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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.

January 26, 2018
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
Have you considered the School Breakfast Program?
 
Get your child off to a great start each and every day with a healthy breakfast! Breakfast is served each and every school day in all cafeterias, providing students with 1/4th of their daily nutritional needs. No advanced registration is required and students may participate every day or only occasionally. Breakfast is only $1.25 and students who qualify for Free or Reduced Price Lunch automatically qualify for Free or Reduced Price ($0.25) Breakfast. Click here for more information.
Board of Education Recognitions: Hoover Elementary School
Paul Wright, Hoover Elementary School student, and faculty/staff members Tammy Notto and Michelle Washington were recognized by Superintendent Stephen Bovino and the Board of Education in January for their outstanding contributions to the Hoover Elementary School community. Click here to visit the Board Recognitions Page.
Saturday Writing Sessions for Middle/High Students
Once a month on scheduled Saturdays beginning February 10, all middle and high school students are invited to take advantage of special writing workshops. These workshops are perfect for students at any skill level, from aspiring young authors to anyone wishing to improve their skills as a writer. Click here for more information.
31st SleepOut to Take Place Friday, Feb. 2
The 31st Annual Jerry Starr Ken-Ton Schools' SleepOut will take place the night of Friday, Feb. 2 at Hoover Middle School beginning at 8 p.m. Students, staff members, family members, and other participants will sleep outside in refrigerator boxes to raise money for local organizations that help those in need in the Ken-Ton community.  Click here to read the story.
Kenmore East Hall of Fame Nominations Due April 6
The Kenmore East High School Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee is accepting nominations for the Induction Class of 2018 in three categories: Athlete (2011 or earlier), Coach/Administrator (retired for at least two years), and Honorary. Teams may be nominated as well. Nominations are due April 6.  Click here to find the nomination form.
Middle, High Students Compete at Physics Olympics
Ken-Ton middle and high school students performed exceptionally at the 2017 Buffalo State College Physics Olympics with a team from Franklin Middle School winning first place overall in the middle school division. The team was comprised of Franklin Middle sixth-graders Alden Volle, David Lang, and Dawson Hofschneider. Click here to read the story.
Information for Prospective Board Members
 
On Saturday, March 3, 2018, the Erie County Association of School Boards will host a free workshop for prospective school board members. The workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Erie 1 BOCES, located at 355 Harlem Road, West Seneca, in Conference Room B-1. Registration will take place from 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. Participants will be able to learn the legal and human issues of school board leadership and the election process. For additional details about this event, and more information for those interested in running for Board of Education, visit the Prospective Board Member Page.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
Lindbergh Elementary School to Host Internet Safety Presentation for Parents on Feb. 6
 
On Tuesday, February 6, Lindbergh Elementary School, located at 184 Irving Terrace, will host a district-wide internet safety night for parents entitled "Keeping Our Children Safe in Today's Fast Paced World." The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Lindbergh Elementary School Performing Arts Center and will feature a presentation by Kathy Gust from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Click here for more information about the event.
HMS Students Support Water Well Building Effort
Hoover Middle School students were recently inspired by the book "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park to raise money to help build water wells in South Sudan. They walked the track carrying jugs of water for pledges and raised $1,895 for the non-profit Water for South Sudan.   Click here to read the story written by students Samantha Christiano and Erin Devine .
Kenmore East Music Students Enjoy Unique Workshops
Music students at Kenmore East High School recently enjoyed two unique workshops led by special guest visitors: Jamie Sunshine, a percussionist and expert on African music, who led a workshop on traditional African music, and blues educator Rick Nicotra and the WNY Blues Society for a harmonica workshop. Click here to read the story.
Alumnus, Peace Corps Volunteer Returns to Ken-West
Paul LaMancusa, a 2008 graduate of Kenmore West High School, recently returned to his alma mater to teach students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program's World Language Education classes about his work with the Peace Corps. LaMancusa is a Peace Corps volunteer teaching business at a vocational school in Colombia.   Click here to read the story .
Students Compete, 2 Place, at NCCC Tech Wars
Kenmore East students competed in numerous competitions at the Niagara County Community College Tech Wars on January 10. With more than 700 students from 26 school districts competing, 10th-grader students John Abramo and Zachary Peterson placed second in the Cardboard Chair competition.  Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East Students Enjoy Unique Music Trip
Kenmore East High School band director Phil Aguglia and orchestra director Laura Jay were recently featured in "The Instrumentalist" magazine for a unique band and orchestra trip students were able to participate in last April. It was a "Mystery Tour" that encompassed a variety of cultural and historical experiences, all for under $200.   Click here to read the story .
Students Collaborate on Amazing Gingerbread Creations
FACS classes at Kenmore East High School recently worked together on spectacular gingerbread creations as part of a major multi-disciplinary project guided by their teacher, Kim Schildwaster. They included their own school, Kenmore East; the historic Kenmore Union School; and a beautiful gingerbread house village.  Click here to read the story .
Parent Academy to Take Place Thursday, Feb. 15
The third Hoover Middle School/PTA Parent Academy was rescheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15 in the cafeteria. The informational session is open to all Ken-Ton School District families. The topic will be "Who's the Boss?" Larry Scott, school psychologist, will discuss restorative practices to boost positive childhood behavior.   Click here to read the story .
HOLIDAY ROUND-UP
Together, Franklin Middle School and Hoover Middle School collected nearly 2,000 items during their recent food drive which saw both school communities competing to collect the highest number of items per student. Hoover Middle School won the competition with approximately 1,300 food items. At left are Franklin Middle students Ramy Ben Jaballah, Trey Hicks, Adam Kaczmarowski, Patrick O'Hanrahan, Alex Martel, Daniella Campanella, Megan Grzeskowiak, Carmela Capizzi and Janiya Betts, with some of the donations which were delivered by Kenilworth volunteer firefighters. At right is Hoover Middle music teacher Mary Kwitowski who won the honor of wearing a turkey costume for having the highest number of donations made in her name.
Edison students and Principal David King pose in front of the Tree of Warmth decorated with dozens of hats, gloves, and scarves that students and staff donated.
Hoover Elementary students had a great time at the winter concert and assembly with performances by the chorus ensembles and a holiday sing-along.
At the Franklin Elementary School holiday concert assembly, faculty put on a surprise performance of their version of the book "Snowmen at Night."
As a team bonding and community service project, the Kenmore West High School Varsity and JV Cheerleading Teams went to Build-a-Bear Workshop to create teddy bears to donate to sick children at Oishei Children's Hospital for the holidays.
Fourth-grade students at Franklin Elementary School did a great job completing research projects on how different holidays are celebrated all around the world.
Franklin Middle's PBIS committee hosted an energetic and engaging holiday assembly with students and staff working together during friendly gaming competitions.
Holmes Elementary students and staff joined together for a fun Holiday Sing-Along with a surprise visit from Santa and prizes for promoting a positive environment.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Franklin Elementary School was recently presented a $1,000 check from Dr. Mike at Winning Smiles Dentistry for collecting an impressive 600 pounds of Halloween candy in the fall. The funds will be used to enhance student programs.
You can now follow Hoover Middle School on Facebook! You can find their page @HooverMiddleSchool. The page will be updated frequently and is a great way to stay up-to-date on news and info from Hoover Middle.
The Hoover Middle Glee Choir visited the Oakwood Senior Living Home on Dec. 21 to sing for and with residents. It was enjoyable and fun for everyone, and a very rewarding experience for the students. They hope to visit again in the spring!
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS
An overview of the budget development process (op-ed):
Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District