Notes from Onondaga Road

Our Buddy Classes got together to discuss the theme of kindness. They created unique snowflakes which will help to decorate our hallways.

The PTA is looking forward to a year of activities! The next PTA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 6th at 6:00 in the Onondaga Road Library. Please consider becoming a PTA member to help support all of the great PTA-sponsored activities. We would love to see you at the next meeting. Here is a list of upcoming PTA events that your membership supports:

• Scholastic Book Fairs
• BINGO Night & Ice Cream Social
• Enrichment Day
• Learning Fair
• Family Picnic

Click below for quick access to the Onondaga Road PTA page, where you will find membership information, and other important PTA news:

https://www.westgenesee.org/o/ores/page/parent-teacher-association-pta

The PTA sponsored Enrichment Day will be held at Onondaga Road on Saturday, February 8th from 9:30-11:00am. Student registration forms have been sent home for student participation. There are a wide variety of events that students can choose from, but classes fill up fast so be sure to fill out the permission slip and return to the school by January 17th. If you have any questions please contact Dani Lamoureaux or Claire Conboy at wgorpta@westgenesee.org

Join the West Genesee Culture Celebration on March 1, 2025

The annual West Genesee Culture Celebration is an exciting opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of the West Genesee district and the broader Camillus community. This special event highlights the many cultures that make up our community through performances and table displays by students, families, and community groups.

Last year’s event featured an array of contributions, including:

• Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
• Tearney's Martial Arts
• Folk and Irish Dancers
• Social Justice Coalition
• Displays on South Korean, Palestinian, and Bulgarian heritage

We want your culture to be part of this year’s celebration! Whether through a performance or a table display sharing your traditions, history, and heritage, we encourage as many families and groups as possible to participate.

For more information or to sign up, contact:

Meghan Leonardis

West Genesee High School Admin Intern

mleonardis@westgenesee.org

315-487-4673

Let’s make this celebration a true reflection of our multicultural community and foster a culture of inclusion in our schools. We look forward to celebrating with you!

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened up on December 4, 2024 and will go until March 28, 2025.

Watch for registration information on the Central Registration webpage. If you have any questions, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call Central Registration at (315) 487-4683.

When registering, parents/guardians should be prepared to upload the following:

• Two proofs of residency (i.e. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement, utility bill )

• proof of age

A physical examination and proof of immunizations are also required for entry into kindergarten 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, 2025.

To access the most updated health requirements click here.

As the colder weather sets in, it often brings with it an increase in seasonal illnesses. To help keep all students and staff healthy, we ask families to monitor for certain symptoms before sending children to school.

If your child displays any of the following, please keep them home:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours
• Vomiting or Diarrhea in the past 24 hours
• Strep Throat. Your child should be on an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school
• Bad cold with congestion or bad cough, especially if it has kept your child awake at night; and/or the cough is continuous and consistent throughout the day.
• Pink eye. Your child should be on an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

If your child becomes ill at school and the nurse and/or teacher feel your child is too sick to benefit from school and is contagious to classmates and staff, you will be called to pick up your child.

The cooler weather is upon us! Please keep in mind that our students will continue to go outside for recess daily. If the temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or above, recess can take place outside. If the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (this includes factoring in the WINDCHILL), recess will be indoors. Students should always have appropriate clothing for the weather each day: Coat, boots, snow pants, hat, and gloves.

**Also, please remember to LABEL your child's cold-weather clothing. You will be so glad you did!

Announcements about school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissal will be posted on the News Headlines section of the District website home page. They will also be broadcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the following stations which you can access by clicking here.

Also, ParentSquare communications software allows us to send emails, texts, and make phone calls. (Phone calls will be used for emergency situations only.)

Parent/Guardians and staff will NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in Schooltool. (You will have the option to opt-out if you choose not to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls. To receive texts, you also have to opt-in per the instructions in the Tips article below. )

• 1/20 - NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 1/22 - Board of Education Meeting - 6:00 - High School
• 1/23 - 3:30-5:00 -Elementary Robotics Club
• 1/23 - 3:30-5:00 - 3rd/4th grade Art/Yearbook Club
• 1/23 - 5:30-7:30 - PTA Bingo/Ice Cream Social
• 1/29 - NO SCHOOL - Lunar New Year