Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
Volume 2, Issue 23 (February 4, 2022)
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35th Jerry Starr Ken-Ton Schools’ SleepOut
Later today, I will be joined by teachers, staff, students and community members for the 35th Annual Jerry Starr Ken-Ton Schools’ SleepOut. This event, organized by a group of retired teachers named Educators Totally Committed (E.T.C.), is a way to raise awareness about the importance of helping people in need in the community. All monetary donations support two extremely important organizations that help families right here in Ken-Ton: the Family Support Center and the Ken-Ton Closet.
The event will take place at the Hoover Complex (Sheridan Drive entrance) beginning at 8 p.m. Here is how you can support this year’s event:
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Donate online via GoFundMe
- Cash/checks made payable to “Ken-Ton Schools – E.T.C." sent via U.S. Mail to Ken-Ton Schools’ SleepOut, c/o Kenmore West High School, 33 Highland Pkwy., Buffalo, NY 14223
- Dropped off in person the day of the SleepOut (monetary donations, food, personal care items, new/gently used clothing and small furniture items will be accepted)
- Staff can also donate in the following ways:
- Interoffice delivery to the address listed above
- Given to a KTA SleepOut building representative, which you can identify here.
Earlier this week, we mourned the loss of Michael Kollmar, who retired in June after 35 years with the district. Mike always played a very big role in the SleepOut and has participated in the event every year since it was founded more than three decades ago as he was just beginning his career in Ken-Ton. From transporting and setting up boxes to maintaining the fire, Mike did whatever it took to make the event a success each year. He was involved in helping people in need in the community in other ways as well. For example, he helped coordinate an annual Christmas tree giveaway for families in need at the former Philip Sheridan Building, an annual tradition that has continued for 30 years.
In so many ways, Mike embodied what is at the core of the annual SleepOut: helping others. For Mike, this wasn’t limited to his involvement in events like the Christmas Tree giveaway and the SleepOut. It was part of his everyday work. For many years, Mike served as Head Custodian first at the Philip Sheridan Building and then at Kenmore Middle School. Wherever he worked, Mike was known for always being ready to lend a helping hand for students, staff and visitors at his building.
That is what the annual SleepOut is all about. It’s not just about collecting donations to help families in need, it’s also a reminder of how we need to embody that spirit of helping in our everyday lives, just like Mike always did.
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Each week, we will highlight some of the exciting things taking place in our schools. Be sure to follow the Ken-Ton School District on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@ktufsd) for more school highlights! |
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High Schools: Students from Kenmore East and Kenmore West will take part in “A Night of Jazz” hosted by Banchetti by Rizzo's tomorrow (Saturday, February 5th) at 550 N. French Road, Amherst. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. The event will feature performances by several local high school ensembles including the Kenmore West Sax Ensemble, the Kenmore East Bulldog Big Band, the Kenmore East Swingin' Pups, Mount St. Mary Academy, St. Joe's Collegiate Institute, and Sweet Home High School with special guests the Northtown Music Big Band under the direction of Ben Boyar. Admission is $10 per person at the door and food and beverages will be available for purchase.
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Kenmore West High School: Congratulations to the 15 students from Kenmore West High School who participated in the 2022 ESU Local Shakespeare Competition. This is a challenging competition and their hard work and talent were evident throughout. In previous years, the winner of the local competition would move on to regional then national level in New York City, which has featured students from Kenmore West in the past. Due to the pandemic, the regional and national competitions were cancelled. Winning first place was Emma Kresge, second place was Nora Kiel, and third place was Ezra Wright. Ava Wils received an Honorable Mention. Other participants included Sam Bernhard, Gigi Blumberg, Ireland Crean, Angel Gonzalez, Mand Mahmood, Hannah Kaderabeck, Hanna Krukowski, Julia Pupora, Jackie Roncone, Sophia Tarentelli, and Owen Wagner.
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Franklin Middle School: A total of 40 Franklin Middle students did an outstanding job as part of the cast and crew of the recent school musical, "Aladdin Jr." Performances took place during the day January 26th and January 27th for students followed by three public performances January 27th-29th. It was directed by music teacher Kristen Hill with Amanda Regan as assistant director and Ciaran Krueger instructing the crew.
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Kenmore East High School: Last Friday, 10 students from the Kenmore East High School Wilderness Club under the coordination of advisor Alex Sowyrda braved the -10 degree cold to go on an “owl prowl” with Buffalo Audubon Society naturalist Tom Kerr. They were looking for screech owls at the BAS North Tonawanda Wetlands Preserve. The group heard three different owls and had three different sightings. Mr. Kerr brought a spotting scope with a camera attachment and was able to take the accompanying photograph. Mr. Kerr’s passion for, and knowledge of, screech owls in particular made for a fascinating and educational experience.
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RECOGNITION: SCHOOL COUNSELORS |
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National School Counseling Week will be observed throughout the country next week (February 7th-11th). Today we recognize our outstanding school counselors who have a tremendous impact on students everyday, helping them achieve academic and social-emotional success in school.
At all grade levels, school counselors play an extremely important role through their daily interactions with students. They help them form healthy goals, mindsets and behaviors. Students learn to develop effective collaboration and cooperation skills, practice perseverance, develop time management and study skills, and learn self-motivation and self-direction habits through their work with counselors.
All of our school counselors do an outstanding job guiding students and putting them on a path toward future success. Please join me in thanking our school counselors for everything they do, every day, for our students.
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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH |
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In celebration of Black History Month, we will again feature important African-American topics throughout the month of February. This year, we will be focusing on local individuals and institutions that have played an important role in history. Our focus today is the Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo, the oldest continuously operating African American musicians' organization in the United States which continues to play an extremely important role in Buffalo culture and history.
The club dates back to the early 20th Century. At the time, the only union representing musicians in Buffalo was Local 43 of the American Federation of Musicians, which refused to include African Americans. In 1917, a close-knit group of African-American musicians in the city decided to form their own union, Local 533. They found their permanent home at 145 Broadway in 1934 and became officially incorporated the following year. The downstairs of their iconic building was used for club meetings and business while the upstairs was used for practice, rehearsals and performances. Some of the greatest names in jazz such as Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and Miles Davis could be found at the club at one time or another.
Like many of the nation’s previously segregated music unions, Local 43 and Local 533 eventually merged in the 1960s. The Colored Musicians Club was able to preserve its identity and building and continues to operate to this day. The building, home to Buffalo’s Jazz Museum, was granted historic landmark status in 1979 and was designated a historic preservation site in 1999. The organization continues to play a critical role in Buffalo's thriving jazz and music scene, facilitating historical research and promoting jazz and music in Buffalo.
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Thank you for reviewing this information. As always, we remain Ken-Ton Proud, Ken-Ton Strong, and Ken-Ton Moving Forward!
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