Also Inside... Areas of STEAM, Business, Technology, Art and Music As Well As a Variety of Extracurricular Activities

May 2018

Superintendent’s Column Mr. Brian Russ

e have had a very successful school year, receiv- Wing a number of recognitions for our academic and extra-curricular performances. The District’s Values and Vision, Learning Excellence, Respectful Relationships, Effective Communication and Continuous Improvement, continue to be the driving force behind our decision making relative to improving instruction and learning within the classroom.

Once again, we were recognized for our academic achievement at both the local level as well as by national organizations. US News and World Report ranked East Aurora School District in the top 5% of schools nationally in our ability to prepare students for college and careers.

This achievement occurred despite significant financial challenges faced by the District. I am so very proud of our students, parents, teachers, support staff, administrators and Board members for their positive outlook and commitment to maintaining educational excellence The 6th Annual Make-A-Wish Carnival is upon us! This special event, scheudled for Friday, at all the levels. June 15, is a well-attended District fundraiser that benefits children with life-threatening Our technology department has created a wireless campus at each building allowing us to expand the illnesses. Hosted annually by Parkdale’s 4th graders, it features games, prizes, and fun use of technology as a tool for learning and instruction. The implementation of the Google Classroom has snacks for children, as well as gift basket raffles for the adults in attendance. Thousands been embraced throughout the District and provides of dollars are raised at the event each year, with the 2017 donation total topping $8,500. our students and staff with interesting and meaningful experiences. We also provide a number of profes- Donations of cash and items for gift baskets from businesses and community members sional development are gratefully accepted! To contribute, contact Adam Partisano ([email protected]) or opportunities to our teachers and support staff to allow them to maximize the utilization of technology within Ashley Daigler ([email protected]). the classroom and in other areas of the District.

Educating the whole child, we offer a variety of opportunities for our students beyond traditional academic programming. Students participate in electives in the Also inside... areas of STEAM, business, technology, art and music as well as a variety of extracurricular activities. Complete Proposed Top Ten EAHS Seniors ...... page 3 Our music department provided several impressive From the Board of Education...... page 5 performances this year at all three schools and a num- 2018-19 Budget ber of our students were selected to perform in county 2018-19 Budget Information.....pages 5-7 and state ensembles. The high school produced two outstanding productions, The Drowsy Chaperone and on pages 5-7 School News...... pages 8-11 Queen City Strikers, both playing to sold-out crowds. Art Show & Tech Fair...... page 11

continued on page 2 2 The Challenger may 2018 East Aurora High School Graduates Inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame he East Aurora Educational Foundation partnered with the District to host the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, TApril 27, 2018 at the Roycroft Inn. The following inductees were honored at the event: John Arlotta’67 - Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, eviCore Healthcare in Bluffton, South Carolina and Owner & Governor of the Georgia Swarm Professional Lacrosse Franchise; Barbara Chur ’62 & Neil Chur ’62 (posthumously) – Trustees, Neil & Barbara Chur Foundation, Founders, The Park Associates, Inc. and Breeders of National Champion Arabian Horses; Taylor Dewey ’99 - Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State, Vice Consul, U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve Littoral Combat Ship Seaframe in New York City; Stacia George ’95 – Director of West & Central Africa and Haiti Region, Chemonics International in Washington, D.C.; Kristen D. Holtz, Ph.D. ’90 - Founder, President, & CEO, KDH Research & Communicationin Atlanta,Georgia.

East Aurora High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Awards are presented annually to graduates whose achievements, service and strength of character serve as role models to inspire and challenge current students. At the induction ceremony, guests viewed a video produced by the members of the East Aurora High School Film Academy. The video highlighted the background of each inductee, shared memories of their time at East Aurora High School, and offered the advice they would share with today’s students. After the ceremony, the inductees returned to the high school and served as guest speakers in classes that related to backgrounds and areas of expertise.

For more information and to submit a nomination for the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Award, visit eastauroraeducationalfoundation.org or call the foundation office at 687-2394.

