Springville-Griffith Institute

We are counting down the Class of 2026 Top 10! We continue our celebration with No. 5, Austin Dean, son of Katherine Dean and Christopher Herbert. He served as GSA President, Concert Band President and Percussion Section Leader. He is involved in Jazz Band, Marching Band, Pit Orchestra, Concert Band, Full Orchestra, Chorus, Chamber Choir, GSA, National Honor Society and Varsity Wrestling. Outside of school, he enjoys playing music, wrestling, composing, arranging, rollerblading, hiking and volleyball. He earned Honor Roll, Most Improved Wrestler and the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Recognition for Merit. Austin plans to attend Buffalo State University, majoring in Music Education. He hopes to become a concert band music teacher and coach wrestling on the side.

Mrs. Brawn's 10th-grade Global class recently took their learning into their own hands! Sophomore Gabe Boldt proposed holding a classroom Model UN Summit. He met with Mrs. Brawn during his study hall multiple times to design the project, and he facilitated a large part of it in class. Students represented countries and researched topics related to current international military conflicts. Each country had time to present its point of view, and then the others could respond. It was a wonderful demonstration of student agency in their learning!
#Agency #RedefiningRural

Please be advised that, on Monday morning, around 10 AM, a Mock DWI demonstration will be conducted at Springville High School. Emergency vehicles will use their sirens to "respond to the scene" and park at the end of Greenwood Place near the tennis courts for the duration of the demonstration. This is a drill meant for the purpose of education. We thank the community surrounding the high school for their cooperation during the demonstration.

Recently, Colden Elementary took a school-wide walk and made a difference in the lives of people living with Type 1 Diabetes.

Over the past several weeks, our school community has come together with generosity, enthusiasm, and compassion. Because of their hard work and support, CES was able to raise an incredible $1,600 for Breakthrough TID.

That number represents much more than dollars. It represents kindness and hope. It also represents a commitment to helping scientists, doctors, and researchers work toward better treatments and, one day, a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.

SADD members recently distributed bags to each homeroom to spread cheer to students during the stressful testing season. SADD member Anna Palmowski spearheaded this student-initiated endeavor. She brought her idea to a SADD meeting early in the year, and with the help of SADD members, connected with many businesses and agencies to create the bag of treats. In addition to the bags, Fidelis kindly donated freezies for students and staff to be distributed in the cafeteria during lunch.
#Agency #InclusionAnd Belonging #RedefiningRural

We are counting down the Class of 2026 Top 10! We continue our celebration with No. 6, Emily Schwanekamp, daughter of Joseph Schwanekamp and Sarah Schwanekamp. She served as Captain of the soccer and bowling teams. She is involved in Bowling, Soccer, FFA and National Honor Society. Outside of school, she enjoys Painting and raising chickens. She earned the Empire degree for FFA, MVP and MIP for soccer and bowling. Emily plans to attend Ohio Northern University, majoring in Veterinary Science. She hopes to become a veterinarian and start a hatchery.

Three 11th-grade students have been recognized for their writing! Earlier this year, Mrs. Odden's students worked hard on a piece of writing to submit to the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, a prestigious contest with a long history of winners who have gone on to be extremely successful. Three students were chosen as recipients of the Regional Scholastic Writing Awards.

The winners are:
Gold Key Award: Carrielyn Kehr for her personal memoir "The Road My Mother Walked so I Could Run"
Gold Key Award: David Janora for his poem "Arrow Between Us"
Silver Key Award: Hailey Palmowski for her play "The Revealing Trip"

Their recognition letters said: "Your work was recognized by a panel of creative professionals for its outstanding merit in originality, skill, and the emergence of your personal voice and vision. Since 1923, the Awards have recognized some of the nation’s most celebrated artists and writers while they were teenagers, including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, José Parlá, Amanda Gorman, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol. We are proud to count you among these esteemed Scholastic Awards alumni!"

Earlier this week, Springville Elementary students biked their way to school! The first-ever SES Bike to School Day had a great turnout and a beautiful morning! The students and volunteers met near the high school football field and made their way to the school on their bikes! A huge thank you to our staff, volunteers and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their support in making the event possible.
#Wellness #RedefiningRural

We are counting down the Class of 2026 Top 10! We continue our celebration with No. 8, Kevan P. Ridder, son of Joanne Ridder and Vernon Ridder. He served as the HS Wellness Committee co-chair. He is involved in Powerlifting, Orchard Park Rugby, Varsity Tennis, National Honor Society, Investment Club, SADD and was Student Representative of the Wellness Pillar. Outside of school, he works at Steelbound Brewery and Springville Health and Fitness and enjoys Powerlifting, tennis, golf, collecting fragrances, and hanging out with friends. He earned the Mayflower Award, Positive Athlete OPERATE award, first place at the SUNY Fredonia Shark Tank competition, seven state records in the USAPL, Best Lifter Award at USPA NYS championship. Kevan plans to attend Butler University, majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Pre-Physical Therapy. He hopes to open his own physical therapy clinic to develop, practice, and research injury-preventative training methods for athletes.

