Superintendent Update

Hello West Irondequoit Families,

As we head into the holiday season, I want to celebrate all the incredible learning and joy happening across our schools. Thanks to our talented and dedicated staff, our students continue to share their ideas, develop critical skills and share meaningful experiences thanks to thoughtful planning. Our elementary school Winter Singalongs, concerts and special activities across the district have added an extra layer of magic this season, highlighting our community values and bringing us together. Your encouragement and support are not just appreciated, but they are integral to our success. Thank you for being such an essential part of our school community!

We’re also incredibly grateful for your overwhelming support of Promise Project 2027. Thanks to your support, this transformational initiative will expand universal pre-kindergarten programming, giving many more children the strong start they deserve. It’s a huge step forward in leveling the playing field for all children as they begin their educational journey. On top of that, the new multipurpose athletic fields will create new opportunities for learning, athletics and community events - making a difference for students and families. Your support has made all this possible, and we hope it fills you with pride and hope for the future. We are blessed to live in a community that cares so deeply about the future of our children.

As we eagerly anticipate the holidays, I hope you find time to unwind, celebrate and cherish special moments. In the spirit of the season, I leave you with a quote from Maya Angelou that resonates with our shared values: “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” Your cheerful giving and gracious acceptance have genuinely blessed our schools and students.

I wish you and your family a joy-filled holiday season and a new year brimming with possibilities!

In partnership,

Aaron R. Johnson, Ed. D
Superintendent of Schools

Find all Supt. Updates on our website under Superintendent Update

District Office will be closed on Dec. 25th and Jan. 1 and open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. all other weekdays.

West Irondequoit students in grades 3-12 were administered their first Social-Emotional Survey between Dec. 2-13. To read the results, click on the PDF below. Panorama uses nationally normed surveys on different aspects of a student's social and emotional well-being. There was a version for Grades 3-5 and a version for Grades 6-12 that took into account a student's developmental growth and needs. Questions? You can contact Mrs. Kelly Santora, Director of Data, Assessment, and Interventions at this email.

Leave your holiday tree in the parking lot at Helmer Nature Center, 154 Pinegrove Ave., when you’re done with it and we turn it into wood chips to control erosion and fortify Helmer's trails. Please:

• Remove bags, ornaments, wire, etc.
• Drop off whole trees only (no clippings)
• Do not leave yard waste or debris

On Saturday, Dec. 7th, Rogers Middle School music teacher, Mrs. Anna Conti, presented on the school's Drum Ensemble at the 88th annual NYS School Music Association's Winter Conference at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The ensemble was born 23 years ago. Teachers statewide heard about it and wanted to know more. Mrs. Conti and student musicians played for teachers, showcasing the free-flowing, improvisational flair of the ensemble.

"All drumming curriculum is about teaching highly specific rhythms: Know it, learn it, love it, play it," Mrs. Conti explained. "Some students arrive interested to learn but aren't sure if they have the skills. So we have a program where everyone can create on their own and be successful. This really came from the students. (Years ago) they said, 'Can we just try to make it up on our own?' And we went with it. It was really exciting to share this. The music sounds more authentic and ... awesome. I am really proud of it."

Students answered questions from other teachers at the conference, too. "They were very impressed with their maturity and professionalism of our students," Mrs. Conti said. "They were thoughtful in their responses, respectful of each other and it didn't go unnoticed."

Look for a video posted later today of the IHS Chorale singing in Rochester at the Monroe County Office building! That will be on YouTube (linked here). A live stream of that starts on Facebook at noon today (linked here).

West Irondequoit Community Education has a new Facebook page! Follow to be plugged in to their programming and check out some of their great stuff for this winter! 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

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