Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
Volume 2, Issue 21 (January 21, 2022)
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NEW DEVELOPMENTS
We are continuing to see COVID-related requirements and guidelines change at an extremely rapid pace. I know it is difficult for families to keep up. During a meeting with school superintendents yesterday, the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) reported a sharp decline in cases over the past week. New guidance from the state is very confusing. Even though there is indication that contact tracing is no longer needed, there is still a requirement to notify close contacts of a positive case. Schools are still charged with ensuring that students/staff "who test positive for, develop symptoms of or are exposed to COVID-19 have access to the information they need to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and others. This may include isolating or quarantining, notifying close contacts, staying home when ill, monitoring symptoms, and wearing a well-fitting mask."
Schools are still required to notify families if their children meet the criteria established by the Department of Health for quarantine/isolation. Unvaccinated students who meet the criteria as a close contact will still have the option to participate in the Test to Stay Program in order to continue to attend school during the required 5-day quarantine period.
Although we are no longer required to report close contacts to the state and county, the guidelines for isolation and quarantine currently remain unchanged. Per the CDC definitions, children identified as meeting the criteria for being exposed to, or being at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 must follow the options listed below in order to mitigate the risk:
If your child is unvaccinated:
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In order to continue to attend school, your child must test at least twice during the 5-day period since the date your child was exposed. Your child must not have any symptoms to be eligible for this program. Please refer to our Test to Stay information.
- If you choose not to participate in TTS, please keep your child at home for at least 5 days after the date your child was exposed. Please monitor your child for symptoms during this time.
If your child is vaccinated:
- Your child may continue to attend school if your child does not display any COVID-19-like symptoms.
- If your child displays COVID-19-like symptoms during the 5 days after the date of exposure, your child must not attend school until such time as the exposure period has ended AND your child’s symptoms are resolving, AND your child has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
It is important that all families are prepared for additional significant changes in COVID requirements as cases continue to decline. These changes could come about suddenly and unexpectedly and we will continue to do our best at keeping our families informed.
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35th Annual Jerry Starr SleepOut
We are excited to announce that the 35th Annual Jerry Starr Ken-Ton Schools' Sleepout will take place Friday, February 4th behind the Hoover Complex. All donations will stay in the Ken-Ton community and support two fantastic organizations that serve the needs of families: the Ken-Ton Closet and Family Support Center.
This year’s SleepOut will return to Hoover Middle School (Sheridan Drive entrance). The program will begin at 8 p.m. and everyone is welcome to attend. All those in attendance will receive a raffle ticket to win a beautiful Amish quilt that was generously donated for the event. Those who choose to “sleep out” will spend the night outside in refrigerator boxes to raise awareness about the struggles faced by the homeless and the importance of helping those in need in our community.
The SleepOut is organized by Educators Totally Committed (E.T.C.), a group of retired Ken-Ton School District teachers dedicated to inspiring students to help those in need. The SleepOut is named in honor of one of its founders, the late Jerry Starr, who was always known for putting others before himself.
The Ken-Ton Closet and Family Support Center have a significant impact on countless children and families in our community. The Ken-Ton Closet, which operates at Jefferson Elementary School, provides new/gently used clothing and everyday necessities for families in need throughout Ken-Ton. The Family Support Center, which operates at Longfellow Elementary School behind Kenmore Middle, provides individual and family counseling as well as connections to local mental health service providers and other social-emotional support services for students and families.
If you have any questions, are interested in sleeping out for this event, or supporting the SleepOut in other ways, contact Steve Ash at 716-694-4492 or allhelpall@yahoo.com. You can find more information about the SleepOut at www.ktufsd.org/sleepout.
