MESSAGE FROM THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION (PA) PRESIDENT
ABOUT THE PA
PA LEADERSHIP 2023-2024
PA ACTIVITIES
PA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
MISSION
KEY BY THE NUMBERS
THE INSIDE SCOOP
OUR CAMPUS
ALL ABOUT KEY LIFE BEYOND KEY
FOLLOW KEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS
CALENDARS
VITAL INFORMATION
QUESTIONS ABOUT…
SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS
KEY 360°
KEY’S CULTURE OF GIVING
ABOUT THIS NOTEBOOK
Key School and the Parents’ Association (PA) are delighted to provide this handy notebook highlighting important aspects of the Key experience.
WELCOME ABOUT THE PA
Message from Parents’ Association President Beth
Lapczynski
Dear Families,
On behalf of the Key School Parents’ Association (PA), I’m thrilled to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year. I would like to extend a special welcome to all the new families and a warm welcome back to all the returning families.
You are automatically a member of the PA as the parent/guardian of a Key student. The PA promotes Key School’s mission through both service and communication. I challenge you to get involved in the many volunteer opportunities held throughout the school year. The PA strongly believes that the involvement of parents/ guardians enhances each student's experience at Key.
The PA is comprised of a representative for each Division (Upper, Middle, Lower, and First) and a grade liaison (GL) for each grade. Your GL is a great source of information as you move throughout the year. The GLs will provide you with information regarding grade-specific and school-wide events, in addition to various volunteer opportunities. Whether you can assist with the planning of an event, or you only have an hour to contribute, we welcome you with open arms. We rely on parent/guardian volunteers to lead these events, so your involvement is central to their success.
The PA holds monthly meetings to discuss upcoming PA events. These meetings also typically include a guest speaker, who will share information on what’s happening at Key, or an outside expert on a specific topic. We will continue to offer a virtual option for all PA meetings this year. Through connecting with your GL, reading the monthly newsletter, and attending the monthly meeting, you can learn about the work of the PA and how you can get involved.
This is my second year serving as PA president, and I look forward to continuing our goal of building an even stronger, more unified Key community. Please reach out with any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding the PA. “Community is Key,” and I look forward to working with all of you during this upcoming year.
Sincerely,
Beth Lapczynski 2023-2024 Parents’ Association President Key Parent ’32, ’35, and ‘37The Key School Parents’ Association seeks to promote the Mission of the School by providing opportunities for service and communication. The PA is committed to sustaining goodwill and unity throughout the School community and believes the active involvement of all families is vital to supporting, understanding and enriching the educational experience for Key’s students.
You are the PA! All Key School community members are automatically members; there are no dues or applications to complete. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend a PA meeting and get to know other Key families. It is an opportunity to learn about ways to take an active role in planning PA events or participate in whatever volunteer capacity works for each family. Each year, the PA welcomes leadership nominations from the community body and is open to all.
PA LEADERSHIP 2023-2024
The PA is led by a group of officers who are guided by the PA bylaws:
Officers
President Beth Lapczynski
Vice President Regina Spruill
Secretary Stephanie Simpson
Treasurer Julita Anthony
Nominating & Lori Emrick
Volunteer Coordinator
Division Representatives
Upper School Emily Squires
Middle School Robin Goebel
Lower School Rachel Livingston
First School Brooke Bowman
Grade Liaisons
12th Grade Roni-Sue Price
11th Grade Jenifer Moore
10th Grade Kirsten Chapman
9th Grade Hilary Kamins
8th Grade Taryn Dorsey
7th Grade Rona Abraham
6th Grade LaToya Asher
5th Grade Shannon Benil
4th Grade Leah Johns
3rd Grade Jean Berkinshaw Dixon ‘01
2nd Grade Nicole Mainor
1st Grade Khalid El-Sayed
Kindergarten Bethany King
Pre-Kindergarten Amanda Ebley
Pre-School Jess Praley
Key-Wee Elizabeth Hanano
Event Chairs
5k/10k & Family Fun Run Megan Hardy Anderson ‘01 and Jay McConnell
Annapolis Book Festival TBD
Annual Fund Liaison Anissa Kossakowski
Community Building Kenneth Graham
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon Jenna Billard and Lauren Stockum
Harvest Dinner Party & Auction Amanda Ebley and Elizabeth Perry
Let’s Get Together: Craft Beer Night Trish Gallant
Let’s Get Together: Wine & Cheese Kate Curry
Welcome Back Picnic Bria Barry and Michelle LaRose
PA ACTIVITIES
The PA organizes fun, rewarding and convenient opportunities to keep every community member involved in the life of the School. The PA supports several events that serve as fundraisers and last year donated nearly $132,000 to Key. The PA will email communications about the events below and other activities through Grade Liaisons, the PA President’s letter, and the Thursday Reminder.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL COFFEE, AUGUST 28Meet new members of the Key community and catch up with other families on the Manse Field right after morning drop-off on the first day of school.
