Superintendent Update

Hello West Irondequoit Families,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to share a short note expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible students, staff and families that make our district so special. This year has brought countless moments of growth, kindness and achievement, and we are truly thankful for the dedication and spirit of our community.

Just a reminder - there is NO SCHOOL tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 26th) due to parent-teacher conferences across our district. Please read below for more updates and highlights! May this Thanksgiving holiday bring you joy, peace and time to reflect!

In partnership,
Aaron R. Johnson, Ed. D
Superintendent of Schools

P.S. You can find all of my updates on our website under Superintendent Update.

Next Tuesday, Dec. 3, we'll host a Public Information Meeting at 6:30 PM at District Office about the upcoming Promise Project 2027 Vote on Dec. 10th. West Irondequoit CSD residents are being asked to participate in the vote (7 a.m. – 7 p.m. at District Office). The project would have NO TAX IMPACT because we would use a combination of existing capital reserves and state aid to fund it, along with $1 million from the NYS Assembly. The two propositions to consider:

• Proposition 1: Renovating the Pinegrove Learning Center (Pre-K classrooms & more)
• Proposition 2: Multi-Purpose Turf Athletic Fields (IHS/Dake) and a JV baseball field (Iroquois Middle School)

These propositions are connected, meaning the enactment of Proposition 2 is dependent on Proposition 1 passing. If Prop 1 does not pass, Prop 2 will not be enacted regardless of the vote. Note: Prop 1 could pass without Prop 2 passing.

We invite you to explore more on the Promise Project 2027 Vote page on the district site. It includes pictures, graphics, renovation/funding breakdowns and more. Questions? Join us at a Public Information Meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at District Office at 6:30 p.m. The Dec. 10 vote is also at District Office, 321 List Ave. We are excited about what we feel would be important enhancements to further academic and athletic excellence for our students.

Our Director of Technology, Mrs. Casey Wagner, shares information in this six-minute video about social media and how it may impact the mental health of young people. Click THIS LINK to watch it. It includes resources for families, including this for Common Sense Media.

Mr. Phil Ortolani was appointed the district’s new Director of Equity and Wellness in mid-October and started work last week. Mr. Ortolani has worked as a Supervisor at Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES in Spencerport for the past six years. He will supervise and support our Student Services Department and lead district-wide initiatives on Mental Health, Counseling, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Social Emotional Learning and Restorative Practices. He also will help foster working relationships with community organizations and agencies tied to equity and wellnes

READ MORE AT THIS LINK

Among our students' recent charitable efforts were a fall cleanup by Irondequoit DECA Club leaders at The Sunset House on Veteran's Day (above) and DECA donating more than 1,000 pounds of food to the Irondequoit Community Cupboard. Tri-M Music Honor Society students made also 16 lasagnas for the Open Door Mission, and the Builders' Club at Rogers Middle School (below) collected 729 items to donate to the ICC! Great job!

CONGRATULATIONS! The IHS girls cross country team capped of its historic season Saturday with another impressive effort at the Federation Championships/Nike NY Regional Qualifier. The Eagles finished 5th in a field of 30 elite teams, becoming the first Section V team since Hilton in 2006 to reach the podium! Senior Luke Simon, who won the Section V Class A title this fall and finished 24th in the state, closed his impressive career by taking 153rd in the boys’ race in a field of 287. The IHS girls, who were ninth last year at Federations, won their first sectional crown this fall in 42 years! Saturday's runners were (field of 283):

25th - Lizzy Tytler (only Section V girl to medal)

71st - Aubrey Smith

75th - Katie Bauman

106th - Kira LaVeck

112th - Kayla Holliday

137th - MaryGrace Roj
217th - Gabrielle Vache

DIVING DYNAMO! Competing in the NYSPHSAA Championships for the first time, Brenna Scott took 31st overall last Friday among all divers! She's just a junior and is already a two-time Section V Class B champ!

West Irondequoit Community Education has a NEW Facebook page! Give 'em a LIKE/Follow to be plugged in to their programming and check out some of their great stuff for this fall! Click here to see the Facebook page. Get better with WI Community Ed (click here for programs).

Email: public_info@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: westirondequoit.org
Location: 321 List Avenue, Irondequoit, NY, USA
Phone: 585-342-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestIrondequoitCSD
X/Twitter: @WestIrondequoit