West Genesee School District
April 30, 2024
Administration Updates
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Administrative Professionals Day recognizes and celebrates the work of secretaries, administrative assistants and other office professionals for their contributions to the workplace. This year, that day occurred on Wednesday, April 24 during our Spring Recess. I would like to highlight that celebration and those that are integral to and the backbone of our organization.
The quick history of this day of celebration starts with Post World War II birth rate decline and increase of business following the industrial growth. The National Secretaries Association was created in 1942 to join administrative fields, support professional development, and recognize the contribution to the professional world.
The U.S. Department of Commerce declared the first National Secretaries Week in June of 1952 with the name changing in 2000 to Administrative Professionals Day. The change was to include and amplify the many responsibilities and wide-ranging job titles in the modern 21st-century.
Welcoming a visitor, responding to a staff need, and guiding a student question are part of the many situations faced in our offices throughout the buildings and departments of our District. Situations that are rarely expected and often time-sensitive such as the response to a call, written request, or entry to the office is handled many, many times a day.
These individuals are often the first response in the midst of extraordinary amount of moving parts within their purview. They are greeters, problem-solvers, architects of creative solutions, and immediate adapters to the circumstances that arise. Their superpower includes handling the high volume and fast speed of their offices with grace and an unflappable calm.
Please take the time to recognize Administrative Professionals that you first see in an office. They orchestrate the office in efficient and effective ways that impact all of those around them with a force that reaches great lengths. Join me in thanks and appreciation for all they do!
Please enjoy this e-Newsletter filled with accomplishments of students, upcoming events, and important calendar information. There are great reasons to celebrate our Wildcats!
Sincerely,
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
Please notice the Social Media Tips further below in the e-Newsletter that I shared in past editions. Let's keep the conversation going with our youth in order to keep everyone safe!
Student Recognitions
Students are Inducted into the National Honor Society
On April 15, 2024 one hundred forty-eight students were inducted into the West Genesee Scientia Chapter of the National Honor Society.
They are true role models of scholarship, service, character, and leadership. Congratulations!
Students are Inducted into the National Technical Honor Society
On April 16, 2024 OCM BOCES inducted four West Genesee students into the National Technical Honor Society. Inductees represent the “best of the best” of students enrolled in career and technical education programs.
Students who qualify must have an 85 average or higher, 12 or fewer absences from their program for the year, and a teacher endorsement. Students must also demonstrate respect, honesty, skill, responsibility, leadership, service and citizenship.
Congratulations to the following students:
Cosmetology: Madison Wolfe
Early Childhood Education: Kaydance Dishaw
New Vision Medical Professions: Kendall Fenn
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Profession: Harley Gilbert
WGIS Bands Receive Recognition at NYSSMA Festival
WGIS 5th Grade Band Receives GOLD Recognition in NYSSMA Festival
On April 17, 2024 West Genesee Intermediate Fifth-grade Band-Level I ensemble led by Stephanie Mata Mercado performed in the NYSSMA Festival where they did a wonderful job representing the school and music program. They received a Gold rating for their outstanding performance!
WGIS 6th Grade Band Receives SILVER Recognition in NYSSMA Festival
On April 16, 2024 West Genesee Intermediate Sixth-grade Band Level II Ensemble led by Nicholas Rizzo performed in the NYSSMA Festival where they did a great job representing the school and music program. They received a silver rating for their outstanding performance! Great job!
Great job! Congratulations to all!!
It Happened at School...
Stonehedge Students Celebrate "Poem in Your Pocket Day"
On "Poem in Your Pocket Day," students shared their poems with staff and each other. They picked out their favorite poem or wrote their own and read them aloud to friends and teachers. It was a day filled with smiles and laughter as everyone enjoyed listening to each other's poems.
Wearing Blue in Honor of Our Fallen Heroes and Our Law Enforcement Officers
On Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19, West Genesee CSD stood in unity with the community by wearing Blue in honor of fallen heroes Lt. Michael Hoosock and Officer Michael Jensen, and law enforcement officers..
Kaleidoscope/2024-2025 Calendar/Budget Info/Give Back Day
Mark your Calendars for Kaleidoscope 49
Mark your calendars for Kaleidoscope 49 which will be held on Thursday, May 23 starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center.
The annual Kaleidoscope concert is the end of year showcase featuring all performing ensembles offered at WGHS. Interspersed with the ensemble performances are select solo and small ensemble performances by WGHS performing arts students. The concert, held at the Civic Center, is a spectacle of talent, hard work, and collaboration.
Kaleidoscope tickets are available at wgfinearts.ludus.com or through the Fine Arts Office located at WGHS (315-487-4612).
Calendar for 2024-2025 is Approved by BOE
The District Calendar for the 2024-2025 school year was approved by the Board of Education at their meeting on March 6, 2024.
The calendar is now available on the website or directly by clicking on the link below..
Budget Hearing for 2024-2025 Budget Scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Superintendent David C. Bills, along with Assistant Superintendent for Management Services Christine DeMass, will be giving a visual presentation to explain the proposed 2024-2025 school budget on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 during the Budget Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. in the West Genesee High School Library and via Livestream. The public is invited to attend this presentation.
The Budget Vote will take place on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby; so please mark your calendars!
Change in Calendar (Weather Related)
Superintendent David C. Bills announced at the last Board of Education meeting that due to the unused emergency closing days and as per contractual agreement, a “give back" day will be Tuesday, May 28, 2024. There will be no school on this day.
Social Media Tips
Ways to support our youth with social media:
1) Speak to your children about reporting any concerning posts or suspicious activities on social media to a trusted adult. It is important that children understand they will not be punished for reporting a post and that we will protect their anonymity as we investigate the concern. It is also important for students to refrain from sharing or otherwise passing along inappropriate posts, as it contributes to a violation of the WGCSD Code of Conduct.
2) Explain how TIP411 works to your children. Tip411 is an anonymous communication tool that allows students to report serious concerns to schools. Tip411 will provide an option for those students who may not have a trusted adult to relay their concerns. (Note: At times, there may be follow-up questions. Because of the anonymity, it is important to check back to the original TIP411 report.)
3) Encourage your children to seek the truth regarding information online and reporting questionable posts to trusted adults rather than sharing misinformation that causes more confusion than clarity.
4) Speak with your children about school shootings and other tragic events and the fear we all feel as we navigate this unfortunate reality of online threats. Having an open dialogue about school safety is important, especially when threats occur. Here is a link from Child Mind Institute that can help guide that sometimes difficult conversation: How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings | Child Mind Institute.
5) Please relay any social media threats to school administrators so we can begin our investigation and involve the police, if necessary. We take each threat seriously and have a protocol to address each incident. As information becomes available, the District will provide updates to parents.
Upcoming Registrations: Music/UPK/Kindergarten
Summer Music Camp Registration is NOW Open:
The registration form for the 2024 Summer Music Camps can be found by scanning the QR code on the flier or by clicking here. Below is a list of the different programs being offered.
- Choral Camp
- Junior Musical Theater Camp
- Senior Musical Theater Camp
- Concert Band Camp
- Jazz Band Camp
- String Camp
- Jump Start Strings
More info on website by clicking on the link below.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Registration Opened On March 11, 2024
West Genesee partners with local Community-Based Organizations (CBO) for its Pre-K program.
To be eligible for UPK during the 2024-2025 school year, a child must:
Have a birthdate between December 2, 2019 and December 1, 2020
Reside in the West Genesee Central School District
In the event that more registrations are received than can be accommodated, the District will conduct an initial selection process via an open lottery in which children will be selected at random.
Those children who have completed the registration process by May 1, 2024 will be part of the initial selection process.
Families who were part of the initial selection process will be called in order of selection and informed:
whether their child has been accepted to the program, and
which site (including hours of the program) is available for their child;
OR
where their child is on the waiting list.
Families will be contacted by May 2-3, 2024.
If at any point after the initial selection process there are more students registered than seats available, students will be placed on the waiting list in the order that their registration was completed.
Transportation to and from the program is the responsibility of parents/guardians, and students must attend the program five days a week to maintain their seat.
Look for registration information on the Central Registration webpage at: https://www.westgenesee.org/o/wgcsd/page/central-registration or from the link below. If you have any questions, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call Central Registration at (315) 487-4683.
When registering, parents should be prepared to upload the following:
- Two proofs of residency (i.e. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement, utility bill
proof of age
Kindergarten Registration EXTENDED to May 1, 2024
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year opened on December 5, 2023 and will continue until MAY 1, 2024.
Watch for registration information on the Central Registration webpage. If you have any questions, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call Central Registration at (315) 487-4683.
When registering, parents should be prepared to upload the following:
- Two proofs of residency (i.e. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement, utility bill )
- proof of age
A physical examination and proof of immunizations are also required for entry into kindergarten 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, 2024.
Families who have a current UPK student, you will need to register your child for kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.
West Genesee is Hiring
Come Join our Fine Arts Team
Come join our Fine Arts team!!
- 1.0 WGHS Strings Teacher
- 1.0 7/8 CMS Strings Teacher
- 0.6 7/8 CMS General Music Teacher
WGCSD Seeks 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.
Inquiries can be made to Buildings and Grounds at (315) 487-4630.
WGCSD is Looking to Hire Full-time and Substitute Custodians
West Genesee CSD is hiring full-time custodians on all shifts and substitute custodians for the 2nd shift.
Inquiries can be made to Buildings and Grounds at (315) 487-4630.
WGCSD Needs Substitute Teachers
West Genesee CSD is hiring substitute teachers. We are accepting applicants that are both certified and non-certified (with a Bachelor's degree).
Inquiries can be made to Human Resources at (315) 487-4555.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
- May 1-3, 6-9, 2024 NYS Mathematics Assessments
- May 6-10, 13-17, 2024 Advanced Placement Examinations
- May 8, 2024 Budget Public Hearing/BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.-West Genesee High School Library
- May 21, 2024 Budget Vote-6 a.m.-9 p.m.-West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby
- May 22, 2024 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.-West Genesee High School Library