The SchoolGram is the award-winning 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.

December 2, 2019
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
Superintendent Search Roundtable Discussion: Dec. 3

As part of the ongoing search for a new Superintendent of Schools, the Ken-Ton School District Board of Education will host a Superintendent Search Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. The roundtable will include designated representatives of various stakeholder groups including teachers, parents, support staff, and administrators. Only those designated representatives may participate in the discussion, but all members of the Ken-Ton School District community are invited to attend and observe the discussion. The roundtable will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Kenmore Middle School Building Community Room, located at 155 Delaware Road, in Kenmore. Click here for more information .

Kenmore East High School Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee Seeks Nominations for 2020

The Kenmore East High School Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee is accepting nominations for the Induction Class of 2020. Individuals may be nominated in three categories: Athlete, Coach/Administrator, and Honorary. To be eligible, athletes must be from the class of 2013 or earlier while coaches must be retired from the district for at least two years. Teams may be nominated as well. Nomination forms can be found on the district's website at ktufsd.org/HOF and must be sent to Director of Athletics Brett Banker, 1500 Colvin Blvd., Kenmore, NY 14223 by April 10, 2020.

Capital Project Update

Capital project forums have been held at Kenmore East, Edison Elementary, Holmes Elementary, and Kenmore West, and the next will be held at the Hoover Complex at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. You can find the dates of the remaining forums as well as information about the project and answers to frequently asked questions on the district website at ktufsd.org/CapitalProject. The vote will take place fr om 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020 at Hoover Middle School.
Kenmore East and Kenmore West Boys and Girls Sports Season Highlights
Kenmore East High School and Kenmore West High School teams and athletes earned numerous distinctions during the fall sports season. Highlights include Kenmore Swimming, Kenmore Gymnastics, Kenmore West Boys Volleyball, Kenmore West Football, Kenmore East Boys and Girls Soccer, Kenmore West Boys and Girls Soccer, and Kenmore West Cross Country. Click here to read the story .
KE Student Birthday Surprise Reaches 110,000 Users on K-T Facebook Page
As of Dec. 2, a video of Kenmore East students throwing a surprise birthday celebration for their classmate had caught the attention of 110,000 users on Facebook with more than 22,000 positive responses and reactions. Decorating the hall for Kenmore East student Olivia Jacobs were students from Robert O'Connor's AP Biology class, and his lesson for them was to never miss an opportunity to make someone's day. It was the district's farthest-reaching post on Facebook to date.
Kenmore East Class of 2023 Presents 'Polar Express' & Holiday Activity Night
All families are invited to a viewing of "The Polar Express" presented by the Kenmore East Class of 2023 with an assortment of fun family-friendly holiday activities on Friday, Dec. 6. Children will also be able to meet Santa and have their picture taken, see a magnificent toy train in action, decorate cookies and ornaments, enjoy hot chocolate and a special gift, and more. Click here for more information .
November 2019 Board of Education Recognitions

Congratulations to all those who were recognized at the November Board of Education Meeting: Lindbergh Elementary physical education teacher Kelly Strong, Lindbergh Elementary security monitor Janice Steinborn, Lindbergh Elementary student Ella Schaab, and Town of Tonawanda Police Chief (and Ken-Ton alumnus) James Stauffiger. You can read more about these outstanding individuals and all those who have been recognized by the Board of Education on the Board Recognitions Page .
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
Elementary School Veterans Day Celebrations

In the days leading up to Veterans Day, students and staff in Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda elementary schools held special celebrations for those whose service and sacrifice make our community safe and free. Schools welcomed dozens of current and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces and law enforcement/first responders for their Veterans Day celebrations to thank and honor them for their service. Click here to read the story .
Hoover Middle Students Collect 2,500 Pairs of Socks During "Socktober" Drive

