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Weekly E-Newsletter from the Superintendent of Schools
Volume 3, Issue 31 (April 28, 2023)
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UPDATE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT | |
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NEW ACCOUNTABILITY DESIGNATIONS
As was discussed last month, the NYS Education Department is restarting its accountability system. A new system has been implemented to evaluate schools and districts including new accountability designations. As a reminder, this is a requirement under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which governs federal K-12 public education policy throughout the country. Under the state’s ESSA plan, schools and districts are now identified as one of the following:
Schools:
- Local Support & Improvement (LSI - formerly “Good Standing”)
- Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI)
- Additional Targeted Support & Improvement (ATSI)
- Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI)
Districts:
- Local Support & Improvement (LSI - formerly "Good Standing")
- Target District
You can read more about these designations in the March 10th Weekly Connection. The newest accountability information for schools and districts has been released by the state on Wednesday. We were pleased to learn that the Ken-Ton School District and all of its schools have been given the “Local Support & Improvement” (LSI) designation. This was previously referred to as “Good Standing” and is the highest designation a school district can receive.
For the 2022-23 school year, these designations were based on the following measures: student academic achievement, progress of English language learners, chronic absenteeism, and graduation rates. These different measures were examined in each of 10 different “subgroups,” which are categories of students based on race/ethnicity, English language proficiency, disability status, and economic status. It is important to note that, although all schools and the district received the LSI designation, there were school and district-level subgroups which were identified as Potential Targeted Support and Intervention (PTSI). This indicates that certain benchmarks will need to be met in the coming year in these subgroups.
Improving in these areas will be a priority to ensure that the district and its schools maintain their LSI designations. Continuous improvement remains our focus as a district and we will strive for progress allowing our Ken-Ton Forward to be the driving force in all of our decision making.
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It is extremely important for families to always make sure the school district has accurate contact information on file, not only for the child’s parents and/or guardians but for emergency contacts as well. The school’s ability to easily and quickly contact a child’s family or emergency contact is a critical component of safety and emergency planning. Please always do the following:
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Make sure phone numbers and email addresses are constantly up-to-date for a child’s primary contacts. In the event of an emergency, these are the numbers that will be called. Contact information can be viewed on Parent Portal. You can find the link to access the Portal at www.ktufsd.org/ParentPortal. On this page, you will also find instructions on how to access Portal on a mobile device, update your household/contact information, request an activation key, and more. If you do not have a Campus Parent Portal account, please email ICportal@ktufsd.org.
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Also make sure contact information is accurate for the child’s emergency contacts. Our security partner, Altaris, recommends that every family has at least two emergency contacts on file.
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All families are encouraged to have at least one cell phone number on file which can receive school and district text messages and at least one email address which can receive school and district email messages. Important information is often shared via text/email.
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Always make sure your voicemail isn’t full. If you reach your voicemail capacity, your phone service will not allow new voicemails to be saved.
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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! | |
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4 from Ken-Ton Earn WNYESC Award of Excellence
On Wednesday, April 26th, four members of the Ken-Ton School District staff and leadership team were among 18 individuals from across Western New York to be presented the 2023 Western New York Educational Service Council (WNYESC) 2023 Award of Excellence. These individuals were Kenmore West music teacher and district Music Coordinator Laura Anderson, Board of Education President Matthew Chimera, Hoover Elementary & Middle School Head Custodian Thomas Gominiak, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Leadership & Instruction Kelly White. Click here to read the story and learn more about these amazing individuals.
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70+ Students & Adults Take Part in Shoreline Trail Clean-Up Effort
More than 70 students and adults volunteered their time on Saturday, April 22nd (which happened to be Earth Day) to clean up the Ken-Ton School District section of the Niagara River Greenway Shoreline Trail. The group ended up filling six Casella totes containing 665 items of trash that weighed over 100 pounds combined. Special thanks go out to Lisa Valle’s students from Franklin Middle, Melisa Dettbarn's and Anne HusVar’s students from Hoover Middle, the Kenmore East National Honor society led by Dawn Piotrowski, Denise Amato and the Kenmore West Environmental Club, and the Kenmore West National Honor Society. Board of Education President Matt Chimera, Executive Director of Secondary Education Lisa Cross, and several Ken-Ton School District parents joined us in pitching in to make this effort such a tremendous success. Click here to read the story.
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Kenmore West Health Teacher Takes Part in Boston Marathon
We were extremely proud to see Ken-Ton and Western New York well represented at the 2023 Boston Marathon by Kenmore West High School health teacher Matt Chase! The Boston Marathon, the world's longest-running marathon and one of the best-known races in the world, took place April 17th. This was his second consecutive year taking part in the event, finishing in a time of 3:06:53. Mr. Chase is no stranger to marathons, competing in several over the last few years in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Erie, and Buffalo. Click here to read the story.
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Families Take Part in Lindbergh Elementary 'Dinner Around the World'
Lindbergh Elementary recently hosted a wonderful event which celebrated the culture and cuisine of several different countries represented by students and families in the community. Many Lindbergh families came together for the school's "Dinner Around the World" event which featured home-cooked dishes and desserts contributed by guests. Delicious food from many different countries was represented including Nepal, Bangladesh, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, the Dominican Republic, and more. It was a fantastic opportunity to enjoy each other's company, sample amazing new food, and celebrate the rich diversity of our community.
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Kenmore East Student Spearheads Prom Dress Drive
A senior at Kenmore East High School has spearheaded an effort to give back and help the community in a very special way. Eva Eggers, a member of Kenmore East's National Honor Society, came up with the idea of starting a prom dress drive and it was a tremendous success. Almost 20 dresses were donated and will be dropped off at the Ken-Ton Closet to assist families in need at prom time. Thanks to Eva, Kenmore East plans on making this drive an annual event.
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Franklin Elementary Kindergarten Class Cleans Up Lincoln Park
In celebration of Earth Day, which was observed globally on Saturday, April 22nd, a kindergarten class at Franklin Elementary School set out to beautify the environment right in their own backyard. Students in Franklin Elementary kindergarten teacher Kimberly Ingerson's class spent time outside the school cleaning up neighboring Lincoln Park. They focused on picking up and discarding trash in areas where Franklin Elementary students typically play. It was a great way to celebrate Earth Day and inspire the students to demonstrate care for the environment.
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KW Environmental Club Invites Special Guests Leading Up to Earth Day
For the third year in a row, the Kenmore West High School "Earthlings" Environmental Club, led by club advisor and Kenmore West teacher aide Denise Amato, celebrated Earth Day last week with a different theme each day. For the second time, the week-long celebration included several special guests from the Department of Environmental Conservation, Eastern Monarch Butterfly, Casella’s, Erie County Environment and Planning, the NY Sea Grant, and the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, who engaged students in the cafeteria during lunches. The club also hosted several fun activities like a "Guess How Many Cheerios Are in the Jar" contest and an art/photo competition. Great job to everyone involved!
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Kenmore East Street Law Classes Tour Town of Tonawanda Police Station
On April 13th and April 20th, Kenmore East High School Street Law classes had the opportunity to take part in a tour of the Town of Tonawanda Police Station led by Captain Joseph Milosich. The students got to see firsthand the inner workings of the police station and town courts. They also had the chance to see where the paramedic unit is housed and observe how the Forensic Department works within the town. A big thank you goes out to Capt. Milosich and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department led by Police Chief James Stauffiger for taking the time to develop this field trip for our students.
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'Girls on the Run' Groups Prepare Holmes & Franklin Elementary Students for Upcoming 5K
Over the next two months, several young girls in the Ken-Ton School District will be working to build their strength, endurance, and grow as individuals through Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run is an eight-week program that inspires girls of all abilities to recognize their strengths and build a connection with other. Each week includes lessons aimed to empower team members with a different objective for each lesson. Throughout the spring, a total of eight volunteer coaches are leading two groups of girls in Gr. 3-4, one at Franklin Elementary and another at Holmes Elementary. All of the lessons and training lead up to a 5K race this summer. Click here to read the story.
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RECOGNITION: DR. ANNE MARTELL | |
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We were extremely proud to learn that Dr. Anne Martell, Director of K-12 Education, has been named one of two recipients of the inaugural Community Partnership Award from the University at Buffalo Office of Educator Preparation. Dr. Martell was recognized for her work in this program, which prepares students for their teaching career, and the key role she played in developing its teacher residency program. Dr. Martell was noted for her authenticity, ability to build relationships, commitment to collaboration, and dedication.
