Welcome Back to School!
Dear Kenmore West Students and Families,
We hope that all of our students and families are enjoying the summer and looking forward to a new school year! The Kenmore West faculty and staff are looking forward to welcoming back all of our returning students and our new Class of 2029!
As we embark on a new school year at Kenmore West, we will be committed to our Portrait of a Learner. We want all students to be: Critical Thinkers; Collaborators; Communicators; Resilient; Problem Solvers; and Empathetic.
Each year brings new opportunities for growth, achievement, and experieces. This year, we want all of our students to focus on cultivating the habits needed to achieve academic success. We want every student to start the school year strong and avoid falling behind by doing the following:
- PREPARATION: Being prepared for school and classes by ensuring you are well rested, well nourished, and have completed all class assignments and study required for learning success.
- ATTENDANCE: Maintaining excellent attendance by being on time for school and for all classes. Please remember that all students are expected to be in school by 7:30 AM.
- ENGAGEMENT: Participating and engaging in all learning activities, asking for help, and getting help if you are struggling in your classes. Our teachers are here to help and available Monday-Thursday from 2:30-3:05 PM for the extended learning period.
We want every student at KW to be engaged positively in our school community and this starts with learning!
When people ask "what does it mean to be a "Blue" Devil," it means:
- BEHAVIORAL EXCELLENCE: This means being considerate and kind to others, and refraining from behaviors that are intended to hurt and cause harm.
- LIFELONG LEARNING: This means embracing continuous learning and personal growth.
- UNITY: This means showing respect, consideration, and thoughtfulness.
- ETIQUETTE: This means being polite, courteous, and respectful in all interactions.
This acronym, BLUE, underscores the importance of maintaining high standards of behavior, promoting lifelong learning, building unity through respect and empathy, and practicing kindness and politeness in all school interactions. It encapsulates essential principles that contribute to a positive and respectful school culture.
Our work during the 2024-2025 school year will continue to be guided by our school mission, vision, and values. At Kenmore West, we are committed to our:
To develop knowledgeable, principled, and compassionate young adults, through academic, personal, and occupational experiences in preparation for an ever-changing global landscape.
Everyone belongs at Kenmore West High School.
- Safety - We are committed to maintaining a school environment where all students are welcomed, celebrated, and allowed to feel socially and emotionally safe.
- Community - We are committed to fostering positive relationships with all students through daily interactions, learning experiences, and school activities.
- Engagement - We are committed to providing all students academic and extracurricular experiences that advance learning, social skills, and student agency.
We are looking forward to an excellent school year! Please contact us by telephone or e-mail if there is anything we can do to assist you throughout the school year. Welcome back!
Sincerely,
Dean Johnson
Principal
Mrs. Marek
Administrative Assistant
(716) 874-8401 (Ext. 21507)
Ms. Lambert
Assistant Principal
Students: Grade 8
Mrs. Kraft
Administrative Assistant
(716) 874-8401 (Ext. 21509)
Mrs. Cappuccio
Students: Grade 9
Mrs. Cretacci
Administrative Assistant
(716) 874-8401 (Ext. 21592)
We are committed to ensuring that all students are scheduled for classes that meet their pathway to graduation. Due to the sheer size of our program, we cannot honor requests for specific teachers or lunch periods. Schedules are still being adjusted for the new year. Final schedules will be available for students in the Infinite Campus portal on Wednesday, August 28. Grade 9-12 student schedules are not printed or mailed home. Grade 8 students will receive schedules at the Grade 8 Parent/Student Meet and Greet on Tuesday, August 27.
*The deadline for addressing schedule changes was June 14.
*If a student requested an Honors or A.P. course for this upcoming school year and it is not on their schedule, it may have been removed if they did not meet the course prerequisites. Requirements for Honors courses is a 90% or higher final course average in the previous school year in that subject area.
Daily Student Schedule
The school day begins at 7:30 AM. All students must be in their period 1 class and prepared for learning by 7:35 AM. The school is not officially open for students until 7:00AM.
Bell Schedule:
Period 1: 7:40-8:21
Period 1: Pledge of Allegiance
Period 2: 8:25-9:13
*Announcements & Connections 8:25-8:33
Period 3: 9:17-9:57
Period 4: 10:01-10:41
Period 5: 10:45-11:25
Period 6: 11:29-12:09
Period 7: 12:13-12:53
Period 8: 12:57-1:37
Period 9: 1:41-2:22
Extended Learning: 2:26-3:05
If you drive your student to school in the morning, please enter the (Delaware Road) parking lot and drop-off your student in the official student drop-off zone, located between doors 1 and 2. Please note that the bus Loop on Highland Parkway is designated as a bus zone (only). Students are not permitted to be dropped off in the Highland Parkway or Delaware Road staff parking lots.
