July 18 – Keystone starting in Distance Learning mode

Dear Parents,

Although we had been hoping and working to provide the option to start school in person in some form, last evening’s directive from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District prohibiting in-person classes for public and private schools until after Labor Day means we will start the school year in distance learning mode.

Like you, we are deeply disappointed that the school year will begin this way. We know that students have missed their friends, teachers and the members of the Keystone staff; similarly, we have missed the students and you, whether it’s at morning drop off or afternoon pickup, in class, at extracurricular activities, or just saying hello and visiting around campus. But we are prepared to pivot into distance learning and create a strong start for our students.

The Safety Committee thought this kind of directive might occur, so we have been planning for the possibility. This includes looking at the various ways that students can connect with their teachers and classmates while not being together on campus.

Over the next few weeks, we will be sending you more information on the logistics for opening school. For example, if your child is in grades K-8, you will receive instructions on how and when to come to campus to pick up an iPad for school use and how to meet your child’s teachers. Students in Upper School will use their own laptops and will receive instructions on the procedures for connecting to class, and how we can get clubs and activities off the ground.

We are committed to providing an excellent academic experience and looking for avenues to create the close-knit community for which Keystone is known.

In the meantime, we will continue our work on campus to prepare for the day when we can be together again, albeit with temperature checks and physical distancing.

With sadness and confidence,

Billy

William B. Handmaker
Head of School