Elmwood Franklin School

❤️💙🏈 Elmwood Franklin School Alumni Buffalo Bill's Home Opener Celebration🏈❤️💙

Reconnect with your sandbox friends while you enjoy sips and snacks, door prizes, and, of course, gearing up for the Buffalo Bills home opener! Alumni 21 and over are invited to join us on campus to kick off the 24-25 season together. Let's make this home opener one for the books!

Saturday, September 7, 4:30-6 p.m. at Elmwood Franklin School. Please RSVP by September 3 to [email protected].

Spotted on Campus—Joe Dopkin '15, head instructor at Master Khechen's Martial Arts Academy. Joe graduated from Canisius High School in 2019 and earned his bachelor's degree in environmental science at Paul Smith's College. After graduation, he returned to work at Master Khechen's, which he was first introduced to at EFS when their instructors joined our summer campers. Joe's journey is a testament to the importance and influence of partnering with our wider community. Looking to build that partnership again, Joe is reconnecting with his EFS roots, and we are thrilled!

Elmwood Franklin summer campers had a blast at an unforgettable, fun-filled foam party as we gear up for the 4th!

Thank you to EFS alums Jay Dref '05 and Derek Robins '05 for performing an unforgettable evening of music in The Johnston Theatre to celebrate and honor retiring band instructor Cheri Truax. Bravo!

Elmwood Franklin School is a special place, and gifts to the Annual Fund help make this possible. Every dollar donated to the Annual Fund supports Elmwood Franklin's mission by helping our students learn and succeed, enabling our faculty to teach and inspire, and allowing us all to make a difference in our world. In other words, the Annual Fund is at the very heart of EFS this year and every year.

Every gift matters! Join us by donating online or texting “efs” to 71777. Our 2023-24 Annual Fund Campaign ends June 30, 2024. Thank you for helping to make Elmwood Franklin the extraordinary school it is.

https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/XIVd-Q?vid=16a6qj

Join us tomorrow for an unforgettable evening of music and celebration as we honor band instructor Cheri Truax, who is retiring after 35 years of inspiring students with a passion for music. As a tribute to Cheri's dedication and profound impact, EFS alums Jay Dref '05 and Derek Robins '05 are coming together to present a benefit concert on Thursday, June 27, at 6:00 p.m. in The Johnston Theatre.

Proceeds from this concert will go towards Elmwood Franklin's music department, ensuring that Cheri's legacy resonates long after her final curtain call. Buy your tickets, spread the word, and make it an evening to remember: https://elmwoodfranklin.ejoinme.org/.../1439321/Default.aspx

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and celebration as we honor band instructor Cheri Truax, who is retiring after 35 years of inspiring students with a passion for music. As a tribute to Cheri's dedication and profound impact, EFS alums Jay Dref '05 and Derek Robins '05 are coming together to present a benefit concert on Thursday, June 27, at 6:00 p.m. in The Johnston Theatre.

Proceeds from this concert will go towards Elmwood Franklin's music department, ensuring that Cheri's legacy resonates long after her final curtain call. Buy your tickets, spread the word, and make it an evening to remember: https://elmwoodfranklin.ejoinme.org/.../1439321/Default.aspx

Thank you to Taylor Gillespie '08, who delivered the commencement address and reminded our Class of 2024 graduates, "You are not only capable of adapting to unfamiliar environments; you are capable of thriving in them."

Taylor is an administrative law judge for New York State. Her outstanding achievements were recognized when she was named one of Business First's 30 Under 30 honorees in 2023, a testament to her exceptional contributions to her field and beyond.

Tonight, our eighth graders crossed the stage of The Johnston Theatre for the last time as students. Please join us in congratulating Elmwood Franklin School’s Class of 2024! No matter where you go or how much time has passed, you will always have a home at EFS.

Our heartfelt thanks to all our Parent Council volunteers for hosting this week's fun-filled afternoon for Upper School students to celebrate the end of the school year! The students had a great time chalking, painting, playing games, spending time with friends, being silly, and more. We truly appreciate the time and talent you shared to make this event a great success! 💙🤍

The closing program today was a heartfelt occasion as the fourth-grade students bid a fond farewell to school nurse Patty Cody. After 24 years of dedicated service at Elmwood Franklin, Patty is retiring this year. Join us in wishing her the best for the future!

