Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
Update on Governor's Announcement

Earlier today, Gov. Cuomo announced that all school districts in New York State will be eligible to reopen in September. He did not specify whether school districts must operate in one of the three scenarios we have been planning for: fully in-person, fully remote/online, or a hybrid. For many school districts, it will be impossible to implement a fully in-person model because they cannot meet the state's social distancing requirements at full attendance.

Gov. Cuomo also announced new requirements for school districts. These are: A) Post plans for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing by the end of next week; B) Post our plan for virtual learning by the end of next week; C) Hold virtual meetings for our community within the next two weeks:

  • A: We will be meeting with other school district representatives and Erie County of Health officials next week, and will have updates posted by Friday, Aug. 14.
  • B: We will be posting our plan for virtual learning which would take place in a fully remote/online scenario, in which the entire district is engaged in virtual learning, by Friday, Aug. 14.
  • C: These virtual meetings will take place for parents on Monday, August 17 from 5 to 6 p.m.; Wednesday, August 19 from 5 to 6 p.m.; and Thursday, August 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. Details will be communicated early next week. An additional virtual meeting will be scheduled for staff as well.

As is the case in all school districts, planning for the 2020-21 school year is moving forward very rapidly. Staff are working hard to plan for all eventualities while meeting the requirements set at the state level. Our plans will continue to be refined and modified as additional guidance and feedback is received and options are explored. Our intention is to provide the best educational programs possible while ensuring the safety of our students, staff, and families.

Scheduling Options in a Hybrid Scenario

The hybrid option has been a central focus of our planning. Because of the requirements established for in-person attendance, it is likely that many school districts would only be able to meet these requirements while operating with reduced attendance, which would necessitate a hybrid model. In a hybrid model, students would be split into two different groups, with each group attending school on a different day to maximize social distancing, minimize opportunities for transmission, and further safeguard against coronavirus.

There are many different scheduling options that could be implemented in a hybrid model. One option we explored was an every-other-day rotation. This had some distinct advantages. For instance, it would align with the BOCES schedule and maximize in-person attendance. Although some families do prefer this option over other alternatives, feedback from our parents and guardians indicated that, for the majority of families, the challenges from a childcare perspective outweigh the benefits.

For this reason, we are now planning for a weekly two-day rotation, in which half of students would attend school on Monday and Tuesday, and the other half of students would attend school on Thursday and Friday. When students are not in school, they would be engaged in either synchronous (i.e. simultaneous) or asynchronous online/remote instruction. Certain special needs groups would attend each day in-person schooling is offered.
Fully Online/Remote Option

We know there is significant interest for parents and guardians to choose a fully remote/online option for their child, and are working toward creating a Virtual Learning Academy that parents may commit to. Our staff are working extremely hard to confirm that such an option would be viable across all grade levels and content areas. They are working hard to work through the logistics and challenges of operating such a program simultaneous to in-person learning, including staffing, scheduling, and curriculum.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 10 and ending Friday, August 14, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to commit to a Virtual Learning Academy for the first 20 weeks of the 2020-21 school year. A major factor in determining whether a virtual option is viable is knowing how many parents/guardians are willing to commit to it. At this time, it is a priority for the district to offer this opportunity to our families if at all possible, and we will keep our parents and guardians informed and updated on the progress of this initiative. This is why we need people to commit to it in an effort to design it.
Transportation Opt-Out Option
Transportation has been a central area of our planning. In an effort to reduce density on our school buses, we are providing all parents/guardians of students who are eligible for district-provided transportation the option to commit to declining bus transportation. This would be a voluntary decision, initially for a 20-week period, for students attending either public or non-public schools. Parents/guardians can choose this option by completing an electronic form by Sunday, August 16. You can find the form at www.ktufsd.org/transportation.
August 4 Board of Education Meeting

The Board of Education convened for its regular monthly meeting on August 4. As always, a video recording of the meeting is available on our website at www.ktufsd.org/BOElive. This was the second Board of Education meeting held in the Kenmore Middle School Building Community Room since the beginning of the pandemic. We look forward to being able to welcome the public back to attending the meetings in person. Our next meeting will take place Sept. 8.
Back-to-School Information

As soon as specifics are known with certainty, you will receive back-to-school information from the district or your child’s school. This information will be communicated in a variety of ways including text, email, robocalls, social media, our website, and U.S. mail. In the meantime, parents can find the most up-to-date information on the reopening section of the website at www.ktufsd.org/reopening. A comprehensive FAQ will be continuously updated and expanded, and there is a way to submit questions which can be answered and added to the FAQ or addressed individually.

Thank you for taking the time to review this information. We remain Ken-Ton Proud, Ken-Ton Strong, and Ken-Ton moving forward!
Sabatino Cimato,
Superintendent of Schools