John Arlotta Tyler Dewey Barbara & Neil Chur Stacia George Kristen D. Holtz, Ph.D. Superintendent continued from page 1 The Superintendent’s Art Collection continues to grow and encourage you to attend the Art Show and Tech Fair on Wednesday, May 16th featuring the exemplary art work and technology projects of students in grades K-12.

We continue to be very competitive in interscholastic sports at the modified, junior varsity and varsity levels. Our teams consistently qualify to participate in ECIC, Sectional, Regional and State competitions.

To all of this, students have the added opportunity to participate in a variety of clubs and organizations such as Masterminds, Student Government, Key Club, Model UN, Builders Club and Team America Rocketry Challenge.

Another component of the Values and Vision for the District is maintaining our facilities in proper working order.We have made great progress with Phase 1 of our current facilities project. The turf field and bleachers/pressbox have been installed. We have completed upgrades to the tennis courts, baseball diamond, and drainage and lighting systems. Unfortunately, due to the unpredictable weather we have not been able to initiate the spring construction season. We are very hopeful within the next several weeks to complete Phase 1 and finish the installation of the 8 lane track, upgrade the soccer field and high school roofing, apply final asphalt to the athletic parking lot and groom the remaining grounds surrounding the fields. We are also in the process of preparing bids for the second phase of the project that will be presented to contractors within the next few months.

Phase 2 of the facilities improvement project will touch each building and focuses on creating improved learning environments that directly impact our students. At Parkdale, we will upgrade the 1955 heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as the auditorium sound system. In the Middle School, we will renovate and reconfigure the main entrance, main office and the second floor classrooms. We will also upgrade and reconfigure the music wing as well as the nurse’s and counseling offices. The High School will see improvements to the kitchen, locker rooms, shower and restroom areas. We will replace the bleachers in the gymnasium and touch up paint and other finishes.

Maintaining this level of quality has been challenging considering the financial constraints we faced in recent years. Fortunately, the situation for the 2018-2019 school year has improved due to an increase in State funding. Despite the increase, we still had to make many difficult decisions relative to personnel and programming while maintaining our commitment to provide students with the best educational experience possible. I would like to thank our teachers, support staff, administrators and Board of Education members for all of their hard work in producing a responsible, balanced budget.

The District is proud to present a budget that stays within the tax cap limit. Continued support from the community and our parents is greatly appreciated and will help us to maintain our commitment to excellence. I encourage you to stay involved and vote on the school district budget on Tuesday, May 15th. Voting takes place in the Middle School Cafeteria from 7:00AM – 9:00PM. may 2018 The Challenger 3 Class of 2018 Top Ten Seniors   Tanner D. Newell - Valedictorian Helena C. Schmitt I am very glad to have participated in the STEM Over my past four years at East Aurora I have program, Rocket Club, and the Spain Exchange enjoyed being involved with the musical, the at EAHS. Many thanks to the school administra- swim team, Donate Life Club, Model U.N., Class tion and community for promoting the continued of 2018 Executive Board, and other clubs. I am expansion of the technology department facili- thankful for the International Studies program ties and especially to Mr. Wall for supporting my for offering me the opportunity to travel to China design projects in the tech lab. The early expo- and allowing me to discover my interest in inter- sure to engineering in our district made all the national affairs. I will be studying international difference in my decision to study aerospace relations at either Hobart and William Smith engineering at Purdue University this fall. Colleges or the George Washington University in the fall.

Emma K. Oar - Salutatorian Sarah L. Irons Throughout my four years at East Aurora High Over my four years at East Aurora High School, School, I was fortunate enough to have been I was involved in concert band, jazz band, given numerous opportunities which include orchestra pit, and rocket club. Through my participation in the STEM program, several AP participation in the STEM program I was able classes, Executive Board, AFS Club, Outreach to further my interests in math, science, and Club, and National Honor Society, of which I am technology, leading to my plans to study engi- President. I also played volleyball, basketball, neering at RIT in the fall. I would especially like and lacrosse for East Aurora. I would like to to thank Mrs. O’Connor for contributing to the thank my family, friends, teachers, coaches, great times I had playing trumpet, as well as the and administrators for all their support. I will be rest of my teachers for their continuous support studying biomedical engineering at Rochester and dedication. Institute of Technology in the fall.

