Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent

Volume 2, Issue 41 (June 24, 2022)

Video Update: https://youtu.be/dz0ercgu1cw

END-OF-YEAR MESSAGE

As the 2021-22 school year comes to an end, I am proud to reflect on all of our success as a community. We have so much to celebrate. Like school districts across the country, we faced many unforeseen challenges this year. Our flexibility, innovation, and perseverance enabled us to emerge stronger than ever as a community.

We were thrilled to once again offer a wide range of opportunities such as concerts, art shows, family events, exhibitions, field trips, plays/musicals, sports, after-school clubs, and competitions. All of these activities enabled students to showcase their talents, further their growth, expand their learning, and forge new connections. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our students, families, and staff. It is all of you that make Ken-Ton such a great place to live, learn, and grow. Our families and staff have done a truly amazing job guiding students on their educational journey this year. Our students are also to be commended for their hard work and commitment to their learning.

We have so much to be excited about in the coming year. Our Strategic Plan, the Ken-Ton Forward, will keep us focused on continuous growth and improvement. Our ongoing capital project will result in significant upgrades to buildings, facilities, and the learning environment. Numerous initiatives are making our schools safer and more secure than ever before. Our academic, music, art, physical education, and enrichment programs remain some of the strongest in the region.

There will be a great deal of activity across the district this summer. Construction projects will be in full swing and staff and administrators will be hard at work gearing up for the start of school on September 6th. Students engaged in our summer programming will have the opportunity to continue their learning and growth. For everyone, it is a time to enjoy rewarding experiences and recharge for the coming year.

I would like to share my sincere gratitude to everyone in our community for your efforts this year and I wish everyone a safe and happy summer!

FREE NEW SUMMER PROGRAM

The Ken-Ton School District is extremely excited to launch a free new program for elementary and middle school students to stay active, learn new skills, keep connected with friends, and have fun this summer. The free Summer Sports Skills Program is open to all students who attended kindergarten through 7th grade during the 2021-22 school year. The two-hour program will take place Monday through Thursday from July 11th to August 4th at the Franklin Complex. The session for middle school students will take place from 12 to 2 p.m. and the session for elementary school students will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Space is limited so register now! Access the registration form at www.ktufsd.org/SummerSkills

KENMORE EAST & KENMORE WEST GRADUATION: JUNE 25-26

This weekend, we will finally cap off another school year with our Kenmore East and Kenmore West graduation ceremonies. The Kenmore East graduation will be held Saturday, June 25th at 6 p.m. and the Kenmore West graduation will be held Sunday, June 26th at 2 p.m. These ceremonies will be returning to Kleinhans this year and we are very excited to celebrate our graduating seniors at both schools!

BIG PICTURE GRADUATES

On Friday, June 17th, we were extremely proud to recognize the Big Picture Program Class of 2022. It was a very special evening as faculty, staff, administrators, and families gathered together for a graduation ceremony in the Kenmore Middle School Building auditorium to honor these outstanding students for their achievements. Presiding over the ceremony were Big Picture Program Principal Kevin Kruger and 401 Advisor Karen Monaco. Congratulations graduates!

HOOVER ELEMENTARY: This summer, Hoover Elementary School fourth-grader Leo Burt will join other outstanding elementary school students from across the state to take part in a unique academic and career-oriented development experience, the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) Pathways to STEM, which will take place in New York City. Leo was nominated to attend the forum by his Gifted/Talented (GT) teacher Sarah Malczewski and Assistant Principal Danielle Frye. In this program, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel in the classroom while gaining exposure to STEM fields and concepts. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges, and with new people, which are essential skills for success given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation. Leo is very active in and out of school. He participates in the Hoover Hoots and Safety Patrol. He is also a first-degree Level 3 Black Belt in taekwondo. Congratulations Leo!

HIGH SCHOOLS: On June 1st, the Kenmore East and Kenmore West French Clubs had their final event at Webster's Bistro in North Tonawanda. Students enjoyed a three-course French meal on the terrace with their French teachers/Club Advisors Mme Kowal (Kenmore West) and Mme Sauret (Kenmore East). Throughout the school year, students participated in many different cultural activities including a Halloween scavenger hunt, a visit to a coffee shop, a holiday celebration with a bûche de Noël, a food competition, a St. Nicolas craft, beret making, a Mardi Gras celebration, a Poisson d'avril event, crêpe making, and a fondue party.

ALL SCHOOLS: Reading helps us understand our world, builds curiosity and empathy, increases levels of relaxation, and can lead to greater academic success. The Ken-Ton School District Librarians hope this guide to summer reading helps everyone find a great summer read! Access it here: https://www.smore.com/1kuf7

RECOGNITION: DR. THOMAS REIGSTAD

Today we recognize Dr. Thomas Reigstad, who has served on the Board of Education for six years and has been the Board Vice President since July. He is leaving the Board at the end of this month and we are grateful for his service to the students, families, and staff of our community.

Dr. Reigstad was first elected to the Board of Education in 2016. He is a U.S. Army veteran and an Emeritus Professor of English at Buffalo State College with a distinguished 50-year teaching career. He has served on numerous statewide committees including the NYS ELA Standards Review Committee, NYS Regents Exam in ELA Rangefinding Committee, NYS ELA Teacher Certification Exam Content Advisory Committee, NYS English Council Executive Committee, and the NYS School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Committee. In 2021, Dr. Reigstad earned the NYSSBA Board Achievement Award which recognizes school board members who strive to continuously expand their governance knowledge and skills. At the June 14th Board meeting, County Legislator Lisa Chimera presented Dr. Reigstad with a Legislative Proclamation recognizing him for his service.

Dr. Reigstad is also a Mark Twain scholar, having published numerous articles as well as the book "Scribblin' for a Livin' - Mark Twain's Pivotal Period in Buffalo." Dr. Reigstad's work has been instrumental in broadening understanding of the famous author and how important his time in Buffalo was in his literary development.

Dr. Reigstad’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding the district over the past six years. Please join me in recognizing Dr. Reigstad for his service to our district and wishing him well in all of his future endeavors.

During the summer, the Ken-Ton Weekly Connection will not be published on a weekly basis. Summer editions will be published as needed to keep our community informed of important updates and developments. Have a great summer!