In October, Hoover Middle School students worked together to collect pairs of socks for families in need in the Ken-Ton community. Together, they collected an astounding 2,500 pairs to donate to the Ken-Ton Closet. The 2019 “Socktober” drive was coordinated through the leadership of the Hoover Middle School Student Council. Student leaders personally delivered the socks by bus to the Ken-Ton Closet’s new location at the former Jefferson Elementary School on Nov. 12. Click here to read the story .
2 KW Students Secure Assistant Stage Manager Positions in Theater Companies
Congratulations to two current Kenmore West students who have recently secured positions as assistant stage managers for major Buffalo-area theatrical productions. Kristen Benner was hired by Irish Classical Theater as assistant stage manager, and Sara McDonnell was selected to be the assistant stage manager for the Smith Theatre production of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.” Click here to read the story .
A Big Year for Kenmore Gymnastics
Gymnasts Emma Newman, Shaelyn Gibson and Adriana Bona from Kenmore East and Juliana Santiago from Hoover Middle all earned a place at the Section VI Championships, where Emma won the floor exercise event and earned a spot at the NYS meet this spring. Also, at the Karen Riker Halloween Invitational the previous weekend, the team earned numerous distinctions including a first-place finish in their division. Click here to read the story .
KW Student Represents NYS as Delegate at Student Medical Congress
Kenmore West student Patrick Mohr was recently presented with an Award of Excellence from the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists after representing New York State as a delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. Click here to read the story .
Lindbergh Elementary Students Enjoy Special Events in October
The month of October included many special events at Lindbergh Elementary School including a ride home in a fire truck for second-grade student Curtis Hassel, the September PBIS winner; the Lindbergh PTA's Wild West-themed Boosterthon; Unity Day; and the annual Halloween parade led by first-grade student Kaylee Nelson, the October PBIS winner. Click here to read the story .
Play by Kenmore West Student to Debut at NYS Theater Conference
A play written by Kenmore West High School senior Mark Bogacki, a student in the Kenmore West International Baccalaurate (IB) and theater programs, was chosen to be one of only four performed at this year’s NYS Theater Education Association conference, where it will open for an audience of 800 theater professionals, educators, and students. Click here to read the story .
Holmes Elementary celebrated positive classroom behavior in kindergarten with a pumpkin for everyone in Ms. Paolucci's class and dedicated time for enjoying every child’s favorite autumn custom: playing in the leaves.
Holmes Elementary hosted a "Minute to Win It" assembly to celebrate Upstanders (students who stand up to wrong behavior) as they learn that, if they see something, they should say something.
Holmes Elementary School families recently had the opportunity to enjoy story time, songs, and crafts at a special story and pajama night. Every student who participated received a free book and snack.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Town of Tonawanda Police Chief James P. Stauffiger and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department support Franklin Elementary third-grade student Riley Scinta's efforts to collect daily necessities and other items for children in need through Compass House, which provides shelter and services for runaway and homeless youth in the Buffalo area.
Edison Elementary second-grade students make Thanksgiving extra special for local nursing home residents with their donations of beautiful homemade Thanksgiving centerpieces. Their beautiful, creative projects were displayed at school before being delivered as students learned the importance of empathy and caring for those in their community.
Hoover Elementary School introduces its new Sensory Pathway, which opened on Monday, Nov. 25 with guided movements and exercises for students and classes to enjoy. The project was coordinated by the Pathway Team: Mrs. Maghrak, Mr. Huff, Mrs. Frye, Mrs. Feickert, Miss Rainey, Ms. Barrett, Ms. Lucker, Ms. Erin, Ms. Ratka and Mrs. Sperrazza.
Edison Elementary also introduces a new sensory hallway and movement pathways area, created under the direction of physical education teacher Nicole Zugelder with the generous support of the Edison Elementary School PTA and the assistance of teachers Kyle Horvatis, Chris Robey, and head custodian Bob LoGalbo.
Student musicians in Kenmore East High School Band were proud to help the Town of Tonawanda honor all those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces by taking part in and assisting with the Town of Tonawanda's annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Tonawanda Municipal Building on Monday, Nov. 11.
Hoover Elementary School donated 442 pounds of leftover Halloween candy which will be sent to men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces through the Operation: Gratitude effort coordinated by the Aesthetic Associates Center. That's the equivalent of 11,793 fun-size Milky Ways, and it was all collected in a single day.
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS
Ken-Ton School District Superintendent Search:

Capital Project:

Kenmore West Art Teacher, Students Collaborate on School Violence Sculpture:

Hoover Middle School "Socktober" Drive:

Edison Student Collects Coats for the Homeless:

Hoover Middle Student Donates 200 Winter Clothing Items for Coats 4 Kids: