus each day, maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment is a responsibility we all share. I want our families to know that I take this responsibility seriously and am committed to making Keithley the safest place possible for your student while they are away from you.

One of the most important ways you can partner with us is by checking in with your student at the end of each day. Ask whether they felt safe, whether they witnessed anything concerning, or whether someone said or did something that made them uncomfortable. Remind them that they have the right to feel safe at school and that speaking up when something is wrong is an important part of being responsible and looking out for one another.

If your student shares that someone has harmed them, please do not hesitate to report it to us right away. You are welcome to call any of the phone numbers or email any of the contacts listed at the bottom of this newsletter. You do not need to have all the details or determine what happened before reaching out. We want to know about concerns so we can respond appropriately, provide support, and take steps to keep students safe.

I am grateful for the trust you place in us each day and for your partnership in caring for our students. With so many people making up our Keithley community, it truly takes all of us working together to create a school where every student feels safe, respected, and supported. Thank you for helping us do that.

The Wellness Hub is here to support our Keithley families with essential items. We offer clothing for all ages, a stocked food pantry, hygiene products, and select household supplies. If your family is in need of anything, please fill out the Resource Request Form linked here. We will do our best to fulfill your request based on the supplies we currently have available. We are here to help, please do not hesitate to reach out! https://app.informedk12.com/link_campaigns/pgk-wellness-hub-resource-request?token=4sbY7B5MHiGtTekdAZJVgS8o

Social Media:

Instagram: @pgk_pride

Facebook: Perry G. Keithley Middle School

School Website

ParentSquare - the BEST resource for up to date information; be sure to opt in for text or email to manage your preferences.

At Keithley, we continue to work on making communication better. Please know that we are here to help support you with what you need. If you do need to get a hold of someone, please click on the photo document below to find a directory of staff. The button titled "Staff Directory" will give you a list of contact information for the staff at Keithley.

I welcome collaboration with you - whether it is problem-solving a concern you have or seeing how we can bring your ideas to life. Please use one of the following ways to contact me.

Email: rcastellano@fpschools.org
Website: www.fpschools.org
Phone: (253) 298-4301

Schedule a meeting with me using this tool: