West Genesee School District

Dear West Genesee Families,

This week there is much deserved attention to our staff. Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week and School Nurses Week provides a closer focus to those that care for our students; academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and holistically.

The dedication to that care goes beyond classrooms, offices, buildings, and community. These are selfless individuals that have answered a calling to embrace and lift up young people when they fall, when they wonder, when they succeed, and when they show growth.

This week has been filled with celebrations. A large group of West Genesee High School National Honor Society students met staff arriving in the morning with cheers, waving signs, and messages of thanks with chalk on the sidewalk. Our PTA and PTO members arranged lunches, provided treats, and creatively expressed gestures of appreciation. Staff meetings included recognition of years of service and the start of the celebration of retirees.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

-Martin Luther King Jr.

“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.”

- Gilbert K. Chesterton

We have an exceptional staff at West Genesee. The hours of effort leads to years of service and a lifetime impact on those they serve. I am personally honored to work alongside these individuals who do herculean work while shying away from spotlights and praise; but who are so deserving of all the thanks we can muster.

Please take the time to recognize our staff. They are fiercely dedicated to the next generation. Borrowing from the quote of Christa McAuliffe: “They touch the future.” Join me in thanks and appreciation for all they do!

Enjoy this E-Newsletter and see the many reasons to celebrate Wildcats!

Sincerely,

David C. Bills

Superintendent of Schools

Please notice the Social Media Tips further below in the e-Newsletter that I shared in past editions. Let's keep the conversation going with our youth in order to keep everyone safe!

Congratulations to our State Champion Academic Decathlon team and thank you to Senator Mannion for presenting a Proclamation to them last week. What an honor! #WeCelebrateLearning #WildcatPride

The team participated at the USAD National Competition in Pittsburg, PA over spring break. Although the did not win a trophy, we are immensely proud of this team. Our team did a fine job representing NYS this year!!!

On May 3, 2024, West Genesee High School sent 23 ceramic students to participate in the Feats of Clay event where they competed against 31 other high schools at multiple ceramic skill based events. After weeks of practicing and strategizing, the West Genesee team came in 3rd place.

Each year the winning team gets to take the Trophy and add their own school spirit ceramic element to it. Last year West Genesee won the entire event and took the Trophy home. Over this year, the students brainstormed ideas, sketched, designed, and finally created and engineered our addition to the Trophy. We are incredibly proud of our students' dedication to doing their best and their good sportsmanship attitude at the event last Friday.

Congratulations on this great accomplishment! Go Wildcats!!

Each year some West Genesee High School students participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in partnership with PEACE, Inc. These dedicated students train for 5 hours to pass their 3 certifications and provide at minimum 4 hours of service for community members in need.

On May 2, 2024 Sharon Thompson and Ralph Lyke representatives from PEACE, Inc., conducted a brief ceremony to congratulate the WGHS volunteers on their tremendous support of the program, and their willingness to do good for others.

Thank you to our student VITA volunteers for helping file taxes in our community and also to high school teacher Mike Petercsak for coordinating this effort.

On May 3, 2024 the WGHS Wind Ensemble performed wonderfully at the Northeast Concert Band Festival at Ithaca college.

The band presented a concert and also received a group clinic and individual instrument masterclasses. Great job wildcats!

On May 8, 2024 the West Genesee CSD Athletic Department held a Spring Athlete Recognition Day Ceremony at the high school to recognize students for continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate levels.

Director of Physical Education and Athletics Mike Burns shared to the parents and teachers who were invited, "I understand the important guidance, assistance, and support you have given these student athletes throughout their high school careers."

This ceremony was to recognize and celebrate the hard work of these athletes in the classroom and on the field. Congratulations to all!

Note: This is the spring recognition. We hosted another one in the fall where other athletes were recognized at the National Letter of Intent signing and were not part of this program.

Did You Know? There are Mental Health Resources on the District Website? Are you or someone you know struggling?

West Genesee Mental Health Resources provide information for help, hope, and healing.

Connect with a mental health professional at West Genesee High School or your school and within your community.

The activity was centered around the book "The Curious Gardener" which is a story about a boy who realizes the positive impact of his actions on the community when he helps to build a garden.

Buddies then planted various flowers and vegetables for the Onondaga Road garden.

Mark your calendars for Kaleidoscope 49 which will be held on May 23, 2024 starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Center.

The annual Kaleidoscope concert is the end of year showcase featuring all performing ensembles offered at WGHS. Interspersed with the ensemble performances are select solo and small ensemble performances by WGHS performing arts students. The concert, held at the Civic Center, is a spectacle of talent, hard work, and collaboration.

Kaleidoscope tickets are available at wgfinearts.ludus.com or through the Fine Arts Office located at WGHS (315-487-4612).

The District Calendar for the 2024-2025 school year was approved by the Board of Education at their meeting on March 6, 2024.

The calendar is now available on the website or directly by clicking on the link below..

The Annual School District Board of Education Election and Budget Vote will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 in the West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby.

You are eligible to vote on May 21, 2024 if you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years or older, and have been a District resident for at least 30 days prior to the vote. No pre-registration is required although personal identification may be requested at the polls. Questions? Call the District Clerk at (315) 487-4563.

Residents who will not be in the area on May 21, 2024 may apply for an absentee ballot at the District Office. If the absentee ballot is to be mailed to the voter, the application must have been submitted at least seven days prior to the vote. If the absentee ballot is to be picked up by the voter in person, applications will be accepted until May 20, 2024. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024.

1) Speak to your children about reporting any concerning posts or suspicious activities on social media to a trusted adult. It is important that children understand they will not be punished for reporting a post and that we will protect their anonymity as we investigate the concern. It is also important for students to refrain from sharing or otherwise passing along inappropriate posts, as it contributes to a violation of the WGCSD Code of Conduct.

2) Explain how TIP411 works to your children. Tip411 is an anonymous communication tool that allows students to report serious concerns to schools. Tip411 will provide an option for those students who may not have a trusted adult to relay their concerns. (Note: At times, there may be follow-up questions. Because of the anonymity, it is important to check back to the original TIP411 report.)

3) Encourage your children to seek the truth regarding information online and reporting questionable posts to trusted adults rather than sharing misinformation that causes more confusion than clarity.

4) Speak with your children about school shootings and other tragic events and the fear we all feel as we navigate this unfortunate reality of online threats. Having an open dialogue about school safety is important, especially when threats occur. Here is a link from Child Mind Institute that can help guide that sometimes difficult conversation: How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings | Child Mind Institute.

5) Please relay any social media threats to school administrators so we can begin our investigation and involve the police, if necessary. We take each threat seriously and have a protocol to address each incident. As information becomes available, the District will provide updates to parents.

The registration form for the 2024 Summer Music Camps can be found by scanning the QR code on the flier or by clicking here. Below is a list of the different programs being offered.

• Choral Camp
  
• Junior Musical Theater Camp
• Senior Musical Theater Camp
• Concert Band Camp
• Jazz Band Camp
• String Camp
• Jump Start Strings

More info on website by clicking on the link below.

Questions about this program can be emailed to: westgennydistrictcouncil@gmail.com.

We are looking for a Maintenance Worker I to undertake the responsibility to preserve the good condition and functionality of our premises.

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

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.

West Genesee CSD is hiring substitute teachers. We are accepting applicants that are both certified and non-certified (with a Bachelor's degree).

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

• May 12, 2024 Mother's Day
• May 21, 2024 Budget Vote-6 a.m.-9 p.m.-West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby
  
• May 22, 2024 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.-West Genesee High School Library
  
• May 24, 27-28, 2024 No School