Students from Depew Union Free School District told the Board of Education on Oct. 21 about recent school activities and a summer trip to France, and the board formally recognized a UPK teacher for on-scene assistance at a vehicle crash.

"Students have really settled into a routine," middle school eighth-grader Margarita Valentin Morales told the board during the middle school update, listing recent events including Web Wednesdays, an Old Fort Niagara field trip and Spirit Week activities. High school senior Andre May described homecoming-related events, a bonfire and a pre-PSAT administration for juniors. Fourth-grader Wesley King outlined elementary spirit-week themes and upcoming Veterans Day programs.

Superintendent Katie Smith opened her remarks by thanking board members for School Board Recognition Month and highlighted the district’s family support center, saying the center’s goal is "to enhance student success by engaging families more readily, increasing mental health awareness, and linking kids and families to community resources." She also thanked staff and community partners for recent events and student participation.

The board presented a recognition to Hannah Polisco, a UPK teacher, after trustees described her actions on Oct. 8 when she stopped at the scene of a high-speed crash. The board said Polisco "maintained her composure, successfully reassuring the injured individual while also contacting 911," stayed until emergency personnel arrived and spoke with the victim before leaving. Polisco told the board that the timing of events—her parent meeting running late—meant she arrived when she did: "I had a parent meeting run late that day and I left work later than I do. So it happened for a reason." The board presented a recognition report to her.

Students and teachers also returned to the board to present highlights from a summer trip to France. Chaperoned groups described visits to Paris, the Palace of Versailles, Nice and Monaco, with students noting visits to the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and local cultural sites. One student said the trip included a visit to a truffle farm and a medieval town festival that occurs only "once every 30 years," which the students said coincided with their visit.

Jan Turco and Tarshaney (last name not specified in the transcript) accompanied students and thanked the board for its prior support that enabled the trip. Students expressed gratitude to chaperones and the board for the opportunity to travel.

Superintendent Smith also thanked staff involved in the student presentations and noted logistical supports such as food-service contributions and engraved notebooks for board members.