Madeline W. McLaughlin Molly E. McLaughlin My “career” at EAHS has been anything but Thank you East Aurora for providing me with the traditional due to my two-and-a-half-year illness. opportunity to make great memories and friends What I’ve learned does not go on a resume: through sports, classes and clubs. I appreciate how to view success and failure as the impos- the guidance I have been offered by my teach- ters they are; that comparison inevitably leads ers, parents/coaches and teammates. I will be to unhappiness; and that life is not a race. I’d attending Edinboro University in the fall to study like to thank those who supported me along the pre-veterinary medicine while running on the way: Coach Suchy, the Schutrums, Mr. Cum- cross country and track teams. mins, Walt & Marty, my teachers, and my family and friends. I plan on attending SUNY Geneseo to play volleyball, track, and possibly basketball.

James A. Giacalone Phoebe A. Stucke Upon graduating from East Aurora High School During my time at East Aurora High School, this year, I can only think of how difficult it will I participated in the International Studies be to find such an abundance of genuinely Program, the school musical, and the National good people anywhere else. You really can’t go Honor Society. Some of my fondest memories wrong with any of them. All of the AP courses, are from playing the French horn in concert Model UN conferences, and pickup soccer band and the orchestra pit for musical. I would games allowed me to see the best side of so like to thank my family and teachers for their many of my peers, and I believe it’s set the encouragement. My experiences in Interna- standard a little too high for the kind of people tional Studies and in studying Latin have led I’ll be dealing with working in politics. me to discover my passions. I plan on studying anthropology at SUNY Geneseo in the fall.

Emma Brinker Mary K. Dunbar In my four years at East Aurora High School, Next year I will attend the University of I have been privileged with opportunities to Maryland where I plan to study business. I will extend my education and make many enjoyable always remember the swim team with my best memories. The experiences that I most enjoyed friends and would like to thank my wonderful are being a captain for the basketball and swim coaches. Thank you to all my family, friends, teams, being a part of National Honor Society and teachers for supporting me throughout my and Executive Board, and challenging myself experience at East Aurora High School. with numerous AP courses. Thank you to my parents, family, friends, teachers, all the staff at East Aurora, and coaches for making my high school career so memorable. I will be attending Le Moyne College in the fall where I will study Health Sciences and play basketball. 4 The Challenger may 2018 Athletics Going Strong In East Aurora

he athletic department continues to achieve success in multiple areas. Our athletic programs have attained multiple division, sectional, Tand state titles in the past decade.

Several of our student-athletes have been named to the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team and many of them continue on to the collegiate level to pursue their athletic aspirations.

To attain such a high status in the athletic community and continue to develop strong programs, participation by our students in grades 7-12 is vital. High participation rates continue to exist between our modified, JV, and varsity programs. Throughout the current school year, the athletic department has rostered close to 900 student-athletes between its three levels of competition.

Approximately two thirds of the student population participate in at least one interscholastic sport, with many students choosing to be multi-sport athletes in two or three sports. Below are some of the athletic accomplishments posted this year. Spring 2017 Winter 2018

Girls Lacrosse - Section 6 Class D Section Champions Boys Swimming - Class B Section Champions Boys and Girls Outdoor T&F - Section Champions Girls Indoor T&F – Class C Section Champions Boys 4 x 800 meter Section Champions: Pat Murray, Ian Russ, Johnny Putney – Wrestling 132 pound Section Champion Matt Sieracki, Jack Watson Ian Russ – Indoor T&F 3200 meter Section Champion – Section Record Girls 4 x 800m Section Champions: Maggie McLaughlin, Megan McLaughlin, Molly McLaughlin, Maisy Webster Ian Russ - Outdoor T&F 1600 and 3200 meter Section champion

