West Genesee District e-Newsletter
February 10, 2023
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Sometimes I think, and subsequently speak, “How will this play out on a Tuesday morning in February?”
I don’t expect it will ever be a notable quote, nor do I think it is profound in any way. Simply put, it is a way to consider how something is working, moving forward with implementation, or consistently monitored long after the luster of initiation or creative inception has faded. Committing to a nutritional change, beginning a new exercise regimen, and pledging to volunteer more often are all examples of change we might encounter in our personal lives that we want to sustain past the initial idea. Of course, there are organizational versions, as well.
The key, of course, is to stay committed. Systems that are built to outlast time or circumstances are often those that find success. For our commitment to serve students, we must continually check our thinking on what works and what needs to be revisited. The West Genesee CSD Strategic Planning Committee (aka District Guiding Coalition), Curriculum Councils, Building Guiding Coalitions, Mentor Programs, faculty work, Action Research Projects, department meetings, and grade-level discussions are just some of the many avenues to keep our work “alive” in the service of our students.
There have been recent meetings with our representatives from the New York State Senate and Assembly. I am pleased to share that we have an outstanding level of support for our schools and community. In meetings as individuals and when the group of legislators came together for a recent forum, their insight, knowledge, and commitment to our students is incredibly appreciated. Thank you to Assembly member John Lemondes, Assembly member Pamela Hunter, Assembly member William Magnarelli, Senator John Mannion, and Senator Rachel May.
Two words that come to mind with the recent performances of the WGHS annual musical Nice Work If You Can Get It – wow and bravo! The entire complement of cast, stage crew, lighting, sound, orchestra, and adult staff, along with the great support of families, make this a herculean effort and a product that is equal to attending professional venues. The unfortunate cancelation of Friday evening’s rendition did not impact the sharp, witty, emotion-moving, and laughter-inducing impact from this wonderful group of Wildcats. Congratulations!
Enjoy the interesting stories and student accomplishments in the articles below. Make a special note of the 14th Annual Culture Fair at WGHS on Saturday, March 4. Thank you for your continued support as we remain West Genesee Stronger Together!
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
The WGCSD Strategic Planning Guiding Coalition members are pictured above during the 2023 two-day kick-off event held at West Genesee High School on February 7-8, 2023.
Board of Education Public Forum on the Renaming of WGMS
Mark your calendars for a Public Forum on the renaming of West Genesee Middle School. Please see below for more information about this event.
Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 6:00 p.m. (prior to the Board of Education meeting)
Location: Stonehedge Elementary School Library
Math Team Update
On Saturday, January 28, 2023 WGHS students competed at the 46th Annual Onondaga County Math League All-County Competition.
Congratulations to Nicolo Benenati who earned a spot on Team Onondaga and will represent West Genesee at the New York State Math League Meet in April.
Pictured above in the front row from left to right are Maura Hennessey, Guiliana Cannata, Alexa Pepoli, Emily Wrobleski, Kelly McManus, and Megan Mathews, In the back row left to right are Emma Evanchak, Emily Conklin, Camdyn McNeill, Sophia LeFevre, Grace Lamanna, and Delaney Capucilli.
Six New Members Inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA)
In 2017-2018 West Genesee High School established the WGHS Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). This year an induction ceremony into the NHSDA was held on January 12, 2023 to welcome the six new members.
Induction into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Secondary Program is earned through the accumulation of at least 30 points awarded for dance activities such as dance classes, rehearsals, performances, research, workshops, or community service activities, alongside a GPA of at least 85. Their dance grade must be 93 or above. In addition, the prospective student’s demonstration of collaborative teamwork, motivation, and leadership in the many aspects of dance (e.g., choreography, performance, mentoring, production) are factors in the determination of eligibility for induction. The goals of this program are to promote life-long learning in the field of dance and to encourage an understanding of and an appreciation for dance as an art form. This is one of the highest honor programs for dance in the United States.
These student dancers also organize a fundraiser for Comfort Cases which are donated to the county family services program and to the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center. Dance in the high school provides these students with the opportunity to be creative and is a vital outlet to the high schoolers who participate on a daily basis. Dance also helps to relieve stress, increase health and self confidence, as well as build lifelong friendships.
Congratulations to the students from West Genesee High School who were eligible for membership and were inducted in January 2023: Giuliana Cannata, Maura Hennessy, Megan Mathews, Kelly McManus, Alexa Pepoli, and Emily Wrobleski.
A New NYS Master Teacher from West Genesee is Announced!
On December 23, 2022 New York State announced that Christopher Paoli has been named a New York State Master Teacher. Congratulations!
The New York State Master Teacher Program is a vibrant network of more than 1,400 outstanding public school teachers throughout the state who share a passion for their own Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics learning and for collaborating with colleagues to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.
Celebrating Black History Month: Spotlight on Split Rock
Thank you to the Split Rock Elementary School PTO for sponsoring Storyteller Vanessa Johnson who visited Split Rock this week to help us kick off Black History Month. The students were engaged and enjoyed her performances which included “A Story, A Story!” as well as “Animal Talk”.
