Weekly E-Newsletter from the Superintendent of Schools

Volume 3, Issue 27 (March 24, 2023)

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

UPDATE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO

COMPLETE THE FAFSA


A very important part of the college-planning process is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) forms. Students will not receive any financial aid or federal student loans if they do not complete their FAFSA and TAP applications. It’s not too late. Additionally, for families who file their taxes electronically, this process is much easier than it used to be.


For all students, financial aid planning begins in the fall as our high school counselors begin meeting one-on-one with students to discuss their plans for after graduation. The counseling departments host a Financial Aid Night each year in partnership with Niagara University to educate families about this process. Through our partnership with Niagara University, families are also able to contact their Financial Aid Office for any FAFSA-related questions even if they are not planning on attending or applying to the university. The Ken-Ton School District is also pleased to offer free one-on-one assistance to help families complete this process through the Family Support Center. This service will be extended through the end of April for families who need assistance. Any families of Kenmore East, Kenmore West, and Big Picture students are eligible. Appointments are available on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5:30 and 7 p.m. You can call 716-874-8510 to make an appointment. Two options are available:


  • In-Person Appointments: Ken-Ton Family Support Center (255 Myron Avenue, Kenmore). You will need to enter through the side door (Door #7) on the north side of the building.
  • Virtual Appointment: Upon registering, you will be sent a Google Meet invitation. It’s important to note that the device you use must have a functioning camera.


You can contact Mike Panepinto at 716-871-2060 or Matt Gourlay at 716-874-8404 ext. 21527 with any questions. Additional information can be found here.


Many families may be intimidated by the financial aid process, but it has been simplified significantly in recent years for those who file their taxes electronically. This gives them the option of automatically importing their information directly into the FAFSA. Some families may also believe they earn too much to qualify for financial aid, but this is often not the case. Federal student loans and many other sources of financial aid also require a FAFSA. That is why it is so important for all families to complete these forms.


One-on-one FAFSA assistance through the Family Support Center is an additional resource offered by the Ken-Ton School District to assist families. Our goal is to make sure they receive what financial aid they are eligible for. Reminder, a lot of funding for post-secondary education is available in the form of scholarships. Please continue to speak with the school counselor and research scholarships available throughout our region as well as nationally.

MODEL UN COMPETITION


We were extremely proud of the Kenmore East High School Model United Nations Team, which once again earned the highest honor possible at the WNY Model UN Competition, Best Overall Delegation. Kenmore East has won 15 out of the past 17 competitions. The competition was hosted at the University at Buffalo and included nearly 600 students from more than 35 different schools across the region. Students worked in small school teams in different rooms, each of which represented a different UN committee. To be successful, students must come prepared with a thorough understanding of the country they represent and the positions it would take. Students are evaluated based on their contributions as they debate and amend resolutions which tackle some of the most important issues facing the world today. They are rated in each individual committee and overall as a school. They must be as knowledgeable as possible about parliamentary procedure and the issues that will be debated. They also need to think fast on their feet, interact well with peers, and speak convincingly and compellingly.


The team was coached by social studies teacher Christopher Knab. Six members of the team won first place in their respective committees:


  • Kathleen Tribble and Skylar Hotchkiss in the Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee
  • Gloria Hodge and Alannah Smith in the Ad Hoc Political and Security Committee
  • Alice Budzich and Mariam Al-Obaidi in the Special Political Committee


Students Matt Cudzilo, Mariam Flayh, Andrionita Jakupi, Alexandra Lipinski, Emily Mical, Tessa Mihelbergel, Erika Patkalitsky, and John Ramsey also contributed to the team's overall win.


We were also proud of a team from Kenmore West coached by social studies teacher Holly Georgic-Schmitt which included students Shona Boehmer, Charlotte Brach, William Dong, Michael Hark, Dylan Hein, Gabriella Pilat, Carlie Smith, Viviana Stehlin, Tanja Tuco, Augie Williams, and Scout Wilson. These students worked hard to prepare for the competition and did a great job representing Kenmore West.

