![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/apples.0e2b3218.jpg)
![Logo](https://cdn.smore.com/u/thumbs/31cd/thumb-de67c7fc92a74620795e094d7b56eede.jpeg)
A Note from Dr. Whipple
October 30, 2023
As we bring October to a close, I am constantly reminded of the hard work and dedication put forward by our staff and students. Even though we don't always see the results we want, I see many of our students dedicated to the process of improving themselves whether it is in the classroom or on the field. That work ethic will always bear fruit and even greater successes over the long term.
Halloween - 10/31
Halloween is on Tuesday and as a district, students and staff are permitted to wear costumes to school. No masks are permitted and no weapons of any kind or sharp objects are allowed, even if they are part of the costume.
Medical Careers Exploration due 10/31
Students interested in exploring medical careers are invited to join Mrs. Peterson and Mrs. Marang on November 7, 2023 as they head over to explore the Medical Imaging Department at U of R/Strong Hospital. Interested students should reach out to Mrs. Marang by no later than 10/31/23.
Senior Trip Information Night - 11/1
Blood Drive - 11/2
The Red Cross Blood Drive is on Thursday, Nov. 2 starting at 8:30 am in the HS Band Room. To sign up, go to the Red Cross website. Thank you for organizing Mr. Broussard!
Class of 2024 Cap & Gown Graduation Order due 11/6
This is a friendly reminder that your graduation order week is going on now! Please remember to place an order for your cap & gown and other graduation items by Monday, November 6th!
Click here for graduation packages.
Click here for Cap, Gown, & Tassel only.
Please call (585-377-4778) or email us (scott.fitch@jostens.com) with questions or to place your order over the phone. Looking for a catalog? A complete packet can be found in the main office.
Safety Week
We will be practicing a couple of emergency response team drills this week. We'll simulate a medical emergency so that staff on the team can practice the steps to take depending on the situation. An announcement will be made to initiate the emergency response team and the rest of the building will be put into a hold in place. While in a hold in place, normal class instruction will take place but no one is allowed to leave the room. We will be going over this process and other safety related announcements throughout the week.
#GanandaPROUD
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!
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
NYSED has prepared a website resource that consolidates and highlights helpful information for educators, caregivers, school leaders, and education stakeholders to use as they navigate through, and engage in, conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. This includes: (a) helpful ways for educators to discuss the conflict in school classrooms, (b) conversation starters and digital resources for parents and caregivers, as well as (c) school safety, and (d) cybersecurity resources for school leaders. This website will be a living resource that we will update in the days and weeks to come.
Website Link: https://www.nysed.gov/israeli-palestinian-crisis-resources-educators-caregivers-and-school-leaders
The stories and images that are portrayed in the news and on social media can be traumatizing, especially our kids with ties to the Middle East, Ukraine and other places that have suffered conflict in recent years. Hope these resources are helpful for talking with your student about this sensitive topic.
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.
Town of Walworth Volunteer Opportunities
The Town of Walworth is looking for volunteers to help with their Hometown Heroes Veteran's Day Commemorative Ceremony. Specifically they need volunteers for the following tasks:
- Leading the Pledge of Allegiance
- Singing the National Anthem
- Playing the TAPS
- Serving beverages & cake to guests
- Setting up the event (chairs, tables, sound equipment, etc.)
- Cleaning up (end of the evening: chairs, tables, sound equipment, etc.)
- Photographing or Videotaping the event
If interested, please contact Christine Kubida (hthwalworth@gmail.com) or Mike Kunzer (HTHwalworth.Kunzer@gmail.com).
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.
Building the Pipeline for Women in Engineering and Medicine
The Perry Virtual Experience is a free, 2.5-hour, interactive online experience for high school and college-aged students who gender-identify as female or nonbinary and are interested in pursuing careers in orthopedic surgery and engineering. Participants will hear from women leaders in these fields and dive into online orthopedic simulations and biomechanics experiments. Additional information can be found on our website: https://perryinitiative.org/pve/
Women in high school and college who have an interest in science, medicine and/or engineering are now invited to register for a session of the Perry Virtual Experience. Students should fill out the online registration for one session that best fits their schedule. Most sessions are available to participants in any location, but some sessions are for a focused geographic area.