Fall 2017

Boys Soccer - Class A Section Champions Girls Swimming - Class C Section Champions 200 and 400 Free Relay Section Champions: Emma Brinker, Mary Brinker, Mary Dunbar, Shelby McSwan Girls Volleyball - Class B Section Champions Boys and Girls XC - Class B Section Champions Girls XC - 2nd Place at NYS Championships Molly McLaughlin - Cross Country Section Champion Ian Russ - Cross Country Section Champion & WNY Runner of the Year Bryce Schiltz - Boys Soccer Player of the Year High School Donate Life Club Support Ali's Rally

n March 24th several students from the EAHS Donate Life Club attended Ali’s Rally at Transit Lanes in Williamsville! Ali’s Rally Ois held in honor of Alison Gerlach, who upon her passing in 2003 donated her organs to those in need. Alison Gerlach was loved by many, and because of her willingness to give the gift of life back to others, her family partners with Unyts and others in honor of her memory by hosting Ali’s Rally. This is an annual event and all proceeds raised from Ali’s Rally go towards the Unyts “Donate Life” program, which is a program designed to reach out to students and the community here in WNY to raise awareness for those who are in need of organs or other donations.

Our Donate Life Club also celebrated our Awareness week April 23rd – 27th. Students participated in a variety of activities and the most active tables in each of the three lunches won a party pizza! may 2018 The Challenger 5 Board of Education MaryBeth Covert, President VOTE he details of the 2018-2019 Budget are Tuesday, May 15 2018 Tpresented elsewhere in this Challenger, but I 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. take time to inform voters of the Board of Educa- Middle School Cafeteria tion’s efforts to address both the fiscal stress of 430 Main Street

the district as well as the educational program- PROPOSITION NO. 1 - BUDGET ming needs of the students. Aware of both issues, the Board worked Shall the following be adopted to wit: diligently to present a budget that works toward an increased fund balance RESOLVED, that the budget for the East Aurora Union Free School and beginning efforts to restore educational priorities that have been lost District for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2018 and ending June over the last decade. The 2018-2019 Budget puts East Aurora on the right 30, 2019 as presented by the Board of Education, in the amount of $34,331,912 is hereby approved and adopted, and the required funds path. are hereby appropriated, and the necessary real property taxes required shall be levied on the taxable property in said District to be collected as required by law? At the start of the school year, the Board of Education instituted a hard freeze on spending for the current year budget and asked our Yes ______No______administrative team to provide more detailed monthly reports on expenditures and revenues. The goal: have a surplus at years’ end. BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER ELECTION (vote for no more than two (2), including any write-in candidates) With several years of expenditures exceeding revenues, and having to draw from reserves to make up the gap, the Board was committed to Kimberlee Danieu Write In MaryBeth Covert Write In developing a plan to ease the district out of its fiscal stress.To that end, the Board revived the Budget and Finance Committee - comprised of our Voter Eligibility According to education law, to be qualified to vote in the May 15, 2018 School Business Managers, administrators and several Board members election, you must be: – and charged the committee with presenting the Board with a multi-year - at least 18 years of age; - a legal resident of the school district for 30 days prior to vote; budget to address East Aurora’s designation by the State Comptroller’s - and a citizen of the United States. Office as district in significant fiscal stress. With a multi-year budget plan in place, the Board’s goal is to work toward fiscal stability and predictability. If we can under expend the budget and increase revenues, those savings can be used to replenish depleted reserves and would be available to address unexpected costs in special education, transportation and the like.

On the programming side, the Board took a similar approach.The Board worked with the Administrative team to identify educational priorities – things lost to the district over years of budgetary cuts that we know are impacting our students, teachers and staff in ways that do not comport with our values and vision of providing quality education to all students. The priorities were widespread, but top of the list was addressing increased class sizes in all three buildings. With some elementary and middle school class sizes at 30 or more, and too many high school classes in the same range, the unani- mous consent from Administrators and the Board was to address that problem. Our budget forum brought out a small crowd, most of whom addressed concerns that had been echoed around the Board table - class sizes are too high across the buildings.

