A Note from Dr. Whipple
December 4, 2023
Tardy Protocol Update
Computer Science Education Week - 12/4-12/10
In honor of Computer Science Education Week here are some resources for students to inspire them to explore Computer Science.
This link has K-12 activities that require no prior coding experience and also do not need students to log on in order to complete: CS ED Week 2023 Activities
Also, in each building there are posters of "Computer Science Heroes" that we will have a new hero added each day. The posters for each day are spread out between the three buildings so if you'd like to see all of the CS Heroes, please check out these slides and feel free to share them with your students: CS Heroes Slides for Monday - Friday
Thank you Mrs. Swartout for organizing this!
2023 Holidays: A Guide for Giving Back & Ways To Help
Gananda Central School District is PROUD to help support our local families in need this holiday season. We are once again teaming with the Macedon Community Christmas Program to support its efforts to provide food and gifts for children and senior citizens from Gananda, Macedon and Walworth.
Here are a few ways to help this season:
Macedon Community Christmas: We will be holding a Gift Card Drive from Tuesday, Nov. 28 through Monday, Dec. 4. During this time we will be collecting any denomination of gift cards from Wegmans, Walmart or Target. Please be sure to write the dollar amount on any gift card you donate. Additionally, checks will be accepted in lieu of gift cards. Checks can be made out to the Macedon Food Pantry with "Christmas Program" noted in the memo section.
Students and families can participate by bringing in a gift card/check on any day during the drive. Elementary students can give the cards/checks to their home room teachers and secondary students can place them in a special box in the main office of their school. Staff can participate by dropping off gift cards/checks in the main office of each school building on the donation drive days.
Food boxes: On Saturday, Dec. 9, Macedon Community Christmas will be boxing, loading and delivering food boxes for families. If you are willing and able to assist on this day contact: macedoncommunitychristmas@yahoo.com.
Mitten Tree: Fourth-graders at Gananda are taking part in a program that accepts new winter hats, gloves, mittens and socks to be donated to the Macedon Community Christmas Program. Unwrapped items can be sent with your student starting Nov. 28 and through Dec. 5 and will be delivered to the Fourth Grade. This program is part of our Make a Difference community service project and is completely optional.
Cake mix/frosting: Fifth-grade students at Gananda are encouraged to donate cake mix and frosting. Donations accepted through Dec. 4 and can be left at the main office of any of our Schools or elementary students may leave them in a box outside of one of the fifth-grade homerooms.
Mac’s Pizza Shack is collecting new unopened toys and personal hygiene products for The Survivors Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes. This is in addition to their annual collection of new and gently used coats. Donations of unopened toys, personal hygiene products and coats can be dropped off at Macs.
Assistance: If your household in Gananda, Macedon or Walworth is in need, here are some resources:
For Holiday Dinner and/or Gifts
Macedon Community Christmas >> macedoncommunitychristmas@yahoo.com
Gananda Rotary: >> Pholdraker@gmail.com
For additional resources please feel free to contact Susan Thoen, our Social worker at sthoen@gananda.org.
Let’s pull together to make sure the coming holiday season is warm, filling and enjoyable for everyone!
Unity Spirit Days
Dollars for Scholars Caroling - 12/9
Gananda Dollar for Scholars is hosting a caroling event at the Elementary School bus loop on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m.
In addition, the scholarship application process opens on Jan. 1 and closes on March 19. Information on the scholarship process will be discussed at the Dollars for Scholars Information Night on Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the high school library.
New Transportation Center Public Vote - 12/14
A new transportation center is being proposed to be built in the rear parking lot of the HS with $0 net impact on school taxes. More info about the project, including times for public hearings and open forums, can be found here. Residents will be able to vote on the project on 12/14.
December 14th - 7th-12th Grade Instrumental Winter Concert
On December 14th please join us for the 7th-12th Grade Instrumental Winter Concert. The 7th-12th grade instrumental performing groups will provide a variety of music for your listening enjoyment. The concert will feature our percussion ensemble, middle school and high school jazz bands as well as the 7th & 8th grade and high school concert bands.
