Volume 3, Issue 37 (June 16, 2023)



Video Update: https://youtu.be/yXYuY1QSeNM

SUMMER CAPITAL PROJECT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

We are about to kick off another busy summer of construction as we continue to implement the Capital Project. There will be a great deal of work taking place at three schools which will limit access to these facilities. Some of this work will be completed by the first day of school while other work will continue into the 2023-24 school year. We will also have a great deal of activity taking place at other locations in the district. The following is a summary of what our community can expect:

Edison Elementary School:

• Work includes the single point of entry, water pipes, classroom addition, new bus loop, and new pick-up/drop-off lane. The building will be closed to all students, staff, and families until August 21st. The administrative team will be relocated. Once relocations are finalized, families will be notified of how to contact the school. The playground will remain open.

Hoover Elementary/Middle School:

• Work includes the single point of entry, water pipes, resurfacing/redesign of the rear parking lot, elementary classroom addition, and new pick-up/drop-off loop. The building will be closed to all students, staff, and families until August 21st. The administrative team will be relocated. Once relocations are finalized, families will be notified of how to contact the school. There will be no entering off Sheridan Drive and playground access may be limited.

Kenmore West High School:

• Work includes the single point of entry, water pipes, some parking lot resurfacing, and other renovations. All work will be completed by the end of the summer. Visitation will be limited at times. The administrative team will not be relocated.

Franklin Elementary/Middle School:

• There is no significant work scheduled for this summer. This will be the summer school location for elementary/middle school and Summer Day Camp.

Kenmore East High School:

• There will be limited work taking place (e.g. new camera installation/PA upgrades). This will be the summer school location for high school.

Holmes/Lindbergh Elementary:

• There will be no significant work scheduled this summer.

Basketball/Tennis Courts:

• Additionally, the tennis courts at Adams, Lindbergh, and Kenmore West will be resurfaced, as well as the basketball courts at Franklin (the Hoover courts may be resurfaced as well).

On Tuesday, June 20th, we are extremely excited to welcome local and state representatives to Edison Elementary, where we will hold a special celebration to kick off the busy summer construction season. This event will mark an exciting milestone for the Ken-Ton School District as we look forward to the continued transformation of school district facilities. We are also in the process of considering a new capital project that will focus on improving some of the structures of our instructional program. Of course, we will begin with Lindbergh as the first phase of the project, but we will also prioritize how the revitalization of buildings like Kenmore Junior/Senior High School can have a tremendous impact on not only our students but also our community as a whole.

JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY

There will be no school on Monday, June 19th and district offices will be closed as we celebrate the Juneteenth holiday.

Juneteenth takes place on June 19th each year and its purpose is to commemorate the end of slavery in America. The history of Juneteenth, which was also known as Emancipation Day or Freedom Day, dates back to 1865 and the end of the Civil War. At the time, Texas was the last remaining Confederate state to surrender to Union forces. On June 19th, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, TX to enforce Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation which freed slaves throughout the state.

In addition to celebrating the abolition of slavery, Juneteenth is also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of continuing the fight against injustice and inequity.

GRADUATION REMINDER

• Big Picture Graduation: Friday, June 16th (7 p.m. in the Kenmore Middle Auditorium)
• Kenmore West Graduation: Saturday, June 24th (10 a.m. at Kleinhans)
• Kenmore East Graduation: Saturday, June 24th (6 p.m. at Kleinhans)

SAFETY TIPS FOR FAMILIES

Summer is upon us and our children will be spending a lot of time outdoors during the summer months. It’s a great way to be healthy, but being outside in the sun can raise your skin cancer risk without taking precautions. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can damage skin cells. It’s important to remember that UV rays can reach you on sunny or cloudy days regardless of the temperature and they reflect off of surfaces like water and cement. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention provides the following tips for protecting ourselves from the sun:

• Seek shade when necessary. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it’s best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent.
• When possible, cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts to provide protection from UV rays.
• Wear a hat that shades the face, scalp, ears, and neck. If your child chooses a baseball cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen.
• Wear sunglasses. They protect your child’s eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life.
• Use a sunscreen with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 every time your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don’t forget to protect ears, noses, lips, and the tops of feet.

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!

