Provided photos
KENDALL – The powerful wind gusts snapped a series of utility poles on Kendall Road this afternoon at about 1 p.m., knocking out electricity for about 1,500 National Grid customers. This is near the Kendall Elementary School.
The power company said 1,490 customers were without electricity after the poles were snapped. The outage was down to 983 at 3:30 p.m.
National Grid is estimating a full restoration at 4:30 p.m.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall teachers Tonya Lustumbo (left), a fourth grade teacher, and Amy Conine, a high school math teacher, helped distribute meals on Tuesday at Kendall Junior-Senior High School. The school district served 200 meals on Tuesday.
KENDALL – Three school district provided meals for 800 students on Tuesday. That number will grow today when Holley and Albion start meal programs for students who are home due to schools across the state being shutdown for at least the next two weeks.
Medina on Tuesday provided 490 breakfasts and 490 lunches. Lyndonville served 100 breakfasts and lunches, while Kendall provided 200 “grab and go” meals.
The two Kendall teachers worked together to distribute the meals to families who pulled up in vehicles. Kendall delivered 70 meals to residences while the rest were picked up by parents.
Kendall delivered 70 of the meals, while the other 130 were picked up at the school. The meals are available for any child under the age of 18 who resides in the school district.
“We are taking it day by day in the number needed,” said Julie Christensen, Kendall Central School superintendent. “Families who did not pick up a meal today may do so at a later time. I want to thank our outstanding staff who assisted with preparing the bags, distribution of the bags and managing the planning. We had volunteers from our food service staff, bus drivers, teachers, aides, nurse, clerical, custodial and administrative staff on site assisting with smiles and true compassion for our families.”
In Kendall, families can contact Cindy Wolck at cwolck@kendallschools.org with questions about delivery.
ALBION – Students in the school district (or a parent of an ACS student presenting ID) may pick up meals beginning today. Parents need to fill out a short form available by clicking here so the district can have the right number of meals ready for each location.
Meals will be available Monday through Friday beginning Wednesday at the following locations:.
• Albion Elementary School (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
• Oak Orchard Estates (11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Lydun Drive Extension-Canal Town Commons (11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Elks’ Lodge (11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Barre Center Presbyterian Church (11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Carlton Recreation Hall (11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
HOLLEY – Beginning today Holley is providing free “grab and go” meals (breakfast and lunch) to all children ages 18 and under. This food distribution plan will continue for the duration that schools are closed.
Breakfast and lunch meals will both be available at the same time for pick-up from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. our five distribution locations. (Click here to fill out a survey to help the school district prepare meals for each site.)
For questions or concerns about getting access to food, please contact the elementary or junior-senior high school, or the food service office (638-6318 Ext. 2566).
The food distribution sites include:
• Holley Elementary School (back bus loop)
• Clarendon Town Hall (parking lot)
• Thomas Estates (bus stop loop)
• County Line Trailer Park (Gulf Road & County Line Road)
• Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Hall (parking lot)
Look for the Holley school bus at each pick-up site. Staff will be there to assist.
LYNDONVILLE – The district on Tuesday started offering grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches available for all Lyndonville students at no cost. Families may pick up meals via the drop-off loop off Housel Avenue on the campus from 8 a.m. to noon this week. Beginning next week, meal service hours will be from 9 to 11 a.m. If families have transportation needs or questions, call 765-3101 or email Llamay@lcsdk12.org.
MEDINA – The school district has breakfast and lunch available to students between 11 a.m. and noon each day at the following locations:
• Pine Street Park: corner of Pine Street and Park Avenue
• MAAC Thrift Depot: corner of Starr Street and Orient Street
• Orleans County YMCA Parking Lot: 306 Pearl Street
• Former Towne School Parking Lot: 181 Bates Road
• Shelby Fire Department Parking Lot: 4695 S. Gravel Road
• Knowlesville Volunteer Fire Company Parking Lot: Knowlesville Road
• Oak Orchard Elementary Bus Loop
Students must be present, when possible, to receive their meals, Marc Graff, assistant superintendent, said in a letter to the community.
“We will monitor the distribution process and make any necessary adjustments as needed,” Graff said. “We wish to thank all of our students, families and staff for their understanding and patience as we work through these unprecedented times.”
For more information, click here to be directed to the district’s website.
Provided photo: Kendall staff are pictured in the school cafeteria with meals that were prepared for students on Tuesday.
KENDALL – The school district is closed until further notice but beginning today will continue to provide meals to students age 18 and younger who reside in the district.
Bagged breakfasts and lunches will be available to all students between 10 a.m. and noon each weekday at the Junior/Senior High School Cafeteria.
