By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 June 2023 at 2:29 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – The driver of a delivery vehicle was taken by Monroe Ambulance this afternoon after her vehicle was knocked on its side in a collision at the intersection of routes 237 and 18.
The delivery van was headed north and failed to yield at stop sign and flashing red light at the intersection, an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy said at the scene.
The delivery van then struck a small bus that was carrying 10 workers. They are installing a new solar project on West Kendall Road. They work for LBFNY Solar which is based in Cato in central New York. None of those workers were injured, the Sheriff’s deputy said.
The accident at 12:20 p.m. kept the intersection closed to traffic for about an hour.
Kendall and Murray firefighters assisted at the scene. Two Sheriff’s deputies, a state trooper and Orleans County Emergency Management Office also responded to the call.
Provided photo: Kendall Lions President Eric Maxon presents Julie Kludt with our annual “Citizen of the Year Award.”
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club honored Julie Kludt as the 2023 Citizen of the Year. The cub gives the annual award to an individual whose volunteerism and dedication have made a significant contribution to the community.
Kludt, through many years of service to both the causes and citizens of Kendall, has never sought recognition. She serves, supports and shows up. She has volunteered for a variety of community organizations over the years.
She has supported the Kendall Fire Auxiliary and Fire Department as she runs the waffle booth at the Kendall Fireman’s Carnival and volunteers at the annual Easter Egg Hunt, coloring eggs and bringing the Easter Bunny to life.
Kludt also volunteers to help our youth with the Recreation Department and Kendall Central School.
“My heart always smiles the biggest when I am with kids,” she said.
Kludt is also active in her church and helps many others through her many acts of kindness throughout the community. The Kendall Lions appreciate the many years of service and congratulate Julie Kludt on her award.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 May 2023 at 12:20 pm
Provided photos
LETCHWORTH – Ben Brundage, 16, of Kendall crosses the finish line on Sunday in the Vale of Three Falls at Letchworth State Park. He completed three courses that day – the Lower Falls 5K, Middle Falls 10K, and Upper Falls 15K.
The previous day he ran the Sehgahunda trail marathon. He covered 72-kilometers in all or 44.7 miles. He is the youngest to ever complete the Sehgahunda 72.
Two years ago he was the youngest at age 14 to finish the Sehgahunda trail marathon. He did it in 7 hours, 43 minutes as a 14-year-old.
The course is notoriously difficult, with a 3,000-foot elevation change on narrow, winding paths.
As a 15-year-old Brundage lowered his trail marathon time to 5 hours, 43 minutes.
Saturday there was a deluge of rain, and the course turned muddy. Brundage still finished in a new personal best of 5 hours, 4 minutes.
That was 34th out of 182 finishers. Not too many would then run another 30-kilometers or 18.6 miles on Sunday.
“It is very challenging but it is a lot of fun,” Brundage said today. “It’s not your average marathon.”
His father Daniel also finished the trail marathon on Saturday. His mother Sarah has conquered the course in previous years.
(Left) Ben Brundage stays focused while running a soggy course at Letchworth on Saturday during the Sehgahunda trail marathon. (Right) Ben Brundage smiles and holds a plaque on Sunday for completing the Sehgahunda 72. All of the finishers receive the “Put a Nail in Me, I’m done” plaque.
Ben is a member of Kendall’s cross country and track teams. He runs the 1,600 meter, 800 meter, 400 meter and 4-by-400 relay for Kendall. He competes at Sectionals on Saturday.
He said he enjoys long-distance running and often trains on the country roads in Kendall, Hamlin, Holley and Albion.
A junior at Kendall, he would like to run cross country in college at the Division II level.
File photo by Tom Rivers: in this photo from May 11, 2017, then Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul is joined by Assemblyman Steve Hawley in thanking members of the National Guard who were filling sandbags in the Kendall Highway Garage. About 50 National Guard members were in Kendall that day filling and placing sandbags for shoreline property owners. High lake waters devoured parts of the shoreline, with backyards slipping into the lake.
Posted 10 May 2023 at 9:12 am
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State agency personnel are closely monitoring the rising water levels along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, as lake levels have surpassed 247 feet, following prolonged rainfall throughout the Great Lakes system in recent weeks.
While water levels have yet to reach and are not forecasted to reach the flood stages seen in 2017 and 2019, agencies including the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are coordinating efforts and preparing resources to assist lakeshore communities with potential flooding impacts. Agencies will make sandbags, pumps and other flood mitigation resources available to local governments, as needed, over the coming weeks.
“Residents who live and work along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River have faced tremendous challenges in recent years, but by taking proactive measures and coordinating with our local government partners along the lake, we are ensuring our communities impacted by previous flood events have the resources and information they need to mitigate the impacts of potential flooding this year,” Hochul said. “We will continue to work together with our local and federal partners to monitor Lake Ontario water levels and are ready to deploy resources to protect residents and businesses from flooding on the lakeshore.”
Due to recent heavy rainfall in the Great Lakes system, Lake Ontario’s water level is currently above 247 feet and forecasts suggest levels may continue to rise, as the International Joint Commission (IJC) manages water flows in the system to address flooding throughout the region. In recent years, the lowest points along the lake began to flood at approximately 248 feet. The historic maximum lake level is 249 feet.
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) is working closely with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and other state agency partners to coordinate the availability of flood mitigation resources, including pumps and sandbags, should local emergency management officials request assistance.
This past week, field staff from the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) participated in a conference call with local partners from Cayuga, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego and Wayne counties regarding lake levels and discuss the availability of state resources, should flooding become an issue. New York State is also coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on federally-supported preparation efforts in advance of any potential elevated water levels.
New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Several recent periods of heavy rain have led to above average water levels on Lake Ontario. While there are no active reports of flooding, and the State’s REDI projects have made the shoreline considerably more resilient to high water, we continue to monitor water levels and are prepared to assist shoreline communities with resources, if necessary.”
The following assets are available to deploy from the State’s regional stockpiles to assist shoreline communities:
Melissa Strelick starts July 1 as Kendall Junior/Senior High School principal, following the retirement of Carol D’Agostino.
KENDALL – The Kendall Board of Education has approved Melissa Strelick as the next Junior/Senior High School principal. She will begin her new position on July 1.
“It was apparent throughout the interview process and this past school year that Melissa’s ability to lead instructionally, make connections with staff and students, and her ‘all in’ mentality made her a wonderful fit for the position,” said Superintendent Nick Picardo. “I look forward to working with her in this new capacity.”
Strelick is currently the assistant principal for Grades 7-12 and athletic director for the district, and she has served in both positions since July 2022. Prior to that, Strelick served as an administrator for three years in the Fort Mill School District and as a secondary science teacher for 16 years in the Webster Central School District.
“I am extremely humbled to be introduced as the new principal of Kendall Junior/Senior High School,” Strelick said. “I am excited to have the opportunity to honor the legacy of the school and contribute to the culture of excellence and care. I look forward to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to continue our strong tradition of respect, creativity and achievement at Kendall.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 April 2023 at 8:02 am
Photo courtesy of Julie Bunn: Kendall Lion Club members Ed Haight, Darla Trimm, Gary Crawford and Mike Cusimano are pictured with fourth-grade students Kaitlyn Bunn and Addison Schultz, and fourth grade teacher Justin Staebell.
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club presented each fourth-grader at Kendall with a tree on Friday. The club has been doing this for more than 10 years in celebration of Arbor Day and Earth Day.
Kendall Lions talk to students about community service and the importance of Earth Day. The trees are donated by Flower City Tree, which gives back to the community by purchasing from the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, the Lions Club said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 April 2023 at 1:49 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Nick Picardo, Kendall Central School superintendent, holds a new name plate for Board of Education member Rachel Fisken. Picardo presented new name plates for board members that were made by students using a laser engraver. Audra Keirn, the district clerk, is in back.
KENDALL – The Kendall Board of Education has adopted a $20,413,805 school budget for 2023-24 that doesn’t raise the tax levy. The budget goes before voters on May 16 with polls open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Kendall Town Hall.
Overall spending is up 2.9 percent in the budget compared to the $19,822,921 in 2022-23. The district is able to hold off on a tax increase mainly due to a big increase in Foundation Aid from the state.
The state budget is yet to be finalized, but Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a 12.95 percent in Foundation Aid or by $1,086,108 – from $8,382,316 to $9,468,424. Nick Picardo, the district superintendent, said that increase helps make the district whole on lagging Foundation Aid in previous years.
He noted during Wednesday’s BOE meeting that state aid covers 74 percent of the district overall budget. The total state aid for Kendall is proposed to increase by $1,774,288 or 12.64 percent to $15,806,286, which would be 77.4 percent of the proposed budget.
Property taxes through the tax levy would stay at $4,964,656.
Kendall voters also will be asked to approve up to $350,000 from a Transportation Bus Reserve Fund to replace two full-size buses. Those buses are currently on the market for $165,000 to $170,000 each. The $350,000 cap gives the district some wiggle room if the price is higher than expected, Picardo said.
There is one candidate on the ballot for a five-year term on the Board of Election. Rachel Fisken, the current vice president, is unopposed for re-election.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 April 2023 at 11:11 am
Code of Conduct Committee also recommends against hoodies covering head
KENDALL – The school district, in an annual review of its code of conduct polices, is being asked to not allow cell phones for students in grades prekindergarten to 8.
The phones would have to stay in lockers or in caddies that hold the phones for a classroom. In the high school, grades 9 to 12, cell phones in the classroom would remain at teacher discretion.
“The big discussion is about cell phones in the school and accessibility,” High School Principal Carol D’Agostino said during a public hearing on Wednesday evening about the code of conduct. “It is very distracting.”
Students are often inundated with dinging or vibrations from texts and other messages through their phones, she said.
The Code of Conduct Committee, which surveyed teachers for their input, also is urging the district to not allow hoodies to be worn in school in a way that covers a head. Those sweatshirts can be worn as long as the hood is down, according to the committee’s recommendation.
The code of conduct was revised for this school year to allow hats and hoodies to be worn, but teachers, in a survey and in staff meetings, have urged the district to not allow the hoodies, D’Agostino said.
Some students pull the hoodies over their heads and wear ear pods, listening to music during class. Or some just put on the hoodie and disengage with the class, D’Agostino said.
When students wear hats, their ears aren’t covered and students aren’t shutting themselves off from interacting with others, she said.
The committee also put in language about “sexting” including where students can not send sexually explicit messages, including where the face of a person is not included but a naked image or sexual act is shown. D’Agostino said some students send messages without an identifiable face in an image and will falsely claim it is a student, often leading to humiliation.
The district’s Code of Conduct Committee does an annual review of policies and makes recommendations of changes to the Board of Education. The board typically has the hearing in April and will vote on the changes in June.
Kevin Watson, the elementary school principal, said he expects the district will need a policy in the near future for artificial intelligence chatbots that can write essays and answer math problems. He can foresee AI being used to complete homework. The district, perhaps as soon as next year, could consider a policy stating students need to do their own work without utilizing AI for assignments.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 March 2023 at 7:31 am
‘Her drive for students to succeed both in and out of the classroom has been second to none.’
File photos: (Left) Carol D’Agostino, Kendall’s Jr./Sr. High School principal, presents a diploma to Alanna Gordon on June 23, 2017 during commencement at the school auditorium. D’Agostino present ed diplomas to about 1,000 students during her career. (Right) D’Agostino is shown inside the junior-senior high school which received extensive renovations during her tenure.
KENDALL – Carol D’Agostino has announced she will be retiring on June 30, leaving a dream job for her that she started nearly 18 years ago as principal at Kendall Junior-Senior High School.
D’Agostino grew up and graduated from Kendall. She was working at Albion as a high school vice principal when the position opened in her home district.
Kendall is doing a full search process to find D’Agostino’s replacement, said Nick Picardo, the district superintendent.
“For the past 18 years, Carol has passionately dedicated her time as principal to the students of Kendall,” Picardo said. “Her drive for students to succeed both in and out of the classroom has been second to none. Carol’s student-centered approach has helped to shape hundreds of students as they crossed the stage at graduation.”
Kendall is a high-performing district academically. It is included among the top high schools in the country in the annual U.S. News & World Report ranking.
D’Agostino was a member of the Lawnchair Ladies.
“I know our results are good academically,” D’Agostino said. “We don’t have major behavioral problems. We are like a little private school in the public school setting.”
D’Agostino has three grown children and her 10 grandchildren are all in the Kendall district. She went to college a little later than usual to be home when her children were young. She earned a bachelor’s degree in math at age 32.
Then she earned her certification in elementary education and high school math. She followed that with a master’s degree to be a reading specialist and then earned her administrative certification.
She started as a substitute teacher aide at the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES based in Spencerport, and developed a love for education.
Her first full-time job as a teacher was for second grade in Albion.
“I just loved those years,” she said. “They are every special to me.”
She was asked by Ron Sodoma, the Albion district superintendent at the time, to move to the high school and teach math because there was a hard-to-fill vacancy. She did that job for four years and then worked for the district as a MST (Math, Science and Technology) coordinator before taking the job as high school vice principal.
The job leading the junior-senior high school at Kendall then opened and D’Agostino was thrilled to be hired in her hometown.
She has been an enthusiastic presence at Kendall, even performing with students in a cameo role in the recent Annie musical. She also was member for many years with the Kendall Lawnchair Ladies.
She is well regarded outside Kendall and serves on the boards for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, Orleans County United Way, and the Community Services Board for Orleans County.
“I’ve really tried to represent Kendall the best I can,” she said about the boards. “I want Kendall’s voice can be heard, too. Each of these boards serve different elements of the community. They can bring powerful programs to students and their families.”
D’Agostino considered retiring sooner, but wanted to see the district through the challenges of the Covid pandemic and also the transition to a new a superintendent. She feels like the district is in a great place right now.
“I tried to be a true student advocate and treat every student as my own and what I would want for them,” she said. “We help everyone meet their potential – academic, social and emotional.”
Carol D’Agostino addresses the graduates and the crowd during an outdoor graduation ceremony on June 26, 2020. She is joined on stage by Lisa Levett (left), president of the Board of Education, and Julie Christensen, the district superintendent. The stage was donated for use by Kludt Farms and Christ Farms decorated the stage for the event.
D’Agostino showed her creativity and determination in the Covid pandemic, especially with graduation in late June 2020.
Many of the districts recorded students receiving their diplomas individually, and compiled a video for graduation. Districts weren’t able to do indoor ceremonies nut could do them outdoors if capped at 150 people. The state at the time allowed groups of people to count as one person if they stayed in or by a vehicle.
Kendall decided to hold the graduation outdoors in the grounds by the fire department. D’Agostino and the district wanted the grads to have that moment as a class together.
“These milestones are so critical to students,” she said. “We wanted a graduation ceremony. Your graduation ceremony is a rite of passion. Everyone will remember that. We worked with health department to keep it safe and meet the regulations.”
Kendall students, teachers and staff wore pink for the principal battling breast cancer in this photo from February 2017.
D’Agostino said Kendall is a nurturing community and she experienced that love in 2017 while she was battling breast cancer for the second time.
About 300 students, teachers and staff wore pink “Kendall Strong 2017 Team Mrs. D” T-shirts during an assembly in February 2017 in honor of D’Agostino.
D’Agostino said that show of support is just one of the many ways the Kendall community rallies around someone facing a difficult challenge.
“When I had breast cancer they had T-shirts for everyone,” she recalled. “It was an outpouring of love and support. It made such a difference. I have been blessed being a part of Kendall community.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2023 at 8:11 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Adriana Schiavone performs the lead role in Kendall Junior-Senior High School’s production of Annie.
In this scene, she is singing “I Don’t Need Anything But You” with Daddy Warbucks, played by Christopher Nettles. Karter May, back left, is in the role of Drake, the butler at Warbucks Mansion.
Kendall performed the show on Friday and then with two performances on Saturday.
Annie appears on Bert Healy’s radio show and sings “Maybe.” Andrew Cole is in the role of Bert Healy.
During the radio show, Warbucks announces a $50,000 award to a couple that prove they are Annie’s parents.
The orphans are listening to the radio show and they joyously sing “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.”
Lauren Pilon plays the role of Miss Hannigan, the orphanage matron with a drinking problem. She schemes with her younger brother, a convict Daniel “Rooster” Hannigan and his girlfriend Lily. They try to snag the $50,000 reward by pretending to be Annie’s parents, with Miss Hannigan part of the ill-fated plot.
Christopher Nettles plays Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, a billionaire businessman who initially doesn’t like Annie because she is a girl. But he has a change of heart and loves her. Warbucks adopts Annie after the scheme is exposed from the fake parents trying to get the $50,000 reward, and Annie’s true biological are discovered to be deceased.
In this photo Warbucks sings, “New Deal for Christmas.”
James Swift plays Franklin D. Roosevelt, the U.S. president who helps Warbucks finds Annie’s parents. When FDR meets Annie, he is inspired to make a new deal and restore America’s economy.
