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.

May 22, 2019
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
Budget Vote & Board of Education Election Results

The annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election took place on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Proposition 1, the proposed 2019-20 school year budget, and Proposition 2, the annual bus purchase, were both approved by voters. Voters also had the opportunity to vote for two members of the Board of Education. Receiving the highest number of votes were Matthew Chimera and Thomas Reigstad. Click here for the voting results .

2019-20 Early Release Days & P/T Conferences

The dates of parent/teacher conferences and all early release days for the 2019-20 school year (including early release days for parent/teacher conferences) have been posted to the website. You can find this information at ktufsd.org/calendar . All of this information and much more will be detailed in the district calendar publication which families will receive in the mail during the summer.

Summer School Information

The Ken-Ton School District is pleased to continue to offer summer school programming at the elementary, middle and high school level, while also providing bus transportation to eligible K-12 summer school students. Information on summer school for eligible students at the middle and high school level will be available on the website at ktufsd.org/SummerSchool .

Don't Forget to Register for Summer Music

The Ken-Ton School District Music Department is proud to offer some of the region's best summer instrumental music programs including orchestra, band and jazz ensemble camps; beginner lessons; and ukulele classes. The registration deadline is Friday, June 21. Ken-Ton students will receive a free instrument for the summer but must make arrangements with their band or orchestra teacher by Friday, June 21. For more information and registration forms, visit ktufsd.org/SummerMusic .
26 Ken-Ton Students Sign Intent to Compete at College Level

A total of 26 outstanding student athletes in the Ken-Ton School District from 16 different boys and girls varsity teams were honored for signing their intent to compete at the college level. From Kenmore West: Gillian Boal, Cam Crosier, Jon Gerbec, Ramon Hill, Mark Marelli, Val Mawi, Zach LaPlante, Faye Panagopoulos, Dom Schmidt, Kyle Schmidt, Lydia Serrano, Joe Stewart, and Matthew Walker. From Kenmore East: Aiden Bova, Alexis Cummings, Ben Harper, Kyle Hofschneider, John O’Connell, Mike O’Connor, Bridget Reilly, Franc Schmoyer, Paul Schmoyer, Samantha Kelly, Lyndsey O’Brien, Jordan Taylor, and Joseph Brooks. Click here to read the story .
1st Senior Walk Garners Thousands of Views/Reactions on Social Media
On May 20, graduating seniors from the Kenmore West Class of 2019 walked the halls of Hoover, Lindbergh and Holmes Elementary as students and staff cheered them on. It was Kenmore West's first-ever Senior Walk spearheaded by Principal Dean Johnson, and photos and video have garnered thousands of views and reactions on social media. Click here to read the story and to see photos/video of the event .
Ken-Ton Superintendent Receives WNYESC Award for Excellence
On May 1, Superintendent Stephen Bovino was the recipient of the Western New York Educational Service Council (WNYESC) Award for Excellence in the Superintendent category. Bovino was praised for demonstrating outstanding leadership after taking on the position of superintendent during the 2016-17 school year. Click here to read the story .
Representatives from IB School in China Visit Kenmore West High School
On May 8, representatives from an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in China visited Kenmore West to learn more about its IB program. The delegation was from the Suzhou Industrial Park Foreign Language School, a primary and secondary IB school in Eastern China. They were interested in learning more about IB at Kenmore West and public education in the U.S. Click here to read the story .
May 2019 Board of Education Recognitions: Kenmore West High School

Congratulations to Kenmore West students Sarah Denman and Kristen Benner, teacher aide Tricia Gallagher, and IB teacher/IB Coordinator Laura Howse, who were all recognized at the Board of Education meeting on May 14. You can read more about these outstanding individuals and all those who have been recognized by the Board of Education on the Board Recognition Page .
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
Kenmore Boys & Girls Rugby Help Clean Up Kenmore

