Weekly E-Newsletter from the Superintendent of Schools

Volume 3, Issue 7 (October 7, 2022)

Video Update: https://youtu.be/fesmrDGA-HQ

UPDATE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

CAPITAL PROJECT UPDATE

We are continuing to make tremendous progress in implementing the Capital Project. All across the district, students are benefiting from recent enhancements to buildings and facilities with much more work on the horizon.

As you know, construction projects nationwide have been impacted by things such as inflation and supply chain issues. This has significantly impacted all costs associated with our Capital Project. According to the Mortenson Construction Cost Index, construction costs have increased a staggering 28.3% over the past two years. This increase is nearly four times higher than the historical average.

These factors present a challenge because school districts are not able to exceed the dollar amount of voter-approved capital projects. For this reason, planning for price increases and unexpected contingencies is always critically important. However, the price increases we have seen over the past two years are far beyond what anyone could have predicted when the Capital Project was presented to voters in February 2020. Unfortunately, our later phases of the project are carrying the brunt of this impact. For each phase of construction, we receive bids from competing construction companies and adopt individual construction contracts. At Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, we will be discussing the contracts for the next phase of construction which includes continued work at Edison Elementary and the Hoover Complex.

As we have discussed, we will need to adapt through the upcoming phases of the project. It is extremely important that when we do this work, we do it right. Our community deserves for us to do whatever it takes to make each part of this project a success, as we have done for all schools up to this point. We must not sacrifice the quality of improvements, create future problems, or leave issues unresolved.

We are in the process of planning for the final phase of the project which encompasses additional work at Lindbergh Elementary and Kenmore East High School. At Tuesday's Board meeting, I will be providing the good news and the major challenges that lay ahead. You can livestream the meeting here. I encourage everyone to tune in on Tuesday.

KEN-TON WINS COMMUNICATION AWARDS

Ken-Ton was one of four public school districts in WNY to be distinguished by the NYS School Public Relations Association (NYSPRA) as part of the 2022 NYSPRA Communication Awards. The district earned an Award of Excellence, NYSPRA's highest distinction possible, in the Social Media Category for the district's Facebook page during the 2021-22 school year. The district also received an Award of Merit for the school district website at www.ktufsd.org. The website was one of six school district websites recognized in NYS.

NYSPRA is the state chapter of the National School Public Relations Association. Its purpose is to support communication efforts in the state’s 728 school districts and 37 BOCES. The annual Communications Awards recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement in educational communications throughout the state. This is the eighth year in a row Ken-Ton has been distinguished by NYSPRA as part of its annual Communication Awards.

Thank you to Mr. Patrick Fanelli for all of his dedicated leadership and service to our community. We look forward to the years ahead as our communications in Ken-Ton continue to grow.

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!

Ken-Ton & Kids Escaping Drugs to Host ‘Dark Side of Social Media’ Presentation

Kids Escaping Drugs is partnering with the Ken-Ton School District to host "The Dark Side of Social Media," a presentation specifically for parents/guardians to learn about the dangers of social media and how best to protect their children. The presentation will take place Wednesday, Oct. 19th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Kenmore Middle Community Room (enter through Door #1). Participants will discuss how youth are using social media platforms negatively and the impact it is having on current drug trends, mental health, and the correlation between the two. To sign up, click here.

Lindbergh Elementary Students Ride Home in Firetruck

Two lucky students at Lindbergh Elementary, Kyra Franke and Evelyn Osiadlo, earned the opportunity to ride a firetruck home on Wednesday as part of the school's Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) program. The goal of the PBIS program is to promote a positive school environment. Students earn rewards by demonstrating good character and behaviors in school. A special thanks to the Ellwood Volunteer Fire Department for giving our students this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Board of Education Members Visit Franklin Middle School

Members of our Board of Education visited Franklin Middle School on Wednesday as part of their monthly board visitations. During the school year, Board members visit each school to spend time with staff and tour the building to see our tremendous programs in action. Principal Marco Galante and Assistant Principal Laura Wagner led Superintendent Cimato and Board members around the building which gave them the opportunity to see new additions and upgrades and get a glimpse of some upcoming projects.

