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.

November 22, 2017
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
Board of Education Recognitions: Lindbergh Elementary School
Lindbergh Elementary School student Jackson Mangone, teacher Laura Waggoner, and Christy Englert of the support staff were all recognized by the Board of Education in November for their outstanding contributions to their school. Click here to visit the Board Recognitions Page.
Celebrating 125 Years of Distinction
The 2017-18 school year marks the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Kenmore Union School, the first academic institution of what would become the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District, for the term beginning in the fall of 1892. A comprehensive history of the school district can be found at www.ktufsd.org/OurStory.
Ken-Ton Forward Core Team Holds First Meeting
The Ken-Ton Forward Core Team met for the first time on November 9 to begin the process of creating a new strategic plan for the district. The Core Team is comprised of school district stakeholders including teachers, staff, parents, community members, and students. Click here to visit the Ken-Ton Forward page.
Art Students, Board Members Recognized
Art students from all nine schools and their art teachers were recognized at the 2017 Student Artist Reception and Board of Education Recognition held October 24. The event is held each year during Board of Education Recognition Week to recognize the importance of the arts in education and to thank Board members for their service. Click here to read the story.
Kenmore East & Kenmore West Fall Season Highlights
Highlights from the Kenmore East High School and Kenmore West High School fall 2017 athletics season including Kenmore West Girls and Boys Cross Country, Kenmore West Boys Soccer, Kenmore East Boys Soccer, Kenmore West Girls Volleyball, Kenmore West Swimming, and Kenmore West and Kenmore East Golf: Click here to read the story.
Veterans Visit Schools for Veterans Day Observances
Students at Hoover Elementary School and Lindbergh Elementary School had the opportunity to show their appreciation for our nation's veterans and learn about patriotism, service, and sacrifice from numerous current and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces at two different Veterans Day events. Click here to read the story.
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
Hoover Middle School Teams Up With Transportation Department to Promote Good Behaviors on the Bus
 
Hoover Middle School administrators recently teamed up with the district transportation staff to provide targeted professional development for bus drivers. Tom Horowitz, the district's behavior coach, focused on how to utilize the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) model on the bus, embracing it as an extension of school. With tools such as "Poll Everywhere," video testimonials, and interactive activities, the riveting session had an impact on both the mind and heart of participants all with the goal of ensuring a safe ride to and from school for all students.
Three from Kenmore West Among NMSP Commended
Three seniors at Kenmore West High School have been named as Commended Students as part of the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program: Sarah Coupal, David McGonagle, and Christopher Orrange. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers out of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2018 competition.   Click here to read the story .
Ken-Ton Welcomes French, German Exchange Students
A total of 26 students from France and 18 from Germany were welcomed for the inbound French and German exchanges in October. This spring, Kenmore East and Kenmore West German language students will be traveling to Cologne in eastern Germany, and French language students will be traveling to Tourcoing in northern France.   Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East Welcomes Celebrated Musician
Sujeet Desai, an accomplished musician with Down Syndrome, recently visited Kenmore East High School to perform and give a motivational speech to students as part of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Desai has performed around the world and is the recipient of numerous national and international awards for music and self-advocacy.   Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East Students Paint Stormwater Drains
Collaboration between art students at Kenmore East High School and the Town of Tonawanda has left its mark on a critical part of the town's infrastructure that many people take for granted: stormwater drains. Teams of students painted stormwater drains in locations throughout Kenmore and the Town of Tonawanda.   Click here to read the story .
Hoover Middle Collects 1,034 Socks for Families in Need
In the month of October, the Be the Change Club at Hoover Middle School led the way as students collected an astounding 1,034 pairs of brand new socks for local families in need. The "Socktober Drive" for the Ken-Ton Closet was the first of its kind at Hoover Middle School and was a phenomenal success.   Click here to read the story .
Hoover Elementary HSA Treated to Adult Paint Night
Parents, faculty and support staff from Hoover Elementary School who were in attendance at the Home School Association (HSA) meeting in October were treated to a very special activity led by art teacher Jennifer Lynch: a fall-themed paint night for adults. Participants attending the event learned how to paint a beautiful harvest pumpkin.
Goats Visit Kenmore East FACS Class
Kim Schildwaster, Family & Consumer Science teacher at Kenmore East, brought goats to school from her very own farm to illustrate the importance of knowing how food is produced and what happens to food before it reaches the grocery store. Students were able to interact with and learn about the goats and sample goat cheese.  Click here to read the story.
Holmes Elementary Teacher Secures STEM Grant
Karin Achenbach, science teacher at Holmes Elementary School, recently secured a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) grant through local chemical manufacturer PeroxyChem. Holmes Elementary School will receive $600 for a robotics construction system which will be incorporated into the science instruction.  Click here to read the story .
Lindbergh Students Win Ride Home in Firetruck
At Lindbergh Elementary School, third-grade student Jackson Everhart and his sister, Lily, received the prize of a lifetime: a ride home from school in a fire truck from the Elwood Fire Company. Jackson won the trip after earning tickets through the Lindbergh Leaders Program which reinforces positive behaviors and academic achievement in school.
Firetruck Snacks Incorporated Into ELA Lesson
At Franklin Elementary, students in Larissa Gramza's class made a firetruck snack as part of a speech language lesson. They had to read the directions, follow the steps to make their treats, and complete a worksheet. The activity focused on regular and irregular past tense verbs, and students were challenged to change the future tense sentence to the past tense.
Students Learn True Meaning of 'Community'
Each month, Franklin Elementary picks a character education theme to focus on. In October, the theme was "community." Each class learned all about what the word "community" means and discussed the importance of working together as a group for a common goal. The activity corresponded with Unity Day. Click here to read the story.
40+ Careers Represented at Career Day
Local professionals representing more than 40 different career areas were present for the Hoover Middle School Career Day. This annual event is organized by the school's Counseling Department to give students the opportunity to choose from dozens of different careers and learn about them from local professionals.   Click here to read the story .
Hoover Middle School Nurse Earns National Credential
 
Congratulations to Hoover Middle School nurse Jennifer Peters who recently earned her professional certification as a school nurse through the National Board for Certification of School Nurses. Achieving this credential represents one of the highest distinctions possible for school nurses. Click here to read the story.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Student and staff Halloween photos from Franklin Elementary, Lindbergh Elementary and Holmes Elementary
Kenmore West High School Boys Varsity and JV soccer teams raise $150 for Roswell Park through 'Kicking Out Cancer' initiative
Photographs from Franklin Elementary School's successful Fall Carnival, which featured many different family-friendly activities
PE teacher Kelly Strong named regional 'Amazing Person Award' Winner by NYS Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
Hoover Middle School teachers and staff work behind the counter and at the drive-through at McDonald's to raise money for the school
Students enrolled in the Ken-Ton Finance Career Academy visit Buffalo State College to tour campus and learn about college life
Physics classes at Kenmore West High School drop pumpkins out of a third-story window as part of an experiment on projectiles 
Franklin Middle School students welcome Nels Ross of "In Jest" for a high-energy and uplifting assembly as part of Red Ribbon Week
Holmes Elementary School staff join other Ken-Ton staff in raising money and awareness at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS
Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District