West Genesee District e-Newsletter
March 18, 2022
Message from the Superintendent
Greetings!
Hard work, persistence, and perseverance. In recent weeks, there have been many reminders of the significance of these attributes. Concerts, athletic contests, visual arts displays, club activities, and learning within classrooms are just some examples of evidence this exists within our students and cultivated by our staff. In each of these settings, a work ethic, effort across time, and overcoming obstacles are part of the journey of success.
Consider the example of running a marathon. To approach the 26.2 mile event, an individual begins training months in advance. A regimented routine is established and various methods help to build strength and stamina with various muscles and rigor of increasing distances. The elements of weather, time, and fatigue may present barriers to overcome requiring a strategy adjustment. After many months, tapering seems counterintuitive, but it is necessary to pull back for recovery and rebuild strength. Only then does the training pay off between the starting line and finish.
It is that commitment that is behind each of our student's performances. It doesn’t come “naturally” or “without effort.” Each success has many “miles”…. brush strokes, practices, rehearsals, individual repetition, technique refinement, research, review…. and commitment across time. That is hard work! The accomplishment is earned and respected.
This e-Newsletter includes some examples of the many successes our students have achieved due to their commitment. The investment made in a plethora of interest areas is deserving of our support, applause, and awe. Congratulations to our Wildcats for their accomplishments and to the many adults who remain dedicated to that success.
On a special note, the recent Culture Fair held at West Genesee High School showed a very different commitment. We celebrated the history of varied cultures through foods, movement, artistry, and visual symbols. Even more, we celebrated each other and recognized our collective differences and respected our unique past.
We are stronger together. We work hard and put in effort to accept that which makes us unique as individuals and strengthens us collectively. We also care for one another. It’s what makes us Wildcats!
Be well,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
Students Inducted into the Spanish Honor Society
West Genesee’s Spanish Honor Society, a chapter of La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, welcomed 33 new members this year. La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica is a nationally recognized organization that is associated with the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP).To be considered for membership, inductees must exhibit a commitment to language learning by choosing to enroll in Spanish through their senior year and must also demonstrate academic excellence, both in and out of the language classroom.
Click here to read the full article from the website that includes the names of the inductees.
World Language Week Poster Contest
The West Genesee High School Spanish Club sponsors an annual poster contest for World Language Week, March 6-12, 2022. “Celebrate Humanity through Language” was the theme this year.
There were multiple poster submissions, and the top three posters were created by: Lamees Hussein, Grace McInerney, and Hannah Kenna.
Congratulations! Click here to read the article from the website.
WGCSD March Calendar Adjusted: Superintendent Days
At the regular BOE meeting held on February 2, the Board of Education acted on the Superintendent's recommendation to amend the 2021-2022 school calendar for purposes of professional development for our staff. In years past this has been built into the calendar.
The changes involved are dates during the month of March. The addition will be that of Superintendent’s Conference Days for each of the K-8 buildings.
Unlike traditional Superintendent’s Days when no students report to school, each K-8 building has a date specific to only that school.
The remaining conference dates are:
- March 21: Camillus Middle School
- March 22: East Hill Elementary School
- March 23: Onondaga Road Elementary School
- March 24: Split Rock Elementary School
- March 25: Stonehedge Elementary School
For example, on March 9, WGMS students did not attend school as the staff had professional development. All students in Grades K-4 and 7-12 had a regular school day.
Notable is that West Genesee High School is not included in this particular plan as there are different opportunities for the HS staff.
Click here to read the entire letter from Superintendent David C. Bills.
District Calendar for 2022-2023 Approved at BOE Meeting
The District Calendar for the 2022-2023 school year was approved by the Board of Education at their meeting on March 16, 2022.
The calendar is now available on the website by clicking here: https://www.westgenesee.org/about-us/calendars/.
Tickets Now On Sale: West Genesee High School Students to Present Beauty and the Beast
On Wednesday, April 20; Thursday, April 21; and Friday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m., and also on Sunday, April 24 at 2:00 p.m., students at West Genesee High School will perform the magical Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast.
All seating is reserved. Tickets for the Beauty and the Beast musical at the high school are $15 and available by clicking here and also at the Fine Arts Office at 315-487-4612.