WELCOME BACK PICNIC, SEPTEMBER 9Start the school year off right at this fun and free Key community event. Enjoy delicious food, music, entertainment, and fun family activities on the Manse Field.
PA MEETINGS - Monthly meetings open to all families with committee updates and featured speakers.
PARENT POTLUCKS - Usually scheduled in the fall, each grade hosts a gathering for parents/ guardians to meet each other or reconnect.
LET’S GET TOGETHER: HARVEST DINNER PARTY & AUCTION - Enjoy a lovely evening of delicious food and merriment with fellow Key parents/guardians and bid on dozens of amazing items and experiences.
44TH ANNUAL 5K/10K & FAMILY FUN RUN, OCTOBER 15 - Join Key families and the greater community for this long-standing fall event and run or walk a USATF-certified course around the Hillsmere neighborhood.
LET’S GET TOGETHER: WINE & CHEESE NIGHT, FEBRUARY 9, 6:00-9:00 P.M.Enjoy a “cabin fever” buster with this popular wine and cheese gathering.
ANNAPOLIS BOOK FESTIVAL, APRIL 27 -
The PA’s premier annual event featuring over 50 authors, dozens of children’s activities, and a huge used book sale. Free and open to all.
FACULTY/STAFF APPRECIATION
LUNCHEON, MAY 10 - Volunteers prepare and serve food to the Key School faculty and staff with a themed luncheon in the Activity Building.
LET’S GET TOGETHER: CRAFT BEER NIGHT, MAY 17 - Gather with fellow Key parents/guardians and enjoy appetizers and libations.
Volunteer Opportunity
Ticketed Event Sponsorship Opportunity
WELCOME BACK PICNIC
September 9, 2023
Let’s Get Together: HARVEST DINNER PARTY & AUCTION
October 6, 2023
ANNAPOLIS BOOK FESTIVAL
April 27, 2024
PA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Did you know studies show children of parents/guardians who take an active role in their student’s education improve in academic achievement? So let’s get started; scan the code with your phone’s camera to find out how you can support events sponsored by the Parents’ Association and help students and teachers in classrooms, offices and libraries.
volunteer today!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PA?
CONTACT:
Trish Gallant Parent Programs and Special Events Director tgallant@keyschool.org • 443.321.7820
Key School was founded in 1958 by several tutors from nearby St. John's College who were interested in offering their children the finest possible academic foundation.
OUR MISSION
Key is founded upon the conviction that children are innately curious about themselves and the world; they want to learn, they want to discover, and they want to create.
Our mission is to nourish and guide this natural exuberance, energy, and delight in the search for meaning, so that each student embraces lifelong learning and develops into an informed, thoughtful, and constructive member of society.
6:1 Student:Faculty Ratio
BY THE NUMBERS(2021-2023 Avg.)
84% Earned Merit
Scholarships to College
39% Students of Color
21
League Athletic Championships
(2019-2023)
THE KEY DIFFERENCE
Key's innovative approach to teaching and learning is what sets us apart from other independent schools. Key is renowned for our rigorous academic program, which emphasizes inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary studies and a global perspective, but Key students also experience meaningful connections, value and respect the differences of others, and have a positive outlook on learning and their future. A diverse, supportive, deliberately small community that values academic excellence and nurtures a love of learning is what makes Key School one of the most sought-after educations in Maryland.
