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 .

March 9, 2020
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

The Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District wishes to provide families and the community with access to information on COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus. The district has not had a confirmed case of the virus. Nevertheless, the district is closely monitoring this rapidly developing situation and following the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Erie County Department of Health, and New York State Education Department. Click here for information and resources related to COVID-19 .

2020-21 Budget Information

The district will present the proposed 2020-21 school year budget to Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District voters on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. All information related to the proposed budget, including meeting presentations and recordings, informational material, and the complete budget document will be posted at www.ktufsd.org/budget . Stay tuned for more information.

Writing Center to Present Workshop on 'Flash Fiction'

On Saturday, March 28, students are invited to take part in a free workshop on flash fiction. The session, entitled “Short and Sweet: Reading and Writing Flash Fiction,” will take place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Kenmore Middle School Building (155 Delaware Road), Room 105 on March 28. This workshop will focus on flash fiction, sometimes called microfiction, sudden fiction, twitterature, postcard fiction, or napkin fiction. Flash fiction challenges writers to tell a complete story within a very compressed space — often in just six to one thousand words. During the one-hour workshop, participants will read a few examples of flash fiction, discuss features of strong flash fiction, and try writing their own. For more information, visit www.ktufsd.org/WritingCenter .
'Fund Our Future' Campaign Calls for Fairer Funding for School Districts
The New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) “Fund Our Future” campaign came to Holmes Elementary School and the Ken-Ton Closet on Friday, Feb. 7. Its goal was to raise awareness of the devastating impact cuts to New York State Aid have had on school districts like Ken-Ton, which has lost nearly $150 million since the 2008-09 school year. Click here to read the story .
Kenmore East to Present Spring Musical, 'Lucky Stiff,' March 19-21
Kenmore East High School will proudly present its spring musical, “Lucky Stiff,” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19 through Saturday, March 21. “Lucky Stiff” is a musical farce combining slapstick comedy with a little whodunit – a “hilarious murder mystery farce, complete with mistaken identifies, six million bucks in diamonds and a corpse in a wheelchair.” Click here to read the story .
Dozens of Ken-Ton Students Chosen for All-County Music Ensembles
Dozens of Ken-Ton students will be among the top student musicians in Erie County taking part in the highly selective All-County Music Festival in March. Students had to audition in the fall and competition was fierce, with students from school districts across Erie County taking part. Click here for a complete list of students chosen for the ECMEA festivals .
1st Edition of New Wellness Newsletter
Be sure to check out the very first edition of the Ken-Ton School District's new Wellness Newsletter which highlights wellness activities and initiatives taking place in Ken-Ton Schools. Pictured here are Hoover Middle faculty, staff and students who have been taking part in the Fitness Challenge at Hoover Middle, which is one of several stories featured this month. Click here to view/download a PDF version of the newsletter .
Ken-West Graduate Selected for USA Rugby Sevens Player Pool
Kenmore West High School graduate and Life University rugby player Autumn Locicero has earned a place in the player pool for USA Rugby Sevens Women’s Team. This makes Autumn eligible for the team, which is comprised of some of the top women’s sevens players in the country. Rugby Sevens is a popular fast-paced variant of rugby in which teams are comprised of seven players playing seven-minute halves. Click here to read the story .
Lindbergh Elementary Students, Staff Celebrate School's 90th Year
The students, faculty, and staff at Lindbergh Elementary School gathered together for an all-school assembly on Wednesday, Feb. 12 to celebrate the building’s 90th year. Opening in September of 1930, Lindbergh Elementary is the Ken-Ton School District’s oldest operating school, predated by only two other district-owned buildings. Click here to read the story .
Ken-West Students Bring 'Purple Pinkie Project' to Ken-Ton Schools
Thanks to the efforts of students and staff in partnership with the Kenmore Rotary Club, thousands of children will soon receive the polio vaccine as part of an international effort to eradicate the virus. In January, volunteers from the Kenmore West Challenge/Interact Club brought the annual “Purple Pinkie Project” to six elementary and middle schools over a two-day period. Click here to read the story .
February 2020 Board of Education Recognitions

