Homecoming is a celebration that unites past and present.  For the Kenston community, Homecoming is an opportunity to visit with family, friends and classmates at the parade, football game or class reunion.  Please join us tonight for All In-Tailgate Mania with Food Trucks beginning at 5:30pm. Show your Kenston pride!  Wear white to the football game. It's a white-out!

To further the Kenston spirit, we are in the process of establishing an Alumni Association.  Our goal is to build loyalty and support among students and graduates of Auburn/Bainbridge/Kenston, to promote a positive image, sponsor programs and activities and provide opportunities to give back to the Kenston community.  If you are interested in being considered for a Alumni Leadership Board position, please fill out and return an application

Enjoy this weekend's Homecoming celebrations.  And as Paul "Bear" Bryant said, "Show Class. Have Pride. Display Character. If you do, winning will take care of itself."

Bombers fly together!

Sincerely,

Nancy R. Santilli
Superintendent
ON THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DESK
BONDS SOLD
Kenston Schools borrowed $5 million of the voter approved bond issue funds to begin work on campus capital improvement projects. In an effort to reduce fees and interest costs, the district sold 1-year bond anticipation notes through a competitive sale process.  Six banks submitted competitive bids. RBC Capital, a firm that has provided underwriting services for Kenston Schools bond sales in the past, submitted the best offer of a 1.0% interest rate plus a premium discount that resulted in a net interest cost of 0.67%.  With such a competitive offer, RBC demonstrated their desire to continue a working relationship with Kenston Schools.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
The Board of Education and district personnel have been working on upgrades and improvements to the district's facilities.  Over the summer, new network infrastructure and phone system upgrades were completed.  
  • 60+ switches replaced 
  • 220+ WIFI access points added
Plans to utilize Gardiner School for the upgrade of the Bus Garage and Transportation Department are being explored.  This would consist of the relocation of the bus garage/fleet and addition of a four-bay service garage including a washing station. In this proposal, Gardiner would also house Kenston Community Education (KCE) and additional community programs.  An independent traffic survey and additional soil boring studies are in progress to determine the validity of the scenario.

Preliminary work is also underway on the stadium seating/restrooms project as well as building based projects to address boiler and control projects and roof replacement.        
COLLEGE READY OHIO
The Ohio State University is partnering with Kenston High School and nine (9) other districts across the state to build the academic foundation for student success by providing digital learning tools and resources.  Three hundred were part of the Straight A Grant that students in Sal Maiorana's Science classes, English classes with Tony Marchesi and Shannon Wirthwein's Social Studies classes have access to for the semester. The additional iPads are available as mobile classroom sets.  Professional development is being provided to teachers to learn how to create, organize and deliver their own digital learning materials.  
STRAIGHT A GRANT
Work is progressing on the Auburn Bainbridge Room makeover, funded by a Geauga County Straight A Grant.  Over $100,000 of video conferencing equipment, new screen, projector, sound system and podium are part of the project. High school classes will utilize the enhanced technology in conjunction with on-line classes, distance learning, shared services with other districts and College Credit Plus opportunities.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Fall is in the air, but winter is just around the corner.  I understand that the decision to close school or offer a two-hour delay impacts your family.  I agree that the best education occurs in the classroom with our teachers.  As the person responsible for the final decision to open or close school, the safety of your child is my top priority.

State law now allows schools to change to an hour-based schedule eliminating the need for calamity days.  Kenston has over ten (10) days' worth of instructional hours beyond the state minimum. At this time, we do not anticipate the need to make-up days or use Blizzard Bags for cancelled school days.

I will continue to work with the local road departments, law enforcement and school personnel to carefully analyze all relevant factors before closing school.  I strive to make the decision to close by 5:30am or earlier. We will then notify TV stations, post information on the website, contact students and staff via the automated calling system, Tweet @KenstonSchools and post on the School Closing Hotline at 440-564-2134.  

WIND TURBINE REPAIRS
Repairs have been completed on the wind turbine's revenue meter and transformer.  
Kenston Schools' will be featured as part of the 13th annual statewide Green Energy Ohio Tour on Saturday, October 3.  At Kenston, the tour will feature the district's 750 kW Aeronautica wind turbine, 33.12 kilowatt solar PV (photovoltaic) array, with a fixed array, tracker and reference array along with a solar thermal array. All major renewable energy equipment is American made. 

The second uninstalled nacelle on site (behind the middle school) is the property of Parker Hannifin.
QUALITY PROFILE
Kenston Local School District joined more than 60 school districts throughout Ohio releasing a companion to the State's School District Report Card,  called a Quality Profile. The report includes additional accountability measures that better define a high quality education and are not captured by the state report card.
DID YOU KNOW?
In an ongoing effort to promote the safety and well-being of our students, the high school uses breathalyzer devices to check students prior to admission to all school dances.  This practice has been in place for the past eight (8) years.  The test is quick and non-invasive and meant to encourage responsible behavior by all of our students.    KHS Dance Guidelines
Kenston PTO 
INTERNET SAFETY FOR PARENTS
Do you know how to keep your children safe in an always connected digital society?
ADULT ONLY EVENT
 
Wednesday, September 30, 
7pm 
High School, Robert A. Lee Auditorium
**A portion of book pre-order sales benefit the PTO Council.**