Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
In recent days, there have been many various events and recognitions that are completely different from one another. What they share is the outstanding effort, ongoing resiliency, and commitment to hard work that yields positive results. I’d like to share them with you.
Interviews
Camillus Middle School students in Career and Financial Management classes were tasked with participating in a mock interview. More than 130 students prepared for an assigned time with one of the 48 adults serving as interviewers in search of a new barista at a coffee shop. Their charge was to ready themselves for questions and present themselves for the experience; time, location, dress, introductions, responding to questions, and engaging in discussion. It makes my heart race a bit writing this similar to the natural feeling of an on-demand interview.
The students performed wonderfully! They put the pieces together for advocating and convincing a future employer without seeming to brag. They responded to their character strengths with supporting examples. They identified growth areas (a.k.a. “weaknesses”) to illustrate their willingness to continue to learn. These are young people that are going to go places and make a difference. Thank you to everyone participating, Joanne Tomi for creating the experience, and to the student-interviewees who impressed us all. Well done, Wildcats!
A Wildcat First
A group of student-athletes expressed interest, worked with coaches, gathered to coordinate, and are now a functioning team. Congratulations to our new Girls Wrestling program who hosted their first match this week. Their determination and all-out effort switched to full when facing their opponent and at the sound of the whistle.
A conversation on the sidelines referenced the future when the members of this group will likely attend a sporting event years from now. That conversation will most certainly include a reflection of “I was on the very first Girls’ Wrestling team in the history of West Genesee”… and they are deserving of such accolades. Thank you to coaches, parents, and all supporters and congratulations WG Girls’ Wrestlers!
Rolling their Sleeves Up
A Superintendent Student Advisory Committee was created in recent years. At approximately the same time, students became members of the Strategic Planning Team, now known as the District Guiding Coalition. In both of these settings, there are representatives from each grade level, and they are involved in important topics of District and building growth, assume leadership responsibilities, and use their voice to make a difference.
West Genesee is often referenced as a special place. Students giving their time in this type of service is emblematic of that very term. They take an extraordinary level of involvement in a stride that suggests typical. It is not, but it does set the tone of “that’s what we do here...” because it is a special place.
Hard Work and Skill Set
An impressive amount of time developing craft is connected to many of our students’ experiences. Participating in our Visual Arts programs is no exception. What can be described as a talent, and it is, deserves the credit of a commitment and hard work that develops across time.
This year’s wishes of a "Joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year" will include the names of Aaron Rider, Board President, along with my name to represent the West Genesee Board of Education and Administrators, respectively. The real names to look for are those of the two students selected for their creation that will be shared with community and staff. Congratulations Lilianna Martin and Sarah Sullivan and thank you for adding to this wonderful season in this special place.
Julie and I send best wishes of a wonderful holiday season to you and your family.
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
Musicians Selected for the Senior All-County Concerts
Forty West Genesee High School musicians will perform in the Senior High All-County Festival on January 10-11, 2025 at West Genesee High School. The senior high group includes grades 10-12.
West Genesee students that will perform in the choir are:
Soprano-Laura Anastasio, Samantha Bullock, Sarai Card, Natalia Fiacchi, Lila Hennessy, Olivia Tarolli, Audra Vine
Alto-Sophia Artymovych, Marya Bestul, Anna Drogo, Elizabeth Dunham, Sophia Knowlton
Tenor-Liam Battaglia, John Diem, Micah Schuessler
Bass-Reis Cleland, Mark Gabello,Travis Jacuk, Max Nolan, John Panek, Ryan Popp
Band members from West Genesee who will perform are:
Alto Saxophone-Benjamin Korzeniewski
Flute-Mia Kotlarz
Bass Clarinet-Senyo Nyadedzor
Bb Clarinet-Giovanni Capria, Maxim Mostriansky
French Horn-Georgia Dziedzic, Layla MacArthur
Oboe-Amelia Vezey
Piano-John Diem
Snare Drum-Audrey Diddle
Trombone-Riley Bullock
Trumpet-Harrison Card, Ethan Gage
Tuba-Jack Dotzler
The West Genesee students performing in the orchestra will be:
Viola-Jocelyn Andrews, Devin Dantuono
Violin-Abigail Marchesani, Kote McLaughlin, Randal Smith
Esports Team Make Playoffs!
Congratulations to the following WGHS Esports teams who made playoffs this season! We hit a new record by having a West Genesee team qualify for playoffs in each game title we compete in. Great job Wildcats!!
