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37TH ANNUAL JERRY STARR SLEEPOUT
As a reminder, the 37th Annual Jerry Starr Ken-Ton Schools' SleepOut will begin at 6 p.m. today (Friday, February 2nd). This year, we are moving the event to Kenmore West High School, where the SleepOut originated more than three decades ago. 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 the less fortunate. All donations will stay in Ken-Ton and go to the Family Support Center and the Ken-Ton Closet.
I encourage everyone to consider coming out and joining us this evening at Kenmore West (enter through the Delaware Road entrance). Even if you can't join us, you can still support our efforts to help those in need in the community. Here's how you can help:
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Donate directly online via GoFundMe (find it at www.ktufsd.org/sleepout)
- Cash/checks made payable to “Ken-Ton Schools – E.T.C." sent to Ken-Ton Schools’ SleepOut, c/o Kenmore West High School, 33 Highland Pkwy., Buffalo, NY 14223
- Donations 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)
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At the January 9th Board of Education meeting, I provided a brief update regarding the ongoing Capital Project. You can view this update on Youtube. Work is continuing to progress at Edison Elementary, which now has a new single point of entry and a newly renovated main office. Classroom additions are continuing to take shape at both Edison and Hoover Elementary.
As you know, Capital Project construction work is being carried out in overlapping phases. We are soon going to begin the third and final phase of the project, which will include work at Kenmore East High School as well as health/security initiatives at Lindbergh Elementary. As has been discussed, historic inflation has limited the amount of work which can be completed within the voter-approved Capital Project budget. This necessitated the difficult decision to withdraw components of the project including the Lindbergh Elementary addition. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to finishing this work right and plan on providing a detailed roadmap for the rest of this work at our March Board meeting.
Phase III bids, which will determine construction costs, have been received and we are hopeful that, by the March Board meeting, we will be able to share great news with the community regarding the plan to bring this Capital Project to a close.
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REPORT CARDS POSTED TO PARENT PORTAL
Second-quarter report cards for middle/high school students are now posted and available for viewing in Parent Portal. You can find the link to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal at www.ktufsd.org/ParentPortal. On this page, you will also find instructions on how to access the Portal app on a mobile device, update your household/contact information, find your child's report card, request an activation key, and more. If you do not have a Campus Parent Portal account, please email ICportal@ktufsd.org. It is extremely important for families to stay up-to-date with their child’s academic progress and I encourage all families to carefully review your child’s report card.
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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is Black History Month and this week, we celebrate the legacy of Henry Moxley, who is known for his efforts to promote school integration and educational equality in the years following the Civil War. Mr. Moxley was born into slavery in Virginia in 1809 but escaped and settled in Buffalo in 1832, making a living as a barber. As was the case for all African Americans who resided in Buffalo’s East Side neighborhoods, Mr. Moxley’s children weren’t allowed to attend local schools, which were reserved for whites only. Instead, they were required to attend a segregated building farther away which was in poor structural condition with inadequate supplies and resources.
In 1867, Mr. Moxley petitioned what was then called the School Committee of the Buffalo Common Council to allow his children to attend the better East Side schools, arguing that their rights were violated under the Fourteenth Amendment. The Council disregarded Mr. Moxley's pleas, so he led a grassroots effort and decided to enroll his children in the East Side schools anyway, although they were soon expelled and forcibly removed. Mr. Moxley sued the district, arguing that it violated the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Although Mr. Moxley was unsuccessful (and was even forced to pay all court costs, the equivalent of approximately $3,000 in today's dollars), it is important to note that Mr. Moxley's activism and efforts occurred 15 years before the Council's decision to desegregate in 1881.
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Each year on February 1st, the IT and cybersecurity sector observes "National Change Your Password Day" as an initiative to remind people about the importance of changing their passwords on a regular basis to reduce the risk of identity theft or having your personal information or accounts compromised. The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) strongly recommends against using simple and common passwords such as number sequences, birthdays, and pet names. Weak passwords such as these can be guessed or quickly broken by computer hackers. Instead, the CISA recommends three strategies:
- Make your passwords long (preferably at least 16 characters).
