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.
November 30, 2018
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICT
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Teen & Parent Survey Participation to Help Drive Investments in After-School Programs
If Ken-Ton School District students could do anything when they’re not in school, what would it be? Play sports, hang with friends, help their community, or just have a quiet place to read? The Ken-Ton School District and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation want to know! The Foundation is sponsoring the Teen Opinions Count initiative, and middle- and high school-aged teens will have an opportunity to join parents, caregivers, schools, and youth organizations across Western New York to provide their voices on what they feel is most important when it comes to after-school time. The survey is 100% optional, confidential, and anonymous, and only takes a few minutes to complete. The survey is open until Friday, Dec. 14. To participate in the survey, visit
www.ktufsd.org/TeenOpinionsCount
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All Invited to Dec. 7 Polar Express Night
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All Ken-Ton School District families are invited to Polar Express Night on Friday, Dec. 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Kenmore East High School. The event will feature many different family-friendly activities including ornament making, coloring, and cookie decorating, photographs with Santa, concessions, and more - not to mention a viewing of the beloved 2004 holiday film.
Click here for more information
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Parents Asked to Participate in Summer Music Survey
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The Ken-Ton School District music program is asking parents to participate in a short survey in order to improve summer music offerings. You can access the survey by going to
www.ktufsd.org/MusicSurvey
. All parents of Ken-Ton School District students who previously participated or are currently participating in any music programs in the District are asked to participate in the short anonymous survey.
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Numerous Students Accepted Into Highly Selective Ensembles
Numerous Ken-Ton School District students have been accepted into some of the most selective ensembles that high school students in Western New York can audition for. This includes A.J. Neubert from Kenmore East, who was accepted into Conference All-State and was a finalist for the national radio show "From the Top," and Kenmore East student Madison Manzella, who was accepted to perform as part of the 2019 High School and Young Adult Honors Performance Series at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia. Pictured here is a film crew from ScholarshipAuditions.com recording A.J., who was selected to be an ambassador for the brand.
Click here to read the story
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Kenmore East & Kenmore West Fall Athletic Season Highlights
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Highlights from the Kenmore East High School and Kenmore West High School fall 2018 athletic season include Kenmore East Boys Soccer (Niagara Frontier League Champions), Kenmore West Girls Cross Country (NFL Champions), Kenmore West swimmer Gillian Boal (NYS qualifier), and Kenmore East Golf (NFL runner-up), just to name a few.
Click here to read the highlights
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November Board of Education Recognitions: Franklin Elementary School
Congratulations to all those from Franklin Elementary School who were recognized at the November 2018 Board of Education meeting: school counselor Michele Melligan, monitor Patricia Annis, and student Mason Mullins! You can learn more about these outstanding individuals, as well as all those have been recognized, by visiting the
Board Recognitions Page
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Kenmore West 8th grader Mason Forney featured for WGRZ Ch. 2 “Great Kids” series:
WIVB Ch. 7 features Lindbergh Elementary student Joe Cavanaugh's 'Chemo Kits for Kids' drive:
WGRZ Ch. 2 features Kenmore West High School student/staff-run thrift store:
WBFO features Hoover Elementary School Veterans Day celebration:
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS
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Author Visits: Kathryn Otoshi, Stacy McAnulty & Susan Verde
Beloved children's authors visited Ken-Ton elementary schools on Nov. 8. Holmes Elementary School celebrated the work of acclaimed author and illustrator Kathryn Otoshi with an
author visit and visual art exhibition
. Stacy McAnulty, author of many beloved children's and young adult books including the Junior Library Guild Selection "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" and the 2017 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor book "Excellent Ed,"
visited Lindbergh Elementary
. And Susan Verde, author of many bestselling books including the “I Am” series (“I Am Yoga,” “I Am Peace,” “I am Human”) as well as “The Water Princess” and “Hey Wall,”
visited Edison Elementary
. Verde’s book “Hey Wall” inspired students at Edison to work together as a grade level to create large-scale displays to help welcome Verde to the school.