SCHOOL ARRIVAL ENTRANCE DOORS:
- SPOE (7:00 AM-2:30 PM)
- Door 20 (7:15-7:30 AM)
- Door 24 (7:15-7:30 AM)
ÂStudent Drop-Off Procedures / Student and Staff Safety
Reminder: All students should be in the school building by 7:30 AM
Please carefully review and follow our student drop-off procedures. Thank you!
- Please ensure your student has all of their belongings and is ready to exit the vehicle promptly before entering the school parking lot.
- The first vehicle in the drop-off lane should always pull all the way forward to door 1 before stopping their vehicle. All other cars should move up to the car in front of them without leaving any gaps.
- When all cars stop in the drop-off lane, all students should exit the vehicles from the passenger side only, and walk to enter the school through the SPOE. Please do not allow your student to remain in the car until they get to the SPOE. This significantly slows down the drop-off process and will cause students and staff to be late.
- DO NOT stop your vehicle by a specific door unless all of the the vehicles in front of you have stopped. This allows us to ensure all students exit the vehicle at the same time and get all students into school before 7:30AM.
- After all students have safely exited vehicles, you will be directed to pull forward and exit the parking lot.
- Parents should only make right hand turns out of the parking lot onto Delaware Road.
- REMINDER: For student and staff safety, only staff are permitted to enter the main parking lot area color coded in red (below).
- Please remind your students to always use pedestrian crosswalks when crossing Delaware Road and Highland Parkway.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students and staff safe!
The official school day ends at 2:22 PM.
Extended Learning Period: Monday-Thursday (2:30-3:05 PM)
Clubs & Activities: Please visit the school website for a comprehensive list of clubs and activities.
Any student who chooses to remain in the school building after 2:22 PM must be in an assigned and supervised location. Students are not permitted to wait for rides in school unless they are attending an extended learning period in a supervised location. Any student who is being picked up from school must ensure rides are in Delaware Road student pickup loop by 2:25 PM or 3:05 PM.
Thank you for your support in maintaining a safe and engaged school community.
*NEW 2024-2025: All students who arrive to school late (after 7:40 AM) or leave and return to school, must enter through the SPOE and be cleared through the Opengate system before entering the school building.
*IMPORTANT: Please ensure your student is dropped off for school no later than 7:30 AM.
Dear Kenmore West Families,
School attendance is one of the most important predictors for student success in school. We are asking for parent and family support and assistance with this important matter, as it is essential to student learning, academic achievement, and engagement in our school community. Student attendance is also important for teaching and fostering personal responsibility for success in school, work, and life.
Many of our students maintain excellent attendance. There are, however, concerning trends in attendance that are being seen at Kenmore West, regionally, and nationally. School attendance is qualified by the following:
- School Daily Attendance
- Attending every school day that a student is well and not sick
- Arriving at school by 7:30 AM
*Please note that the school breakfast closes daily at 7:35 AM.
*As the weather becomes more inclement, we encourage students to adjust their schedules to ensure they leave for school earlier.
Attending the entire school day unless legally excused
Class Attendance
Attending all classes (academic classes, study halls, lunches)
Attending classes on-time (before the bell rings)
Avoiding unnecessary and excessive time out of the classroom
Chronic Absenteeism is defined by the U.S. Department of Education as being absent from school 10% or more of the school year (click link for more information). The New York State Education Department monitors this benchmark for all schools, as students who are chronically absent are at higher risk for learning deficits and not graduating.
IMPORTANT: A student who is absent 18 days of school in a school year of 180 days is considered chronically absent.
SIMPLE CHECK: If a student is absent 2 or more days every month, The U.S. Department of Education considers them to be chronically absent for the school year.
CLARIFICATION: Being absent for a serious illness for a 3-5 day period of time 1-3 times during the school year (3-15 days) does not result in being considered chronically absent. We all experience serious illnesses periodically that prevent us from being able to attend school/work.
PARENT SUPPORT: At times, parents call school and request that their student be released early from school or arrive late to school for the following reasons:
Lack of preparation for a class
Avoiding assignments/tests
Nothing is happening at school
Modified school/special school program
Teacher is absent/substitute
All of these reasons are considered unexcused absences. Every day matters and is important for your student’s success and learning.
MESSAGE: Periodic/sporadic and unnecessary absences add up quickly and negatively impact learning and engagement in school. Students should only be absent from school for serious reasons.
