|
MAY 16 BUDGET VOTE & BOARD ELECTION
The annual Ken-Ton School District Budget Vote and Board of Education Election will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 16th at Hoover Middle School. Voters will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed 2023-24 budget, two additional propositions, and candidates for Board of Education. I encourage everyone to learn about the budget and vote on May 16th. Everyone is welcome to attend or livestream the public Budget Hearing, which will take place this Tuesday, May 9th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Kenmore Middle School Building (155 Delaware Road) in the Community Room.
One of the greatest challenges we faced in developing the 2023-24 budget was record-high inflation, which is expected to exceed 8% this year. Just as residents have seen significantly higher costs for everyday expenses, the district has also seen increased prices for necessary expenditures such as instructional supplies, fuel, utilities, etc. Our priority was balancing the budget while minimizing the impact on property taxpayers. The proposed tax levy increase is below the 18-year historical average and within the tax cap, which was a priority. We were able to achieve this by finding opportunities to reduce costs and find savings wherever possible while aggressively seeking out additional areas of funding such as grants. This was truly a team effort by all schools and district departments spearheaded by Nicole Morasco, our innovative Assistant Superintendent for Finance.
Several key initiatives are included in the 2023-24 budget which align to our long-term strategic plan, the Ken-Ton Forward. These include safety priorities such as increased security officers and door access controls, cyber-security measures, and social-emotional health and wellness resources. The 2023-24 budget also continues extremely impactful investments that have been made in recent years such as our full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program at Hamilton Elementary, expansion of our extremely successful Big Picture Program, development of new state-of-the-art secondary programming, mental health supports, and enhanced technology infrastructure.
In addition to the proposed 2023-24 budget, residents will vote on two additional propositions: the annual bus purchase, which seeks to replace the district’s fleet incrementally each year to ensure safety and reliability, and a proposal to rename the Kenmore West High School natatorium after former varsity swimming coach Robert Pufpaff. Residents will also vote on candidates for two seats on the Board of Education. You can find more information on the proposed 2023-24 budget, the propositions, and Board candidates at www.ktufsd.org/budget and www.ktufsd.org/candidates.
| |
|
Every year, thousands of children are treated by hospitals for medicine poisoning and many of these situations are preventable by making sure prescription drugs and medications are properly handled and stored. Many common medications can lead to unintended consequences or situations. Additionally, teenagers can make poor choices with pills, especially prescriptions, often with tragic results. Just like we protect our children in our vehicles by using car seats and seat belts, we need to protect our children at home and in school by locking up medications. Here are some tips provided by HealthyChildren.org that should be reviewed by all of our staff and families on a regular basis:
- Use medicine containers with safety caps and keep them out of reach and out of sight of children. Remember that safety caps are child-resistant, not childproof, and thus should not be relied on.
- Store all over-the-counter and prescription medicines in their original packages in locked cabinets or containers. Consider buying a small safe or lockbox to lock up all medicines and drugs.
- Put medicines back in safe storage right after using them. Never leave children alone with medicines, even for a moment.
- Remind babysitters, grandparents, and other visitors to keep purses, bags, or jackets that have medicines away from children's reach and inaccessible.
For adults who need to travel with their medications throughout the day, it’s extremely important to follow these guidelines at all times wherever you go. All medications should always be out of sight and out of reach of children, stored in their original packaging, and safely secured in locked cabinets or containers.
As a reminder, students are not permitted to bring any medications to school, even self-administered medications such as inhalers and over-the-counter products such as tylenol, without a doctor’s order on file with the school nurse. In these cases, families work closely under the supervision of the school nurse to ensure that medications are properly used and stored at all times. Just as this should be a focus for children, it should coninue to be a priority for all adults/staff that are in our buildings at any time.
