Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
We are looking forward to welcoming back all of our teachers and staff next week in preparation for the first day of school, which is quickly approaching. Staff are very hard at work planning for the launch of remote learning for all students beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and preparing for the phase-in of a hybrid schedule beginning on Oct. 13.

To recap: We announced last Friday that all students will begin remote learning on Sept. 8, and we will begin carefully phasing in a hybrid schedule for in-person instruction in five-week increments. Students who were registered for the Virtual Learning Academy will, like all students, be assigned a teacher(s) and begin the school year with fully remote/online learning. Currently, our plan is to start with UPK, K, Gr. 1 and self-contained special education classes in all schools on Oct. 13. This will allow us to gradually return to in-person instruction in the safest manner possible while providing us with flexibility and the ability to adapt. This achieves our primary goal of ensuring the safety of all of our students, staff, and families during the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic.

Beginning with remote learning and gradually phasing in a hybrid schedule also achieves our second goal of providing the best, most equitable education possible. Students would be able to participate in synchronous instruction with their teacher four days a week instead of only two days a week in a hybrid schedule. Additionally, they'll have an additional day of asynchronous instruction weekly. This approach also allows us to successfully transition to a longer-term, flexible instructional model to foster student achievement in a multitude of scenarios. With this learning model, we can ensure that students can continue their academic progress if the pandemic necessitates the closure of schools. We would also be able to serve students at home and in-person simultaneously, so that students who are quarantined or sick do not fall behind.

We do not expect to be perfect from the start. But this is something we will be working toward collaboratively with our staff in partnership with our families to maximize opportunities for our students and to make this transition as easy as possible.

Device Request Form:

One challenge we are working to address is assisting families with access to technology devices and the internet. The district is providing Chromebooks and iPads to as many families as possible who need one for online/remote learning. We are not yet able to provide one device per student, but we are moving very quickly to get there. Last week, the Board approved the acquisition of a significant number of devices for students. However, these devices are expected to continue to arrive throughout the first quarter.

Families that need to request a device can complete the form at www.ktufsd.org/devices. There is no deadline for completing this form, but to secure a device in time for the first week of school, families are asked to complete the form by Sunday, Aug. 30. Families will receive follow-up information on how devices will be provided. In the meantime, to ensure that a limited number of devices only go to those who need one, we are asking that families use their own personal devices whenever possible. A variety of devices can be used for remote learning, since all schools will be transitioning to Google Classroom and Canvas for online instruction, which are accessible on multiple devices. If you don’t have internet access or know someone who does not, contact 716-871-2050.

We are working collaboratively to address the obstacles faced by parents/guardians who work or have multiple children. There are no easy solutions, but it is something we are working to address and we understand that not all families will be able to access synchronous instruction at the same time.

Back-to-School Information & Parent/Teacher Forums:

Schools are very rapidly finalizing essential back-to-school information such as teacher assignments, schedules, supply lists, details on device pick-up, and more. Schools will be communicating their back-to-school information with families early next week. All of the back-to-school information, communications, and resources will be posted at www.ktufsd.org/back2school. Next week, we will announce the dates and times of additional parent and staff forums, which will take place during the month of September.
Athletics Update
On Monday, Aug. 24, Gov. Cuomo announced his approval for low- and medium-risk fall sports to begin practicing starting on Monday, Sept. 21. Although approval was given, Ken-Ton still has much work to do to determine when, how, and which sports will be phased in.

Competition (games) in the approved sports can begin as soon as athletes meet the minimum number of practices requirement (six practices). Determinations will be made on how sports will proceed, and we will have more information about this topic in next week's update.
Food Service Update
Our Food Service Department will begin serving students the first week of school. While students are participating in remote/online learning, weekly meal kits would be offered once per week and would include one breakfast and one lunch for all the days of the week, with reheating and preparation instructions. Meal kits will be available to all currently enrolled students.

For all students at our CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) schools, meals will be funded by the USDA and at no cost to families. These schools are Franklin Elementary, Holmes Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Franklin Middle, and Hoover Middle. For the other schools (Edison, Lindbergh, Kenmore East, Kenmore West, and the Big Picture Program) meals will be free or available at a reduced price only for students who are eligible. All other students would need to pay full price. Families who have not applied for Free or Reduced meals should submit a family meal application to determine if they qualify. This can be found at www.ktufsd.org/back2school. An application will be sent home to families in September and will also be available at each meal kit pick-up site. These must be on file by Oct. 19 to continue meal benefits.

The current plan is for meals to be purchased and pre-ordered for the entire week. Pick-up would take place on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Holmes, Hoover, and Franklin (parents will pick up all students’ meals at one location). Ordering and pick-up procedures are still in the process of being developed and will be posted at www.ktufsd.org/back2school.
Once again, I wish to thank all of those who are working so hard behind the scenes to prepare for the reopening of our schools, and all of our parents and families for your patience and cooperation. We remain Ken-Ton Proud, Ken-Ton Strong, and Ken-Ton Moving Forward!