A Note from Dr. Whipple
March 4, 2024
Xanadu Premier!
The kids have been hard at work putting together this year's musical, Xanadu. It's a whimsical story built on Greek mythology, music of the eighties and an appreciation of the arts. Opening night on Thursday is a $5 Special for Students! Hope you can make one of the show times listed below!
DCIP Committee - PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
We are looking for 2 parents of HS students to participate in the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP). Please see below for the meeting dates and an outline of the work to be done.
March 21, 5pm - 7:00pm: In person, dinner provided - Envision: Vision, Values, & Aspirations
March 26, 7pm - 8pm: Zoom - Analyzing Internal & External Data
April 18, 5pm - 7:00pm: In person, dinner provided - Analyzing Survey Data
March 23, 7pm - 8pm: Zoom - Analyze: Tenet 1 Systems and Structures
May 13, 5pm - 7:00pm: In person, dinner provided - SCEP Plan Development
May 21, 5pm - 7:00pm: In person, dinner provided - SCEP Plan Development
May 29, 5pm - 7:00pm: In person, dinner provided - DCIP Plan Development
June 25, 5pm - 7:00pm: In person, dinner provided - DCIP Plan Development
Please let us know if you are interested!
Advocacy on Behalf of Gananda Students
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. That’s why we’re 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 this link.
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 Governor’s office counts EVERY letter, so let your voice be heard for our students.
Thank you in advance for your efforts.
- Gananda Board of Education
#GanandaPROUD
Congratulations to our Varsity Cheer for their 2nd place finish in State Championships this weekend! What a great season and amazing accomplishment!!
A very cool interdisciplinary project. Students illustrating their children's books that they wrote in Senora Smith's Gemini Spanish 4 in Ms. Mottler's Drawing & Painting class.
Gananda Rotary Citizen of the Month Nomination
Gananda Rotary is interested in continuing to participate in our student of the month program by honoring a student who has demonstrated service in school or the community. If you would like to nominate a student, you may do so by completing this form.
Panther Paw Submission Form for our Seniors!
Seniors! As we progress into the academic year, don't forget to please complete a Panther Paw Submission Form when you have been accepted into a college/trade school/military branch/apprenticeship program. We will hang a Panther Paw on the #GanandaGoals wall as you enter the building to celebrate your accomplishment! PANTHER PAW Submission Form
Once you've made your decision, then fill out this new little form on the Counseling website so we know about what you've committed to. We want to celebrate you!!!
Tutoring Services by National Honor Society
National Honor Society students are now offering tutoring help for any high school students looking for help in science and/or writing. We will be offering tutoring both during advisement and after school on certain days.
All tutoring will be held in room 131. Students can use this Google form to sign up. It is not necessary to sign up, but it will help to ensure we have the right students and enough students available to help.
Defensive Driving Classes
College & Career Exploration Opportunities
Interested in the field of law? This may be the perfect opportunity for you! See the attached poster and set up an appointment with Mrs. Marang if interested.
FLCC Athletics & eSports Showcase Day - 3/9
March 9th @ 9am - Canandaigua Campus
Learn about :
- Finger Lakes Community College
- Collegiate Competitive eSports
- Degree Programs with Gaming
- Gaming Lab and Facilities
Speak With:
- Athletics Leadership Members
- eSports Faculty Members
- eSports Student Leadership Members
Please pre-register as soon as possible using this link, we're looking forward to meeting all of you! - https://connect.flcc.edu/portal/Athletics-Showcase/1000
Wayne Technical and Career Center Open House - 3/14
If you are interested in the trades, please make sure to check out the Open House at WTCC on March 14 from 6:00-8:00pm. They have a wide variety of programs that students can earn a professional certification/credential in and lead to career opportunities right out of high school. For more info, check out their website here.
Virtual College Fair Opportunity - 3/24 & 4/21
Registration is open for the Spring NACAC Virtual College Fairs. You and your student are invited to attend. The virtual fair is a great opportunity to connect with hundreds of colleges and universities - all from the comfort of your own home.
The fairs feature College MatchMaking®. At the time of registration, students will select the attributes that are most important to them in a college. They will receive an email that best matches them to specific colleges and universities based on the criteria they provided. Virtual fairs will be on Sunday, March 24 and Sunday, April 21 from 1:00pm - 6:00pm ET.
These virtual fairs are complimentary to attend. You may register here.
If you have any questions, please contact collegefairs@nacacnet.org.
Health Careers Opportunity Program - due 5/6
Attention Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors!
Western NY Rural-AHEC (WNY R-AHEC), in collaboration with D’Youville University will be hosting a brand-new Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP Camp) this summer. If you have students (rising 10th, 11th, & 12th graders) that are interested in the healthcare field, we invite them to apply to the summer program by clicking here. The camp will take place 3 days a week during the weeks of July 9th to August 15th.
This is a PAID opportunity for students who are accepted into the program. Applications are due no later than Monday, May 6th, 2024.
Exploring Program
EXPLORING provides exciting activities and one-on-one mentorship for high school aged students to discover their future by having them “try a career on for size!”
Young people ages 14-20 can explore their career interests in a hands-on real-world environment with professionals in that field. There are Explorer Posts for areas in
- advanced manufacturing
- aviation
- cosmetology
- culinary
- engineering
- firematics/EMS
- health care
- law enforcement/legal
- military
- skilled trades
- sports management
- veterinary, and many more!
Mrs. Marang is our EXPLORERS contact and can help you research options and complete an application! Find out about upcoming Open Houses and events this Fall HERE.