Date: Thursday, December 14th
Time: 7 PM
Location: Susan H. Alexander Performing Arts Center in the Ruben A. Cirillo High School.
If you are not able to make it in person there will be a live stream on the district Facebook page. We would love to have you join us for a festive evening of music!
December Music Department Performances:
- Thursday, December 6th @ 7 PM - 4th-6th Grade Elementary Winter Concert
- Monday, December 11th @ ~11:00 AM - Eastview Mall Performance for HS Band & Chorus (in front of JC Penney...make sure to arrive a little early in case we start a little early)
- Thursday, December 14th @ 7 PM - 7th-12th Grade Instrumental Concert
- Tuesday, December 19th @ 7 PM - 7th-12th Grade Vocal Concert
#GanandaPROUD
November Students of the Month
Congratulations to the following students for earning student of the month for November. (Not pictured is Maddy Frosini who earned the 9th grade award for her outstanding level of effort, academic success, and classroom conduct.)
For 10th grade, Nick Falso has demonstrated a ton of drive in the first marking period by competing at a high level on the football team, demonstrating maturity in the classroom, and maintaining an excellent GPA all at the same time.
For 12th grade, Hailey Santiago has displayed the tenets of unity by being positive, encouraging and supportive of peers, along with being driven in the classroom with a readiness to learn and a willingness to ask questions and advocate for herself and her classmates. Hailey is also seen often in the hallway greeting students and teachers with a respectful and genuine smile.
10th grader Anthony Stearns also earned Gananda Rotary's Citizen of the Month award for his service and leadership during their haunted hayrides throughout the month of October.
If you would like to nominate a student for Gananda Rotary's Citizen of the Month award, you may do so by completing this form.
The Human Rights Club would like to thank everyone who purchased Gananda Pride shirts through the Human Rights Club fundraiser. The club was able to raise $220 and club members chose to donate $100 to Doctors Without Border and $100 to the Rochester Rainbow Union. The Human Rights Club truly appreciate the support of their mission!
Friends and Family Ads for the Yearbook due 12/31
Make the yearbook even more special for your student with a recognition ad. Choose a layout, then add your photos and personal message. They’ll cherish it always. Click on the photo to see an example of some from last year. You have 34 DAYS LEFT to submit your friends and family ads for the yearbook. The deadline is (December 31st). Please be sure to visit www.jostensyearbooks.com to order. Payment plans are available at checkout.
Free Meals and Internet Discounts for Gananda District Residents
We are pleased to announce that beginning on Friday, Dec. 1, all Gananda students are eligible to receive one (1) free breakfast and one (1) free lunch per school day.
This expanded service is because the United States Department of Agriculture has expanded access to the Community Eligibility Program. This program allows Districts that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to offer meals free of charge to all students.
Previously, a district had to have 50% of its students qualify in order to provide free lunches to all students. The federal and state government recently made changes so that if 25% of a district’s student population qualify, free lunch could be provided to all students. The district applied for the new designation and is approved to start free meals on December 1.
You do not need to take any action for your student to receive the free meals. Please note that food outside of the provided meal will need to be purchased.
Because all students in Gananda have been approved to receive free meals under the Community Eligibility Program, their households are eligible for the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a federal program to help eligible households pay for internet service.
The ACP provides a monthly discount of not more than $30 per month on broadband service and associated equipment (for example, a modem). If your household chooses a plan from a participating provider that costs $30/month or less, your household will receive that service for free.
In the next few weeks you will receive communication from the district with directions on how to apply for the program.
If you have any questions, please call (315) 986-3521.
Senior Trip Info
Appreciate everyone's patience with the senior trip changes. We are waiting for 1st Choice Educational Tours to finalize a couple of quotes in order to have a final trip cost. The first payment deadline will be extended to give families enough time to review the updated itinerary to New York City and Baltimore.