Mr. Johnson, Mr. Aquino, and Ms. Beckwith announced this year's Blue-Gray competition winner at today's Class Day program. Congratulations to the Gray team and captains Iris '24 and Malik '24!

Today, we celebrated our eighth grade students and their time here at EFS during their Class Day ceremony!

Graduates from the Class of 2020 returned to EFS to reconnect and celebrate the end of their high school journey. Congratulations, Eagles!

This morning, eighth graders presented the 2023-2024 yearbook, including the acknowledgment and dedication to the school community.

The eighth-grade class acknowledged Upper School math teacher Alyssa Charles for being a constant source of inspiration and encouragement, imparting knowledge, and instilling the values of compassion, perseverance, and confidence within them. The eighth graders wrote, "For her endless compassion, her unwavering belief in us, and for being the extraordinary teacher and mentor that she is, we, the Class of 2024, would like to acknowledge Mrs. Alyssa Charles. We are truly fortunate to have you in our lives."

The eighth-grade class dedicated their final yearbook to Upper School history teacher Michelle Burgard, recognizing her dedication and commitment to her students and teaching. The students shared, "Your approachability and kindness make our classroom feel like a safe and welcoming space. Whether we're grappling with a challenging concept or simply navigating the complexities of adolescence, your understanding and patience shine through...Thank you for being more than just a teacher; thank you for being a mentor, a friend, and a source of inspiration. Your impact on our lives extends far beyond the classroom, and for that, we are truly grateful."

Illuminating math! Mrs. Charles's seventh and eighth-grade math classes started their exam review with a Glow Day. Students rotated through several stations, reviewing math concepts to help prepare them for their upcoming exams.

Eighth grade students welcomed Evie Weinstein, an active volunteer of the Buffalo Jewish community, who shared the story of her parents, Rudy and Hilde Miller. Using photographs, documents, and artifacts, Evie showed the students what her parents' lives were like in Germany before Hi**er came to power, how they survived, and the remarkable legacy they left behind.

As they finished their third day of programming, fifth and sixth graders enjoyed three days of fresh air, lake views, canoeing, fishing, creating art outdoors, and so much more on their annual Outdoor Ed trip to Camp Onyahsa.

Today was our third grader's Living History Day, the culmination of the student's study of early American history. Students learned the art of tinsmithing, made medicine shields, practiced quill hornbook writing, listened to stories, and more!

As is the tradition every spring, life members of the EFS Corporation joined together for lunch to celebrate the school year and learn what's to come at EFS. During the lunch, Head of School Ryan Kimmet, Ed.D. had the honor of presenting Board President Amy Habib Rittling '82 with the Margaret G. Swift Service Award, established in 1989, to recognize outstanding members of the EFS community for their extraordinary contributions to the school. Amy epitomizes exceptional, outstanding, and dedicated service to Elmwood Franklin School, and we were thrilled to give this award to her with her family members and best friend, Robin Pfalzgraf Malti '82, in attendance.

Yesterday morning, we celebrated our volunteers and their hard work and dedication. During the breakfast, we also recognized our 2024 Unsung Heros. The Unsung Hero Award pays special honor to those who work tirelessly for our school, year after year, without fanfare, fulfilling essential roles but not always getting the recognition they deserve.

Our first 2024 Unsung Hero Award recipient, Lorrei DiCamillo, has been a silent force, working tirelessly behind the scenes to support and coach our swim team, Girls on the Run programs, and EFS running clubs. Her efforts have not only provided our students with meaningful access to athletics but have also instilled in them a love for sports and a spirit of teamwork. We also cannot overlook the kindness she extends to our faculty and staff with the delicious treats she often brings them. The amazing arrays of baked goods always bring immediate joy and make everyone's day more special. It is not just her actions that deserve recognition but also the heartfelt manner in which she carries them out. For her dedication and impact on our students' lives, we recognized Lorrei DiCamillo as our Unsung Hero.

