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Weekly E-Newsletter from the Superintendent of Schools
Volume 3, Issue 23 (February 17, 2023)
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Video Link: https://youtu.be/VRjwphkSJO0 | |
UPDATE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT | |
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ENVIRONMENTAL AMBASSADOR SUMMIT
Last week, we were proud to see the Big Picture Program and Kenmore West High School represented at the Niagara River Greenway’s first-ever Environmental Ambassador Summit. The purpose of the event, which was held at the Linde facility here in Ken-Ton, was to bring students and organizations together to improve green space in the greater Tonawanda area. The teams worked hard to develop innovative proposals which they showcased at the summit. Our students then did a phenomenal job presenting their proposals before a panel of judges and hope to see them come to fruition in the months to come.
The Big Picture Program’s proposal was for a beautiful new garden to be established in Ken-Ton. The garden would be in the shape of a heart and filled with species of plants and flowers that are native to this region. It would also be decorated with “joy rocks,” which would be painted with uplifting images or inspirational messages. Each year, seniors in the Big Picture Program would “inherit” and take care of the garden, which would be dedicated to the victims of domestic violence.
Kenmore West’s proposal was for a campaign to increase awareness of three small islands in the Niagara River and the important role they play for many different species of birds. The islands (Strawberry Island, Tern Island, and Motor Island) are located between the Town of Tonawanda and the southern tip of Grand Island. The students hope to see signage and viewfinders installed near the riverfront so visitors can see the islands and learn about the different species of birds that live and nest there such as Snow Owls, Bald Eagles, Great Egrets, Common Terns, and Great Blue Herons. This initiative has also been presented to the Town of Tonawanda Youth, Parks & Recreation Department for consideration.
At the summit, students were able to speak with representatives from several different organizations including Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, NY Sea Grant, NYS Parks, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and WNY Land Conservancy. They were also able to learn from the two keynote speakers, Josh Konovitz, Erie County Forester, and Helen Toledo, president and founder of Buffalo Women of Environmental Learning & Leadership (BWELL).
Presenting the Big Picture Program proposal were students Trina Diallo, Jonathan Hassan, Rooney Masiano, Paul Marinaccio, Reilly Pawlak, and Vivek Koda. The team was coordinated by science teachers Cheryl Hughes and Jennifer MacDonald. Presenting the Kenmore West proposal were students Isabela Bermingham, Elizabeth Heerdt, and Maria Ramos Rua. Students Serenity Licata and Ahmed Al Radhi also assisted. The team was coordinated by Environmental Club Advisor Denise Amato with additional assistance by special education teacher Hope Bongiorno.
These students are to be commended for the outstanding job they did presenting their proposals. They are also to be commended for their leadership and the care they have demonstrated for our local environment.
ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS
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From left, Superintendent Sabatino Cimato, Board of Education President Matthew Chimera, Assemblyman Bill Conrad, Trustee Lesley Battaglia, and Trustee Todd Marquardt.
On Wednesday, I was joined by Board of Education President Matthew Chimera and Trustees Lesley Battaglia and Todd Marquardt in Albany to meet with our elected representatives in the New York State Legislature and advocate on behalf of students. Superintendents and Board of Education members from school districts throughout New York State were at the State Capitol that day as part of a state-wide effort by the New York State School Boards Association to lobby in favor of various priorities such as increased resources for students, universal school meals, and additional UPK funding. It was a great opportunity to speak with our representatives about issues that are important for our students and families.
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HONORING GRAMMY FINALIST PHIL AGUGLIA | |
Earlier today, I was joined by Board of Education President Matthew Chimera, Kenmore East High School Principal Trevor Brown, and Erie County Legislator Michael Kooshoian to recognize Kenmore East music teacher Phil Aguglia for having been named a finalist for the Music Educator Grammy Award. It was a tremendous distinction, as only 10 music teachers in the country were named a finalist out of more than 1,200 nominations. Mr. Aguglia was presented with a legislative proclamation honoring him, which was sponsored in the Erie County Legislature by Legislator Kooshoian and his colleague, Legislator John Bargnesi. The event also included an amazing performance by the Kenmore East Big Band led by music teacher Patrick Towey which demonstrated the extraordinary quality of the Kenmore East music programs. We were glad to see Mr. Aguglia’s efforts recognized at the national level and extremely proud that one of our own music teachers has achieved this level of success. Click here to view the presentation. | |
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Families with students who ride the bus to and from school are encouraged to have conversations with their children about safety at the bus stop. Our Transportation Department Safety Team does a wonderful job educating elementary school students about bus safety each year, but these lessons should also be reinforced at home.
