Five Things You Might Not Know About the Grand Island Central School District

The Grand Island Central School District is full of stories that often happen quietly — before the first bell rings, behind classroom doors, and through the dedication of students and staff alike. Here are five things you might not know about what makes our district so special.

1. Our High School Is a Global Community

Grand Island Senior High School reflects a truly diverse student body. Students across the high school speak 28 different languages, bringing cultural richness, global perspectives, and shared learning into classrooms every day.

2. Middle School Students Run the Morning Announcements

At Veronica E. Connor Middle School, students take the lead on daily communication. Since May 2025, students have produced virtual morning announcements, a practice that continues this school year.

Students from all grade levels can participate by auditioning with a short video, reading from a template script. Selected students are grouped by grade into teams of three to four and record announcements one week at a time. In total, 30 students rotate on the announcements roster, gaining confidence, teamwork, and real-world presentation skills.

3. Huth Road Elementary Just Turned 67

Huth Road Elementary proudly celebrated its 67th year with a school-wide theme centered around “6/7.”

Teachers and staff wore special “6/7” shirts and incorporated creative lessons using the number throughout the day, turning an anniversary into a memorable learning experience and celebration of school pride.

4. Kaegebein Elementary Is Built on Experience and Legacy

Kaegebein Elementary’s strength lies in both its people and its history.

• Kaegebein’s certified staff bring an incredible 795 years of combined classroom experience — a figure that does not include the district’s outstanding School-Related Professionals (SRPs), whose daily impact is invaluable.

• The school’s namesake, William Kaegebein, served on the Grand Island School Board for an extraordinary 41 years, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership and commitment to education on Grand Island.

5. Sidway Has Its Own Mascot

Sidway Elementary has a mascot all its own — “Sid the Kid.” Designed especially for the district’s youngest learners, the mascot helps foster school pride, excitement, and a sense of belonging from the very start of a child’s educational journey.

Together, that experience and history continue to shape a school grounded in excellence, dedication, and community pride.

Bonus: The Transportation Team That Starts Every School Day

While they may work behind the scenes, Grand Island’s Transportation Department deserves special recognition.

Long before sunrise, drivers arrive as early as 5:30 a.m. to pre-trip, prepare, and clean their buses — even in heavy lake-effect snow. By 6:30 a.m., all drivers are rolling out across 46 bus routes, navigating town, county, and state roads with care and precision.

Safety and dedication define the department:

• Daily bus safety reminders are shared with students

• Drivers fuel and sweep buses daily

• The department maintains a 99.4% DOT inspection rating, thanks to proactive mechanics

• Many drivers go above and beyond, including handmaking gifts for students each year

Our drivers aren’t doing this job for the income — they’re doing it for the outcome.

A District Built on Care, Leadership, and Community

From student leadership opportunities to decades of experience and behind-the-scenes dedication, the Grand Island Central School District is powered by people who care deeply about kids. These facts highlight just a few of the ways our schools go above and beyond — every single day.