Keystone wins four Eagle Awards from Nat’l Heritage Academies

Every year, National Heritage Academies conducts an Eagle Awards ceremony where NHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of their schools.
This year, Keystone Academy won four Eagle Awards in the categories of safety, parent satisfaction, staff satisfaction, and state accountability.
At its regular meeting on Sept. 12, the Keystone Academy Board of Directors celebrated their awards. Keystone is among the 100 schools that NHA manages across the country.
In other business at the Sept. 12 meeting, the board:
• Reviewed a report by NHA representative Andrew Roth on the federal ESSER funds received and spent for Keystone. There was $99,389 for ESSER 19-20, $507,344 for ESSER II for 20-21 and $1,140,232 for ESSER III for 21-22. Although the spending was spread over many areas, he said the bulk was spent on retention bonuses, stipends, and summer school. He said Nov. 29 is the final date everything should be spent;
• Was informed by Roth that Monday, Oct. 21, at 8:30 a.m. has been chosen as the time for an assembly at Keystone to thank former school board president Vesta Losen who retired after more than 20 years of service. NHA founder J.C. Huizenga and other NHA officials will be present for the thank you, pictures, and applause. Roth said the bench in Losen’s honor is still a possibility;
• Approved the Teacher Evaluation and Employee Certification Warranty Resolution that confirms that all personnel working at the Academy are properly licensed, certified, and endorsed in accordance with their employment status with all applicable and appropriate oversight bodies for the 2024-25 school year;
• Approved the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan that tells the Automatic Defribrillator is located on the wall across the hall from the gymnasium;
• Approved the 2024-25 Course Offerings as presented;
• Approved the Reading Assessment System Selection Resolution naming the system as aimswebPlus;
• Approved the 2025-26 Offered Seats Schedule that would reduce by six seats the seats offered in grades seven and eight with a total school enrollment of 765. There will be no reduction in number of classes. Currently 725 students are enrolled at Keystone;
• Reviewed fourth-quarter financial statements. The audit presentation is scheduled for the Oct. 10 meeting;
• Discussed the 2023-24 Board Satisfaction Survey Summary;
• Heard Roth explain the the video series emailed to board members intends to tell them who’s doing what in the NHA service department;
• Welcomed an official from Bay Mills Community College in the Upper Peninsula which charters Keystone Academy. He is visiting schools chartered by Bay Mills throughout the state;
• Learned there have been two students who had misconduct since the beginning of this school year. A first grader made threats against others on Aug. 29 and there was a parent/student/staff conference. A fourth-grader had malicious/willful behavior on Aug. 29 and was excluded from school activities;
• Was informed there were 66 families who attended the Kindergarten event, Barnyard Bash. All Young 5s and Kindergarten families were invited to spend an evening meeting their child’s teacher, while enjoying a petting zoo and pony rides; and
• Was invited to Family Learning Night at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 and Trunk or Treat on Oct. 18. The National Junior Honor Society Coat Drive will be held Oct. 28-31.