SAFETY TIPS FOR FAMILIES

Now that spring is here and warm weather is on the way, it is a great time to reinforce stranger danger safety with children. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) provides a great deal of helpful resources for families to teach their children to be safe out in the community. You can access these resources here. According to NCMEC, most attempted abductions involve a suspect driving a vehicle and occur when the child is traveling to or away from school and between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The top five methods used are offering a ride, offering candy or sweets, asking questions, offering money, and offering, looking for, or showing an animal.


NCMEC provide the following tips for families to understand how to keep children safe and how to talk to them about what to do if approached:


  • Know the routes your children take, especially to and from school. Practice walking the routes with them so you can point out places they should avoid or where they can go for help.
  • Make sure daycare facilities or other locations your child attends during the day follow the same stringent pick-up procedures that are followed in our schools. Be clear that no one should pick up your child without your permission. Ask to be contacted immediately if someone else tries to pick up your child.
  • Use role-playing scenarios to help children learn how to recognize and respond to risky situations. For example, have children practice yelling, kicking, pulling away, or otherwise attracting attention when grabbed or approached by someone they do not know.
  • Teach your child about the methods abductors use. Have your child practice responding to the tricks by saying “no,” walking away, and telling a trusted adult immediately.
  • Prepare children to act when you are not with them. They should know their full names, home addresses, and telephone numbers, and know how to dial 911.
  • Keep a child identification kit, which includes a recent color photo of your child and descriptive details such as age, height, and weight.

SCHOOL & DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS

Each week, we will highlight some of the exciting things taking place in the district. Be sure to follow the Ken-Ton School District on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@ktufsd) for more school highlights!

Kenmore West IB Program Celebrates Achievements of its 1st Graduating Class


This summer will mark the 10-year anniversary of the very first Kenmore West High School International Baccalaureate (IB) Program graduating class. Kenmore West is one of only four schools in the eight counties of WNY to offer the rigorous two-year IB Program, which is regarded as one of the most challenging high school programs in the world. Leading up to this summer’s reunion, the IB Program is celebrating the amazing achievements of the Class of 2013. This incredible group of students were the first to successfully complete the Ken-Ton IB Program. Throughout the spring, different members of this graduating class will be featured, providing a glimpse into all they have accomplished since graduating. You can read these features on the district website or Facebook page. Featured so far were Christopher “CJ” Phillips, Sarah Pray, and Jacquelyn Sagasta with more to come.

Across the U.S., Schools Celebrate ‘Purple Day’ for Epilepsy Awareness


On Monday, March 27th, schools across the U.S. will observe Purple Day to support epilepsy awareness. Each year, students, staff, and community members across the country wear purple to raise awareness about epilepsy. Here in Ken-Ton, Purple Day began as a Holmes Elementary School initiative and continues to grow each year through the efforts of a dedicated core group of staff spearheaded by special education teacher Tracy Caruana. Purple Day is normally celebrated on March 26th. Since that’s a Sunday this year, it will be observed in schools the following day. Please consider showing your support by wearing purple on Monday! Students and staff at Holmes will also be fundraising to support epilepsy awareness and research. There will be a purple table set up in the main office where staff can choose to make donations. At the table, staff will be provided with a choice of a purple cookie or purple grapes as a token of appreciation for showing their support. The table will also provide information to staff about epilepsy.

Kenmore West Hosts Inspiring ‘Women In Leadership’ Panel


On Tuesday, the Kenmore West Young Women’s Empowerment Group held a Women in Leadership Panel assembly to encourage and inspire current students. The panel included four inspirational women who are considered trailblazers in their fields: Rene Petties-Jones, President of the National Federation for Just Communities of WNY; Melanie Salemi, a nationally known drag racer; Emma Kelchin, Senior Product Manager at Rich Products; and Mercedes Wilson, an author, advocate, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor who also serves as co-host of AM Buffalo on WKBW. Kenmore West juniors and seniors ran the event which featured a Q&A panel discussion. Read the story here.

