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Gananda Blue Panther Gazette
Dec. 5, 2023
![Gananda Blue Panther Gazette Dec. 5, 2023](https://cdn.smore.com/u/6933/3bbab3ab4ce76fa5eac27b405109ce1f.jpg)
Bus Garage Forums π
Public Hearings
The first of four public hearings for the proposed new Bus Garage is tomorrow (Dec. 6) with a virtual session at noon and an in-person session at 7 pm at the Elementary School. Tune in (with this link) or drop by for the evening session to hear Superintendent Dr. Van Scoy talk about the project and take questions.
If tomorrow doesn't work, make plans for two more public hearings scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12. There is a virtual session scheduled for noon on Dec. 12 and an in-person session set for that evening at 7:30 pm at the High School.
The day to vote for the Capital Improvement Project is Thursday, Dec. 14, at the High School. You can see more details at the district web site, including a slide show video (watch here) that explains project details.
Holiday Helpers π
District + Macedon Community Christmas Program
The Gananda Central School District is again teaming with the Macedon Community Christmas Program to help make sure everyone has a warm holiday season. A few of the programs for students have concluded but there are still some ways to help:
Food boxes (Dec. 9): Send an email to macedoncommunitychristmas@yahoo.com if you're able to help load and deliver boxes of food for families.
Macβs 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 its annual collection of new and gently used coats. Donations of unopened toys, personal hygiene products and coats can be dropped off at Mac's.
Assistance: If your household in Gananda, Macedon or Walworth is in need, here are some resources:
- 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.
Holiday Music at Gananda πΆπΊβοΈ
Upcoming Concert Dates
If you're a fan of holiday music, you have plenty of options coming in the weeks ahead!
On Thursday, join us at the Ruben A. Cirillo High School Auditorium for the winter concert for Grades 4-6 at 7 pm.
Saturday, Gananda's Dollars for Scholars is hosting a caroling event at Elementary School bus loop, starting at 1 pm.
On Monday, Dec. 11, the Gananda Senior High band and chorus will be performing at Eastview Mall. The band begins around 11 am with the chorus to follow around 11:45. And if you're a Gananda chorus alumni, you are welcome to join the chorus at 11 to sing "O Holy Night" and "Carol of the Bells."
On Thursday, Dec. 14 is the instrumental concert for middle school and high school at the high school Auditorium. That begins at 7 pm.
And on Tuesday, Dec. 19 the vocal concert for the middle and high schools begins at 7 pm at the high school auditorium. And again, alumni of the Gananda chorus program is welcome to attend the concert and then join the chorus to sing two carols following the main part of the concert. This season marks the 14th alumni event!
Cheerleaders Get It Done βπ
Seniors Lend a Hand at Ronald McDonald House
Let's hear it for our Gananda cheerleaders!
Gananda seniors Paige, Bella, Grace and Rachael (with help from coach Pero and coach Eckman) kept the tradition alive among Gananda cheerleaders by making dinner at the Ronald McDonald House on Sunday.
High School News π
Tardy Protocol Update
Beginning Dec. 1, unexcused tardies will be counted after 7:30 a.m. as we transition away from the grace period (between 7:30 and 7:35) that was allowed during the first marking period.
Students who reach a 5th unexcused tardy during a marking period will be issued an after-school detention. The adjustment was emphasized to students leading up to Dec. 1 and they know they will be issued a paper pass to present in class if they arrive after 7:30.
Laptop care
We've had some more laptop repairs, specifically cracked screens, than at this point last school year. Please help remind students of good laptop care and if you see careless laptop use, please help address that. We still have 26 padded backpacks left over for the taking. Feel free to suggest to students that these might be useful to. Thanks for your attention and help on this!
Human Rights Club: Thank You!
Gananda's Human Rights Club extends a big thank you to those who participated in the club's fundraiser earlier this year. A total of $220 was raised.
The club decided to support Doctors Without Borders and the Rochester Rainbow Union with donations raised through the fundraiser. Thank you!
Elementary School Book Fair ππ
Shop On-Line or In Person
It's Scholastic Book Fair Week at the Elementary School!
The annual event started Monday and runs through Dec. 11. Students will visit the fair with their library class this week and families are welcome to come shop during Family Night on Wednesday from 5-7 pm and on Family Day this Saturday from 9 to noon.
Be sure to check out the event's website here and remember, all purchases benefit the school as well as your child's reading enjoyment!
Holiday Spirit π§¦π©βοΈ
CBT Simulation π»
Testing the Testing
Attention parents/guardians of students in grades 3-8:
Each spring, New York State requires testing in ELA and Math. The exams are computer-based and in recent years, the volume of demand on the system has resulted in crashes and interruptions. To avoid that problem this spring, the state will conduct simulation exams on Jan. 26 and Gananda students in grades 3-6 will take part.
To be clear, these 40-minute exams will not be graded and students do not need any knowledge of the questions that will be asked. The Jan. 26 event will serve to give students practice with the testing format while also ensuring the system is ready to handle the load for the real tests next spring.
Join Our Team π
Mark Your Calendar π
Save The Dates
Dec. 7: Grades 4-6 Winter Concert
Dec. 13: Board of Education Meeting
Dec. 14: Capital Project Vote (bus garage)
Dec. 14: Grades 7-12 Instrumental Concert
Dec. 19: Grades 7-12 Vocal Concert
Dec. 22: No school (superintendent conference day)
Dec. 25-Jan. 2: Holiday Recess
Jan. 3: School resumes
Jan. 10: Board of Education Meeting
Jan. 15: No school (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Jan. 17: Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Information Meeting
Jan. 19: Middle School Roller Skating Party at MS gym
Jan. 19: Elementary School Activity Night
Jan. 22: UPK Registration for 2024-25 begins
Jan. 23-26: Regents Exams
Jan. 26: End of Marking Period 2
Jan. 26: Half Day of school