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STAYING INFORMED
The Town of Tonawanda has launched a new mass communication tool which has made it easier than ever for staff and families to stay informed. This new system is called Tonawanda Alerts and it is designed to improve communications during both emergency and non-emergency situations in order to directly benefit residents and keep the community informed.
Residents are able to sign up to receive text message alerts, voice notifications to their landline telephones, and/or email alerts. Residents are also able to select emergency messages only or to also receive non-emergency messages. Through this system, the town is able to send messages out throughout the entire town or just to specific targeted neighborhoods if necessary. A wide variety of messages may be disseminated depending on circumstances. Emergency alerts would typically be initiated in urgent situations involving a safety risk in which some kind of action needs to be taken to keep people safe, such as an evacuation or shelter-in-place. Non-emergency alerts would typically be initiated in situations which may not constitute an urgent safety concern but are important matters which could have a significant impact on residents, such as a prolonged transportation-related issue or ongoing police/fire activity.
In order to receive these messages, residents will need to opt in by texting "TownOfTonawanda" (no spaces) to 38276 or by visiting tinyurl.com/TonawandaAlerts which you can also access by scanning the QR code. We strongly encourage all residents to sign up to receive these notifications to make sure you are informed in the event of an important or urgent situation.
Families are also strongly encouraged to make sure the district has accurate contact information on file and that you are able to receive notifications. This includes phone numbers and email addresses for each parent/guardian and students' emergency contacts. This is an essential component of our emergency planning. In the event of a serious situation, our ability to contact you depends on having accurate contact information in our system. You can access this information in your Parent Portal account, which you can access at www.ktufsd.org/ParentPortal.
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PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
On Friday, the Ken-Ton School District was extremely proud to receive this year's Stewart Partnership Award by the Buffalo Niagara YMCA at the YMCA’s community gala on April 26th. This award was given to the Ken-Ton School District for “its commitment to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility in partnership with the YMCA.”
The district has been a close partner of the YMCA for many years. Ken-Ton is extremely fortunate to have a thriving Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program at the former Hamilton Elementary, which is funded and overseen by the district but is operated through the YMCA. Ken-Ton was among the first districts in Western New York to offer a free full-day UPK Program for our families and we wouldn't have been able to accomplish this without the partnership of the YMCA. The YMCA partners with the Ken-Ton School District in other ways as well such as offering before- and after-school childcare programming for families.
The partnership between the Ken-Ton School District and the YMCA is a shining example of how community organizations can partner with local school districts to offer extremely valuable services that directly benefit students and families. Pictured here with myself and Director of Elementary Education Michael Muscarella is John Ehrbar, President and CEO of the Buffalo-Niagara YMCA (top photo) and T.J. Stewart, YMCA's 2024 Gala Committee chair and Board of Directors member (bottom photo).
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SAFETY TIPS FOR FAMILIES:
MONITORING YOUR CHILD'S CONTENT
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It is extremely important for families to know what kind of content their children are watching on any kind of digital devices and whether it is truly age appropriate. Oftentimes, parents and guardians may not be familiar with a particular television show, movie, video game, Youtube channel, or another kind of content that could have a significant impact on a child’s growth, development, and mental health.
Common Sense Media is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering families to make the best possible decisions for their children regarding what they watch or how they use their digital devices. In addition to a wealth of resources for families to help them guide their children in safely navigating today's digital world, Common Sense Media also offers thousands of reviews on content their children might be viewing on TV, video game consoles, smart phones, and other devices. Common Sense Media has reviewed thousands of TV shows, movies, video games, apps, websites, books, and even YouTube channels. Reviews will warn against profanity, dark humor, violence and gore, disturbing or mature content, and other factors that could impact a family’s decision on whether to continue to allow the child to view this content. Reviews also will indicate a recommended age for viewing. New reviews are constantly being added as well.
These types of decisions matter to children and can have a significant impact on their mental health and development. Families are encouraged to know what their children are watching on any devices and to take advantage of this resource to make sure it is age-appropriate for them. You can access it at www.commonsensemedia.org.
