Greeting Depew High School Families,

I hope you and your families are having a wonderful fall season! As we settle into the rhythm of the school year, I want to share a quick update and highlight some of the great activities and events happening across our school community.

Homecoming & Spirit Week Highlights

We recently wrapped up a fantastic Spirit Week and Homecoming celebration! It was incredible to see so much school pride on display throughout the week. A huge thank you to our staff, advisors, and students who helped make our traditions—including the Bonfire, Powder Puff games, Chicken BBQ, Hallway Decorating, Motorcade, Pep Assembly, Homecoming Dance, Pops Concert with Trunk or Treat—such a memorable success. 

Red Ribbon Week (10/26 - 10/30)

This week, our high school is observing Red Ribbon Week, organized by SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), to promote healthy choices and drug awareness. Students and staff are wearing red bracelets and participating in daily themed dress-up days (Favorite Team Jersey, Pajama Day, Halloween Dress-Up, Superhero Day, and Red Out Day) to show our commitment to a healthy, safe community.

Academic Updates & Progress Reports

**Quarter 1 Progress Reports:** 5-week progress reports for Quarter 1 were recently processed. Please take a moment to log into the parent portal with your student to review their current academic progress and celebrate their hard work early in the term.

School Safety & Preparedness

**Safety Drills:** Over the past month, our school successfully conducted scheduled safety protocols, including a lockdown drill and our annual early release drill. We appreciate our students and staff for taking these exercises seriously and demonstrating great maturity throughout.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support in making our high school a positive, safe, and engaging environment for all students. Please feel free to reach out to our administration or counseling offices if you have any questions or need assistance.

Warm regards,

Paul Renzoni & Julia Tomaka  

DHS Principal and Assistant Principal 

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Seniors Beat So-Fresh 18–7 to Win Powder Puff Final Guided by faculty coaches Mr. Cena, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Cintron, the Senior offense rotated quarterbacks Avery Smolarek, Ashley Codr, and Camryn Domino. Key playmaking by Ashlyn Guggemos, Ava Ducato, Me'Kailyn Dupree, Kayden Leising, Amelia Slowinski, and Lucy Kegler, backed by a strong offensive line, kept the momentum going. On defense, Ava Santiago sealed key moments with an interception alongside crucial flag-pulls across the unit. So-Fresh advanced to the final game after shutting out the Juniors 33–0. Special thanks go to the student announcers, volunteer officials, and Link Crew for supporting the event.

(Photo Credit: Luke Herman)

On October 26th and 27th, the Museum of Tolerance visited our Global Studies classrooms for two days of engaging, thought-provoking learning. Freshmen explored “The Power of Ordinary People,” while sophomores participated in a lesson on “Combating Hate and Digital Media, learning about its influence and impact on society. Social Studies teacher Heather Burger organized the visit to bring these meaningful educational experiences directly to our Global History students. She hopes to make this on-campus program an annual tradition, providing future classes with opportunities to think critically, engage with important issues, and connect history to the world around them. Thank you to the Museum of Tolerance lead instructors for sharing their expertise with our students for the second year in a row!

Depew High School held its first ever in-house Leadership Conference in September. With 72 students and staff in attendance, class officers, Student Senate officers and Leadership in Action students came together as one student body to focus on how to be stronger and more resilient leaders.

Our guest speaker, Andy Thibodeau, led an interactive presentation with an inspiring message around "making care contagious." This was a great way to kick off the year with anticipation of our upcoming planned events. 

Mrs. Malush's & Mrs. Van Kuren's classes are learning how to dress properly at school, work and in the community by working as a team to dress our class mannequin!

Mr. Endres’ AP English classes enjoyed a performance of the play Emma, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, at the Irish Classical Theatre in downtown Buffalo on September 17th. Students enjoyed the intimate seating offered by the theater in the round experience.  During the post-performance talk-back, students enjoyed learning about the production aspects of this romantic comedy that ends happily ever. 

This year's DHS French Club officers are Layla Zielinski, President, Gloria Menavanza, Vice President, Amara Laury, Secretary, Tessa Steinwandel, Treasurer.

DHS French Club members enjoyed the French ice cream dessert "poire belle helene" at their October meeting.

Congratulations to the Wildcats girls volleyball team, which defeated Iroquois in five sets to capture the ECIC Division IV championship and finish league play undefeated!

The Wildcats will continue their season as the No. 1 seed in the Class B1 sectional playoffs.

5201 Transit Rd, Depew, NY 14043 • 716.686.5000