15
270 Sending Schools Countries Represented
{
655{ STUDENTS Key-Wee to Seniors
37%
STEM Field Majors
42% Graduates Attend Research 1 Universities
1304 SAT Scores (national avg. 1051)
32% Families Receiving Financial Aid
46% Acceptance Rate (local private school acceptance average is 80%)
$12,000 Average Financial Aid Award
THE GAZEBO
The distinctive gazebos found on campus date back to the property’s earliest days as a farm and are the inspiration for the School’s symbol and mascot.
KEY WAS A FARM?
Learn more about Key’s history, including photos of campus when it was a working farm.
WHY ARE WE THE OBEZAGS?
The name was suggested and adopted by students in the late 1960s who wanted the School’s sports team to have a name that not only captured Key’s unique spirit, but also had a meaning that wasn’t immediately apparent to people outside the community. What’s an Obezag? It’s gazebo spelled backwards (of course). It stuck and “Go ‘Zags” can be heard on the sidelines of fields, courts, tracks, and pools.
CAMPUS BOOKSTORE
Show your Key and Obezag pride with gear from Key’s online Campus Bookstore. Keythemed mugs, tumblers, notecards, jewelry, and pet accessories can be purchased throughout the year. Key also offers an all-year online spirit store where you can purchase Key gear.
KEY’S MURALS
Key School murals are certainly one of the Key’s most unique campus traditions. Beginning as paintings both inside and outside of various buildings, the more recent murals are student-led endeavors, with seniors memorializing their time at Key as a gift to the youngest Obezags. The murals typically depict beloved characters from children's literature.
SUMMER AT KEY
One of the premier day camps in the area, Key’s award-winning camp provides eight weeks of stimulating and engaging experiences. Summer at KEY offers over 150 different camps and attracts over 1,100 campers annually.
SCHOOL COLORS
Key’s official school colors are navy blue and white. Accent colors used are green, indicative of Key’s commitment to environmental stewardship and barn red as a nod to the property’s origins as a farm. Key athletics use a combination of navy blue, white and gray.
GRADUATION TRADITIONS
Commencement is a uniquely Key event. Each year, the senior class designs its graduation invitation and plans the ceremony, enabling each class to put their particular mark on the day. Seniors select an individual to speak on their behalf during the ceremony; these entertaining and often poignant speeches, given by teachers, classmates, coaches, and family members showcase the value Key places on each individual. In addition to a diploma, all Key graduates receive a pewter medallion embossed with a view of the School’s iconic Manse and gazebo.
OUR CAMPUS
Key School comprises the main campus sitting on fifteen acres in the neighborhood of Hillsmere Shores and the seventy-acre Fusco Athletic Park, two miles away in the community of Annapolis Roads.
OUR CAMPUS
FUSCO ATHLETIC PARK is a state-of-the-art facility that includes multi-purpose athletic fields, eight tennis courts, a baseball diamond, a 1.7 mile nature trail, a pavilion with locker rooms, and a fully equipped trainer's room. The Park hosts athletic and recreational activities for students in all divisions.
ALL ABOUT KEY
KEY HAS FOUR DIVISIONS, EACH LED BY A DIVISION HEAD
LOWER SCHOOL 1-4 GRADE
KEY WINS 21 League Championships (2019-2023) and 167 All-Conference & All-County Athletes*
*2020 impacted by COVID-19
MIDDLE SCHOOL 5-8 GRADE
UPPER SCHOOL 9-12 GRADE
Emphasis on cross-divisional connections is a hallmark of the Key Experience. From Senior Buddies, which connects our oldest students with our youngest, World Language grade mash-up events, and spirit events like the Zag Bowl, cross-divisional learning and fun are built into campus life.
LIFE BEYOND KEY
With its first graduating class in 1971, Key is proud to have more than 1,700 graduates living in more than 40 states and 30 countries. Key alumni/ae/x work in a wide variety of professions, including architecture, arts, computer science/information technology, education, engineering, film and television, finance, government/public policy, law marketing/non-profit, medicine, and general science.
KEY’S NEWEST ALUMS ARE GOING PLACES!
The Class of 2023 were strong, capable and motivated during one of the most competitive application years in the history of college admissions. The seniors chose schools from all over the country and abroad, running the gamut from large research universities and HBCUs to liberal arts colleges, all-women’s colleges, and design schools.
