Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
Volume 2, Issue 5 (September 2, 2021)
WE MADE IT

Yesterday was a momentous day as we welcomed all students back to school for full, five-day, in-person instruction for the first time in 18 months. We also saw our future Class of 2035 begin their educational journey in our new full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program housed at the Hamilton Building. It was incredible to see so much excitement and enthusiasm as all students arrived at school together for the first time since March 2020. The year is off to a great start!

We are always in a mindset of continued growth and improvement. An example of this is how we are in the process of reviewing our transportation procedures. Transportation challenges are common at the start of the school year. Transporting thousands of students to and from school is a tremendous logistical undertaking under the best of circumstances and there are a multitude of factors that can impact the time the bus arrives at the bus stop. The first days of school are especially difficult because students are new to their buses, drivers are still becoming familiar with their unique route, and there are continuous changes to bus routing. Also, because most buses complete three routes back-to-back (high school, then middle, then elementary) these challenges are compounded and a delay at one level will impact other levels.

As a district, we will utilize what we have learned these first two days and continue to improve our systems and procedures. As families, in preparation for the next day of school on Tuesday, September 7th, please make sure your child(ren) know their bus stop as well as pick-up/drop-off time. Additionally, please make sure your child is familiar with his or her bus number. One final note, in an attempt to make some transportation adjustments, all Kenmore East morning bus times will be five minutes earlier effective Tuesday, September 7th. This only affects Kenmore East students and will be communicated to these families.

Thank you to all of our students and families for doing such an amazing job being prepared for the first day of school and adhering to all of the COVID-19 protocols that are in place this year. Our staff is to be commended for doing such a fantastic job making everything ready for the first day of school and creating such a welcoming atmosphere in the midst of all of the challenges that the pandemic is presenting. Remember, our community has the will to confront these challenges and the wisdom to confront them together.

Health Screening Questionnaire

As you know, families must complete the daily health screening questionnaire (attestation) each day of attendance. This is once again a requirement this year and we are using the same system as last year. Families receive an email with a link to complete this short form at 2:30 a.m. each day. As a back-up, a text message will be generated 30 minutes before the start of school if it has not yet been completed. It is more cost effective when families complete this form through email as we avoid text messaging charges. Please do your best to make this a morning routine before your child leaves for school.

Any “yes” response means your child must stay home that day. The purpose of this form is to confirm that no child is attending school if they are known to be at risk of infecting others. We need the help of all families doing anything they can to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and keep schools open for full in-person instruction all year. This form must be completed before your child arrives at school. Therefore, no student should enter our buildings without this process being followed. When this form is not completed, unnecessary school time and resources must be devoted to contacting families.

Outdoor Mask Procedures

We have received questions regarding mask procedures outdoors. As you know, masks are required indoors and are not required outdoors. It is important to note that the Erie County Department of Health strongly recommends the use of masks outside. Families have the opportunity to choose whether to have their child wear their mask outside. We are also following ECDOH's guidance for maximizing social distancing outside since masks are not required.
RECOGNITION: HAMILTON UPK PROGRAM
This week, we recognize the many staff who played a role in transforming the Hamilton Building and creating our new full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program. 

The Hamilton Building was primarily used for storage since the school closed in 2016. It was a tremendous undertaking to empty the building, relocate vast quantities of items and supplies, clean each room and hallway, make all necessary repairs and modifications, and ensure that everything was 100% ready for students and staff. To do so in only a matter of weeks makes it an even more impressive achievement.

This task was accomplished by our outstanding Buildings and Grounds Department under the leadership of Nicole Morasco, Assistant Superintendent; Tim Ames, Director of Facilities; and John Wille, Assistant Director. Individuals who were instrumental in this undertaking were Georgia Militello, Bill Anthony, Jesse Schlagenhauf, Chris Heyden, Blake Kollmar, Justin Kinbaum, Henry Ascencio, Tom Warren, Bob Bortz, Jim Goff, Mike Genco, Steve Penn, Matt Rich, Pat Crysler, Greg Capozzi, Charlie Freiert, Rich Pisa, Bill Guarino, Andy Schneggenburger, Jon Logalbo, Rob Zirnheld, Matt Fleming, Robert Fitzgerald, Joe Carrubba, Justin Janiga, Debbie Zvorsky, Bart Besancon, Dennis Schuh, Pete Quezada, Pete Miller, Andy Keisic, Matt Laufer, Glen Mawhinney, Mike Chludinski, Jon Aronica and Charlie Harper from the Buildings & Grounds Department and Bruce Zeller, Mike Shovelin and Scott Guagliano from the Technology Department.

I also wish to recognize Michael Muscarella, Director of Elementary Education, and the YMCA staff who worked in partnership to get the full-day UPK Program off the ground, as well as Frank Spagnolo, Director of Data and Research, and our Central Registration Department which worked throughout the summer to register families for the new program. 

It took an entire community to make this new programming a reality. Thank you everyone for your efforts!
Thank you for reviewing this information. As always, we remain Ken-Ton Proud, Ken-Ton Strong, and Ken-Ton Moving Forward!

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