Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent

Volume 2, Issue 31 (April 8, 2022)

Video Update: https://youtu.be/DfjwGHMc5uk

FINISH STRONGLY

Today marks the end of the third marking period for middle and high schools with only one-fourth of the school year left to go. Everyone deserves the break that next week will bring and I hope everyone has the chance to relax, rest and recharge. When we return, it’s important for students to hit the ground running. Please have conversations with your children about staying focused on their studies, assignments and behavior in school and completing all of their work.

With the school year winding down, we can see the finish line. Like a runner at the end of a race, our students must dig deep if they are to finish strongly. It is up to them to do the work and it is up to all of us to encourage and support them in meeting their full potential.

As a reminder, spring recess takes place next week (April 11th-15th) followed by the April 18th Superintendent Conference Day, so there will be no student attendance on any of these days. There will be no Connection next week as well. We look forward to seeing all of our students back in school on Tuesday, April 19th. I hope all of our students, staff and families enjoy a safe, enjoyable spring recess.

BREAKFAST WITH THE BOARD

On Saturday, April 30th, our Board of Education will host its second community forum, entitled “Breakfast with the Board.” The event will begin at 9 a.m. in the Kenmore Middle School Building, 155 Delaware Road, in the Community Room. All members of the Ken-Ton School District community are welcome and invited to attend. Guests are encouraged to come early so as to not miss part of the discussion.

The forum is designed to provide parents, residents, staff, and any other members of the school district community a chance to ask questions or discuss topics of their choosing while also enjoying a delicious breakfast provided by our Ken-Ton School District Food Service Department. Guests will also be able to get to know Board of Education members and district administrators.

Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information about this event!

EDISON ELEMENTARY: Inspired by the Biblioburro (“Donkey Library”), a traveling library that distributes books to children and families on the backs of two donkeys in an economically depressed region of Colombia, the entire Edison Elementary community has set out to raise money to support the Biblioburro Foundation. Edison students, staff and families have a long history of coming together for global initiatives that are meant to make the world a better place, and this year they decided to support the work of Luis Soriano Bohorquez. He lives in a rural, economically-depressed part of Colombia that has been scarred by warfare. Since schools, librarians, and books are in short supply in this region, Luis decided 25 years ago that he would dedicate his life to traveling to rural communities and bringing books and instructional materials to students in those communities. Since then, he has traveled thousands of miles on his two burros (the Spanish word for donkey) named Alfa and Beto. He also initiated a nonprofit organization, the Biblioburro Foundation, to improve access to educational programs and materials in some of the most isolated communities in Colombia. Just as they have done with past projects, Edison Elementary students and staff are coming up with many creative ways to raise money for this initiative. For example, they raised approximately $400 in March by selling hoof prints made of construction paper which were lined up throughout the school. Teacher Susan Hirsch also did an amazing job creating Edison's very own burro which has been traveling throughout the school. There are many more activities to come and you can stay up-to-date on this amazing initiative on the Edison Elementary Facebook page at facebook.com/EdisonElem.

ALL SCHOOLS: At 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 21st, the Ken-Ton School District Office of School Culture and Kids Escaping Drugs will host a virtual presentation for families on teen vaping and marijuana use. A meeting link will be provided to all families via text/email in the days leading up to the event and posted to the district homepage at www.ktufsd.org. The goals are to educate families and community members of the prevalence and harmful effects of vaping nicotine and marijuana, use, and dependence among adolescents; provide resources for substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery; encourage healthy choices among youth regarding the consequences of experimentation and addiction; and enhance school and community programming by providing an opportunity to become educated on an ever-evolving and prevalent topic. All members of the community are invited to participate.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Several Ken-Ton students were part of a very special concert performance that took place April 3rd with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at Kleinhans Music Hall. The BPO hosted a benefit concert to support those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. The Buffalo Girlchoir was invited to take part in the concert and perform the Ukrainian National Anthem alongside the BPO. The Buffalo Girlchoir formed in 2015 with the goal of providing exceptional music instruction in the city of Buffalo to girls from all backgrounds who love to sing. Several Hoover Middle School students are members of the Buffalo Girlchoir including sixth-graders Samantha Hashey and Lily Ruot and seventh-grader Ani Klein and had the chance to participate in this special concert event. The girls also performed a mini concert in the Mary Seton room prior to the main event in front of about 200 people. The BPO raised more than $30,000 dollars through the concert. It was a beautiful and moving performance and we are very proud of these young ladies. The concert also featured the talents of Lindbergh Elementary second-grade teacher Rachel Roberts who sang as part of the organization’s Women’s Choir. Pictured here are BPO Conductor JoAnn Falletta and Girlchoir Founder and Artistic Director Kate Bassett with the Girlschoir ensemble.