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Elementary School Veterans Day Celebrations
Elementary schools found different ways to honor veterans for their sacrifice and learn about the importance and meaning of Veterans Day. At Franklin Elementary, students and staff welcomed many veterans of the Armed Forces at a special assembly on Thursday, Nov. 8. At Lindbergh Elementary, students and staff were proud to recognize the many family members who have served our country during a special celebration on Friday, Nov. 9. At Hoover Elementary School, students and staff welcomed many veterans and representatives of the Armed Forces as well as first responders and law enforcement for the annual Sing for America/Read With a Hero celebration.
Click here to read the story
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Holmes Elementary Class Welcomes Officer as Special Guest Reader
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Officer Tim Partyka of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department recently visited Leslie Evans's class at Holmes Elementary School to read to the students. They greatly appreciated his visit, an example of the many community partnerships supported by Holmes Elementary School, which was facilitated by school social worker Kristine Pieczonka.
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Hoover Middle Student Chosen as Fuel Up to Play 60 Winner for Bills Game
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Conor Tyree, a Hoover Middle School student, represented the Ken-Ton School District at the Sunday, Nov. 25 Buffalo Bills home game as the "Fuel Up to Play 60" student winner. Conor is a member of the Hoover Run Club and was nominated by his club run coach, Lisa Siegel, and two of his former teachers, Wendy Cummins and Amy Stoerr. Conor and his family all received tickets to the Nov. 25 game, a chance to appear on the field, and a custom jersey.
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Hoover Elementary Students Enjoy Trying New Fruits & Veggies
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On Nov. 16, Lisa Chiavaroli's second-grade class at Hoover Elementary enjoyed a tasting of yellow, orange, and red peppers, and tried two new fruits: pomegranates and golden berries. Students compared the flavors of the peppers and voted on which new foods they liked best as part of their participation in the Independent Health-sponsored Fitness for Kids Challenge.
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Academy Students Visit Buff State
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Ken-Ton Career Academy and Business students from Kenmore East and Kenmore West recently toured Buffalo State College and met with faculty in the new Technology Building. Students received a T-shirt and were able to see new technology, observe a college class, and meet with students in the Computer Information Technology Department. Three Academy courses are articulated with Buffalo State College, allowing students to earn college credit at a reduced cost.
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Ken-West Alum, West Point Cadet Colin Lynch Speaks to IB Students
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Colin Lynch, a 2017 graduate of Kenmore West High School now attending West Point, returned to his alma mater on Nov. 19 to speak with students in the school's International Baccalaureate (IB) program about how the program helped prepare him for the rigors of life as a West Point cadet.
Click here to read the story
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Lindbergh Hosts Successful Fall Fun Run
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The Lindbergh Elementary PTA raised $26,000 to support field trips, the school musical, and other programs through its fall fundraiser, the Fun Run, in October. Parents and staff worked together to make the fundraiser a tremendous success. Principal Ann Maccagnano agreed to be slimed if donations came in from all 50 states, a milestone reached one day before. She was slimed a total of five times during the day of the event, one time each for each grade level.
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'Be The Change Club' Collects 1,215 Pairs of Socks for Ken-Ton Closet
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The "Socktober" drive by the Hoover Middle School's Be the Change Club was a tremendous success. The students brainstorm ideas on how to spread kindness and then put them into action.
Because of their efforts, a total of 1,215 pairs of socks were delivered to the Ken-Ton Closet on Nov. 8 for families in need in the Ken-Ton community.
Click here to read the story
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Franklin Elementary Students Get Together for 'Buddy Reading'
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Once a week, Kara Messina's and Samantha Rajski's classes get together to "buddy read" at Franklin Elementary School. The students greatly enjoy this activity as they share different texts and work together on building a sense of community within the school.
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Students and staff at Lindbergh Elementary School show how much they care for their community with lots of giving this holiday season
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Holmes Elementary HSA hosts immensely successful first-ever Meat Raffle on Nov. 23 to raise money for student field trip opportunities
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Kenmore East band program welcomes Erie County Wind Ensemble for special guest performance series; next up: U.S. Army Field Band on April 4
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Trustee Thomas Reigstad is interviewed by Rise Collaborative for a 10-minute documentary on Mark Twain and the importance that Buffalo played in his life
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Lindbergh Elementary class invites head custodian Rob Zirnheld, who always goes above and beyond for the building, as a special guest reader
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Franklin Elementary students earn a ride on a fire truck thanks to the Kenilworth Volunteer Fire Department through the school's PBIS program
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