Knowing that restorations of all the educational priorities would not be possible in one year, the Board sought to make sustainable restorations – before we bring it back, we want to know that the dollars to support the restoration would be available in future years. That meant not using one time savings for recurring costs. Included in the budget is some restoration that our Administrative team will use to address the increased class sizes K-12. By no means is the problem solved, but we are committed to working to make sustained restorations over the next several years.

Finally, included in the tax levy calculation is an increase to address capital facilities projects which voters previously approved and construction has been completed. While voters approved those projects and the work done, the Board has only added 1% to the tax levy in prior years to address the local share of those projects. To manage the local share of those building projects the Board has added 2.5% to the levy.

Our budget was unanimously approved by the Board of Education. We hope that you all come out to vote on Tuesday, May 15th. 6 The Challenger may 2018 2018-19 Proposed Budget

2018-19 Basic STAR Savings = Est. $444.49 Income Expenditures

Specific proposed budget and voter information is available at www.eastauroraschools.org/budget, in every school office, or by calling the Business Manager at 687-2304.

Components of the Proposed 2018-19 Budget

Projected Revenues 2018-19 Re-Cap of the Proposed 2018-19 Budget may 2018 The Challenger 7 School District Budget Notice

Budget Adopted Budget Proposed Contingency Overall Budget Proposal for the 2017-18 for the 2018-19 Budget for the 2018- School Year School Year 2019 School Year *

Total Budgeted Amount, Not Including Separate Propositions $ 33,234,373 $ 34,331,912 $ 33,208,501

Increase/Decrease for the 2018-19 School Year $ 1,097,539 $ -25,872

Percentage Increase/Decrease in Proposed Budget 3.30 % -0.08%

Change in the Consumer Price Index 2.13%

A. Proposed Levy to Support the Total Budgeted Amount 20,465,729 21,589,140

B. Levy to Support Library Debt, if Applicable 0 0

C. Levy for Non-Excludable Propositions, if Applicable ** 0 0

D. Total Tax Cap Reserve Amount Used to Reduce Current Year Levy 0 0

E. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy (A + B + C - D) 20,465,729 21,589,140 20,465,729

F. Total Permissible Exclusions $0 $516,936

G. School Tax Levy Limit, Excluding Levy for Permissible Exclusions $19,397,184 $21,072,204

H. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Excluding Levy to Support Library $20,465,729 $21,589,140 Debt and/or Permissible Exclusions (E – B – F + D)

I. Difference: G – H (Negative Value Requires 60.0% Voter Approval – $-1,068,545 $0 See Note Below Regarding Separate Propositions) **

Administrative Component $2,737,676 $3,548,063 $2,735,212

Program Component $24,232,112 $24,387,874 $24,033,382

Capital Component $6,264,585 $6,395,974 $6,439,907

* Provide a statement of assumptions made in projecting a contingency budget for the 2018-19 school year, should the proposed budget be defeated pursuant to Section 2023 of the Education Law. Should a contingency budget be adopted, the tax levy would have to be reduced by $1,123,411. As a result of reducing the tax levy, corresponding adjustments to expenditures would be required. It is estimated that 11-16 teaching and non-teaching positions would need to be eliminated in order to balance the contingency budget. In addition, non-contingent expenses would need to be eliminated also.

Description Amount ** List Separate Propositions that are not included in the Total Budgeted Amount: (Tax Levy associated with educational or transportation services propositions are not eligible for exclusion and may affect voter approval requirements)

NOTE: Please submit an electronic version (Word or PDF) of this completed form to: [email protected] Under the Budget Proposed for the 2018-19 School Year

Estimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings1 $444.49

The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2018-19 by the qualified voters of the East Aurora Union Free school district, Erie County, New York, will be held at East Aurora Middle School Cafeteria school(s) in said district on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm, prevailing time in the East Aurora Middle School Cafeteria school(s), at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting ballot or machine. ------1. The basic school tax relief (STAR) exemption is authorized by section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law.