- New York Region Semifinals - Mario Kart 8 - Renji Wickens (Captain), Andrew LaRocca, Chase Serfer, Devin Puccia, Dylan Wainwright, Evan Grebenevich
- New York Region Playoffs - Super Smash Brothers Ultimate - Tony Cannata (Captain), Anthony Connelly, Braydon Manley, Jakob DiMauro
- Mid-Atlantic Region Playoffs - Splatoon 3 - Tony Cannata (Captain), Dylan Wainwright, Everleigh Falchi, Jakob DiMauro, Margaret Cohen
- Mid-Atlantic Region Playoffs - Overwatch 2 - Renji Wickens (Captain), Ariel Benitez, Charles Mellan, James Glassford, Zachary Stevens
Fall 2024 Athletes are Scholars
Congratulations to all TEN of the fall teams for qualifying as Scholar Athletes: Boys Golf, Boys Soccer, Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Girls Soccer, Girls Swimming/Diving, Girls Volleyball, Girls Tennis, Football, and Cheerleading.
To receive a Scholar-Athlete Team award, 75% of the roster must have a GPA of 90 or above.
#GoWildcats #WildcatPride
CMS Students Start Reading Program
On November 25, 2024 Camillus Middle School students participated in Story Squad, our growing reading program. Our project began when Maria Topinko, an 8th grade student at Camillus Middle School, started the Story Squad project last year when she came to Tanja Cosentino and asked if we could do something kind for our friends in Alison Marshall's 12:1:1 classroom.
She has since created and successfully launched the "Story Squad" program, where students from Cosentino's room collaborate with students in Marshall's room each month. During our most recent reading day, 17 students participated!
Paige's Pajamarama throughout the District
On Friday, November 15, 2024 students throughout our District were invited to wear their pajamas to school in support of Paige's Butterfly Run, helping kids in the fight against cancer.
For a donation of just $1 or spare change, students were able to participate and contribute to pediatric cancer research and patient programs at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. The grand total of donations collected districtwide for Pajamarama was $6,647.44!
We extend a sincere thank you to everyone who participated!
Climate Surveys
Our District values your feedback! On December 2, 2024 we sent you a brief survey to tell us about your experience with the West Genesee Central School District. To ensure we continue to provide high quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of our learners and prepare them for college and career, we need your feedback.
We thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses as they inform our Strategic Planning decision-making processes. The survey window will be open until December 16, 2024.
- East Hill Elementary School
- Onondaga Road Elementary School
- Split Rock Elementary School
- Stonehedge Elementary School
- West Genesee Intermediate School
- Camillus Middle School
- West Genesee High School
NOTE: If you have children in multiple buildings in the district, you are welcome to complete a survey for each building.
Mark Your Calendars! WINTER 2025 Sports Start Dates
- Modified: Boys 7/8 Swimming, Girls 7/8/9 Basketball, 7/8 Wrestling, 7/8 Boys Volleyball. - 1/21/25 (Winter 2)
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.
Tickets are NOW AVAILABLE for the WGHS production of Disney's The Little Mermaid
Tickets are NOW AVAILABLE for the WGHS production of Disney's The Little Mermaid at wgfinearts.ludus.com or the WG Fine Arts Office!! Come join us "Under the Sea" February 6-8, 2025!!
Join the West Genesee Culture Celebration on March 1, 2025!
The Annual Culture Celebration will be held at West Genesee High School on Saturday, March 1, 2024 from 12:00-3:00 p.m in the upper gymnasium. The annual West Genesee Culture Celebration is an exciting opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of the West Genesee Central School District and the broader Camillus community.
This special event highlights the many cultures that make up our community through performances and table displays by students, families, and community groups.
Last year’s event featured an array of contributions, including: Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Tearney's Martial Arts, Folk and Irish Dancers, Social Justice Coalition, and displays on South Korean, Palestinian, and Bulgarian heritage.
We want your culture to be part of this year’s celebration! Whether through a performance or a table display sharing your traditions, history, and heritage, we encourage as many families and groups as possible to participate.
For more information or to sign up, contact: Meghan Leonardis, West Genesee High School Admin Intern, mleonardis@westgenesee.org,
315-487-4673
Let’s make this celebration a true reflection of our multicultural community and foster a culture of inclusion in our schools. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Emergency Closing Information is Important
Announcements about school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissal will be posted on the News Headlines section of the District website home page. They will also be broadcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the list of stations which you can access by clicking here.
Also, ParentSquare communications software allows us to send emails, texts, and make phone calls. (Phone calls will be used for emergency situations only.)
Parent/Guardians and staff will NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in Schooltool. (You will have the option to opt-out if you choose not to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls. To receive texts, you also have to opt-in per the instructions in the Tips article below. )