“Anne’s importance during these pilot years has been invaluable,” said Dr. Julie Gorlewski, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Teacher Education. “She truly represents a reciprocal partnership and collaborative effort, which teacher education needs to be.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Martell, who recently earned her Ph.D. at UB, was instrumental in forging a teacher residency partnership between UB and the Ken-Ton School District. This partnership not only provided student teaching experiences for the next generation of educators, some of whom may one day teach in Ken-Ton, but these individuals also served as substitute teachers. Dr. Martell was involved in all aspects of this partnership, from screening candidates to cultivating a community of mentor teachers.
Unlike traditional student teacher placements, which usually last six to eight weeks, this program placed students at the Big Picture Program, Kenmore East, and Kenmore West for the entire school year beginning with professional development opportunities prior to the first day of school. This partnership was immensely beneficial for everyone involved. For UB student teachers, it allowed them to become fully immersed in the school community, cultivating deeper relationships with their mentor teachers and their students. It also provided them with real and practical experiences in the classroom and a better understanding of the rhythms and transitions of the school year. For Ken-Ton, this program provided for enhanced classroom teaching. Additionally, as districts across the country face a shortage of substitute teachers, the program provided Ken-Ton with a pool of qualified substitute teachers.
Dr. Martell will receive this honor during a student Certification Ceremony on Wednesday, May 17th. During this ceremony, seven UB residents who worked in Ken-Ton all year are expected to be honored for earning their certification as well. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Martell for her outstanding work!
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RECOGNITION: PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS & FOOD SERVICE STAFF | |
Next week, communities around the country will celebrate the amazing contributions of three special groups of school district staff: principals, teachers, and food service staff. | |
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PRINCIPALS:
On Monday, May 1st, we will celebrate National Principals Day, a chance to recognize the never ending work and outstanding leadership of our school principals.
Being a principal is an extremely challenging, fast-paced job. As the leaders of their school communities, they are responsible for managing their buildings, supporting their teachers and staff, inspiring students, maintaining close relationships with families, and so much more. They are involved in all aspects of school operations and responsible for everything that takes place in their buildings.
In Ken-Ton, our 10 school principals are the best of the best. Their unwavering focus on the success and well-being of their students and staff is the hallmark of their leadership. They continuously foster a positive culture in their buildings. Their inspirational vision is what continues to drive our schools forward. On Monday, I encourage everyone to reach out to your school principal to express your appreciation and recognize them for the vital role they play in the community.
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TEACHERS:
Across the U.S., schools will be observing Teacher Appreciation Day on either Tuesday, May 2nd or Tuesday, May 9th. It is an opportunity to reflect on the incredible work of our educators and the critical role they play in our students’ development and growth. All teachers deserve our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the incredible work they do everyday.
Ken-Ton has always been known for its outstanding educators. Our teachers are at the forefront of engaging their students, making sure our students feel cared for, and maintaining strong partnerships with families. What is most inspiring about our teachers is the concern they have for our students’ welfare and social-emotional health and well being. They also embrace teaching as a lifestyle, support one another, and are constantly working to improve as educators.
The education our students receive in the classroom is the foundation of their future success. As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day, please take a moment to say “thank you” to your child’s teachers and to reflect on the critical role they play in our children’s lives. To all our Ken-Ton teachers, we are so proud and grateful for what you do!
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FOOD SERVICE STAFF:
Friday, May 5th is National School Lunch Hero Day, a day for communities across the U.S. to celebrate the contributions of food service staff. Under the direction of Food Service Director Kim Roll and Assistant Director Kristin Kryszczuk, our cook managers, cooks, and food service helpers ensure that no student goes hungry.
Serving breakfast and lunch for thousands of students every day is a tremendous logistical operation. They must provide quality meals which students will enjoy while meeting a multitude of state and federal nutrition requirements. They must also operate as efficiently as possible, operating as a 100 percent self-sustaining program. This is something our staff does amazingly well. The quality of the food served in our cafeterias is outstanding. Our food service staff is always looking for new options to serve while also incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables, much of it grown at local farms. They have also been instrumental in providing other opportunities for students, such as the Farm to School Program, wellness initiatives, major events like the district Harvest Festival held in October and the upcoming Wellness Fair, and the district's new Blender Bike, which is now frequently being used in schools.
On Friday, I encourage everyone to join us in celebrating the amazing work of our Food Service Department. They truly are heroes!
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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.
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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
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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)
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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!
Sabatino Cimato,
Superintendent of Schools
For previous editions of the Ken-Ton Weekly Connection, visit
www.ktufsd.org/connection
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