Gananda Blue Panther Gazette
March 12, 2024
Honor Societies π¨βππ©βπ
Congratulations to the Gananda students who were honored on February 8 with induction into the National Honor Society and National Math Honor Society.
Students were selected for demonstrating high standards of scholarship, leadership, service and character. We are #GanandaProud our newest inductees!
National Honor Society
Katherine Bettinger, Kailyn Bowen, Mason Briner, Lyndsey Burns, Kaydence Desbrough, Matthew Diebold, Madison Dohse, Tori Ferguson, Colleen Ginsberg, Lizzie Gorski, Eva Jenny, Cohen Kelley, JJ LaDuke, Ella Lathrop, Katie McGarvey, Maria Melnik, Maximus Ng, Kayli Norman, Emerson Paull, Andrew Pitolaj, Logan Potter, Meah Prutzman, Sydney Richards, Katie Rothwell, Natalie Schwandt, Cadence Strausser, Ryan Sweet, Layla Thomas, Noah Van Scoy, Grace Walsh, Brianna Whalen, Addelynne York.
Math Honor Society
Katherine Bettinger, Tori Ferguson, Colleen Ginsberg, Cohen Kelley, Aaron Kurdziel-Tai, Juliana LaDuke, Maria Melnik, Maximus Ng, Andrew Pitolaj, Logan Potter, Meah Prutzman, Sydney Richards, Natalie Schwandt, Cadence Strausser, Ryan Sweet, Layla Thomas, Grace Walsh, Addelynne York.
Leah Buffan, Madison Burdsall, Emilee Catalano, Matt Diebold, Claire Dohse, Jackson Giancursio, Jay Giles, Elizabeth Gorski, Peter Jacob, Tristan Lucchesi, Ella Michaels, Owen Switzer, Brianna Whalen.
Gananda on TV π₯
Dr. Van Scoy Discusses Electric Bus Mandate
Electric busses are coming to New York but when? And how?
Channel 13 in Rochester addressed the issue and our Superintendent, Dr. Shawn Van Scoy, was part of the story. Read and watch the story at this link.
High School News π
Getting Prepared
Gananda juniors are getting ready for life after school and the Gananda Counseling Office has every avenue covered.
Juniors recently gathered for an informational session to prepare for seminars that will take them through the college application process, creating resumes, reviewing transcripts and information-gathering for options such as post-graduate employment, military service and apprenticeships.
On March 18, all juniors will attend the National College Fair at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, which will feature more than 200 colleges, trade schools and military programs.
Financial Aid
Prospective students and families are invited to join SUNY for a series of online workshops.
General financial aid sessions will provide information about the cost of attendance, the types of financial aid available and the financial aid application process. Timely-walk throughs will focus on steps you can take now to prepare for FAFSA completion.
During all sessions, you will be able to send us your questions via live chat. Stay tuned for additional dates through the spring months.
March 15: Financial Aid Friday for Parents
March 19: Financial Aid Session
April 5: Financial Aid Friday for Parents
April 12: Financial Aid Friday for Parents (Spanish)
April 16: Financial Aid Session (Spanish)
May 3: Financial Aid Friday for Parents
May 7: Financial Aid Session
June 18: Financial Aid Session
June 21: Financial Aid Friday for Parents
February Students
Congrats to our Students of the Month for February: Senior Derek M. junior Brianna W., sophomore Tasha O. and freshman Kaiden Z-H.
In addition, Matthew D. was named the Gananda Rotary Student of the Month in large part because of the spirit and positivity he showed in light of a tough situation.
Congrats to these students for making us #GanandaProud. You can read the full story here of their accomplishments here.
We Need Your Help βοΈ
Write Your Representative
A brief message & request from the Gananda Board of Education:
Governor Hochul's 2024-2025 Executive Budget proposal includes Foundation Aid cuts for more than 40% of school districts across the state, leaving Gananda CSD with a shortfall of more than $1 million. Thatβs why weβre asking you to take 1 minute within the next two days to help by sending a letter (link below), to Governor Hochul and our local representatives!
The NYS School Board Association has provided a template letter that can be customized and sent from the link here.
After entering your name and address information, the letter automatically routes to the Governor's office, Senator Pam Helming's office, and Assemblyman Brian Manktelow's office. The Governorβs office counts EVERY letter, so let your voice be heard for our students.
Thank you in advance for your efforts.
- Gananda Board of Education
Winter Sports Update π π£ πββοΈ
Lots and Lots of Winning
It's been a busy winter season for varsity sports at Gananda but winning tends to do that.
- The girls basketball team finished 19-4 and advanced to the Section V Class C1 Tournament semifinals. See the graphic below to find out who made the Wayne County All-Star team.
