West Genesee District e-Newsletter
January 13, 2023
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Happy New Year! Students have returned from the holiday recess and the pace has resumed right where we left it. Our activities, events, and day-to-day learning has momentum. The start of a calendar year is interesting in schools. More than ever, we begin to see more clearly a “turning the corner” toward June. Of course, there is still plenty to do.
This edition of the e-Newsletter includes important accolades and accomplishments. It is wonderful to see the volume of students receiving Scholastic Art Awards recognition. There are 35 examples of high achievement in the creative arts that are a result of student learning and dedication to their craft. It is also a reflection of our staff commitment including Mr. Capria, Ms. Long, Mr. LaFay and the entire K-12 visual arts staff who have impacted this area of growth in our student artists. Congratulations to all involved.
A group of students recently competed in the Annual Central New York Model United Nations Conference held at Syracuse University. It is important to note that this is a rigorous experience across a two-day event that can be termed “grueling” with activity involving action and thought. Each student is assigned to a committee with a goal to resolve a societal condition that includes focused negotiations. Congratulations to all of the students involved, including those receiving special accolades, and to Mr. Petercsak for his guidance of this experience.
Congratulations to West Genesee Middle/East Hill Elementary School music teacher Mrs. Mercer who received the WCNY-FM Music Educator Award for December. This is a well-deserved honor and will include ensembles being invited to play at WCNY (91.3 FM) radio on January 17. Our West Genesee Middle School student musicians will be celebrated with this unique experience. As important, the children’s reaction to the surprise announcement was one of true appreciation and care for their teacher. What a wonderful moment!
In the area of safety, we have had unusual and unexpected incidents in recent weeks that were investigated and determined to be technical issues or false alarms. The issue of a lockdown call at the high school was investigated with help from Syracuse Time and Alarm and Day Automation. It was discovered that a systems update created an unexpected difference in relay contacts. Working together, the switch was rewired, rebooted, and tested repeatedly. The result is the system operating correctly. We appreciate the support of the partnerships with these vendors.
Procedurally, this is the reason why we have drills; to build a repertoire of skills and automaticity of response for the unexpected. As is true within our classrooms, we maintain a culture of continuous improvement. Toward that end, we are implementing safety audits and reviewing training. We will never rest in efforts to support our students, staff, and families in all areas with a priority to safety.
Enjoy the many articles of good news and areas of informational sharing in this edition of the e-Newsletter. Thank you for your continued support as we remain West Genesee Stronger Together!
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
Students Receive Scholastic Art Recognition in 2023
Nineteen West Genesee High School students received a total of thirty-five awards in the 2023 Scholastic Art Awards competition. Artwork is evaluated on originality, technical skill, and personal vision.
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were launched in 1923 to encourage and recognize student achievement in the creative arts. Now celebrating their 100th Anniversary, The Scholastic Awards attract over 350,000 entries in 28 categories of writing and the visual arts.
The West Genesee artists are students, in grades 9-12, of John Capria, Gigina Long, and Michael LaFay.
All Gold Key winning artwork will be sent to the national competition in New York City. National medal winners are announced in early March. The event is sponsored by M&T Bank.
Click here to read the full article from the website.
(Images of the artwork are below in collages and are also available individually on our Facebook page in a photo album.)
Gold Key Scholastic Art Awards
- Annalin Hyatt-9th Grade-Photography-Enchanted Fern
- Vinny Danylyshyn-10th Grade-Digital Art-Tea Time
- Gwenyth DeMass-10th Grade-Digital Art-Self-Portrait
- Lyllian Grell-11th Grade-Photography-Working Hands
- Zoe Maupin-11th Grade-Digital Art-Musical Life Cycle
- Zoey Slater-11th Grade-Photography-The Experience Is From Afar
- Elsa Propper (2)-12th Grade-Photography-Hardcore; Truth Cult
Silver Key Scholastic Art Awards
- Ella Boyer-10th Grade-Painting-I am a Spectrum
- Leah Bigelow-12th Grade-Photography-Mara
- Emelia Gardner-12th Grade-Digital Art-Movement
- Elsa Propper (2)-12th Grade-Photography-Emelia; Exhibition
- Coralista Ruge (3)-12th Grade-Editorial Cartoon (2)-Cutie Magazine; Model Digest; Digital Art (1)-Paparazzi
Honorable Mention Scholastic Art Awards
- Lillian Lesperance-9th Grade-Photography-Golden Gatherings
- Amelia Vezey (2)-9th Grade-Photography-Fifty Fifty Monochrome; Front Yard Photography
- Ella Boyer (2)-10th Grade-Painting-Caught Your Gaze; Sitting in Hell with You
- Kaitlyn Hoy-11th Grade-Photography-Cloistered
- Zoey Slater-11th Grade-Photography-Blown Away Child Wishes
- Christian Allen-12th Grade-Fashion-Bag
- Margaret Dalgety-12th Grade-Ceramics & Glass-Fiddle
- Isabella Felicia-12th Grade-Sculpture-Untitled
- Elle Mcnamara-12th Grade-Drawing & Illustration-Destruction and Displacement
- Alexa Pepoli-12th Grade-Digital Art-Deer
- Elsa Propper (5)-12th Grade-Art Portfolio (1)-Syracuse Hardcore; Photography (4)-Blue Room; In the Brush; Minds Eye; Silver Street
- Coralista Ruge (2)-12th Grade-Drawing & Illustration (1)-A Mannequin; Digital Art (1)-Do you Love Me?