| |
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 to Present "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" May 11-13
Kenmore West High School will proudly present "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 11-13, at 7:30 p.m. The show is directed by Diana Gruninger and Madeline Kaderabeck with student director Evangelina Greenwood and lighting design by Chris George. Tickets are $10. The play, written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, is a hilarious take on Shakespeare’s timeless writing. The audience is taken on a comedic rollercoaster as the play condenses well-known works such as “Romeo & Juliet,” “Othello,” and “Hamlet” and moves through all of Shakespeare’s writings at breakneck speed. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” was first performed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1987 by the founding members of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, a touring theater company. It now counts itself among the most popular shows in the world. All performances will take place in the Kenmore West Auditorium (33 Highland Parkway). Purchase your tickets at https://theaterwest.booktix.com
| |
|
3 Kenmore East Students Featured in Congressional Art Competition
Three Kenmore East High School art students are competitors in the Congressional Art Competition for Congressman Brian Higgins' 26th District. The pieces are, from left, Michael Bly's "Vista," Ali Qumachi's "Reflections," and Ava Valkwitch's "Reinstein Woods." All of the artwork including the pieces by our three Kenmore East students is currently on display in a gallery in the lobby of the Larkin at Exchange Building. The winner will be announced during a ceremony on May 8th. The grand prize is a round-trip ticket for two to Washington D.C. and the opportunity to see their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
| |
|
Farm to School Program Provides Hydroponic Kits & Drive-Through Smoothie Event
Students in elementary and middle schools have been able to watch vegetables grow right before their eyes thanks to hydroponic growing kids that have been placed in cafeterias. These were acquired through the Farm to School Program (with funding made possible by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farm To School Grant). Students have had a great time watching the vegetables grow. Additionally, the Farm to School Program has facilitated a drive-through smoothie event taking place on Thursday, May 25th at the Hoover Complex. Pick-up will be between 6 and 7 p.m. and families can register by clicking here. The deadline to register is May 22nd.
| |
|
Students on District Leadership Council Focus on Equity
Through the leadership of our student representatives on the Board of Education, Tilynn Robinson from Kenmore West and Maria Colosimo from Kenmore East, members of the District Leadership Council (DLC) engaged in activities centered around equity at their April 27th meeting. They learned what equity is, how it works, how it applies in school, and how to bring it to other students. Each group of students were challenged to create a bridge using a variety of different items like marshmallows, graham crackers, wooden skewers, and Legos. No group had the same items and the goal was to show how they could have a common goal and solve a problem with a different set of resources. The DLC is a collective student leadership group composed of student leaders from the middle schools, high schools, and the Big Picture Program. The goal of the DLC is to encourage student voice and leadership as well as find ways to foster district-wide connections. Click here to see additional photos from the event.
| |
|
Board Members Visit Kenmore West High School for Tour and Meet & Greet
On April 28th, Board of Education members and district administrators visited Kenmore West High School as part of their monthly school visitation program. They engaged with Kenmore West faculty and staff during a meet-and-greet in the library and then enjoyed a tour led by Principal Dean Johnson which included areas of the school that have been enhanced by the ongoing Capital Project. This included the new pick-up/drop-off loop and redesigned parking lot, ongoing improvements being made to the cafeteria, as well as the school's new single point of entry which is under construction.
| |
|
Kenmore East Baseball Team Reads With Edison 1st-Grade Students
First-grade students at Edison Elementary School welcomed some very special visitors on April 27th: the Kenmore East High School Varsity Baseball Team! Coach Leslie Simon and his players spent time reading aloud to students and then handed out packs of baseball cards, which Edison students were very excited to receive. It was wonderful to see our athletes serve as role models for our younger students, some of whom will be future Bulldog athletes! You can see photos of the event by clicking here.
| |
|
Lindbergh Kindergarten Student Wins 3rd Place in PBS Kids Writers Contest
Another Ken-Ton student has placed in the BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) PBS KIDS Writers Contest. Congratulations to Lindbergh Elementary School kindergartener Jack Cave for his creative piece which earned him third place for his grade level! The contest encourages young writers to use their imagination to write and illustrate an original story. The contest was open to Gr. K-3 students in Western New York and entrants were required to create a story (fact or fiction), a prose, or a piece of poetry that included at least five original illustrations. Judges based the winning entries on creativity and originality of plot, story structure and use of literary devices, relevance and originality of illustration, and adherence to the contest rules and structure. Congratulations Jack!
| |
|
Food Service Department Incorporates Locally Produced Microgreens in Lunches
Students were in for a treat Wednesday thanks to our amazing Food Service Department. Wednesday's meal of spaghetti with meat sauce/marinara was accompanied by a delicious side salad with hydroponic lettuce topped with microgreens all grown right here in WNY. The salad included butterhead lettuce from Kenneth Henry & Sons Farm in Eden, pea shoots from Tiny House Farms Microgreens in Snyder, and sunflower tips from Ellicottville Greens in Buffalo. It was all delivered fresh to Ken-Ton Schools from Produce Peddlers Inc., whose sole purpose is to connect local farms with local schools!