All students need to be clearly visible standing at the bus stop when the bus arrives. In times of cold or adverse weather, it is not uncommon for students to wait inside homes or vehicles. When this happens, it presents safety concerns and could also result in bus delays. The Transportation Department asks all families to make sure your child is standing at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time and not waiting inside a car or the house.
Other safety tips include:
- Waiting 15 feet away from the road or in the driveway or walkway closest to the bus stop location helps ensure that students will be visible to all drivers.
- Always avoid being in the “danger zone” - the areas around the school bus where they are out of sight of the driver. Children must avoid returning to the bus for items left behind or bending down near the bus.
- Children should always make eye contact with the driver, follow the driver’s directions, and look both ways when crossing the street.
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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! | |
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Ken-Ton to Host ‘High School & Beyond’ Transition Vendor Fair
All families are invited to take part in "High School & Beyond: Transition Services Vendor Fair" in order to help students prepare for their future. It will be a great opportunity to learn more about activities, programs, and events available for young adults with disabilities both while in high school and after high school. It will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15th in the Kenmore West High School East Cafeteria. Vendors will include the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, WNY Collegiate Consortium of Disability Advocates, Parent Network of WNY, Ken-Ton Special Education Parent/Teacher Organization, Independent Living of WNY, Villa Maria Achieve Program, OLV Human Services, Aspire, Special Olympics, People and Places, Accessibility Academics, Danceability, and Prime Care. Click here for additional details.
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Kenmore West Students Compete at WNY Science Olympiad
On February 4th, members of the Kenmore West High School Science Olympiad team had a terrific showing at the WNY Science Olympiad competition at Buffalo State College. The team placed 11th out of 30 teams and 9th place among all schools. The team consists of 15 students who competed in a total of 20 events in the regional competition. Each student competed in three to five events throughout the day, ranging from conducting a lab to building a device. Students began preparing for these events in September and months of planning went into this competition. Click here to read the story.
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Kenmore East Hosts Section VI Rifle Championship
The Kenmore Rifle Team proudly hosted the Section VI Rifle Championship on Saturday, February 11th at Kenmore East High School. The Kenmore East staff and Coach Christina Brown did an amazing job preparing for this event, which brought together teams from all across Western New York. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase district facilities and athletic programs. Additionally, Kenmore West is scheduled to host the New York State Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, March 4th.
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Holmes Elementary Students Explore Ocean Life
Students in Tracy Caruana’s classroom at Holmes Elementary showed off their knowledge of ocean life during a special showcase on February 10th. The class had been learning the unit “Life Depends on Water” for their Scholastic program and used that unit to carry out additional research. Students were invited to explore a classroom library of ocean-themed books and then choose the ocean mammal or fish they felt most interested in. Over the course of five weeks, students spent time studying their chosen mammal/fish to share their knowledge and expertise with their peers and staff at Holmes. Click here to read the story.
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KE & KW French Language Students Tour Quebec City
Kenmore East and Kenmore West French language students enjoyed an exciting and educational trip which enabled them to explore and apply their knowledge of the French language in the real world. From January 30th through February 1st, more than 50 students visited Quebec City, one of the oldest cities in North America. The history of the city goes back to the early 17th Century and French is the primary language. Students enjoyed a variety of activities including snowshoeing, dog-sledding, and curling. They also toured and learned about historical locations such as the Château Frontenac, St. Anne de Beaupré Basilica, Old Québec, and Quebec's world-famous Ice Hotel.
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Hoover Elementary Students Enjoy New Blender Bike
Students at Hoover Elementary were among the first to enjoy the Ken-Ton School District Food Service Department's new blender bike. The blender bike is a stationary bicycle which powers a blender to create healthy and delicious smoothies. Hoover Elementary physical education teachers incorporated the blender bike in PE classes and students had a great time riding it and enjoying the smoothies they made.
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Franklin Middle Art Students Develop Skills Through Blind Drawing
Students in Franklin Middle School art teacher Gustavo Glorioso’s class channeled their inner Pablo Picasso with blind drawings. Blind drawing is a technique used by artists such as Picasso which helps build hand-eye coordination. The students were challenged to draw without looking at the paper. The activity teaches the skill of efficient critical observation where the eyes, brain, and hand are directly connected.
