January 2019 | In the know!
As you are aware, the weather forecast beginning early Wednesday morning (January 30, 2019) includes extreme cold temperatures. If school is closed this week, we will notify families as soon as possible. 

We encourage families to develop a plan for their children if school is closed. Closures will be communicated via phone call, text, Twitter, Facebook and on kenstonlocal.org.
"We can't control a lot of things in life, but we can control ourselves." - KMS PEAK/STAND Member
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP TO ANTARCTICA
Technology makes amazing experiences possible as the students in Mrs. Lynn Fagerholm’s 7 th Grade Science class will tell you. They recently had the opportunity to take a virtual field trip to Antarctica to visit with doctoral student Ms. Emily Matula. Ms. Matula had been on a remote ice field near McMurdo Station researching algae. The study of algae interests her because of the possible applications in space. She talked to students about the variety of research being done, what a typical day is like and her sampling and living in this unique and beautiful environment.
MOCK TRIAL QUALIFIES FOR REGIONALS
The Kenston High School Mock Trial team of Dominic Alandt, Sam Selent, Frank Hegedus, Laura Parsons, Tia Speece, Chloé Peiffer and Maddie Worsdall, qualified for Regionals while competing in the Lake County Common Pleas Courthouse in Painesville by defeating teams from Andrews Osborne Academy and Perry High School. Both wins were on unanimous decisions by three judge panels consisting of real judges and attorneys. Chloé Peiffer and Tia Speece earned the Outstanding Attorney award in their respective trials, while Laura Parsons was declared the Outstanding Witness in both trials! 

Congratulations also to Maggie Eibler and Amelia Witmer-Rich for winning the Outstanding Witness and Outstanding Attorney awards during their trial in the Summit County Common Pleas Courthouse in Akron, where they competed with fellow teammates Josh Walls, Anthony Cowoski, Maddy Blackford and Emily Zeiler against Lake High School and Green High School. Special thanks to legal advisors Professor Jonathan Witmer-Rich, Esq. and Jennifer Troutman, Esq. Pictured are: Josh Walls, Frank Hegedus, Dominic Alandt, Laura Parsons, Anthony Cowoski, Sam Selent, Emily Zeiler, Tia Speece, Chloe Peiffer, Maggie Eibler, Amelia Witmer-Rich, and Maddie Worsdall.
STELLAR SPELLERS
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The annual District Spelling Bee was held on January 25 with students in grades 4-8 competing to represent Kenston at the Geauga County Spelling Bee in February. Seventh grader, Jack Beclay won by correctly spelling the word “cyclone.”
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Our top spellers were Mustafa Arshad , Elliot Bargiel , Jack Beclay , Rachael Clark , Jetta Cornell , Andy Fender* , Dominic Fontana* , Justin Gilbert* , Jacob Jerina , Kai Keebler , Remy Kiner , Max Leombruno , Ryan Manning , Emily Morgan , Caroline Neimes* , Skylar Pagon , Chloe Syslo , Sean Tobin , Kate Tobin*  and Giuliana Walters .

* denotes grade level winners
KENSTON BOMBERS #36
Be inspired by Anna's story. Anna Sanders was recently featured in a video created by Valerie Garrett, a Cleveland State media student. Anna was the kicker for our Kenston Bombers. She is the first girl in Ohio to score 6 points in a state championship, the first girl in Kenston history to score points for the football team and was awarded Kenston Special Team Player of the Year honors.
STATE OF THE SCHOOLS
You are invited to join us on Thursday, January 31 at 7pm at Kenston High School for the State of the Schools address. Members of the administrative team will share the district’s goals and accomplishments.
TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT VAPING
Many kids don't think vaping is dangerous. They are wrong. An alarming number of young people are using vape pens/Juuls. Studies show that most believe vaping does no harm, and don't give much thought to what is in these products.

According to the  National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2017 Monitoring the Future   survey, nearly 1 in 3 students in 12 th  grade reported having used a vaping device in the previous year. This upward trend includes younger teens as well, which raises concerns about the impact on their health.