- Boys basketball finished 17-6 and also advanced to the Class C1 semifinals. The boys also were recognized as the Wayne County winner of the G. Thomas Emmanuel Sportsmanship Award presented by Section V. See the graphic below to find out who made the Wayne County All-Star team.
- A total of six Gananda winter athletes were picked to be part of the March 23 Ronald McDonald House basketball event at Gates-Chili (see graphic below).
- After winning a Section V Class D championship, the Gananda cheerleaders (pictured) advanced to the state championships, where they finished in second place.
- And after the boys swim team finished second at the Section V Class D championships, sophomore Peyton Conner qualified for the state championships at Ithaca College. Peyton competed in the 50 and 100 freestyle events.
Health Update π
Did You Know?
Norovirus is a contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get norovirus. Norovirus is sometimes called the βStomach fluβ or βstomach bug.β However, norovirus is not related to the flu, which is caused by the influenza virus.
Most common symptoms are:
Diarrhea, Vomiting, Nausea, Stomach pains, Sometimes: fever, body aches and headache.
Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines. This is called acute gastroenteritis.
A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days, but they can still spread the virus for a few days after.
Dehydration is a concern with Norovirus, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses.
Prevention: Hand washing with soap and water and disinfecting surfaces is best.
Hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus. You can use hand sanitizers in addition to hand washing, but hand sanitizer is not a substitute for handwashing.
As always consult your doctor with any questions/concerns.
Day of Caring π€
Wayne County Community Schools is hosting a Day of Caring on Friday, April 5, at the Lyons Community Center.
More than 20 service organizations will be on hand for a day of free service that includes dental, hearing and vision screenings, mammograms, school-required vaccines, CPR instruction, Narcan training and DSS applications. Registration is required for dental and vision screenings, which can be accessed at waynecountycommunityschools.org.
The event runs from 9 am to 1 pm and there is no cost for the services or the family-friendly activities (including roller skating) or the community meal. For more information, go to waynecountycommunityschools.org.
Summer Plans βοΈ
Elementary School News π«
Book Character Day
Friday, March 1, was Book Character Day at Richard Mann Elementary School and needless to say, it was a ton of fun!
We saw countless characters through the building that day. For more photos, check out our district Facebook page.
Proud Calls
You see our Proud Calls every week. Well, CNN saw it too!
The district got a call in February, asking if our Proud Calls could be part of a new podcast called "5 Good Things." We talked with the podcast host and recorded some calls to be part of the show that was released on March 2.
Click on the image to listen to the 5-minute podcast.
All-County Music
Gananda was well-represented among the fifth-graders who qualified for All-County this year.
This group participated in the weekend event at Marion on March 1 and 2.
Yearbook Orders π
Deadline Extended
The deadline to order Elementary School yearbooks has been extended to Monday, March 25.
Cost remains at $18 and you can place your order by clicking on this link or by scanning the provided QR code above.
Middle School News π
Madness of March
Yes, it's March and yes, there is plenty of basketball going on. That includes at Gananda, where the Middle School Congress and the Middle School Intramural program is hosting a 3-on-3 Scramble Tournament for boys and girls.
Prizes are up for grabs in the Thursday tournament, which runs from 3-5 pm at the Middle School gym. Players have been filling the sign-up sheets during lunch and it's sure to be a competitive and fun event!
Learning Respect
The big board at the Middle School is reminding students of the respect lessons they're learning and how "responsible decisions-making" affects everyone.
Decisions can go beyond the person making them so learning how decisions can have an impact on those around you and the bigger school community is an important aspect of overall respect.
Activity Night
Friday, March 22, is the date of the next Activity Night for Middle School students.
Mark your calendar today for a night of fun and games. Admission is $5 and the event, which includes karaoke, a putting contest, games, basketball and dodgeball, runs from 7-9 pm at the Middle School gym.
Mark Your Calendars π
Planning Ahead
March 13: Board of Education Meeting
March 15-16: All-County Instrumental (Grades 7-12) at North Rose-Wolcott
March 15: Professional Development Day (No School for Students)
March 22: Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School for ES Students)
March 22: Elementary School Activity Night
March 22: Middle School Activity Night
March 27: Board of Education Meeting
March 29-April 8: Spring Recess
April 8: Total Solar Eclipse
April 10: Board of Education Meeting
April 11: UPK Parent/Guardian Meeting
April 14-16: Senior Trip to NYC/Baltimore
April 19: Elementary School Activity Night
April 19: Middle School Activity Night
April 25: Elementary School Family Night
April 26: Half Day of School
April 26: Report Cards Published
May 3: Spring Fling at Middle School
May 6: Information Night for Incoming Sixth-Graders
May 7: Information Night for Incoming Seventh and Eighth-Graders
May 8: Board of Education Meeting
May 10: Senior and Junior Prom
May 14: Elementary School Spring Concert (Grades 4-5)