The Kenmore Boys and Girls Rugby Teams were well-represented at this year's Kenmore Village Improvement Society Big Kenmore Cleanup, which took place Saturday, May 4. The participation of so many of the rugby players was appreciated as volunteers spent the morning picking up trash, pulling weeds, and more to beautify and clean up the Village of Kenmore after the long winter.
KW Senior to Represent NYS at Congress of Future Medical Leaders
Ken-West junior Patrick Mohr will represent NYS as a delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. His nomination letter was signed by Nobel Prize in Medicine winner Dr. Mario Capecchi from the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. Patrick was chosen to represent NYS based on his achievements, potential, and determination to serve in the field of medicine. Click here to read the story .
Student Voice Rally, Leadership Club & NCMEC Assembly at Hoover Elementary
Some recent highlights from Hoover Elementary: The Flipgrid Engagement Team visited for a Student Voice Rally, a new after-school club called Hoover Hoots is creating leadership opportunities and fostering a community where all students feel supported and valued, and Program Director Kathy Gust from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children returned for a special assembly. Click here to read the story .
KE Students Take Part in Buffalo News Kids Day for Children's Hospital
Kenmore East students taking Participation in Government class and members of the Kenmore Lacrosse Team took part in the recent Buffalo News Kids Day, selling special editions of the newspaper in front of Kenmore East in the morning. Students sold 300 papers and earned $425 for Oishei Children's Hospital. Those involved thank the Kenmore East community for all of their support.
2 Ken-Ton Students Place in Top 3 at NYS SkillsUSA Competition
Congratulations to two Kenmore West High School students who placed in the top three at the New York State SkillsUSA competition on April 26: Nick Thompson, who won second place in the industrial motor control category, and Emily Cascio, who won third place in the cake decorating competition. Click here to read the story .
Ken-West Student a Finalist at National Shakespeare Competition
Kenmore West student Joshua Sinclair was a semi-finalist at the 36th Annual National Shakespeare Competition in New York City. The competition took place April 29 to celebrate William Shakespeare's birthday and included 50 students from around the U.S. on stage at Lincoln Center Theater. Click here to read the story .
HOLMES ELEMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS
On March 26, Holmes Elementary celebrated “Purple Day” to raise awareness for epilepsy. Holmes staff and students raised a total of $170.75 that was donated to the epilepsy monitoring floor of Oishei’s Children’s Hospital.
Holmes Elementary students were excited to receive new tennis equipment and curricula from Net Generation, which promotes tennis in an easy-to-learn PE program for all ages and abilities (special thanks go out to April Liebler).
The Buffalo Bandits visited Holmes PE classes on May 16. Students enjoyed meeting and learning about the players, asking questions, and learning the fundamentals of lacrosse.
On April 16, the Holmes Elementary library was transformed into the “Starbooks" Poetry Café. Gr. 1 students read poems they had written and enjoyed some café treats.
Miss Puccio’s K-1 class enjoyed an Olive Garden lunch for raising the most money for the recent Pennies for Patients campaign to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The 2019 Music Is Art Battle of the High School Bands took place on May 18 at Buffalo Riverworks and featured two bands from Kenmore East: Royals and Drak (which won first place!)
The Superintendent, Board President and Athletic Director attended a Unified Basketball game at Sweet Home as district personnel discuss implementing this program in Ken-Ton
Special thanks went out to all the students and staff who took part in this year's Kenmore Village Improvement Society Big Kenmore Cleanup sponsored by Colvin Cleaners
Students in the Kenmore West Travel Club traveled to Italy and had a great time visiting historical sites and enjoying traditional cultural activities and Italian cuisine
Staff had the opportunity to learn about a variety of apps and resources during the May 10 Supt. Conference Day which included a full day of technology integration presentations
Rebecca Thornburg from WKBW Ch. 7 visited Colleen Daddario's Gr. 3 class at Franklin to learn about a mindfulness initiative spearheaded by Counselor Michele Melligan
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS