Gananda Blue Panther Gazette

Weekly Newsletter of Gananda Central School District

October 13, 2021

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It's been a rough road since March 2020, and we are all tired and stressed. That's why we are excited to partner with "Lifting The School Community" Project to help provide tools and tips to help you take control of your mental well being and live a happier life.

This uplifting experience is free for all of us -- staff, families, and community members! The project is a seven week course beginning Monday, October 25 and ending Friday, December 10, 2021. The course is administered through email and you will receive 2 emails a week to help navigate through the course. In the end, we hope you will feel more uplifted and in control!

To join the "Lifting The School Community" Project, you just need to sign up with your email address by clicking on the link following link:
Register for Lifting the School Community Project


Attached is a flyer with additional information about the program or you can also learn more about The Lift Project online.

We hope you will join us in "Lifting The School Community."

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Virtual Special Education Parent Forum - October 20, 7:00-8:00pm

Join Gananda Director of Special Education Melissa Phelps and Jennifer Cacioppo from Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE) for a discussion on supports for our special education students. Registration is required to attend. To register, click on the link below:

https://gananda-org.zoom.us/me…

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Blood Drive - October 22

We are hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Friday, October 22 from 7:30 am - 1:00 pm at Ruben A. Cirillo High School. The blood drive will take place in the Band Room at the High School. To register, visit the Red Cross website.

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Seeking Applications for Elementary School Principal

Gananda Central School District is seeking an educational leader who will continue the development of a culture designed to support all students and staff in the position of Richard Mann Elementary School Principal. The successful candidate will be expected to work collaboratively with parents and staff to grow systems that are responsive to the needs of students. Information about the position, and details of how to apply can be found online. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2022.

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Gananda Board of Education Seeking Community Members for Audit Committee

The Gananda Audit Committee is seeking a community member(s) interested in serving on the Gananda Audit Committee. The Audit Committee assists the Gananda Board of Education in the oversight of both internal and external audit functions, including the appointment of the internal and external auditors. Interested parties must reside in the Gananda CSD and should possess the requisite skills and experience necessary to understand technical and complex reporting issues; have the ability to communicate with, and offer advice and assistance to public finance officers and auditors; and be knowledgeable about internal controls, financial statement audits and management/operational audits.

Those interested should submit a letter of interest and resume to Leslie Ferrante, District Clerk, 1500 Dayspring Ridge Walworth, NY 14568 or email to lferrante@gananda.org by October 22, 2021.

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Quarantining and Contact Tracing

As the COVID-19 cases in our county and surrounding counties have climbed recently, Wayne County Public Health has shared some important information about Quarantining and Contact Tracing that is now available on our website under the COVID-19 Information Hub. In the event that your student needs to quarantine, these are good references to have. The safety and health of our students and staff continues to be a top priority and we continue to practice mask wearing, good hand hygiene, and social distancing of 3ft in all of our schools in an effort to minimize exposure.

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Face Mask Facts from the CDC

Wearing a mask correctly is the key to making it effective at preventing the spread of the coronavirus. According to the CDC, a cloth face mask needs to have the following in order to be effective:
  • Cover both your nose and mouth
  • Fit snugly but comfortably against the sides of the face
  • Be secured with ties or ear loops
  • Have multiple layers of fabric
  • Allow for unrestricted breathing
  • Able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or shape changes


Some people have suggested that carbon dioxide from exhaling gets trapped under the cloth and can make you sick. This isn't true. Properly fitted masks offer adequate airflow while still covering your nose and mouth. This makes the accumulation of carbon dioxide impossible.


If you've had a coronavirus before or had an antibody test come up positive, you may believe that you don't need to wear a mask. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no way to know whether having coronavirus once provides immunity from the virus again or how long that your immunity might last. This means that you could potentially catch the disease again and spread it to others


Everyone should wear a cloth mask when in public unless they are under age two, or can't remove the mask without assistance, people with severe breathing problems.

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Helpful Documents

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Jar Wars - This Week!

