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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.

April 4, 2017
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
Board Recognizes Outstanding Student, Staff from Franklin Elementary/B&G Department
 
At the regular Board of Education meeting in March, Interim Superintendent Stephen Bovino and the Board of Education recognized Franklin Elementary School student Abigail Banaszak, Franklin Elementary School teacher Mary Russell, Lynn Taylor from the Franklin Elementary School support staff, and Ilana Yurka, Buildings & Grounds Department. Click here to read the story. The Board of Education recognizes outstanding students and staff each month and past recognition can be found here.
80+ Students Qualify for All-County Ensembles
More than 80 students from elementary, middle, and high schools were selected to take part in the very selective Erie County Music Educators Association (ECMEA) all-county band, orchestra, chorus, and jazz ensemble festivals after making it through a competitive audition process. Some students were selected for more than one ensemble.   Click here for the names of students accepted.
Staff Development Hosts Poverty Simulation
Through a unique Poverty Simulation Workshop provided by the Ken-Ton Staff Development Center, teachers and staff had an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the many struggles and hardships families living in poverty face on a daily basis. Everyday challenges were uniquely captured during the simulation including transportation, health care, and child care.   Click here to read the story .
2016-17 Winter Season Highlights
Christina Wende from Ken-West placed third statewide in the Triple Jump; the combined Rifle team placed third statewide in Three Position; Ken-West Hockey made it all the way to the Section VI Championship; and Ken-West Boys Basketball and Ken-East Girls Basketball finished at the top of the NFL. These were just some highlights from the winter season.   Click here to read the story .
Students Express Appreciation for Bus Drivers
Upwards of 100 bus drivers transport thousands of Ken-Ton students to and from school safely each and every day. It is a difficult job and an incredible responsibility, and they play an integral role in public education. Students at Holmes Elementary and Hoover Middle expressed their appreciation for the work of Ken-Ton bus drivers during recent Kindness Month activities.   Click here to read the story .
Kenmore West Hosts IB Roundtables
The Kenmore West High School International Baccalaureate (IB) Program recently welcomed teachers from throughout Western New York for two IB roundtable events. Science teachers Chelsea Grosskopf and Jennifer Gazdovich hosted the roundtable for IB Physics, and Phil Jarosz, Gr. 6-12 instructional coach for math, led the roundtable on CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service).  Click here to read the story .
22 Students Inducted Into NTHS
A total of 22 Kenmore East and Kenmore West students enrolled in BOCES Career & Technical Education programs were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. In order to qualify, they had to be nominated by their teacher, meet academic standards, and demonstrate skill development, leadership, responsibility and good character.  Click here to read the story.
Record Amount Raised for Polio Vaccines
Through the efforts of Kenmore West student Paige Phillips and the assistance of Kenmore East and Kenmore West students, a record $2,100 was raised district-wide through the annual Purple Pinkie Project in partnership with the Kenmore Rotary. Students at seven schools had their pinkies painted purple after donating for the effort which seeks to eradicate polio globally.  Click here to read the story .
Girls Basketball Team Inspires Future Blue Devils
The Kenmore West Girls Varsity Basketball Team under the leadership of Coach Jeff Martin traveled to Hoover Elementary and Lindbergh Elementary to inspire future Blue Devils and to work with the younger students on their basketball skills during physical education classes.   The experience has been a tradition for the team for nearly two decades. Click here to read the story.
Students Visit Buffalo Manufacturing Works
On March 8, students from the Project Lead the Way Engineering Design & Development class traveled to Buffalo Manufacturing Works in Buffalo for an inside look at state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and to get feedback from professionals on their own work. The visit included a tour and one-on-one sessions with industry professionals.   Click here to read the story .
Budget Newsletter to be Mailed to Ken-Ton Homes in Early May
 
