Notes from the WGHS Principals
January 22, 2023
Message from the WGHS Admin Team
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,
We can’t believe that we are just a week away from the start of the second semester. The first two quarters have flown by and we are preparing to administer January Regents exams this week. This year, all students will attend school during Regents exams. Those students testing will be in an alternate location in the building while all classes will run as usual. Remember that Friday is a half day for all! Be sure to check Synergy and make sure all of your assignments are turned in with your teachers. Also, it’s a good time to double-check your second semester schedule and look for any changes. Let’s finish this semester strong!
Sincerely,
The WGHS Administrative Team
Social Media and Cell Phone Usage
Does your teen show signs of stress or anxiety if they are separated from their phone? Is your teen’s sleep schedule impacted by phone use? Has your teen become unwilling to engage in other activities and hobbies? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your teen might need support in balancing their screen time.
The www.internetmatters.org website has a great article on balancing screen time. We hope that this information can spark a conversation between you and your teen. Limiting screen time can be a challenging concept for teens but can have a positive impact on their well-being.
2023 CNY Scholastic Art - ALL AWARDS
This year nineteen of our students earned 35 total awards (8 gold, 8 silver, and 19 honorable). Congratulations to the following WGHS winners and their teachers.
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?
Spotlight Students
The 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Planning Committee has announced the 2023 Unsung Hero Award winners, Trinity Brumfield and Camille Ogden. The Unsung Hero Award is given to community members, students, faculty and staff who have made a positive impact on the lives of others but are not widely recognized for their contributions. The awards were created to honor Dr. King’s vision of creating positive change in a troubled world.
Trinity Brumfield and Camille Ogden have been selected because they represent a generation of young, Black women who embody the life and legacy of Dr. King through their vision, efforts and commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility.
Trinity and Camille seek to be advocates for justice here at West Genesee High School as they work to pursue change with diligence and positivity. Congratulations to Trinity and Camille on this outstanding honor.
WGHS Hosts a Robotics Tournament
The West Genesee High School Robotics Team hosted a tournament on Saturday, January 21. They competed strong as a team displaying strategic play and mechanical adjustments; all while working with other teams!
Written plans, interviews, repair work, and scouting were all part of the Robotics Competition. A great model of problem solving, strategizing, teamwork, creating alliances, and execution.
Thank you to the “Technology Dream Team” of Maria Leonardo, Matt Makowiec, Steve Ficarra, and Scott English (along with all other staff that helped make this happen) for all of your work coordinating this tournament along with creating experiences and opportunities for students!
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 Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
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).
The musical is directed by Kristyn Sperduti, produced by Andrea Scerbo, and is choreographed by Bradley Benjamin-Stone. Anthony Alvaro is music director, William Mercer, Jr., is the lighting director, Donald Schuessler is technical director, and costumed by Cindy Kissane.
Tickets are $15, all seats reserved, and are available by clicking here. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Fine Arts Office.
Let's Get Down to Business!
After Ball Party
The PTSA has begun preparations for the After Ball Party, which follows the Senior Ball on the evening of May 12. This event is designed to encourage students to enjoy the night in a safe environment. All seniors attending receive a door prize. There are also drawings for grand prizes at the end of the night (students must be present to win). Please consider making a donation to this event as we need to raise $14,000 to cover our expenses. If every senior family donated just $10, we could raise close to $3500. Any monetary donation is truly appreciated.
Donations can be made online at https://wghsptsa.memberhub.com/store/items/751790 or checks can be made out to WGHS PTSA and mailed to WGHS PTSA, 5201 West Genesee St, Camillus, NY 13031
National Honor Society - Graduation Stoles
Blood Drive Information
Attention juniors and seniors, please consider becoming a blood donor! Every 2 seconds someone in America needs blood. On February 13, West Genesee High School will partner with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive. There is currently a national blood shortage and your donation can save up to 3 lives! Celebrate this Valentines by showing your love, rolling up your sleeves and donating! You can make a difference! You must have a signed parent or guardian permission slip which you can get with this link, visiting Mrs. Ostrander in C115, or looking for the NHS Red Cross tables in front of the cafeterias during lunch.
Find answers to all your questions at https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/info-for-student-donors.html or https://www.redcrossblood.org/faq.html.
Sign up today!"
Camillus Optimist Contests
The Camillus Optimists are again showing their dedication to our students by graciously hosting our annual speech and essay contests! For the speech contest link here and for the essay contest link here!
Please email sostrander@westgenesee.org (room C115) for more information. Both the speech and essay contests are loaded with opportunities for our students! Sign up today!
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 Case 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!
Community Forum on Student Achievement, Recognition, and the Future of Class Rank
Dates: Wednesday, February 1 and Wednesday, February 15
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: WGHS LGI Room
Important Dates
January 24-27: Regents Exams SCHOOL IS IN SESSION
January 27: ½ day Dismissal for WGHS is 9:55 AM
January 30: Second Semester Begins