Seneca School

Dear Families,

It’s hard to believe that June is just around the corner and summer is nearly here! This school year has been filled with joy, laughter, and incredible growth. Our students have blossomed academically, socially, and emotionally — and it’s been such a privilege to witness their progress. I am incredibly proud of all they’ve accomplished, and I hope you are too!

As we wrap up the school year, we look forward to celebrating your child’s many accomplishments. We’re especially excited about upcoming events such as our annual Sports Day and Flag Day, where students have the opportunity to showcase their talents and teamwork. Additionally, we will recognize the important transitions of our kindergarteners and third-graders at our Moving-Up Ceremonies.

A vital part of our school’s strength comes from the unwavering support of our parent/guardian community, especially through the incredible efforts of our PTSA. We are so fortunate to have families who generously give their time and talents to enrich the lives of all our students. Heartfelt thanks to our Seneca PTSA representatives: Crystal Deignan, Monica O'Brien, Lindsay Dryden, Jean Rollins, and Kristen Pike for fostering such a meaningful partnership between our families and our school. Their dedication and involvement have continued to make a positive impact on our entire school community.

Looking ahead to 2025–2026, we invite parents to consider joining our Shared-Decision Making Team. This collaborative group of administrators, teachers, and parents/guardians work together to develop and monitor a school-wide plan for academic growth and student success. If you’re interested in contributing to this important work, please reach out to the main office for more information—we’d love to have you involved!

As we head into the slower pace of summer, I wanted to share some simple ways you can keep your child engaged in learning—through local libraries, community groups, or simply exploring the outdoors. Summer is the perfect time to reinforce skills in fun and meaningful ways, especially when it comes to reading and math.

Here are a few enjoyable and educational ideas to try over the break:

READING ACTIVITIES
Library Visits & Summer Reading Programs: Many libraries offer summer reading programs with fun incentives. These help children stay motivated and build a love for reading. Let your child choose books that spark their interest—even if they seem "too easy." Easier books help develop fluency and confidence.

Reading Challenges & Journals: Create a summer reading challenge with a book list and small rewards for reaching goals. Encourage your child to keep a reading journal where they can write summaries, draw scenes, or share their thoughts on each story.

Book Clubs: Start a mini book club with your child and a few friends! Weekly meetups to discuss the book, share opinions, or act out favorite scenes can make reading a social and exciting adventure—for both kids and adults!

MATH ACTIVITIES
Math Games & Apps: Try out fun and educational apps like Khan Academy Kids, Prodigy, or Math Playground. Board games like Monopoly, Yahtzee or even card games can reinforce counting, strategy, and number sense.

Cooking & Baking Together: Cooking is a great way to practice real-life math! Measuring ingredients introduces fractions and multiplication. Challenge your child to adjust recipes by doubling or halving them—it’s both tasty and educational.

Outdoor Math Fun: Use sidewalk chalk to draw math problems, shapes, or number lines. Create hopscotch games that include solving problems before jumping. Exploring nature? Count items, estimate distances, or look for patterns—math is everywhere!

We wish you a summer full of sunshine, discovery, and delightful learning moments—along with plenty of popsicles and smiles! Enjoy your families and have a safe, joyful break!

In partnership,

Alicia Spitz

Principal: Alicia Spitz | alicia_spitz@westiron.monroe.edu

Secretary: Connie Iglewski | connie_iglewski@westiron.monroe.edu

Main office: 585-336-1620
Health office: 585-336-1628

Fax: 585-336-1621

Transportation: 585-336-2992 | Website

District Office: 585-342-5500

District website: westirondequoit.org

Email: connie_iglewski@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: https://seneca.westirondequoit.org/
Location: 4143 Saint Paul Boulevard, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-336-1620
X/Twitter: @Spitzy19

SENECA FULL CALENDAR

June

6: PTSA Carnival 6:00 PM

10: Third Grade Culture Fair 9:00 AM

11: Kickball game

13: Flag Day 8:45 AM

19: NO SCHOOL- Observe Juneteenth

20: Kindergarten Celebration 1:30 PM

23: 3rd Grade Recognition 1:00 PM

24: Sports Day

25: Last Day of School (1/2 day release @ 11:30 AM)

NEW: Click banner above to see the 2025-26 school calendar!

If your child is going to be late or absent from school, please call or email the office by 9 a.m. each morning of the absence.

If a student is changing their dismissal/pick up routine, please send in a note that morning or call before 12:00 p.m. Call (585) 336-1620 or email: connie_iglewski@westiron.monroe.edu

On Thursday, June 19th we will celebrate Juneteenth, a national holiday in honor of the end of slavery in the United States. There is no school that day. Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, agency, culture and humanity. In recent years our district’s Humanities team developed resources to support teachers and students in learning about Juneteenth. As is done with other holidays, students will engage in age-appropriate learning experiences to build their understanding of Juneteenth and concepts about being change makers, using their voice and the meaning of freedom. Below are links to resources to support meaningful discussions at home! We hope you find them helpful.

What is Juneteenth? – Juneteenth World Wide Celebration

PBS: All About Holidays: Juneteenth

In our district, K-6 teachers and staff use a variety of thoughtful approaches to help students feel confident and prepared as they move up to the next grade. While the transitions from kindergarten to first grade, third to fourth grade, and sixth to seventh grade are more structured, all staff work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition for all.

Third graders in each neighborhood school will have an opportunity to either visit Rogers Middle School or Iroquois MS via an in-person tour. Additionally, sixth-grader Rogers & Iroquois will visit Dake Jr. HS (grades 7-8). Along with the transition support available to all students, we also provide additional, personalized support to help students with disabilities have a smooth and successful move to the next grade.