| |
|
Edison Students & Families Enjoy PTA STEM Night
Students and families at Edison Elementary School had a wonderful time at the school's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Night on April 27th. This special event was funded by the PTA and provided an opportunity for students in third and fourth grade to engage in various problem-solving activities that involved STEM subjects. Students were able to explore robotics, Spheros, and Ozobots to learn basic coding.
| |
|
Lindbergh 2nd Graders Take Part in ‘Community Museum’
On April 28th, second-grade students in Lisa Mitchell's class at Lindbergh Elementary took part in a "Community Museum" for students, staff, and families. For this fun activity, students were challenged to study different types of communities (such as rural, suburban, and urban) using library resources and Pebble Go. Then they created informational text booklets with all the things they learned about the community. They were also challenged to create a visual model of their chosen community. These projects were done entirely by the students with a little help from teacher aide Diane Catalano and two student interns. Students did a wonderful job researching and presenting their projects!
| |
|
Student Athletes Collaborate With Peers from Niagara Frontier League Schools
Earlier this week, Ken-Ton student athletes had the opportunity to interact and engage with their peers from throughout the area. Members of the Kenmore East and Kenmore West Student Athletic Advisory Committees (SAAC) met with other Niagara Frontier League schools at Pickleball Island. The group discussed student-athlete mental health, played games, and competed in a pickleball tournament.
| |
RECOGNITION: BOARD OF EDUCATION | |
|
Top row, from left, President Matthew Chimera and Vice President Lesley Battaglia. Bottom row, from left, Trustee Todd Marquardt, Trustee Jennifer Morrow, and Trustee Paul Spors.
Yesterday, we were extremely proud to see all five members of our Board of Education recognized as part of this year's Erie County Association of School Boards (ECASB) award series. All five will be honored at the ECASB Annual Dinner on June 8th.
ECASB is an organization that supports school boards throughout Erie County through professional development activities, training, advocacy, and resource materials. President Matthew Chimera, Vice President Lesley Battaglia, and Trustee Todd Marquardt will receive the Shining Star Award, which requires attending 10 or more ECASB committee meetings, programs, or events annually. Additionally, Trustee Jennifer Morrow and Trustee Paul Spors will receive the Rising Star Award, which requires attending between seven and nine ECASB committee meetings, programs, or events annually.
The annual ECASB award series is based on the belief that strong board members help make strong schools and that time, experience, and learning are key factors for effective school board governance. To see all five of our Board of Education members recognized through this award program is a tremendous honor for our district. It is also a tribute to their commitment to ongoing learning, service, and advocacy.
Please join me in congratulating them for this outstanding achievement!
| |
RECOGNITION: SCHOOL NURSES | |
|
On Wednesday, May 10th, we will celebrate School Nurse Appreciation Day. This day coincides with National Nurses Week, which always begins May 6th and ends on May 12th (the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing). The Wednesday during this week is devoted to school nurses, who play a vital role in schools.
School nursing dates back to 1902, when nurse Lina Rogers Struthers entered a New York City school as the nation's first school nurse. She was asked to provide nursing services for four city schools where absentee rates were among the highest due to sickness. One year later, the absentee rate in these four schools decreased by 90%. Fast forward to 2023 and school nursing has developed into a specialized practice that goes far beyond medical nursing. School nurses promote the academic success of students through collaboration with parents, school staff, physicians, and the community. They play many different roles. They provide care and comfort for students exhibiting symptoms and signs of illness, safeguard against the spread of sickness in schools and the community, ensure that students with specialized health care needs are able to succeed in school, educate students and families about how to stay healthy, and much more.
On Wednesday, we will celebrate our school nurses led by Medical Director Debra Carey who provide nursing services not only for our schools but for the non-public schools in our district as well. They are there for our students and families when they need it the most. They are the first line of defense when students suffer injuries, sickness, or other health concerns during the school day. We are grateful for their work and dedication and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to say “thank you” and express your appreciation for our dedicated nursing staff. We are so lucky to have such amazing professionals looking after the health and well being of our students!
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Tuesday, May 9th
- Board of Education Meeting & Budget Hearing (6:30 p.m. Kenmore Middle School)
Friday, May 12th
- Elementary School Early Release (12:40 p.m. Dismissal)
Saturday, May 13th
-
Ken-Ton Bus Tour & Breakfast With the Board Event (click here for details)
Tuesday, May 16th
- Budget Vote & Board of Education Election (7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hoover Middle)
| |
|
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
| | | | |