The New York State Report Card

The New York State Report Card is an important part of the Board of Regents’ effort to raise learning standards for all students. It provides information to the public on school/district enrollment and staff, student performance, and other measures of school and district performance. Knowledge gained from the report card on a school’s or district’s strengths and weaknesses can be used to improve instruction and services to students.

The 2016-17 EAUFSD School Report Cards are now posted online at this link: www.eastauroraschools.org/NYSReportCard 8 The Challenger may 2018

Latin Students ExcelNews on Exam and Across In the Classroom the District The following East Aurora students received awards for their outstanding performance on the competitive exam: In the Introduction to Latin level (7th grade): Lilly Miller, Ian Rupp, Caroline Kloc, Mary Kalinski, Lizzy Gunner, and Mia Rosati won certificates of merit. Erica Drozdowski, Elspeth Green, Adam Moughrabi, Sarah Schoeneman, and Emma Dolan won certificates of merit with a purple ribbon of superior achievement.

In the high school Latin I level (8th grade): Evan Owens, Vanessa Lutz, Camden Sheehan, Jonathan Irons, and Jason Freed won "cum laude" awards. Thomas Karalus, Will Miller, Jonathan Crow, Jorielle Arriaga, Grace Kwitek, and Nathan Klein won "magna cum laude" awards. Iris Roach, Gavin Ratajczak, Joshua Defries, and Kieran Galvin won "maxima cum laude" awards with silver medals. Pierce Ticen, Dylan Fee, and Ryan Zaff won "summa cum laude" awards with gold medals.

In the high school Latin II level (9th grade): Katriana Kivari, Miranda Bartkowiak, Isabelle Larson, Thomas Zagrobelny, Gehrig Lindberg, Nathan Stoddart, and Joseph Meyer won "cum laude" awards. Greta Armbrust, Cameron Dannecker, Jacob Sigeti, Evelyn Schreiner, and Abbey Hall won "magna cum laude" awards. Ezra Webster and Steven Giallanza won "maxima cum laude" awards with a silver medal.

In the high school Latin III level (10th grade): Matthew Grober, Emylia Heferle, and Alexander Hillyard won "cum laude" awards. Katrina Goergen, Evan Roden, Moira Walters, and Harrison Kelly won "magna cum laude" awards. Alyssa Deveso, Gates Andrews, and Sofia Dzialga won "maxima cum laude" awards with silver medals.

In the very competitive and extremely difficult high school Latin IV Poetry level 1th(1 grade): Astrid Larson won a "cum laude" award. Christopher Fuller won a "maxima cum laude" award with a silver medal. And Elizabeth Javor won a "summa cum laude" award with a gold medal.

In the prohibitively competitive and impossibly difficult high school Latin V/ VI level (12th grade), Phoebe Stucke won a "maxima cum laude" award with a silver medal.

Thank you so much to Latin teacher David Nojaim, principal Bill Roberts, and principal Matthew Brown for helping chaperone and administer the exam and for all of their support. ------Students in Latin II also engaged in a debate on the causes of the Roman Revolution. They advocated for groups like the military, the Senate, and the common people, and individuals like Caesar, Pompey, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, Gaius Marius, and others.

Students in Latin III just completed a unit on Latin in the legal profession. They engaged in the concept of stare decisis, using previous court cases in their legal briefs, oral arguments, majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions.

Parkdale Receives Book Donation Dressing to Impress

hanks to a generous donation from the PTO, Parkdale students will areer and Financial Management students were dressed for success, Tsoon be able to choose from a treasure trove of new reading materials. Chad their résumés updated and with the help from many local busi- The books include something for every reader- nonfiction, fiction, easy nesses had the opportunity to showcase their interview skills! readers, and picture books. The new books will be put to good use, as Local businesses participating included MOOG Inc., The East Aurora Parkdale students are voracious readers. The Parkdale Library circulated Chamber of Commerce, Loptr LLC, local entrepreneurs and business more than 27,000 items last year! owners, and the East Aurora Rotary Club. may 2018 The Challenger 9 Dodgeball a Hit at EAMS

he East Aurora Middle School National Junior Honor Society held it's 4th annual dodgeball tournament on March 1st. Twenty-one teams competed to Tbe the 2018 champions. The tournament raised $630 for the World Wildlife Fund.