The upcoming program dates are:
November 4th, 2023 @ 10:00am-12:30pm EDT
November 27th, 2023 @ 6:00pm-8:30pm EDT
Details for each session can be found at: https://perryinitiative.org/calendar/
Please feel free to contact us directly with any questions you may have.
FLCC Admissions Coming to Gananda
FLCC Admissions will be here at Gananda on Wednesday, November 11th at 8am to help make the enrollment process as easy as possible for you! Interested students will be guided through completing the application and will receive an Instant Acceptance to FLCC for the Fall of 2024! The application is ALWAYS free to FLCC!
The Admissions rep will also help you with next steps and important deadlines, and connect you to additional resources: Financial aid opportunities, FAFSA assistance, Scholarships, Net cost of attendance, etc.
WHAT you need to bring: you'll need your laptop/Chromebook to do the online application, and you'll need to have your social security number as part of your personal information.
If you are interested, please stop in the Counseling Office or send a message to Mrs. Richards drichards@gananda.org for a pre-signed pass for you to attend this event!
Here are some other opportunities coming up at FLCC as well:
- Fall Open House: Saturday November 4
- Veteran’s Day Visit: Friday November 10
Details and registration information at www.flcc.edu/visit/
Women in Manufacturing Summit
The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program in partnership with the RTMA and MCC proudly presents the 2nd annual Women in Manufacturing Summit on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. They will host a great panel of local women in advanced manufacturing that are excited to connect with students and educators.
This in-person event will take place at NextCorps in Downtown Rochester from 11 am to 1 pm with networking, lunch and a panel discussion.
Please contact Mrs. Marang by October 30th if you are interested in attending.
Gananda Alumni Association One Stop Shop - 11/18
It's that time of year again and the Alumni Association's 5th annual One-Stop Holiday Shop is all set for Saturday, Nov. 18.
The event at the Richard Mann Elementary School is open from 11 am to 3 pm and will feature vendors, crafters, raffles* and snacks, including Tom's Traveling Coffee Truck and the Kona Ice Truck. Stop in to get some shopping done and support the students and the community!
*-Raffle donations will benefit the Gananda Sports Boosters and the Coach Morabito Scholarship fund.
Digital Equity Access Survey due 12/1
The New York State Education Department is asking parents and/or guardians to complete a Digital Equity Survey for each student in grades K-12. This survey will help provide information on our student's access to devices and internet in their places of residence.
Collecting this data on our digital access for students will greatly help our educators better serve their students and families. You must complete a survey for EACH STUDENT enrolled in the district in grade K-12. We would appreciate your response to the survey by Friday, December 1.
The survey can be completed using this link.
Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Theresa Grevell at tgrevell@gananda.org.
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!
Part-Time HS Counseling Office Secretary - The Gananda CSD is seeking clerical support for the Ruben A. Cirillo High School Guidance Office and Athletic Director. This is a job share position working 5-days per week, 3.75 hours in the afternoons - if interested please apply here.
Desktop Installation Helper - The Gananda CSD is seeking a 1.0 FTE provisional Desktop Installation Helper. Four to eight students will be completing Dell certified repairs to Dell devices. This person will need to supervise students, track time spent on repairs and complete paperwork for submission to Dell for reimbursement. They will also serve as the first point of contact for students and staff that are having issues with various technology: computers, interactive flat panels, Wi-Fi connections, password resets, projectors. Will escalate to the Technology Department when not able to resolve the issue. Asset tracking: provide and track student loaned computers, headphones and other technology devices using spreadsheets or word processing. If you or someone you know might be interested please apply here.
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.
Important Upcoming Dates
11/1-11/30 - American Indian Heritage Month
11/1, 6:30pm, HS Auditorium - Senior Trip Information Night
11/1, 5:15pm - Sectionals Girls Varsity Swimming @ Webster Aquatics Center
11/2 - Blood Drive in Band Room
11/3 or 11/4 - Sectionals Varsity Football @ LeRoy
11/4 - FLCC Fall Open House
- Register here
11/6 - Class of 2024 Cap & Gown Orders Due
11/10 - Veteran's Day (observed - no school)
11/18, 11am-3pm, Elementary School - Gananda Alumni Association One Stop Shop
12/31 - Senior Send-Offs for Yearbook Deadline
- Any questions see Mrs. Zebulske (rzebulske@gananda.org)
Respectfully,
Dr. Christopher J. Whipple
Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154
Ms. Mairi Greibus
Assistant Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154