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Kenmore East Wilderness Club Visits Byrncliff Resort in Varysburg
Earlier this month, the Kenmore East High School Wilderness Club held its annual cross country ski night at Byrncliff Resort in Varysburg where they spent three hours skiing the trails there. With cold temperatures in the forecast, the group discussed very important safety considerations for cold weather activities like skiing such as dressing in layers, always ensuring they have adequate gear on hand, keeping exposed skin covered, and using the buddy system (no less than three).
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Hoover Elementary Class Takes Part in National Valentine Exchange
Some students at Hoover Elementary are taking part in a unique and exciting opportunity that incorporates schools from all across the continent. The project is called “Hearts are Great in Every State” and is a Valentine exchange between classrooms in 49 different states and Canada. The project began a few years ago with just 100 classrooms and has since grown to over 1,000. Lisa Chiavaroli’s 2nd grade class is taking part for the first time. All participating classrooms are put in an “exchange” group with each group consisting of 18-25 schools from all over the country. Click here to read the story.
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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH | |
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Today, in celebration of Black History Month, we highlight a wonderful Western New York organization which plays an important role in the community: the African American Cultural Center at 350 Masten Avenue in Buffalo. It was founded by community leader Malcolm Erni, who dreamed of a cultural and spiritual sanctuary that championed unity among all races and ethnic groups. The organization was founded to promote a positive sense of self in the community, motivate personal growth, stimulate untapped potential, and facilitate a better understanding of cultural diversity among all people.
The organization had humble beginnings, originally operating in a funeral home and then a church basement. It wasn't until the late 1960s that the African American Cultural Center found its permanent home at 350 Masten Avenue, where it continues to operate to this day. The center offers a wide variety of programs for people of all ages such as after-school/summer programs, community events, traditional African dance/drum programs, theater programs, and much more. Its Dance and Drum Performance Company was the area's first professional African-American dance company. This organization continues to be at the forefront of promoting cultural awareness and providing children with a sense of identity and purpose through the arts.
As explained in historian Robert Silsby's book "Settlement to Suburb," Louis Trammell, an early leader of the African American Cultural Center, played an important part in Ken-Ton's local history. In 1969, Mr. Trammell opened United Rent All on Elmwood Avenue, which was the very first African American-owned business in Kenmore.
You can learn more about the African American Cultural Center and its many programs on their website at www.aaccbuffalo.org.
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RECOGNITION: GIRLS HOCKEY &
GIRLS BOWLING
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Today, we recognize two of our winter sports teams that won the Section VI Championship as of Wednesday, February 15th: Kenmore/Grand Island/Lockport Girls Ice Hockey and Kenmore Girls Bowling. | |
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The Girls Ice Hockey Team led by Coach Orlowski defeated the Niagara County Lady Warriors 4-0 to win its seventh Section VI championship title in 12 years on February 13th. The team previously defeated Williamsville in the semi-finals by a score of 4-1. The team, with players from Kenmore East and Kenmore West as well as Grand Island and Lockport schools, had a fantastic season. They finished as the top team in the Western New York Girls Ice Hockey Federation with a 15-1 record. They will now move on to compete in the New York State semifinals at 8 p.m. today in Utica against Section III representative Clinton, which they beat 2-1 at home earlier this season.
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The Kenmore Girls Bowling Team won the Section VI Class A title at the area tournament held on Wednesday, February 15th. The team bowled a six-game total of 5325, the top score in the Class A bracket. The team placed second overall in the division behind North Tonawanda, falling short of proceeding to states by only 104 points. Senior captain Kaelynn Weber made the All-Section team and will be representing Kenmore as an individual bowler at the New York State Championship. The state tournament will take place March 10-12 at Strike n' Spare Lanes in Syracuse.
Please join me in congratulating these athletes for their outstanding work. We also wish the Girls Ice Hockey team and Kaelynn the best of luck in the next round of competition!
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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.
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- Monday, February 20th - Friday, February 24th:
- Mid-Winter Recess (no student attendance)
- Monday, March 13th - Thursday, March 16th
- District Wellness Week
- Tuesday, March 14th
- Budget Work Session (5 p.m.) & Board of Education Meeting (6:30 p.m.) at Kenmore Middle
- Thursday, March 16th
- End of 2nd Trimester (Gr. K-4 & Big Picture)
- Friday, March 17th
- Superintendent Conference Day (no student attendance)
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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!
Sabatino Cimato,
Superintendent of Schools
For previous editions of the Ken-Ton Weekly Connection, visit
www.ktufsd.org/connection
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