West Genesee District e-Newsletter
April 29, 2022
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
“And we’re off!” One might typically place that expression at a starting point. I offer it as an indicator of the year-end pace and celebrations that are upcoming in the next two months. The spring season brings with it a plethora of awards and recognition points that align with the growth and success of a school year. We see and acknowledge the growth that has taken place since preparing for the 2021-22 school year. There is a realization that the day-to-day learning and hard work has resulted in changes that we may not have noticed along the way.
When people ask if a school year "winds down”, I often respond that it is more appropriately expressed as ramping up. How great is it that we all get to be a part of that?! Please look for the concerts, building traditions, awards ceremonies, athletic contests… and much more that are part of this great season! Let’s move forward strong and finish with Wildcat Pride!
Community Health
It has been very apparent that schools and communities have worked with health officials with great frequency in the past couple of years. We are so appreciative of those local officials that have guided us along the way.
Toward that end, I would like to support the Onondaga County Health Department with their Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan which they conduct every three years. To help with this process, they have developed a Community Survey to hear directly from Onondaga County residents. Given the challenges of the past two years, they have expressed the importance to understand the perspective of our larger community as it relates to health and healthcare. The survey is available in English and Spanish and can be found here:
English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OCHDCHA2022
Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/CHA2022Esp
Note: If you would like materials in any of the following languages: Arabic, Nepali, Somali, or Karenic, please contact Madeline Mackowski at madelinemackowski@ongov.net and she will provide those once they are finalized.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)
We continue to be on pace to offer UPK to our resident families of eligible 4-year old children. To be eligible for the program, a child must be four years old on or before December 1, 2022, be a resident of West Genesee, and have all required immunizations. This is a five-hour program and children selected to participate must attend the program five days per week.
Recently, the Board of Education approved contracts to work in partnership with two community-based organizations. Learn As You Grow and Holy Family School will join West Genesee CSD in providing 114 “seats”. More information including a survey and specific locations and times is now available on our website’s dedicated page found on the Quick Links section of the front page and by clicking here.
This e-Newsletter is filled with important information and, more importantly, news of student successes. Continued congratulations to our students for their day-to-day and long term success and thank you to families for your support of our work together. West Genesee Stronger Together!
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
Congratulations to the New Members of the National Honor Society
On April 19, one hundred fifty-one 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!
Click here for the full article and a listing of the new members.
New Assistant Special Education Director is Appointed
On April 20, 2022 Karen Quill was appointed by the Board of Education as the new West Genesee Assistant Director of Special Education with an official start date of July 1, 2022.
Quill serves as our West Genesee High School Assistant Principal this year. Prior to that position she most recently came from the OCM BOCES STARS program where she served as Principal. STARS is an alternative high school created for student’s success in a less-traditional setting. As part of her almost 20 years in education, she was a special education teacher at Hillside Children’s Center, Port Byron Central School District, and Marcellus Central School District in a range of grade levels from Pre-K to high school.
Assistant Principal at West Genesee Middle School is Announced
Howard comes to us from Baldwinsville CSD where she is highly regarded and currently serving Van Buren Elementary and Ray Middle School in an administrative capacity. She has been very active facilitating committees in areas of Social Emotional Learning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and various building leadership teams.
Scholar Athlete Honored by Local Chapter of NFL
He was honored at Syracuse Univeristy's Carrier Dome on April 3, and he received a $500 scholarship. His name will be listed in the College Hall of Fame as a Scholar-Athlete from West Genesee High School and the CNY Chapter.
Sports Wrap-up for Winter 2022 Recognizes Athletes
The Sports Wrap-up is a section from the Communicator that is published at the end of each athletic season. This section lists all of the teams, comments from coaches, and awards received by the athletes.
Additional Day Off Because of Snow (or rather lack of....)
Superintendent David C. Bills announced at the last 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.
Budget Hearing for 2022-2023 Budget Scheduled for Wednesday, May 4
Superintendent David C. Bills, along with Assistant Superintendent for Management Services Christine DeMass, will be giving a visual presentation to explain the proposed 2022-2023 school budget on May 4, 2022 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 May 17, 2022. 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!
The Communicator Budget Edition is available from the website my clicking here. (The hardcopy version will be mailed after the budget hearing on May 4 and should be in mailboxes May 6-9.)
Click here to access the budget presentation and supporting documents.
Kindergarten Registration - Extended to May 14!
Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year opened virtually on December 1, 2021 and the original deadline was March 31, 2022. Registration has now been extended until May 14, 2022. This will allow our families to register their children from the comfort of their home or office. Please click here to start the Virtual Registration process. This will schedule a telemeeting with you.
When registering, parents should be prepared to upload the following:
- proof of residency (ie. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement)
- proof of immunizations
- proof of age
A physical examination is also required 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, 2022.
To access the most updated health requirements click here.
For additional information about registering your student, go to the Registration Section of the website, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call them at (315) 487-4683.
Character Breakfast at the High School!
The event is being hosted by the WGHS Positivity Project, WGHS UMOJA, WGHS Social Justice Coalition, and WGHS National Art Honor society.
We can’t wait to see all of our little #wildcats there
#buildingcommunity #westgenesee #positivityinaction!
Wildcat Unity Day is on May 20!
Students, staff, and families have the opportunity to purchase a t-shirt to be worn as a community on Wildcat Unity Day on May 20, 2022. Orders can be placed online by TOMORROW, April 30, through Syracuse Swag at https://syrswag.com/design/wg-unity/. In the spirit of inclusion, you may also donate a t-shirt to a WG student in need at checkout. Let’s celebrate Wildcat strength through our unity!
The PTA/PTO District Council will also be collecting submissions of art, writing and other expressions of what Wildcat Unity looks like from students and creating a video collage to share on Unity Day. All submissions will be entered for a random drawing for 10 different prizes. Email a picture or video of your submission, along with your name, grade, and school to: westgennydistrictcouncil@gmail.com by May 14, 2022.
WGCSD is Looking to Hire 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.
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.
Upcoming Events
- May 4, 2022 Budget Hearing/BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.
- May 17, 2022 Budget Vote-6 a.m.-9 p.m.
- May 18, 2022 BOE Policies and Bylaws Committee Meeting-5:15 p.m.
- May 18, 2022 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.
- May 20, 2022 Wildcat Unity Day