Notes from the WGIS Principal

Dear WGIS Families,

We have one week left in our first semester! As we wrap up our first semester next week, we will be focused on looking at data from our universal screening that all students have participated in over the last 2 weeks to plan out how we can best support all students the second half of the school year.

At home, the best support you can give is encouraging students to pick up a book and read, as well as encouraging them to do their best everyday, and making sure they are attending school every day. All families were provided with their child's attendance status so far this school year and will continue to receive updates throughout the year.

While being present everyday is our goal, we know that missing 10% or more of our school days is considered being "chronically absent" and has a significant impact on a students ability to be successful in school. This is something we frequently remind our students about here in the building but it takes the full partnership of home and school to make sure all students reach their full potential. If you are struggling at all at home with attendance, please reach out so we can help!

Thank you for your continued support for all students at WGIS. As always, please reach out if you need anything.

Be Kind-Work Hard-Think BIG!

It's a great day to be a wildcat!

Mr. MacCollum

This page provides thoughts and commentary from Dan MacCollum, the Principal of West Genesee Intermediate School in the West Genesee Central School District.

Our clubs are up and running! Below please find the schedule for when each club will be meeting. As a reminder, we offer late buses on Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:15pm.

Monday January 27th:

Genny Journal, Student Council

Wednesday January 29th:

No School in observance of the Lunar New Year

Click here for Club Descriptions

This year, we will be using Second Step to promote positive character traits in our students here at WGIS. Each week, we will focus on a new character trait. Students who exemplify the character trait of the week will have an opportunity to be recognized on the Friday announcements and be featured in our weekly e-news.

This week, we recognized students who showed empathy throughout the week. Congratulations to Kieran, Lucy, Gulianna, and Nico, our Positivity Paw winners !

This week, WGIS Student Council's themed Friday was a Blue and Gold Day for students to show their school spirit!. Next week will be:

Silly Sock Day: Show off you wackiest socks! (Friday January 31)

Our 6th grade student taking FACS have been talking about having empathy for others and participated in an Aging Simulation. This gave students insight into what it might be like to do activities after having a stroke, vision/hearing loss, arthritis or Alzheimer's.

They have also been busy making some delicious personal pizza's! Thank you to Mrs. Boswell for all the fun and eye opening activities our students are being exposed to!

Feel free to check out our FACS Google Site.

The WGIS Book Swap is a PTA free book fair held in the spring where over 700 students pick out books for free. We need to collect at least 2,000 books for each child to find at least one they want to take home.

Please send in gently used, age-appropriate books for us to include in the swap. Your child can drop off the books at the cart located under the main stairwell in the front entrance of the school. Thank you for your support!

"IT" (Interaction Time) buses are available for students staying after for clubs and activities on Mondays and Wednesdays. IT buses pick students up from WGIS at 3:15. These buses are not utilized for musical practices since those rehearsals go past 3:15.

It was a COLD week this week! Just a reminder to all students to please make sure we are coming to school with winter clothing. If any families are in need of some additional outdoor winter gear, please reach out to the school. We do have some resources that can help.

Also - if you are missing any clothing, please have your child check out the lost and found which has many items that have been left throughout the building.

Amazon Wishlists

Each year, we invite the teachers to submit an Amazon Wishlist that will be shared with the school community. These items are used to support and enhance instruction for our children throughout the year. The teachers and staff are so appreciative of the support. This is a way to show our gratitude for their efforts each day with our children. The links to the wishlists can be found here: https://2cde.edulnk.com/e/3z0w8/k8Kfdj?__$u__

Book Swap

The WGIS Book Swap is a PTA free book fair held in the spring where over 700 students pick out books for free. We need to collect at least 2,000 books for each child to find at least one they want to take home.Please send in gently used, age-appropriate books for us to include in the swap. Your child can drop off the books at the cart located under the main stairwell in the front entrance of the school. Thank you for your support!

Join the PTA

Lastly, the PTA would love your support! There is no commitment to participate in any meetings or events, but your $10 membership helps us ensure that we have the funds to continue the events that support our school community. You can join here: https://2cde.edulnk.com/e/3z0w8/faYJmN?__$u__

• Wednesday January 29, 2025 - Lunar New Year - No School

• Friday January 31, 2025 - Last day of 2nd Marking Period (Updated)

• February 17-21 - February Break - No School