The special budget edition of the SchoolGram will be mailed to Ken-Ton School District homes in early May. A digital copy of the newsletter will also be posted to the budget information page at  www.ktufsd.org/budget. The Budget Hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9 at the Philip Sheridan Building. The vote will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16 at Hoover Middle School. Use Door #14 for easy access.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
The Kenmore East High School Performing Arts Hall of Fame will induct eight new members at an induction event on Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the auditorium and is free to the public. The Induction Class of 2017 includes the late Ted Reinhardt and his brother Tom, Eric Alsford, Jeanine Hunter, Jim McGee, Deborah Moran, Carin Zakes and Molly Peacock. Click here to read the story.
8 Ken-West Students to Play Collegiate Sports
Eight Kenmore West seniors have signed their intent to compete at the collegiate level in five different sports. They were Moamal Flayh, Hannah Gallivan and Joseph Patrick (soccer), Eleanor Fumerelle (rugby), Erriono Giardina (football), Kyle LaPlante and Ben Serrano (baseball), and Olivia Smith (ice hockey).   Click here to read the story .
Student Receives President's Volunteer Service Award
Kenmore West senior Rachel Janish, a member of the Link Crew and Challenge/Interact Club, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President's Volunteer Service Award. The award was granted on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation for Rachel's outstanding volunteer service.  Click here to read the story.
Student Artwork Displayed at Albright-Knox
Hundreds of students, families and staff visited the Albright-Knox Art Gallery on February 16 for the opening reception of a display in the museum's education wing featuring approximately 250 works by Hoover Elementary School students . The exhibit was nearly two years in the making with artwork by each class in building.   Click here to read the story .
Ken-West Students Win Medals at Science Olympiad
Kenmore West placed eighth out of 34 teams across WNY at the Science Olympiad, winning medals in numerous individual events. The students spent time from September to February preparing for the competition, which included many different events related to science and engineering that were test-based, lab-based or building-based.  Click here to read the story.
Holmes Students Enjoy Engaging Science Experiments
Holmes Elementary students have been enjoying engaging science lessons. Students of teachers  Karen Kull and Tracy Caruana enjoyed an experiment with "Oobleck" to determine if it is a solid, liquid or both. Students also enjoyed creating s'mores with a homemade solar oven. The activities were part of lessons on the properties of matter and solar energy.

Author Cynthia DeFelice Visits Lindbergh
Cynthia DeFelice, an award-winning author, visited Lindbergh Elementary to discuss her love of reading, how she generates ideas for her books, and how a book is published.  She also read some of her stories such as "Casey in the Bath," "Old Granny" and the "Bean Thief and The Three Perfect Peaches." The event was made possible through the support of the PTA.
Pegula Sports Videographer Visits Holmes Art TV Crew
Students in the Holmes Elementary School Art TV Crew were recently able to learn about the art of videography from an expert: Mark Blaszak, director of videography for Pegula Sports & Entertainment. Mark led a discussion about the story-making process, character development, plotline, what makes a video compelling, and other topics.   Click here to read the story .
Hoover Middle Teachers Create Toolkits for Parents
Hoover Middle School reading teachers Ellen Rhoney and Dawn Wilkinson created literacy toolkits for distribution  during the recent parent/teacher conferences. The toolkits included a sheet with many different strategies for tackling difficult test questions, motivational pencils, and sheets for parents to write their own motivational messages for their children.

Holmes Raises $1,400 Through 'Pennies for Patients'
Holmes Elementary School recently completed its enormously successful Pennies for Patients campaign to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Each classroom had a collection bin with a school-wide goal of raising $1,000 in two weeks. Staff members worked together to count pennies daily and the school exceeded its goal by raising $1,400.90.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Holmes Elementary School students had a great time meeting literary icon Pete the Cat and reading two classic Pete the Cat stories
Holmes Elementary students celebrated Peter Pan after reading the novel and then comparing and contrasting it with the film
A special display at Franklin Middle School included artifacts from all over the world including the Philippines, England, and Japan
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS
Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District