The SchoolGram is the newsletter of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda
Union Free School District. The SchoolGram is presented in  e-newsletter format for the convenience of readers and easy access on computers and mobile devices. Sign up to receive the SchoolGram in your inbox or view past editions  on the web at www.ktufsd.org/schoolgram. The special Budget Edition of the SchoolGram will be mailed to households in the spring.

October 20, 2017
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
Board of Education Community Forum: October 28
 
All members of the Ken-Ton School District community are welcome and invited to attend a community forum with members of the Board of Education and Superintendent Stephen Bovino on Saturday, October 28 from 9 to 11 a.m.  The forum will take place in the second floor Board Room at the Administration Building, located at 1500 Colvin Blvd.  Members of the public need not stay for the entire time and may come and go as their schedules permit. The forum is designed to provide parents, residents, staff, and any other members of the school district community a chance to ask questions or discuss issues of their choosing.
New Staff Welcomed
A total of 51 new teachers, librarians, psychologists, school counselors, social workers, and teacher assistants were welcomed to the Ken-Ton School District this year. Many were on hand for a special teacher orientation at Kenmore West High School in August.
Ken-Ton Wins High Honors for District Communications
The Ken-Ton School District won high honors in three different categories as part of the New York School Public Relations Association 2017 Communications Awards:
  • The Award of Excellence, the highest possible distinction a school district can receive, for its 2017-18 budget newsletter
  • An Award of Honor for the District Facebook page
  • An Award of Honor for the 2016-17 district calendar publication
NYSPRA is the New York State chapter of the National School Public Relations Association and works to support communications and community relations efforts in the state's 728 school districts and 37 BOCES. The annual Communications Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement in educational communications throughout the state.  Click here to read the story .
Board of Education Recognitions
Several students and staff were recognized by the Board of Education in September and October for their outstanding contributions to their schools, including students Michael Hunter (Franklin Elementary), Alice Budzich (Franklin Middle), and Jadyn D'Alimonte (Hoover Middle); support staff Barb LaCroix (Franklin Elementary), Angela Jaworski (Franklin Middle), and Joy Burgio (Hoover Middle); teachers Larissa Gramza (Franklin Elementary), Diane Hyzy and Jeanette Yoder (Franklin Middle), Penny DePasquale (Hoover Middle), and school counselor Tom Schwob (Hoover Middle). Click here to visit the Board Recognitions Page.
KW Alumnus Making a Big Difference in West Africa
Troy Caruana, a proud Kenmore West alumnus, is a teacher and Peace Corps volunteer working in the Republic of Benin in West Africa. Caruana is working to expand educational opportunities and promote gender equity in Benin, and he is striving to raise $13,000 to build new school facilities in the village where he works. Click here to read the story.
Nearly 1 Ton of Donations Raised for Hurricane Relief
Through a staff-led effort, an impressive 1,868 pounds of donations is on its way to a school district outside Houston that was devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Staff, families and students donated a wide variety of items, everything from personal care items and kitchen/cleaning supplies to school supplies and baby items. Click here to read the story.
Volleyball Coach Distinguished for Sportsmanship
Kenmore West Girls Varsity Volleyball coach Kelly Strong was recognized by Section VI for her commitment to coaching and sportsmanship. Strong has been a Kenmore West coach since 1999 and varsity coach since 2003. Since then, the team has won five league championships. Her record within the Niagara Frontier League (NFL) is 137-58. Click here to read the story.
Students Accepted Into Conference All-State Ensembles
Congratulations to the six students selected for the Conference All-State music festival: Jacob Aguglia - Jazz Vocal (Ken-East), Emily Walter - Chorus (Ken-East), Gracelyn Rife - Chorus (Ken-East), Chris Donn - Clarinet, Symphonic Band (Ken-East), Alexander Neubert - Bassoon, Wind Ensemble (Ken-East), and Isabella Eberle - Symphonic Band (Ken-West).
Schools, Departments Release 2016-17 Annual Reports
 