Edison Elementary Proudly Presents ‘Best Little Theater in Town’


The amazing Edison Elementary School fourth-grade production of "The Best Little Theater In Town" kicked off yesterday. Additional showtimes are today (Friday, March 24th) at 7 p.m. and tomorrow (Saturday, March 25th) at 2 p.m. The show is directed by Ronald Bordinaro and Dean Judy with assistant director Maria DiStefano and Elizabeth Ruth. The fourth-grade students have been working hard to bring this amazing show to life!

Lindbergh American Heart Association Jump Rope Challenge Raises $7,400


This week, Lindbergh Elementary School students have been participating in the 22nd annual Kids Heart Challenge (formerly known as Jump Rope for Heart). During physical education classes, students have been learning about heart health, practicing their jump rope skills, and enjoying a variety of different jumping stations. It’s all part of a fundraising drive to support the American Heart Association and so far this year, they have raised more than $7,400!

Kenmore West Students & Staff Compete in ‘Spring Slam’ Competitions


On March 16th, Kenmore West High School students and staff came together for a special “Spring Slam” event which featured a variety of fun activities including a students vs. staff basketball game, class tug-of-war, and a half-court shot competition. The activities were a tremendous success and special thanks go out to business teacher and Business Club advisor Nick Warchocki for helping to organize this amazing event.

Franklin & Lindbergh Elementary Classes Participate in UN Sustainable Development Project


For the past couple of years, the Ken-Ton School District has been involved with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Project. The project works to empower students to have a positive impact on the world they live in. Tom Perryman’s first-grade class at Lindbergh Elementary and Alex Bianchi’s first-grade class at Franklin Elementary are participating in this year’s project. The students were assigned the topic of “Zero Hunger.” They watched several videos from classrooms all over the world to gain a better understanding of the problems other countries are currently facing. After learning about the topic and focusing on hunger in their own community, students started to put a plan into action. Click here to read the story.

‘Take a Look at Teaching’ Club Visits UB Teaching Program


The Ken-Ton School District’s “Take a Look at Teaching" Club recently visited the University at Buffalo to learn more about the UB Teach Program. The “Take a Look at Teaching” Club helps encourage high school students who aspire to one day become teachers. Club members from Kenmore East and Kenmore West were introduced to the UB Office of Educator Preparation. They also visited the Early Childhood Research Center, spent time interacting with preschool students, took a tour of the campus, and participated in a panel discussion with current UB students who are also in the program.

CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

This week, in celebration of Women’s History Month, we are focusing on some of the most important women in the history of aviation:


  • Sophie Blanchard was a French aeronaut who became the first woman to work as a professional balloonist. She was known throughout Europe for her risky exploits, made more than 60 ascents, and became Napoleon Bonaparte's chief of air operations in 1814.
  • Katharine Wright Haskell was the sister of Wilbur and Orville Wright. Katharine was intimately involved with their work toward creating the first successful motor-operated airplane. In later years, she played a key role in their business operations.
  • Georgia "Tiny" Broadwick was a pioneer in parachuting. She became the first woman to parachute out of an airplane in 1913, from 1,000 feet in the air. She also invented the ripcord and demonstrated the feasibility of parachutes for the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • Bessie Coleman broke the racial barrier by becoming the first woman and the first African American to earn an international pilot's license. She was known for her notoriously dangerous air shows and was often called "Brave Bessie."
  • Amelia Earhart was an aviation pioneer who set many records and was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She is credited as one of the most inspirational pilots in aviation history.
  • Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughan were brilliant mathematicians employed by NASA at the height of the space race. As African American women, they had to overcome significant discrimination throughout their careers. Their work was crucial for the success of John Glenn's groundbreaking orbital flight in 1962 and their contributions would continue to be of significant importance for decades of NASA missions. The movie “Hidden Figures” was based on their lives.
  • Valentina Tereshkova was a Russian cosmonaut who, in 1963, became the first and youngest woman to ever fly in space when she orbited the Earth 48 times over a three-day period. She is also the only woman to fly a solo mission. Twenty years later, Sally Ride became the first American woman to fly in space aboard the Challenger Space Shuttle and helped develop the shuttle's robotic arm.
  • Jeana Yeager is an American aviator who co-piloted the first non-stop and non-refueled flight around the world in a specially designed aircraft called the Rutan Model Voyager in 1986. The plane flew continuously for 9 days, doubling the previous distance record.