Pictured (l-r): the 7/8 grade division winning team: Umi Zummy Pictured (l-r): the 5/6 grade division winning team: The Chubaki Chicken Nuggets Front Row: Gavin Belz, Cam Ignatowksi, & Dylan Mullen Front Row: Hunter Gould, Cole Bailey & Amar Culov Back Row: Cade Wittenrich, Zach Parrish & Sam Kouya Back Row: Zach Bell, Ben Molnar & Quinn Ebers Middle and High Schools Team Up For Children's Hospital

ast Aurora Middle School High School National Honor Societies Ecollected 84 sets of Legos and will be donating a check for $500 to Sebastian's Lego Club. Sebastian Bradley is a 9 year old boy battling brain cancer. After living in a hospital for some time himself, he realized that he wanted to make a difference and began collecting Lego sets for the kids at the new Oishei Children’s Hospital.

Pictured right top (l-r): Middle School National Honor Society members. Front Row: Ryan Ensminger and Colin Jones Back Row: Lucie Swett, Charlie Improta, Julia Didion, Camden Sheehan and Kieran Galvin

Pictured (l-r): High School National Honor Society members. Front row : Emmalee Lowe and Riley Jeffe Back row: Mary Dunbar, Emma Oar, Hannah Gonsiorek, Caterina Gnecco, Mackenna Mercurio, and Grace DelVecchio Middle School PTO Calendar May 10th: Kids Escaping Drugs Presentation at 7pm in the EAMS Library. A factual presentation about the ever-changing signs, symptoms, and trends of adolescent substance abuse is provided. Parents who have children who struggled with addiction also share their experiences. They discuss warning signs they either missed, or disregarded at the time their child was using. We will conclude with the 3rd & Final PTO meeting for the year. We'll review what has been accomplished and look ahead to 2018-2019. Join us - Come Be A Part Of The Good Stuff Happening at your School!

June 8th: 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony & Dance. Wonderful night for parents and 8th Graders. Thank you Amber Perkins and your army of volunteers for organizing this event again this year.

June 19th: Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Mia Markello is chairing this lovely luncheon for our Staff at EAMS. Emails with sign ups will be sent out soon.

Open Board Positions for 2018-2019: Treasurer & Secretary positions need to be filled. Please contact us at ([email protected]) or speak to any of our current board members if you are interested or would like to know more about what is in involved. It would be great to have every grade represented.

EAMS PTO Board: President: Faith Jantzi; Treasurer: Tracy Ensminger; Secretary: Jennifer Wiech; Website Coordinator: Mary Beth Giallanza 10 The Challenger may 2018 School News Celebrating Kindness All Week Long

indness is in abundance at Parkdale Elementary! After all, we have been practicing it daily (sometimes Kkiddos need some reinforcement!) We decided to have a week of kindness challenge to really get that positive vibe flowing because we all know kindness is contagious! And what kid doesn’t like a challenge? We designated days and let all the students know what they can do to practice being kind as practice, makes perfect. Here’s how it went:

On Monday it was Smile and say hello to 5 adults! Well, those kiddos couldn’t wait to burst through those doors and I’m sure their faces were hurting from all those smiles. I witnessed students that never seem to look up from their shoes, saying hello to the teachers in the hall, and some even knew their names.

On Tuesday they were asked to help a teacher or classmate without being asked. The teachers had quite an easy day, and it was safe to say all shoelaces got tied, doors were held, and papers were passed out. Some teachers got dizzy from all the help.

Then came Wednesday, the day to sit next to someone different in lunch. Being in the lunchroom, I can honestly say they did, and it was nice to see. The lunchroom dynamics that day were more than humbling. New friends being made and conversations that might not have been were in full force.