Beginning this year, schools and departments in the Ken-Ton School District will each provide an annual report which will be available for everyone to read. This is a new initiative intended to give all members of the school district community an opportunity to get a closer look at the work that staff is engaged in on a daily basis. You can find the reports here.
Franklin Middle & Hoover Middle: 'Where Everyone Belongs'
Staff and students at Franklin Middle and Hoover Middle have created a school environment "Where Everybody Belongs" through the innovative WEB program. WEB is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomed incoming fifth graders this school year. It is an extension of the innovative Link Crew Program which was introduced at Kenmore East High School and Kenmore West High School last year to provide an orientation, transition and peer-to-peer mentoring framework for new students. Click here to read the story.
Kenmore West High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Congratulations to the 2017 Kenmore West High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. Inducted were: Sue Dewey (Coach), Alex Dockstader ('07), David Fleischman (Coach), Scott Haynes ('01), Richard Hutton ('47), Tony Mermigas ('95), Jenna Rickan ('09), Barbara Fislar Schiffler ('73), Nathan Skiba ('09), Nick Silvestri (Honorary), and the Kenmore West High School 1967 Varsity Football Team. Click here to find links to profiles on all the inductees.
Lions SEE Vision Screening to Be Offered in Elementary Schools
 
Lions SEE, a free community service vision screening program for children in grades preK-2, will be providing this service in Ken-Ton. It does not replace the New York State-mandated vision screening for acuity that is done by the school nurses; it is intended to assist with the early identification of potential vision problems and identify those students needing referral for further evaluation. Click here for more information.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
Kenmore West High School Open House & Orientation: October 26

Students and families are invited to learn about the extraordinary array of programs and opportunities available at Kenmore West High School at its Open House/Orientation on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is intended for all students in grades 6-8 and their families. The evening will feature a flexible format that allows guests to tour the building and learn about the school facilities, programs and curricula at their own pace. Click here for more information on the programs offered at Kenmore West High School.
2017 Kenmore East and Kenmore West Homecomings
Click here for photos from the Kenmore East High School Homecoming game at Sparky Adams Field on October 6 and the Kenmore West High School Homecoming/Kenmore East vs. Kenmore West Varsity Football game at Crosby Field on October 14.
Edison Celebrates Dedication of Children's Garden
Edison Elementary School recently celebrated the dedication of its new Children's Garden, an impressive outdoor space on the school's south side. The school community broke ground on the revitalized garden project last fall and has been working on it ever since. It was dedicated in memory of the late Jill Tomsic, a former PTA president.   Click here to read the story .
Lindbergh Elementary Hosts 'Fun Run' for PTA
Lindbergh Elementary School students had a great time at the Fun Run held September 29. Students ran laps for pledges to support all the fun educational activities organized by the Lindbergh Elementary PTA. Many parents were in attendance to cheer their children on as they ran and walked around the special Fun Run track.   Click here for photos from the event .
Edison Students Make Veteran's Honor Flight Special
David Geater is a Korean War veteran who had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. in late September thanks to the non-profit organization Honor Flight. His journey to visit the war memorials of the nation's capital was made all the more special thanks to the contributions of students in Lisa Carver's class at Edison Elementary School.   Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East Music Student Honored by Buff State
Congratulations to Kenmore East High School student Trenton Kelkenberg who will receive the Buffalo State College Horace Mann K-12 Student Award in the area of the Arts. Trenton, who plays trombone, participated in the Kenmore East High School band program last year and is also a member of one of the school's jazz bands.  Click here to read the story .
Holmes Staff Raise $950 at 'McTeacher's Night'
Holmes Elementary staff recently worked behind the counter and at the drive-through window at a special "McTeacher's Night" event at the McDonald's on the corner of Sheridan Drive and Delaware Road to raise money for the school. From proceeds and raffles, staff raised approximately $950 to go towards PBIS programs and support for the school.
Students Explore Construction Careers
Students from technology programs at Kenmore East and Kenmore West recently participated in the 11th annual Construction Career Days field trip. This event is organized by the Buffalo Building and Construction Trades Council to give high school students information about many different high-pay, high-demand construction careers.  Click here to read the story .
Students Provide Insight for Success at Hoover Middle
Hoover Middle School students came together with teachers and administrators to participate in a special activity called a "World CafĂ©," a protocol tool used to evoke discussions amongst a larger group of people. Students were invited to participate in this event based on their ability to voice their opinions and collaborate with their peers.   Click here to read the story .
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Kindergarten and first-grade students at Hoover Elementary School enjoy activities at the annual Pajama Reading Night on October 4
Music teachers Laura Anderson and Sue Barmasee perform at Kleinhans for the 100th anniversary of the Colored Musicians Club
Fifth-grade students at Franklin Middle create posters to visualize their understanding of the Articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Welcome messages made by students using sidewalk chalk are left for Hoover Middle School families attending Open House on September 19
A student at Kenmore West High School, 10th grader Glen Gifford-Gentile, recently took this amazing shot of Crosby Field using a drone
Students at Franklin Elementary School did a phenomenal job singing the National Anthem at the October 10 Board of Education meeting
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS
Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District