Food Service Distributes Harvest Boxes

Late last week, our outstanding Food Service team was hard at work packing Harvest of the Month boxes for 12th-grade families who signed up to receive one through the Farm to School Program. Additionally, Gr. K-1 students who signed up are receiving an at-home learning kit, while Gr. 5 families are receiving an at-home applesauce making kit. These opportunities were made possible through a NYS Farm to School grant secured by Ms. Roll and Edison Elementary physical education teacher Nicole Zugelder. Opportunities for other grade levels will soon be announced.

Hoover Middle School Hosts Students vs. Staff Kickball Game

Hoover Middle School students had the chance to take on their teachers in a game of kickball on Friday, September 30th. The game was open to students in fifth, sixth, and seventh grade who earned the opportunity to participate by demonstrating good behaviors and promoting a positive school environment. As part of the school's Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) program, students are able to earn "Dragon Scale" tickets which give them the chance to earn prizes and rewards such as participating in Friday's kickball game. The goal is to reinforce a positive culture through participation in fun school events like this one.

Director of School Culture Interviewed by WGRZ Channel 2

We were proud to see our Director of School Culture, Dina Ferraraccio, featured by WGRZ Channel 2 recently to discuss the partnership between the Ken-Ton School District and Kids Escaping Drugs to provide our families, students and staff with free trainings and workshops. The town hall interview was part of the annual Kids Escaping Drugs televised fundraising campaign. Not only is Ms. Ferraraccio the district’s Director of School Culture, but she is also President of the Kids Escaping Drugs Board of Directors. You can see the interview here.

RECOGNITION: KHLOE KIBBY

This week, we recognize an outstanding fifth-grade student at Hoover Middle School named Khloe Kibby. She has devoted herself to supporting children and adults who are struggling with arthritis.

It is a condition that Khloe understands well. At the age of 4, she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is a condition that causes persistent joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can also result in serious complications. She has demonstrated bravery through her treatment which has necessitated surgery, biweekly injections, and countless hospital and doctor visits. She has persevered despite the challenges of her condition and treatment. She is a member of the Tonawanda Titans Swim Team, plays the French horn, and is an exceptional student at Hoover Middle.

On October 15th, Khloe and her family will take part in Buffalo's annual Walk to Cure Arthritis, an event that raises money for the Arthritis Foundation. Khloe was selected as the Youth Honoree for this year's walk and has already exceeded her original fundraising goal of $1,000. We applaud Khloe's determination and her selfless dedication to making a difference for people with arthritis. Click here to access Khloe's campaign website and learn more about her here.

CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

This week, we celebrate the contributions of a Buffalonian who has become a leader in advancing bilingual education in New York State: Alicia Báez-Barinas. She currently serves as Associate of Bilingual Education for the NYS Education Department's Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages. In this capacity, Ms. Báez-Barinas assists school districts across the state in implementing high-quality programs that help bilingual and English language learners achieve the highest levels of academic success.

Ms. Báez-Barinas has nearly 20 years of experience in education, most of it in bilingual education. She earned her Bachelor's Degree at Buffalo State College and Master’s Degrees at Fordham University and the College of New Rochelle. She began her career as a classroom teacher, literacy/data coach, and elementary/middle school assistant principal in the Bronx. In 2013, she returned to Buffalo as Assistant Principal of City Honors and was appointed Director of Bilingual Education for Buffalo Public Schools. In this position, Ms. Báez-Barinas is credited for leading the way in reforming bilingual education in Buffalo. She worked collaboratively to create programs that increased graduation rates and academic outcomes for bilingual students. She was appointed to her current position in October of 2021, taking her dedication to serving bilingual students and families to the state level. She also serves as Regional Director of the NYS Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and as Past-President of the NYS Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE).

Her office offers many valuable resources for bilingual students and families including guides, links, videos, and a dedicated parent/guardian hotline. You can access their website here. Alicia is a local gem whose dedication to promoting a family culture in education is now being spread throughout New York State.

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.

• Monday, October 10th:
• Columbus Day Holiday (no school; district offices closed)
• Tuesday, October 11th:
• Board of Education Meeting (6:30 p.m. in the Kenmore Middle Community Room)
• Saturday, October 15th:
• Kenmore West Homecoming (parade: 1 p.m.; varsity football game vs. North Tonawanda: 2 p.m. at Crosby Field)
• Thursday, October 20th:
• Kenmore East Hall of Fame Induction Banquet (5:30 p.m. at Classics V Banquets)
• Friday, October 21st:
• Kenmore East vs. Kenmore West Varsity Football Game (7 p.m. at Adams Field)

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