- Make them random. One option is to create a memorable "pass phrase" and to use the first letter in each word as your password.
- Use different passwords for each account. This way, if one of your passwords is compromised, it will not impact multiple accounts. You can also use a trusted password management application so that you only have to remember one password.
Even though "National Change Your Password Day" is observed every February 1st, it is important to frequently change your passwords to keep your information safe. Learn more about password security here.
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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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Kenmore West to Present Rodgers and Hammerstein's ‘Cinderella’ Feb. 8-10
Kenmore West High School will proudly present its winter musical, “Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella,” February 8-10. This popular adaptation of the timeless Disney classic follows the story of a young woman forced to serve her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. She dreams of a better life and, with the help of her Fairy Godmother, attends a special ball and meets her Prince. The production is directed by Diana Gruninger with vocal direction by Jessica Leary, choreography by Dana McDougle, music direction by Kenneth Belote, and lighting design by Chris George. Show times are Thursday, February 8th at 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 9th at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, February 10th at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students (for children 10 years of age or under, tickets are $5 for Saturday's matinee performance which will also include a photo opportunity with members of the cast). Tickets are now on sale at https://theaterwest.booktix.net
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Board Members Visit Adult & Community Education Program at Kenmore Junior/Senior High | |
Board of Education members, Superintendent Sabatino Cimato and district administrators had the pleasure of visiting our Ken-Ton UFSD Adult & Community Education Department located at Kenmore Junior/Senior High School on Tuesday. Director Liza Acanfora led the group on a tour of the facility including visits to GED/English as a Second Language classrooms and discussions with students and teachers. The Adult & Community Education Department does an exceptional job providing educational opportunities that extend beyond the traditional K-12 framework, such as instruction for adult learners, workforce development, and programs/activities for students and families. | |
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Teachers & Staff Learn New Adaptive Physical Education Strategies
On January 24th, the Ken-Ton School District was proud to host a special workshop for WNY physical education teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals. The purpose of the workshop was to present information, assessment activities, and strategies specific to serving children with special abilities in general and adapted physical education environments. Attendees learned about sensory-based activities along with various adaptations that can be utilized for all students in physical education. The goal was to help them create a successful learning environment and to enhance engagement, communication, and instruction so all students can thrive.
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Edison Elementary Launches ‘Links 4 Love’ Campaign to Benefit SleepOut
Edison Elementary School is once again spearheading its annual "Links 4 Love" campaign to benefit the annual Jerry Starr Ken-Ton Schools’ SleepOut. Strips of different-colored paper (corresponding to a specific grade level) were being sold in the school lobby every morning this week. Strips were $.25 each and, after purchasing their strip(s) of paper, the students wrote their names on them. At the end of the week, the links are connected in each classroom, and then connected with other classes to make one long chain that is hung throughout the hallways of the school. In years past, Edison has collected more than $4,000 through Links 4 Love, which is now spreading to other schools as well.
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Franklin Elementary Launches First-Ever ‘Links 4 Love’ Campaign
Inspired by a long-standing effort at Edison Elementary School, students and staff at Franklin Elementary School launched their very first “Links 4 Love” campaign to support the annual Jerry Starr Ken-Ton Schools’ SleepOut. Students had the opportunity to purchase colored strips of paper (with each color corresponding to a specific grade level) for $.25 each then write their name on them. At the end of the week, the slips of paper are linked together to form chains in each classroom and then linked together and proudly displayed throughout the hallways.
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Students Perform Exceptionally in All-County Music Auditions | |
Many Ken-Ton students at the middle and high school level recently did an exceptional job competing in the Erie County Music Educators Association (ECMEA) auditions for band, orchestra, and chorus. The events bring together students from throughout Erie County who perform solos and are adjudicated in front of a judge. Students participating included three from Franklin Middle School who were celebrated for receiving an A or A+ on their solos: Ava Viola for clarinet, Griffin Aguglia for snare drum, and Finan Fordham for French horn. Great job to everyone who auditioned! | |
Kenmore East Boys Basketball Holds Staff Appreciation Night | |
On January 26th, the Kenmore East High School Boys Basketball team held its staff appreciation night. Members of the team each chose a specific staff member who has made a positive impact in his life. These staff members were invited to attend and were honored before the January 26th game. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to express their appreciation and a reminder of the impact our teachers and staff have on their lives. | |
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Franklin Middle Theater Troupe Presents ‘Annie Jr.’
