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.

June 22, 2018
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
Adult Education Programs Move to Kenmore Middle School Building

The Adult Education Office and Adult Education Programs have moved to the second floor of the Kenmore Middle School Building, located at 155 Delaware Road, Kenmore, NY 14217. Parking is available behind the building and on Myron Avenue and you may enter through Door #5 or Door #8. Adult Education offices and classrooms are located on the second floor. You may contact the Adult Education Office by calling 874-8403 ext. 32631 or by emailing [email protected] . Visit them online at www.ktufsd.org/ACE . The Community Education Office and Community Education Programs will be located at the Kenmore Middle School beginning Monday, July 2.
Big Picture Program Celebrates 4th Graduating Class in Ken-Ton
June 6 was a very special night as the Ken-Ton School District celebrated 11 graduating seniors who represent the Big Picture Program's fourth graduating class in Ken-Ton. The program has been an incredible success and has helped guide its students to graduation with a 94% graduation rate. Click here to read the story and for photos from the event .
PE Teacher Nicole Zugelder Wins NYS Excellence in Teaching Award
Edison Elementary School and the PTA held its annual Flag Day/Citizenship Celebration on the afternoon of June 14, and a representative of Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrived to surprise Edison Elementary physical education teacher Nicole Zugelder with the prestigious Empire State Excellence in Teaching Award. Click here to read the story and for photos from the event .
Ken-Ton Recognized for Biggest Growth in Corporate Challenge Participation
The Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District was very well represented at the 2018 JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge on June 14. Through the coordination of Kenmore East PE teacher and team captain Heather Wolf-Rochford and Assistant Superintendent for Finance John Brucato, with upwards of 80 participants, the district received a scholarship award for having the biggest one-year increase in participants.
Phil Jarosz Named Buffalo Theatre Guild 2018 Person of the Year
Instructional coach Phil Jarosz was named the 2018 Person of the Year by the Buffalo Theatre Guild. In his capacity as the district’s instructional coach for secondary math, Jarosz supports middle and high school math teachers across the district. He also has produced and directed numerous spectacular theatrical performances at Kenmore West High School for nearly two decades. Click here to read the story .
39 Honored at 2018 Retiree Reception
A total of 39 retiring members of the faculty, staff and administration were honored at the 2018 Retiree Reception in the Kenmore Middle School Building Community Room on June 5. The 39 retirees represent all nine schools of the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District as well as district administration, Transportation, Buildings & Grounds, the Philip Sheridan Building, and district staff in two non-public schools. Click here for the full list of retirees who were honored .
Ken-Ton Students Help Clean Up Parks
Numerous students from the Girls on the Run team and National Junior Honor Society at Franklin Middle School joined others in cleaning up Beaver Island State Park on May 31 as part of the first-ever Healthy Districts Initiative (HDI) Parks Clean-Up Day. It's all part of the Erie County Clerk's Healthy Districts Initiative in collaboration with the Wellness Institute, NYS Parks and participating school districts with the support of the New York State Connect Kids to Parks Field Trip Grant Program. Click here to read the story .
Board Recognitions: Student Representatives & Big Picture

Congratulations to Big Picture Program student Emily Smiraglia; Michelle Phillips, Big Picture Program teacher aide; Karen Monaco, Big Picture Program ELA teacher and 401 advisor; and Board of Education student representatives Abby Borkowski and Helen Huang who were recognized by Superintendent Stephen Bovino and the Board of Education in June! You can read more about these outstanding individuals and all others who have been recognized by the Board on the Board Recognitions Page .
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
Kenmore East High School Band Program to Host Open Rehearsal on Wednesday, July 18

The Kenmore East High School Band Program will host a special open rehearsal on Wednesday, July 18 beginning at 7 p.m. The "Y'All Come Band Rehearsal" will be a nostalgic night for band musicians, including alumni, friends, and family, to come together under the baton of Phil Aguglia. It isn't a concert; it is a rehearsal to share the gift of music and reminisce, and everyone is welcome to take part. Click here to visit the event page on Facebook.
Kenmore East High School Performing Arts Hall of Fame Seeks Nominees for 2019 Induction