Click here to read the full article that includes cast and plot information.
The West Genesee 13th Annual Culture Fair was a Success!
The 13th Annual Culture Fair was a huge success! We cannot thank the WG community enough for the overwhelming amount of support.
Thank you to the families who organized tables, made delicious food, and shared about their culture with our community. We also appreciate all of the groups that performed, donated food and water for the event, the students who volunteered to help run the event, our artists who face painted and crafted with kids, our amazing custodians, the student button makers, the WG Boosters, and the PTA/PTOs! We are so grateful for all of you. We hope to continue this WG tradition and it is all of you who make it possible! (Below are a few pictures from the event, please visit our Facebook page for more pictures!)
Students, Staff, and the Community Show Support for Ukraine
Athletics Sectional/State/National Updates
West Genesee/Skaneateles Girls Hockey are STATE CHAMPS!!
Sectional Champions/State Runner-Ups
Boys Basketball: The Boys Basketball are the 2022 Section III Runner-ups! Congratulations!
Indoor Track: Congratulations to the following:
Peter McMahon won the Section III Championship and broke the school record in the 3200m with a time of 9:21.25 at the NYS Championships. He also finished 2nd in the Emerging Elite 2 mile at the Nike Indoor Nationals with a time of 9:24.16.
The WG Boys 4x200 Relay team of Dominick Burris, Bryce Bort, Payton Manipole, Chris Moser won the SCAC League and Section III Championships. They competed at the NYS Championships, with a new school record of 1:31.68. The relay team placed 3rd in state and 4th in federations!! They also finished in 5th place at the Nike Indoor Track Nationals which earned them All-American honors in the event.
The WG Boys 4x800 Relay Team of Aidan Walsh, Kevin Moser, Casey Conmy, and Peter McMahon won the SCAC League and Section III Championship. They also competed at the NYS Championships.
Dominick Burris won the Section III and SCAC League Championship in the Long jump.
Vivian Youmans won the Weight Throw at the SCAC League Championship and set a new school record.
Chloe Fietze placed 15th in the 8th grade mile at the Nike Indoor Nationals with a personal record time of 5:39.09.
Wrestling: Congratulations to Maxx Fesinger who competed at the NYS Championships after placing at the Section III Championships!
Diving: Bryan Reichert qualified and competed at the NYS Diving Championships. Congratulations!
Cheerleading: Congratulations to the Girls Cheerleading team for competing in the NYS Championships after qualifying at the Section III finals!
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 3/21/22; Registration Opened 2/21/22
Modified 7/8/9 Spring Sports-Starts 4/4/22; Registration Opened 3/4/22
Unified Basketball-Starts 4/12/22; Registration Opened 3/12/22
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.
Mark your Calendars for the Talk with the Superintendent
The event is sponsored by the West Genesee PTA/PTO District Council.
Kindergarten Registration Continues!
Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year opened virtually on December 1, 2021 and will go until March 31, 2022. This will allow our families to register their children from the comfort of their home or office. Please click here to start the Virtual Registration process. This will schedule a telemeeting with you.
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, 2022.
To access the most updated health requirements click here.
For additional information about registering your student, go to the Registration Section of the website, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call them at (315) 487-4683.
WGCSD is Looking to Hire Transportation Staff
West Genesee CSD is hiring regular bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and substitute bus attendants.
Inquiries about these positions can be sent to James Dark at jdark@westgenesee.org.
Upcoming Events
- March 21, 2022 Camillus Middle School-Supt. Conference Day
- March 22, 2022 East Hill Elementary School-Supt. Conference Day
- March 23, 2022 Onondaga Road Elementary School-Supt. Conference Day
- March 24, 2022 Split Rock Elementary School-Supt. Conference Day
- March 25, 2022 Stonehedge Elementary School-Supt. Conference Day
- March 29-30, 2022 NYS ELA Assessments Grade 7-8
- March 30-31, 2022 NYS ELA Assessments Grades 3-4
- March 31-April 1, 2022 NYS ELA Assessments Grades 5-6
- April 6, 2022 BOE Audit Committee Meeting-5:30 p.m.
- April 6, 2022 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.