PARENT ATTENDANCE RESOURCES: All parents have access to their student's daily school and period attendance records. This information can be accessed through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If a parent needs technical assistance with accessing this information, please visit the the Kenmore West website under the resources tab and tech support page: https://sites.google.com/ktufsd.org/infinite-campus
My message is coming to you out of genuine concern for all of our students and the school community. We want and need our students at Kenmore West every day.
Together and in partnership, we can ensure all of our students reach their full learning potential and develop into responsible young people. Thank you for your support.
Student Attendance - Every School Day Counts!
Parents are asked to call the Attendance Office (874-8401, prompt #1) when their child is absent. A note from a parent/guardian must also be submitted by the student to the Attendance Office upon their return to school (no later than 3 days of return). Please include a phone number on the note, indicating where you may be reached. According to state law, oversleeping, babysitting, or vacations are unexcused reasons for absence. Students are expected to make up missed work and credit will be issued at the teacher’s discretion.
1. Students may be tardy, absent, or excused early from school for the following reasons:
- family emergency
- medical appointment
- court appearance
- college visitation
Students who accumulate excessive tardies and/or absences will be called in to review with a parent and administrator, counselor, and/or attendance dean.
2. If a student goes on vacation with their family’s approval during a scheduled school day(s), that absence is unexcused under state attendance rules.
If you have any questions about attendance, please call the Attendance Office at 874-8401, prompt #1.
Parent & Guardian Assistance with Cell Phones
The use of cell phones in school is having a significant and negative impact in the following ways:
- Learning
- Mental Health
- Peer Interactions
- School Culture
At KW, we are asking for all parents and families to help us to improve the conditions for student learning and well-being as it relates to cell phone use in school.
- Parents and guardians are asked to refrain from calling or texting your student during the school day.
- If you need to contact your student during the school day for an urgent matter, please contact the main office and we will promptly contact your student so they can speak with you.
Cell phone use in the classroom distracts students from learning and violates our school and district technology policy. If a student responds to a text during class, they are in violation with our district policy and this may result in disciplinary consequences.
Thank you for your support.
Cell Phone & Headphone Expectations - GREEN ZONES
GREEN ZONES: Cell phones & Headphones (one-in/one-out) ARE PERMITTED to be used in a respectful, responsible, and safe manner at the following times:
- Class transitions (quick glance and transition to class)
- Lunches (40 minutes of the day)
This means that students are permitted to use cell phones for a total of 40 minutes per day.
Cell Phone & Headphone Expectations - RED ZONES
RED ZONES: Cellphones & Headphones ARE NOT PERMITTED to be used at the following times:
- Classrooms (including study halls)
- Hallways when classes are in session
- Lavatories
- Library
- Locker rooms
Cell phones are not permitted to be used 356 minutes (90%) of the 396 minute day.
Student Pictures - September 5, 6, and 9
All student pictures for the school yearbook and IDs will be taken during Physical Education classes on September 5-9. We ask parents to ensure that student dress, on picture day and on all school days, complies with the District Student Appearance Code. Please note that student faces must be fully visible and no hats are permitted for school pictures.
Code of Conduct
Cell Phones Off & Learning On
Community Building Circles
A Community Building Circle is a structured process of communication that brings people together and helps participants connect with a mindful appreciation that honors the uniqueness of all those involved. Relationship building is the primary focus through sharing personal stories and is the foundation of all Community Building Circles. It is a process that can be used in any setting and gives equal voice to participants and values the contributions of all. When all essential elements of the Community Building Circles process are followed and a safe environment is established, the benefits are many and include:
- A deeper appreciation of commonalities and differences
- Respect and caring for all
- Deeper connections and a sense of belonging
- A process that nurtures any expressed emotion
- Problem solving and decision making through consensus
- A foundation for resolving conflicts and repairing harm
Community Building Circles are one of the proactive Restorative Practices that can both build and strengthen relationships and are based on the philosophy that the stronger the relationship the less likely wrongdoing will occur and more likely wrongdoing can be repaired if it does occur.
This school year all students will participate in monthly community circles on our Blue Devil Connections days.
Partners in Restorative Initiatives, 2019
Foundations
Description:
- An approach to behavior that is proactive, positive, and instructional.
- Includes all aspects and individuals in a school.
Goals:
- Reduce misbehavior
- Promote safety and prosocial behavior
- Support academic instruction and social emotional learning
- Establish a positive climate
- Enhance staff consistency
Please click link for more information.
Kenmore West High School
Website: https://www.ktufsd.org/Page/620
Location: 33 Highland Avenue, Buffalo, NY, USA
Phone: (716)874-8401