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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 Spring Play to Take Place May 9-11 at Kenmore Junior/Senior High
The Kenmore West High School production of "Cyrano and Roxanne" will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, May 9th-11th, at 7:30 p.m. at Kenmore Junior/Senior High. In this comedic retelling of Edmond Rostand's play, "Cyrano de Bergerac," Roxanne is smitten by the superficial charms of a handsome young soldier and oblivious to the love Cyrano feels for her. Cyrano and his rival form a strange alliance in order to win Roxanne's heart. This fast paced show is filled with love, laughter, and sword fighting. With construction taking place in the Kenmore West auditorium, students and staff worked extremely hard to move the show to Kenmore Junior/Senior High. The show is directed by Diana Gruninger and co-directed by Brianna Puma with Madeline Kaderabeck and Vanessa Vacanti as fight directors, lighting design by Chris George, and student director Gabriella Pilat. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at theaterwest.booktix.com.
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Kenmore East Technology Department Auctions Off Unique Dog Houses
The Kenmore East High School Technology Education Department is auctioning off three architecturally distinct dog houses built by Alex Sowyrda's Architecture classes for the purpose of raising funds for future larger-scale building projects. All three dog houses are extremely durable, weather-proof, fully insulated, and built on a base of pressure-treated lumber. Each one is ready to be painted in order to match your preferences. The auction is online only through ebay-style bidding and open to the public. The auction ends Friday, May 17th at 8 p.m. Click here for details and for bidding.
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Kenmore East Unified Basketball Team Hosts Niagara Falls for Daytime Match-Up | |
The power of unified sports was once again on full display Tuesday as the Kenmore East High School Unified Basketball Team hosted Niagara Falls for a daytime match-up in the Kenmore East gym. Senior Alison Wakefield did an outstanding job singing the National Anthem. The Kenmore East Unified Cheer Team also did an outstanding job leading spectators in cheering the team on while the Kenmore East Dance Club provided a wonderful performance at halftime. As always, it was amazing to see so many students of different abilities join together with each student using his or her unique skills to contribute to the team. That's what Unified Sports is all about and we can’t wait for the Kenmore East and Kenmore West match-up in the coming weeks. | |
Nancy Pray Receives NFIEC Commitment to Education Award | |
We were extremely proud to see Kenmore East Business Teacher and Career Academies Coordinator Nancy Pray awarded the Niagara Frontier Industry Education Council (NFIEC) Commitment to Education Award on Wednesday. The NFIEC is a non-profit organization whose mission is to connect industry and education to create opportunities for students and adults to participate in the workforce of today and tomorrow. The Commitment to Education Award recognizes the work of a business or individual that demonstrates sustaining efforts to advance and support education in Western New York institutions and school districts. Nancy was recognized for her outstanding work coordinating real-life workplace experiences and other opportunities for students. | |
Crossroads Academy Students Work With Retired Art Teacher on Beautiful Mural | |
On the second floor of Kenmore Junior/Senior High School, where Crossroads Academy operates, you will now find a beautiful mural painted on the wall which symbolizes the amazing growth our Crossroads students are making. The mural was painted by Crossroads Academy students Alyssa Sole, Jacob Santos, and Ryshon Carney with help from retired Ken-Ton art instructor Gustavo Glorioso. The concept, an original idea by another student, Lily Guarino, is that the new Crossroads Program is like a giving tree that can provide its students the many things the world has to offer. The mural depicts a tree standing on top of the world with colors sprouting from underneath. If you look closer, you’ll also find messages such as “to be loyal” and “to be a critical thinker,” which are all traits the Crossroads program seeks to inspire in its students. While the mural started as a way to help select students complete necessary art credits, it grew into something much more. Gustavo taught the students how to draw and paint, develop an artistic and personal brush stroke, blend colors, and create depth by shading. More importantly, he taught them to believe that with the guidance and care of other people, they could achieve impossible things. Click here to read the story. | |
Holmes Elementary School Hosts 'Holmes Has Talent' | |
Holmes Elementary School students showed just how much talent they have at the "Holmes Has Talent" talent show which took place Thursday, April 25th. A wide variety of acts were featured, giving students the chance to showcase their own unique talents and gifts. Teachers and staff did an amazing job planning the event and decorating the school for it to make it even more special. Students worked extremely hard on their acts and are to be commended for doing such a fantastic job. | |
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Big Picture Program Students Spread Kindness Throughout the Kenmore Community
Beginning Friday, April 26th, Village of Kenmore residents began to be surprised by finding rubber ducks hidden throughout the village. Each one had a message of kindness attached to it. This was the work of students in the Big Picture Program at Kenmore Junior/Senior High School who wanted to move forward with an act of kindness in the neighborhood. A total of 45 ducks were placed in locations throughout the vicinity in the heart of Kenmore. Residents were encouraged to either keep the ducks they find or hide it in a new location for someone else to find. The initiative caught the attention of WKBW Channel 7 which interviewed some of those involved with this initiative. Click here for the story.