FOLLOW KEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/keyschool
facebook.com/annapolisbookfestival
INSTAGRAM:
@KeySchool
@KeySchoolUpper
@KeySchoolMiddle
@KeySchoolLower
@KeySchoolFirst
@Obezags
FLICKR: flickr.com/keyschoolannapolis
SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS
IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING…
Grade Level Class Year
Key-Wee Class of 2039
Pre-School Class of 2038
Pre-Kindergarten Class of 2037
Kindergarten Class of 2036
1st Grade Class of 2035
2nd Grade Class of 2034
3rd Grade Class of 2033
4th Grade Class of 2032
5th Grade Class of 2031
6th Grade Class of 2030
7th Grade Class of 2029
8th Grade Class of 2028
9th Grade Class of 2027
10th Grade Class of 2026
11th Grade Class of 2025
12th Grade Class of 2024
Key School strives to communicate effectively with families and manage the volume of email. Below is a sample of the types of regular communication families can receive:
• A monthly e-bulletin, The Key Connection
• A weekly email reminder, Thursday Reminder
• Division Head/teacher/All-School email
• Email and text notifications of weather-related closings, delayed openings or other necessary changes in School schedules or operating protocols
• Family Notebook
FAMILY PORTAL
Go to the password-protected Family Portal, which is found by clicking on Login at the top of Key’s homepage for the most up-to-date School information.
ACCEPTANCES & MATRICULATIONS
Scan the code with your phone’s camera for a full list of college acceptances and matriculations.
DID YOU KNOW?
• See reports, keep household information up-to-date, and add money to the Osprey’s Nest account in Family Center.
• Access the online/printable Student/Family Directory
• Get forms and other resources
• Access Magnus Health
• Find information about the PA and PA events
KEY’S CARPOOL MODULE
Did you know Key has a Carpool Module on the Family Portal, which is a Google-based map that allows current parents to view other Key School families who live in close proximity?
CALENDARS
ACADEMIC YEAR CALENDAR
Provides important school dates that affect all division levels, including the start of school, holiday breaks and planned school closures.
Friday, August 25 New Student Orientation
Monday, August 28 School Opens
Monday, September 4 Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
Monday, September 25 Yom Kippur - NO SCHOOL
Monday, October 9 Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, November 21 Thanksgiving Holiday begins at end of the day
Monday, November 27 School Resumes
Friday, December 15 Winter Holiday begins at noon - no After School Program
Tuesday, January 2 Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, January 3 School Resumes
Monday, January 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
Friday, February 16 Mid-Winter Break begins at end of the day
Monday, February 26 School Resumes
Friday, March 29 Spring Break begins at end of the day
Monday, April 8 Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, April 9 School Resumes
Monday, May 27 Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
Thursday, June 6 Last Day of School (Normal Dismissal TimeAfter School Program available)
Friday, June 7 Commencement 10:00 a.m.
Monday & Tuesday, June 10 & 11 Snow Contingency Days
Scan for the online calendar
ONLINE COMMUNITY CALENDAR - Provides a detailed view of daily life at Key including School-wide, PA, grade level, and division events, filtered by your interests. Sync the calendar to your computer or phone for easy access to information.
ATHLETICS SCHEDULE - Provides information of each team’s practice and game schedules as well as a button to view that day’s events.
VITAL INFORMATION
CALLING KEY:
Main Campus 410.263.9231
First School 443.321.7866
Lower School 443.321.7871
Middle School 443.321.7876
Upper School 443.321.7881
CALLING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM:
First School 443.321.7860
Lower School 443.321.7861
Middle School 410.263.9231 x 1270
FINDING FACULTY & STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION: www.keyschool.org/facultyandstaff
QUESTIONS ABOUT...
