SchoolGram: News & Information from Ken-Ton Schools

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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.

October 31, 2016

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

Read the October 23, 2016 Superintendent Update for information on an upcoming School Start/End Time Planning Committee as well as the decision/communication process for weather-related school closings and other topics. You can receive regular District information, updates and messages from Superintendent Dawn F. Mirand right in your inbox by signing up for the Superintendent Update. Visit www.ktufsd.org/superintendent to have your email address added to the mailing list or to view current/past updates.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT

Parents Can Now Sign Up for GPS Bus Tracking

Families of students in Ken-Ton Schools can now sign up for MyStop to track their child's school bus in real time. Available as both a web-based version and mobile app, MyStop shows parents a map of their child's bus route, the bus's current location, and an estimated time of arrival at the bus stop. For more information or to log in, visit www.ktufsd.org/MyStop.

District Survey Conversation Open Through Nov. 7

Ken-Ton School District parents, staff and community members are encouraged to take part in an innovative and anonymous survey conversation through Nov. 7. Participants can express what they appreciate, concerns, and any questions they have about any school/district topic. Visit www.ktufsd.org/survey to sign up and click here for more information about the survey.

Students, Teachers Honored at Artist Reception

Students from each Ken-Ton UFSD elementary, middle and high school and their art teachers were honored at the 2016 Student Artist Reception. The event also honored Board of Education members for their service to the district. Artwork from each of the students was on display and prints of one painting were presented to Board members. Click here to read the story.

Teachers Create Video Resources for Parents

Ken-Ton elementary teachers have created and published two videos for the parents of elementary school students to help them at home. One is a guide to elementary school math and the other is on growing young readers. The video on elementary math can be found here on Vimeo and the video on growing readers can be found here on YouTube.

Water Testing Updates & Information

In response to legislation signed into law in September, school districts throughout New York State are conducting water testing and notifying families in school buildings of water outlets that exceed the lead action level of 15 parts per billion. Visit the Ken-Ton Water Testing Page at www.ktufsd.org/watertesting for information and results as they become available.

Important Information About District Notifications

There are many ways families and the community are notified about weather-related school cancellations/delays, informational alerts, and important updates. The manner in which messages are delivered depends on factors such as circumstances, urgency, and time of day. All families are encouraged to make sure contact info and preferences are up-to-date. Click here for more information about district notifications .

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS

Homecoming 2016

Kenmore West High School students celebrated their 2016 Homecoming on September 24 and Kenmore East High School followed on October 15 after a week of activities that included bonfires at both schools and the Kenmore East Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on October 14. With construction activities completing at Adams Field including the installation of a brand new track and artificial turf field, the Kenmore East vs. Kenmore West football game was held at Tonawanda High School. Kenmore East students made the most of it, hosting a special tailgating event at Kenmore East in lieu of a parade.

8th Grade Students, Families Can Explore High School Pathways & Advanced Opportunities on Nov. 9 at Ken-East

On Wednesday, November 9, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Kenmore East High School will proudly present an opportunity for current eighth-grade students and their families to explore multiple learning opportunities, programs and course sequence options for their four-year academic plans. This will be a great opportunity for the students who will be meeting with school counselors in the coming months to discuss plans and opportunities for the next four years. Click here for more information.

Firefighters Teach Students About Fire Safety

Special thanks went out to the Kenilworth Volunteer Fire Department and Brighton Volunteer Fire Department for visiting Franklin Elementary and Hoover Elementary respectively for Fire Safety Week. Students had the opportunity to learn about important safety topics and see firefighting equipment up close. Click here to read the story.

Holmes Teachers Serve at McDonald's for Fundraiser

Holmes Elementary School recently hosted a McTeacher event at a local McDonald's to raise money for student programs. As part of the fundraiser, teachers and staff members took turns prepping and serving food at the counter and at the drive-through window for students, families, staff and other patrons. Click here to read the story.

German Students Visit 7th Grade FMS Classes

In October, students visiting Ken-Ton through the exchange programs made possible by Ken-East and Ken-West world language education programs paid a special visit to German language classes at Franklin Middle School to take part in a presentation and Q&A about German language and culture. Click here to read the story.

Teachers Learn About New NFL Character Initiative

Ken-Ton teachers visited New Era Stadium to learn about a new NFL initiative promoting positive character development, social-emotional learning, and building healthy relationships. The session was hosted by the Buffalo Bills and United Way of Buffalo and Erie County to introduce the new Character Playbook education initiative. Click here to read the story.

Holmes Elementary Hosts 1st of 4 Sports Nights

As part of the recent Holmes Elementary School Sports Night, students had the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of healthy and exciting fitness activities with their families in the school gymnasium. The event was just one of four that will be held this year and staff are looking forward to the next event in November. Click here for more information.

Lucky Lindbergh Student Wins Ride Home in Firetruck

Friday, Sept. 30 was a very special day for Olivia Whitney, a kindergarten student at Lindbergh Elementary School, as she cruised home from school in the passenger seat of an Ellwood Fire Department fire truck. She won the trip as part of a special beginning-of-year activity that all kindergarten classes had the chance to enjoy. Click here to read the story.

Hands-On Activity Gives Students Insight Into Haudenosaunee Culture

Fourth grade teacher Lisa Carver's class at Edison Elementary School has been learning about the Haudenosaunee (also commonly known as Iroquois) and students recently had help from the expertise of Edison Elementary Library Media Specialist Pat Ensminger for a special hands-on activity. Using corn, students learned about the Native American method of braiding corn husks and grinding corn kernels into corn meal. It was not only a fun activity but it also gave them insight into Haudenosaunee culture.