Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
Volume 1, Issue 46 (June 17, 2021)
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Approaching the Finish Line
As we communicated on Tuesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has lifted most COVID-related restrictions across the state. Unfortunately, this did not apply to Gr. K-12 schools, which are operating under the same restrictions as we were previously for the final days of the 2020-21 school year. There has not yet been any indication of what requirements or restrictions may be in place for the 2021-22 school year beginning in September. We expect New York State to release these requirements in the coming weeks and we will communicate this to families as soon as this happens. With COVID cases plummeting and vaccinations continuing to rise, we are planning for a traditional 5-day instructional program with full in-person attendance beginning in September. Unless required by the NYS Education Department or NYS Department of Health, the virtual/remote learning model will be discontinued at the conclusion of this school year.
Ever since our schools began planning the commencement events, it was always our top priority to have one ceremony that brings together the entire graduating class. These ceremonies have been designed to achieve that priority while also enabling each student to invite 2 guests. We are maintaining these procedures in order to host a safe and secure event on each school's respective athletic field. We are making further enhancements by ensuring that only unvaccinated individuals will need to wear a mask but may remove the mask at their seat. Schools will not be confirming vaccination status so we are relying upon families to be honest. Masks are optional for vaccinated individuals. Also, students will be able to shake hands and the event will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. Keep in mind, we have many more safety protocols that we have planned for and will have in place outside the realm of COVID.
We can anticipate that parking will be a challenge. For Kenmore East’s graduation, parking will be available at Franklin and overflow parking will be available at Kenmore East with shuttle service to Adams Field. For Kenmore West’s graduation, street parking is available as well as parking in the Lindbergh lot which is only a 1-block walk from Crosby Field. Overflow parking will be available at Kenmore West with shuttle service to Crosby Field. For both ceremonies, families using the shuttle service should drop their graduates off at the field first. Due to close seating arrangements on our school buses and in accordance with public transportation requirements, all shuttle riders will be required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.
Schools will share final details with families by Monday, June 21. We look forward to joining our families in celebrating the Class of 2021!
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Big Picture Class of 2021
Tuesday, June 15 was a very special night as the Ken-Ton School District celebrated the 14 graduating seniors of the Big Picture Program Class of 2021. Presiding over the ceremony was Mr. Kevin Kruger, Big Picture Program Principal, and Christopher Watson, 401 (Senior Class) Advisor. We were also joined by Board of Education members, administrators, Big Picture staff, and families.
Big Picture is a non-traditional high school program and the only program of its kind in Western New York. It is distinguished by its small class advisories, individualized project-based approach to learning, and internship experiences. Operating in the Kenmore Middle School Building, the program includes approximately 75 students in Gr. 8-12. It was brought to Ken-Ton as a result of an initiative called Destination Graduation in order to provide an innovative new pathway to graduation. Since then, it has been an incredible success and this was its seventh graduating class. We will strategically continue to focus on our pathways to graduation and continuing to enhance such a successful program.
We are extremely proud of our Class of 2021 Big Picture graduates for achieving this milestone! Our graduating seniors were Jane Benz, Zachary Doty, Anthony Genco, Cora Hatch, Romeo Mack, Madison Martin, Ryan Nebrich, Sabrina Paveljack, Bailey Payne, Matthew Sandy, Simon St. Peter, Michael Vitale, Curtis Waite and Richard Wright. We also recognized Program Supervisor Anne Blenk and Kenmore Middle School Head Custodian Michael Kollmar, both of whom are retiring this year. Ms. Blenk and Mr. Kollmar have both been instrumental throughout the program's history here in Ken-Ton.
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College-Bound Athletes
This week, we were also proud to recognize the following Kenmore East and Kenmore West student athletes who have signed their intent to compete at the college level next year:
Kenmore East:
- Payton Taylor, Canisius (Swimming)
- Gabrielle Sordetto, Fredonia (Volleyball)
- Alex Murdie, NCCC (Baseball)
- Morgan Hoover, ECC (Soccer)
- Aaron Huddleston, Medaille (Baseball)
- Will Markott, NCCC (Baseball)
- Alex Murdie, NCCC (Baseball)
- Nate Bova, ECC (Baseball)
- Arneice Wilkins, Jamestown Community College (Basketball)
- Adit Rai, ECC (Soccer)
- Sean Barrett, NCCC (Golf)
- Zac Golibersuch, NCCC (Golf)
- Seamus McPhee, Ohio Northern University (Boys Lacrosse)
- Madison Beuchat, ECC (Volleyball)
Kenmore West:
- Bailey Wiegand, Canisius College (Swimming)
- Michala Baker, Buffalo State (Soccer)
- Laura Cohn, Barry University (Soccer)
- Sophia DiGesare, ECC (Volleyball)
- Lucas Correa, Genesee Community College (Boys Lacrosse)
- PJ Abbott, Niagara University (Club Hockey)
These students were recognized for their athletic achievements at signing ceremonies led by Director of Athletics Brett Banker, Assistant Director of Athletics James Badgley and our coaches. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, fewer than 8% of high school athletes are accepted into NCAA Divisional Programs, so these students represent the elite among high school athletes who move on to compete at the college level. Please join me in congratulating these students and their families for their achievements!
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Lauren Reinhart &
Kendall Brach
Lastly, we are extremely proud to recognize two members of the Class of 2021: Lauren Reinhart from Kenmore East High School and Kendall Brach from Kenmore West High School. Lauren and Kendall served this past year as our Student Representatives on the Board of Education. They also initiated a new leadership structure called the District Leadership Council. This initiative brings together student leaders from all of our middle and high schools. The Council is intended to provide opportunities to share best practice with their peers as well as feedback with District leadership. The goal of the DLC is to encourage student voice and leadership and find ways to make district-wide connections.
Please join me in congratulating Lauren and Kendall for the outstanding job they did representing our students on the Board of Education and for leaving behind a legacy that will enrich our District for years to come!
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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!
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