District Celebrates 54 Retirees at Retirement Reception

Congratulations to this year's retirees! A total of 54 retiring teachers, administrators, support staff, and Board of Education members were honored at the annual Retirement Reception on June 6th. These 54 individuals helped guide our district community through so many challenges over the course of their careers. They touched the lives of thousands of students and families, whether working directly with students or behind the scenes as a classroom teacher, administrator, service provider, or support staff member. They are more than employees; they are friends, leaders, colleagues, and mentors, and they will be missed. Click here for a full list of retirees and pictures from the event.

Kenmore West Celebrates Third Annual West Fest

Tuesday, June 13th was a fun-filled day at Kenmore West High School as the school held its third annual "West Fest” celebration. Students were assigned a color to wear according to their grade level and had the chance to enjoy a full day of activities including slip-n-slide kickball, dunk tank, team sports, an obstacle course, drum circle, and much more. This new annual tradition was spearheaded by Kenmore West teachers Charles Panepinto and April Owczarczak. West Fest is one of the biggest events of the year as all Kenmore West students come together to celebrate and enjoy a fun-filled day. The entire Kenmore West faculty and staff came together to make sure the event was a tremendous success. Individual staff volunteered to supervise and coordinate activities, serve food, and ensure that all students stayed safe and had fun.

Schools Honor Flag Day With Assemblies & Parades

From parades to patriotic assemblies, elementary schools did a wonderful job celebrating Flag Day on Thursday. Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th every year, which commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States. This took place on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress and it was established as a national observance in 1916. It is a very special day for students at all of our elementary schools who look forward to celebrating the Flag and everything it represents.

3 KE Athletes Qualify for NYS Track & Field Championships

We were proud to see three Kenmore East student-athletes qualify for the NYS Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The event was held June 9th and 10th at Middletown High School. Representing Ken-Ton after winning the Section VI titles the previous weekend were Henry Morris (12th grader), who competed in the 400m hurdles; Sidney Morris (12th grader), who competed in the 800m run; and Daniel Reinhart (12th grader), who competed in the pole vault. Henry finished 12th overall, Sidney finished 17th overall, and Daniel finished tied for 22nd overall.

Kenmore East Engineering Students Showcase Prototypes

Students in Tom Koprevich's Engineering Design and Development (EDD) class presented their projects during lunches at the annual Kenmore East High School EDD Project Showcase. Students spent months designing and developing prototypes of their projects and their hard work paid off. Congratulations to the following who had their projects on display: 

• "The Changing Chameleon Cleaner" by Mariam Al-Obaidi and Helen Ni
• "The To-Go Desk" by Christopher Sauvageau and Rhiannon Dombrowskas
• "Super Can Opener" by Robert Flores and Sidney Morris
• "The Munch Tray" by Patrick Molnar and Nathan Anderson
• "Zipper Lock Project" by Cody Janson and Ryan Fink
• "Sneaker Spinning Display" by Jordan Mullins and Dillon Sujka

Click here to see photographs from the event.

Kenmore West Student Earns Girl Scout Gold Award

We were proud of Gaia Godinho, an 11th grader at Kenmore West High School, who recently earned her Girl Scout Gold Award. This was a tremendous honor from the national organization. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest honor among Girl Scouts, with only 6% earning the award nationally every year. Gaia was one of 31 girls in Western New York honored with the award during a ceremony on Saturday, June 3rd in Rochester. Gold Award Girl Scouts are honored for helping to fix a problem in their community or making a lasting change in the world. Gaia has spent over 80 hours designing, planning, organizing, and building a permanent archery range at a local Girl Scout camp. This new range will be enjoyed by many Girl Scouts for years to come.

Franklin Elementary 3rd Graders Take Part in ‘Living Museum’

A longtime tradition at Franklin Elementary School has returned! Third-grade students recently held their "Living Museum" event where students research and spread knowledge about a famous person of their choice. There were numerous athletes, singers, and other noteworthy or historical figures represented as guests visited classrooms. This included Lionel Messi, Walt Disney, Simone Biles, Ariana Grande, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Aretha Franklin. Click here to see photos of the event.

