Daisy Gibson Elementary School

Please join me for upcoming “Breakfast with the Superintendent” opportunities this week. Also, we have our second public hearing to gather input on by-trustee area election maps for the 2024 election cycle tomorrow evening at approximately 5:30 p.m. See you soon.

Welcome to students’ families representing all Keppel schools, who are part of our Parent Institute for Quality Education! We are happy to see so many partners in education who want to learn more about how to ensure students’ success in Keppel and in their futures.

KUSD hosted the Antelope Valley School Board’s Association meeting at Daisy Gibson on January 31st. What a warm welcome by students and staff! Keppel’s Board President, Waunette Cullors, was sworn in as the AVSBA’s Board Secretary and guests learned strategies to combat the Fentanyl crisis.

Thank you to our Keppel student athletes who are representing their schools well at the KUSD-RISE districtwide track meet today. Great sportsmanship and athleticism!

Welcome new Keppel Union School District Trustees: Blanca Nava, Member; Andrew Ramirez, Member; Alma Rodriguez, Clerk. They will join our continuing Trustees: Waunette Cullors, President; Dominique Ballante, Vice President. We look forward to seeing them in action as leaders in our district! Photo: Andrew Ramirez; Blanca Nava; Alma Rodriguez (left to right)

Keppel Learning Community: We are experiencing break ins and theft at various school sites across the district resulting in felony destruction of property. If you see or hear anything out of place related to safety and security of persons or property on or around our schools or the district, please immediately notify local authorities. Also, please notify the school Principal or email the district office at safekeppel@keppel.k12.ca.us if you have information about individuals who may be involved in these unlawful acts so that our Keppel students do not experience the impacts of unnecessary destruction. Thank you.

HEAT ADVISORY: A heat warning is in effect for the Antelope Valley. Indoor spaces are available for students during recess and lunch based on Outdoor Activity Guidelines. School staff support students by reminding them to stay hydrated, limiting outdoor activity, and monitoring for symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as headaches and nosebleeds. Families are encouraged to send students with water bottles as we get through this heat wave together. Resources: https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat/

Ms. Casetta Signater will be moving to Daisy Gibson Elementary School as its Principal. Ms. Signater started with the Keppel Union School District as a Program Specialist at the end of the last academic school year and is an experienced school administrator. She is new to the Antelope Valley and we welcome you to extend a warm Mighty Eagles welcome!

Mrs. Eloisa Acevedo has moved to Antelope Elementary School as its Principal. Mrs. Acevedo has served in the Keppel Union School District since 2018, and most recently served as the Principal of our largest school, Daisy Gibson Elementary. Please give her a warm Mighty Lopes welcome!

HAPPY CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES' WEEK CSEA CHAPTER 516! Congratulations on another year of successful service to our dedicated Classified employees who are 248 Unit Members strong in Keppel. We appreciate your hard work and desire to make a difference in Keppel. Thank you for being on the front lines to keep the business of the district running smoothly and our students safe, academically engaged, healthy, and well-fed!

This week we celebrate National School Nurses and our Health Professionals during National Nurses’ Week. We pay tribute to our Health Services Team for their dedicated care and support of students’ overall physical health and wellbeing. We thank them for making a difference in Keppel and ensuring that students have opportunities to actively engage in meaningful learning opportunities, while being in good health!

Today on Nutrition Professionals’ Day, we celebrate KUSD’s dedicated Child Nutrition Services Team for filling our students’ tummies and fueling our students’ creativity and academic focus. The team is counted on for nurturing and nourishment of our biggest assets, our children! We thank them for supporting students daily.

The Keppel Union School District salutes its amazing Teachers on National Teachers’ Day 2022! Thank you to our Teachers for their dedication and loyal service to students and the Keppel learning community. Their reach is greater than they will ever know. “The influence of teachers extends beyond the classroom, well into the future. It is they who shape and enrich the minds of the young, who touch their hearts and souls. It is they who shape a nation's future.” (F. Sionil Jose; brainyquote.com)

Today on National Administrative Professional Assistants’ Day 2022, we celebrate KUSD’s amazing Administrative Assistants for their support to ensure the smooth functioning of our school and district offices. Thank you to our committed and loyal Administrative Assistants who exemplify top notch customer service!

Today we celebrate KUSD’s amazing Bus Drivers for ensuring students arrive at school and home safely each school day. Thank you to our committed Bus Drivers on School Bus Drivers' Day 2022!

SAFETY UPDATE: Some parents have contacted the district inquiring about safety. There have been no threats made in relation to our district schools that we are aware of. We have been in consultation with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to verify this information as well. The District will communicate any needed updates. Please communicate any information to District staff immediately that will maintain the safety and security for all. ACTUALIZACIÓN DE SEGURIDAD: Algunos padres se han comunicado con el distrito para preguntar sobre seguridad. No se han hecho amenazas en relación con las escuelas de nuestro distrito que sepamos. También hemos estado en consulta con el Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Los Ángeles para verificar esta información. El Distrito comunicará cualquier actualización necesaria. Por favor comunique cualquier información al personal del Distrito inmediatamente que mantendrá la seguridad para todos.

NO CHANGE TO START TIMES IN KEPPEL IN 2022-23: Keppel schools will not change the start times in the upcoming year. Based on Bill No. 328, instruction in California must start after 8:00 a.m. for middle schools and after 8:30 a.m. in high schools next school year. All schools in Keppel already have start times after 8:00 a.m. so there is no need for any changes to the bell schedule.

The Keppel Union School District is seeking student-centered individuals who would like to join the district’s dedicated and loyal workforce. To see available jobs and to apply, click on the blue tab on the district website’s homepage at the top right, “Join our Keppel Team.” If you have questions about open positions, please contact the Human Resources department at 661-944-2155. You may also visit the following link to see open positions and to apply: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/Jobs?countyID=0&districtID=1214

Volunteer applications available at Gibson

MASKING MANDATE TO BE LIFTED As of Saturday, March 12, 2022, indoor masking in TK-12 schools will no longer be required for students and staff. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are included in the removal of the masking requirement. The Los Angeles Department of Public Health aligned masking guidance to the California Department of Public Health criteria, shifting masking to “…strongly recommending indoor masking at childcare sites and TK-12 schools.” Staff and students in Keppel schools will be able to be unmasked beginning Monday, March 14, 2022. However, if another surge or severe variant is encountered, actions may be reinstated by State and County officials to protect the health and safety of individuals.