The Kenmore East High School Performing Arts Hall of Fame Committee is looking for nominees for its 2019 class. This will be the fifth group honored by the school and previous inductees span the full range of artistic endeavors – all of them graduates or educators from the 58-year-old school. Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East, Join the Winners Donates $3,000 to Kids Escaping Drugs
On May 30, Kenmore East High School presented a donation of $3,000 to Kids Escaping Drugs from the annual Join the Winners initiative, a homegrown Kenmore East effort to help children and teenagers struggling with addiction. Through Join the Winners and its penultimate event, Kids Helping Kids, Kenmore East has raised thousands of dollars every year to support Kids Escaping Drugs. Click here to read the story .
Edison Elementary Raises $3,300+ Through Pennies for Patients Drive
Great job to the students and staff at Edison Elementary School who collected more than $3,300 through the Pennies for Patients Drive to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Coordinated by teacher Susan Rusinski, the drive started with a kick-off assembly and students and faculty learned about the disease and how they could help their community find a cure for those less fortunate. Click here to read the story .
Holmes Elementary School Students Earn Special UPS Experience
On May 22, Holmes Elementary School students had the opportunity to use tickets they had earned through the school's Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS) Program - Stepping It Up - to "purchase" a very special UPS experience that included personalized parcels and a tour of a real UPS truck. Click here to read the story .
Edison Community Donates 'Comfort Cases' for Children in Foster Care
The Edison Elementary community recently donated 25 “comfort cases” for children entering foster care. The inspiration was to provide a bag of essential items for these children, many of whom enter foster care with little more than the clothes on their back, and to show these young people that they are cared for and supported. Click here to read the story .
2018 Ride for Missing Children Comes to Lindbergh Elementary
The 12th annual Ride for Missing Children came to Lindbergh Elementary this year, and the enthusiasm of students and staff alike was truly appreciated by the dozens of riders who took part. The event is a 100-mile bike ride dedicated to raising awareness, showing support for missing children and their families, and promoting a message of child safety and abduction prevention. Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East Program Helps Students Prepare Job Skills
A program at Kenmore East has been helping students develop their job readiness skills and prepare them for a paid internship this summer. Participating students have been staying after school one day a week to learn about job skills such as how to search for a job, interview skills, and resume writing. The program also helps the students acquire a paid internship for the coming summer. Click here to read the story .
3 Lindbergh Elementary Students Perform With GirlsChoir, BPO
Three talented Lindbergh Elementary School students recently had the opportunity to join the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus as part of their recent concert, “Carmina Burana.” It was a tremendous achievement for third-grade students Grace Coheley and Elin Freeman and fourth-grade student Ella Roberts. Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East French Language Students Perform Admirably in National Contest

In March, 17 Kenmore East High School students participated in the National French Contest (le Grand Concours), an annual competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. These challenging exams include listening, reading, and language in context sections. The juniors took the Level 4 exam. Rachel Hamilton placed second in Western New York and received the Bronze Award. Angela Melchiorre and Jenna Butler received Honorable Mention, placing ninth in the region. Other strong performances were from Kayla Croom, Jeanique Diaz, Kawthar Elwaseem, Xiandra Inwood, Lindsay O'Brien, Autumn Reed, Alexis Sevrey and Megan Swick. In the Level 3 Contest, sophomores Evan Haeick placed 13th, and Danijel Omcikus and Emily Schofield placed 15th in Western New York. Other very good results were achieved by Salim BenJaballah, Madison Fox, and Shannon Hussar.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Holmes Elementary students learn about the job of a firefighter during a visit by Sheridan Park firefighters
Teachers and staff wave goodbye as elementary school students leave on the final day of the 2017-18 school year
Photos from Holmes Elementary School's mentoring partnership with industrial gas manufacturer Praxair
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS
Board of Education President Dr. Jill O'Malley wins Laura M. Burns Advocacy for Children Award:

Big Picture Program to Include 8th Grade Beginning Next Year:

2018 Buffalo Theatre Guild Person of the Year Phil Jarosz:
Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD | 716-874-8400 | [email protected] | www.ktufsd.org