Additional Supports for Students with Disabilities:

• IEP Transition Planning: During the May Department Meeting, school teams meet to share important IEP information with staff from the next grade level.

• Collaborative Team Meetings: In May and June, next year’s teachers and related service providers are invited to team meetings to discuss student needs and transition plans.

• Cross-Building Support: For students moving to a new school building, staff from the receiving school visit current classrooms to observe and get to know more about incoming students. During these visits, teachers often make a point to connect with students who they might teach the following year. Families and students transitioning to a new building to receive special education programming have the opportunity to visit the new school prior to the new school year.

• Family Support: Families needing extra help with transitions are encouraged to contact their school counselor or Joanna Rowe, K–6 Director of Student Services.

• STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Fun in physical education - it's a natural, right?! Just like Brian Maginn, who keeps class moving for his elementary students at Brookview and Seneca schools. “Whether it’s a high-energy game, a new challenge, or just a good old-fashioned relay race, Brian knows how to make movement fun and meaningful!” says his Principal, Alicia Spitz. Thanks for all you do Mr. Maginn! We’re glad you’re on our team!
• POSITION: P.E. Teacher, Brookview & Seneca schools
• WICSD SERVICE: 15 years
• HOMETOWN: A Greece native who graduated from Greece Odyssey, he now lives in Henrietta. He is also a proud alum of St. Bonaventure University.
• WHAT’S MY WHY? “I became a Physical Education teacher because I’ve always been passionate about sports and physical fitness. I enjoy having the opportunity to share my love of athletics and promoting a healthy lifestyle with my students. Throughout my career in West Irondequoit, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some amazing colleagues who have inspired me to become a better educator.”
• WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “Along with proudly repping the Buffalo Bills every chance he gets, Brian is a PE All-Star! He splits time between two schools and somehow makes it look easy! Brian brings unmatched energy, positivity and structure to every single class, turning PE into one of the most loved parts of the day for our students.” – Principal, Alicia Spitz.

Seneca staff would like to thank all of our generous families for making Staff Appreciation Week memorable! The week turned into a whole month of spoiling the staff with daily treats! We felt the love!! Thank you!!

Attention third grade parents- busing eligibility changes when your students move on to Iroquois.
Transportation to and from regular school sessions is provided for resident pupils who live within the following mileage limits as measured between school and home using our transportation software by the nearest available route (public highway):

• Grades K-3All students
• Grades 4-6 More than 1.5 miles
• Grades 7-8 More than 2 miles
• Grades 9-12 More than 3 miles
• All levels - maximum of 15 miles

If you have any questions, please call the transportation office at 336-6742

West Irondequoit residents approved the 2025-26 School District Budget and two propositions in the District Vote on May 20th at the St. Paul Boulevard Fire Department. Incumbents Mrs. Melissa Bohrer and Mr. Matthew Sullivan were also re-elected to the Board of Education for new three-year terms. Full story at this link.

Thank you to everyone who participated as a voter and thanks to our dedicated volunteers who helped on Vote Day!

The Irondequoit Community Cupboard is available to help any Irondequoit families in need. It can provide 7 days worth of food once every 30 days. This includes non-perishable items, fresh produce, eggs, cheese, and a choice of meat. The ICC, located at 2841 Culver Road, has snacks for children and offers school supplies year-round, gently used warm coats, hats and gloves. Holiday help for Thanksgiving and Christmas is also available. Distribution days are Tuesday & Saturday mornings, by appointment. If you are in need of assistance, please call (585) 336-9107. For other inquiries, email info@irondequoitcommunitycupboard.org. Website: irondequoitcommunitycupboard.org

Try something different on Tuesday, June 17th at Helmer Nature Center. Try some Outdoor Family Yoga & a Hike with Jen from Root To Bossom Yoga. This fun-filled family yoga session will be followed by a guided hike along one of HNC's scenic trails! Families can stretch, breathe and move together during yoga and then do the same exploring the great outdoors.

This is open to all experience levels - no prior yoga or hiking is required! Please bring water, a yoga mat (if you have one), comfortable clothes for movement, and your sense of adventure! The cost is $25 per adult/child pair ($5 per additional family member). The event is from 5:30-6:45 PM (rain date is 6/24). You must register because space is limited. Use this link: https://forms.gle/uu3GYCtUBaQeer557

Parents/guardians,

Do you:

• Have a new cell/work phone number or email?

• Switched phone carriers recently?

• Need to update your emergency contacts?

Please keep us informed of any changes to numbers or emergency contact info. Update it directly in the Infinite Campus Portal or send a note with your child.

WHY YOUR MOBILE NUMBER IS CRITICAL

Our system does NOT default if you have just one field filled (Home/Work/Mobile). Best practice: Whatever number you receive calls on, put that in the HOME field; for text messages, put that number in the MOBILE field even if the same number.

If your mobile number is not in the correct field, you will not receive text messages from our school/district for emergencies (such as school closings in winter months).

What is PASSN? It stands for Parent Advocates for Student Service Network and is a sub-committee of PTSA. It's made up of district parent advocates of students who receive support through West Irondequoit Student Services. What to expect from PASSN meetings in 2025:

• Self-direction for students
• Self-care and stress relief for parents/caregivers
• Transition teams for students moving up in the district or graduating
• Bullying (joined by counselors from the district)
• Supporting neurotypical siblings
• Preventing parent/caregiver burnout
• Embracing and celebrating our individual students
• Sensory input/output techniques (with a greater community professional)
• General coping and communication strategies

Please reach out to Hailey Austin with any questions or for further information at haileyzcomet93@gmail.com.