Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
January 15, 2021
We are now in the winter sports season, and New York State has authorized low- and moderate-risk winter sports to proceed. For Ken-Ton, this is Bowling, Swimming and Diving, and Rifle. Two sports, Boys and Girls Bowling and Boys Swimming and Diving, will begin next week. Rifle is temporarily on pause while work is underway to ensure adequate air circulation in the practice/competition facility. All three of these sports are combined Kenmore East and Kenmore West teams.

Just like the fall season, strict return-to-play protocols and safety measures will be followed. Our athletes did a phenomenal job adhering to these guidelines and making Ken-Ton a model in the fall, and I expect the same from our winter athletes.

Testing Update:

This past week, we tested a total of 344 students and staff with a total of 2 positive test results (0.58%). Because we publish the Connection on Friday, these results represent a one-week period from Friday to Thursday. This is because we publish the Connection on Friday and the day’s numbers may not be reported and verified in time for publication.

The following is a summary of total tests and the positive results from these tests at each individual school over the past seven days:

  • Edison ES: 27 students, 6 staff (0 positives)
  • Franklin ES: 22 students, 7 staff (0 positives)
  • Holmes ES: 17 students, 5 staff (0 positives)
  • Hoover ES: 29 students, 3 staff (0 positives)
  • Lindbergh ES: 24 students, 5 staff (0 positives)
  • Franklin MS: 22 students, 8 staff (0 positives)
  • Hoover MS: 28 students, 8 staff (1 positive)
  • Kenmore East HS: 47 students, 13 staff (1 positive)
  • Kenmore West HS: 52 students, 15 staff (0 positives)
  • Big Picture Program: 4 students, 1 staff (0 positives)
  • Total: 272 students, 72 staff (2 positives)
Over the next four weeks, our elementary schools will continue to test students on Wednesdays with their parents or guardians present. The schedule and sign-up forms were sent to families earlier this week. I encourage all of our Gr. K-4 families to consider signing up if you have not already done so. We need to continue to test 20% of students and staff each month, so we need your partnership to keep our schools open for in-person instruction. Together we will persevere.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS & DEEPENING UNDERSTANDING
Over the past 6 months, our singular focus has been COVID-19 and reopening. I’d like to begin sharing information on how Ken-Ton is performing as a school district, and our progress in achieving all of our goals.

The NYS Education Department released the 2016 cohort (Class of 2020) graduation data yesterday, so today I will focus on graduation. Here in Ken-Ton, our graduation rate is 88% and has remained consistent between 85-90% over the past several years. This is above the NYS average (which ranges between 80-85%).

The graduation rate is an important measure by which NYS holds districts accountable. The entire K-12 educational model is designed to guide students to graduation. For students, walking across that stage with their classmates is the crowning achievement of their K-12 career, yet it is also the genesis of the next stage in their lives. The importance of earning a high school diploma cannot be overstated. The following data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the median income based on education level, as of 2019:

  • No High School Diploma: $30,784 per year (Over 30 years: $923,520)
  • High School Diploma Only: $38,792 per year (Over 30 years: $1,163,760)
  • Some College: $43,316 per year (Over 30 years: $1,299,480)
  • Associate's Degree: $46,124 per year (Over 30 years: $1,383,720)
  • Bachelor's Degree: $64,896 per year (Over 30 years: $1,946,880)

As an educational community, guiding students to graduation is our paramount responsibility. This monumental task begins at the start of a student’s K-12 educational journey and it involves our entire community and staff. We all have a vital role to play.

It is important to have a fundamental understanding of what the graduation rate represents and graduation requirements. There are two components of the NYS graduation requirements: achieving 22 high school credits (a credit is equivalent to a passing average in a 10-month course), and a 65% or better on five Regents Exams - one in ELA, Math, and Science, and two in Social Studies. A student who meets these requirements will earn his or her diploma.

The graduation rate is not only a measure of how many seniors at a school earned their diploma. Instead, the graduation rate is based on cohort, which is a group of students who entered ninth grade at the same time. It is the percentage of students in that cohort who earned their diploma on time within four years. For example, if 100 students enter ninth grade together at a school, there would be 100 students in the cohort. As students drop out along the way or move and are unable to be located or accounted for, these negatively impact the graduation rate. If there were five students in this category, the highest the graduation rate could be is 95%. Additionally, students who enter that cohort in our schools within the 4 years are also counted toward that cohort.

We should celebrate the fact that our graduation rate is consistently above the NYS average and strive to keep it increasing each year, as this is not an easy accomplishment. We are extremely well-positioned to make significant gains in the years to come, and that will be our goal. Keep up the great work Ken-Ton staff!
RECOGNITION: CENTRAL OFFICE
This week, I would like to recognize the efforts of our Central Office staff. These staff play a pivotal role in supporting the work taking place everyday in our schools and classrooms. Central Office encompasses:

  • Office of Instruction: Guides and coordinates instructional activities in all content areas/grade levels and provides leadership and support for school leaders and staff
  • Special Programs & Student Services: Oversees special programs and ensures that the unique needs of each individual student is met
  • Central Registration & Data: Registers new students/families and provides access to vital data for all areas of school and district operations
  • Finance Department: Ensures all staff have the tools they need to serve our students while meeting our fiduciary responsibility to the community
  • Human Resources Department: Hires and fosters a world-class staff positioned to create an environment where students can thrive
  • Superintendent’s Office & Clerical Support: Provides leadership and coordination across the system

The role of our Central Office staff is to do whatever it takes to support our schools and classroom teachers. They have also done an exceptional job since the beginning of the pandemic. To all of our Central Office staff, thank you for all that you do.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
As you know, Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On this day, leading up to February which is Black History Month, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King and his work to achieve peace and equality for all. We also celebrate all those striving to achieve his dream of a world where people will be judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.

I ask our entire school district community to reflect on the purpose and meaning of this day. There is still work to be done to make this dream a reality and we must always promote and inspire equality through our attitudes, values, and actions. Every facet of the community has a role to play in guiding the generations to come.

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend ahead. As always, we remain Ken-Ton Proud, Ken-Ton Strong, and Ken-Ton Moving Forward. Go Bills!

For previous editions of the Ken-Ton Weekly Connection, visit www.ktufsd.org/connection