RECOGNITION: 1ST DAY OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS WEEK (MARCH 27TH)

National Assistant Principals Week is celebrated the week of April 3rd. Since this coincides with spring recess, we are celebrating Assistant Principals Week next week. As members of their school leadership team, Assistant Principals play a crucial role in their buildings. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to support teachers, motivate students, support the principal, and create a safe and positive learning environment. The efforts of our Assistant Principals behind the scenes often go unnoticed. They carry out countless everyday tasks which make sure the school is always operating smoothly. They are adept at handling difficult situations professionally and they always demonstrate compassion and understanding. They interact daily with students and support them and their families through challenging situations.


Please join me in recognizing and celebrating our Assistant Principals!

RECOGNITION: SCHOOL LIBRARIANS APPRECIATION DAY (MARCH 28TH)

National School Librarian Day takes place on April 4th, but since this day coincides with spring recess, we are observing this day on Tuesday, March 28th. This day provides an opportunity to recognize the outstanding work of our dedicated school library media specialists and library media aides who always ensure that our libraries are operating in perfect order and are welcoming environments which motivate students to learn.


These professionals play a very important role in our schools. They provide access to materials for teachers and students such as books, periodicals, databases, and digital resources. They play a key role in helping students develop literacy and research skills and they teach them how to use other libraries in the community. From our earliest learners, school librarians work to inspire a love of reading in students. They collaborate with teachers on projects and assignments to facilitate learning and growth. They also provide access to instructional resources and materials that help students meet their highest academic potential.


On Tuesday, please take this opportunity to say “thank you” to your school’s library media specialists and library media aides for their outstanding work.

RECOGNITION: PARAPROFESSIONALS APPRECIATION DAY (MARCH 29TH)

National School Paraprofessional Appreciation Day takes place the first Wednesday in April each year. Because this coincides with spring recess, we are celebrating School Paraprofessional Appreciation Day on Wednesday, March 29th here in Ken-Ton. School paraprofessionals are staff who work in a support capacity in schools and directly interact with students on a regular basis. In Ken-Ton, these are our dedicated teaching assistants, teacher aides, security aides, and school monitors who play a critical role for our students. This is a wonderful opportunity to emphasize the crucial role these paraprofessionals play every day in our district:


  • Teaching assistants work in close partnership with the teacher to educate students and provide vital instructional support throughout the school day
  • Teacher aides also work in close partnership with the teacher to support the needs of students and assist in managing the classroom environment
  • Security aides provide an additional layer of safety in schools and at events while also engaging students and spectators to promote a safe and welcoming environment
  • School monitors help maintain a safe school environment while supervising and engaging students at various times during the school day such as lunch periods and class changes


School paraprofessionals contribute to maintaining a safe, welcoming environment while also supporting the educational process and meeting the needs of students. On Wednesday, please take a few moments to express your appreciation for these outstanding professionals and their invaluable contributions.

UPCOMING DATES

Visit www.ktufsd.org/calendar to access website calendars and Google calendars with

up-to-date event information for the district and each of its schools.

Monday, March 27th

  • Elementary School Early Release & Parent/Teacher Conferences (12:40 p.m. Dismissal)

Tuesday, March 28th

  • Budget Work Session (6:30 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School)

Wednesday, March 29th

  • SEPTO Meeting (6:30 p.m. at US itek)

Thank you for reviewing this information. As always, we remain Ken-Ton Proud, Ken-Ton Strong, and Ken-Ton Moving Forward!

Sabatino Cimato,

Superintendent of Schools


For previous editions of the Ken-Ton Weekly Connection, visit

www.ktufsd.org/connection