Tutoring Services by National Honor Society
National Honor Society students are now offering tutoring help for any high school students looking for help in science and/or writing. We will be offering tutoring both during advisement and after school on certain days.
All tutoring will be held in room 131. Students can use this Google form to sign up. It is not necessary to sign up, but it will help to ensure we have the right students and enough students available to help.
Laptop Care
We've had some more laptop repairs, specifically cracked screens, than at this point last school year. Please help remind your student(s) of good laptop care. We still have some padded backpacks left over for the taking. Thanks for your attention and help on this!
Exploring Program
EXPLORING provides exciting activities and one-on-one mentorship for high school aged students to discover their future by having them “try a career on for size!”
Young people ages 14-20 can explore their career interests in a hands-on real-world environment with professionals in that field. There are Explorer Posts for areas in
- advanced manufacturing
- aviation
- cosmetology
- culinary
- engineering
- firematics/EMS
- health care
- law enforcement/legal
- military
- skilled trades
- sports management
- veterinary, and many more!
Mrs. Marang is our EXPLORERS contact and can help you research options and complete an application! Find out about upcoming Open Houses and events this Fall HERE.
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Application
The New York State TAP Application will open on November 1, 2023, for the 2024-25 academic year. Students do not need to wait for the FAFSA release in December to apply for TAP. Students who will be attending college in the Fall of 2024 can jumpstart the NYS financial aid process by visiting www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap.html for more information or on November 1 to complete the application.
Yearbook Photo Submissions Welcome!
Student ID Scanning on Buses
Please remind your student that they need to have their ID card with them to scan when boarding the school bus. This is for safety reasons by helping to ensure people are on the correct bus and so that in case of an emergency we have an accurate account of who is present.
In addition to their ID card, students may obtain a barcode on their phone to use for scanning. Instructions on how to obtain the code are posted on each bus or can be found here.
Reporting Absences & Extended Student Absences Work Request
Absences need to be reported to the school health office by the parent/guardian of the student. This may be done so online by completing this form.
If your student will miss an extended period of time during the school year, please make sure they complete this Extended Student Absences Work Request form. This form should be completed a minimum of 2 weeks in advance if it is a planned absence. Students who have an excused absence will have one day for each day absent to make up work. Students who have an unexcused absence will have no additional time to complete work. Please note that family vacations are considered unexcused absences.
HELP WANTED!
Substitute Teachers - We are always looking for people to help cover teachers when they are out. This can be a great opportunity for someone trying to break into the field of education. If you or someone you know might be interested please apply here.
Dollars for Scholars is looking for volunteers to help support this great scholarship program available to our students. If you are interested in helping them out, please contact them at gdfscholars@gananda.org.
Winter Weather Reminder: School Closing Policy
Please read the attached letter from Dr. Van Scoy to understand the decision process for potential snow days and weather-related delays for Gananda Central School District.
Important Upcoming Dates
12/6 - New Transportation Center Public Hearing
- Noon via Zoom (link to be provided)
- 7pm at Elementary School, Room 918
12/9, 1:00-3:00pm, Elementary School Bus Loop - Dollars for Scholars Caroling
12/11, 11:00am - Eastview Mall Chorus Performance
12/12 - New Transportation Center Open Forums
- Noon via Zoom (link to be provided)
- 7:30pm at High School Auditorium
12/14, 12:00-9:00pm, HS Gym - New Transportation Center Vote
12/14, 7:00pm, HS Auditorium - Instrumental Concert
12/15 - 15 Week Interim Report Published
12/19, 7:00pm, HS Auditorium - Vocal Concert
12/22 - Superintendent's Conference Day (No School)
12/25-1/2 - Holiday Recess
12/31 - Senior Send-Offs for Yearbook Deadline
- Any questions see Mrs. Zebulske (rzebulske@gananda.org)
1/23-1/26 - January Regents/Midterm Week
Respectfully,
Dr. Christopher J. Whipple
Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154
Ms. Mairi Greibus
Assistant Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154