Richard Mann Elementary Students-bring all your unwanted pennies! Pennies are collected in jars in front of the dining hall during lunch. The class that collects the most wins!

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Richard Mann Elementary is using a program called PikMyKid to help organize the school dismissal process and improve safety. This program is an app downloaded onto your smart phone.The app can be found in the app store and will allow you to notify the school of pick-up changes and authorize others to pick-up your child from school, alert you when your child has been picked up or sent home on the bus, as well as help organize the car line during pick-up.

The registration process is easy and we have included several resources below to help you understand how to use the application and assist you with the app. Please make sure when registering you use your personal current mobile phone number or the app will not allow you to access your child’s information; this is for security reasons.

If you do not think the school has your mobile number on file or if your child does not appear in your app’s home page, contact support@pikmykid.com after registration, with your child’s name, school, grade, and your updated contact information.

Anyone who will be picking up your child should also register with the application. Their screen will be blank and they will not have any authorization until you allow it within the app.

To learn more about how to use the PikMyKid App, be sure to watch the PikMyKid Parent Training Video.

For more information, go to the Gananda website.

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Jar Wars - This Week!

Gananda Middle School students - All forms of currency are collected in jars in front of the cafeteria during the lunch break, Pennies are positive points, and everything else is counted as negative points.

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Modified Winter Sports Registration is Now Open

Sports available for the Winter include swimming, boys basketball, and cheerleading. First practice begins October 25. Register online using Family ID.

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Gananda Middle School has an Instagram Account!

The middle school has an Instagram account and you are invited to follow it! There will be photos posted regularly showing what the students are working on in class, along with other activities throughout the year. To follow us, scan the middle school nametag (The photo to the left of this story). If you are unsure how to do this follow these instructions: Go to your Instagram profile, tap on the three-line button in the top-right corner, and choose the Nametag tab. Then tap Scan a Nametag at the bottom of the screen and scan the nametag. Otherwise, you can just search for Gananda_MS.

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Jar Wars - This Week!

Ruben A. Cirillo High School - All forms of currency are collected in jars in front of the cafeteria during the lunch breaks, Pennies are positive points, and everything else is counted as negative points.

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High School Homecoming Bonfire

Come join us for the Homecoming Bonfire, October 15th 8-10 p.m.

There will be snacks, s’mores, and music.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

Make sure to check-in so your attendance can be counted for your class points!

Dress however you are comfortable.

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JV/ Varsity Winter Sports registration opens on October 15!

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High School Retake and Club Picture Day

October 27 is make-up picture day for high school students. The order form can be found here.
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Gananda Dollars for Scholars News

Jar Wars During Homecoming week is Back!!!

October 12-15


Richard Mann Elementary Students-bring all your unwanted pennies! Pennies are collected in jars in front of the dining hall during lunch. The class that collects the most wins!


Gananda Middle School students - All forms of currency are collected in jars in front of the cafeteria during the lunch break, Pennies are positive points, and everything else is counted as negative points.


Ruben A. Cirillo High School - All forms of currency are collected in jars in front of the cafeteria during the lunch breaks, Pennies are positive points, and everything else is counted as negative points.


Mark your calendar...Proud Panther signs will be sold at the Holiday Shop on Saturday November 13th from 11 am - 3 pm at the Elementary School. They are $10 per sign.


Next Meeting:

Tuesday November 2nd @7:00 in the HS Library

*Please park in the gymnasium parking lot

**A mask is required inside


Did You Know….

  • that you can designate Gananda Dollars for Scholars as your charity of choice if you give to the United Way each year? Just include Code #3323 on your enrollment form and start giving today!

  • that many employers match your donation for your charity of choice? You can double your giving to Gananda Dollars for Scholars by inquiring with your employer's Business Office!

  • that Amazon has a charitable program? Just go to Amazonsmile.com and designate Gananda Dollars for Scholars as your charity of choice. Then use Amazonsmile the same exact way you would use regular Amazon and they will donate a percentage of your purchase to GDFS at no cost to you. Almost $1,200 has been raised from this method! Thanks to all who have participated!

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