West Genesee District e-Newsletter
May 26, 2022
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Words cannot express the feelings that accompany the recent tragedy and senseless loss of life in Uvalde, Texas and Robb Elementary School. For us, it is jarring to hear of something so horrific that is far away geographically, but close to our hearts. I pray for their community and the pain they are feeling. I pray for our community every day.
These unfathomable circumstances weigh heavy on each of us. We are impacted as adults and that is certainly true for our children. We often ask ourselves if and how to discuss these matters, particularly with young people. The National Association of School Psychologists has a resource “Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers”. Please utilize this resource should it be helpful for conversations at home.
At school, we will continue to assure students of our priority to keep them safe and to sharpen our skills on safe practices. Our staff will continue to build and cultivate relationships that support our students. Mental health professionals in each of our buildings are prepared to support any specific needs of adults or students.
We should never desensitize to such violence and we have learned that, despite the circumstances, we will have more success working together to move forward. We remain West Genesee Stronger Together!
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
Esports Team Wins Regional Championship!
Congratulations to our Smash Ultimate Esports team of Matt Keiling, Derek Sweeney, and Grant Mathews who won the East Coast Championship for the Spring Season! This championship had 187 teams compete, so this is a great accomplishment!
Esports, electronic sports, is a field in which individuals and teams compete for top scores in a range of video games. Unlike traditional sports these teams compete against schools from all across the East Coast and as far west as Indiana. Esports is growing fast and expanding into new schools every year and creates opportunities for students to earn college scholarships to hundreds of colleges.
Thank you to coach/advisor Scott English and all of the participants for a great season! If you have any questions about how to join the Esports program please reach out to him at senglish@westgenesee.org.
West Genesee’s Students Earn the NYS Seal of Biliteracy
West Genesee has students receiving the NYS Seal of Biliteracy for the sixth year in a row.
This honor recognizes high school graduates who have attained a “high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English.”
To read the full article with the listing of the students click here.
WGHS will Graduate Thirty-Two CTE Students
West Genesee High School is graduating 32 students this year from Career and Technical Education programs, where the instruction is delivered completely within the District.
These students have to satisfy requirements of the New York State Education Department as follows: complete five units of course work in an approved career area, complete 15 hours of job shadowing, prepare a portfolio of samples of work from the courses in the strand, and pass a nationally recognized certification exam.
These 32 students have completed their coursework in one of three strands taught at the high school, i.e., Business Administration, Computer Technology, and Engineering Technology.
To read the full article with the listing of the students click here.
West Genesee CTE Scholars Inducted into National Technical Honor Society
On May 18, OCM BOCES inducted 12 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.
To read the full article with the listing of the students click here.
CMS 8th Grade Band Earns Gold
Congratulations to Athletes Signing Letters of Intent
On May 17, two athletes at West Genesee High School were celebrated for signing their Letter of Intent to play Division 1 or Division 2 sports. Maggie Sheehan and Ryan Mahoney have both committed to Mercyhurst University to play lacrosse next year. Great job and good luck!
K-6 Chess Team Comes in First!
Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Spring Scholastic Chess Tournament held at West Genesee High School on Saturday, May 21.
Thank you to all the parents who helped support the event, and a special thank you to coach/advisor Dan Mercado for his hard work working with the students.
WGHS Students Read to Stonehedge Students on Wildcat Unity Day
They were able to raise enough money to buy 200 books to read to eight K and 1st grade classrooms. Each student went home with their own book! All of the students from both schools had a lot of fun and it was a great experience for all!
The Wildcat Unity Day was sponsored by the West Genesee PTA/PTO District Council as a district-wide celebration of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They encourage students to wear t-shirts and collected submissions of art, writing and other expressions of what Wildcat Unity looks like from students and creating the collage below which was shared on social media on Unity Day.
Students were also encouraged to show Wildcat Unity by: Performing a Random Act of Kindness; Invite Someone New to Join you at Lunch or Recess; and/or Say Hi to Someone you’ve never spoken with.
2022 Summer Music Forms Now Available...
The music camp opportunities that West Genesee will be offering this summer has been announced!
DYK: There are Mental Health Resources on the District Website?
Are you or someone you know struggling?
West Genesee Mental Health Resources: https://sites.google.com/westgenesee.org/mentalhealthresources/home provide information for help, hope, and healing.
Connect with a mental health professional at West Genesee High School or your school and within your community.
Additional Day Off Because of Snow (or rather lack of....)
Superintendent David C. Bills announced at a Board of Education meeting that if we have no additional emergency closing days, our "give back" day will be Tuesday, May 31.
If we have an emergency closing between now and May 25, May 31 will be reinstated as a regular school day.
WGCSD is Hiring a Nurse for Summer School Program
West Genesee is hiring a nurse to work a Summer School position to support one of our students. The position will last for 6 weeks, from July 5-August 12. This nurse can be an RN or an LPN, and the compensation will differ depending on the certification. Full-time or part-time hours available. Inquiries can be made to Deb Balcourt at 315-487-4658.
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
- May 27-31, 2022 No School
- June 1, 2022 BOE Audit Committee Meeting-5:15 p.m.
- June 1, 2022 BOE Executive Session-5:45 p.m.
- June 1, 2022 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.