Scholarship & Financial Aid Opportunities
Finley Scholarship due 3/4/24
The Finley Scholarship is now part of the Consolidated Application within the New Scholarship Portal at Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Applicants will qualify for the Finley Scholarship once confirming they are:
- A high school senior
- Plan to attend an accredited two-year, four-year, or technical school
- Live in the town of Walworth (there is a link to a map on the scholarship page)
The link to the RACF scholarship portal is listed above as well as in the ‘Application Process’ section of the Finley Scholarship page on the RACF website.
Applicants can click the link to the new portal and start by creating an account. Look for the Consolidated Application to apply for the Finley Scholarship and over 40 other scholarship opportunities! The deadline for submission is March 4, 2024.
All technical questions can be directed to scholarships@racf.org.
Young Women of Distinction Award due 3/10
Brought to Rochester in 2000 by the Women's Council, the Young Women of Distinction Award is presented to high school senior women who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to community service while letting their creativity shine through their individual submissions. The award embodies the Women’s Council’s belief that young women with promise today will become tomorrow’s leaders.
We are pleased to accept submissions from any young woman who is a high school senior. Successful applicants will have a strong academic record, involvement in extracurricular activities, and a strong desire to improve their community.
This year’s application process will consist of an essay & video submission – further details provided in the link below. Four cash scholarships, up to $2500 each, will once again be given to four recipients. If any of your female seniors contribute time and energy to their community, are leaders among their peers, and are interested in scholarship money to further their education beyond high school, have them review the attached flyer for submission requirements. They could become one of this year’s Young Women of Distinction!
Applications Open through March 10, 2024
Eastman School of Music Lowry Award
Applicants must be music students who are high school seniors who will be enrolling in college as matriculated students in an accredited music program. One winner will be selected, and will receive a $2,000 award. They will also have the opportunity to perform at an Induction Ceremony in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater! (May 5, 2024)
The deadline for submission is March 15, 2024.
Any questions may be directed to Bill Baldwin at wbaldwin60@gmail.com. The application can also be found online at: http://rochestermusic.org/douglas-lowry-award.
Neighborhood Acting Company Scholarship due 3/15/24
Have you participated in NAC in Ontario County? If so, you are eligible to apply for a scholarship for students graduating from Wayne County High Schools. Any involvement - cast, crew, pit, etc. are all eligible to apply!
Application may be found HERE. Deadline: March 15th, 2024.
Wayne Technical & Career Center due 4/1/24
Students interested in attending the Wayne Technical Center next year will need to complete the attached Application by April 1st. If you would like a paper copy please stop by the Counseling Office to pick one up. The Tech Center presentation is also attached below for your review. If you have any questions regarding the Tech Center, please make an appointment with your counselor.
Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing Applications due 6/1/24
The 10-month Licensed Practical Nurse program at Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing (mswspn.com) and the two-year Associates Degree in Registered Nursing program at Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing & Health Sciences (flhcon.edu) have both EXTENDED THEIR APPLICATION DEADLINE!
They will now consider applications submitted until JUNE 1st! Applications are being accepted until June 1, 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic calendar. Potential students are encouraged to call (315) 787-4005 or email admissions@flhcon.edu for each program! (Students interested in the paid Certified Nursing Assistant Training program should call 315-787-4039.)
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Application
The New York State TAP Application will open on November 1, 2023, for the 2024-25 academic year. Students do not need to wait for the FAFSA release in December to apply for TAP. Students who will be attending college in the Fall of 2024 can jumpstart the NYS financial aid process by visiting www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap.html for more information or on November 1 to complete the application.
Mid Year Transcript Requests
If you have received notifications from Colleges/Universities that you have applied to requiring an updated transcript, please note the Counseling Office will automatically upload updated documents to Common App after midterms and grades are finalized in Infinite Campus. If you have applied to Institutions that are not on Common App, please let us know as we will send your updated information directly to that College.
Ms. Bertram (L-Z) and Mrs. Kelleher (A-K)
Reporting Absences & Extended Student Absences Work Request
Absences need to be reported to the school health office by the parent/guardian of the student. This may be done so online by completing this form.
If your student will miss an extended period of time during the school year, please make sure they complete this Extended Student Absences Work Request form. This form should be completed a minimum of 2 weeks in advance if it is a planned absence. Students who have an excused absence will have one day for each day absent to make up work. Students who have an unexcused absence will have no additional time to complete work. Please note that family vacations are considered unexcused absences.
Senior Trip Info
See below for Senior Trip info. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Zebulske or Mrs. Chevier.
HELP WANTED!
Math LTS - We are looking for a long-term substitute to teach math from now until the end of the school year. If you know someone who might be interested, they may apply here.
Substitute Teachers - We are always looking for people to help cover teachers when they are out. This can be a great opportunity for someone trying to break into the field of education. If you or someone you know might be interested please apply here.
Dollars for Scholars is looking for volunteers to help support this great scholarship program available to our students. If you are interested in helping them out, please contact them at gdfscholars@gananda.org.
Parking Lot Traffic Pattern
Also, student parking is the last two rows of the front lot. Students, please be sure to stick to these spots to help with the flow of traffic and to reserve the front rows for our travelling staff.
Appreciate everyone's help on this!
Winter Weather Reminder: School Closing Policy
Please read the attached letter from Dr. Van Scoy to understand the decision process for potential snow days and weather-related delays for Gananda Central School District.
Important Upcoming Dates
3/7, 7pm, HS Auditorium - Xanadu Opening Night!
- Other Show Times:
- 3/8 - 7pm
- 3/9 - 1pm, 7pm
3/8 - 25 Week Interim Report Published
3/11 - Spring Sports Begin
3/15 - Superintendent's Conference Day (No school for students)
3/15-3/16 - 7-12 Instrumental All-County Festival
3/29-4/8 - Spring Recess
Respectfully,
Dr. Christopher J. Whipple
Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154
Ms. Mairi Greibus
Assistant Principal
(315) 986-3521 ext. 3154