Weekly Update from the Office of the Superintendent
Volume 2, Issue 16 (December 3, 2021)
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Building Connections
With Students
Earlier this week, I visited Franklin Middle School where teachers, administrators and staff have done an amazing job this year maximizing student engagement and promoting a positive school environment. Interim Principal Michael Haggerty and Teacher on Special Assignment Dave Dlogosz along with the entire staff have been united in focusing on the atmosphere and culture of the school. Central to this work is Foundations, a new framework being implemented in our middle schools for promoting positive behavior and inspiring and motivating students to be in school. Various strategies have been implemented which have proven to be extremely effective at achieving these goals.
Earlier in the year, Franklin Middle School staff participated in a survey to identify opportunities to improve school climate. Student conduct in the hallways was identified as the best place to begin, which would have a significant impact on school climate and culture. Staff were challenged to brainstorm ideas to make improvements in this area. This led to several changes to procedures at Franklin Middle. Whereas in the past students reported to the auditorium upon arrival before the start of school if they were not eating breakfast in the cafeteria, now they report right to their first-period class. Also, the duration of the arrival window was extended. This means that staff can greet students and make them feel welcome on a much more individualized basis. Staff are also out in the halls during class changes, not just ensuring that students are following directions, but engaging them on a one-on-one basis.
That has been a major priority for the school: engaging with students and building relationships, which is extremely important for this age group. This is just one way our schools are always striving to improve and I commend the entire Franklin Middle staff for their outstanding efforts.
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Looking Out for Each Other & Ourselves
The holidays are upon us. This can be a very joyous time, but we must also be mindful that this can be a time of hardship and strain for many in our community. Not only must we look out for each other, but we must also be mindful of our own well-being.
The Ken-Ton community is fortunate to have an extremely valuable and unique resource that can help: the Family Support Center. Located at 255 Myron Avenue inside the former Longfellow Building behind Kenmore Middle School, the Family Support Center provides a variety of mental health and support services for Ken-Ton School District families and staff who may be facing a challenging time. Our very own school counselors, psychologists and social workers as well as additional service providers work after school and into the evenings to provide individual and family counseling. The Center also has a food pantry on site for families facing food insecurity, maintains a lending library, and is able to connect families with additional mental health services and other resources in the community.
The Family Support Center is led by Janet Cerra, who founded the Center in 2003 to provide a resource for families to address a range of issues that adversely affect children. Ms. Cerra’s philosophy has always been to incorporate the entire family into the counseling process. This is because challenges at home might be the cause of the child’s struggles, and what is causing the child to struggle might be affecting the entire family. In addition, Ms. Cerra works closely with many local agencies so specialists can provide more specific, individualized support.
The Family Support Center is a tremendous resource for families and individuals in need from our community. If you think they may be able to assist you or someone you know, please do not hesitate to contact the Center at 716-874-8510 or jcerra@ktufsd.org or by speaking with your child’s school counselor. You can also find more information at www.ktufsd.org/FSC.
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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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Students and staff at Edison Elementary made Veterans Day extra special for Ken-Ton area veterans on Friday, November 12th. Fourth-graders made special treat bags with a variety of goodies and invited all veterans to drive by the school to pick up this token of appreciation for their service. Students were lined up along Grayton Road to hand out the treat bags along with thank you cards. It was a wonderful way to show our veterans how much we appreciate their service and sacrifice. You can view photos from this event here.
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The day before Veterans Day was an emotional day as Lindbergh Elementary students and staff came together to honor our nation's veterans. Students continued the tradition of inviting family members and loved ones who have served in the Armed Forces and presenting them each with a rose during the ceremony. They also had their pictures taken where essays were displayed in which students expressed what Veterans Day means to them. Some of the Lindbergh Leaders also read their essays aloud during the assembly. You can view photos from this event here.
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Congratulations to the Lindbergh Elementary School students who took part in the recent O’Connell & Co. Theatre production of “All Together Now” at the Ken-Ton Elmwood Commons! The students, under the direction of Mr. Holden, were Ryleigh Cavanagh, Angela Chojnicki, Eli Deisinger, Clara Eldridge, Linden Hakala, Samuel Iten, Emmeline Keefe, Cecelia Kress, Aislinn Reed, and Mason Williams along with Mr. Holden's son, Elias. “All Together Now” is an international theater event for local theater companies to raise funds to support their programs. |
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We had several students and staff from Hoover Middle School who participated in the annual YMCA Turkey Trot, which took place on Thanksgiving Day in Buffalo. This was the 126th year the eight-kilometer race has taken place, making it the longest consecutively run footrace in the U.S. Participants included, back row, from left, Mr. Burhans, Ms. Siegel, Ms. Lukowski, Mrs. Cipolla and Mrs. Cummins, and, front row, from left, Tessa Boehmer, Avery Brach and Peter Koudounas. |
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At Hoover Middle School, school counselors Rebecca LaRoach and Tom Schwob had a great time taking a moment out of their busy day to participate in the November Planksgiving Challenge before the holiday. The Planksgiving Challenge comprises a different plank each day through the month of November. |
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RECOGNITION: VACCINATION CLINIC FACILITATORS |
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On Friday, November 19th and Tuesday, November 23rd, we hosted two vaccination clinics for Ken-Ton students ages 5-11. These were the fifth and sixth vaccination opportunities facilitated by the Ken-Ton School District for staff and families over the past nine months. These most recent clinics were organized in partnership with Rite Aid and Brighton Eggert Pharmacy to provide a convenient option for families who chose to have their younger children vaccinated (remember: vaccination is not mandatory, so these were only organized for families who wished to participate). The clinics took place at Hamilton Elementary and everything was extremely well organized, from the intake process to the observation area, where staff provided snacks and kept students entertained for the required 15-minute observation period. Both clinics went off without a hitch and nearly 500 Ken-Ton students in UPK through Grade 7 were vaccinated.
We wish to recognize all the staff who made these clinics such a tremendous success. This includes Mike Muscarella, Director of Elementary Education, who coordinated the partnership with both pharmacies and organized the clinics; school nurses Sharon Schulz, Joanne Cascio, Paula McDonnell, Mary Buyer, and Jennifer Cudzilo, who provided nursing support; Community Relations Coordinator Patrick Fanelli, who coordinated the scheduling and communications; Edison Elementary School counselor Gina Paolini and Lindbergh Elementary teacher aide Towana Wells for smiling and entertaining. We also wish to thank the professionals from Rite Aid and Brighton Eggert Pharmacy who did such a great job administering both clinics.
Great job everyone and thank you for your hard work!
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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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