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. 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.
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
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
As Ramadan approaches, Depew Union Free School District is committed to supporting students and families who observe this important time. We are sharing details about a special meal option available to eligible students, made possible through state and federal approval.
Click below to read the full message from our Food Service Department and learn how families can take advantage of this option during Ramadan.
Depew High School will host Roots & Rhythms: DHS International Fest on Thursday, February 26 from 6–8 p.m. This free, family-friendly event invites students, families, and community members to experience cultures from around the world in one night.
The evening will feature traditional music and performances, global foods and tastings, interactive games and activities and opportunities to celebrate heritage and community.
Admission is free, and all ages are welcome!
Support Depew Music With a One-Day Mattress Fundraiser!
On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Depew Music Department will host a one-day Mattress Fundraiser in our school gym. It’s an easy way to shop locally, find great deals and support our music program at the same time.
Dear Wildcat Families & Community Members,
We value the perspectives of our community and invite you to share your thoughts about how our schools are helping students learn, grow, and prepare for the future. Your input helps us understand what is working well, where we can improve, and how we can strengthen partnerships that support every student’s success.
This anonymous, short survey includes a few open-ended questions about the desired qualities of our graduates, the learning environment, safety, and how our schools connect with families and the broader community (SURVEY LINKED HERE). Your feedback will help shape our goals and priorities for the coming years.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts.
Go Wildcats!
Katie Smith, Superintendent
UPK & Kindergarten Registration Info:
Cayuga Heights Elementary School will be registering students for Kindergarten and Universal Pre-K for the 2026–2027 school year in the coming months.
Registration dates, eligibility requirements and required documents are now available.
Visit our website for full details and important deadlines HERE.
Free Swim Lessons for Depew Students through YMCA!
Depew School District students ages 5–12 can build confidence in and out of the water through free YMCA swim lessons, offered in partnership with the CDC Foundation. Lessons are taught by nationally certified YMCA swim instructors and focus on water safety, skill-building, and confidence.
Families can register online using the promo code CDC-DSD-2. A free YMCA program member account is required to enroll.
Learn more and register using the QR code or at: www.ymcabn.org/programs/swimming/swim-lessons
The PTSO is once again running the Holiday Gift Card Sale. Save yourself some time by purchasing gift cards from a variety of stores and restaurants.
A percentage of each gift card purchased goes towards funding student field trips and student expenses.
Simply print the form linked below, fill in what you would like to order, place in an envelope with cash or a check, and return to the DHS main office in a sealed envelope marked "PTSO Gift Card Sale".
The deadline for ordering gift cards is Monday, November 24th.
Gift cards will be delivered to you before Christmas break.
Click here for the PTSO Gift Card Order Form
FeedMore WNY now has a food pantry locator on their website.
If you or someone you know needs assistance with food, visit their website to find the food pantry closest to you: Food Pantry Locator
We're excited to announce our brand-new Family Support Center webpage!
There you can set up an appointment with the FSC, find resources for mental health or food assistance, and see what's happening in the community.
You can find it on the drop down menu of each website or right here: Family Support Center
Designed to gather feedback on school culture, communication, and student support, the survey offers families a chance to voice their experiences and help shape the future of their children's education.
You have until end of day on Friday, October 10.
Please click on the link for your child's school to begin the survey:
Cayuga Heights Elementary Parent Survey: https://survey.linkit.com?p36w6x
Depew Middle School Parent Survey: https://survey.linkit.com?x2gs85
Depew High School Parent Survey: https://survey.linkit.com?16qosu
Mums can be ordered online here: https://bit.ly/465g6k6
Or with the order form linked here: https://5il.co/3oqay. That form can be dropped off at in boxes at the main office of each building.
Pick up is at the high school on September 26, 4 p.m.-7 p.m.
To see the results and parent letters from each school, visit our facilities webpage and click on Lead Testing 2025: https://www.depewschools.org/page/facilities