The stories featured interactive tales using hand movements, instruments, and active story games for our younger students. For the older students, Interactive Stories, Rhythm and Song, and Animals from the African Diaspora Share their Life Lessons and Wisdom! Character Education Issues such as Bullying, Sharing, Tattle-Telling, Joking and Teasing, Honesty and Lying, are addressed through these Delightful Voices of the Animal World! Below are some photos our PTO took capturing of the interactive moments with students.
Celebrating Black History Month: Spotlight on WGMS
Black History Month is more than just a commemoration of particular events. It is about the shared experiences of Black Americans whose achievements and contributions have impacted and shaped our country. It is also about taking a hard look at the past so we can create a better future. We will do that this month as well as throughout the year!
At West Genesee Middle School, we are a building full of stories, backgrounds and cultures. As educators we recognize the value and importance of teaching our students about who has helped shape the country we live in today, while also reflecting the rich background of our school community.
This month our library is proud to celebrate the stories of Black History. Our diverse collection of books includes stories of the famous and not so famous, yet all worthy of having their lives become part of our collective knowledge. We encourage everyone to enjoy and celebrate, through these incredible stories, an important part of our history.
Tax Exemptions for Residents-Deadline by March 1, 2023
Residents who are at least age 65 and/or who are disabled may be eligible for a partial exemption on their school property taxes if they meet certain qualifications. At the regular meeting on February 1, 2023, the Board of Education approved this exemption at the same level as the previous year.
Also approved at the meeting was an exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers as well as an exemption for Veterans, both at the same level as the previous year.
To determine if you qualify for any of the named exemptions, please contact your town’s assessor.
Meet our School Patrol Officers: This Week…Officer Flanagan
We would like to welcome Officer Richard Flanagan on a full-time basis to West Genesee Middle School working with both students and staff.
Officer Flanagan has just retired from a distinguished career with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office. Over the course of his career, he has held positions such as Detective with the Abused Persons Unit, Road Patrol Supervisor, and Police Sergeant within the Inspections Unit. For the last 13 years, Officer Flanagan has worked as a Detective Lieutenant and Detective Sergeant within the Criminal Investigation Division. Officer Flanagan was a recipient of the Charles A. Florczyk Sr. Award for Investigative Excellence in 2019.
In addition to being a West Genesee School Patrol Officer, he is a father of three and all of his children are West Genesee students.
Principal McGrath shared, “We feel incredibly lucky that Officer Flanagan is bringing his expertise to WGMS! He has jumped right in, already building relationships with students who have been excited to welcome him when they see him in the halls and cafeteria. He has been incredibly welcoming to students and staff at arrival time, and his positive approach is felt by all! We look forward to Officer Flanagan becoming an integral component of our school community."
Food Pantry Information for Over the Break
Many students enjoy breakfast and lunch at school on a regular basis. It is understandable when families find it challenging to provide those meals during school vacations.
Food pantries partner with the Food Bank of CNY to provide low cost, nutritious food to those in need. The following is a list of food pantries and services available in our community to assist families. Please know that you will be serviced by the food pantry nearest your legal address. If you have questions or need assistance please call: The Interreligious Food Consortium (IRC) weekdays at 315-474-8855 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Their website is: http://www.ifccny.org/.
For more information listing the local food pantries, click here.
Mark your Calendar for the West Genesee 14th Annual Culture Fair
The 14th Annual Culture Fair will be held at West Genesee High School on Saturday, March 4 from 12:00-3:00 p.m in the upper gymnasium.
As we prepare for the event, we are looking for community members/families interested in having a table to share aspects of their culture through performances, artifacts, food, art, and/or language! Please call the WGHS Main Office at 315-487-4601 if you are interested in participating!
Join us as we celebrate our community’s diversity at this fun event featuring dance performances, live music, cultural demonstrations, food samples, artwork, T-shirts, kids crafts, and more!
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Registration is Open!
West Genesee partners with local Community-Based Organizations (CBO) for its Pre-K program. Currently, there is one classroom at Split Rock Elementary and 5 classrooms with our CBOs. The number of available seats is dependent on the UPK allocation the District receives from NYS. The State Budget is adopted on or near April 1.
To be eligible for UPK during the 2023-2024 school year, a child must:
- Have a birthdate between December 2, 2018 and December 1, 2019
- Reside in the West Genesee Central School District
In the event that more registrations are received than can be accommodated, the District will conduct an initial selection process via an open lottery in which children will be selected at random.
Those children who have completed the registration process by March 17 will be part of the initial selection process.
Families who are part of the initial selection process will be called in order of selection and informed:
- whether their child has been accepted to the program, and
- which site (including hours of the program) is available for their child;
OR
- where their child is on the waiting list.
Families will be contacted by April 14, 2023.
If at any point after the initial selection process there are more students registered than seats available, students will be placed on the waiting list in the order that their registration was completed.
Transportation to and from the program is the responsibility of parents/guardians, and students must attend the program five days a week to maintain their seat.
