Thank you!
The Depew Union Free School District's annual budget passed with a 70% approval from voters.
Proposition #1- 2026-2027 Budget ($58,501,273): YES- 208 (PASSED) NO -88
Proposition #2- Purchase of School-Related Buses and Related Equipment: YES- 218(PASSED) NO-76
Proposition #3- Establishment of Capital Improvements Reserve Fund, 2026: YES-224 (PASSED) NO-69
The three elected Board of Education members are:
Nicholas LaMarca, Mark Durham and Kerisha Hawthorne-Greer
Depew families are invited to attend Depew Discovery Night: To Infinity and Beyond on Tuesday, May 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Depew High School.
Join us for an exciting evening of exploration, learning and fun as we launch into a night designed for the whole school community.
We hope to see you there!
Voting will be open in the Depew High School Gymnasium from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cayuga Heights Elementary is getting ready for the Color Blast Dash!
Families are invited to join the fun near the service road, with the first run beginning at 6:15 p.m. Food trucks will be open beforehand for those who would like to grab something to eat before the event.
Registration and fundraising with 99Pledges are two separate steps. Students must register to run, while fundraising is optional, although encouraged.
Register to run: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDc4bRySv7Yv7n6OKFef6TXmRdoZo2Q-uIUhNe5gZrlVLdxA/viewform
Sign up for 99Pledges: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/colorblast2026/addme
Please note that students must be signed up individually through 99Pledges and should list their grade as their “Group.”
Preorder Graduation Flower Bouquets for the Class of 2026
Families can now preorder graduation flower bouquets for the Class of 2026!
Bouquets will be available for convenient pick-up before graduation on June 26, helping families skip the last-minute rush and have one less thing to worry about on graduation day.
Large bouquets are $20 each. To preorder, use the QR code on the flyer or visit: https://omella.com/bk6py
The WNY Youth Addiction Prevention Coalition and Town of Lancaster Youth Bureau will present a Color Run & Wellness Fair on Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. in the Lancaster Youth Bureau parking lot, located at 200 Oxford Ave., Lancaster, NY 14086.
The event will feature a 1-mile run or walk, wellness and fun fair, food trucks, Narcan training, Touch-a-Fire-Truck and more. The event is designed to be fun for the whole family.
Registration is $20 and includes a T-shirt and sunglasses. To register, visit www.forourcommunitytoday.org.
For more information, call (716) 710-9966 or email forourcommunitytoday@gmail.com.
Join us for the 2026-27 budget hearing:
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 6:30 p.m. in the Depew High School Cafeteria.
This hearing is a chance to learn what’s being proposed for next year, understand how funding decisions impact students and staff, and share your thoughts before the budget vote.
Depew and Alden Middle School Bands Unite, Last Call to Order a DMS Yearbook, Tech Club Scores with Cornhole Creations and More!
Read our monthly DMS newsletter for April: www.depewschools.org/o/dms/page/dms-monthly-newsletters
Are you unsure how to start a conversation about vaping with your child? This session helps parents identify warning signs and understand the physical risks associated with vaping.
Topics will include:
Identifying vaping devices and related paraphernalia
Understanding the short- and long-term health risks
Learning effective ways to talk with children about vaping
Clearing the Air: Vaping Awareness will take place on Thursday, May 14, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Lancaster Youth Bureau (200 Oxford Avenue).
The evening will feature guest speaker Ashley Gedra, Face2Face Program Coordinator with Kids Escaping Drugs, who will share expert insight and resources for families.
This event is free and open to all. No registration is required.
For more information, families may contact Erin Bascug, Family Support Coordinator at Depew UFSD, at 716-686-5046 or ebascug@depewschools.org
Get ready for a community favorite! Depew High School will host a Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ on Tuesday, May 19 from 3–6 p.m. (or until sold out) in the Depew HS front parking lot.
Dinners include a ½ BBQ chicken, potato salad, macaroni salad and a roll with butter. Pre-sale tickets are available for $15, while day-of purchases will be $17.