Here are two resources that you can use to start a conversation with your child about vaping.
SAFETY STEPS
As colder weather sets in and chances of icy pavement develop, please be cautious in the parking lots. The Maintenance Department salts our sidewalks and parking lots, but ice can develop quickly in the cold weather. Salt is in short supply this year. A ccording to published reports, lower-than-requested deliveries are due to a salt shortage this past season, which forced municipalities across the region to ration salt usage because of the harsher winter and suppliers’ inability to keep up with demand.
Some suggestions are:
  • Take short steps or shuffle for stability. Walk like a penguin... small steps in a "V' pattern for more stable footing.
  • Bend slightly forward and walk flat-footed with your center of gravity directly over your feet as much as possible.
  • Keep your hands out of your pockets.
  • Be prepared to fall.
INCOMING KINDERGARTEN PARENT MEETING
Information Night for incoming Kindergarten parents will be held at Timmons Elementary School on Monday, February 25, at 7pm for children entering Kindergarten this August. Children must be 5 years old on or before September 30, 2019. Registration information and online registration instructions will be distributed and posted after the meeting.

Kindergarten Registration will be held on Monday, March 4 from 8-11am and 4:30-7 pm at Timmons Elementary School. Complete your registration online (prior to March 4) and bring supporting documentation with you for copying (school will make copies) and your calendar to sign up for Kindergarten screening.

DISTINGUISHED HALL OF FAME
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The Kenston Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the 2nd class of Distinguished Hall of Fame inductees. These individuals will be graduates or staff members who have achieved success in their careers and have made significant contributions in their fields as well as to society. Inductees will have graduated or worked at Auburn, Bainbridge or Kenston Schools.

To be eligible, nominees must have graduated in the Class of 2009 or before, or retired or left the school system by June 1, 2009 or before, and not currently employed by Kenston.

A panel of Kenston High School students, alumni, teachers, community members and administrators will select the inductees for the Distinguished Hall of Fame. Selections will be based on nominations and information received from friends, families and the individuals themselves. The inductees will be honored during the Kenston 2019 Homecoming activities.

Link to Electronic Nomination Form:  click here
Link to Downloadable Nomination Form:   click here

Deadline for nominations is February 28, 2019.
Nominations received after that date will be considered for the following year.
SAVE THE DATE - ALL CLASS REUNION
Save the date! The Kenston Alumni Association will be hosting an All-Class Reunion on Friday, May 24 from 7-10pm at Centerville Mills. A $10 charge at the door will fund beverages and snacks. Details will follow from the Alumni Association.

If you have not joined the Alumni mailing list, please do so here to receive updates and communications in the future. More to come!
Have alumni news? Share it with us at alumni@kenstonapps.org .
BOMBER ELITE REVERSE RAFFLE
The Bomber Elite Football Club will host a Reverse Raffle with a Grand Prize of $3,000 on Saturday, February 23 at the Bertram Inn. Tickets are $165 per couple and can be purchased online or by mailing a check made payable to:
Bomber Elite Club
8584 E. Washington Street #116
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023.
ORDER YOUR BOMBER FLAG
Support the Class of 2021, our sophomores, by purchasing a flag to promote Bomber Pride. The 3'x5' flag is 2-sided knit polyester for indoor or outdoor use. This costs $35 and can be purchased online . Deadline for orders is Thursday, February 14.
FOUNDATION SUPPORTS KENSTON STUDENTS
Kenston Foundation asks for your support by making a tax-deductible contribution. Your donation directly benefits Kenston students K-12 and graduating seniors. Make a donation.

In 2017-18, we awarded 30 scholarships to Kenston High School Seniors totaling $28,000. The Foundation manages funds for memorial scholarships, then interviews, selects and presents to recipients. We also have matched funds and directly sponsor standing scholarships directly donations, the star and musical note programs on performance nights and other fundraising efforts throughout the year.

The Kenston Foundation provided educational grants reaching students K-12 covering educational programming in every building on campus. Last year's grants include ScootPad Subscription (KIS), “Break Out Math” (KMS), Sensory Equipment, Heidi Songs and headphone jacks (TES), Differentiated Math (KIS), and “The Writing Project” (KHS).

If your students have participated in One School, One Book at Timmons; the drama workshops and arts festival at the Intermediate School, used Chromebooks or ScootPad in the classroom, seen a program at the KHS Auditorium, watched Brain POP media at KMS, or used our on-line research videos, or the 3-D printer at the High School or the Kiln at KMS, they have benefited from a Kenston Foundation Educational Grant.
PTO DIRECTORY AVAILABLE
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Thank you to the PTO for providing families with a FREE Parent/Student Directory for 2019. Copies were distributed to the youngest child to go home. If you did not receive your copy, you can pick one up in any school office.
UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
Regular Meeting - Monday, February 11th - TES - 7pm
Board Work Session - Monday, March 4th - BOE - 6pm

Kenston Local Schools | www.kenstonlocal.org l e-communications@kenstonapps.org
17419 Snyder Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 l 440-543-9677