When everyone received their report cards from the first nine weeks, there was also a letter included in the envelope from Mr. Chris Bennett and Mr. Timothy Dadich. This letter informed students and their parents that on Dec. 4 and 5 the students of Freedom Area High School would be taking the math section of the Keystones. The Keystones are similar to the PSSAs, though the PSSAs are no longer being administered to students. On Thursday, Nov. 29, Dadich made an announcement on DTV informing us that passing the Keystones does not determine whether or not you can graduate your senior year. However, he made it very clear that the school needs to join together and do well on these tests as a whole. “These keystones are meant to verify that the students have acquired standard-based content at a level of proficiency,” Bennett said. The only students that were exempt from taking these tests were seniors and those who had already taken these exams and received proficiency. The teachers have explained to their students that even though these tests aren’t a determining factor in whether they graduate or not, they are meant to show what their strengths and weaknesses are. This will help the teachers see where each of their students need help and help them succeed in class.