For the first time, Springville Middle School held a schoolwide Wellness Day! Each grade level rotated through outdoor, exploratory and pod activities. The students got their hearts racing with speedball, yard games, gym activities and fitness BINGO! On the calmer side of things, they painted plant pots, belted out karaoke, created signs for the upcoming senior walk and enjoyed some healthy snacks! Thank you to the staff and the Wellness Committee who made the event a fun and positive experience centered on wellness!
#Wellness #RedefiningRural

SGI Families & Community: As we continue the work for our Strategic Plan, a critical component is the feedback we receive each year from our stakeholder groups. We ask that you take a few minutes to take part in this survey. Your input will help us continue working to make SGI the best school system it can be!

Additionally, this survey is also designed to be completed by the SGI community at large, so please feel free to share with friends and family who live in our area.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZ1TpRIzqR-xicawBGkir2OCLBBORmXZcw2pqQmUgCKaFURQ/viewform

Springville Middle School students and Colden Student Council members recently enjoyed a Buffalo Bison game on School Kids Day at Bison's Stadium!

We are counting down the Class of 2026 Top 10! We continue our celebration with No. 7, Nevaeh M. Watson, daughter of Bonnie Runyon-Martinez and Phillip Martinez. She is involved in National Honor Society, Science Club, Key Club and SADD. Outside of school, she works at TJMaxx and enjoys fishing. Nevaeh plans to attend college for nursing. She hopes to become a nurse so she can help care for others, improve patients' health, and make a positive difference in my community.

The Reynolds Battery, a group of local Civil War re-enactors, recently returned to Springville Middle School for "Civil War Day." Students learned firsthand about life during this time in history, from clothes and equipment to marching and naval movements. Seventh-grader Chase also had the chance to signal the firing of the cannon and received the firing pin as a souvenir! Thanks to these incredible volunteers for bringing history to life for our students!
#ExperientialLearning #RedefiningRural

We are excited to announce updates to the Summer Food Service Program for 2026 at SGI! This program provides nutritious, no-cost meals to all students under 18 (and up to 21 for those with special health care needs).

New this year, SGI was able to add a second pick-up site at Colden Elementary thanks to a $5,000 grant from Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign! Meals will be available every Tuesday and Thursday from July 6 to August 13 from 11:30-12:30 PM. Pick-up locations include Springville Middle School, 267 Newton St, Springville (Door G) and Colden Elementary School, 8263 Boston Colden Rd, Colden (Main Door). Pick up for all of the students in your household in one trip!

Register for the Summer Food Service Program here. Please fill out a separate form for each child.

The traditional Drive Your Tractor to School Day continued this year and was well attended by students in all different sizes and types of tractors. The tractors were on display in front of the high school until school let out. Then they were driven through the Springville Elementary bus loop to the delight of the younger students!

We are counting down the Class of 2026 Top 10! We continue our celebration with No. 9, Jillian Levakoff, daughter of Jim Levakoff and Beth Levakoff. She served as Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Class President, Soccer Captain, Science Club Secretary, and Student Representative of the Agency Pillar. She is involved in Student Council, Class President, National Honor Society, Agency Pillar, Superintendent's Cabinet, Soccer, Track and Field, Lacrosse, Science Club, Envirothon, SADD, Future Business Leaders of America, FFA, Math League, Musical, Spanish Club, and Tuesday Night Strings. She also enjoys music, playing piano and violin, traveling, playing soccer, creative arts, hiking and camping. She earned Excellence in Spanish 2, Excellence in Spanish 3, Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony Award, University of Rochester, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, United States Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award and Student of the Month: Spanish, Global 9, Introduction to Business, Spanish, Character: Positivity, Character: Supportive, and Music. Jillian plans to attend SUNY Geneseo, majoring in Adolescent History Education. She plans to earn a Master's degree in education and then obtain an administrative license, while also traveling and continuing to play the piano.

We are counting down the Class of 2026 Top 10! We begin our celebration with No. 10, Kathryn Greene, daughter of Carisa Turner and Keith Turner. She served as Class Vice President (10th-11th grade), Student Council President (12th grade), and President of SADD. She is involved in National Honor Society, the Blood Drive Committee, Math League, Key Club, Polar Plunge, French Club, and was the Student Rep for the SGI School Board. She earned the President's Education Awards Program for Outstanding Academic Excellence and two Mathematic Achievements for Math League. Kathryn plans to attend Northeast State, majoring in Cardiovascular Technology. She hopes to become a Cardiovascular Technician and help treat heart disease.

Students can register for this free First Aid Training for Babysitters, which will be held Saturday, June 13 from 8 AM to 2 PM at Bertrand Chaffee Hospital. Register by calling 716-592-2871 ext 1221.

Please join us in congratulating all of our student artists on a wonderful SGI District Art Show at UNOVA! There is still time to see the show this weekend from 11-2 and Monday from 4-7 PM.