
West Genesee District e-Newsletter
January 27, 2023
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Recently, a friend shared a story with me regarding a past music director. He said he remembered being told that “if you can’t hear others around you, you are singing too loud”. He understood the meaning at the time, however the lesson translates to other situations beyond a choir. We have to listen to other’s ideas, perspectives, and suggestions. If we are too loud, even figuratively, we may miss valuable contributions.
To extend the analogy, the overall performance of life will be inhibited if we “out sing” other harmonies, countermelodies, rhythmic cadence, and underlying pulse, to name a few. I would add that this also applies to those with whom we may disagree. In the music example, a complicated chord or notes in dissonance, that could make you temporarily cringe, have purpose toward the overall piece. Whether the conflicting notes are then resolved or an impact is enhanced, music reminds us that we grow from variety, diversity, and opposition. Of course, that is only true if we listen. My mom taught me the reason we have two ears and one mouth is to listen twice as much as you talk.
Thanks to those of you who attended the recent “Talk with the Superintendent” session. These chances to interact are an additional way to discuss progress, ask and answer questions, and serve as another vehicle for communication. It was a pleasure to review many of the student and staff accomplishments this year and to further challenge ourselves with ideas for improvement.
You may have noticed that West Genesee Board of Education Meetings are “going on the road”. Our typical meeting spot is at West Genesee High School. This year, a meeting is being held at each of the other six school buildings. The Study Session part of our agenda will be led by the school principal and includes topics such as building implementation of District Initiatives, program updates, and most importantly, building points of pride. It is a nice change of routine and chance to more formally operate in all parts of our District.
Enjoy the interesting stories and student accomplishments in the articles below. The e-Newsletter is helpful for reminders and information, but it is also a sure way to celebrate wonderful news. Thank you for your continued support as we remain West Genesee Stronger Together!
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
WGHS Juniors are Unsung Heroes
Congratulations to West Genesee High School juniors Trinity Brumfield and Camille Ogden for being named Syracuse University 2023 Unsung Heroes for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration!
Trinity Brumfield and Camille Ogden represent a generation of young, Black women who embody the life and legacy of Dr. King through their vision, efforts and commitment to diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility.
Brumfield and Ogden seek to be advocates for justice in their high school. Currently juniors at West Genesee High School, they attempt to pursue change with diligence and positivity.
Founding members and co-presidents of Umoja, a student-led group at West Genesee High School that was created to actively unite students of all races around issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, Brumfield and Ogden believe they are beneficiaries of the legacies of previous generations of change-makers. They have been certified and trained through the Student Coalition on Race Equity, an initiative that accesses the talent and skills of students to eliminate racism in their community, starting in their own school district. Over the course of four weeks, Brumfield and Ogden were provided in-depth training in three core topic areas: implicit bias, white privilege and Black history. (The above three paragraphs are excerpted from the Syracuse University Campus & Community News article. Their full article is linked below.)
To read more about these amazing students and this honor click here.
WGHS to Present the Musical Nice Work If You Can Get It: Get Your Tickets Now!
West Genesee High School will present Nice Work If You Can Get It, by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark, LLC., on Thursday, February 2 and Friday, February 3 at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
A hilarious screwball comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It pokes fun at the Prohibition era in a clash of elegant socialites and boorish bootleggers, all set to the glorious songs of George and Ira Gershwin. Highlights from the score include "Fascinating Rhythm," "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Sweet and Low Down," "Delishious" and the title song. (Description excerpt credited to www.concordtheatricals.com).
The musical is directed by Kristyn Sperduti, produced by Andrea Scerbo, and is choreographed by Bradley Benjamin-Stone. Anthony Alvaro is music director, William Mercer, Jr., is lighting director, Donald Schuessler is technical director, Logan Battaglia is director's assistant, Camdyn McNeil is dance captain, and costumed by Cindy Kissane. (Photo credit for the picture of the dancers at the top of this article goes to Dave Mason.)
Tickets are $15, all seats reserved, and are available by clicking here. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Fine Arts Office.
Click here for full article on the website that includes cast information.
It Happened at School....Not Your Typical Vending Machine at Stonehedge
At Stonehedge there now is a fun, creative way to encourage students to read. The Stonehedge PTA is sponsoring new vending machines for our students! These new vending machines are filled with BOOKS!
The vending machine will be used as a school-wide incentive, where students can earn a golden token for positive behavior and good character. The token can be used in the book vending machine to select a book to read.
The vending machine will be filled with a variety of books that meet our students' reading needs. Once a student receives a golden token, they will place the token in the vending machine and pick a book. The book they choose is theirs to take home!
Meet the Community Oriented Drug Education (C.O.D.E.) Officer Diane Brand
We would like to welcome back Officer Diane Brand who has been the C.O.D.E. (Community Oriented Drug Education) Officer for grades K-5 for 15 years.
The C.O.D.E. program was developed in 1996 as an alternative to the DARE program, focusing on the issues present in, and the needs specific to, the Camillus community. It is a collaborative effort between the Camillus Police Department and the West Genesee School District.
Originally offered as an 8-week program for 5th grade students, its focus was on drug and alcohol awareness, bullying prevention, internet safety, and self esteem. Changes in New York State Education Law resulted in a review and revision of the program in 2012 to include grades K-5, and additional topics. Currently, students in grades K-4 attend four assemblies throughout the school year with age-appropriate topics.
Officer Brand graduated from Skaneateles High School then went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. She returned to the Central New York area upon graduation, and accepted a position as a police officer with the Town of Clay Police Department. Her duties and responsibilities included serving as the Property and Evidence Officer, Juvenile Officer, Training Officer, and Accreditation Program Manager. She retired from that department after 21 years of service, at the rank of Sergeant, to accept a full-time teaching position in the Criminal Justice Department at Oswego State University, where she currently still teaches. She was retired from law enforcement for less than a year, when the former Camillus Police Chief, Thomas Winn, offered her a part-time position with the Camillus Police Department assuming the position of C.O.D.E. Officer.
