Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying that which is unique to summer months. This section of the E-newsletter is my opportunity to provide timely updates, reminders, and highlights about our District.
Property Update
I am pleased to inform you that on Friday, August 2, we officially closed on the purchase of the property formerly known as the Westvale Golf Club. Along with the official closing, letters were sent to neighbors with connecting properties to keep open communication and provide future opportunities for updates. This will be true for the greater community in public meetings and communication such as this E-newsletter publication.
While the property is undergoing a transition to serve our District’s needs, we will be taking steps to secure the property and prepare it for future use. Initially, this will include transferring equipment to the site, establishing a presence for oversight, reviewing areas requiring fencing and signage, and beginning a process for necessary care and maintenance.
As with all property throughout the District, reminders are posted to ensure the safety of everyone. Established signs remind the public of no unauthorized use and that grounds are closed between dusk and dawn. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we embark on this new chapter. Your continued support is invaluable to our success.
Information for the 2024-2025 School Year
I encourage you to monitor communication systems in anticipation of information sharing that is part of a new school year. Schedules, beginning of year events, registration opportunities, and systems of communication are being sent and made available to families. Be sure to check the typical systems of communication (email blasts, texts, etc.) and regularly check “spam” or “junk” folders should these systems inadvertently capture needed information.
I look forward to working together as we come closer to the start of the 2024-2025 School Year.
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
NYSPHSAA Announces WGHS as a Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction Winner for 2023-2024
West Genesee High School has been named a 2023-2024 Scholar-Athlete School of Distinction! Congratulations to all our Student-Athletes and Coaches. Thank you for all your hard work on and off the field!
We are so proud of our WG Student Athletes for getting the job done on the field and in the classroom!!
ParentSquare Update
As we launch the ParentSquare Communications system over the rest of this month, please be on the lookout for more information to your email, text, and eventually to the ParentSquare mobile app!
- You should have received an electronic invitation to download the ParentSquare app to your phone and to activate your account. (You will also be able to access this information from your personal computer.) If you did not receive this invitation, please email publications@westgenesee.org ,and we will follow-up on sending that email.
- Review your contact information, and you may be asked to verify your information. Please feel free to make corrections as we will be notified and will update our Student Management System (Schooltool). After we update the the Student Management System (Schooltool) the correction will show in your account. If you have any questions, please contact centralregistrar@westgenesee.org
- Receive intermittent posts and information with tips on the use of ParentSquare. (See a tip below about adjusting your Notification Settings.)
- Receive a hard copy instructional page in the mid-August mailing that will come home from your home schools.
Click here to view a quick slide deck with introductory information about ParentSquare.
The ParentSquare application is used throughout the region in many school districts. We believe this will offer authentic communication capabilities within our school community with features that include: two-way translatable messaging; direct messaging with staff; sign-up forms for events (like field trips, parent conferences, etc.); and submittal of attendance notes directly via the app.
Note: Parents who work in other school districts that use the ParentSquare format will have the ability to combine accounts, if desired, for professional use and as a parent.
*Due to the timing of establishing accounts for students after the start of the fall athletic season, fall coaches may continue with other formats during the fall season.
Please accept our continued thanks for your partnership with strong communication and relationships.
Registering New Students
For information about registering your student, go to the Registration Section of the website by clicking here. If you are not sure which school your child should attend, contact the Central Registration at 315-487-4683.
When registering, parents need to send proof of immunizations, proof of age, and proof of residency. These document copies can be sent electronically sent in or dropped off at the District Office front door.
A physical examination is also required and a dental certificate is requested for entry into kindergarten. These examinations should be done up to one year prior to the first day of school. Children who enter kindergarten this fall must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2024. Immunization requirements are located on the website by clicking here.
Central Registration is operating from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the summer, please feel free to contact their office if you need any assistance. Please use the link on the Central Registration website to register. Call our office at 315-487-4683 if you have any questions.
Fall Sports Registration Information
Information to register for fall sports is now available. Here is what you need to know:
The Athletics Department offers the convenience of online registration for athletic sports sign up and clearance through Family ID.
- V/JV Football Registration Opened - 7/19/24; Practices start - Monday, 8/19/24
- All other V/JV Fall Sports - Registration Opened - 7/26/24; Practices start - Monday, 8/26/24
- Modified 7/8/9 Fall Sports - Registration Opened - 7/28/24; Practices start- Wednesday, 8/28/24
A parent/guardian can register by clicking on this link: https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/west-genesee-central-school-district
Sign-ups on ArbiterSports are 30 days prior to the start date.
Food Support Information
Many students enjoy breakfast and lunch at school on a regular basis. It is understandable when families find it challenging to provide those meals during school vacations. Please note the following free lunch and food pantry information.
Food pantries partner with the Food Bank of CNY to provide low cost, nutritious food to those in need. The following is a list of food pantries and services available in our community to assist families. To find your appropriate food pantry location and to sign up, contact the Interreligious Food Consortium (IRC) weekdays at 315-474-8855 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Their website is: http://www.ifccny.org/.
Social Media Tips
Ways to support our youth with social media:
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.
Previously shared by: David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
Summer Reading Lists
- WGIS Summer Reading Lists for students going into Grades 5-6
- CMS Summer Reading Lists for students going into Grades 7-8
- WGHS Summer Reading lists for students going into Grades 9-11 Enriched Classes
These lists are also available from the School Links section from each school's homepage and from the school library homepages.
Calendars for 2024-2025 are Now Available Online
The online District 2024-2025 Events Calendar is now available from the website homepages. To view on a mobile device click here or to view in a grid format on a laptop click here.
You can also access the one-page District calendar by clicking here.
Note: A hardcopy of the WGCSD 2024-2025 Events Calendar/Information Guide will come home (one per family) the first week of school!
WGCSD PTA/PTO District Council Provides School Supplies to Students in Need
For 15 years, West Genesee PTA/PTO District Council has been collecting and providing school supplies to students in need. Parents/Guardians can register their students to receive supplies by clicking this link. (The forms must be completed by August 20, 2024.)
If you have questions about our program, contact us at wgschoolsupplies@gmail.com.