Parents are asked to remain in their vehicles and drive around to the back of the school (closest to the varsity soccer field) where a school representative will deliver the meals directly to the vehicle, Julie Christensen, the district superintendent, advised the community in a letter on Monday.
If a parent or guardian is unable to pick up the breakfast/lunch, contact Cindy Wolck at 659-8317 to have meals regularly delivered to a residence.
Kendall will have a school representative be responsible for recording the family name and the number of meals issued to each family. Christensen said parents need to be prepared to share their child’s name at the time of pickup.
“On behalf of the staff at KCSD, we are thankful for the support of our families and students during this challenging time,” Christensen wrote in her letter. “The district will monitor the distribution process throughout the week and make any necessary adjustments as needed.”
From Tony Cammarata, Kendall Town Supervisor
KENDALL – Due to the rapidly escalation of the COVID-19, coronarvirus, the Kendall Town Hall and highway department offices will be closed to the public.
The Kendall town clerk will be available by appointment only. Please phone (585) 659-8721 or email: clerk@townofkendall.com.
Town meetings will temporarily be closed to the public as permitted by Governor Cuomo’s executive order 202, which modifies the rules of open meetings.
Please deposit any necessary documents in the drop box, located by the front door. Include your name and phone number so we can contact you if necessary.
We regret this decision. In the best interest of our community it has become necessary to help prevent the spread of the virus. This is a routine precautionary measure and not a cause for panic.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall Central School will be closed beginning on Monday.
Kendall Central School will be closed beginning Monday until further notice.
The closing also means no sports practices or extracurricular events. Kendall announced the news in automated phone calls to the community at 3 p.m.
The district said it will provide updates on its website and through social media.
All 22 public school districts in Monroe County also will be closed until further notice, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said this afternoon.
He made the announcement following the second confirmed case of coronavirus in Monroe, this time involving an employee at the Greece arcadia Middle School.
Here is the statement issued by Bello this afternoon:
“After consultation with Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mike Mendoza and the Superintendents of all 22 Monroe County School Districts, all Monroe County public schools will be closed to students beginning Monday, March 16, until further notice.
“Staff may be asked to report depending on the individual district needs.
“This closing includes all school-related activities, including sports and other extracurricular activities.
“Each individual school district will share more specific information regarding their plans for food, social supports, remote instruction, and other operational procedures with their individual communities.
“The Monroe County Health Department and school leaders will be reviewing this on a week-to-week basis — and providing an update by midday Friday.
“The City of Rochester will be announcing its efforts regarding food distribution and support for children and families tomorrow morning at a 10 a.m. press conference at the Emergency Operations Center.”
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Benjamin Davis served as the guest conductor of the elementary band during Saturday’s All-County Music Festival at Kendall. The band included 73 students from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina school districts.
Davis is the band director at the East Aurora Union Free School District. He also is a composer and arranger of band music.
Elementary students perform at the All-County Music Festival. The band performed four selections, including “Quintus” by Larry Clark, “Maesong” by William Owens, “Drive” by Mark Williams and “Sing, Sing, Sing” arranged by Michael Story.
Jillian LeBaron of Albion plays the trombone for the elementary band. Each of the five school districts sent some of their top musicians for the festival.
Saturday’s event included 73 students for the elementary band, 93 in the junior high chorus and 75 students in the high school band. There was also an All-County Music Festival last month that featured the elementary chorus, junior high band and high school chorus.
The festivals are organized by the Orleans County Music Educators Association.
Jacqueline McLean served as guest conductor for the junior high chorus. She has taught the past 11 years at Le Roy, leading the junior and senior high choir programs.
The junior high chorus performed five songs – “Cantar! (Sing!),” “I Dream a World,” “Festival Sanctus,” “Mairi’s Wedding” and “You Will Be Found.”
Elaina Huntington of Medina sings a solo during the festival with the junior high chorus. Elizabeth Whipple of Lyndonville and Ryder Jones of Medina also were soloists.
Staff Sergeant Joshua Meyer directs the senior high band. Meyer is a trumpet player with the 198thArmy Band. He has been a member of that band for eight years and toured with them in Alaska, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina and Hawaii.
The senior high band performed “America, The Beautiful,” “John Williams: The Symphonic Marches,” “Children’s March” and “March: Grandioso.”
Dan Grabowski of Albion plays the trumpet in the senior high band.
Staff Sergeant Joshua Meyer addresses the crowd. He thanked the parents and school districts for supporting the students and music in the schools.