How to Support the SleepOut:
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Donate online via GoFundMe
- Cash/checks made payable to “Ken-Ton Schools – E.T.C." sent via U.S. Mail to Ken-Ton Schools’ SleepOut, c/o Kenmore West High School, 33 Highland Pkwy., Buffalo, NY 14223
- Dropped off in person the day of the SleepOut (monetary donations, food, personal care items, new/gently used clothing and small furniture items will be accepted)
- Staff can also donate in the following ways:
- Interoffice delivery to the address listed above
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Given to a KTA SleepOut building representative (listed at www.ktufsd.org/sleepout)
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Snow Day Decisions
The purpose of this section is to inform our community of everything that goes into a decision such as whether to close school in the event of inclement weather. This is one of the most challenging decisions a Superintendent has to make but it is important to understand that the safety of our students is paramount. School districts have a finite amount of emergency days in every school year calendar and living in the WNY region, we know that our winter season is very unpredictable.
Factors in our decision-making include total snow accumulations, road conditions, wind chill and anticipated daytime snowfall especially during arrival and dismissal times. Any time severe weather is forecasted, we are in constant communication with the National Weather Service, Town of Tonawanda Highway Department, and our Buildings/Grounds and Transportation staff. Additionally, I remain in contact with other regional superintendents to make the best informed decision possible.
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Each week, we will highlight some of the exciting things taking place in our schools. Be sure to follow the Ken-Ton School District on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@ktufsd) for more school highlights! |
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Holmes Elementary School: At Holmes Elementary School, third- and fourth-grade students teamed up with art teacher Diane Schafer to create the school’s newest art installation, “JoyFlakes”! It consists of a beautiful collection of intricate colorful snowflakes hanging in the school's central foyer. The students created these unique snowflakes to inspire joy among all students and staff as they walk down the halls. Great job to everyone involved!
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Hoover Elementary School: Students at Hoover Elementary School have had a great time showing off their Buffalo Bills pride! In the days leading up to the Bills’ 47-17 win over the Patriots in the NFL Wild Card Round, Hoover Elementary students decorated the hallway with banners, posters and colorings. Go Bills!
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Holmes Elementary School: Earlier this month during Spirit Day, Holmes Elementary School was excited to debut its brand new mascot! The Holmes Eagle spent the morning walking the halls, greeting students, and giving out high fives. Students will soon be voting on a name for the new mascot who has become a cherished addition to the school community. See more photos on Facebook @HolmesKTUFSD
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Kenmore East High School: Kenmore East student intern Caden Zeis recently led students in collecting sporting goods and equipment to donate through Victory Sports to help under-resourced schools and student athletes obtain the equipment they need to play and compete. Kenmore East students and staff donated enough items to fill several barrels. These included basketballs, hockey skates, gently used cleats, baseball bats and pants. As part of Caden’s Business/Marketing Internship, he will work to inventory the items and distribute them to schools, teams and student athletes through the Victory Sports distribution warehouse located in the Eastern Hills Mall. Read more about this initiative here.
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RECOGNITION: WINTER STORM RECOVERY |
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As you know, the Ken-Ton area was significantly impacted by the January 16th-17th winter storm which caused nearly 2 feet of snow to accumulate overnight. Preparing our buildings and buses for school to open on Tuesday, January 18th was a monumental undertaking. Luckily, with no school Monday due to the Dr. Luther King Jr. Holiday, we had 24 hours to accomplish this monumental task. I would like to recognize those whose hard work made this possible.
In our Buildings and Grounds Department, led by Director of Facilities Tim Ames and Assistant Director John Wille, numerous staff were involved in clearing and salting our parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and entrances. These staff members made sure to do whatever it took to make our facilities safe for the return of students and staff on Tuesday. This was no easy task.
In our Transportation Department, led by Supervisor of Transportation James Nestico, staff reported to ensure that all of our buses were ready to transport students on Tuesday. This included not only making sure that all of our equipment was ready to be used but also that our buses could easily pull out of the parking lot for early morning transportation on Tuesday.
Thank you to all of these staff members. If it was not for them, Ken-Ton could not have been open for school on Tuesday.
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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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