West Genesee School District

Dear West Genesee Families and Staff,

Recently, I was in a professional situation with a group of individuals working together on a similar task. The topic was of high interest to the participants, which can be helpful due to the motivation that comes with joining a group. That said, the opposite can be true as familiarity, emotion, and strong opinions can impact the group dynamic, as well. I thought to myself “This is going to be interesting."

And it was.

The group was, and still is, experiencing a process that is known as forming, storming, norming, and performing. The theory is attributed and outlined by Bruce Tuckman, a psychological researcher. It is a quick expression that describes how groups come together, discover differences, establish norms to guide themselves (the understood rules, if you will), and make progress toward high performance. Meeting and establishing routines is helpful to stay on task and maximize a group’s time together.

The process is fluid and will waver between stages, as any relationship or group does. This particular group is making its way and experiencing small setbacks with quick recovery. What I am struck by is the understanding of discourse and the role of disagreeing or having opposing viewpoints, while maintaining a respectful approach. They are listening, considering new ideas, suggesting connections with alternatives, and truly working together while staying true to their own background and perspective.

The above was a regional experience, however, it reminds me of the many, many groups at West Genesee that come together with ad hoc projects, long range planning, and newly formed committees. This is a way of life and part of “co-laboring” that involves varied perspectives. When done with integrity, it can be very powerful.

It directly translates to the skills we develop in our students. Athletic teams, music ensembles, group projects, clubs, and student organizations, to name a few, are part of the many experiences that our students encounter that foster a growing repertoire and skill set for life.

While with the regional group, I was proud to know I work in a place that respects the exchange of ideas, partnerships, and discourse that invites multiple views and respectful interchange. It’s not easy, but is possible and worth the effort.

Perhaps that is part of what makes it, with great frequency, a great day to be a Wildcat!!

Sincerely,

David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools

Oh, and by the way…Shout out to our towns and District personnel that plow and help us to sort through challenging weather. Look for one of these dedicated individuals and tell them “thank you”!!

Pictured above from left to right are Julianna Sagneri, Jocelyn Andrews, Emily Tripp, Addison Briggs, and Marin Pross.

In 2017-2018 West Genesee High School established the WGHS Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). This year an induction ceremony into the NHSDA was held on January 16, 2025 to welcome the five new members.

Induction into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Secondary Program is earned through the accumulation of at least 30 points awarded for dance activities such as dance classes, rehearsals, performances, research, workshops, or community service activities, alongside a GPA of at least 85. Their dance grade must be 93 or above. In addition, the prospective student’s demonstration of collaborative teamwork, motivation, and leadership in the many aspects of dance (e.g., choreography, performance, mentoring, and production) are factors in the determination of eligibility for induction. The goals of this program are to promote life-long learning in the field of dance and to encourage an understanding of and an appreciation for dance as an art form. This is one of the highest honor programs for dance in the United States.

Congratulations to the students from West Genesee High School who were: Jocelyn Andrews, Addison Briggs, Marin Pross, Julianna Sagneri, and Emily Tripp.

Come join us "Under the Sea" February 6-8, 2025 for West Genesee High School’s enchanting performance of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl" and "Part of Your World."

Ariel (Audra Vine and Samantha Bullock), King Triton's (Ben Korzeniewski) youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric (John Panek) in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula (Sophia Knowlton), to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish (Sarai Card), Scuttle the seagull (Max Nolan) and Sebastian the crab (John Diem) to restore order under the sea. Extraordinary staging, fantastical costumes, and spectacular singing and dancing will delight the whole family! Get your tickets today and join us for a theatrical adventure “Fathoms Below.”

The production team (Andrea Scerbo, producer; Kristyn Sperduti, director; Tony Alvaro, music director; Natasha Skidmore, choreographer; Don Schuessler, technical director; Cindy Kissane, costume designer; Bill Mercer, lighting designer; Bill Haining, photographer; Samantha Bullock and Audra Vine, director’s assistants; Enya Dafoe and Lilyanna Kupiec dance captains) is incredibly proud of the talented students that comprise the cast, crew, and orchestra of this production.

WGHS will be presenting Disney’s The Little Mermaid on February 6 and February 7 at 7:00 p.m., and February 8 at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at wgfinearts.ludus.com; simply click “buy tickets.” To reserve your tickets via cash or check, please contact the West Genesee Fine Arts Office at (315) 487-4612. We can’t wait for you to see the show!

Congratulations to the West Genesee Boys Wrestling Team who were crowned the Section III Dual Meet Champions on January 20, 2025! Way to go!

On January 17, 2025 the pool at West Genesee High School was opened after nearly 2 years of renovations!

Birth to Age 5 Census - in the recent West Genesee Communicator, the triannual printed newsletter for our District, the back page has a form and a QR code to an electronic form that collects information on children in your home who are not yet of school age (anywhere from birth to age 5). If you have a child not enrolled in our schools yet, please take the time to complete that form, either electronically or in hard copy form, so that we have updated information on your family and can provide timely outreach on programs and events at West Genesee that might be of interest to you. The QR code is provided here (and the form’s link is also below this article) for those who would like to complete that sooner.

Kindergarten Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened 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.

West Genesee partners with local Community-Based Organizations (CBO) for its Pre-K program.

To be eligible for UPK during the 2025-2026 school year, a child must:

• Turn the age of 4 on or before December 1, 2025

• Reside in the West Genesee Central School District

Registration will open on March 10, 2025. In the event that more registrations are received than can be accommodated, the District will conduct an initial selection process via an open lottery in which children will be selected at random.

Those children who have completed the registration process by 3:00 p.m. on April 2, 2025 will be part of the initial selection process.

Families who were part of the initial selection process will be called in order of selection and informed:

• whether their child has been accepted to the program, and

• which site (including hours of the program) is available for their child;

OR

• where their child is on the waiting list.

Families will be contacted by April 3-4, 2025.

If at any point after the initial selection process there are more students registered than seats available, students will be placed on the waiting list in the order that their registration was completed.

Transportation to and from the program is the responsibility of parents/guardians, and students must attend the program five days a week to maintain their seat.

Look for registration information on the Central Registration webpage at: https://www.westgenesee.org/district-services/registration/. If you have any questions, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call Central Registration at (315) 487-4683.

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

• proof of residency (ie. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement)

• proof of age

The Annual Culture Celebration will be held at West Genesee High School on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 12:00-3:00 p.m in the upper gymnasium. The annual West Genesee Culture Celebration is an exciting opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of the West Genesee Central School 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.

Some of the participants this year include a Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Tearney's Martial Arts, Irish Dancers, and a Russian folk singer. Additionally, the event will showcase cultural displays from around the world, featuring South Africa, Bulgaria, Germany, Palestine, Mexico, and more!

Attendees are encouraged to bring an item to benefit two deserving organizations. AccessCNY is opening a new respite center for children facing mental health crises and is looking to collect children's books, art supplies, fidget spinners, playdough, and puzzles. The West Genesee Power Pack Program will be collecting Easy Mac, packaged fruit cups, granola bars, soup, Chef Boyardee, and Pop-Tarts to help combat food insecurity in the Camillus area.

For more information or to sign up, contact: Meghan Leonardis, West Genesee High School Administrative 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!

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 list of 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. )

Come Join Us!!! West Genesee CSD is hosting an in-person Job Fair on Monday, February 3, 2025 from 3:00-6:30 p.m. in the West Genesee High School Library. We are looking to fill the following open positions:

• Custodial Workers
• Bus Drivers and Attendants
• Bus Mechanics
• Food Service Workers
• Teacher Aides

• Typist I (Office Workers)

• Teaching Assistants

• Non-Instructional Substitutes
• Instructional Substitutes

Please be prepared to complete an application and be ready for on-the-spot interviewing. Questions, please call (315) 487-4555.

At the January 8, 2025 Board of Education Meeting the Board approved tax exemptions for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities and Limited Income, Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers, and Veterans.

The exemptions can be found by clicking on the link below.

West Genesee CSD is hiring full-time custodians on all shifts and substitute custodians for the 2nd shift.

Inquiries can be made to Buildings and Grounds at (315) 487-4630.

We are looking for a Crossing Guard. This is a part-time position located at West Genesee Intermediate School.

Inquiries can be made to WGCSD Human Resources at 315-487-4555.

• February 3, 2025 Job Fair-West Genesee High School Library-3:00-6:30 p.m.
• February 11-12, 2025 WGCSD Strategic Planning Team Meeting
• February 13, 2025 BOE Claims Audit Sub-Committee Meeting-5:30 p.m. in the West Genesee High School Library Classroom
• February 13, 2025 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m. in the West Genesee High School Library
• February 17-21, 2025 Winter Recess-No School