In addition to being the C.O.D.E. Officer, she and her husband Ken, who is a retired lifetime member and past Deputy Chief of the Moyers Corners Fire Department, are the proud parents of their daughter Whitney. Whitney has followed in the footsteps of her parents’ public service, and is an Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy. Officer Brand also enjoys swimming and spending time outdoors with her German Shepherd, Moose.
Onondaga Road Elementary School Principal Jeannette Clark shared, “Officer Brand is a long standing member of our WG Wildcat family. She has gotten to know our students from each building over the years and continues to communicate to staff and families alike. Officer Brand has been a valuable resource to us over the years, connecting us to other community organizations for support as well. We value her insight and her dedication to our West Genesee community.”
Click here to read the full article that includes the focus of the program for each grade level.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Registration is Open!
West Genesee partners with local Community-Based Organizations (CBO) for its Pre-K program. Currently, there is one classroom at Split Rock Elementary and 5 classrooms with our CBOs. The number of available seats is dependent on the UPK allocation the District receives from NYS. The State Budget is adopted on or near April 1.
To be eligible for UPK during the 2023-2024 school year, a child must:
- Have a birthdate between December 2, 2018 and December 1, 2019
- Reside in the West Genesee Central School District
In the event that more registrations are received than can be accommodated, the District will conduct an initial selection process via an open lottery in which children will be selected at random.
Those children who have completed the registration process by March 17 will be part of the initial selection process.
Families who are part of the initial selection process will be called in order of selection and informed:
- whether their child has been accepted to the program, and
- which site (including hours of the program) is available for their child;
OR
- where their child is on the waiting list.
Families will be contacted by April 14, 2023.
If at any point after the initial selection process there are more students registered than seats available, students will be placed on the waiting list in the order that their registration was completed.
Transportation to and from the program is the responsibility of parents/guardians, and students must attend the program five days a week to maintain their seat.
Look for registration information on the Central Registration webpage at: https://www.westgenesee.org/district-services/registration/. If you have any questions, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call Central Registration at (315) 487-4683.
When registering, parents should be prepared to upload the following:
- proof of residency (ie. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement)
- proof of immunizations
- proof of age
To access the most updated health requirements click here.
To access the UPK/Kindergarten Registration Help document click here.
"Dance A Difference" Week!
In preparation for "Dance A Difference" Week (March 5-11, 2023), the WG Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts is putting together Comfort Cases for children in foster care and those serviced through the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center. Thousands of teens and youth are moving from house to house carrying their few belongings in a garbage bag. Comfort Case was created to help end this tragedy.
West Genesee NHSDA dancers are accepting donations of:
- backpacks
- pajamas
- socks
- soft blankets
- stuffed animals
- coloring books/crayons
- books
- journals/pens
- travel-sized toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, toothbrush/toothpaste, soap/bodywash, deodorant, hair brush/comb/pik, hair ties/headbands)
- gift cards to purchase additional items
Items may be dropped off at the HS Main Office, HS Library, or Fine Arts Office, Monday-Fridays from 8:00-3:00 now through February 28. If you would like to volunteer to help assemble the bags, please email cbrackett@westgenesee.org for complete details.
Help our dancers help others!!
Happening at WGCSD.....Community Forum on Student Achievement, Recognition, and the Future of Class Rank
Mark your calendars for a Community Forum on Student Achievement, Recognition, and the Future of Class Rank.
Dates: Wednesday, February 1 and Wednesday, February 15
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: WGHS LGI Room
Kindergarten Registration has Started
Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year opened on December 14 and will go until March 31, 2023.
Watch for registration information on the Central Registration webpage. If you have any questions, email the Central Registrar at centralregistrar@westgenesee.org, or call Central Registration at (315) 487-4683.
When registering, parents should be prepared to upload the following:
- proof of residency (ie. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement)
- proof of immunizations
- proof of age
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, 2023.
To access the most updated health requirements click here.
To access the UPK/Kindergarten Registration Help document click here.
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 television stations (which you can access by clicking here).
SchoolMessenger 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 do NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in ParentVue. (You may opt-out if you choose not to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls. Also, although you do not need to sign-up to receive texts, you do have to opt-in per the instructions in the Tips article below. )
For more information go to the website and click on Communications from the Connect section of the home page.
WGCSD is Looking to Hire Transportation Staff
West Genesee CSD is looking to hire regular bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and substitute bus attendants.
Inquiries about these positions can be sent to Debbie Price at dprice@westgenesee.org.
WGCSD Seeks a Maintenance Worker
To apply go to https://www.westgenesee.org/staff-resources/job-opportunities/current-job-openings/ to fill out the application (https://www.westgenesee.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/StaffResourcesSupportStaffApp.pdf) and bring it to the District Office (300 Sanderson Drive-behind Stonehedge Elementary).
Please call 315-487-4630 with any questions.
WGCSD is Looking to Full-time and Substitute Custodians
West Genesee CSD is hiring full-time custodians on all shifts and substitute custodians for the 2nd shift. Inquiries can be made to Buildings and Grounds at (315) 487-4630
Upcoming Events
- February 1, 2023 Community Forum on Student Achievement-5:00 p.m.
- February 1, 2023 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.
- February 7-8, 2023 WGCSD Strategic Planning Team Meeting
- February 15, 2023 Community Forum on Student Achievement-5:00 p.m.
- February 15, 2023 BOE Claims Audit Sub-Committee Meeting-5:15 p.m.
- February 15, 2023 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m.
- February 20-24, 2023 Winter Recess-No School