West Genesee District e-Newsletter
October 14, 2022
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Thank you to those who attended the “Talk with the Superintendent” held at the high school recently. It was a good chance to discuss timely issues and program updates along with a question/answer session. We have had these sessions across the past years, and it was particularly enjoyable to be back in person! If you missed it, perhaps we’ll see you at a future event. Below are some of the topics included in the discussion.
It was a pleasure to visit classrooms at the OCM BOCES Career and Technical Education Center this week. It was especially enjoyable to connect with some of our West Genesee students who are very engaged in their program. We have a strong representation with our students involved in Automotive Technology, Computer Technology, Construction Technology, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice (New Visions), Culinary Arts, Early Childhood Education, Food Service, Facilities, Health Occupations, Heavy Equipment, Laboratory Tech, Physical Therapy, and Welding programs. Congratulations to our Wildcats actively connected to these important programs with an eye on their future! (Please see below a few pictures taken during my recent visit.)
We have a wonderful staff that are strongly committed to our students and families. In many areas, we struggle to provide coverage when there are necessary absences. We continue to advertise and encourage those interested to consider seeking employment or substitute positions within the West Genesee Central School District.
Our Transportation Department supports the beginning and end of everyday as they safely transport thousands of students. With understandable absences, this can bring particularly difficult challenges. It is important to note that beyond our substitute pool, our mechanics and office staff often drive to serve the daily routes. This results in challenges of the regular work of important oversight as well as office communication and response to parent and building phone calls. Clearly this is not our preference.
As we continue to seek substitutes, we will work through solutions to mitigate the impact of staffing challenges. Our District and building administrators are working on creative solutions to maximize routing and minimize the impact of delays. At times, this may involve the communication of certain bus runs impacted. We will do our best to avoid repeatedly impacting any one school or route and will provide as timely communication to parents as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding of delays that will hopefully be minimized both in frequency and length.
On a very positive note, our Wildcat Band recently traveled to Delaware to successfully compete in a Bands of America (BOA) competition. Shortly after their return, an email was sent to Mr. Dimmel, Wildcat Marching Band Director, from Mr. Sean Becker, parent of a Baldwinsville student. I would like to share excerpts of his letter with you, as follows:
“I cannot compliment you enough on the class act of your student athletes off the field. I have heard your supporters conduct numerous chants of calling out letters during competitions over the years, and have admired the school spirit.
“As Bville was taking the field and getting ready, it sounded like your students were starting their chant. It quickly became obvious they were the loudest supporters in the stadium putting all their spirit behind their CNY neighbor.
“The sportsmanship of that moment was a very impactful memory… They all earned kudos for participating with energy and sincerity.”
What a wonderful letter bringing attention to the Wildcat Band as a “class act”. Thank you Mr. Becker! I will add that the Bville Bees were also a part of being mutual participants of the local pride and deserve praise for their encouragement and role in the positive experience.
Let me offer my congratulations and thanks to both groups and all of our students who represent us so positively on and off the fields of competition. It is not surprising, but it is impressive and worthy of highlighting. It is why we are proud of all of our students and the many positive ways they represent our community!
Let’s go Wildcats!
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
Marching Band Competes in Regional Competition
Meet our School Patrol Officers: This Week...Officer Scott Clarke
We would like to welcome Officer Scott Clarke to East Hill Elementary School. Officer Clarke is their new School Patrol Officer (SPO) and will be in the building working with both staff and students each school day!
Officer Clarke is the father of three boys who all graduated from the West Genesee School District.
He started his career with the Syracuse Police Department where he recently retired from after 28 years of service, working the majority of his career within the Criminal Investigations Division. He is also a 29 year member and past chief of the Fairmount Fire Department. Officer Clarke is an Emergency Medical Technician, CPR instructor, and recent graduate from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute’s Emergency Management Academy.
Principal Meskos shared, "Officer Clarke has already built relationships with students, staff, and families. He has fit right in as he worked with our librarian on a crime scene mystery project, was a guest reader for our kindergarten classes, and worked with our art teacher to have the students create this flag picture with their hand prints to hang in his office. We are so fortunate to have Officer Clarke as part of our East Hill family!"
UPDATE on Paige's Pajamarama for Paige's Butterfly Run
Thank you to the community and all of the schools in the district for collecting $5,976.01 toward Paige’s Butterfly Run and in our mission to beat Liverpool and the Warrior Alliance. GO STAR ALLIANCE!! We are still waiting for the overall totals for our alliance, but no matter the outcome we are very proud of our students, staff, and community for the funds raised! #WildcatPride
Paige’s Mission: “Raising funds with integrity to benefit current and future pediatric cancer patients and their families in Central New York through the sponsorship of pediatric oncology research and patient programs at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse.”
DEI Community Council Seeks Additional Members
We are looking for any interested community members to join our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Community Council. Our mission is simple – we believe that if we dismantle our system’s inequities by listening, learning, and empowering all, it will lead to a West Genesee community that is stronger together. We have some actions for the 2022-2023 school year already planned but need your help to do more. There are plenty of ways to interact with this work – book studies, facilitation, advocacy, and more!
Many of you have already committed to working with the council and we’re getting ready to launch for this school year. If you’d like to join us, please click here to sign up! If you’re ready to lead some of the work or have ideas to move us along, please email Sarah Gentile at sgentile@westgenesee.org. We can’t wait to have you on board!
New Student Management System Update
Over the past few months families have been logging into and using our new ParentVUE Student Management System. You should be able to see transportation and academic related screens. If you are having any difficulties with the system, please email centralregistrar@westgenesee.org and they would be happy to help you with any questions you may have.
Please be looking for future communications and training videos on additional features and how to use ParentVUE to the fullest.
Mark your Calendars: WGHS P2 Club Hosts Trunk of Treat!
They will have treats, face painting and a fire trunk!!! We hope to see you there on October 26 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Our rain date is October 27.
WGCSD Is now on Instagram!
Mark Your Calendars! WINTER 2022 – 2023 Sports Start Dates
- Modified 7/8/9 Girls Volleyball-10/31/22 (Winter 1)
- Modified 7/8/9 Boys Basketball-10/31/22 (Winter 1)
- JV & Varsity Winter Sports-11/14/22
- Modified: Boys 7/8 Swimming, Girls 7/8/9 Basketball, 7/8 Wrestling-1/9/23 (Winter 2)
Sign-ups/Registrations on familyid.com are 30 days prior to the start date.
Are you Receiving All of our Communications? Helpful Tips about the SchoolMessenger Communication System:
- To be sure that you are receiving all emails sent from the District/schools/teachers please periodically check your spam/junk/promotions folder for emails with @westgenesee.org, then mark that they are not spam/junk/promotions.
- To be sure that you are receiving text messages this year from WGCSD or your school(s) Text a "Y" or "Yes" to 67587
If you still have questions about receiving emails and/or text from WGCSD please email them to publications@westgenesee.org.
Adult Education is Back!!
Visit westgenesee.org/adulted now for complete course descriptions and to register online. Don't wait to register, class space is limited.
Check out the return of your favorites as well as a few new and exciting classes!
Bus Dispatcher Position Available
The WGCSD Transportation Department has a Bus Dispatcher position available which we are looking to fill!!
Inquiries about this position can be sent to Debbie Price at dprice@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.
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
- October 19, 2022 Board of Education Claims Audit Sub-Committee Meeting - 5:30 p.m. - High School Library Classroom
- October 19, 2022 Board of Education Meeting - 6:00 p.m. - High School Library