West Genesee District e-Newsletter
June 10, 2022
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
As social beings, we thrive on interactions, personal touch, and individual connections. We seek that in our communities and foster it in schools. The conclusion of a school year contains so many opportunities for reflection and insight of the culmination of growth.
Open houses, concerts, athletic tournaments, and other year-end events provide celebration of accomplishment and social interactions through shared experiences. Even in the last weeks, it has been a pleasure to be together at stadiums, concert halls, and regional venues to cheer our common goal of student success. Please enjoy those milestones during the end of the 2021-22 school year.
Of course, social interactions differ from social media. Too often with social media platforms there is a deficit and lack of the full experience of conversation, discussion, and discourse. Instead, there is a snapshot or incomplete thoughts that can include inaccurate or damaging information. I want to caution us on these formats for our kids and for ourselves.
As we continue to navigate an ever-changing world of technology, we need to remember to rely on informed trust and be suspicious of rumors or speculation. This can be particularly true when the content seems unusual or extraordinary. We need to continue to urge first-hand information and communication and discourage the unfortunate potential downside of social media.
While there may be a benefit of social media to cursory connections, symbols of celebration, and sharing of accomplishments; there are potential down sides. Let’s continue to learn and inform our youth of possible traps. If we are going to help our younger generation navigate it, we as adults need to do better and expect more.
Enjoy this edition of this E-news that celebrates recent successes of our students. Congratulations Wildcats!
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
The WGHS National Art Honor Society Celebrates Members
The goal of NAHS is not only to recognize students for their artistic ability, but to also empower students to become leaders in our school and local community through arts-based service and professional artistic development.
Click here to read the full article that includes the names of the artists.
Odyssey Students Graduate with Designation
Congratulations to the 17 high school seniors who successfully completed the requirements of the West Genesee Odyssey Program this year! This program is designed to encourage, then recognize, students who complete a rich, rigorous, and well-rounded college-level educational experience while still in high school.
Students receiving recognition have completed six college-level credits in the core areas of study and four credits in supplemental coursework, and have participated in a wide variety of community service experiences as well as extra-curricular activities over the course of their four years at the high school. Odyssey students spend the year researching a topic of interest, then creating a solution-based presentation before a panel of administrators, teachers, and peers.
Click here to read the full article with the listing of the students and their presentation topics.
West Genesee OCM BOCES Students are Honored
Students who excel in several Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs at the OCM BOCES Thompson Road Campus were honored May 24 in the annual "Tools for Success" awards ceremony.
To qualify for a "Tools for Success" award, students must demonstrate proficient skills within their program, have good classroom attendance and participation, and show a consistently positive attitude in class.
Congratulations to the 2022 "Tools for Success" recipients from West Genesee who are:
- Automotive Collision Technology - Riley Collier
- Culinary - Arianna Thompson
- Welding - Hunter Bealer
To read the full article with posted by OCM BOCES click here.
with Hunter Bealer.
Boys Lacrosse Team wins Section III and Regional Championship!
New Assistant Principals at the High School
Michelle Collier has been with West Genesee for 20 years as a classroom teacher and Instructional Support Specialist. The use of data-driven meetings and research-based academic interventions for students has been coupled with mentoring others on literacy instruction. Her recent administrative work in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) has been invaluable during the implementation of Professional Learning Community (PLC), as well as creating supporting resources, coaching instructional conversations with administration and faculty, and coordinating screening for social emotional behaviors and resulting support for students.
Past areas of leadership included her work with the District Strategic Planning Committee, involvement with the Literacy Institute, serving as a Grade-Level Chair, turn-key training technology initiatives, and training in the Crisis Prevention Institute.
Dan MacCollum comes to us most recently from Cato-Meridian CSD where he currently serves as Cato-Meridian Intern Assistant Jr/Sr. High School Principal. Prior to his administrative experience, he was a music teacher for 14 years; 6 years at Cato-Meridian CSD and 8 years previously at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill CSD. He served as a mentor teacher, worked with Emergency Response Team, District Strategic Planning Core Team, School Improvement Team, Grading Committee, and was trained as a Collaborative Workshop Facilitator.
Click here to read the full article about both Assistant Principals.
Spring Scholar Athletic Teams are Announced!
To receive a Scholar/Athlete Team award, 75% of the roster must have a GPA of 90 or above.
Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2022 is back at OCC this Year!
Graduation is the highlight of the entire school year. The Class of 2022 has achieved amazing accomplishments in all areas including academics, athletics, and visual/performing arts. Graduation will be held at the SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
ECOS Club Landscapes the WGHS Courtyard!
Thank you to the WGHS ECOS Club along with help from the staff and community for beautifying the WGHS courtyard today with beautiful landscaping! A special thank you to TreeLanders in Camillus for donating all of the mulch.
ECOS stands for Environmentally Conscious Organization of Students and more info about the project at: https://www.westgenesee.org/wghs-ecos-club-requests-help-from-community-for-courtyard-project/
Kindergarten Screening Information
If you have registered your student for kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year, you should have received a letter (or will receive it soon) to remind you of your screening date and time. All kindergarten screening will be done this year at your home school. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Registrar's office at 315-487-4683.
Beginning on Thursday, June 27 through September 1, summer office hours for the Registrar's office will be from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (The Central Registration Office will be closed on July 4.)
When scheduling an appointment to register a student, you will be able to do so on our website with times available from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
2022 Summer Music Forms Now Available...
The music camp opportunities that West Genesee will be offering this summer has been announced!
WGCSD is Looking to Hire a Maintenance Worker
We are looking for a Maintenance Worker I to undertake the responsibility to preserve the good condition and functionality of our premises. For more information about the position click here.
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 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.
Adult Education Teacher Opening
We are looking for a certified Driver’s Education Teacher for our summer and after school Driver’s Education Programs. Appropriate NYS certification is required.
Please contact Lynn Magoulas (lmagoulas@westgenesee.org) in the Adult Education Office for more information.
Upcoming Events
- June 15, 2022 BOE Claims Audit Sub-Committee Meeting-5:30 p.m.
- June 15, 2022 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.
- June 18, 2022 WGHS Class of 2022 Graduation at SRC Arena at OCC-12:00 p.m.
- June 20, 2022 No School-Juneteenth Day
- June 22, 2022 Elementary Half-Day for K-4
- June 22, 2022 WGMS Early Dismissal
- June 22, 2022 CMS Half-Day
- June 23, 2022 Elementary Half-Day for K-4
- June 23, 2022 WGMS Early Dismissal
- June 23, 2022 CMS Half-Day