Notes from Onondaga Road

Hello, Onondaga Road Families -

I am bursting with pride as my time at Onondaga Road comes to a close and I embark upon retirement concluding my 31 year career in public education. Usually we educators measure the years from September to June, but since the actual calendar year closes at the end of December, I have decided to begin my official retirement on January 1, the beginning of a new year.

The decision to retire has been a difficult one to make because I have always loved my career, and I believe strongly in the power of public education. I am proud to have dedicate my life's endeavors to supporting and educating hundreds of children, and I am confident that I have helped to make a positive impact in our community. I say that confidently because over the years I having felt love and support from our families, and I have watched many children learn and grow and, ultimately, give back to our community and the world at large.

West Genesee is a special place, and specifically, Onondaga Road School is a pillar of goodness where we support one another and advocate for all that is good and right for our children. Our staff is second to none, and they always go above and beyond the call of duty to meet our kids' needs. I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead and to learn from such dedicated professionals for over a decade.

Please accept my sincere gratitude for your ongoing support and for entrusting your children to me, to us. Thank you, also, for the sincere outpouring of gratitude that you have expressed to me! I am overwhelmed by your well-wishes, kind notes and generosity. I will forever hold a special place in my heart for my "home away from home," Onondaga Road!

And now, I am happy to introduce our new principal, Mrs. Michelle Collier! Mrs. Collier is a dedicated, compassionate principal who will lead our Onondaga Road community into the new year and beyond! Welcome aboard, Mrs. Collier! Watch for the next school blog to come from her in January 2024!

Happy, happy New Year to you and yours.

Respectfully,
Jeannette Clark

The cooler weather is upon us! Remember to send that cold weather clothing! Our students will continue to go outside for recess each day, unless the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. When you come back in January, dress for sweater weather!

Please be sure to label your child's cold weather clothing. You will be so glad you did because we see lots of duplicates!

Announcements about school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissal will be posted on the News Headlines section of the West Genesee School District website home page. They will also be broadcast on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the following stations which you can access by clicking here.

Our online report cards were made available to you on Friday, December 15. Report cards are electronically accessible in ParentVUE. In addition to this digital format, ParentVUE also has a printable PDF version in case you wish to print it out.

If you are not able to access your ParentVUE account, please use the following link. Once there you can click the "forgot password" prompt.

If you need to activate your account, please email: centralregistrar@westgenesee.org. They will be happy to assist you from 8:00 - 4:00, Monday through Friday.

Our next PTA meeting will be held in the library on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. All are encouraged and welcome to attend, and you will have the opportunity to meet our new principal, Mrs. Collier.

There is still time to order your 2023-24 school yearbook. Please know that the price increases slightly after January 1, so order now for the lower cost.

Our yearbook committee also invites you to submit candid photos from fall and winter activities. Please email your candids to yearbookoroad@gmail.com, and include students' names, grades, teachers' names, and the name of the event pictured. Thanks for helping to make the yearbook inclusive of all of our students!

Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open through March 31, 2024.

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:

• Two proofs of residency (i.e. mortgage or property statement or signed lease agreement, utility bill )
• proof of child's age

A physical examination and proof of immunizations are also required for entry into kindergarten 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, 2024.

To access the most updated health requirements click here.

• Friday, December 22 through Monday, January 1 - School closed for winter holiday recess (return on Tuesday, January 2, 2024)
• January 1, 2024 - Happy New Year!
• Tuesday, January 2, 2024 - Return to school
• Thursday, January 4, 6:00 p.m. - PTA meeting at OR library
• Friday, January 5 - School Store & Spirit Day (wear blue and gold!)
• Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (schools are closed)
• Friday, January 19 - OR grade 4 chorus sings at the Syracuse Crunch hockey game
• Thursday, January 25 - BINGO night at OR (watch for details coming soon!)
• Friday, January 26 - Half-day for students, dismissal at 11:15