Kenston Schools
For the first time in a decade, Kenston is asking voters to pass a school funding issue. On May 5, Kenston will ask…
4.7-mill Combined Levy
For the first time in a decade, Kenston is asking voters to pass a school funding issue. On May 5, Kenston will ask residents to vote on It’ssue 2, a 4.7-mill combined levy that includes a 4-mill operating levy for daily expenses and .7-mill bond issue for capital projects. In surrounding school districts, levies typically last for three to five years, but Kenston stretched the 2005 levy with sound fiscal management and more than $13 million in cost reductions while securing more than $3 million in grants.
Passage of It’ssue 2 will enable Kenston to replace or upgrade boilers, heating systems, roofs, parking lots, kitchen equipment, electrical, plumbing, lighting and mechanical systems and more. Some of these have not been replaced or updated for decades, and in some cases, not since the 1960s. It will address current safety issues and handicap accessibility with the stadium bleachers, replace failing stadium lighting and renovate stadium restrooms. In addition, funds from It’ssue 2 will also be used to upgrade the bus garage, which dates to 1968, and upgrade transportation communication and radio systems.
The combined 4.7-mill levy will cost homeowners an estimated $140 in additional taxes each year, per $100,000 of home market value as listed on tax bills. Visit kenstonlocal.org for details on It’ssue 2.
KMS Students Of The Month
Kenston Middle School is pleased to announce their Students of the Month.
Students selected for Student of the Month honors are sixth-graders Josh Cleary, Molly Gray, Sean Gurd, Hannah Kepreos and Ethan Thorne; seventh-graders Dana Kleinman, Julia Piazza, David Rosinski and Robert Sunderhaft; and eighth-graders Kayleigh Fisher, Blaise Gorski, Matt Iklodi and Miranda Klank.
KHS Students Of The Month
Congratulations to Kenston High School students of the month for March.
Selected for special recognition were freshmen Angela Kotara and Elijah Singleton; sophomores It’saac Cooper and Amber Spriggs; juniors Katharine Morey and Bailey Mulhern; and seniors Thomas Rastatter and Katie Reisinger.
New Bomberettes Named
The Bomberette dance team has been selected for 2015-16 school year. They are Danielle Apple, Macie Biermann, Lucy Biermann, Jenna Blackburn, Breanna Bodak, Victoria Clawson, Jane Edwards, Kayleigh Fisher, Devyn Gaskins, Mira Grcevich, Gabrielle Groff, Hayley Harris, Maria Jerina, Ali Lesner, Lauren Parker, Caitlin Pastor, Rhianna Patrick, Kendal Rumplik, Maria Severino, Monaya Stanley, Taylor Vargo and Sarah Ward.
AfterProm Fashion Show
The annual Kenston AfterProm Fashion Show is March 13 at 7 p.m. in the KHS auditorium. The popular event is a fund-raiser for AfterProm and features juniors and seniors modeling casual and formal wear from local retailers as they dance to everyone’s favorite tunes.
This year’s hosts, seniors Luke Winovich and Josh Heiferling, promise to keep the evening lively as they introduce the models and offer colorful commentary and insights. Also, don’t miss the performance by the Kenston Bomberette dance team.
Tickets are $6, and all proceeds go to AfterProm.
STEAM Night
Kenston technology is not limited to solar panels, wind turbines and computers. On March 18, Kenston High School will be geared up for the Kenston District STEAM (Science Technology Engineering, Art and Math) Night. The family event, open to all K-12 students, is designed to introduce the community to science, technology, engineering and math concepts.
Presentations will be made by corporations such as the American Society of Materials, Chagrin Valley Quilters Guild, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, CWRU Materials Science Department, Her In Motion, Jack Fay Architecture, Lake County Environmental Center, Minich Orthodontics, Parker Hannifin, PCC Airfoils, Renaissance Group, Rockwell Automation and Valley Art Center. Grade appropriate, hands-on activities will be presented by Kenston teachers and students.
Other interactive presentations will be made by the Geauga Park District, Lake Farmpark, Kenston Science Olympiad teams and FLL Robotics teams. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a keynote speaker Gary Catella, VP of Technology at Gooch & Housego, at 6 p.m. He will demonstrate and present information about the use of light, optics and lasers in modern technologies. His presentation will be followed by open house style breakout presentations and activities. See how STEAM impacts our lifestyle, the community and the local economy.
Soup With The Superintendent
Senior adult residents ages 60 years and older of the Kenston School District are invited to join Kenston Superintendent Nancy Santilli on March 18 at 4:30 p.m. for conversation, a soup and sandwich dinner and to attend STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) Night hearing keynote speaker Gary Catella, vice president of technology at Gooch & Housego, will demonstrate and present information about the use of light, optics and lasers in modern technologies. Reservations are required by calling 440-543-9677. The program is part of the district’s S’MORE events (Senior Moments of Rocking Entertainment).
Center Stage Presents ‘Mary Poppins’
Kenston Center Stage is pleased to present Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins” on April 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. and April 19 at 2 p.m. in the Kenston High School auditorium.
“Mary Poppins” is the story of the Banks family who live in a big house in London on Cherry Lane. Things are not going well for the family. The children, Jane and Michael, are out of control and are in need of a new nanny. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “anything can happen if you let it.”
The show features the classic songs “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” plus some catchy new tunes.
All tickets are reserved and cost $16 for floor and mezzanine and $12 for balcony seats. Tickets go on sale March 23.
Graduation Video
Graduation is just around the corner. The high school needs the community’s help in gathering photographs of the Class of 2015 students during their Kenston school career, grades kindergarten through 12, for inclusion in a slideshow video shown during graduation on May 21.
The school would like to include photos of every student’s favorite Kenston moments such as the first day of school, the Letter People, Celebration of Me, athletics and class trips. Please send photos to Kenston High School, Senior Video, Attn: Mrs. Hanzak, 9500 Bainbridge Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 or email digital images to graduation.video@kenstonapps.org, with Graduation Video Photos in the subject line. Or, give photos to Kate Blackburn, Hannah Cubberley or Madison Wisniewski.
Any pictures that one shares should include the student’s name printed on the back of the picture. To have the pictures returned, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Please submit the pictures no later than April 20.
To receive a copy of graduation and the senior video, order forms will be available in May on the Kenston website, in the Guidance Office and during commencement. The cost is $22.
Blizzard Bags, Delayed Starts
With the unusually severe weather in northeastern Ohio, Kenston has used all its allowable calamity days. In order to make up lessons and continue with instruction, Kenston has filed and been approved by the Ohio Department of Education to use Blizzard Bags.
This tool will be in effect for any future calamity days this year. It allows students to get an assignment online.
For Timmons and KIS students, the Blizzard Bags will be posted on the building website. High school and middle school students will need to visit their teachers’ individual web pages.
The Blizzard Bag program allows students to complete assignments without extending classes into the summer.
The other method for coping with inclement weather will be a delayed start. A one or two hour delay will only be used if the weather forecast indicates that the current weather conditions will improve soon after school opens and it is safe to transport students.
With a delayed start, dismissal will remain at the regular time. Morning kindergarten and preschool classes will be canceled.
