Auditor of State Award with Distinction
As Kenston alway strives to be responsible stewards of the public funds entrusted to us
by our community, we are pleased to announce that Auditor of State Keith Faber
recognized the district with the Auditor of State Award with Distinction.
“By earning this award, these school districts have shown they are committed to
educating their students and being transparent with their spending,” Auditor Faber said.
“I am honored to present them with this award.”
The Auditor’s Office presents the Auditor of State Award with Distinction to local
governments and school districts upon the completion of a financial audit. Entities that
receive the award meet the following criteria of a “clean” audit report.
Spelling Bee
For the second year in a row, eighth grader, Jack Beclay, represented Kenston at the
Geauga County Spelling Bee. He earned this honor by winning the District’s 4-8 grade
competition. This year, he placed 3rd at the county level going 17 rounds.
BWC Safety Grant awarded
Kenston Schools was recently awarded a School Safety and Security Grant from the
Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. BWC’s School Safety and Security Grant
(SSSG) Program assists Ohio employers with ensuring the safety of their staff who
instruct children throughout the state. The 3-to-1 matching grant program is available to
eligible Ohio employers who wish to purchase equipment to improve the safety and
security of facilities substantially, and to reduce or eliminate injuries or illnesses
associated with providing educational services to children. Eligible employers may
receive up to $40,000 toward equipment purchases.
Kenston’s proposal was accepted and approved for the purchase of 275 Bearacade
Lockdown devices for grade 4-12 classrooms and workrooms, adding to a similar door
barricade system already in place at Timmons Elementary School. The Bearacade
devices will provide our staff with a fast and safe means for securing classroom doors.
Additional funds will be used to upgrade the entrance door controls districtwide to utilize
the software currently being used at our high school building.
The total cost of this proposal is $48,460, with grant funds covering $36,345.
Professional Development Day
On Friday, February 14, Kenston hosted the second Professional Development Day of
the school year. Dr. Meghan Barlow, Pediatric Psychologist, lead the day with a keynote
for all teachers. The focus of the keynote was on building and strengthening
teacher/staff relationships with students and the importance of inclusionary practices in
the regular education classroom. She provided specific strategies for engaging
students with challenging behaviors in the regular education environment. The
remainder of the day was spent exploring the topics Dr. Barlowe introduced through PK-
12 mixed small groups and facilitated by our District Design Leaders.
Dr. Lori Wilfon also presented for an elementary session to continue her work with
teachers in strengthening the writing standards across the curriculum.
Kenston Foundation
Thank you to Kenston Foundation and its Board members for their long-standing
commitment to awarding educational grants to benefit Kenston students. Recently they
awarded over $21,000 in grants to extend the existing curriculum. All buildings benefited
from their generosity. The Board of Education accepted $700 for Orff Instruments at
Timmons Elementary Schools, $3,875 toward the Maker’s Space and Math Games at
the Intermediate School, $6,400 for updates to the middle school Media Center (Flight
Deck) and Bomber TV, over $1,000 to purchase “The Nystrom Atlas of United States
History,” $2,000 towards social and emotional wellness to be used during the middle
school Connections periods, $3,000 for Sports Performance ACL Prevention Training
for middle and high school students and coach education and $3,100 for a Virtual
Reality Station at the high school.
Family Ties Night
We are excited to have the second Family Ties Night of the 2019/20 school year on
Wednesday, March 4 th with no homework assigned, no athletic practices or games after
4:30pm and no meetings or activities hosted in the district. We are reaching out to
local restaurants and businesses to provide “family-friendly” discounts.
KCAC Alliance
Dr. Tony Podojil, Executive Director of The Alliance for High Quality Education, spoke to
members of Kenston Citizens Advisory Council and the administrative team about the
current issues of education policy and funding that the Alliance has been working on at
the state level. He also shared the best way for citizens and administrators to campaign
for political action.
KHS to host Sectional Wresting
Kenston High School will host the Division 1 Sectional Wrestling Tournament on
Saturday, February 29, beginning at 10am with Championship Finals at 2:30pm. All day
admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. Finals ONLY tickets
are $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Competing will be Austintown-
Fitch, Bedford, Boardman, Hudson, Kenston, Nordonia, Kent Roosevelt, Solon, Stow
and Twinsburg.