Stephanie Kroth's motto seems to be "Ask not what your child's school can do for you, but what you can do for your child's school." And in answer to that question, she has done almost everything. She has served as a Room Representative, Parent Council event chair and volunteer, new family ambassador, AND Parent Council president. She joined the Annual Fund cabinet, Alumni Council, AND Auction committees and then chaired the Auction. She is the school's unofficial archivist, preserving memories for generations to come, and undertook creating an EFS family cookbook. Yet, her role as Auction decorations chair is where she truly shines. With boundless creativity, Stephanie transforms our school into a spectacle of wonder and joy with a focus on what matters most—the students. This year marks her last as the Auction decorations chair. She's not just leaving big shoes to fill; she's leaving an indelible mark on our school's spirit and vibrancy. For always going above and beyond—and then beyond even that—we recognized Stephanie Kroth as our Unsung Hero.

Thank you to all our volunteers for your involvement and many contributions. They are noticed and greatly appreciated.

"I'm never going back. The past is in the past." 🎶 Prep II students gave it their all during this morning's enchanting performance of Frozen for families, friends, and students in The Johnston Theatre.

"Ice is my life!" Prep II students brought the magic of Frozen to life in their first class play at EFS! These talented five- and six-year-old students not only performed an abridged version of the beloved story but also designed their own costumes, painted the backdrops, and directed the choreography. Bravo to these young stars!

Hair wreaths. Iceboxes. Bathtubs in the kitchen. Life was different in the 19th century. As kids pretty well immersed in the technology and gadgetry of the 21st century, our EFS third graders were brimming with questions on their visit to Genesee Country Village—New York state’s largest living history museum and among the largest in the nation.

Art teacher Amy Hartman is currently guiding fifth grade students in creating sculptures inspired by the work of contemporary artist Dan Lam. Lam is known for using unconventional materials to craft blob-like pieces that give the impression of melting and dripping. Our students have shown a strong connection to the process of creating these sculptures.

Band and chorus students hit all the right notes during this afternoon's rehearsal and performance for students and teachers. The students' final concert of the year is tonight at 6 p.m. in The Johnston Theatre. Tonight also marks Mrs. Truax's last EFS concert as the band instructor. Cheri Truax will be retiring at the end of this academic year, her 35th at Elmwood Franklin School! Wishing everyone the best of luck!

In technology class, fourth graders took on the challenge of learning to program using LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robots and the Classroom app. They worked in teams to create a sequence of commands, test their programming, and make any necessary corrections.

Indulge in Tradition: Introducing the Elmwood Franklin Family Cookbook Vol. 3! We are excited to unveil the EFS Family Cookbook as an opportunity to share in each other’s most delicious recipes and, in a small way, deepen the bonds of our wonderful community.

Each cookbook is $20 and can be picked up at EFS or shipped for an additional $5. All proceeds benefit Elmwood Franklin School. Order online at https://elmwoodfranklin.ejoinme.org/MyPages/RegistrationPage/tabid/4903/Default.aspx

Thank you to our cookbook chairs, Stephanie Kroth '90, P'24, P'27, and Dan Weinrieb ‘94, P’28, and their committee of volunteers!

Fairytale Economics. This afternoon, our first-grade students had a unique opportunity to apply their lessons on economics, wants vs. needs, money, goods and services, pricing, resources, production, and consumerism at the Fairytale Farmers Market. The students, who had earned fairytale bucks, used them to purchase fairytale goods, including magic mirrors, shields, wands, swords, helmets, and crowns—all handmade by the children.

Last night, our eighth graders presented their capstone IDEA Projects to teachers, classmates, and family members, proving to themselves and the school community just how much they could do and discover.

The idea behind the IDEA Project (short for Individually Determined Exploration Area) is to provide eighth-grade students with an opportunity to use the writing, research, and public speaking skills they have gained in their years at EFS and apply them to a creative, interdisciplinary, long-term inquiry project. Before their presentations, each student wrote a research paper, created a visual “artifact,” produced a video presentation, and shared their discoveries with younger students through lessons they planned and taught themselves.