WEEKLY UPDATE #36

Following community feedback, the Board of Education has approved a revised budget proposal for a revote on Tuesday, June 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the High School Gym. This updated plan reduces the tax levy increase to 1.50% by making $500,000 in cuts to unexpected expenses—completely preserving all of our classroom programs. Residents can even use the new interactive calculator on the district website to determine their exact school taxes based on their specific property value.

Please note that if this revised proposal does not pass, state law mandates an automatic move to a contingent budget, forcing over $1.1 million in cuts. Because the district would be legally restricted to funding only "ordinary contingent expenses," these unavoidable reductions would unfortunately impact student-facing, non-classroom programs like field trips, modified sports, and student clubs. We encourage all families to stay informed, review the budget details and June 8th public hearing info on our website, and make your voice heard on June 16th!

The excitement from the Annual Elementary Track Meet continued right into this week's physical education classes! Our fourth and fifth graders were proudly presented with their achievement ribbons, recognizing the incredible speed, strength, and agility they displayed out on the field last week.

It was a beautiful scene in gym class as students wildly cheered for their classmates, celebrating not just the wins, but the outstanding grit and perseverance everyone showed throughout the meet. We are so proud of the fantastic sportsmanship and effort put forth by all of our athletes. Great job to all our Kaegebein kids for an outstanding performance!

Our third graders enjoyed a fantastic hands-on science experience this week with a field trip to Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve! This outdoor adventure was the perfect addition to their classroom lessons, giving students a firsthand look at the diverse ecosystems right here in Western New York.

Guided by nature educators, our young scientists explored the wetlands and forests, learning how local plants and animals connect and depend on one another to survive. From observing local wildlife to exploring unique habitats, it was a wonderful day of discovery and fresh air. A big thank you to our amazing chaperones and the team at Reinstein Woods for helping our students connect so deeply with nature!

Our fourth graders took an incredible step back in time this week with an exciting field trip to the historic Lockport Locks! This hands-on adventure perfectly complemented their social studies units, bringing the fascinating history and engineering of the Erie Canal right to life.

The day was packed with discovery as students explored the interactive museum to learn how the canal transformed New York State and connected the country. The absolute highlight of the trip was boarding a canal boat and experiencing the locks firsthand! Students got to feel the power of engineering as their boat was safely raised and lowered inside the massive stone locks. It was a wonderful day of history, science, and community exploration that our fourth graders won't soon forget!

Our fifth graders hit a home run this week with an exciting field trip to Sahlen Field to cheer on the Buffalo Bisons! It was an absolutely perfect day at the ballpark, filled with sunshine, smiles, and plenty of baseball energy.

The stands were buzzing as our students fully immersed themselves in the game day experience. Several lucky students even managed to catch souvenir baseballs! The highlights didn't stop there—our fifth graders got to interact with the Bisons' beloved mascot, Buster, and brought maximum school spirit to the stands as they wildly cheered on Celery and Blue Cheese during the famous WNY Wing Race. It was a fantastic day of community, fun, and making lasting elementary school memories together!

Our students spent an inspiring week looking ahead and thinking about the future during our annual Career Week! The school was buzzing with ambition as students dressed up each day to represent their dream jobs, the value of hard work, the importance of teamwork, and just how bright their futures truly are.

From future doctors, veterinarians, and teachers to athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs, it was wonderful to see our students proudly sharing their passions and aspirations. Career Week is always a fantastic reminder that the skills our students are building today—like collaboration, creativity, and perseverance—are the very tools that will help them change the world tomorrow. Keep dreaming big, Kaegebein!

Grand Island Central Schools officially honored two of Kaegebein’s very own superstars this week! Our incredible school nurse, Lynnette Wesolowski, and our dedicated custodian, Dan Pedlow, were recognized with the prestigious Distinguished School-Related Professional Award.

These awards are designed to celebrate the true backbone of our school district—the essential personnel who work tirelessly behind the scenes day in and day out to support our students, staff, and families. Both Mrs. Wesolowski and Mr. Pedlow were nominated by their colleagues and community members for their extraordinary contributions, unwavering dedication, and the heart they bring to Grand Island, and specifically to Kaegebein. We are so fortunate to have them on our team. Please join us in giving them a massive congratulations!

As we head into the final weeks of school, we want to let our families know that we will be conducting our final two fire drills of the year over the next two weeks. We always strive to maintain a safe, calm, and orderly drill environment to maximize student care and ensure everyone knows exactly what to do in an emergency.

Our students have done a wonderful job practicing these safety routines all year long! If you have any questions about our safety protocols or general school safety, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Howe. Thank you for your continued support in keeping Kaegebein safe and secure!

Friday, May 22nd & Monday, May 25th - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

Thursday, June 18th - Field Day

Friday, June 19th - NO SCHOOL - Juneteenth

Monday, June 22nd - 5th Grade Moving Up Day

Wednesday, June 24th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Dismissal @ 11:15am