YOUR STUDENT’S ABSENCE, LATE ARRIVAL OR EARLY PICK-UP
First School - fsattendance@keyschool.org
Lower School - lsattendance@keyschool.org
Middle School - msattendance@keyschool.org
Upper School - usattendance@keyschool.org
YOUR STUDENT’S MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL OR OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
School Nurse Katie Anderson: kanderson@keyschool.org; 410.263.9231, ext. 1204
YOUR STUDENT’S KEY CARD (GRADES 5-12)
Contact your Division Office:
Middle School 443.321.7876
Upper School 443.321.7881
YOUR STUDENT’S OSPREY’S NEST ACCOUNT (GRADES 5-12)
Caroline Ewing - cew ing@ keyschool.org; 443.321.7833
YOUR FACTS ACCOUNT OR OTHER FINANCIAL MATTERS
Sue Clayton - sclay ton@keyschool.org; 443.321.7832
YOUR STUDENT’S ATHLETIC PRACTICE OR GAME SCHEDULE
www.keyschool.org /program/athletics
KEY’S DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & BELONGING PROGRAM
Vanessa Gutierrez - vgutierrez@keyschool.org; 410.263.9231, ext 1303
SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS
Head of School
Matthew Nespole
410.263.9231, ext 1222
mnespole@keyschool.org
First School Division Head
Becky Fetters
443.321.7865
bfetters@keyschool.org
Lower School Division Head
Kristen Addison
443.321.7870
kaddison@keyschool.org
Middle School Division Head
Dave Magnus
443.321.7875
dmagnus@keyschool.org
Upper School Division Head
Brian Michaels
443.321.7880
bmichaels@keyschool.org
Director of Enrollment and Outreach
Tom Rossini
410.263.9231, ext 1226 trossini@keyschool.org
Director of Advancement
Kim Teter
443.321.7825
kteter@keyschool.org
Director of Finance and Operations
Caroline Ewing
443.321.7833
cewing@keyschool.org
Director of Communication
Kate Austin
443.321.7811 kaustin@keyschool.org
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
Vanessa Gutierrez
410.263.9231, ext 1303 vgutierrez@keyschool.org
Director of Facilities
Noel Gasparin
410.263.9231, ext 1267 ngasparin@keyschool.org
Director of Academic Technology
Nina Austin
443.321.7804
naustin@keyschool.org
NAVIGATING
Key 360° is the new strategic framework that will help navigate a path to tomorrow for our exceptional School. Key 360° focuses on five priorities encompassing all aspects of the Key experience, from academic programming and faculty growth to the physical campus, student citizenship, community well-being, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of school resources. Each priority is equal in its importance to the School’s future success.
KEY’S CULTURE OF GIVING WHY GIVE BACK TO KEY?
The unparalleled experience students at Key receive is made possible in large part by philanthropy. Key depends on charitable gifts to sustain its strong academic curriculum, support its teachers, enhance its teaching facilities, and strengthen its financial resources. You have the opportunity to align your giving with your passion by electing to support your choice of the School’s ongoing funding priorities.
Annual Fund - Gifts to the Annual Fund support all aspects of life at Key, and enhance the immersive learning experience for every student, every day. The Annual Fund is a yearly fundraising effort that generates needed income through charitable gifts from all corners of the Key School community. The funds raised are spent the same fiscal year in support of the School’s current operating budget and are vital to enhancing the day-to-day life of every student and faculty member.
THRIVING
Capital Giving - Capital Giving provides funding for new construction, renovation and improvement projects, and endowed programs at Key. For example, Capital Giving supported the recently installed First School Nature Play and Learning Space and is helping to make significant renovations to the Science and Library Center as a part of the “Key on Three” capital campaign.
Endowment Giving - The Endowment supports the School's operating budget, offsetting tuition reliance. Additional funding helps ensure Key's financial position for years to come, thereby serving the cause of excellence and continuing affordability.
LEARN MORE ABOUT KEY’S CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY
by visiting us at www.keyschool.org/giving
PRESERVING
MORE ABOUT KEY 360°
CONNECTING
We give because of the incredibly talented and thoughtful teachers who make our child LOVE going to school.
We support Key because it is a diverse, welcoming community where students can come to school who they are and feel supported and valued.
We give to Key to continue the curiosity and excitement of learning that our daughter had and now our four grandchildren are experiencing!
534 Hillsmere Drive
Annapolis, MD 21403
410.263.9231
keyschool.org
address correction requested
facebook.com/keyschool
instagram.com/theKeySchool
flickr.com/keyschoolannapolis