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Girls Leadership Academy Donates Handmade Blankets for Oishei Children’s Hospital Patients
We were extremely proud of students in the Kenmore West High School Girls Leadership Academy which visited the Ronald McDonald House to donate handmade blankets for patients at Oishei Children’s Hospital. The GLA consists of 11 Kenmore West students who provide mentoring, support, and friendship to younger students in the district while also building leadership skills and engaging in community service projects. GLA is overseen by Family & Consumer Sciences teacher Gina Muroff, school counselor Kimberly Sedita, and school social worker Michelle Taberski. Click here to learn more about this initiative.
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10th-Grade Student Wins Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Competition
Congratulations to Josephine Sturmer, a 10th-grade student at Kenmore West High School, for winning this year's Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) Kids Sing Competition! Josephine competed alongside more than 70 other high school singers in the Western New York area. After winning the competition, Josephine had the amazing opportunity on April 14th to perform as a soloist with the BPO at Kleinhans Music Hall. Josephine wowed audience members with an unbelievable performance of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz. (Photo courtesy of Brett Deneve)
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2018 Graduate Returns to Kenmore East to Discuss World Language Experiences
Kenmore West High School German language students had the opportunity to meet Alex Russell, a 2018 graduate of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, who spoke with students about his experiences studying abroad. While enrolled at Kenmore East, Alex participated in the two-week Ken-Ton German exchange program, which current Kenmore East students had the opportunity to take part in last year. Alex also spent two semesters in Leipzig, Germany while completing his undergraduate degrees and another two semesters in Berlin while working toward his Master's Degree.
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Kenmore West Hosts 3rd Annual Career Expo Featuring 30 Companies
Last week, the Kenmore West High School Counseling Department hosted their third annual Career Expo. Students had the chance to meet representatives from over 30 companies to learn about a wide variety of career areas including cosmetology, engineering, manufacturing, law, real estate, dentistry, architecture, collision repair, telecommunications, health care, law enforcement, fire protection, the service industry, and more. There were also companies looking to hire for summer positions.
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Communities across the nation will be observing Teacher Appreciation Week next week and Teacher Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 7th. This 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 every day, but I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible work of our teachers here in Ken-Ton.
Ken-Ton has been known for its outstanding teachers throughout the district’s 130-year history. Our teachers are at the forefront of engaging their students, maintaining strong partnerships with families, and creating an environment where every student feels accepted and part of something very special. What is most inspiring about our teachers is the concern they have for our students’ welfare and social-emotional health and well being. They 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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RECOGNITION: SCHOOL NURSES | |
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On Wednesday, May 8th, we will celebrate School Nurse Appreciation Day. This day coincides with National Nurses Week, which always begins May 6th and ends on May 12th (the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing). The Wednesday during this week is devoted to school nurses, who play a vital role in education.
School nurses promote the academic success of students through collaboration with parents, school staff, physicians, and the community. They play many different roles. They provide care and comfort for students exhibiting symptoms and signs of illness, safeguard against the spread of sickness in schools and the community, ensure that students with specialized health care needs are able to succeed in school, educate students and families about how to stay healthy, and much more.
On Wednesday, we will celebrate our school nurses who provide services not only for our schools but for the non-public schools in our district as well. They are there for our students and families when they need it the most. They are the first line of defense when students suffer injuries, sickness, or other health concerns during the school day. We are grateful for their work and dedication and I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to say “thank you” and express your appreciation for our dedicated nursing staff. We are so lucky to have such amazing professionals looking after the health and well being of our students!
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Tuesday, May 7th
Wednesday, May 8th
- School Nurse Appreciation Day
Thursday, May 9th - Saturday, May 11th
- Kenmore West Spring Play (7:30 p.m. at Kenmore Junior/Senior High)
Friday, May 10th
- Gr. K-4 Early Release Day (12:40 p.m. dismissal)
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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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