The Franklin Middle School Theater Troupe recently did an amazing job presenting their play “Annie Jr." In addition to performances for families and community members, special performances took place for students at Franklin Elementary as well as Edison Elementary. “Annie Jr.” tells the story of an orphan named Annie who is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by Miss Hannigan and then finds a new home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. Great job to everyone involved!
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Franklin Elementary K-Kids Make a Difference in the Community
A group of fourth graders at Franklin Elementary are making a difference in their school and local community. The students are part of a group called K-Kids, a club whose mission is to provide opportunities for students to work together, develop leadership skills, and learn about strong moral character. The club is extremely busy throughout the school year as they serve as a safety patrol in the hallways, support community events, and fundraise for local charities or organizations. They take on monthly projects that require meeting twice a month before school and sometimes during school hours to complete and implement their ideas. Projects have included making posters for the Veterans Day assembly, creating positive affirmations for staff members, making gift bags for bus drivers and monitors, providing Valentine’s Day cards and goodie bags for Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels participants, and spearheading the Links 4 Love campaign. Learn more about the K-Kids on our website.
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Holmes Elementary Students Demonstrate Knowledge of Ocean Life
For the past five weeks, students in Holmes Elementary School teacher Tracy Caruana's class took time to learn about different ocean animals then chose one to research and explore more about. They then created project boards that included facts about their chosen animal including its body, habitat, life cycle, and other fun facts. On January 26th, students shared their projects with other classrooms and staff throughout the building. The projects aligned to the district's learning standards in the area of supporting the planet and learning how they can preserve ocean life. Each student created their project independently by typing up their findings, designing their boards, and implementing text features.
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Franklin Elementary Partners With Buffalo Sabres to Teach Students About Hockey
The Buffalo Sabres “Students of the Game” program has returned to the Ken-Ton School District. Representatives from the Buffalo Sabres organization recently visited Franklin Elementary School to teach students about the sport of floor hockey. Students hockey some skills, took part in drills, and earned prizes including T-shirts. This program, which debuted last year at Hoover Elementary, brings representatives of the Sabres organization to introduce the sport of floor hockey into each school's physical education curriculum. Ken-Ton was proud to be selected to pilot this program last year and it is now being introduced to schools throughout Western New York.
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Lindbergh Elementary Classes Earn Visit to UB Women’s Basketball Game
As a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) reward, five classrooms at Lindbergh Elementary earned the opportunity to travel to the University at Buffalo to watch a UB Women's Basketball Game on January 24th. The students had a wonderful time and, for some, it was the very first time they attended such a game. Special thanks goes out to UB and the UB Women’s Basketball program for making this opportunity possible for our students.
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RECOGNITION: SCHOOL COUNSELORS | |
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Next week (February 5-9) is National School Counseling Week, which is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the amazing work of our school counselors. For the American School Counselors Association, this year's theme is "School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused," which reflects the professionalism and student-centered approach demonstrated by our dedicated school counselors.
School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents. They also support the work of parents and families as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world. School counselors focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career, and social-emotional development. They also work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic, and optimistic aspirations for themselves.
School counselors play a vital role in Gr. K-12 education. They help students make good decisions and unlock their academic potential. They also help position students for post-secondary success by planning for college and careers. On Monday, please join me in recognizing our school counselors for their outstanding work.
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Monday, February 5th
- 1st Day of School Counseling Week
Thursday, February 8th
- Middle School Early Release & Parent/Teacher Conferences (Gr. 5-7 only)
Thursday, February 8th - Saturday, February 10th
Tuesday, February 13th
- Board of Education Meeting & Budget Work Session (5 p.m. at Kenmore Junior/Senior High)
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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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