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 10, 2019
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
District Implementing New Visitor System in All Schools

Since January, an electronic visitor management system known as Raptor has been piloted in four schools: Franklin Elementary and Middle School, Kenmore West High School, and Holmes Elementary. The Ken-Ton School District is now in the process of implementing Raptor in all remaining Ken-Ton school buildings. The biggest change for visitors will be that they must possess a valid identification before being granted access to the school. This is the next phase of an initiative, which began with the single-point-of-entry (Door #1) project in the fall, to foster a safe and secure learning environment while school is in session. We sincerely appreciate the patience and cooperation of all of our families and visitors as these changes have been made. The schools will be sending out additional information and you can find more information about Raptor and our visitor procedures at ktufsd.org/visitors .

2019-20 Budget Vote & Board of Education Election Reminder

All school district residents are encouraged to take part in the annual Budget Vote and Board of Education Election, which takes place Tuesday, May 21, 2019 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Hoover Middle School (use the Sheridan Drive entrance). The Budget Hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at the Kenmore Middle School Building (155 Delaware Road) in the Community Room. The special 2019-20 Budget Edition of the SchoolGram is currently being mailed to households and is available for download and viewing on the web. You can find all budget-related information at ktufsd.org/budget . For information on the candidates for Board of Education, visit ktufsd.org/candidates .
Art Supplies Sought for Collaboration to Benefit Oishei's Children's Hospital
A year-long initiative by the Art Department will soon culminate with the completion of a large-scale art installation at Oshei’s Children’s Hospital. As part of this endeavor, the Art Department is also creating coloring booklets for patients and is collecting donations of art supplies to accompany them. New packages of coloring materials including crayons, colored pencils, gel pens, and markers are being accepted in all schools. Click here to read the story .
Register for Summer Music Camps & Beginner Lessons by June 21
The 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 ukelele 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 .
1st-Ever Ken-Ton Invention Convention
Fourth-grade students in the Ken-Ton School District CLASS Program participated in their first local Invention Convention with more than 65 different concepts tackling a variety of real-world problems. A total of 15 finalists will move on to the regional WNY Invention Convention which will take place on Saturday, May 11 at the Buffalo Museum of Science. Click here to read the story .
65 Kenmore East, Kenmore West Students Inducted Into NHS
A total of 65 outstanding students from Kenmore East High School and Kenmore West High School were inducted into the National Honor Society in recognition of their academic achievements and contributions to the school communities. To qualify for the NHS, students had to demonstrate the four NHS pillars: scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Click here to read the story .
Kenmore West Team Wins 2nd at BAND Against Bullying Competition
Students at Kenmore West won second place at this year’s BAND Against Bullying competition, an annual event to promote a message of unity, acceptance, and dignity for all students. BAND Against Bullying is a performing arts competition with teams from competing schools performing an act combining multiple forms of art to create dynamic illustrations of dignity awareness. Click here to read the story .
The Ken-Ton community will celebrate the life and legacy of the late Brian Dugan with the annual Brian Dugan Memorial Scholarship Road Race on Friday, May 17. The race consists of a 5K, 1-mile walk and 100-meter kids run. For more information about the race and to register, visit www.briandugan5k.com
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
Skype Session with Dr. Jane Goodell, Art Night & LEGO Robotics Club at Hoover Elementary

Approximately 300 families at Hoover Elementary School took part in art teacher Jennifer Lynch’s immensely successful Art Night on March 28 with each participant creating a sock bunny craft to take home. Then, on Tuesday, April 9, Kerry Smith's fourth-grade class at Hoover Elementary had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall through a Skype in the Classroom event . Students at Hoover Elementary have also had the opportunity to take part in LEGO Robotics Club , which is giving students an introduction to coding. Follow the links for more information on all of these amazing student experiences.
Earth Day Celebration, Sock Collection & Veteran Appreciation at Franklin Middle

On April 18, students at Franklin Middle School celebrated Earth Day with 700 balsam fir trees distributed thanks to the Parent Teacher Association and teachers Mary Ricotta and Michael Fiels. In March, the PBIS Committee at Franklin Middle sponsored a Sock Collection for the Ken-Ton Closet with a total of 175 pairs of socks donated. And on May 4, participants in this year's Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight were surprised by thank you cards and letters of appreciation from Franklin Middle students. Follow the links to learn more about all these different ways that Franklin Middle students have been striving to make the community a better place.
Holmes Students Enjoy Visits from Martial Arts Expert, Career Professionals

Students at Holmes Elementary School recently had the opportunity to enjoy a visit by a martial arts expert for a special PBIS assembly on self-control and kindness, then a visit from several professionals for a career festival organized by social worker Kristine Piezconka. Click here to read the story .
Transportation Recognizes Efforts of Outstanding Bus Driver

The Transportation Department extends its sincere appreciation to school bus driver Denise Lorenz. Denise drives Route #125 which includes Kenmore West, Franklin Middle and Edison Elementary. She also serves as a driver trainer and mentor and plays an important role as the department's 19A examiner and a member of the Transportation Department Safety Team. Denise was praised for her care, attention, and quick action when she discovered an unaccompanied child while completing her route. The child had left home unnoticed. With Denise's help, the child was identified, and was returned home safe and quickly aboard the bus.
Kenmore East, Join the Winners Raises $3,000 for Kids Escaping Drugs
Kenmore East raised an impressive $3,000 for Kids Escaping Drugs through this year’s Join the Winners effort, which culminated in a major school-wide celebration that brought together hundreds of students for a fun-filled night of friendly class competitions and activities. Join the Winners is a school-wide initiative to help children and teenagers struggling with addiction. Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East Wilderness Club Expands Learning Outside the Classroom
For 40 years, the Kenmore East Wilderness Club has promoted environmental stewardship and an appreciation for nature through a variety of fun outdoor activities. For students participating in the club, these experiences have broadened their understanding of topics they have learned in class while also forging memories they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Click here to read the story .
Excellent Manners & $12K Jumping Rope at Lindbergh Elementary
Students at Lindbergh Elementary recently took part in a "March Madness" manners contest with one lucky third-grade class winning a fancy luncheon as the grand prize. In other Lindbergh news, the school came together to raise more than $12,000 for the American Heart Association through Jump Rope for Heart, bringing its 20-year total to nearly $200,000. Click here to read the story .
Sabres Tickets, Bandits Players at Franklin Elementary
Team members from the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team recently visited Franklin Elementary School to help out in physical education classes, while a lucky student won a pair of Buffalo Sabres tickets for demonstrating model behaviors thanks to a donation from the school's social worker. Click here to read the story .
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Board of Education members pay a special visit to the Family Support Center, Transportation, Buildings & Grounds, and administration buildings with help from school bus driver Rich Harris as part of their regular visits to Ken-Ton school buildings
WBEN's Mike Baggerman interviews Kenmore East students Adriana Gregory and Jessica Simpson and art teacher Denise Carr about the ongoing collaboration by the Ken-Ton School District Art Department for Oishei's Children's Hospital
Cadet Colin Lynch, a 2018 graduate of Kenmore West High School and a member of the West Point Military Academy Class of 2021, is recognized at the New York State Legislature by New York State Sen. Chris Jacobs
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS