Notes from the WGIS Principal

Dear WGIS Families,

Happy New Year! I hope all of our WGIS families and community had an enjoyable Holiday Recess. As students returned to the building, there were many smiles and excited stories about adventures over break and time with friends and family. We have enjoyed a great week where students have been able to get into their routines again without missing a beat. We also had time with each team to revisit out "Wildcat Way" expectations, talking specifically about physical safety and academic success which starts with our goal of being in school every day, all day!

Of course, the weather also played a significant role this week. From the weather conditions Tuesday and Wednesday to our closure on Thursday which unfortunately meant the cancellation of our trip to the dome. I would remind everyone that at the end of the week, we can be thankful that we were all able to stay safe here at WGIS and while our trip cancelation was disappointing, we are always looking for new opportunities for our WGIS students.

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 13th:

Wildcat Steam Group, Battle of the Books, Student Council

Wednesday January 15th:

Blue Steam Group, Board Games Club, Genny Journal

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 kindness throughout the week. Congratulations to Liv, Braydon, Ethan and Cecilia, our Positivity Paw winners !

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.

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the entire student body of WGIS was scheduled to travel to the JMA Wireless Dome to watch an SU Women's Basketball game!Unfortunately, we had a snow day. However, Syracuse Athletics has reached out to offer all students who were planning on attending the game a free ticket to a future game. We will share that information once we receive it. Although we won't be able to go see a game together as an entire WGIS community, we appreciate this offer from SU so students can still go experience a game!

A thank you to everyone dropping off and picking up for your patience and safe driving during out arrival and dismissal times. Winter weather slows everything down and safety of everyone is paramount, so thank you for the extra care and time taken this week to keep everyone safe.

As a reminder, students can go outside for recess when the "real feel" temperature is above 20 degrees. In order to go outside however, students must have proper clothing on to keep them safe outside. This includes proper footwear, pants and a coat.

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__

• Monday January 20, 2025 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School

• Friday January 24, 2025 - Last day of 2nd Marking Period

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

• February 17-21 - February Break - No School