Students Receive Recognition in Model UN Conference
The 40th annual Model United Nations (UN) Conference was held on January 6-7, 2023 at Syracuse University and was attended by students from across the state.
Each student is assigned to a committee where they work to resolve a societal condition by negotiating with other members. Each member must represent their country's position and maintain, to the best of their ability, their status in world affairs.
The keynote speaker was John D. Palmer who spoke about issues of Race and White Supremacy; Equity and Social Justice Education Policy and Practices; and Forgotten, Isolated, and Oppressed Schools.
West Genesee's ten delegates represented China, Estonia, Somalia, and Bahrain while two represented delegate roles.
Anthony Edgar won the Best New Delegate award for the Arab League Conference. Bahiyeh Bserani received an Honorable Mention for Best Delegate of the NATO Conference, and Nicole Vasilev received an Honorable Mention for the Best Delegate of the China Cabinet.
Other students participating at this year's event from WGHS were Brady Barrett, Maryia Kostiv, Isabella Marachuk, Jaden Mattimore, Julianna Russo, Frank Nazarkiewicz, and Eyad Zahran.
WCNY Classic FM December Music Educator Award
Congratulations to West Genesee music educator Maggie Mercer who was named the WCNY-FM Music Educator Award for December which was presented to her in front of her East Hill Orchestra musicians on Tuesday, January 3.
Mercer has been teaching in the District for 11 years and currently teaches instrumental strings at East Hill Elementary and West Genesee Middle Schools.
WCNY-FM launched this recognition program in September 2022, as part of their 50th Anniversary observance. Dozens of teachers from throughout the region were nominated, and the selection committee chooses a monthly honoree from that group. More information is available at this link: http://www.wcny.org/radio/musiceducator/.
The recognition ceremony was recorded, and Classic FM will play it back on air to formally announce the honoree. They will also schedule a performance at the WCNY studios by the ensemble of the Mercer's choice to record that to play on air at a future time.
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 were 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.
West Genesee District PTA/PTO is Hosting a Talk with the Superintendent
Please join the West Genesee PTA/PTO District Council for a Talk with the Superintendent on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the West Genesee High School 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.
Purchase Tickets to the WGHS Musical NOW!
West Genesee High School will present Nice Work If You Can Get It, by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark, LLC., on February 2 - 4, 2022.
A hilarious screwball comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It pokes fun at the Prohibition era in a clash of elegant socialites and boorish bootleggers, all set to the glorious songs of George and Ira Gershwin. Highlights from the score include "Fascinating Rhythm," "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Sweet and Low Down," "Delishious" and the title song. (Description excerpt credited to www.concordtheatricals.com).
Tickets are $15, all seats reserved, and are available by clicking here. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Fine Arts Office.
Half-Day for Students on Friday, January 27, 2023-Superintendent Conference Day
Friday, January 27, will be a half-day for students for a Superintendent Conference Day for staff. Dismissal times for students will be as follows per building:
- High School: 9:55 a.m.
- CMS: 10:15 a.m.
- WGMS: 10:10 a.m.
- All Elementary Buildings: 11:15 a.m. (Please check information from individual schools for specific bus/pick-up/walker times.)
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.
Hiring a Registered Nurse
We are hiring a full-time nurse to float between schools within the West Genesee School District.
Inquiries about this position can be sent to Deb Balcourt at dbalcourt@westgenesee.org.
WGCSD Seeks a Maintenance Worker
To apply go to https://www.westgenesee.org/staff-resources/job-opportunities/current-job-openings/ to fill out the application (https://www.westgenesee.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/StaffResourcesSupportStaffApp.pdf) and bring it to the District Office (300 Sanderson Drive-behind Stonehedge Elementary).
Please call 315-487-4630 with any questions.
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
Upcoming Events
- January 16, 2023 No School-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- January 17, 2023 Talk with the Superintendent-7:00 p.m.
- January 18, 2023 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.-Split Rock Elementary School Cafeteria
- January 27, 2023 Half-Day for Students/Staff Supt. Conference Day (see article above for dismissal times)