Literacy Organization Donates Books for Lindbergh Students

Lindbergh Elementary students were in for a treat the week of June 5th as they were given free books thanks to an organization called Ohana100, the Daniel Kahikina Akaka Family Foundation, and Aloha Books. Ohana100 has been providing services as a club since 2013 and has helped promote literacy to younger kids in Hawaii, Western New York, and beyond. Throughout the school year, volunteers with Ohana100 go into local classrooms to read to children. Lindbergh has had the pleasure of having Marie Wolf as a volunteer for years. Associated with Ohana100 and Aloha Books, Marie visits the school every Wednesday to read to classrooms and help with other activities. During the week of June 5th, she gave each classroom at Lindbergh an extra special surprise: a free book for every child to take home!

Franklin Elementary Girls on the Run Students Raise Money for Animal Rescue Organization

This year's Girls on the Run participants had already taken part in their 5K, but runners at Franklin Elementary School were still hard at work. As part of their community service project, the girls recently chose to sell lemonade to their classmates and Franklin staff during lunch hours. All proceeds will be going to the Heart Animal Rescue in Hamburg. Girls on the Run is an organization which allows students to build their strength, endurance, and grow as individuals. It is an eight-week program which culminates in a 5k race and inspires girls of all abilities to recognize their strengths and build a connection with others.

Hoover Elementary Students Make Get Well Cards for Injured Officer

Students in Natalie McCarthy’s and Margaret Mahoney's first-grade classrooms at Hoover Elementary School worked together to make “get well” cards for Officer David Piatek, a police officer with the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, who was seriously injured while on duty. Officer Piatek graduated from the police academy in 2021 and has served our community as a police officer with the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for the past two years. On May 29th, Officer Piatek was hospitalized after sustaining severe injuries while on duty.

Lindbergh Students Learn & Explore With 3D Printers

Over at Lindbergh Elementary, Laura Waggoner's and Thomas Perryman's first-grade classrooms recently learned about 3D printing. David Rogalski, a Ken-Ton Instructional Support Specialist for Technology, taught the students how 3D printing worked and all the ways we can use them in everyday life. Every student used the app Tinkercad to create a personalized name plate to print and take home. The students continued the activity by researching rockets. During the learning process, they worked together to build the parts of a rocket using the 3D printer. Both classes were thrilled as they finally got to launch their rockets in the back field of Lindbergh.

RECOGNITION: COLLEGE-BOUND ATHLETES

This week, we were proud to recognize the following Kenmore West High School student athletes who have signed their intent to compete at the college level next year:

• Charles Anzalone: Canisius College, Ice Hockey
• Jermaine Atkins: Edinboro University, Football
• Carolyn Bourgeault: Concordia University, Ice Hockey & Lacrosse
• Emiliana Cassillo: Aurora University, Ice Hockey
• Mason Forney: Buffalo State University, Football
• Jackson Gallivan: Grinnell College, Football
• David Hnin: Buffalo State University, Soccer
• Morgan Kopera: St. Bonaventure University, Rugby
• Delia Lake: Erie Community College, Volleyball
• Cameron Murdie: Hilbert College, Soccer
• Leo Stokes: Buffalo State University, Soccer
• Megan Walker: Erie Community College, Bowling
• Ian Wirth: Buffalo State University, Soccer

These students were recognized at a signing ceremony led by Director of Athletics Brett Banker and our coaches. These students represent the elite among high school athletes who move on to compete at the college level. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, fewer than 6% of high school athletes are accepted into NCAA Divisional Programs. (Kenmore East student athletes will be honored at a signing ceremony which will take place next week.)

Note: There will be no Weekly Connection next week. The final edition of the year will be published on Friday, June 30th.

UPCOMING DATES

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.

Wednesday, June 14th - Friday, June 23rd

• High School Regents & Local Exams (exam attendance only in Gr. 8-12)

Friday, June 16th

• Big Picture Graduation (7 p.m.)

Monday, June 19th

• Juneteenth Holiday (no school)

Wednesday, June 21st

• Last Student Day for UPK-Gr. 5 and Early Release Day for UPK-Gr. 7 (FES & Holmes PM Sessions Will Take Place)

Thursday, June 22nd

• Early Release & Last Student Day for Gr. 6-7

Friday, June 23rd

• Last Teacher Day & Regents Rating Day
• Gr. K-4 Report Cards Posted in on IC Parent Portal

Saturday, June 24th

• Kenmore West Graduation (10 a.m. Kleinhans) & Kenmore East Graduation (6 p.m. Kleinhans)

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