Congratulations to all those who were recognized at the February 2020 Board of Education meeting: from Hoover Elementary School, student Olivia Boryszak, social worker Susan Sperrazza, and teacher aide Cheryl Haefner. Also recognized was Edison Elementary School teacher Susan Hirsch who recently earned her National Board Certification, considered the gold standard in teaching . You can read more about these outstanding individuals and all those who have been recognized by the Board on the Board Recognitions Page .
KEN-TON IN THE NEWS
Kenmore West presents 'Little Shop of Horrors,' music teacher Paul LaDuca's final show:

Homemade instrument by Kenmore West student helps propel Science Olympiad Team to states:

Feature on KW student Eric Heard, certified yoga instructor inspiring students in Buffalo, soon to speak at national yoga conference:
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
New Era Company Donates Hundreds of Hats for Franklin Middle Students
Franklin Middle teacher Carrie Whitney was in for a surprise after she contacted New Era about purchasing hats as an incentive and reward for students. The last thing she expected was for New Era to donate hundreds of free hats to boost the school’s efforts to promote a positive school environment. But that’s just what she received: five large boxes of hats in a wide variety of styles, sports, and teams. Click here to read the story .
Adult Ed Brings 'Random Act of Kindness Day' to Kenmore Middle Building
The Adult Education Department, located inside the Kenmore Middle School building, celebrated "Random Act of Kindness" Day on Feb. 13 with an event that brought together students and teachers from the High School Equivalency and English as an Alternate Language classes and the district’s Big Picture Program for a building-wide celebration of love and kindness. Click here to read the story .
Hoover Middle 6th-Grade Students Create New Environmental Club
Hoover Middle School sixth-grade students Emma Watson, Kiley Rooney, Jillian Hanley and Haleyanna Hodges were inspired by trash they saw littering the landscape and set out to start an Environmental Club at Hoover Middle. Their first project was to promote awareness of the importance of recycling. Click here to read the story .
Kenmore West Girls Basketball Team Holds Teacher Appreciation Ceremony
It was a very special moment at the Feb. 4 Kenmore West High School Girls Varsity Basketball game as the players celebrated a group of 10 teachers who have had a significant impact on their lives. Each student-athlete had the opportunity to choose one teacher to invite to the game at Kenmore West against Niagara-Wheatfield on Feb. 4 to be honored as part of a Teacher Appreciation Ceremony. Click here to read the story .
Fun New Ways for Franklin Elementary Students to Learn About Science
At Franklin Elementary, students have been taking part in a variety of fun activities that have expanded their knowledge and understanding of science. For example, they observed the real-life effects of erosion, created their own land forms, learned about the phases of the moon using Oreo cookies, and used magnets to paint. Click here to read the story .
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Congratulations to the Kenmore East High School Bowling Team, comprised of students Alex Benedetto, Joshua Henderson, Sebastian Vitale, Kobi Wiewiorski, Jacob Willard, and Andrew Wolfe and coached by Todd Marquardt, which won the Section VI Class B Championship, with 5,787 pins across six games.
The Kenmore East High School Band, which has made several prominent visits to New Orleans within the past decade, inspired students and staff to embrace the Mardi Gras spirit with a festive parade through the first-floor hallways followed by a lively concert at dismissal on Tuesday, February 25.
The Super Bowl was super fun for Lucinda Farrauto's class at Holmes Elementary. In the days leading up to the big game, students were rewarded with a Super Bowl party and made hats celebrating their favorite team, enjoyed pizza and wings, and wrote down their prediction for which team would win.
Teachers at Holmes Elementary have volunteered their time to host fun and unique PBIS experiences for students. Recent examples included the opportunity to take part in music video games with Mrs. Coyle and making slime with Mrs. Cefaratti.
Elementary students, including students at Franklin Elementary pictured here, marked the 100th day of school in February by dressing up like they were 100 years old. The 100th Day of School is a great opportunity to celebrate all they have learned this year.
Students in an Advanced Placement (AP) Microeconomics class at Kenmore West High School made some very creative and educational Valentine's Day greetings that encompass key economics concepts such as utility and supply and demand.