Provided photos
ALBION – Girl Scouts from Troops 82257 and 82127 in Kendall spent Saturday afternoon at the Martin-Linsin Residence for Hospice of Orleans County. The Scouts teamed with residents to decorate chocolate dipped cookies and paint clay pots to plant succulents in.
Bottom row, from left, include: Ava Newbould, Peyton Shuler, Jemma Nash and Mallory Holt. Back row: Abby Robb, Julianna Newbould, Abrielle Shuler, Kendall Newbould and Riannon Newbould.
These Scouts get prepared to paint the clay pots. They include, from left: Peyton Shuler, Jemma Nash, Mallory Holt, Julianna Newbould and Abby Robb.
Julianna Newbould and Peyton Shuler help a resident transplant a succulent plant.
Provided photos
KENDALL – The four Boy Scouts from Kendall who led the effort to build a war memorial in the community on Monday thanked a bricklayers union for its help with the project.
Jason ReQua of Kendall is secretary-treasurer with the union, BAC #3, in Rochester. He helped build the 39-foot-long brick wall. Other union members who helped and provided guidance with the project include organizer Robert Sotir, JATC Coordinator Arthur Miller and previous Local 3 President Anthony DiPerna.
Pictured include front row, from left: Brian Shaw, Jayden Pieniaszek, Secretary/Treasurer Jason ReQua, Noah Rath and Ryan Barrett. Back row: JATC Coordinator Art Miller, President-Rick Williamson, organizer Robert Sotir and Kendall Troop 94 Scoutmaster Ken Spohr.
The wall features granite plaques highlighting the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, and the War on Terror. Alternating the granite plaques are concrete medallions representing five branches of the military. In addition, there are three flagpoles that stand tall behind the brick wall. The memorial is respectfully lit from dusk to dawn.
The Eagle Scouts presented BAC Local #3 with a granite plaque as a thank you for contributing to the community service project.
Founded in 1865, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers represents craftworkers in the trowel trades across the United States and Canada including bricklayers, stone and marble masons, cement masons, plasterers, tilesetters, terrazzo and mosaic workers, and pointers/cleaners/caulkers.
Photo courtesy of Kendall Central School
KENDALL – Kendall High School senior Katherine Pearson was selected as the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen of the Orleans Chapter. She demonstrated the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. She is pictured at left with Principal Carol D’Agostino.
The award includes a $200 scholarship. Pearson was required to write an essay about participating in Empire Girls State program. The focus of the scholarship is patriotism and being proud to be an American.
Pearson is an active student. She is a three-sport varsity athlete (soccer, basketball and softball). She also is an officer in the Principal’s Club, vice president of AFS, performs in the musical, and she sings in the school’s elite choral group, Vocal Effect.
Press Release and photos from Kendall Central School
KENDALL – Kendall fourth grade teacher Justin Staebell recently received a Golden Apple Award. He was surprised by WROC-TV (Channel 8) News Anchor Lia Lando on Jan. 9 with his award.
Justin Staebell is pictured with Anthony Seymour, who nominated his teacher for the award.
The Golden Apple Award recognizes teachers making a difference in their communities. The segment airs weekly on WROC-TV and Staebell’s episode aired on Jan. 21. Click here to see it.
Staebell was nominated for the award by student Anthony Seymour. Anthony, with the help of his mother, nominated Staebell for helping him make the transition to a new school and classroom easier.
“Anthony’s ability to talk to everyone in class helped him fit in this year,” said Staebell. “He came in with a smile every day and ready to learn, so he made his own transition easy.”
Staebell was very surprised to receive the award. He said the last time a teacher at Kendall Elementary School received this award was close to 20 years ago, but he thought that would be a nice goal to achieve for himself someday. He comes from a family of educators and has five children of his own.
“This award is just as much about the kids the teacher has as the teacher himself,” he said.
He told his class the story of a student that he tutored every day one summer.
“She hated it and would cry every day,” he said. “She really struggled that year.”
He recently ran into her parent, who told him how she was getting ready to graduate college this year and become a nurse.
“Her father told me, ‘You made her feel like she could do it, and she has,’” he said. “That story makes me feel great to know that I had an impact on her. I am so proud of her.”
Staebell is often asked by graduating seniors to attend their commencement ceremonies, which demonstrates the impact he has on students who have long left his fourth grade class.
At the January Student of the Month assembly, Principal Heather Eysaman presented Staebell with an actual golden apple.
“I’m just one of the apples on a golden tree here at Kendall Elementary,” he told the audience.
WROC-TV (Channel 8) News Anchor Lia Lando visited Mr. Staebell’s fourth grade classroom.