Thursday was a day to thank your teachers for all they do. The notes and cards of colorful kind words that were expressed by these thoughtful little minds I’m sure put smiles on many faces, and made teachers in all capacities feel appreciated, and above all that feel that what they try so hard to integrate into these little beings that the importanance of kindness is working.

Friday came, and it was their choice to do something kind and tell a teacher what it was…Kind kiddos throughout the day were seen stopping to help friends with laces, pick things up, hold doors, lend a crayon or pencil or a word of encouragement. Although they were supposed to tell a teacher the kind act they did, a lot of them did it just because they wanted to, and it was the right thing to do. Watching these genuine acts are priceless…and yes, contagious. Let the kindness continue!

Don't Forget! Kindergarten Screening for students

entering Kindergarten in September is

May 23, 24, 25 at Parkdale Elementary School

Preregistered students will receive an

appointment letter 2 weeks in advance.

For more information, call 687-2352. may 2018 The Challenger 11

East Aurora School District Art Show and Tech Fair and Superintendent's Art Collection

Please plan to attend the opening of this year’s Art Show and Tech Fair on Wednesday, May 16th at the High School, starting at 6 PM. For the convenience of show- goers and families, the High School PTO again will be sponsoring a number of food trucks at the event. This annual event is always the artistic and technology highlight of the year, presenting a wonderful showcase of the creative endeavors of our students K - 12. We look forward to seeing you there! Alexa Hausauer McKenzie Marsh At the Board of Education meeting on May 16th, one night prior to the Art Show and Tech Fair, four pieces of student artwork selected by the faculty will be inducted into the Superintendent’s Art Collection for permanent display in the District. These, and many of the works featured in the Art and Tech Show, are used in the production of the annual District Calendar and Informa- tion, mailed to school families in early August. If you are a resident of the District without children in school, but would like to reserve a copy, you may do so by calling Georgia Hoffman Victoria Rignel 687-2311 after July 1.

Staying Healthy at Parkdale

tudents in Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Ernst’s co-taught 2nd grade class have been incorporating Shealthy movement into their school day. Students have been practicing yoga to teach breathing techniques and tools to quiet the mind. Throughout their practice, students are enhancing their flexibility, coordination and body awareness in addition to improving their concentration, sense of calmness and relaxation. After a yoga session, students increased focus and attentiveness supports their learning in the classroom.

DECA Club Shines at State Competition

ast Aurora High School’s DECA Club had three students com- Epete at the New York State Career Conference held in Roch- ester in March 2018: Isabella Capretto, Sarah Norman, and Emily Siener.

Sarah Norman received recognition for placing top ten for her test score in Hospitality Services Management Team Decision Making.

Pictured from from left to right: Mrs. Lisa Marchioli, Isabella Capretto, Sarah Norman, Emily Siener EAST AURORA UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT PRSRT STD

430 MAIN STREET NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID EAST AURORA, NY 14052 Permit No. 1175 Buffalo NY

ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER

Board of Education Superintendent of Schools www.eastauroraschools.org Brian Russ MaryBeth Covert, President [email protected] Jessica Armbrust, Vice-President District Offices Joshua Gregory 430 Main Street Daniel Brunson Community Relations/Web East Aurora, NY 14052 Kimberlee Danieu [email protected] Judy Malys 716.687.2300 Terri Ohlweiler School Board meetings are generally held the second and/ or fourth Wednesdays of the month at Middle School, 430 John Sigeti Main Street, East Aurora, at 7:00 PM. You are encouraged to verify this information by calling 687-2302.

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EAUFSD Mission Statement The East Aurora School District will provide environments, experiences, materials and professional talents to help each student prepare to live in society as a contributing, self-fulfilling and caring citizen.The school will endeavor to develop, in each student, a lifelong desire for knowledge and the skills to acquire it. The school will promote learning in the context of common sense, hope for a better future and a deep respect for humanity.