HIGH SCHOOLS: Congratulations to the 15 Ken-Ton School District winter athletic teams which were honored by the NYS Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) as Scholar Athlete Teams. In order to qualify for this distinction, varsity teams must carry a cumulative team average of 90% or higher. Teams were, from Kenmore East, Boys Ice Hockey, Boys Indoor Track & Field, Competitive Cheerleading, Girls Basketball, Girls Indoor Tracy & Field, and Unified Bowling; from Kenmore West, Boys Basketball, Boys Indoor Track & Field, Girls Basketball, Girls Indoor Track & Field, and Unified Bowling; and combined teams Boys Swimming & Diving, Girls Bowling, Girls Hockey, and Rifle. It was extremely impressive to see so many teams earn this distinction!

KENMORE WEST: Kenmore West High School student Maria Ramos Rua created an amazing graphic to remind everyone about Earth Week at Kenmore West High School which takes place immediately following spring recess. Earth Week takes place April 19th to April 22nd (there is no student attendance on Monday, April 18th for the scheduled Superintendent Conference Day). Each day features a different special guest at Kenmore West High School, style of dress, and challenge. Special guests will be present in the Kenmore West cafeteria from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day. The Kenmore West Environmental Club expresses its appreciation to Dean Johnson, Lisa Davidson, Michelle Lockett, Anthony Cangianiello, Andrea Spoth, Arianna Troutman and Valu Home Centers for helping to facilitate Earth Week this year. The week will culminate with a special Earth Day Clean-Up along the Niagara River Greenway Shoreline Trail. Everyone is invited to participate and guests are asked to bring a 5 gallon pail or bucket and gloves. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Aqua Lane Park, 128 Aqua Lane, Tonawanda.

HOOVER ELEMENTARY: At Hoover Elementary School, fourth-grade teacher Maria Cooper worked hard to decorate a conference room for students of the Muslim faith to use during Ramadan, which began April 2nd and ends May 2nd. Ramadan is one of the most sacred observances in the Muslim faith and one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It commemorates the prophet Muhammad's first revelation, from which originated the Qur'an. It consists of approximately 30 days of fasting. Students who follow the Muslim faith are not able to eat or drink during the school day or attend physical education or music classes, and Mrs. Cooper decorated the conference room to create a quiet meditation space for our students to use while celebrating Ramadan.

RECOGNITION: FUTURE TEACHERS CLUB

This week, we recognize the efforts of two Kenmore East High School teachers who have spearheaded a new club to encourage students to consider a career in teaching. It was initiated by English teacher Julia Borgisi and special education teacher Kristina Craig. In a very short period of time, the Future Teachers Club now has more than 20 students and continues to grow.

The goal of the Future Teachers Club is to introduce students to various areas of the teaching profession and help them navigate potential career choices, areas of certification, the college process, and timeline for education majors. Ms. Borgisi and Ms. Craig have worked extremely hard to grow this group from the ground up and secured a grant to support additional opportunities for students. Through their efforts, they also established a partnership with the Buffalo State College School of Education, which hopes to generate interest in the teaching profession among Ken-Ton students and familiarize them with the college’s teaching program.

On Wednesday, Ms. Borgisi and Ms. Craig led a group of 15 students on a visit to Buffalo State College. They not only had the chance to learn about the college and tour the campus, but they were also able to meet with a team of current college students who are studying to become teachers. This was an extremely valuable opportunity for our students and we hope many of them return to Ken-Ton one day as teachers.

I applaud Ms. Borgisi and Ms. Craig for their initiative. Throughout New York State, there is a significant shortage of teachers and we can expect this to continue in the coming years as more and more teachers reach retirement age. This has become a major focus for our district. It is our intention to inspire our students to pursue a career in teaching and hopefully return to their roots, joining our world-class team of Ken-Ton.

• Monday, April 11-Friday, April 15: Spring Recess
• Monday, April 18: Superintendent Conference Day (No Student Attendance)
• Tuesday, April 19: Students return from spring recess/4th marking period begins (Gr. 5-8)
• Saturday, April 30: Breakfast With the Board (9 a.m. Kenmore Middle School Community Room)