Notes from the WGHS Principals
September 30, 2022
Message from the WGHS Admin Team
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,
Thursday we were made aware of an incident that occured on Google Classroom. Someone posted racist and homophobic content on a Google Classrrom stream. Through working with our technology department we were able to determine that the student it appeared to be was in fact hacked. Administration is working to identify the poster and hold them accountable. We will not tolerate hate speech in our building and school community. Students who choose to spread hate will be held accountable to the fullest extent of our ability.
Unfortunately these posts were seen by other students in the class before it could be removed, and it was shared out on social media. While the investigation determined that the person named in the screen shot did NOT post those hateful comments, the damage had already been done. Damage to the person set up to look like they would make those comments, and damage to all those who were exposed to the hate speech. While students may think that sharing screenshots on social media spreads awareness or puts a person on blast, our restorative council shared that this is causing additional harm to others. Causing additional trauma to others by spreading it around doesn’t solve the problem. We have to do the work to make change here at the high school. Work to ensure that those who think these hateful thoughts know that we COLLECTIVELY believe that hate has no home here at West Genesee High School.
As a way to protect themselves from being a victim of someone hacking their Google account, this morning during homeroom students were all directed to change their passwords. Our technology department forced the password reset, and students were instructed to open their Chromebooks and make the password change. Members of the technology department were in the building to assist any students who were having difficulty.
In the upcoming days we are going to speak more about Bravery, the October Positivity Project Character Trait of the Month. It takes a brave person to stand up to your peers when you see or hear wrongdoing. We believe this is who some of us already are, and we believe that this is who we can be as a school community. Students will have a guest speaker on Monday during homeroom that will speak about bravery, and time on Tuesday morning to discuss password security, sharing content, and bravery. We are committed to ensuring that ALL of our WGHS students feel safe and welcome here.
Sincerely,
The WGHS Administrative Team
WGHS Safety
We started completing our mandatory drills this week. Three fire drills are done! Students did a great job following the directions of the adults. We have a few more to do and we will also practice lockdown drills.
WGHS recently met with two officers from the Camillus Police Department to discuss building safety and emergency response procedures. The recommendation is that we don’t always notify staff that we will be conducting a drill. The idea is that we will respond the same way no matter what, always taking each alarm or announcement seriously. As we complete the remaining drills we plan to follow the advice of the emergency personnel. While we know that this can be disruptive to classes, and cause some additional anxiety for students, but we are committed to always prioritizing safety for our students and staff.
Shortly after a lockdown drill was called we will announce that it is a drill so that students aren’t caused any unnecessary stress. It is the initial response to a lockdown that is critical to safety. Please talk with your students about the importance of taking each alarm and/or announcement seriously, and about the importance of staying calm and following the instructions of the adult in the room. The more we practice like it is the real thing, the less likely there is to be a panic. Rest assured that in a real emergency you will be notified.
STUCO and Spirit Week
Homecoming week has been amazing! We LOVE how the students come together to celebrate. The decorations were outstanding and we ended the week with a fantastic PEP Rally. Tonight is the football game, and we look forward to the Wildcats taking home the WIN! Thank you to Maura Secor and Kristin Good, the STUCO advisors who make this all happen. It is a HUGE undertaking and it turned out to be an incredible week! Check out some of the photos below!
Paige’s Pajamarama
We are excited to bring Paige’s Pajamarama to the entire WGCSD this year! Please join us in raising money for pediatric cancer research and patient programs at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Flyers have been sent home to ALL schools in the district. Donate and wear your pjs to school on Friday, October 7!
WGHS Trunk or Treat!
Half-Day Dismissal Time for Students on October 5
Wednesday, October 5 is a half-day for students who will attend in the morning. Dismissal hours for the the high school will be 9:55 a.m.
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.
Important Dates
September 26-30: WGHS Spirit Week/PEP Rally/Homecoming
September 30: Deadline for yearbook ordering
September 30: Deadline for submitting Senior Portraits
October 5: Half-Day for Students/Superintendent's Conference Day- Student Dismissal at 9:55 a.m.
October 24-26: Senior Portrait make-up date w/Upstate-Images
October 26: WGHS Trunk or Treat