Pre-orders are highly recommended and must be submitted by Tuesday, May 12. Order forms can be returned to your child’s homeroom teacher or main office with payment made payable to the DHS Class of 2029.
You can also order online here: https://omella.com/ybp96
Tickets will be sent home by Friday, May 15.
Come out, enjoy a great meal, and support the DHS Classes of 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Depew UFSD is now hiring school bus drivers and looking for dedicated individuals who want to make a difference in their community.
This opportunity offers a starting pay of $26.28, 13 paid holidays, summers off and a fun, supportive work environment. Flexible scheduling options are available, allowing you to work mornings, afternoons or both, making this a great fit for parents, grandparents and retirees.
No experience is required. Paid training is provided to help you get started.
Interested applicants can learn more and apply by visiting: www.depewschools.org/page/transportation
Click the new hiring video below to learn more!
https://youtu.be/atBOzTrHRq8?si=VlrtX4ZgbQQ7gzvJ
To keep improving our schools in academics, climate, culture and safety, we depend on feedback from parents, students and staff in our Spring Climate Survey. Your input helps guide decisions across the district.
Survey links for each building are listed below. If you have children in multiple schools, you may complete more than one survey or choose the survey for the building your oldest child attends.
Parents/Guardians of Cayuga Heights children-CHE survey link
Parents/Guardians of Depew MS children-DMS survey link
Parents/Guardians of Depew HS children-DHS survey link
You have until April 20 to complete the survey.
Many families in our community may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps households buy healthy food each month. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, it’s quick and easy to check.
You can use the myBenefits website to see if your family meets the income guidelines and to learn more about how to apply.
The link to myBenefits is available on our Food Services webpage under "SNAP."
Or you can access the site here: myBenefits link.
Families in our Depew community are invited to attend an important informational session focused on the impact of social media on today’s youth.
Join us for a deep dive into current social media trends and how they influence youth drug use. This session provides parents and guardians with practical strategies to keep children safe in a digital world.
The Dark Side of Social Media will take place on Wednesday, April 29, from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the auditorium at Cayuga Heights Elementary School (1780 Como Park Blvd).
Topics will include:
Identifying hidden risks such as “ghost apps” and exposure to the Dark Web
Understanding emerging digital trends, including cryptocurrency and livestreaming
Recognizing how online behaviors and trends can contribute to substance use and prevention strategies
ECMEA Junior High Music Festival, W.E.B. Wednesday, "The Addams Family" Performance and more!
Read our monthly DMS newsletter for March: www.depewschools.org/o/dms/page/dms-monthly-newsletters
Important Reminder for Families - On Thursday, April 2nd there is a half day dismissal for all students. Thank you for planning accordingly, and we wish our families a wonderful spring recess.
Join us this Saturday, March 28th from 10 AM to 3 PM at Depew High School as the High School Music Department sponsors our Spring Craft Show! With over 120 vendors, delicious food, and plenty of unique finds, it’s a great way to shake off the winter and welcome the season. Admission is just $2—sunshine not guaranteed, but a good time definitely is! We hope to see you there!
UPDATE- Wellcats Summer Day Camp registration is NOW CLOSED.
To be added to the waitlist, click here: Wellcats Summer Day Camp Waitlist
Wellcats Summer Day Camp is NOW OPEN to all current Cayuga students entering grades 1-5 in September 2026.
Click here to register your child: Wellcats Summer Camp 2026
Please note that once we reach our capacity of 120 students, the registration link will automatically close.
If you are signing up two children, each child must be registered separately.
If previous years are any indication, spots will fill very quickly. If you are unable to register your child, a waitlist will be created and shared.
Wellcats Summer Day Camp will be held July 6-31, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Depew Middle School.
Offerings at the camp include sports, cooperative games, STEAM, arts and crafts, and literacy. New for this year, students in grades 3-5 will have swim time.
Any questions, contact Stacy Ribbeck, Wellcats Summer Day Camp Director, at sribbeck@depewschools.org.
The District's digital winter newsletter is out now!
Take a look to see what's been happening across our schools, and what's coming up in the next few months.
Find the latest edition on our newsletter webpage here: Depew UFSD Newsletters