Look for registration information on the Central Registration webpage at: https://www.westgenesee.org/district-services/registration/. If you have any questions, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call Central Registration at (315) 487-4683.
When registering, parents should be prepared to upload the following:
- proof of residency (ie. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement)
- proof of immunizations
- proof of age
To access the most updated health requirements click here.
To access the UPK/Kindergarten Registration Help document click here.
"Dance A Difference" Week!
In preparation for "Dance A Difference" Week (March 5-11, 2023), the WG Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts is putting together Comfort Cases for children in foster care and those serviced through the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center. Thousands of teens and youth are moving from house to house carrying their few belongings in a garbage bag. Comfort Cases was created to help end this tragedy.
West Genesee NHSDA dancers are accepting donations of:
- backpacks
- pajamas
- socks
- soft blankets
- stuffed animals
- coloring books/crayons
- books
- journals/pens
- travel-sized toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/toothpaste, soap/bodywash, deodorant, hair brush/comb/pik, hair ties/headbands)
- gift cards to purchase additional items
Items may be dropped off at the HS Main Office, HS Library, or Fine Arts Office, Monday-Fridays from 8:00-3:00 now through February 28. If you would like to volunteer to help assemble the bags, please email cbrackett@westgenesee.org for complete details.
Help our dancers help others!!
Happening at WGCSD.....Community Forum on Student Achievement, Recognition, and the Future of Class Rank
Mark your calendars for a Community Forum on Student Achievement, Recognition, and the Future of Class Rank.
Date: Wednesday, February 15
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: WGHS LGI Room
Kindergarten Registration has Started
Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year opened on December 14 and will go until March 31, 2023.
Watch for registration information on the Central Registration webpage. If you have any questions, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call Central Registration at (315) 487-4683.
When registering, parents should be prepared to upload the following:
- proof of residency (ie. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement)
- proof of immunizations
- proof of age
A physical examination is also required and a dental certificate is requested for entry into kindergarten. These examinations should be done up to one year prior to the first day of school. Children who enter kindergarten this fall must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2023.
To access the most updated health requirements click here.
To access the UPK/Kindergarten Registration Help document click here.
Spring Sports Registration Starts Soon!
The Athletics Department offers the convenience of online registration for athletic sports sign up and clearance through Family ID.
JV/Varsity Spring Sports-Starts 3/16/23; Registration Opens 2/16/23
Modified 7/8/9 Spring Sports-Starts 4/10/23; Registration Opens 3/10/23
Unified Basketball starts 4/17/23; Registration starts 3/17/23
For directions on how to sign up, please go to the Athletics webpage and click on Athletics Registration. Everything will be completed online. Click here for more information.
Emergency Closing Information is Important
Announcements about school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissal will be posted on the News Headlines section of the District website home page. They will also be broadcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and the television stations (which you can access by clicking here).
SchoolMessenger communications software allows us to send emails, texts, and make phone calls. (Phone calls will be used for emergency situations only.)
Parent/guardians and staff do NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in ParentVue. (You may opt-out if you choose not to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls. Also, although you do not need to sign-up to receive texts, you do have to opt-in per the instructions in the Tips article below. )
For more information go to the website and click on Communications from the Connect section of the home page.
WGCSD is Looking to Hire Transportation Staff
West Genesee CSD is looking to hire regular bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and substitute bus attendants.
Inquiries about these positions can be sent to Debbie Price at dprice@westgenesee.org.
WGCSD is Looking to Full-time and Substitute Custodians
West Genesee CSD is hiring full-time custodians on all shifts and substitute custodians for the 2nd shift. Inquiries can be made to Buildings and Grounds at (315) 487-4630.
BOE Meetings Go on the Road to Different Schools!
You may have noticed that West Genesee Board of Education Meetings are “going on the road”. Our typical meeting spot is at West Genesee High School. This year, a meeting is being held at each of the other six school buildings. The Study Session part of our agenda will be led by the school principal and includes topics such as building implementation of District Initiatives, program updates, and most importantly, building points of pride. It is a nice change of routine and chance to more formally operate in all parts of our District.
Please note: The following BOE Meetings will be held at the location listed below. All other BOE Meetings will take place in the usual location in the West Genesee High School Library.
- January 18, 2023- was held at Split Rock Elementary School
- February 15, 2023-Stonehedge Elementary School Library
- March 15, 2023-East Hill Elementary School Library
- March 29, 2023-Onondaga Road Elementary School Library
- April 19, 2023-West Genesee Middle School Library
- May 17, 2023-Camillus Middle School Library
- June 21, 2023-(HS LGI Room)
Upcoming Events
- February 15, 2023 Community Forum on Student Achievement-5:00 p.m.
- February 15, 2023 BOE Claims Audit Sub-Committee Meeting-5:15 p.m.-Stonehedge Elementary School Library
- February 15, 2023 BOE Public Forum on Renaming of WGMS-6:00 p.m.-Stonehedge Elementary School
- February 15, 2023 BOE Meeting-Directly after the Public Forum-Stonehedge Elementary School Library
- February 20-24, 2023 Winter Recess-No School